17 Best Things To Do in Florence
Florence could be considered the capital of art and culture in the whole world: if you want to make the most of your trip, don't miss my must-sees of the city that is home to Michelangelo's David.
Small in size, but truly rich in charm and cultural heritage, Florence is home to gems such as the Duomo, Michelangelo's David, the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. It can be visited in two days or enjoyed over the course of a week, which I recommend you take the time to explore Florence in 15 incredible ways.
1. Marvel your way around the Piazza del Duomo
When Stendhal, the famous French author, visited Florence in 1817 he had no idea that the vertigo he suffered from not being able to assimilate the sheer beauty of this Italian city would develop into a syndrome diagnosed as 'Florence Syndrome' or 'Stendhal Syndrome'. This is the evocative capacity of Florence, capital of the beautiful Tuscany and Renaissance city par excellence, which should be visited at least once in a lifetime.
And if there is a maximum representative of this beauty and splendour, it is the Piazza del Duomo: located in the historic centre of Florence, declared a World Heritage Site, it is the most famous enclave of the city. It encompasses the marvellous architectural ensemble formed by the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Giotto's Bell Tower.
2. Culture in the Uffizi Gallery
Considered one of the best museums in Florence andthe world, the impressive Uffizi Gallery houses a huge collection of works of art, 1,500 in total, spanning the history of classical art from Greece to the 18th century.
You will need 4 hours on average to visit the entire complex, although you can choose to admire only the highlights, such as Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus', Michelangelo's 'Doni Tondo' or Titian's 'The Venus of Urbino'.
A good way to organise your visit to the Uffizi Gallery is to book a guided tour or at least a fast-track ticket to the Uffizi Gallery to save you from the endless queues at the entrance of the most visited museum in Florence. There are different prices available for the Uffizi Gallery; check them out so you can adapt your budget and not miss out on this gem of a museum.
3. Enter the Duomo of Florence
The Duomo is one of the most important buildings in the city, being one of the largest Christian temples in the world and highly prized artistically for its exquisite white marble façade and its extraordinary Brunelleschi Dome which you can climb to get spectacular views of the city.
The interior of the Duomo Cathedral and especially its dome receive millions of visitors a year so it is advisable to book a fast-track ticket and even a tour to discover the history of the Duomo and its outbuildings. The prices to visit the Duomo of Florence are totally affordable, so you have no excuse.
4. Cross the Ponte Vecchio at sunset
The undisputed symbol of the city of Florence, the Ponte Vecchio is one of the must-see sights in Florence. Today full of jewellery shops, this bridge was originally occupied by the city's butchers and is one of the best and most famous examples of bridges with hanging houses in the world.
For years and as you will see, thousands of padlocks left by couples who have sworn eternal love in this romantic enclave have hung from its structure. I personally am a born sunset hunter and I can assure you that the faint light of the setting sun reflected on the Arno is magical.
5. Contemplate Michelangelo's 'David' in the Accademia Gallery
Located in the rich historic centre of Florence, you will find the second most visited museum in the city, the Accademia Gallery. Among the jewels of art in the Galleria dell'Accademia, stands imposingly the authentic David by Michelangelo, the quintessential Renaissance work, 5.2 metres high.
Long queues are guaranteed, so be sure to get a ticket or hire a guided tour to enrich your visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia. Here is information about the prices of the Galleria dell'Accademia and opening times so you can organise your visit.
6. Get a pizza to go and dine al fresco in the Piazza della Signoria
Next to the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria is Florence's most famous square and one of its main attractions.
It is a veritable open-air museum made up of historic buildings, including the Palazzo Vecchio and its incredible Sala del Cinquecento, unique monuments, such as the Fountain of Neptune, and magnificent sculptures, with the Loggia dei Langi and its Perseus with the head of Medusa or those of Hercules, Cacus and Michelangelo's David, a replica of the original which, don't forget, you will only find in the Galleria dell'Accademia.
At night, this square fills with atmosphere, with dozens of Florentines and tourists admiring the beauty of its sculptures. Enjoying a pizza sitting on the steps of the square while musicians provide the atmosphere of the Florentine night is a unique (and very inexpensive!) experience.
7. A view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo
We all like to climb to the highest point of a city to see its panoramic view and take the best souvenir photos. Well, that place in Florence is the Piazzale Michelangelo, a viewpoint a bit far from the centre that you can reach on foot or by bus.
In addition to the views, which are especially beautiful at sunset, in this square designed in homage to Michelangelo you can admire replicas of some of his greatest sculptures, such as the David and the four statues of the Medici Chapel.
8. Relax in the Boboli Gardens
If you need a moment of relaxation amidst the endless works of art that Florence has to offer (remember what happened to Stendhal, I've warned you), this is the place to be: the Boboli Gardens.
This oasis behind the Pitti Palace is a marvellous Renaissance garden full of surprises along the way, from an amphitheatre to fountains, grottoes and sculptures that will make your walk a truly delightful experience.
