April 2016
Returning from Piazzale Michelangelo by bus no. 13, we decided to drop-off at stop no. 15 (Sant’Onofrio) and walked over to Ponte Vecchio. It’s a 15 minutes casual walk from the stop.
Ponte Vecchio – “Old Bridge” in Italian is a famous bridge in Florence and undoubtedly one of the notable landmarks. It links the 2 sides of Florence at the narrowest point of the Arno River. For the numerous shops selling a wide assortment of jewelry ranging from affordable modern jewels to pricey antiques on the bridge, it doesn’t really look like a bridge.
Ponte Vecchio is often full of tourists and whilst we enjoyed getting some nice picture of the bridge in the background, which is an incredibly sight when seen from afar, crossing the bridge itself is an uncomfortable experience during the peak tourist hours. Very busy, packed and lots of street sellers. If you have little time in Florence, seeing it from afar would suffice.
Ponte Vecchio from afar. That’s about the best thing about it!
Bus no. 13 from Piazzale Michelangelo back to town. Drop-off at stop no. 15 and walk over to Ponte Vecchio.
The calm river Arno and buildings on its bank.
Buildings on the banks of river Arno on the way to Ponte Vecchio.
Having a mid-day break by the side of river Arno. Otherwise, tourist horde street vendors above it.
Closer view of Ponte Vecchio.
Entrance to Ponte Vecchio from one side of the river.
Mostly tourist on Ponte Vecchio.
This was during lunch time. Prior to this, the bridge was a havoc.
Jewellery shops lining Ponte Vecchio.
No glittering or gleaming stores here.
The massive crowd thinning during lunch time.
Window shopping at one of the jewellery stores.
