What to See in Florence

This webpage contains affiliate links. See more details here.

You're going to fall in love with Florence, we promise. The list of things to love here is endless, from the Uffizi Gallery to Michelangelo's marble at the Accademia, and numerous palaces, squares, sculptures and much more.

But, Florence isn't just about visiting the Uffizi or climbing the Duomo. It's stumbling upon beautiful streets in the historic centre, sipping a morning cappuccino or taking an evening stroll along the Arno. It's also hidden aperitivo spots, lively weekend markets and old trattorias you can visit.

So if you’re ready to set your heart alight, here are the best things to see (and do) in Florence right now.

🏠 Wonder where to stay while in Florence? We recommend Casa di Chiara, the super comfortable and stylish apartment, with the best possible hosts. We're sure you'll love staying here!

1. Piazza della Signoria (with beautiful Palazzo Vecchio)

You can't miss the Piazza della Signoria, the most beautiful square of Florence. You'll stumble upon it when walking from the Duomo towards the Ponte Vecchio or when reaching the Uffizi Gallery.

This is a place to spend your time, walking around, seeing sculptures, taking stunning photos or just people watching from the marble steps of Loggia dei Lanzi (on the corner of piazza near the entrance to the Uffizi).

Admire the Neptune Fountain, and take some amazing photos in front of it. In front of Palazzo Vecchio you'll see a copy of Michelangelo’s David statue and the statues of Hercules and Cacus.

Go inside this beautiful palace and walk around the beautifully decorated first courtyard (it's completely free). If you want to see more and visit the museum that houses an amazing collection of art from 13-19th centuries, you'll need to buy a ticket.

This interesting 75-minutes tour will take you to off-beaten corners of Palazzo Vecchio Museum including the mysterious stairway (you'll skip the line).

2. The Duomo complex

What many people don’t realize is that the Duomo complex is more than just the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore - there’s also the Baptistery of Saint John, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and, inside the church itself, there’s also a museum and the iconic dome high above. And, it's possible to visit all these!

You may love the Baptistery of Saint John, which pre-dates even the cathedral, and is both amazing inside and has these carved bronze doors showing scenes from the bible. It’s directly opposite the cathedral doors, so you can’t miss it.

The Opera del Duomo Museum (just behind the Duomo) is a fascinating museum that explores history of the Duomo with huge selection of artifacts, artwork, relics, antiques, religious items and statues to see (the main attraction and certainly a must see are the original Gates of Paradise). You may also want to visit it!

A visit to the Cathedral is completely free, but you’ll have to buy one of the combined tickets or passes to see the other areas (see all available options here!). For finding out more about these sights, join one of many guided tours (it's definitely worth!).

For some of the best views in the city, make sure to buy your tickets to climb the 463 stairs to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome in advance. This is the best way to let yourself be properly awestruck by this magnificent structure, which helped set the tone for the Italian Renaissance. Note that climbing the dome is not four you if you are claustrophobic, or don't like narrow spaces.

If you don’t get the chance to book this experience, another great Duomo hike – 414 steps to be exact – is up Giotto’s bell tower. Note that both climbs (the Duomo and bell tower) are not for those who suffer from heart problems, vertigo and claustrophobia).

All these is in the very center of Florence, less than a 10-minute walk from the train station.

3. The Uffizi Gallery (the most famous museum in Florence)

Even if you are not art fan, visiting the famous Uffizi Gallery could be a good choice. The museum is extremely easy to find, as it's only steps away from the Piazza della Signoria. At this museum you'll see some of the most famous world art pieces, such as La Primavera from Sandro Botticelli or Venus of Urbino from Titian.

If you decide to visit, be sure to get your tickets well in advance, to get the desired date and time slot. Opt for skip-the-line tickets to avoid waiting in line and get straight inside.

It's necessary to plan ahead and book tickets online to avoid waiting in the long ticket lines (note that the museum is closed on Mondays). Depending on your interest in art, you may just want to spend an entire afternoon there or visit in only 2 hours.

If you want to see the best of the Uffizi in just 1.5 hour, we suggest taking this small-group guided tour (no more than 9 people), guided by locals who know stories behind the each masterpiece.

Visiting the Uffizi is one of the best ideas when it rains in Florence!

