Florence and Tuscany are forever in my dreams. I’ve visited many cities in Italy but Florence stole my heart, and these are the best things to do in Florence for you to get the best out of the city.
There are so many things to do in Florence with the beautiful historic buildings, piazzas, museums, and so much more. It’s the ultimate Renaissance city of Italy.
It’s a city that takes your heart. Just be aware it’s one of the most touristed cities in the world though so don’t expect much time alone.
I have added day trips from Florence in the post as the Tuscany countryside, and even further away places, are definitely worth going to if you plan to use Florence as a base for your travels in the area.
Side note: It sucked that the SD card with all my pics from Florence and Tuscany (as well as Venice and other places in Italy) got scratched and I lost all my photos before I had time to save them all.
I’ve been dying to do a write up on Florence but have had to hunt down stock pics to use in the article to show you the places. As a freelance travel photographer I try and avoid using other people’s pics but I’ve had no choice here.
Anyway, enjoy reading about the best things to do in Florence!
Florence Cathedral & Piazza del Duomo
The gothic Florence Cathedral (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) is without a doubt the main site to visit in Florence and one of the best things to do in Florence when there.
The cathedral was started in 1296 and its massive dome (Brunelleschi’s Dome) was an architectural wonder when it was finished being built in 1436 and was the largest dome in the world at that time and still to this day a very impressive sight.
You can get a ‘skip the line’ dome ticket in advance to save waiting in line as it’s very popular to climb the 463 steps to the dome where you can see the dome close up and get excellent views across Florence.
The Piazza del Duomo is by the Cathedral and means ‘cathedral square’. It’s a great place to stare in wonder up at the cathedral and relax for a drink at one of the cafes surrounding the square.
Around the piazza, there are plenty of other sites to see like Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John, and more.
The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo houses great artwork by Italian masters like Michaelangelo, which is also in the Piazza area.
For jewellery buffs be sure to see the Torrini Museum which dates to 1369 and is one of the oldest jewellers in the world.
The Florence Cathedral and its surrounding area are easily in the top things to do in Florence. I recommend you go there first before you explore anywhere else.
Ponte Vecchio & Trinity Bridge
Ok, these bridges get packed with tourists but for a reason. They are beyond picturesque and along with Florence Cathedral make one of the most photographed spots in the city.
The medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge is the main one you will want to see and is the oldest bridge in Florence and was the only bridge spared destruction in WWII when the Germans retreated from the city.
It crosses the Arno River at its narrowest point and has been occupied by merchant shops throughout its history. Originally only butchers, tanners, and fishmongers had shops on the bridge since the 13th century but they were removed in 1593 due to the smell and since then only jewellers, goldsmiths, and today, souvenirs sellers, have been allowed to have their businesses there.
One of the romantic things to do in Florence is to go to the bridge in the evening and at night time for a romantic stroll.
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is the most epic place to see Renaissance art and is the top art museum in Italy. In fact, it is the most visited museum in Italy.
The building was built between 1560-1580 and inside it is home to world-famous artwork with statues and sculptures by the likes of Michaelangelo, Botticelli, and more.
Basically, if you’re interested in art, especially Renaissance art, you must visit this museum.
It’s a very popular gallery but you can book advance tickets and guided tours that will let you skip the line.
Piazza della Signoria & Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Signoria is in the historic centre of Florence and the Palazzo Vecchio (Florence Town Hall) overlooks the square.
Most of how the Palazzo Vecchio looks today are thanks to works the Medici did to it in 1540. Artists such as Donatello and Michelangelo have decorated the inside and there are frescoes, fountains, courtyards, terraces, and chambers to be seen. The Dante Death Mask is also inside.
Walking between Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria keep an eye out for the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo where you can find a statue of a boar where it’s good luck to drop a coin in its mouth which will then hopefully drop down into a slot giving you good fortune. It’s one of the more unusual things to do in Florence!
The Piazza della Repubblica (Republic Square) is a prime example of Florentine Renaissance architecture and you can find the famed Caffe’ Gilli (see my cafes list later in the post) to have a drink at when there
Accademia Gallery & Piazza San Marco
The Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze) is most famous for Michelangelo’s David Statue which was made between 1501 to 1506.
