Home to the most remarkable pieces of Italian Renaissance art, iconic landmarks, and exquisite architecture, Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is a ravishing place to visit in Europe.
Florence offers plenty of opportunities to admire magnificent historic buildings, such as its imposing cathedral, Michelangelo’s David sculpture, and many other masterpieces by artists such as Da Vinci or Botticelli.
Florence is also home to impressive gardens, quaint piazzas, and Medieval stone bridges over the Arno River, which slashes the city in half.
In this article, I’ll unveil the most outstanding places you need to visit in Florence and the most amazing things to do in Florence for an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful Italian regions.
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Basic Information about Florence
Located in the central area of the Italian peninsula, Florence is one of the most important inhabited centers in the country. It’s also the capital of Tuscany, a prominent wine-making region known for its verdant vineyards and thriving agricultural tourism.
Florence is well-connected to other important cities in the area via a solid rail network, making it easy to plan day trips to places such as Pisa, Siena, Assisi, the fantastic San Giminiano, and Bologna, home to one of the most important universities in Italy.
LEARN MORE: Itinerary for One Day in Florence
How to Get to Florence
Florence’s airport receives weekly flights from other European countries; the most important airlines landing in Florence are Air Berlin, Vueling, and the national Italian airline.
Those reaching Italy from the US, Canada, Australia, or other countries should first need to fly to Rome or Milan and then get a domestic flight or a train.
In fact, no matter where in Italy you are, the best way to move around the country and, therefore, also to reach Florence, is by train.
Since Florence is in a central Italy it does not really take much to get there from virtually any other spot in the country.
These are the approximate travel times (by train) to reach Florence form some of the most important cities in Italy:
- Rome – Florence: 2 hours
- Milan – Florence: 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Venice – Florence: 2 hours and 25 minutes
- Naples – Florence: 3 hours and 20 minutes
LEARN MORE: When is the BEST Time to Visit Italy?
Where to Stay in Florence
There is plenty of accommodation in Florence for you to choose from no matter your budget. Keep in mind that this is one of the most popular cities in Italy among tourists, which means that prices tend to be on the higher side all year round.
However, with a bit of organization and booking your accommodation well ahead of time, you will be able to save some money.
If you’re traveling around Italy by train, it can be a good idea to stay near the central train station, Santa Maria Novella.
Unlike more cosmopolitan cities such as Rome and Milan, in Florence, the train station area is quite safe, and accommodation tends to be cheaper.
Besides, the station is not far from the center of the old town, so it will be easy to walk to the main attractions, thus saving a bit more money.
LEARN MORE: Solo Travel in Florence
4 Excellent Hotels in Florence
Home Boutique Santa Maria Novella, for instance, is a cozy, mid-priced place to stay near the station, with elegant spaces and balconies with garden or city views.
If budget is not an issue, you can stay in the Duomo area, not far from interest points such as Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery. The area is pedestrian and easy to navigate, and it’s close to all the major sites you’re probably wanting to visit.
Relais Tosinghi is a gorgeous guest house with modern amenities and comfortable spaces, located in the heart of Florence, only meters from Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Piazza della Signoria, and Palazzo Vecchio.
For a more suburban vibe (and a lower budget too!) choose the market area, known as San Lorenzo, perfect for shopping and to mix and mingle with the local crowds.
Locanda Il Salimbecco is a top-rated bed and breakfast with affordable and comfortable double rooms as well as a spacious loft that can accommodate up to three people. There is also a delicious on-site restaurant for every meal of the day.
Alternatively, you can also find a boutique hotel in Oltrarno. The term stands for “the other side of the Arno” and this is precisely the neighborhood you’ll find once you cross the river. Here, there are lots of excellent places to eat, small artisan shops for souvenirs, and a more relaxing, artsy atmosphere, with several restaurants and wine bars, but also outstanding gardens, and some of the most romantic sunsets in Florence.
Piccolo Borgo Antico is located in the Santo Spirito district of Oltrarno, just minutes from Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, offering affordable accommodation in a really quiet but still central part of Florence.
Best Places to See and Things to Do in Florence
Here are the ten best places to see in Florence Italy.