4. The Accademia Gallery

The Galleria dell' Accademia in Florence is a must-stop for many travellers. People mostly visit this museum to see famous Michelangelo's "David, but other sculptures are also worth a visit (Uccello, Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, and del Sarto), as well as an interesting collection of musical instruments.

Book your tickets ahead of time if you plan to stop by this popular destination as lines to get in and see the statue of David can be quite long.

If you’re someone who prefers to book last minute or don’t see any time slots left during your visit don’t despair. Many tour companies offer guided tours (with skip-the-line tickets). You'll pay more, but you can almost always find a ticket even the day before.

🚄 Find your train tickets here

5. Bargello Museum (excellent sculpture museum)

Even if you are not art lover, you'll love the Bargello Museum, situated in beautiful Palazzo del Podestà (in Via del Proconsolo, 4), a short walk from Piazza della Signoria. This small museum is great for escaping crowds of Florence streets and spending hour or two in the peaceful atmosphere.

The building itself is magnificent with the internal courtyard, exterior staircase and the loggia housing wonderful sculptures. The Bargello Museum houses a great collection of sculptures, including works of Donatello, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, Benvenuto Cellini, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi.

Additional gallery rooms are setup with impressive porcelain, goldworks, jewels, ivory and glazed terracota works. It is fantastic collection and place you can easily spend a couple of hours sightseeing.

The entry ticket costs €10 per person. You can buy tickets online or at the museum on the day you intend to visit. The museum is set on 3 floors of the building. You can have a rest on the benches in the courtyard or chairs in the outside area of first floor. Museum has different opening times every day, so be sure to check before visiting.

Enjoy strolling through the medieval walls of the museum and hearing the details behind each artwork from your guide on this great private tour.

6. The Arno River (with Ponte Vecchio)

From Piazza della Signoria, you can walk to Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge of Florence. The bridge is lined with jewellery and souvenirs shops, so it's great opportunity for some shopping. Take photos of the Arno River or the bridge itself. Note that it's always packed with tourists (except early in the morning).

While there, take a scenic stroll along the Arno River - particularly stunning at the sunset.

8. Piazza Santa Trinita

Piazza Santa Trinita is yet another breathtaking spot in Florence, perfect for strolling, unwinding, or capturing incredible photos. The Church of Santa Trinita, situated on the square's western edge, is another free attraction in the city, offering tranquility and beauty. This charming square leads you to the Arno River and the Ponte Santa Trinita - our personal favourite among Florence's bridges.

The square's allure is enhanced by the Column of Justice standing at its center, surrounded by an array of Gothic and Renaissance palaces. Adding to its charm, the Via de' Tornabuoni cuts through the piazza, lined with high-end boutiques for the discerning shopper.

7. Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is for sure the place for enjoying a gorgeous sunset. It’s a perfect spot for sitting and watching the city turn from day to night. It'll take you around 30 minute to walk there from Ponte Vecchio, but it's well worth it for the views. Just remember to visit around an hour before sundown as the area fills up quiet quickly.

Very close to Piazzale Michelangelo is San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful church that is so deserving of a visit.

👉 Catch the C4 bus outside Santa Maria Novella station to get to Piazzale Michelangelo in just 16 minutes.

8. The Basilica di Santa Croce

The Basilica di Santa Croce, known as the “Pantheon of Florence”, offers history and art all in one. Today it's the principal Franciscan church in the world. 

The inside of this basilica is stunning and a must see for those interested in classical oil paintings. The paintings are amazing quality. The basilica houses some of the greatest people, including Michelangelo and Galileo. The Chappells house some amazing artworks of the Renaissance period. Of the 16 chapels inside, the Capella de Pazzi, credited to Brunelleschi, is the most famous.

Bare in mind that it is still an active church that holds services, so be quiet and respectful when visiting.

9. The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is the museum that holds many of the original works and blueprints from art and architecture related to Florence’s Duomo complex, which includes the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery, and the Campanile.

On display are some original statues and carvings from all three buildings, including Lorenzo Ghiberti’s panels for the Baptistery doors. You will also find exhibits of Duomo architect Brunelleschi’s plans and Renaissance-era tools used to build the Duomo.

