20+ Incredible Things to Do in Florence: The Renaissance Capital of Italy
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Considered to be the “Renaissance capital” of Italy, Florence is world-renowned for its deep artistic and cultural heritage.
On every street corner and in every piazza, Florence’s history is on full display. Whether you’re traveling through time at the Uffizi Gallery—admiring 14th-century altarpieces or marveling at the delicate materials used to paint Roman goddesses—or simply strolling the cobblestone streets with gelato in hand, the city offers endless inspiration. There are so many incredible things to do in Florence!
I was incredibly lucky to call Florence home for four months while studying the art that makes the city feel like a living, breathing art history textbook. I made it my mission to experience as much as possible… while studying, of course (wink, wink)!
Florence first captured my heart during a day trip from Rome in 2019—my very first international adventure—and I was instantly captured by the city’s historic charm. But it was those four months spent living with a host family that turned “love at first sight” into something deeper: a profound admiration for the art, architecture, and timeless beauty that keeps travelers coming back year after year.
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Whether you’re visiting for a day or sticking around the cobblestone streets for a while, here’s a list of the BEST things to do in Florence, Italy!
20+ Incredible Things to Do in Florence, Italy
Unique Architecture. Dazzling church facades. Monumental Sculptures. Florence is truly a place of art. Whether you plan to spend twelve hours in the magnificent Italian city or four months, there is a site for everyone!
Even after spending four months living in Florence, I was still discovering new sites to see and places to eat.
Art lovers can spend hours perusing the many museums, and even spend multiple days in one museum, uncovering new pieces and fine details a passerby would otherwise ignore. Foodies can dive, mouth first, into Italian culture by enjoying a fresh margherita pizza or cacio e pepe. The wine connoisseurs can explore Tuscan vineyards in the Chianti wine region, just outside of the city.
One thing’s for certain. You will NEVER be bored in Florence. And the great thing about the beautiful Italian city is that it’s small, perfectly suitable for travelers hoping to experience European splendor on a small scale.
1. Travel Back in Time to Renaissance Florence at the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is my FAVORITE museum in all of Florence (and dare I say, my favorite museum EVER?). If there’s one museum on your Florence bucket list, make it the Uffizi Gallery!
The Uffizi Gallery is the largest and most spectacular museum in Florence. Museum curators took their time arranging this gallery’s magnificent artwork! You can visit rooms that highlight religious art and altarpieces, examine more secular pieces that showcase different materials (oil paint or tempera) or contemplate how sculptors created dynamic scenes, set in beautiful stone.
travel tip!
Museums are FREE on the first Sunday of the month in Italy!
Take advantage of this when you plan your trip to Florence. Keep in mind that during peak season, everyone will be visiting the museums on free museum day…plan accordingly. I recommend visiting one or two museums in the morning, before the crowds arrive. Some museums even allow you to reserve your time slot early or stop by and pick up a ticket for later in the day.
There’s lots to see at the Uffizi Gallery – one of the BEST museums in Florence – and depending on your Florence itinerary, you could spend hours strolling through the artwork, or visit over a period of days! However, if you have a limited time in Florence, I recommend devoting a half-day to the Uffizi Gallery or booking a skip-the-line entry ticket. Be sure to check out the cafe on the roof for an amazing view of Brunelleschi’s Duomo!
Save time and skip-the-line!
Don’t wait to reserve your ticket to the BEST museum in Florence! Here’s my TOP pick for a timed-entry ticket to the magnificent Uffizi Gallery.
2. See Michelangelo’s Magnificent David Sculpture
The magnificent sculpture of David – the biblical underdog who defeated Goliath – by the famous painter-architect-sculptor (jack of all trades, if you will), Michelangelo, is perhaps the main reason why people visit Galleria dell’Accademia. But there’s lots of other rooms and artwork from the middle ages that might catch your eye!
