Europe’s best holiday city has been revealed, with voters praising the idyllic location for its incredible views, budget-friendly pizza and affordable flights from the UK.
In a new survey conducted by luxury magazine Travel + Leisure, readers cast votes for their favourite city worldwide, with the Italian hotspot of Florence taking the crown as Europe’s most loved.
Frequented by between 10 and 16million holidaymakers each year, sunseekers eagerly flock to the Tuscan city due to its rich Renaissance art and architecture, walkable city center and delicious food.
Described by Travel + Leisure as a ‘must-see’ thanks to its ‘artistic treasures’, ‘superlative shopping’ and ‘wide selection of hotels’, Florence, often known simply as ‘The Beautiful’, gained an overall reader score of 90.08.
Taking the top spot in Europe and 11th in the world, Florence even beat the popular European cities of Seville, Spain, Instanbul, Turkey and fellow Italian city of Rome.
Once named by SerSace as ‘the most beautiful city in the world’, travellers seeking a romantic European getaway are in luck due to its historical charm and picturesque scenery.
Visitors can gaze at some of the world’s most gorgeous architecture, including the Duomo cathedral, which even contains its own piazza.
Meanwhile, the Pagliazza Tower, which dates back to the sixth or seventh century, is one of Europe’s most captivating squares.
In a new survey conducted by luxury travel magazine Travel + Leisure, readers cast a vote for their favourite city worldwide, with the Italian hotspot of Florence (pictured) taking the crown as Europe’s most loved, gaining an overall reader score of 90.08
Florence is frequented by between 10 and 16million holidaymakers each year, with sunseekers eagerly flocking to the Tuscan city due to its rich Renaissance art and architecture, walkable city center and delicious food
Once named by SerSace as ‘the most beautiful city in the world’, travellers seeking a romantic European getaway are in luck due to its historical charm and picturesque scenery
For those looking to further indulge themselves in the Tuscan culture, the city is also home to some of the world’s most iconic and historic artwork, including pieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.
The Galleria dell ’Accademia di Firenze, the location of Michelangelo’s David, is a five-metre-high marble sculpture that serves as one the world’s most famous artistic masterpieces.
From the gallery, it is just a seven minute stroll to the city’s 1200’s cathedral, a major feature of Florence’s skyline.
The city’s iconic medieval bridge – Ponte Vecchio, is one of Florence’s most visited attractions. It was the only bridge in Florence to survive WWII and is famed for the shops that line its sides.
Food lovers will also be surprised by how easily tourists can get their hands on a slice of authentic Italian pizza for just £1.30, while pasta dishes can also be enjoyed for a mere £5.
Famous for its gelato, signature local deliacies include the negroni cocktail and ribollita soup.
Just last week, Florence was named the world’s most walkable city due to its compact layout and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Research undertaken by financial website Insider Monkey saw Florence race to the top spot, surpassing locations such as Madrid, Porto and Hamburg.
The Galleria dell ’Accademia di Firenze, the location of Michelangelo’s David, (pictured) is a five-metre-high marble sculpture that serves as one the world’s most famous artistic masterpieces
The city’s iconic medieval bridge – Ponte Vecchio (pictured), is one of Florence’s most visited attractions. It was the only bridge in Florence to survive WWII and is famed for the shops that line its sides
Food lovers will also be surprised by how easily tourists can get their hands on a slice of authentic Italian pizza for just £1.30, while pasta dishes can also be enjoyed for a mere £5. Flights from the UK run daily and from £44 return prices, with a flight time of just two hours
With high praise awarded for its ‘history and timeless architecture’, the city was said to be explorable within just a two-hour window, as its hidden gems are easily accessible by foot.
The study also spoke favourably about the city’s good air quality and safety levels.
Accessing the charming city from the UK could also not be easier, with daily flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to Florence-Peretola Airport launching in 2023.
With a flight time of just two hours and return fares starting from £44, there are up to 69 flights from the UK running a week, according to Skyscanner.
Indeed, for those based outside of the capital, several other UK airports also offer direct routes to the nearby Italian city of Pisa, just an hour’s train ride away.
It is even possible to get to Florence by train from the UK. Simply hop on the Eurostar to Paris before making a change to Milan and then catching a final train to Florence.