1. Visit the Duomo – Florence Cathedral
Arguably the most important landmark in town and a place you should not miss when exploring Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most remarkable cathedrals in Italy.
The spectacular building features a marble facade and one of the most famous cupolas in the world. This is a masterpiece created by the important Renaissance artist, Filippo Brunelleschi, and it is visible from any point in Florence with its distinctive red tiles.
Keep in mind that it took centuries to complete the building; the construction of the church started back in 1436; however, it was not fully finished until more than 400 years later.
Once inside the cathedral, don’t miss the magnificent fresco depicting the Last Judgement that adorns the underside of the dome.
The cathedral is located in the most important and central square of Florence, Piazza del Duomo, where it is possible to sit for a coffee, admire its sublime architecture, or even buy your Florence souvenirs in the different stalls and shops that populate the area.
LEARN MORE: 10 Best Free Things to Do in Florence
2. Giotto’s Campanile
Although part of the Dome complex, Giotto’s Campanile is a separate building itself, located only steps from the entrance of the cathedral.
Considered by art experts as a terrific masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the structure is also a distinguishable part of Florence’s skyline.
The building is covered by intricate sculptures and decorative panels with details in white, pink, and green marble, and it was constructed about a century before the cathedral.
One of the best things to do in Florence is to climb the over 400 steps in the Campanile Tower in order to discover one of the most breathtaking views of Florence.
3. Saint John’s Baptistery
Part of the religious monuments in the area of the cathedral, the Florence Baptistery is a minor basilica with a curious octagonal form, located right across from Florence Cathedral and Giotto’s Campanile.
This is among the oldest buildings in the city (built between 1059 and 1128) in Romanesque style.
When you visit, check the imposing bronze doors with relief sculptures. The eastern doors, known as the Gates of Paradise, were created by Michelangelo.
4. Cross the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)
Among my favorite features in Florence, but also in many other Italian cities such as Venice or Rome, are the myriad of old stone bridges that you can discover.
Florence is home to many of them, but the most famous one, Ponte Vecchio (which translates as old bridge), is an architectural gem that you need to visit.
This segmental arch bridge is believed to have been first built in Roman times when it was made of wood. The construction as we can see it today dates from 1345.
Notable elements on the bridge are the number of shops (once butcher’s, today refined jewelers and goldsmiths) as well as the large piazza in this center.
One extremely beautiful and unique characteristic of Ponte Vecchio is the so-called Vasari Corridor, which runs above the bridge connecting it to Palazzo Pitti.
5. Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria
Another remarkable building that is a must-stop when discovering Florence, the Palazzo Vecchio, was long Florence’s administrative and government center, better known as the Palace of the Signoria of the Republic of Florence.
The castle-like structure was built back in 1299; it features a large bell tower, which is among the most distinctive landmarks in town.
At the entrance of the palace, tourists can check an imposing statue of Hercules and the magnificent replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Remember though that if you want to admire the original David, you’ll have to visit it at the Accademia Gallery (see item #7 on this list).
The palace is located in the remarkable Piazza della Signoria, which could be easily defined as an open space gathering featuring some of the most magnificent works of art in the Italian Renaissance, some of them located in the area known as Loggia di Lanza.
6. Uffizi Gallery
Just steps towards the river, leaving Piazza della Signoria behind, visitors will find one of the most important art collections in the world. The Uffizi Palace and Gallery is an art museum located in a marvelous building featuring a huge collection of Renaissance art.
Including the works of artists such as Botticelli, Tiziano, Da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio, a visit to the place will give you the chance to admire some really famous pieces that you’ve certainly seen in history and art books during your life.
If you’re a fan of art and history, you might even spend days perusing the different exhibition rooms.
However, if you’re only interested in seeing some of the pieces, then you should find the right guided tour that can focus on the gallery’s highlights only.
7. See Michelangelo’s Work at Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
Probably the most interesting place to see in Florence and certainly among the most popular ones, the Academy Gallery is located near the San Lorenzo Basilica.
This important museum hosts some outstanding Renaissance pieces, including the world famous Michelangelo’s David sculpture.