Important tip for visiting the Galleria dell’Accademia: Purchase tickets for a specific time slot in advance! Do. Not. Wait. In. Line. I’ve done this. You could be waiting for hours and entry is not alway guaranteed, especially during peak season! Entry priority is ALWAYS given to travelers who have purchased reserved time slots.
Guarantee your spot to see Michelangelo’s David.
Get Your Guide provides official tickets to Galleria dell’Accademia – one of the BEST museums in Florence. Book your ticket NOW!
3. Visit Palazzo Pitti and Picnic at Boboli Gardens
Palazzo Pitti is oftentimes overlooked by many tourists!
My first trip to Florence, I completely skipped over Palazzo Pitti and went right to the Boboli Gardens. After living in Florence for four months, I can confidently say that Palazzo Pitti is one of the most beautiful museums in Florence – right up there with the Uffizi Gallery!
Originally built for the Pitti family, the expansive residence soon became home to the infamous Medici family. Now, it is a vast collection of art and sculpture, with original rooms and furniture, that gives Versailles a run for its royal money.
I recommend visiting the palace in the morning before it gets busy. Pack lunch or grab a sandwich from a local Florentine sandwich shop on the way and stay for a picnic in Boboli Gardens – an expansive, elegant garden featuring Renaissance sculptures and an incredible view of Florence! Rumor has it, Boboli Gardens inspired the famous gardens at the Palace of Versailles!
Tickets for Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens should be purchased separately, unless you plan to book a guided tour (not required!).
Here are my TOP picks for entrance tickets to the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
4. Explore One of the Oldest Buildings in Florence – Bargello
Bargello is one of the oldest buildings in Florence, dating back to 1255. Bargello hosts a plethora of sculptures from the late middle ages and the early Renaissance. Donatello’s famous David, which inspired Michelangelo’s sculpture is one of the many sculptures in this ancient fortress. This museum is perfect for sculpture lovers, an easy museum to see in an hour or two!
Grab your ticket to one of the oldest buildings in Florence!
Get Your Guide provides official tickets to Bargello.
5. Walk Through Palazzo Vecchio and People-Watch at Piazza della Signoria
Palazzo Vecchio, the former residence and workplace of the officials of the Florentine republic, is now a grand museum with ornately decorated halls and rooms. If you’re a fan of Roman mythology, symbols of ancient gods and goddesses scatter the palace’s many rooms.
Much like Palazzo Pitti, walking through Palazzo Vecchio is like immersing yourself in Italian royal life. I don’t know about you, but I love to imagine what it would be like to be Italian royalty. Although, maybe not the Medici’s…they were a bit mischievous with their aspirations!
Piazza della Signoria is one of Florence’s largest squares with lots of cafes and restaurants surrounding it. This open piazza is the perfect place to enjoy gelato while people watching! Did I mention that one of my favorite brunch places, Rooster Cafe, is just a short walk from the square? Serving up classic American breakfasts like the BEST chicken and waffles, Rooster Cafe is the place to go if you miss a good-ol’ American breakfast!
Just next to the Palazzo Vecchio is a loggia, an “open-courtyard”, with original Renaissance sculptures. A David replica stands tall outside the entrance of the palace.
6. Visit One of Florence’s Incredible Churches
Emerging from the middle ages, Florentines looked toward religion for hope and faith in the future. Religious orders, like the Franciscans and the Dominicans, grew large with followers and built monumental churches with ornate facades as a means to congregate.
Florence has some of the largest churches with intricate facades. Many churches are free to enter, while others require a small fee which can be paid upon entry. Nevertheless, the art that decorates the walls and altars is something you should not miss!
Here’s a list of the most beautiful churches in Florence:
Basilica di San Lorenzo
The San Lorenzo complex is by far one of the most beautiful Catholic worship spaces in Florence. Within the complex is the Medici Chapel – Chapel of the Princes (with the most spectacular ceiling and monumental tombs for the Medici family), New Sacristy (designed by Michelangelo), and the Laurentian Library (also designed by Michelangelo).