10. Piazza della Repubblica

This large square in the very centre of Florence is one of the liveliest squares in the city. You'll find here antique-looking carousel, many shops as well as numerous cafés. The most famous is "Caffé Gilli", situated on the corner of the piazza. Here you can sip an espresso at the marble counter, or sit down and have a cappuccino with a freshly baked pastry. After some shopping spree, get to the top of La Rinascente, for amazing view of the area.

10. The Pitti Palace

Another stop worth adding to your itinerary is the Palazzo Pitti which is home to four different museums and the marvellous Boboli Gardens. You could easily spend the whole day here, admiring the extravagant interiors of the Imperial and Royal Apartments and marvelling at the wonderfully preserved Renaissance garments in the Museum of Costume and Fashion.

11. The Bardini and Boboli Gardens

Florentine art and architecture also extend to the city’s green spaces and gardens. Behind the Pitti Palace, you'll find the Boboli Gardens, which Vannini describes as “one of the largest and most elegant Italian-style gardens.”

The Bardini Garden is also on the must-do list, as it offers wonderful views of Florence from its four hectares of parkland between the left bank of the Arno River, Montecuccoli Hill, and the medieval wall.

12. The Orsanmichele Church and Museum

The Orsanmichele Church and Museum is one of those places you can easily miss in Florence, in spite of the fact that it's only a few steps from popular Piazza della Signoria.

The church is so beautiful with frescoes on the ceiling and marble tabernacle "Madonna and Child" by Bernardo Daddi. Once you explore the church, cross over to Palazzo dell'Arte della Lana and use their staircase to access the two museum floors of OrsanMichele by way of connecting footbridge.

Here you'll see the bronze and marble sculptures of saints made by great masters such as Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello, Nanni di Banco and others. The replicas of the sculptures are now at church's niches outside the building.

You'll also enjoy the views of the 2nd floor through the large windows facing in all directions. Buy the tickets for the church/museum from the office at Via dei Calcaiuoli (single ticket costs €8).

Buy your tickets from the office at Via dei Calcaiuoli (single ticket costs €8) then go around the corner to visit the church first.

For exploring the Orsanmichele Church/Museum, the Accademia and the Duomo at once, book this 3-hour small-group walking tour.

13. Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Head to Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella for perhaps the most unique gifts - for yourself or friends back home—in all of Florence.

Affiliated with Santa Maria Novella church, Officina Profumo is one of the oldest apothecaries in the world and still makes perfumes, soaps, and elixirs according to centuries-old recipes developed by monks.

A trip to the Officina is part shopping spree and part museum visit, as the fancily packaged soaps, creams, and perfumes are as tempting as the ancient bottles and fixtures are interesting.

14. Mercato Centrale (covered food market)

The food lovers (and all the rest) will love to visit The Mercato Centrale, the main food market, situated a short walk from the Duomo (take Borgo St. Lorenzo, then turn left to Piazza di San Lorenzo and continue to walk through Via dell'Ariento).

You can spend time here walking through the stalls and viewing amazing food offer. Vendors will be happy to offer you to taste salami, prosciutto and cheeses, so you can easily decide which one to buy. Buy a piece of schiacciatta (Tuscan-style focaccia) to pair with your salami. Or opt for a ready-to-eat lampredotto sandwich - truly unique!

If you are more into sweets, we recommend cantucci - Italian dry cookies or panforte - a chewy sweets containing fruit and nuts. You'll also find here a huge choice of fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, dry and fresh pasta, gnocchi, Tuscan wines, quality olive-oils, truffle products and much more. This is a great place for buying a foodie souvenir from Florence!

In Via dell'Ariento 21R (in the street leading to Mercato Centrale), you'll find 'Forno Canapa' - traditional bakery with a range of quality baked goods. We adore their coccoli - fried dough balls, so soft and delicious. You can grab coccoli filled with cheese and prosciutto or the plain one to nibble with anything you can imagine. See what to taste in Florence!

Planning Your Travel to Italy

Best Food Tours in Florence

Spending 3 Days in Florence

Rome to Florence by Train

Welcome to
Tasty Italian Travels!

Note!

© Tastyitaliantravels.com. All rights reserved.

All images and content on this website are copyright protected. Please do not use our images and text without our permission. Thank you!