The hostel in Florence with the best views!

Plus Camping Michelangelo overlooks the beautiful city of Florence and the river Arno.

Plus Camping Michelangelo has all the facilities a backpacker could want in a Florence hostel, laundry, internet point, supermarket, cash point, 24 hour security, luggage storage and more with terrace bar, pizzeria and restaurant. The hostel with a difference, no curfew, no cramped rooms, nightly entertainment and sensational views.

Our accommodation is unique to youth hostels in that we use three person house tents instead of dorms, and these include blankets and pillows.

Due to local bylaws protecting the surrounding olive groves we cannot provide hardtop accommodation. The house tents can be rent private (for two people) ore shared and are lockable.

Our hostel/camping village is located close to all major tourist attractions, bars and night clubs; these can be easily reached on foot or by local transport.

PLUS pride ourselves in providing clean, comfortable and safe accommodation throughout Italy. We hope that you enjoy your stay with us.

Just a Few of the Cool Things to do in Florence:

DAVID Believe it or not there are three Davids in Florence. The original, sculptured in 1501 by Michelangelo at the age of 26, was moved inside to the Accademia from Piazza Signoria in 1873 to prevent damage from the weather. However this did not stop one hot-headed visitor causing significant damage in 1998 when he chopped off David’s left toe with a gemstone hammer. It was subsequently stuck back on and security tightened up. You can queue or book tickets online, or check out the copy standing in Piazza Signoria for free or climb the hill to Piazza Michelangelo to see the bronze version.

The Accademia is open every day except Monday, 08:15-18:50 with the last booking for 17:30. UFFIZI GALLERY Giotto, Fra Angelico, Lippi, Botticelli, Correggio, Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo…. The list goes on and on. Perhaps the most famous art history museum in the world with a collection second only to that of the Vatican. Built between 1560-1580 the collections began with Giorgio Vasari, and were added to over the years by dukes and the Medici clan, more dukes and finally the Italian state. Closed on Mondays, the last bookings are taken up to 4.45pm. Needs a day on it’s own to get round.

PIAZZA SIGNORIA

This was the site for an execution of a priest by the name of Savonarola in 1498, who had been making disparaging comments about the Catholic Church and claiming he had visions. Today you can join the crowds to admire the classical statues (and David) on display around the Palazzo Vecchio and under the loggia. For the detectives among you try to find the face carved onto the wall of the Palazzo Vecchio, legend tells it that Michelangelo was trying to prove a point by carving it with his hands behind his back.

THE DUOMO

Construction began in 1296 of Florence’s famous cathedral, with an adventurous design incorporating a dome whose size had not been attempted since the building of the Pantheon. One man rose to the challenge in 1418, Filippo Brunelleschi, who during the whole process managed to invent various new construction methods as well as take part in a war or two. The glorious neo-gothic façade was only recently completed during the 19th C. The interior is not to be missed either with incredible frescoes and Donatello’s stained glass windows. Open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, 1pm-5pm Sunday and religious holidays. The cathedral entry is free but there is a charge to enter the Baptistry and the Cupola.

OPERA DEL DUOMO

This is the museum of artworks used over the years on the Baptistry and pieces from inside the Cathedral. Artworks include pieces by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Lorenzo Ghiberti’s famous original baptistry doors. Opening hours are 9am-6.50pm (April-October), 9am-6.20pm (November-March), closed Sunday’s, New Years, Easter and Christmas.

PONTE VECCHIO

One of the three bridges in the world occupied by shops, and Florence’s oldest. Spared destruction from the Germans in WWII because of its age, it has also withstood floods and tourists. The dazzling goldsmith shops you see today are a far cry from the stinking noisy butchers and black smiths that originally occupied it. Above the shops is a hidden walkway linking the Palazzo Pitti to the Uffizi once allowing the Medici’s to avoid roughing it with the locals.

FLORENCE MARKETS

Florence is famous also for its markets. Try out your haggling skills and you may find a bargain. -San Lorenzo Market Piazza S. Lorenzo, Via dell'Ariento. Clothing, articles in leather, souvenirs, etc. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Open every first Sunday of the month. -Flea Market Piazza dei Ciompi Furniture and objects from the past, prints, coins, jewellery. The stalls keep to shop opening hours. Open all day on the last Sunday of every month. -Sant'Ambrogio Piazza Ghiberti Foodstuffs, fruit, vegetables, flowers, clothing and footwear. Open weekday mornings only. -Straw Market (Porcellino) Via Por Santa Maria Articles in Florentine straw, hand embroidery, leather goods, objects in wood, flowers. Open from 8am to 7pm: closed on Sundays and Monday mornings. Made famous in the film Hannibal. -Cascine Market Parco delle Cascine. Clothing, leather goods, footwear, fruit, vegetables, flowers, household goods. Tuesday mornings only.

BOBOLI GARDENS

More of the Medici clan’s grand designs. These were designed by Tribolo between 1550-1558 and formed the basis for all European royal gardens from then on, including Versailles. A grand oasis in the city filled with landscaping, statues, fountains and open areas to take a relaxed stroll. It was opened to the public in 1776. Still open to the public today entry is through the Palazzo Pitti, usually from 9am, there is a charge, and closes one hour before sunset.

PITTI PALACE

This magnificent palace, another Brunelleschi masterpiece, was bought unfinished by the Medici family in 1550 when they felt the need to move from the more defensive looking Palazzo Vecchio. They enlarged the already extensive building and developed the gardens behind. The residential rooms of the ducal family have now been transformed into highly regarded art galleries, including collections of silver, modern art, porcelain and costumes. The galleries all have their own opening times but generally are open from 8:15am until 13:50pm except the Palatine, Museo degli Argenti and the Porcelain which close at 19:30 during the summer. Entry fees vary but there are some multiple passes available.