Top Things to Do in Florence Italy
- Laura
- Oct 7
- 8 min read
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In the 14th century, the birth of the Renaissance occurred in Florence, Italy. Home to some of the greatest art ever produced by Western civilization, a visit to Florence means strolling the same streets that Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Donatello, and members of the powerful Medici family once walked. Read on, to learn about the top things to do in Florence Italy.
On the plus-side, the city is full of stunning architecture, galleries, and statue-filled piazzas. On the down-side, the array of choices can be overwhelming. Use our picks for the top things to do in Florence Italy to help you prioritize. The list includes must-see museums, historic landmarks, sumptuous palaces, gorgeous gardens, and fun markets.
As the capital of Tuscany, Firenze (Florence) is well known for its simple, but flavorful cuisine and Chianti wine. For more information on how to travel to Florence and how to get around, read our Florence Italy Guide for First-Timer’s.
BEST SELLING FLORENCE TOURS
FLORENCE ITALY WEATHER
Florence has humid summers and rainy winters. July is the hottest month with temperatures averaging in the 90’s (F). Temperatures in January hover around the 40’ (F) mark. It rains around 88 days of the year (snow is rare). November is the wettest month; July is the driest.
BEST TIME TO GO TO FLORENCE ITALY
We believe the best time to visit Florence is in the spring and fall; roughly late April through early June, and in the months of September and October. During these weeks the weather is warm, but the heat and humidity are not stifling. There will be crowds, but not peak-level mobs (or pricing).
Avoid July and August (high heat and crowds), November until February (rain and cold), and major fairs and festivals, including the Christmas season (crowding).
FLORENCE ITALY HOTELS
Most of Florence’s attractions are located in the city’s historic center (it takes about 40 minutes to walk from end to end). Although hotel rates can be higher in this area, we suggest you stay here. Whatever extra you spend, you will likely make up for in convenience, time, parking, and transportation costs. Here are a few well-reviewed hotels in the historic center:
Hotel Firenze Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio: Clean, affordable. Good location. Roof terrace and restaurant.
Hotel Pendini: Modern hotel in the romantic heart of Florence.
Hotel Calimala: Two restaurants and rooftop bar in historic neighborhood.
Hotel Balestri: On the Arno River. Close to Ponte Vecchio and shopping.
FLORENCE ITALY GUIDED TOURS
Florence sits in the middle of Tuscany. Surrounded by vineyards and verdant hills, it is the perfect jumping off point for day trips into the Tuscan countryside. Consider these well-reviewed Florence Italy guided tours that make great day trips:
FLORENCE ITALY MAP
TOP THINGS TO DO IN FLORENCE ITALY
The 12 sites on our list of the top things to do in Florence are all in the city’s historic center. The entire district has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the city’s extraordinary contributions to architecture and the fine arts.
Florence Duomo Complex
The Florence Duomo complex tops our list of must-see sites. Consisting of several major monuments (listed below), the complex sits in the middle of the historic center. The magnificent open-air museum houses some of Florence’s best art and architecture.
Entrance tickets to the Florence Duomo complex monuments (excluding the Cathedral where entrance is free) can be purchased online at the Duomo website or at the ticket office at Piazza San Giovanni #7. Or, try this tour: Cathedral, Terraces, & Dome Skip the Line
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: One of the world’s largest cathedrals, the Santa Maria del Fiore (Lady of the Flowers) has a bold geometric exterior covered in white and green marble. Ground was broken on the church in in 1296. Open: Monday to Saturday 10:15 to 3:45. No ticket required. Closed Sunday for worship.
Brunelleschi’s Dome: The cathedral’s dome, built by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 1400s, is the largest masonry vault in the world. Climb 463 steps to experience the stunning dome up close. It is decorated with frescoes of the Last Judgement.
Giotto’s Bell Tower: Constructed in 1334, the majestic marble-clad bell tower’s 414 steps can be climbed. When our dome climb was cancelled due to falling tiles, we climbed the bell tower instead. We really appreciated the balconies between sets of stairs on this climb (there were large windows and spaces to rest). At the top, we had great views of the dome and city.
Baptistry of St. John: The octagonal baptistry was converted from a Pegan temple to a church in 1059. A mosaic covering the vault depicts Christ, Paradise, and Hell. The famous three ton gold Gates of Paradise doors to the Baptistry were created by sculptor Ghiberti in 1425.
Opera del Duomo Museum: In the museum, find original works of art by Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, and more.
Galleria dell Accademia di Firenze
The Academy Gallery in Florence is housed in a 14th century hospital and convent. The museum’s collection of paintings and sculptures is one of the most valuable in the world. Exhibits boast sculptures by Michelangelo (included the famed David), plaster casts by Bartolini, and an important assembly of early Italian paintings.
Purchase entrance tickets on the Galleria dell Accademia website or at the museum’s ticket office. Open: Every Day 8:15am to 6:20pm. Or, try this tour: Accademia & Davis Skip the Line
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio, or “Old Bridge,” is a stone bridge built in the Middle Ages (1345) that spans the River Arno. It is the only bridge in Florence that escaped demolition during World War II. The bridge is loved for the shops that are open along it including goldsmiths, jewelers, and art dealers. See the bridge at night on this Florence by Night 2 hour Walking Tour.
