The magic of Christmas in Florence

Decorations, markets, exhibitions, hot chocolate: Stroll through the streets of the city centre and allow yourself to be guided by its beauty

The Christmas illuminations light up the historic centre. The magic of Christmas can be seen in the shop windows. The kids start to dream in front of the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica, which goes round and round, always carrying the wishes and dreams of adults and children. You can feel the Christmas atmosphere in Florence decorated in red, gold and silver as you take in the smell of roasted chestnuts. Christmas markets are put up creating a joyful and cheerful setting. To discover the best of Christmas in the city browse the latest issue of Firenze made in Tuscany - Christmas Guide.

The small shops carry on the tradition of small handmade goods and well-known brands display their latest fashion trends. The nice thing about Florence is also this, it brings together craftsmanship, fashion and modernity that suits everyone.

While walking through the streets of the centre, you cannot not notice Via de’ Tornabuoni with its seven bright Christmas trees completely decorated in LED microlights. Then there is the usual tree in Piazza Duomo next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which will be a magical setting full of warmth. In the square of the Cathedral up until January 6, there will also be the usual nativity crib set up by the Opera of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Besides the more traditional decorations, there are also the original installations of the Green Line, the festival of art lighting, which will brighten up the squares, monuments of the city such as Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the museum Marino Marini with projections and spectacular light effects.

If it is too cold outside, why not visit the spectacular exhibition of Olafur Eliasson at Palazzo Strozzi, or Tony Cragg’s at the Museo Novecento. If instead you prefer to keep warm with a delicious and thick hot chocolate, you can stop for a treat at the Rivoire, a popular place in Piazza della Signoria for chocolate lovers, or at Caffè Gilli, a historic and charming coffee bar where you can try real chocolate made in Tuscany made using the best blends of cocoa. Also the well-known maritozzo by Iginio Massari in the patisserie in Via de’ Vecchietti is perfect to tickle the taste-buds of children and adults along with a hot tea or coffee (Here a dive into the best pastry shops in town). The perfect setting for an already magical atmosphere is the panoramic wheeland ice-skating rink in the gardens of Fortezza da Basso where the young ones can have fun and enjoy a really special Christmas.