Within this complex, you can experience Michelangelo’s architectural expertise! It surprises many people that Michelangelo not only sculpted and painted, but also designed religious architecture! This was my favorite site in Florence, mainly because of the grandeur of the Chapel of the Princes. It also happens to be conveniently located near Mercato Centrale, Florence’s largest food hall!
Basilica di Santa Croce
Originally located outside the city limits during medieval Florence, Santa Croce is a monumental church associated with the Franciscan order. This Basilica is one of my favorite Florentine basilicas! Here you can see both Galileo and Michelangelo’s tombs, and view beautiful frescoes that decorate the altar.
Basilica di Santa Maria Novella & Piazza
Not just another fancy Basilica to visit! Santa Maria Novella is another Florentine Gothic style church designed by the great Leon Battista Alberti. Much like Santa Croce, this Basilica has frescoes by famous Florentine artists, such as Masaccio, Ghirlandaio and Giotto.
If time permits, venture next door to the refectory, which also has exquisite Florentine frescoes! Piazza Santa Maria Novella, located near Florence’s train station, has a selection of fine Italian restaurants and nice hotels, just outside Centro Storico, the historic city center of Florence.
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
Perhaps the most ICONIC of all the Florentine churches, Santa Maria del Fiore is considered to be the heart of Florence. Like Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce, the church contains an ornately decorated facade. The cathedral itself is free to enter and is definitely worth visiting!
Battistero di San Giovanni
During the Byzantine time period, Italy saw a rise of unique art forms for religious artwork. Mosaics, collections of stones pieced together to create a cohesive picture, can be found all over Florence. The most spectacular mosaic decorates the ceiling of the Baptistery of Saint John. The amount of gold that decorates the ceiling mosaic is jaw-dropping, making the Baptistery a top site in Florence!
Chiesa di Orsanmichele & Museum
Most tourists don’t think about visiting Orsanmichele. This site was once an open gain loggia and the site of a miracle working image of Virgin Mary. Although it doesn’t make it on a lot of blogs (except for mine of course!), Orsanmichele is spectacular for its altar piece, and its sculptures situated in niches around the site. Each sculpture was commissioned by a different medieval Florentine guild.
FUN FACT: A guild was an association of merchants or tradesmen who held considerable power in the Florentine republic. Wealthier guilds could use more expensive materials, such as bronze rather than stone, and create more intricate sculptures. Keep an eye out for these materials and try to guess, by symbolism, which guild commissioned which sculpture outside of Orsanmichele!
7. Climb Brunelleschi’s Cupola
Climb. That. Dome!
How awesome is it that tourists can climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s Duomo, and view Florence from on top of the most architecturally impressive structure? I think that’s epic!
Believe it or not, architects are puzzled by the way in which Brunelleschi constructed this cupola. Considering that he left no plans or architectural drawings behind, the dome’s construction today remains a mystery!
ticket information!
When you purchase your ticket to climb the cupola through Opera del Duomo or other ticket sellers like Get Your Guide, you also have access to Santa Reparata (ruins beneath Santa Maria del Fiore), Giotto’s Campanile, Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Opera del Duomo museum!
For a limited time, get 20% off your ticket to climb Brunelleschi’s cupola.
This deal is one you CANNOT miss!
Book YOUR ticket NOW ⬇️
8. Get a Bird’s-Eye View of the Duomo from Giotto’s Campanile
Like the Duomo, Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower) is a difficult thing to miss, considering the fact that it stands nearly as tall as Brunelleschi’s dome! Climbing the bell tower is a unique experience. If you plan to climb Brunelleschi’s cupola, your ticket will include entry to Giotto’s Campanile, the Baptistery, and Opera del Duomo museum!
