Hills, Gardens & Quiet Streets Beyond the Arno

Cross the river to explore Florence’s more relaxed south side, where leafy piazzas, artisan workshops, and panoramic viewpoints offer a quieter take on the Renaissance. From the Rose Garden to San Miniato al Monte, this walk reveals the city’s beauty in its hills, gardens, and everyday rhythm.
The Oltrarno—literally “beyond the Arno”—is Florence’s more relaxed, artisan-rich district, known for its leafy hills, Renaissance villas, and local charm. While the city’s north side draws crowds to the Duomo and Uffizi, the Oltrarno offers a slower rhythm, with scenic gardens, panoramic viewpoints, and some of Florence’s most elegant streets.
These two JCV Walks begin on opposite ends of the district and loop through its most iconic highlights, offering distinct ways to experience its beauty.

This walk has some bus options to reduce the walk distance.

How to navigate with your mobile device
JCVWalks are designed to be easy to follow on your mobile device. As you walk, you can tap the header or photo for each point of interest to open the location directly in Google Maps. This will help you navigate from your current location to the next point of interest. If you’d like to learn more about any stop along the way, just click the links in the description for additional details and context.