Inside the gallery, it is also possible to explore a small but rich museum of musical instruments that exhibits dozens of old instruments and other musical inventions.
8. Visit Dante’s House
Other than visual arts, Florence is also known for being the birthplace of Italy’s greatest artist, poet, writer, and philosopher, Dante Alighieri, who penned the most important literary work in the Italian language and a classic in Italian literature, La Divina Commedia.
Dante is important for being the author who established the use of vernacular in literature (the roots of modern Italian), when most pieces were being written in Latin.
Dante not only made literature accessible to less-educated masses, but he also defined the basis for standard modern Italian, which has origins in the dialect of the Tuscany region.
So, Dante is often described as the father of the Italian language, and in the center of Florence you can visit Dante’s House, now an important museum.
9. Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) in Oltrarno District
Another imposing building that tells the history of the town is located on the southern banks of the Arno and is an outstanding example of Renaissance architecture and style.
Palazzo Pitti, which was once home to the Medici Family, an important and powerful family and political dynasty, founders of the largest bank in Europe during the fifteenth century, which gave to the Catholic world no less than four popes and two queens to the kingdom of France.
The palace is now the largest museum complex in Florence, including dozens of important galleries, richly decorated, and hosting important frescos and examples of Renaissance art.
On the premises of the palace, you will find one more wonderful place to visit in Florence that deserves a whole paragraph on its own: the Boboli Gardens!
10. Visit the Boboli Gardens
Surrounding the spectacular premises of Pitti Palace, the unique beauty of these Baroque-styled gardens striking for its maniac attention to detail and delightfully manicured spaces.
The gardens take more than 11 acres (45,000 square meters) and feature different areas and sections where visitors can walk and spend some free time.
The gardens were established back in the sixteenth century; they feature impressive symmetrical areas, ponds, stairs, an important central lawn, fountains, and sculptures, as well as a huge selection of trees, plants, and flowers from all over the world.
From the Boboli gardens, it is possible to have one of the best snapshots of Florence’s skyline with the cathedral’s Duomo and bell towers, as well as Piazza della Signoria’s Medieval Tower standing out.
LEARN MORE: Traditional Foods of Italy by Region
Try the Best Tuscan Wines and Food
Tuscany is one of the most remarkable wine regions in Italy, featuring renowned wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti, Trebbiano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, among many (really many) others.
A wine tasting tour of the Tuscany region can be a good day trip when visiting the area. However, if you do not have enough time to do so, you can easily go for a night out in one of the many wine bars in town.
Antica Bottega Wine Tasting, for instance, is located in Via Santa Margherita, very close to Palazzo della Signoria, and it offers flights showcasing three or five local labels. On the menu, you can also find good panini (Italian for sandwiches), lasagna, and pizza, of course.
Note Di Vino – Enoteca Wine Bar is a wine bar located in Via Borgo dei Greci, serving some of the top Tuscan labels as well as local cheeses, prosciutto, and other cured meats.
When visiting Florence, you should also make time to try some meat. Florence is home to the world-famous Fiorentina steak, a delicious meat cut that the city takes pride in. Although it can come as a bit excessive for a regular budget, this premium meat cut is worth every penny.
Visit Mercato Centrale (Central Market) where you can try all sorts of food and wine under one roof. There’s even a cooking school where you can learn how to cook your favorite Italian cuisine!
Final Thoughts
As you can see there are plenty of things to see in Florence and some of them could be easily defined as the most important things to do in Italy. Florence is a city of art, where you will breathe history with every step you take.
More Italy Travel Guides
Mini Guide to Rome (including Where to Stay)
3-Day Itinerary for Rome Italy
Mini Guide to Venice (including Where to Stay, Transportation)
24 Best Things To Do in Milan Italy
Travel Guide to Cinque Terre Italy
When is the Best Time to Visit Italy?
Foods of Italy by Region – What to Eat in Italy
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About the Author
Gabi Ancarola is a translator and travel journalist living in Crete. She regularly writes about Europe for several magazines about travel, gastronomy, and hospitality. She has published several travel guides about Greece and plans customized trips to the Greek islands. She loves cooking local dishes, taking photos, and driving on the mountain roads of Crete.