9. Explore Ancient Ruins Beneath the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore
Just beneath the Santa Maria del Fiore are the ruins of Santa Reparata, the original place of worship for Florentines prior to the construction of the current cathedral. If you plan on climbing Brunelleschi’s Duomo, you’ll get free access to the ruins (as well as Giotto’s Campanile and Opera del Duomo museum)!
10. Visit Florence’s Famous Ponte Vecchio
Translating to “old bridge”, the Ponte Vecchio is a picturesque bridge that crosses the Arno River. Deep Florentine oranges and yellows paint this bridge, making it a postcard-worthy location. Jewelry shops along the bridge invite even the most frugal of travelers, like myself, to peek inside.
The Ponte Vecchio is one site every traveler should visit during their stay in Florence, not just because of its ancient history, but also for its stunning views of both sides of the Arno river.
11. Indulge in Delectable Tuscan Cuisine
There’s nothing I love more than finding amazing restaurants and delicious food when traveling abroad. The greatest gift of traveling is getting to immerse yourself in a country’s unique culture. The best way to learn more about the culture and the people is to try local cuisine. Italian food – pasta, pizza and Tuscan wine – happens to be one of my favorite cuisines! Cacio e pepe? Yes, please. Spaghetti alle vongole? My FAVORITE! Tiramisu? Drown me in it!
Living in a homestay, I got to experience traditional Tuscan cuisine every night. But on the weekends when I had time to explore Florence and try new restaurants, I indulged in some of Florence’s best restaurants.
Here are my top picks for the best cafes and restaurants in Florence!
Best Sandwich Shop
Pino’s (I fell in LOVE with the bresaola and arugula sandwich – so much so that I often try to recreate it at home!)
Best Classic Italian Restaurant
Trattoria Pallottino (Try the spicy spaghetti (arrabbiata)! You won’t be disappointed!)
Best Florentine Steak
La Giostra (My boyfriend and I DEVOURED their massive Florentine T-bone…it was the best STEAK I’ve ever had!)
Best Gelato
Gelateria de’ Medici (An amazing gelato shop on the outskirts of the city center – this gelateria was near my homestay!)
12. Experience Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is the BEST place in the city to get a view of Florence.
Imagine a hot summer day in Florence. You just explored the museums. Ate a margherita pizza. The sun is starting to dip on the Italian horizon. Time to relax and watch the city!
Piazzale Michelangelo is a large piazza at the top of Florence with the best views of the city (and the best views of the sunset!). Named after the great artist, Michelangelo, there is a large bronze replica of the David at the top of this piazza.
You can lounge on the steps with a bottle of wine, meet friends, and buy souvenirs after a long day exploring. Every Monday I would walk from my homestay, stop at a local frappe stand for a chocolate frappe, then drink it at Piazzale Michelangelo while I watched the sun go down. Add this to your Florence bucket list!
13. Eat A LOT of gelato!
I would be lying if I said I didn’t eat a lot of gelato when I lived in Florence. It was so easy to walk to a local gelateria after class! I didn’t hesitate to eat my way around the BEST gelaterias in Florence!
When picking a gelateria for a delectable Italian treat, there are a few rules to know about so you don’t fall for a tourist trap!
Skip any gelateria offering towering piles of “gelato” with vibrant colors and fruit toppings. A good gelato containing natural ingredients cannot tower high like a mountain without melting!
Vibrant colors, while fun to look at, are not natural. A good gelato is slowly churned with natural ingredients and minimal food dyes.
Gelato should be stored in metal tins! If you come across a gelateria serving gelato in plastic, run!
There are so many gelaterias in Florence, you’ll have no trouble finding the best quality Italian delicacy!
14. Visit a Local Bar
Cafes in Italy are referred to as “bars”. Many will oftentimes serve cappuccinos and pastries in the morning and convert to a lively bar in the afternoon! I loved exploring local bars in search of the best pastries and cappuccinos (spoiler alert: all the bars I visited were amazing!).
One of the best things to do in Florence is to immerse yourself in Italian culture. Visiting a bar for a cappuccino and a pastry is a great way to live the dolce vita!
