Hotel Canada — Guida degli Ospiti

01

Getting Around

Muoversi a Firenze

Florence's historic center is compact and best explored on foot. Most major sights are within 15 minutes' walk from the hotel.

On Foot

A piedi

The centro storico is largely pedestrianized. Walking is the best — and most enjoyable — way to explore. Wear comfortable shoes on the cobblestones.

By Bus

In autobus

ATAF buses serve the city. Tickets are €1.50 (valid 90 min). Buy at tabacchi shops before boarding — or pay contactless directly on the bus using your mobile phone wallet (Apple Pay / Google Pay). Useful routes: C1, C2 (centro), 7 (Fiesole), 12/13 (Piazzale Michelangelo).

By Taxi

In taxi

Radio Taxi 4242: +39 055 4242
Radio Taxi 4390: +39 055 4390
Call fee: €2.40 added on pickup
To/from airport (FLR): approx. €22–25
To/from Pisa airport: approx. €160–180

Train Station

Stazione Ferroviaria

Santa Maria Novella (SMN) — 10 min walk. High-speed trains to Rome (1.5h), Venice (2h), Milan (1h45), Pisa (1h). Book at trenitalia.com or italotreno.it.

        Airport Connections
        Florence Airport (FLR / Peretola) — 20 min by taxi or tram T2 line from SMN station (€1.50)
Pisa Airport (PSA) — larger, more flights. PisaMover to Pisa Centrale, then train to Florence SMN (total ~1.5h)

      

02

Three Days in Florence

Tre giorni a Firenze

A suggested itinerary to experience the best of the city. Adjust to your pace — Florence rewards wandering as much as planning.

Day 1 — The Heart of Florence

Il cuore di Firenze

Morning: Start at the Duomo — climb the Cupola di Brunelleschi for panoramic views (book in advance). Visit the Battistero di San Giovanni and Giotto's Campanile.
Lunch: Grab a panino at I Fratellini or eat at Mercato Centrale upstairs.
Afternoon: Stroll to Piazza della Signoria, then walk along Via Por Santa Maria to Ponte Vecchio at golden hour.
Evening: Aperitivo on the Oltrarno side with a view of the river.

Day 2 — Art & Gardens

Arte e giardini

Morning: Galleria degli Uffizi — one of the world's greatest art museums. Book online to skip the queue. Allow 2–3 hours.
Lunch: Cross Ponte Vecchio and eat in the Oltrarno — try Trattoria 4 Leoni on Piazza della Passera.
Afternoon: Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens — Renaissance gardens with views over Florence.
Evening: Explore artisan shops on Via Maggio and Via Santo Spirito. Dinner in the Oltrarno.

Day 3 — Masterpieces & Markets

Capolavori e mercati

Morning: Galleria dell'Accademia — home to Michelangelo's David. Book ahead. About 1 hour.
Late Morning: Browse the San Lorenzo outdoor market right outside the hotel.
Lunch: Trattoria Sergio Gozzi in Piazza San Lorenzo — a local classic since 1915.
Afternoon: Basilica di Santa Croce (Dante, Galileo, Machiavelli are buried here). Then walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for the iconic sunset view.
Evening: Celebratory dinner — bistecca alla fiorentina at a traditional trattoria.

03

Museums & Tickets

Musei e biglietti

Florence is home to some of the world's most important art collections. Booking ahead is strongly recommended — especially in high season.

Galleria degli Uffizi

The world's greatest collection of Renaissance art. Botticelli's Birth of Venus, works by Leonardo, Raphael, Caravaggio. Allow 2–3 hours minimum.

Galleria dell'Accademia

Home to Michelangelo's David — the most famous sculpture in the world. Also houses his unfinished "Prisoners" and medieval art collections.

Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens

A massive Renaissance palace with the Palatine Gallery (Raphael, Titian), Royal Apartments, Costume Gallery, and the beautiful Boboli Gardens.

Museo del Bargello

Florence's sculpture museum — Donatello, Verrocchio, and Michelangelo. Far less crowded than the Uffizi. A local favorite.

Basilica di Santa Croce

The largest Franciscan church in the world. Final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini. Stunning Giotto frescoes.

Museo di San Marco

A former convent decorated with Fra Angelico's luminous frescoes. Peaceful, uncrowded, and utterly beautiful. A hidden gem.

Booking Tips

Book online for the Uffizi and Accademia — walk-up queues can be 2+ hours
First Sunday of the month: many state museums are free (but very crowded)
Firenze Card (€85, 72h): unlimited entry to 70+ museums + free public transport
Municipal museums: ticketsmuseums.comune.fi.it

Bistecca alla fiorentina — Florentine T-bone steak with arugula

04

Food & Drink

Mangiare e bere

Florentine food is hearty, simple, and built on exceptional ingredients. Here's what to eat and where to find it — starting right in your neighborhood.

