Rest a while and enjoy the views at the park, bars and food trucks set along one of the avenues that line the banks of the River Arno.
Lungarno del Tempio is an elegant thoroughfare set on the northern shoreline of the Arno and at the edge of the Historic Centre of Florence. It is one of a collection of riverfront avenues (lungarni) in the city that offer opportunities to enjoy relaxed strolls, dine at traditional Italian restaurants and spot notable landmarks. Visit Lungarno del Tempio at the start or end of your tour of Florence’s bridges.
A highlight of the lungarno is the riverfront Giardini Antonino Caponnetto, where tall trees and hedges frame a network of pathways. Locals come here to exercise, ride bikes and walk while children have fun on the playground games. Come in the summer months for a picnic or in autumn when leaves fall from the trees and create a carpet of magnificent shades of red, gold and yellow.
Satisfy your craving for gourmet Italian street food at the park’s food truck area. From paninis to seafood and organic Tuscan potato French fries, there’s something for most tastes. Meat lovers can sample burgers made from Chianina beef, which comes from one of the world’s oldest breeds of cattle. Grab a table at the outdoor seating area for river views.
Ponte San Niccolò crosses the Arno to the Oltrarno neighbourhood from the western end of the avenue. Stand in the centre of the bridge to admire Renaissance-style architecture and major city landmarks. To the west you can see the 14th-century Porta San Niccolò gateway and the tower of the emblematic Palazzo Vecchio. Glimpses of the Tuscan hills showcase a slice of Florence’s pretty countryside.
Lungarno del Tempio is about a 30-minute walk from Florence’s two main squares, Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. A pleasant way to get here is to tour the riverbanks and lungarni on foot by crossing the six bridges of Florence, including Ponte Vecchio.