9. Discover the Piazza Santa Croce and its church
Another of the most visited places in Florence, partly because of the great atmosphere it exudes, is the Piazza de la Santa Croce, in the heart of the historic centre of the city. Rectangular in shape, the square is guarded by majestic palaces and a statue of Dante Alighieri.
Its church is popular for housing the tombs of illustrious figures such as Michelangelo, Galileo Galiei, Machiavelli and Lorenzo Ghiberti, and is known as the Pantheon of Italian Glories. Without being as popular as the Piazza del Duomo, for me, its intimate atmosphere makes it very special.
10. Take a look at the details of the Baptistery in Piazza del Duomo
Don't make the mistake of overlooking the beauty of the Baptistery's details. Although the size and spectacular nature of the Duomo and its dome are usually the main feature of visits to the square, the Baptistery has some details that are well worth your time.
Directly opposite the Duomo, you will find Lorenzo Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise: one of the most acclaimed works of the Renaissance, it depicts Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac in the Old Testament. Today, the original doors are in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, which I also recommend.
11. Enter the Medici Chapel
The Medici Chapel might go unnoticed if you are not looking for it, but its interesting interior is well worth a visit.
Highlights include the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo, and the Chapel of the Princes, an octagonal room lined with marble and semi-precious stones where the remains of some of the most illustrious members of the most famous and powerful dynasty of patrons in Italian history are laid to rest.
12. Visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
Leonardo Da Vinci is probably the most famous Italian in history. In the city of Florence there is a museum dedicated to his figure and tickets are available from 8 euros. Visiting the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Florence is to immerse yourself in the figure of the artist, but it is also a fun time if you go to Florence with children.
13. Immerse yourself in the Tuscan countryside
Florence's exceptional location makes a visit to the city a unique opportunity to discover some of the other wonders that Italy has to offer. Florence is located in the beautiful region of Tuscany, with idyllic villages, colourful hills and miles and miles of vineyards. This is probably the best eating and drinking region in Italy, so a trip to Tuscany's vineyards from Florence is a must.
The good thing is that this region is fully prepared to welcome visitors from Florence, so there are several tours and excursions organised from Florence that will save you from having to rent a car or spend time researching for the best itinerary. Don't forget to check out the food tours in and around Florence as they can be a perfect option for your visit to Tuscany.
14. Visit Cinque Terre from Florence
If there is one region in Italy that enchanted (and surprised me, in equal parts), it was Cinque Terre. This area is made up of five small villages linked together along its coastline with picturesque colourful houses and wonderful beaches. Although it has become very fashionable in recent years, the fact that it is close to other popular areas such as Tuscany and Pisa makes it a little more off the beaten track and gives it a special charm.
If you want to get away from the cultural and artistic itinerary of the city of Florence to spend a pleasant day in nature, don't hesitate to take an excursion to Cinque Terre from Florence. If this option doesn't suit you, you can also reach Cinque Terre from Florence on your own and make your own itinerary.
15. Visit Pisa from Florence
While the Tuscan countryside is one of the most popular destinations for visitors arriving in Florence, Pisa is a pleasant little town to visit with even a half-day organised excursion from Florence.
There are several options (in fact, some of them even take you to visit other charming towns like Lucca or San Gimignano), so I recommend you to read my article about excursions to Pisa from Florence to choose the one that best suits your time and budget.
16. Travel back in time with a trip to Siena from Florence
As you may already know, Florence's location on the map allows you to visit a large number of sights with very little travel time. And if there are organised tours that take you there and back in a day, you have no excuse for not visiting the surrounding area. A popular option is to get to Venice from Florence, but it's not the only one.
With a population of just 55,000, Siena has always been a city of historical and cultural significance. With cobbled streets and buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, walking through the city is like travelling back in time. If you're curious and want to know more about Siena and how to organise your trip there, I'll leave you a link to my article on excursions to Siena from Florence.
17. Tour the city in comfort on the tourist bus
Although it may seem like a cliché, touring Florence aboard a tourist bus with free stops will allow you, on the one hand, to enjoy the views of its streets comfortably seated, but also to move from one point of interest to another comfortably without having to worry about public transport.
When to go to Florence?
After taking note of all that awaits you in this wonderful Italian city, you're probably wondering when is the best time to visit. The most popular time is summer, but there is also plenty to do in Florence in winter and even more so if your visit to Florence coincides with Christmas. In terms of the months of the year, February, March, August, September, October, November and December are the most popular months for tourists.
How many days does it take to see Florence?
I do not advise you to spend less than three days in Florence, but maybe your travel plans do not allow it, so here is a guide of what to see if you are going to spend two days in Florence or even what to see in Florence in one day. In the latter case, I advise you to book your transfer from Florence airport in advance to save time.
Do you have more days? Perfect; spending four days in Florence, five days in Florence or seven days in Florence will give you the opportunity to get to know the city in depth, but also to make an excursion to its surroundings, so don't think about it.