If you had to choose between visiting here or the Uffizi Gallery then visit Uffizi as it has more things to see but it’s best to see both if you can.
For art lovers though the Accademia Gallery is one of the best things to do in Florence.
Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence
The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence dates back to 1294 and is seen as one of the largest Franciscan churches in the world with 16 family chapels inside. There are numerous artworks by Donatello, Giotto, and Gaddi within the church.
It’s where some of the great people throughout Florence’s history are buried. Michelangelo, Rossini, and Machiavelli are buried there, for example.
It’s easily one of the most historic churches in all of Florence.
Palazzo Medici Riccardi
The Medici Palace was the home of one of Florence’s most famous families, the Medici. The original palace construction started in 1444 and finished in 1484.
Today it is a museum with two courtyards, the Magi Chapel with its frescoes by Gozzoli, the Biblioteca, artwork, and a lot of other rooms and chambers.
If you want to learn about the famed Medici, which so much of Renaissance Florentine life evolved around, then head to this palace. This is one of the best things to do in Florence if you’re interested in old palaces.
National Museum Bargello
The National Museum Bargello is situated in the Palazzo del Bargello and is a beautiful palace inside. It used to be the house of the chief of police and prison back in the 16th century.
Today it is an art museum though so don’t worry you won’t end up in prison there!
Many pieces from the usual suspects (pun intended with the police reference before) of Renaissance art like Michelangelo, Donatello, Cellini, and more can be seen.
Palazzo Pitti
The Palazzo Pitti dates back to the 15th century and was built by the Medici rival, Luca Pitta. But the Medici ended up buying it in 1550 (yes the Medici really were everywhere) and since then has changed hands a few times over the centuries.
It’s just across the Arno River a short stroll from Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Today it houses several museums inside, including the Palatine Gallery, Porcelain Museum, and others. It’s actually the biggest museum complex in Florence.
Basically, if you like museums and palaces, go there!
The Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens go hand in hand with the Pitti Palace. Tip: Get a joint ticket for the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, it’s cheaper.
The gardens were originally made for the Medici family but were eventually made open to Florentines and the public in 1766.
There are a lot of Renaissance statues and the Neptune Fountain from the 16th century stands out amongst them.
A beautiful rose garden and the avenue called Grotte del Buontalenti are some of the best things to see there.
This is one of the best things to do in Florence if you love gardens.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is where you will get some of the best views of Florence. It will take you around a 30-minute walk to reach there from central Florence but is worth it, especially for the sunset.
It’s here you can get great photos across the Florence Cathedral (zoom lens is better for that) and other parts of the city.
As far as Florence goes, apart from just walking around and admiring the architecture and history, you have to pay to get into places. Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the few free things to do in Florence!
Mercato Centrale
Shopping for food in Florence is one of the joys when walking around, especially the hunt for good Italian cheese and ham.
You can find plenty of these kinds of shops on the streets but if you head to the Mercato Centrale it’s a foodies paradise all under one roof. Snack bars will provide good pasta dishes at reasonable prices and you can find lots of cheese, hams, oils, truffles, etc.
Side note: There are so many things to do in Florence and places to see but I have added just the main ones listed above as they are the most popular, and are indeed what I saw. If you have more time on your hands (and money for that matter) then the skies the limit on the best things do in Florence.
Cafes in Florence
There are so many cafes in Florence but here are some of the best for a good Italian coffee and a bite to eat when exploring the city. One of the first things to do in Florence is to hunt down a good coffee and thankfully Florence has some excellent Italian coffee.
Honestly, when I think about the things to do in Florence, simply enjoying a good coffee in a historic cafe watching all the historic buildings is one of the highlights. As they say in Italy: dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing).
Eating out is one of the best things to do in Florence at night.
Caffè Gilli: Set in the Piazza della Repubblica it is a piece of Florence history as a cafe. Founded in 1733 at a different location, it moved to its current place in the early 1900s. Excellent coffee and you will be sitting where many of Florence’s past artists have sat before you.
