Florence things to do: Best Tours, sights and trips for a memorable stay

Even if you’re not an art enthusiast, Florence knows very well how to seduce you. To find it out, scroll down!

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In a nutshell: The best things to do in Florence

The best places for sightseeing in Florence (Top attractions and monuments)

The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) is the place to discover the most iconic Italian art treasures. Housing a collection of Renaissance, Medieval, and Modern artworks, Uffizi Gallery is one of the most important museums in Italy.

Inside the gallery, you’ll find works of legendary artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Giotto, Perugino, Vasari, and Raphael. It takes two hours to tour Uffizi Gallery, so it’s a good idea to join a guided tour. This way, you’ll make good use of your time AND skip the long lines at the entrance. Win-win!

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The Duomo is arguably the most popular attraction in Florence. Originally known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Duomo boasts an impressive exterior made of colorful marble, ornate doors, and elaborate statues.

Duomo’s interior is as fabulous as its exterior. It is carpeted with marble floors and decorated with paintings, sculptures, and 44 stained-glass windows. Entrance is free, but there’s an additional fee for entering the bell tower and other parts of the dome. Purchasing skip-the-line tickets in advance is highly recommended!

The truth is that the main reason why you should visit Galleria dell’ Accademia is the legendary statue of Michelangelo, David, one of the most famous statues in the world! Aside from this super-popular sculpture, though, Galleria dell’ Accademia hides several art treasures from the 13th to the 16th century, as well as works of important Renaissance artists including Botticelli and Uccello. Lines at the room that hosts the statue of David are long, so booking a ticket in advance is a smart choice.

The best fun things to do in Florence

The top of Florence Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) is an outstanding point to enjoy all-encompassing views of the city! Created by the infamous architect Filippo Brunelleschi in 1436, this imposing dome is considered an architectural masterpiece. It’s easy to see why. Bedecked with colorful Carrara marbles, elaborate sculptures, and ornate windows, Florence Cathedral is truly impressive.

To get to the top of the dome, you have to climb 463 steps, but -trust us- the panoramic view is worth it! Just make sure that you book your tickets in advance, so that you avoid the hassle.

Wine tasting is one of the best things to do in Florence! You can join several wine-tasting sessions throughout the city of Florence at sophisticated winebars, guided by local sommeliers. From Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino to Vernaccia di San Gimignano, you’re going to try the most popular wine varieties in Florence -along with yummy Italian delicacies. However, if you want the ultimate wine tasting experience, we recommend that you go on a wine tour to Tuscan. But, more on that later!

Explore more: Find more Food & Drink tours in Florence

Mercato di San Lorenzo is a go-to place for shopping in Florence! At this huge market, you’ll find a wide variety of local delicacies, souvenirs, and many more interesting things. Mercato di San Lorenzo is divided into two markets: the outdoor market and the indoor market (Mercato Centrale).

At the two-level indoor market you’ll find a huge selection of Italian delicacies, like cheese, cold cuts, and pastries. At the outdoor market, you’ll find leather products, souvenirs, clothing, and pottery. What’s more, close to the Mercato di San Lorenzo lie many affordable restaurants and hotels.

Tip: Don’t forget to bring some local delicacies back home with you! Our recommendations are dried mushrooms, local honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.

The best things to do in Florence for free

Do you want a break from the bustling city center of Florence? Santo Spirito neighborhood is a must place to get a little taste of the authentic, non-touristy side of Florence. The center of activity in this charming neighborhood is the lively Piazza Santo Spirito. Sit at a cafe to sip an Italian espresso or opt for a late-night drink to close a long day of exploration.

Oh, and don’t forget to visit the monthly Mercato Fierucola market for organic produce straight from small family farms. You’re going to feel like a local!

This is one of the best things to do in Florence for free! Wait until sunset time, gather your friends, grab a beer, and head to Piazzale Michelangelo to chill out. Piazzale Michelangelo is also the perfect point to enjoy panoramic views of the Renaissance city and take the most beautiful photos. To reach the Piazzale Michelangelo, you can take the bus lines 12 or 13 from the city center. Alternatively, you can walk through Michelangelo from Piazza Ferruccio.

Ponte Vecchio is one of the most characteristic and longest-standing attractions in Florence. Also, it’s free! The best time of the day to visit Ponte Vecchio is just before sunset. Watching the sun dipping into the horizon from the bridge is a unique experience! Alternatively, you can watch the sunset under the bridge, on a gondola -but this will require some money.

Tip: If you want to skip the crowds and enjoy seamless vistas of Florence, avoid visiting Ponte Vecchio in midday.

Things to do in Florence with family and friends

Fortunately, Florence is small in size, so the best way to explore it is on foot! Walking is also a great way to discover off-the-beaten-trail gems around the town and create memories away from crowds.

