The 16 best things to do in Florence, Italy, are to visit the Florence Cathedral and walk along Ponte Vecchio, but the real draw is the city’s unmatched Renaissance art and architecture. The catch is that you will need skip-the-line tickets for the Duomo and a plan for the weather to avoid crowds. The Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell'Accademia are the most visited museums, and the Historic Centre of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making every corner a masterpiece.
What Is Florence, Italy, Best Known For
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Florence is popularly known as the birthplace of the Renaissance because of the abundance of Renaissance art and architecture scattered all over the city. The city is also known as the “Athens of the Middle Ages” because of its influence during this period. Florence has an abundance of museums and art galleries, with the Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell'Accademia being the most visited ones. Additionally, Florence is a popular destination for its stunning architecture, a breathtaking blend of Gothic and Baroque styles.
In 2010, Forbes declared Florence as one of the most beautiful cities in the world because of its artistic and architectural significance. Additionally, the Historic Centre of Florence was hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
15 Best Things to Do in Florence, Italy
1. Visit the Florence Cathedral
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Also known as Duomo di Firenze, Florence Cathedral is perhaps the most iconic attraction in Florence. The Duomo stands out from miles away and is the largest church in Italy, as well as the largest brick dome ever constructed. Its construction began in 1296 using the design by Arnolfo di Cambio, and was completed in 1436 with the iconic dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. Florence Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Historic Centre of Florence. Walk around the baptistery and find masterpieces by Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, and more.
Tourist tip: Skip the long queues and book skip-the-line tickets to get priority access to its structures. For planning your visit, check a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to choose the best season.
2. Walk Along Ponte Vecchio
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Find shops lined with gold and silver jewelry and other trinkets at Ponte Vecchio. The medieval Ponte Vecchio (Italian for 'Old Bridge') is one of Florence’s iconic sights and the only bridge that survived World War II. Built to replace a bridge broken by Arno flooding, it was filled with butchers, goldsmiths, and jewelers. A 1593 decree allowed goldsmiths and jewelers to set up shop here. Though the 1966 Arno flood damaged the bridge, it still stands and welcomes thousands daily. Walk past the shops, buy a souvenir, and watch the sunset for postcard-perfect shots. For a different perspective, check a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy before booking a boat cruise around the Arno River.
3. Admire Renaissance Art at Uffizi Gallery
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Visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most popular things to do in Florence, Italy. The museum is near Piazza della Signoria in Florence’s historic center. It houses important Renaissance works, including Michelangelo’s The Holy Family, da Vinci’s The Annunciation, Rembrandt’s Self-portrait as a Young Man, and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. The collection also features altarpieces, manuscripts, and tapestries. Since the Uffizi is one of the busiest attractions, purchase morning tickets or book skip-the-line tickets. On Sunday, admission is free, but expect larger crowds. For planning your visit, consult a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to choose the best season.
4. Get Hands-on with Florentine Cuisine
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The Tuscany region in and around Florence is famous for its cuisine and wine. Just south of Florence lies the Chianti region, known worldwide for its wine of the same name. The best way to explore this is through the best cooking classes in Florence. Whether traveling as a couple, a family with kids, or solo, you can find a perfect experience. Learn to cook pasta, pizza, and gelato. Tour a local food market for ingredients. Bike through the Tuscany countryside. Taste as much wine, olive oil, and cheese as you can.
Tourist Tip: Keep the recipes from the classes so you can relive your Florence vacation in your kitchen whenever you want.
5. See the Original David by Michelangelo at Galleria dell’Accademia
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Also known as the Gallery of the Academy of Florence, the Galleria dell’Accademia is best known for housing Michelangelo’s original David sculpture. Founded in 1784 by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Pietro Leopoldo, to train young artists, it remains one of the 16 Best Things to Do in Florence, Italy. Find Michelangelo’s David, a symbol of Renaissance art and an icon of strength and beauty. At the Hall of the Prisoners, see unfinished “slaves” sculptures. The museum also houses a collection of musical instruments, including a piano made by Bartolomeo Cristofori for the Medici family. For planning your trip, consult a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to choose the best time.
