2. Barberino di Mugello

Accommodation in Barberino di Mugello near Florence

Barberino is a nice locality situated at less than 40 km from Florence, in the green Mugello valley, home to marvellous natural sceneries and rolling hills of rare beauty. It has always played an important role in local history (especially of Florence) and was residence of the Medici family, as proved by the many Medici buildings in the area, like the marvellous Villa Cafaggiolo. This ancient castle is surrounded by a gorgeous park, once an haunting reserve, and used to house all the most important artists and philosophers during the Medici era. Besides the several religious buildings which are worth to be visited, the surroundings offer other popular destinations, like Bilancino lake, an artificial lake that attracts many people from anywhere especially during Summer (considered a fresh refuge from the roasting Summer temperatures!) and the outlet of Barberino, a huge shopping center recently built, actually similar to a small village.