Caffè Concerto Paszkowski: Also set in Piazza della Repubblica this is a historic cafe in Florence that was known as the ‘literary cafe’ due to the many intellectuals that would go there. Some of the best coffee and pastries can be had there, as well as beer.
Rivoire: Great views of the Palazzo Vecchio as it’s located on the Piazza della Signoria. This is the place to go for hot chocolate in Florence as its chocolate tradition goes back several generations.
Caffé Scudieri: Set in Piazza San Giovanni and open since 1939 and with luxury decor inside like leather and crystal chandeliers along with patisserie creations that will leave your mouth watering. Also excellent lunches and it really is in a prime position and perfect for a cup of coffee or tea to take a break from exploring the city.
Caffè Ditta Artigianale: A very small cafe set on the equally small Oltrarno Square and is a very relaxed place and not that big so it has a very cosy atmosphere. Sit on one of the few tables outside with a coffee, beer, or glass of wine and watch the world go by.
La Cité: This is where many students hang out and has that (obviously) student kind of vibe about it. Good coffee and very relaxed. Adding this one for the younger backpacker crowd on a budget.
For the best gelato in Florence head to Carapina where you can have authentic gelato ala Firenze. It’s not far from Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio.
This is not in the cafes, but when heading for dinner if you are a meat eater try the bistecca alla Fiorentina (thick-cut T-bone steak) which is the most famous meal in Florence.
Day Trips From Florence
Florence can keep you entertained for days (weeks, months, years, whatever) but there are also some great day trips from Florence to do when there.
This article is focused on things to do in Florence (obviously) and there are too many places to visit from Florence that deserve to be seen, but these are the best day trips to do if you’re short on time. Choose a few favourites and go for them!
The best itinerary for Tuscany would be to base yourself in Florence, see the city in a few days, then spend another few days day-tripping to other nearby cities. That way you won’t be lugging your luggage around with you and have an excellent base for yourself.
I’m adding my favourite day trip first which was to the small city of Siena.
Travel tip: If you are a group of travellers then rent a car in Florence (you can search for rental cars in Florence with that link) for a few days to get out and explore the area. It will be a lot easier than taking public transport around and won’t really cost much when sharing expenses.
Siena
Siena could best be described as the ‘heart of Tuscany’. Along with Florence, it’s one of the best towns in Tuscany to visit.
The Piazza di Campo is my favourite piazza in all of Italy! Sit and enjoy a drink in a cafe there while admiring the stunning Torre del Mangia.
This is one of the most visited places in Tuscany and for good reason. I loved it there so much I enquired how much long-term apartment rentals are.
You can get there easily by train, bus, or your own car. If you want to do an organised tour then there is an excellent one that combines a tour of Siena with San Gimignano and Chianti wine country (see those recommendations below).
Lucca
Lucca is one of the best small Tuscan towns and you can walk around all of its medieval town walls which is the only fully intact original town wall in Tuscany.
Like many places in Italy, there are a lot of churches to see and the city is known as ‘the city of 100 churches’.
Make sure you get to the central Piazza del’Anfiteatro square that used to be a Roman amphitheatre back in 200AD. As with most public squares in Italy sit and relax with a drink in one of the several cafes that surround the piazza!
One of the best things to do in Lucca is to just slow down and enjoy a relaxed walk around the town. It’s not that big and strolling about in an old Tuscan town is perfect.
You can combine Lucca with a trip to Pisa in the same day.
Pisa
Everyone has heard of the Leaning Tower of Pisa! But the old town of Pisa itself surrounding the Pisa Cathedral and tower area is also good to see and the Piazza dei Cavalieri is beautiful.
Stroll down to the Arno River and see the colourful houses, churches, and museums.
It’s located within 1 hour from Florence by train so makes an easy day trip and like I said you can combine it with Lucca on the same day, especially if you have your own car.
San Gimignano
‘The Town of Fine Towers’ is what San Gimignano is known as and when you go there you will see why, with its 14 medieval towers reaching into the sky (there used to be 72 towers at its peak but only 14 remain).