            Dishes You Must Try
            Bistecca alla Fiorentina — thick-cut T-bone from Chianina cattle, rare, seasoned with salt and olive oil
Ribollita — hearty bread and vegetable soup, a Tuscan classic
Lampredotto — street food: tripe sandwich from market carts
Schiacciata — Florentine flatbread, stuffed with prosciutto
Pappa al pomodoro — thick tomato and bread soup
Crostini di fegatini — chicken liver crostini, served everywhere

          

Near the Hotel

Vicino all'albergo

Mercato Centrale

Via dell'Ariento — 1 min walk

Florence's grand central market. Ground floor: fresh produce, meat, cheese (closed Sundays). First floor: food hall open daily until midnight — pasta, pizza, lampredotto, wine.

Trattoria Sergio Gozzi

Piazza San Lorenzo 8r — lunch only, closed Sundays

A beloved local institution since 1915. Traditional Tuscan fare — their ribollita is legendary. Cash only, arrive early. No reservations.

Trattoria Mario

Via Rosina 2r — lunch only, closed Sundays

Crowded, loud, shared tables — the real Florence experience. Outstanding bistecca and pasta. Cash only. Queue outside before noon.

Casa del Vino

Via dell'Ariento 16r

Tiny wine bar with excellent bruschetta and a carefully curated Tuscan wine list. Perfect for a quick glass between sightseeing.

I Fratellini

Via dei Cimatori 38r — near Piazza della Signoria

A legendary hole-in-the-wall. 30+ panini fillings, a glass of wine, standing in the street. A Florence rite of passage.

Best Gelato

Il miglior gelato

Gelateria Edoardo

Piazza del Duomo 45r

Organic, artisanal gelato right in front of the Cathedral. Try their gianduia. Vegan options available.

La Strega Nocciola

Via de' Pecori

Steps from the Duomo — one of the rare tourist-area shops with genuinely great gelato.

Perché No!

Via dei Tavolini 19r

One of Florence's best. Try the black sesame or currant with mint.

Mordilatte

Via dei Servi

Creamy, generous portions. A local favorite near the Duomo.

        Gelato Tips
        Look for "produzione propria" or "artigianale" — made fresh on-site
If the pistachio is neon green, walk away. Real pistachio is a muted brownish-green
Ask for "un cono" (cone) or "una coppetta" (cup)

      

Wine tasting experience at Vino Tasting, Florence

05

Curated Experiences

Esperienze selezionate per voi

We've partnered with two of our favorite neighbors to offer you something special — experiences you won't find in a guidebook. Both are steps from the hotel, handpicked by us.

Vino Tasting

Tuscan Wine Experiences

A beautifully curated wine bar in the heart of Florence offering guided tastings of Tuscany's finest wines — from bold Chianti Classico Riserva to crisp Vernaccia di San Gimignano and elegant Bolgheri whites. Each tasting is led by a knowledgeable sommelier who walks you through the history, terroir, and craft behind every bottle.

Friends enjoying wine and charcuterie at Vino Tasting

Wine tasting group experience in Florence

What to Expect

Guided tastings of carefully selected Tuscan wines
Paired with local charcuterie, cheese, and bruschetta
Learn about Tuscan winemaking heritage and terroir
Intimate setting — perfect for couples or small groups

Visit Details

Address: Via Del Gomitolo dell'Oro 11R
Hours: Mon–Sat, 12:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Phone: (+39) 055 389 7295
Book: vino-tasting.com/experiences

Antica Pasticceria Sieni

Dal 1909 — Historic Florentine Pastry

Right on your street, this legendary pastry shop has been serving Florence since 1909. Founded by Vittorio Sieni, it's the birthplace of iconic Florentine desserts — the Fedora, the Zuccotto, and the beloved Torta della Nonna. Still made today from the original Sieni family recipe book. Stop in for a morning cappuccino and cornetto, or take home a box of their famous Brutti e Boni and Cantucci di Prato.

Signature Creations

Fedora — a Sieni original from the 1930s
Zuccotto — created for the Zocchi restaurant at Pratolino
Torta della Nonna — the quintessential Tuscan dessert
Brutti e Boni & Cantucci — traditional Tuscan biscuits

Visit Details

Address: Via S. Antonino 54/r — on your street!
Hours: Mon–Sat, 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Phone: (+39) 055 213 830
Since: 1909 — over a century of Florentine pastry

Hotel Canada Tip

Tell them you're staying at Hotel Canada — you're neighbors. Start your morning at Sieni with a cappuccino and sfogliatella before heading out to explore, and end the day with a wine tasting at Vino Tasting. The perfect Florentine day, all within a few minutes' walk.