Tourist tip: To avoid crowds, purchase tickets for the off-season (November to March).
6. Grab a Bite at Mercato Centrale
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Get to know Florence through its cuisine at Mercato Centrale, a creation of Giuseppe Mengoni, who also designed Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This two-level food market has butchers, fruit vendors, fishmongers, and specialty shops on the first floor. The second floor is the eating area, with stalls selling baked delicacies, cheese, and wine. Sink your teeth into local delicacies; glass windows let you see food being prepared. Stop by the wine booth for Chianti, or enjoy a cup of gelato. For planning your trip, check out a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy. Tourist tip: To save money, check all stalls before buying—you may find a cheaper price for the same item.
7. Stroll at Piazza della Signoria
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Rich in culture, a walk at Piazza della Signoria is one of the free things to do in Florence, Italy. It is an L-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, the city’s town hall. For history geeks, Piazza della Signoria bore witness to historical events and gruesome executions. In 1497, the Bonfire of the Vanities occurred here when supporters of Girolamo Savonarola burned objects considered “occasions of sin.” During the 1500s, people gathered for announcements, feasts, and tournaments.
The square is Instagram-worthy, with imposing statues and paintings, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David and a replica of Donatello’s Judith and Holofernes. Take pictures with the sculptures, or enjoy a relaxing walk while soaking up the atmosphere.
Tourist tip: Because of their proximity, visit Piazza della Signoria before heading to the Uffizi Gallery, or vice versa.
8. Relax at Boboli Gardens
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Located behind Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens is one of Florence's “green lungs”. The open-air museum is filled with statues from different periods, fountains, and caves. It also houses the famous Grotte de Buontalenti, designed by Bernardo Buontalenti. This garden became an inspiration for several European courts.
Escape the summer heat and stroll past manicured gardens and blooming flowers in spring. Catch sweeping views of Florence at the Kaffeehaus as the sun sets. Find colorful flowers like camellias and roses, including the Tuscany Superb and Variegata di Bologna.
Tourist tip: Exploring Boboli Gardens involves a lot of walking and uphill climbs. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, especially during summer.
9. Sample Florentine Gelato
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A trip to Italy isn’t complete without tasting the famous gelato! This frozen dessert is popular for its variety of flavors and is a much-loved sweet treat worldwide. According to most stories, you've got to give Florence credit as the origin of this dessert thanks to the illustrious Medici family.
Find plenty of gelato shops in Florence, perfect for a quick pick-me-up on a busy day of exploring. Try the lavender-flavored gelato at La Strega Nocciola, located across from Ponte Vecchio. After visiting the Uffizi Gallery, take a break and have gelato at Gelateria dei Neri. La Carraia is one of the popular gelato shops for its generous servings and affordable prices. Walk along the off-the-beaten path and find a number of shops that offer quality gelato.
Tourist tip: The best gelato shops in Florence post their ingredients in a visible spot. This assures that they only use fresh and natural ingredients. Also, make sure to look for gelato shops that use flat paddles instead of ice cream scoops.
10. Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower
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Get the best views of Florence at Giotto’s Bell Tower, a masterpiece by the architect Giotto. This campanile, with the Baptistery, is part of the Florence Cathedral complex. At 84.7 meters tall, it’s an imposing landmark with intricate designs.
Climb 414 steps to the top—no elevators or shortcuts. Marvel at the view, spotting Florence Cathedral and Palazzo Vecchio. This climb isn’t recommended for those with heart problems, claustrophobia, or vertigo. It’s also one of the most popular things to do in Florence, Italy, for families with children.
Tourist tip: Purchase 5-in-1 tickets to access the church, crypt, dome, bell tower, and baptistery of the Duomo complex.
11. Catch Panoramic Views at Piazzale Michelangelo
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Located in the heart of the Oltrarno, Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most visited places in Florence. A creation of Giuseppe Poggi, it was built to honor the Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo. A bronze cast of the iconic David sculpture faces Florence from the piazza.
Watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo and marvel at the views of Florence. Spot iconic sites like the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and the Bargello Museum. Relaxing here is one of the best free things to do in Florence, Italy. For a quieter experience, check a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to plan a sunrise visit, avoiding large crowds.
12. Marvel at the Grandeur of Pitti Palace
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The Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) is Florence’s largest museum complex, once the residence of Tuscany’s royal families. The Medici family bought it in 1549, and Napoleon later used it as a power base. Today, it houses precious paintings, jewelry, and possessions.
The Palatine Gallery holds over 500 Renaissance paintings by Raphael, Filippo Lippi, and Titian. The opulent Royal Apartments feature 14 rooms with gold-ornate chandeliers and intricate ceilings. The Treasury of the Grand Dukes displays stone vases, crystals, and ivories owned by the Medici. Don’t miss the Carriages Museum, showcasing conveyances of the Grand Ducal court. For a thorough tour of the exhibits, booking tickets good for 2 or 3 days is recommended. Before visiting, consult a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to plan your trip comfortably.
13. Visit the Church of Santa Maria Novella
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Florence’s Church of Santa Maria Novella is the city’s main Dominican church and its first great basilica. It is famous for its distinct exterior, a work of Fra Jacopo Talenti and Leon Battista Alberti. Its interior is filled with frescoes, with the fresco by Andrea di Bonaiuto da Firenze in the Spanish Chapel being the most prominent one. The Gothic-Renaissance building also contains art pieces and funerary monuments financed by influential families in Florence.
Stroll past different chapels and admire the works of art on the walls and ceilings. Get a chance to find one of Botticelli’s earlier works near the entrance. You can also find Masaccio's The Trinity, a principal example of Renaissance paintings. Other works of art found at the church include Brunelleschi’s The Crucifix, Vasari’s Madonna of the Rosary, Pisano’s Madonna with Child, and more.
Tourist tip: The best time to visit the Church of Santa Maria Novella is early morning. The church opens as early as 9:00 AM.
14. Taste Authentic Bistecca alla Fiorentina
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Eating Bistecca alla Fiorentina is one of the best things to do in Florence, Italy, especially for foodies. This Florentine-style beef steak comes from the sirloin cut of Chianina-breed cattle, seasoned, grilled, and served rare. It is normally served with salad or cannellini beans with olive oil.
Sink your teeth into this staple at local trattorias. Head to Osteria di Giovanni, between Piazza Santa Maria Novella and Piazza Goldoni, and enjoy a bowl of ribollita with your steak. Near Ponte Vecchio, try Mamma Gina’s Bistecca alla Fiorentina with a tomato and bread soup.
Tourist tip: To preserve its taste, Bistecca alla Fiorentina shouldn't be sprinkled with lemon.
15. See More Art at Bargello Museum
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Once a barracks and prison, Bargello Museum is now a famous art museum showcasing more of what Florence has to offer. Built in 1255 for the Capitano del Popolo, it housed the Florentine police until 1859. In 1865, the Bargello opened as a museum, displaying Gothic and Renaissance sculptures.
Find works by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Giambologna here. The Donatello Room holds most of his works, including St. George and David (not Michelangelo’s version). The museum also includes goldwork and metal objects from the Middle Ages to the 16th century. A thorough visit takes about 1.5 hours.
16. Visit the Basilica di Santa Croce
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The Basilica di Santa Croce is the main Franciscan church in Florence, less than a kilometer from the Duomo on the Piazza di Santa Croce. It is a burial site for Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Niccolò Machiavelli, earning its nickname 'Temple of the Italian Glories'.
Admire this Gothic Revival basilica’s facade and interiors. Marvel at its sixteen chapels, adorned with frescoes by Giotto and his students. Find Dante Alighieri’s cenotaph, an empty monument built in honor of a person whose remains are elsewhere. Enjoy a walk at one of the three cloisters within the complex for peace and quiet.
Tourist tip: There are different entrances for solo tourists and groups in the Basilica. Solo travelers enter through a side door while groups enter through the front door.
Related travel guides: Hidden Gems For Breakfast And Brunch In Florence, Italy and 12 Hidden Gems For Live Music In Florence, Italy.