See inside the Duomo of San Gimignano for its astonishing frescoes that are still original from the 1300s.
For wine lovers, it’s also known for its Vernaccia white wine.
You can combine a trip to Siena with San Gimignano and Chianti wine country in a tour mentioned before in the Siena section). If you have your own car the small town is halfway between Florence and Siena so you could make a stop there on the way to Siena.
Chianti Wine Country
Oh yes, this one is for Italian wine lovers. The Chianti region of central Tuscany is famous all over the world for its Chianti wine, but also for its idyllic scenery.
There are old castles like that of Castle Meleto and Brolio where you can visit their wine cellars for some wine tasting. and medieval villages to explore.
Be sure to see the villages of Castellina, Greve, and Montefioralle with their medieval ambience of times long past.
To do this trip it really has to be on a tour(see under the Siena section the one I recommended) or have your own rental car. The rental car is the best option as you can stop and see places at will (see the start of the day trips section for a rental car in Florence link).
Volterra
Volterra, like many towns in Tuscany, has its medieval walls, churches, and is very charming to walk around. It sits on a hill with awesome views across the lovely countryside which is known for its wine.
Be sure to see the Volterra Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Priori, have a drink by the Piazza dei Priori, and visit the Roman theatre ruins.
Arezzo
Lovely little Arezzo. Arezzo doesn’t get as much love as the more popular Siena but it is a charming small town only an hour from Florence.
Arezzo is famous for its jewellery making and handicrafts with Aretine ware being made there which has been collected since Renaissance times.
See the Medici Fortress (yes, again, the Medici get everywhere) and the Church of San Francesco with its frescoes.
Cinque Terre
When researching about Italy at some point Cinque Terre will have come up.
The picture of small Ligurian fishing villages with their colourful houses hugging the side of cliffs overlooking the sea is an iconic image of Italy.
These fishing villages are centuries old, and at the harbours delicious fresh seafood can be had with the region’s speciality, pesto
If you like the idea of going on an organised tour to Cinque Terra from Florence you can book one with that link as it’s a little far from Florence, taking around 3 hours by slow regional train.
It’s much easier with your own car and you can car-hop between the villages/towns and it makes it better to see the place.
Bologna
This one is for the major foodie interested in Italian food. Bologna, part of the Emilia-Romagna region is famous in Italy and the world for its food, simple as that.
Spaghetti Bolognese anyone? Yes as the name may suggest, it originates in Bologna. Many other world-famous Italian food is from there as well. Take some Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese back with you (yes it also comes from there).
Of course, there’s plenty of things to do in Bologna apart from food, but going there to eat is what I enjoyed as I love Italian food.
But for other things check out Asinelli Tower, the library of Archiginnasio, Bolognas canals, and more.
But go for the food, trust me!
Rome
Ok, Rome technically is really too big to do just a day trip to and deserves a few nights in itself.
However if you are travelling in and out of Florence from northern-Europe and not planning to go further south then maybe a day trip to Rome from Florence could be worthwhile, as what is Italy without Rome?
Thanks to the high speed train network you can reach Rome in around 1 and a half hours and the trains run every 30 minutes or so. Leave early morning and come back late in the evening and you can see the main sites Rome is famous for.
To save time when there think about doing an organised day tour of the main sites in Rome which includes the Vatican Museums, Colosseum, and the old city centre.
Don’t even think about driving down for a day trip as it will be 3 hours each way and you will have to deal with big city traffic.
Venice
Just like Rome, Venice deserves a few days just to itself but again thanks to the fast train network you can reach there in around 2 and a half hours.
Leave early morning and come back late in the evening like the rome day trip.
You can finally get take that gondola ride in Venice people dream of and see the canals the city is known for.
As in Rome if you don’t want to rush around finding things then think about taking a walking tour of Venice that takes in the best of the city.
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Books About Florence & Tuscany
Italy has a lot of great books written about it whether it be fiction or non-fiction but these ones are specific to Florence and the Tuscany region and are recommended to read to get into the spirit of the place and can also help with deciding on the best things to do in Florence when there (apart from this article.)