Now, Florence might not be large, but navigation is quite complicated. That’s why we always prefer to join a walking tour with an experienced local guide. Spending an entire day trying to find your way through the city’s narrow alleys is not cool!

This is one of the best family activities in Florence! The Boboli Garden (Giardino di Boboli), which is a part of the Palazzo Pitti property, is a big verdant park located on a hill at Florence city center. Full of trees, sculptures, and fountains, Boboli Garden offers the perfect setting for a family picnic with a panoramic view of the city!

Tip: Since Boboli Garden is located behind Palazzo Pitti, the biggest palace in Florence, we recommend that you explore both sights on your visit.

Trying your hand at an Italian cooking class is a worthwhile experience to have in Florence. The best place to test your culinary skills is Tuscany, which is super-famous for its traditional recipes and farm-to-plate ingredients.

Most cooking classes in Florence are offered in Tuscany anyway. From handmade pasta to Italian beef and from pizza to gelato, you’ll have the chance to master a bunch of local delicacies. Of course, you’ll taste the fruit of your work at the end of the class-our favorite part!

Best day trips from Florence

Embarking on a day trip from Florence to Tuscany is a bucket list experience! Famous for its endless vineyards, rural setting, delicious cuisine, and wine production, the super photogenic Tuscan countryside is a popular destination for a day trip from Florence. As for the things to do in the idyllic Tuscany, you can choose among tasting the local cuisine, wine-tasting, touring the vineyards, hiking, and many more fun activities!

Explore more: Find the best day trip tours in Florence

Cinque Terre is a complex of five crayon-like seaside villages perched on steep hills in the coastal area of Liguria. It is a picture-perfect place blessed with all-encompassing views of the sea! Cinque Terre is a popular attraction and tends to get crowded during the summer, so booking a day-trip from Florence to Cinque Terre is your best bet if you want to see all points of interest without any hassle.

The top places to eat in Florence

Vivoli Gelato is one of the oldest gelaterias in Florence, as it was established back in the 30s! At Vivoli Gelato, which is located in the heart of the town, you’ll find fresh pastry and ice cream, produced daily with the finest ingredients. Some of our favorite gelato flavors are the caramelized pear, the amaretto, the limoncello, and the dark chocolate.

Oh, and don’t forget to order a cup of affogato, aka “The great coffee cream”, which is coffee with ice cream.

Info:Via Isola delle Stinche, 7r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy Tel: 39055292334

Osteria dell’ Enoteca is a go-to place for traditional Tuscan dishes with a modern twist. Having the same owner with the nearby Pitti Gola e Cantina wine bar, Osteria dell’ Enoteca has a well-curated wine list that complements the restaurant’s delicious menu. Some must-try dishes are the chicken liver terrine, the pappardelle with venison sauce, and the T-bone steak.

Info: Via Romana, 70/r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy Tel: 390552286018

Nightlife in Florence

Vineria Sonora is a hip place to enjoy a wide selection of organic wines and craft beers. This cool bar has a chill atmosphere, perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying an afternoon drink with your partner. The decor, which consists of rows of wine bottles and vinyl records, is also beautiful. If you want to experience the nightlife of Florence off the beaten tourist trail, this is the place to go!

Info: Via degli Alfani, 39 r, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy, Tel: 390553860191

How to get to Florence?

You can get to Florence by plane, train, car, and bus. The easiest and fastest way to get to Florence is by plane, as there are many flights to Florence from Europe, the US, and the UK. The main airport in Florence is Peretola (FLR), also known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport.

Where to stay in Florence?

The best areas to stay in Florence are the Duomo area (for first-time visitors), San Marco (for travelers on a budget), San Spirito/San Frediano (for nightlife), Santa Croce (for hip travelers), and Santa Maria Novella (for families).

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What is the best time of the year to visit Florence?

Florence, like the most major Italian cities, tends to get overcrowded in summer. So, the best season to visit Florence if you want to take advantage of the good weather but skip the crowds is spring.

What are the best attractions in Florence?

The most popular attractions in Florence are the Accademia Gallery, the Uffizi Gallery, the Boboli Garden, the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), and Mercato Centrale.

What are the best foods to eat in Florence?

Some of the local delicacies worth trying are the lampredotto, bistecca alla Fiorentina, gelato, pappardelle al Cinghiale, and tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo.

Find out: Rome best things to do| Venice best things to do | Paris best things to do | Amsterdam best things to do | London best things to do

Now We ‘d Like to Hear From You

So, these were our 17 favorite things to do in Florence! From visiting the most popular attractions, like the Duomo and Galleria dell’ Accademia to going on day trips to the nearby Cinque Terre and Tuscany countryside, we’ve included everything.

Or, we didn’t?

Tell us in the comments YOUR favorite things to do in Florence and share this article with your fellow travel enthusiasts in Social Media!