15. Experience Medieval Florentine Wealth at Palazzo Medici
The Medici family was a wealthy, powerful family during the Renaissance era. The Medici were patrons of art and architecture, who left their mark all over Italy. Palazzo Medici, one of the largest family homes in Florence, is just outside the city center. Visiting Palazzo Medici is a great way to see how wealthy Florentines lived during the Renaissance time period. Palazzo Medici offers travelers a look at some art pieces from the family’s massive art collection
16. Try a Delicious Florentine Sandwich
When I wasn’t dining at home with my host family, I was out and about in Florence trying all the top-rated sandwich shops! There are many amazing places to stop for a homemade Florentine sandwich! Un Caffé which serves up cheap, less-than-five-euros sandwiches is one of my all-time favorites!
17. Enjoy a Tuscan Wine Tasting
For centuries, wine making has been woven into the fabric of Tuscany. Just on the outskirts of Florence are rolling green hills with endless olive groves and wineries. If you enjoy learning about the history of viticulture in Italy – and enjoy tasting delectable Tuscan wine – you’ll really enjoy a wine-tasting tour throughout Tuscany!
I recommend booking a half-day guided tour from Florence to experience the Tuscan Chianti wine!
Here’s my top pick!
18. Take a Day Trip to Another Italian City!
Pisa, Bologna and Rome are just a short train ride away!
When I lived in Florence, I spent a lot of time exploring nearby cities. I ventured to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, an architectural wonder that makes a bucket-list photo opportunity. I spent time wandering the ancient streets of Bologna, and ate my way around Italy’s “food capital”. I absolutely loved exploring the Italian Riviera, looking for sea monsters from the movie Luca.
A day trip from Rome to Florence actually inspired my dream to study art history in the Renaissance capital of Italy.
Whether you’re inspired by architecture, hoping to indulge in Italian cuisine, or looking for relaxation by the sea, there are many ways to explore other Italian city’s from Florence.
As a student, I frequently used Omio to purchase bus and train tickets. I highly recommend booking your tickets with Omio in advance to make traveling to and from Florence easy!
19. Learn How to Make Pasta!
Homemade pasta can transform any simple Italian recipe into a Michelin-inspired dish.
So why not learn to make homemade pasta while you’re in the very place where it originated? Part of a country’s culture is the cuisine. I always love to book cooking classes when I travel to a new country. Not only can you learn to make a local recipe, cooking classes are a great way to meet other travelers!
Indulge in an incredible cooking class in Florence!
Here’s my top pick!
20. Indulge in Local and Global Cuisines at Mercato Centrale
Mercato Centrale, just outside the magnificent San Lorenzo complex, is a foodie paradise. This Florentine food hall has everything from personal pizzas smothered in fresh mozzarella and basil, to arancini – Sicilian deep fried Italian rice balls.
I visited Mercato Centrale often for lunch and I found the food to be some of the best in Florence! I highly recommend visiting Mercato Centrale for lunch!
21. Shop for Handmade Leather Products
Tanning and leather production are almost as important to Tuscan culture as the pasta dishes that entices travelers from all over the world.
Florence produces nearly a third of all leather goods in Italy. Known for its high quality leather, master workshops and traditional craftsmanship, Florence is the place to go to buy all things leather!
Just outside of Mercato Centrale, you’ll find vendors selling local leather goods! Remember to haggle at these markets! The outdoor leather market is a great place to buy local leather and other souvenirs. If you’re looking for more upscale leather goods, I recommend visiting one of Benheart’s two locations in Florence for high quality, handmade leather products!
I hope this extensive list of 20+ things to do in Florence inspires you to visit the Renaissance capital of Italy! I can’t wait to go back!
Want to explore even MORE Florence content?
Check out my latest Florence blog Posts BELOW ⬇️
Five Perfect Day Trips from Florence, Italy
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Where to Stay in Florence: Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget
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