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The Cascine Park Woods

The Cascine park lies to the west of the historical centre of Florence. This map shows the exact location. For tourists the easiest way to find it is to come out the Uffizi Gallery facing the Arno river and head in the direction of the Ponte Vecchio, at the bridge don’t go over it but continue along the same road that runs following the Arno. At the end of this road is the Cascine Park (about 20 minutes walk).

The Parco delle Cascine is the largest park in Florence and takes about 40 minutes to walk end to end. On Tuesday morning around the Via Della Catena is a weekly market selling everything from clothes to fruit and veg. It’s also the location for various markets and exhibitions throughout the year.

The park is naturally divided into two big fields. During the summer months a horse and cart will take you on a short 25 minute spin around the park, this is a pleasant way to see it. The horses leave from the first big open field you come to when arriving from the Ponte Vecchio.

Trips by horse and carriage during the summer months.

In the third and final field there is an old Roman Ampitheatre. A few years ago this was a fantastic venue that had beer tents and music during the summer months. It seems that now the local council don’t want events to happen here anymore, this is a shame because used to be the most amazing way to spend an evening in the city.

Roman Amphitheatre

Finally a word of caution, the park can be enjoyed during the day but during the night you won’t find many locals heading in there unless they are going to one of the nightclubs that operate only at the start of the road that runs through it. Just as in any city, Florence also has it’s share of alternative nightlife.

During the daytime the park is a place to enjoy a walk and some peace and quiet, while taking in Florence from a distance.

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