← Ecomaratona del Chianti Classico·2 nights

Florence: Two Nights on the Flat

Two nights in the city that sets the standard for Italian art, with a flat centre that suits legs still stiff from the hills.

Duration2 nights
TransitBus or train via Siena, about 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr
DepartsCastelnuovo Berardenga

After the Ecomaratona del Chianti Classico: Florence

The Route: Castelnuovo Berardenga → Siena → Florence Logistics: A bus to Siena and then a direct bus or train on to Florence. Allow 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours in total, and more if the Monday timetable is thin. Check the schedule of each leg and the last service. Marathon Month: October Duration: 2 nights

Castelnuovo Berardenga ──(bus, 30 to 45 min)──> Siena ──(bus or train, about 1 hr 15)──> Florence

After a route that climbs about 1,180 m, the centre of Florence feels almost unfairly flat. The historic core is a compact grid of stone streets between the Arno and the cathedral, and everything in it is walkable in a morning. That makes it a good place for a slow recovery.

October in Florence: daytime temperatures are usually 13 to 21 °C, with cooler mornings and some rain. The cathedral queues are shorter than in summer but still long on weekends. Book timed tickets for the main sights in advance.

The journey is the awkward part. Siena is the natural change point, and you can continue by bus or train. Check trenitalia.com or the bus operator for the current times, and do not assume the Monday service matches the weekday one.

Night one: the centre

Start with the cathedral, its dome and the baptistery. The dome is climbable, but it has hundreds of steps and is a poor idea the day after a hard race. Look at it from the square instead. The Uffizi Gallery holds the great Renaissance paintings and needs a booked ticket and a fixed time, so reserve well ahead and check the current price. A slow walk along the Arno and across the Ponte Vecchio takes about half an hour.

Dinner in the centre should be booked ahead. Try bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick T-bone steak sold by weight, or the simpler ribollita, a bread and vegetable soup. Prices vary and the tourist streets are the most expensive.

Night two: Oltrarno

Cross the river to the Oltrarno, the quarter south of the Arno, where the streets are quieter and workshops still make furniture, leather and jewellery. The Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens are here. The gardens are on a slope, so walk them slowly or skip the upper terraces. Check the opening hours and ticket prices.

For dinner, small osterie in the Oltrarno serve Tuscan classics at slightly lower prices than the centre. Book ahead, especially at the weekend.

Where to stay

A hotel near Santa Maria Novella station, in the centre or in the Oltrarno, suits a two-night stay. The station area has the most options and the easiest links to Siena and to the airport. Book a refundable rate and confirm the check-in time.

Getting back

Take the bus or train back towards your onward journey. If you fly from Florence, the airport connects to the centre by tram. Check the timetables and allow extra time.