Leather goods display inside a Florence boutique

06

Shopping

Lo shopping

Florence is the birthplace of Italian fashion and leatherwork. You're in the middle of the city's best shopping — the San Lorenzo market is literally outside your door.

San Lorenzo Market

Right outside the hotel

Leather bags, jackets, belts, scarves, and souvenirs. Bargaining is expected at the outdoor stalls. Check the stitching and smell — real leather is rich and natural, not chemical.

Via de' Tornabuoni

High fashion — 10 min walk

Florence's luxury shopping street. Gucci (born here), Ferragamo, Prada, Louis Vuitton. Even if you're not buying, the architecture is worth the stroll.

Oltrarno Artisan Workshops

Across Ponte Vecchio

Bookbinders, gilders, woodworkers, and leather artisans on Via Maggio, Via Santo Spirito, and Borgo San Frediano. Watch craftspeople at work.

What to Bring Home

Cosa portare a casa

Leather goods (bags, wallets, belts)
Tuscan extra virgin olive oil
Chianti wine or Vin Santo
Marbled paper (carta marmorizzata)
Biscotti di Prato

Sunset over rolling Tuscan hills and cypress trees

07

Day Trips

Gite di un giorno

Tuscany is stunning beyond Florence. All reachable by train or bus from Santa Maria Novella station (10 min walk from the hotel).

Pisa

1 hour by train

See the Leaning Tower, Cathedral, and Baptistry in the Piazza dei Miracoli. A half-day trip is enough.

Siena

1.5 hours by bus (SITA)

A medieval gem — the stunning Piazza del Campo, the Duomo, and incredible food. Worth a full day.

San Gimignano

1.5 hours by bus via Poggibonsi

The "Medieval Manhattan" — 14 surviving towers, Vernaccia white wine, and world-champion gelato at Gelateria Dondoli.

Chianti Wine Region

30–60 min by car

Rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves. Best with a car or organized tour. Visit Greve in Chianti or Castellina for wine tasting.

Cinque Terre

2.5 hours by train (via La Spezia)

Five colorful cliff-side villages. Hike, swim, eat pesto and focaccia. A longer day — leave early.

Outlet Shopping

30–45 min by shuttle from SMN

The Mall Firenze (Gucci, Prada, Fendi at 30–70% off) and Barberino Designer Outlet.

08

Practical Information

Informazioni pratiche

Emergency Numbers · Numeri di emergenza

112

General Emergency
Emergenza generale

118

Medical Emergency
Emergenza medica

113

Police
Polizia

115

Fire Brigade
Vigili del fuoco

Pharmacies

Farmacie

Look for the green cross. Two 24/7 pharmacies nearby:

Farmacia Comunale 13 — inside SMN station. Tel: 055 216 761
Farmacia Molteni — Via Calzaiuoli 7r. Tel: 055 215 472

For open pharmacies now: 800 420 707 (free, 24/7)

Hospital

Ospedale

Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova — Piazza Santa Maria Nuova 1, about 8 min walk. Emergency room: Pronto Soccorso. Operating since 1288.

Tipping

La mancia

Not expected but appreciated. A "coperto" (cover charge €1–3) is usually included. Rounding up or leaving €1–2 for good service is a kind gesture.

Water

L'acqua

Florence's tap water is safe and delicious. Bring a refillable bottle — there are public drinking fountains (fontanelle) throughout the city.

Money

Soldi

Italy uses the Euro (€). Cards widely accepted, but small trattorias and market stalls are often cash-only. Use bank-attached ATMs ("Bancomat") to avoid fees.

Useful Phrases

Frasi utili

Hello / Goodbye — Ciao / Buongiorno
Please — Per favore
Thank you — Grazie
The bill — Il conto, per favore
Where is...? — Dov'è...?
How much? — Quanto costa?

09

Useful Links

Link utili

Helpful websites for planning your time in Florence and booking ahead.

Visit Florence — Tourist Info Comprehensive tourist information: events, sights, maps, and practical tips. Feel Florence — Infopoints Official tourist infopoints in Florence. Find help in person. Guida per Firenze — History & Guided Tours Book licensed local guides for walking tours, museum visits, and historical deep-dives. Municipal Museum Tickets Book tickets online for Florence's civic museums (Palazzo Vecchio, Brancacci Chapel, and more). Free Museum Days Find out which museums are free and when — including first-Sunday-free state museums.