Uffizi Gallery
In the historic center of Florence, off of Piazza della Signoria, is the Uffizi Gallery. The museum houses a collection of paintings and sculptures ranging from Medieval times to the modern era. Of special note are collected works of the Renaissance masters with paintings from Giotto, Lippi, Botticelli, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo and Caravaggio.
The Uffizi also displays a priceless assortment of ancient statues and busts collected by the powerful Medici family which feature Roman replicas of lost Greek sculptures.
Purchase entrance tickets on the Uffizi website or at the museum’s ticket office. Open: Tuesday to Sunday 8:15am to 6:30pm; closed Mondays. Or, try this tour: Uffizi Guided Tour with Skip the Line Entry
Walk the City’s Piazza’s
Take an afternoon to stroll the remarkable piazza’s (city squares) of Florence:
In Piazza della Signoria see the open-air sculpture gallery, fountains, and Palazzo Vecchio.
Travel to Piazza Santa Croce to visit the cathedral, listen to music, and shop.
In the Piazza della Repubblica ride the carousel and have a shot of espresso in an elegant café. When you are refreshed walk a few streets over to Mercato Nuovo and seek out the Fontana del Porcellino (a boar statue that brings good luck).
For a narrated walk around the city, try this Florence Guided Walking Tour.
Museo Nazionale del Bargello
The Bargello sculpture museum is housed in one the oldest buildings in Florence (1255). Over the centuries the building has been used as a police headquarters and a prison. Today the museum displays a large collection of sculptures including works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and Ghiberti.
Purchase entrance tickets on the Bargello website or at the museum’s ticket office. Or, purchase your ticket: here: Reserved Entry Ticket to Bargello Museum. Open: Wednesday to Monday 8:15am to 6:30pm; closed Tuesday.
Mercato Centrale
The Mercato Centrale is located in the San Lorenzo neighborhood. The massive two-story complex is popular with locals and tourists. On the ground floor there are traditional food stalls selling fish, produce, cheese, wine, and other items. The second flood is a food court with vendors offering pizza, pasta, drinks, and other Florentine fare.
Open Every Day: 9am to 11pm. Or, for different kind of tasty afternoon try this Florence Street Food Walking Tour.
Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee)
The Medici’s were a prominent Florentine family who ruled the city for 300 years. The Medici’s were great patrons of the arts. When they decided to build a family mausoleum in their local church, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici’s commissioned the most gifted artists and architects of the day including Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and Donatello. Read more here: Medici Chapels.
The Medici Chapels consist of the Sagrestia Nuova (New Chapel) and Cappella dei Principi (Prince’s Chapel). The chapels are considered to be masterpieces of Renaissance sculpture and architecture. The New Chapel was designed by Michelangelo and contains his famed Dawn, Dusk, Night, and Day nudes.
Purchase entrance tickets on the Medici Chapels website or at the museum’s ticket office. Open: Every Day 8:15am to 6:50pm
Pitti Palace
In the 1400s a Florentine banker, Luca Pitti built a villa by the River Arno. A hundred years later, the house was purchased by the powerful Medici family and turned into the Grand Ducal Residence. Today, the villa is a National Museum and divided into five different exhibition halls (listed below).
Ground Floor – Treasury of the Grand Dukes and the Museum of Russian Icons.
First Floor – Imperial and Royal Apartments and Palatine Gallery.
Second Floor – Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Costume and Fashion.
Purchase entrance tickets on the Pitti Palace website or at the museum’s ticket office. Open: Every Day 8:15am to 6:30pm Or, try this tour: Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens Guided Tour
Boboli Gardens
Behind the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens are an expansive green space populated with fountains, statues, and grottos. Developed by Medici family, the ornate gardens are laid out in a classic Italian style. See the Fountain of Neptune, the Buontalenti Grotto, and Kaffeehaus pavilion.
Purchase entrance tickets on the Boboli Gardens website or at the museum’s ticket office. Or, purchase this Boboli Gardens timed entry ticket. Open: Every Day 8:15am to 6:30pm
Museum San Marco Florence
The San Marco complex was first occupied by monks in the 12th century. In the 1400s, the Medici family rebuilt the complex and added a church. Today, this unassuming museum is renowned for the wall frescoes that adorn the monk’s cells. Painted by Giovanni of Fiesole, aka “Fra Angelico,” and his team, the unusual frescoes are not to be missed.
Purchase entrance tickets on the Museum San Marco Florence website or at the museum’s ticket office. Or, purchase your ticket here: Timed Entrance Museum San Marco Open: Tuesday to Saturday 8:30am to 1:50pm. Closed: Sunday and Monday.
Visit the Oltrarno Neighborhood
From the Florence historic center, cross the River Arno into Oltrarno, aka the “other side.” Visit the charming neighborhood of San Spirito. Explore the many artisan galleries and workshops. Visit the Basilica San Spirito and have lunch in a family-owned café.
Arrivederci (See you soon), from the Renaissance city, Laura and Randy
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