Note: The links to these books are affiliate links to Amazon where you can buy them in ebook format or paperback. I get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through these links. All the money goes back into keeping my website running and writing guides.
If you are already in Florence and want a paperback book instead of downloading an ebook then head over to Via delle Oche street behind the Piazza del Duomo and look for the ‘paperback exchange’ where you can find paperback books in English.
For the best guidebook to Florence and Tuscany I recommend: Lonely Planet Florence & Tuscany Guide where you can find out many of the best things to do in Florence.
Even though this guidebook I mention now doesn’t include Florence it is an excellent guide to north Italy’s region of Bologna, the Republic of San Marino, and more. So if you’re heading to these regions after or before Florence, or doing day trips to them, then pick up the Bradt Northern Italy Guidebook.
The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall is a book based on the life of the Medici family and is set in 15th century Florence giving good insight not just into the family, but Renaissance Italy at that time.
Inferno is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code written by Dan Brown and part of it is set in Florence. Fiction, but fun.
A Room With a View is a classic in literature and was written in 1908. It’s set in Italy and England and follows the romance of an English woman torn between the boring life set for her in England versus the intensity of life in Florence.
“But you do,” he went on, not waiting for contradiction. “You love the boy body and soul, plainly, directly, as he loves you, and no other word expresses it …” A Room With a View.
Under The Tuscan Sun is about Frances Mayes when she moves to Tuscany to restore an old villa and gets involved in Tuscany life, including all the Italian food treats that naturally, life in Italy has. This is the most fun book I have read about moving to and living in Italy.
Brunelleschi’s Dome is about the man who built the dome for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Not surprisingly given the title his name was Brunelleschi. The book goes into details about how he built the dome amongst the backdrop of political intrigue, wars, plagues, and more.
The Tuscan Secret is about a woman whose mother passes away and she inherits an old box of papers about her mothers past in Italy before, and during, WWII. She heads to Tuscany to uncover the past.
The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo is just that, a biographical novel about Michelangelo 500 years after his death. The life of the man who created some of the most historic art in the history of the world.
The Essential Writings of Machiavelli are a collection of stories from the Renaissance writer Machiavelli and include his most famous work, The Prince, which was originally published in the 16th century.
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Going along with the Medici vibe of Renaissance Italy is a great TV show set in Florence called Medici and is based on the (no surprise here) Medici, one of the most powerful families in Florence history. If you have a Netflix account you can watch all 3 seasons there, otherwise, you can buy the Medici DVD or Bluray on Amazon. It’s not just a great history show about Florence but a really good period drama.
Where to Stay in Florence
There are so many excellent places to stay in Florence that I can’t include them all here. Actually, one of the best things to do in Florence is to stay in a historic building when there.
It all depends on what you are looking for. Even in the historic centre, for example, you can find good value budget hostels mixed in with expensive classic hotels. In fact, staying in a historic building is also one of the best things to do in Florence.
Your best bet is to check on a booking site and see where in the city the accommodation is, what type it is (hotel, hostel, apartment), and the cost.
Find places to stay in Florence here at the Agoda booking site (the site I use for booking hotels and hostels).
Personally, I stayed at an excellent hostel called the Emerald Palace in front of the Chapel of Medici. It’s got a great location with the option of private rooms and dorms and is good value for money.
Getting To and From Florence
Florence is easily connected with the rest of Italy by train, bus or by plane. Train travel is my favourite way to get around in any country, and in Italy, train travel is the best. Here’s the train website for Italy with timetables and fares.
Florence & Tuscany
Florence, Tuscany, as I said before, is forever in my heart and dreams, and those are the best things to do in Florence when there.
When in Europe visiting Florence and Tuscany and north Italy in general, should be high on your Europe bucket list.
For more on Italy have a look at the 10 best movies about Sicily.
If you happen to be heading into Austria after Florence then have a look at my post on things to do in Salzburg. Salzburg could be described as the ‘Florence of Austria’ with its small-city charm and historic places.
I hope you get some useful information from this post that will give you some insight into Florence.
I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.
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