How To Spend A Perfect Afternoon In Fiesole

If you are hoping to find a perfect view of Florence, look no further than the beautiful (and nearby!) town of Fiesole.  This small town, set among the hills of Tuscany, offers an incredible panorama of Firenze, as well as Roman ruins, the Monastery of San Francesco, and a restaurant that is a must-try for any Florence visitor. Whether staying in Florence for 3 days or 3 months, a quick trip (I recommend an afternoon) to Fiesole is a must do!

How to Get There

Getting to Fiesole is a snap! Simply purchase a round trip ATAF bus ticket (€1.80 each way) and head to the Piazza di San Marco. Take line 7 from “La Pira” to the last stop, “Fiesole.” The busses run very frequently (view the timetable here) and you will arrive in Fiesole in under 30 minutes!

What to Do

Museo Bandini

Just a short walk away from the bus stop in Piazza Mino lies the Museo Bandini. Though the Museo Bandini has limited hours, the 7€ ticket to visit the museum and archaeological site is definitely worth it. The museum focuses on 12th to 14th century art works, while the nearby Civic Museum houses a small collection of ancient art and artifacts.

After checking out the exhibits, you can make your way over to the archaeological site, and step in the footsteps of the Romans as you explore the remaining amphitheater, temple, and bath house ruins. It is fascinating discovering the Roman history lying just outside of Florence, the Italian Renaissance capitol.

Cathedral San Romolo

Located in Piazza Mino, this 11th century Romanesque cathedral is worth a peek inside. Its dark interiors, original facade, and beautiful artworks inside will leave you feeling inspired, as will the solemn silence you can enjoy inside.

Explore the Town

Whenever I visit a new place, I always try to build in some time simply wandering around, often without a map. Fortunately for me, in a smaller town like Fiesole, its pretty difficult to get lost.

Spend an hour or so exploring the town’s quaint streets-you’ll be surprised by the charming elements you’ll find.

On my short trek, I discovered beautiful blooming flowers, artisanal shops, vintage cars, and local artwork. Needless to say, I was enchanted by Fiesole’s less touristy attractions!

Monastery of San Francesco

Brave the steep hill to the left of the main square (its not too bad, I promise) and you will discover the Monastery of San Francesco. Check out the church, garden, original paintings, and beautiful views available around the monastery. If the museum is open, wander the exhibits and explore the rooms in which the Franciscan monks once slept.

The views

On the way to the monastery, you will pass an incredible vista overlooking Florence. Cypress and olive trees, rolling hills, and the distant city make for a beautiful picture of Firenze, and are one of the main reasons people flock to Fiesole. If you can, shoot for a clear day so your pictures do not appear hazy. I’ve been several times, yet each day Florence was covered in an afternoon fog. Nonetheless, the view is breathtaking. See how many landmarks you can spot!

Where to Eat

Do yourself a favor and call ahead to make a reservation for the restaurant with the best food, atmosphere, and view in town! Seriously, if you don’t have time to do anything else in town, make time for Ristorante “La Reggia.” A simple phone call in advance will ensure you a table, and don’t forget to request a seat with a view!

Everything about this meal was perfect. From the complementary prosecco upon being seated, to an incredible trio of crostini, delectable black truffle pasta-seriously to die for, and final trio of pastries. I left feeling insanely full and even more satisfied.

I still can’t tell you which course was better, and the amazing view made the experience even more enjoyable. I highly recommend “la Reggia” to anyone looking for a romantic (or delicious) dinner near Florence with atmosphere to match!

---

There you have it! My top tips for an incredible afternoon in Fiesole! Would you make a trip here on a visit to Florence? If you already have, be sure to share what your favorite things to do are!