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The top things to do in Florence, Italy, such as admiring Michelangelo’s David and walking across the Ponte Vecchio, will make you fall in love with this Renaissance gem. With over 10 million visitors each year, Florence is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for art, architecture, and exceptional cuisine.
Like many Italian cities, the capital of Tuscany is renowned for its rich history, breathtaking architecture, and world-class cuisine. Stand beneath the majestic dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, stroll through the Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli and da Vinci masterpieces, and eat delicious pizza and pasta.
We combined personal experiences with traveler reviews, local insights, and expert guides to curate these 12 unmissable activities. Each recommendation highlights Florence’s Renaissance heritage, café culture, and iconic landmarks.
Luxury Hotel in Florence: Borgo Signature Rooms provides modern accommodations in a prime Florence location, just steps from iconic landmarks like Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.
Mid-range Hotel in Florence: B&B My Way offers comfortable rooms with city views and easy access to Florence’s top landmarks, including Santa Maria Novella and the Accademia Gallery.
Budget Hotel in Florence: Hotel Annalena offers classic, antique-style rooms near Boboli Gardens and Palazzo Pitti, within walking distance of Florence’s main attractions like Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.
Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks.
Explore Uffizi Gallery: Uffizi Gallery contains artworks from famous artists like Michelangelo.
Walk Across Ponte Vecchio: Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s most beautiful structures.
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The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the top things to see in Florence. Constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries, it dominates the city’s skyline with its breathtaking dome and mesmerizing facade. Adorned with beautiful artwork, intricately carved sculptures, and mosaic tiles, this isn’t somewhere you want to miss.
Admittedly, taking photographs outside the cathedral is enough to blow you away. The magnificent architecture is a joy to behold. However, we also recommend going inside to understand its history better.
Inside, there are several exciting landmarks to visit. This includes the dome, the bell tower, the baptistery, and a museum. What’s not to like?
Entry Fee and Hours: Entry to the cathedral is free, but climbing the dome costs €30 ($31). It’s open from Monday to Saturday, 10:15 AM to 3:45 PM.
Reserve Dome Access: Book your dome ticket online in advance as availability is limited.
Nearby Gelateria Santa Trinita: Treat yourself to Florence’s best gelato at Gelateria Santa Trinita, just a 10-minute walk away.
Uffizi Gallery isn’t only one of Florence’s most famous tourist attractions. It’s also one of the world’s most visited art museums. It’s home to masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and more.
Better yet, the gallery itself has a fascinating history to discover. The gallery sits inside a building constructed in the 16th century. Furthermore, the gallery opened to the public in 1769.
While art lovers will appreciate the Uffizi Gallery more, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For example, the gallery offers various family-friendly activities. Regarding the artwork, don’t miss Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo, and Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.
Entry Fee and Hours: Tickets are €25 ($26). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM. Book tickets on the official website.
Audio Guide: Rent an audio guide for €6 ($6.20) to gain insights into the artwork.
Nearby Café Rivoire: Relax with a cup of hot chocolate at Café Rivoire, located in Piazza della Signoria.
Constructed in the mid-14th century, Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s most historic and beautiful landmarks. Straddling the Arno River, this gorgeous medieval stone bridge is a remarkable sight. It’s also incredibly interesting.
For instance, Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence that survived World War II. It’s also noted for its shops and restaurants. Although it may seem unusual now, building shops and restaurants on bridges was once common practice across Europe.
Walking along the bridge, you’ll discover pizzerias, jewelry stores, and watch shops. Topping things off nicely, this vibrant bridge offers excellent city and river views. However, it can get busy, so arrive early in the morning to avoid larger crowds.
Shops and Hours: Visit during the day for access to unique jewelry shops and restaurants along the bridge. Shops typically open at 10:00 AM and close around 7:30 PM
Sunset Photos: Capture breathtaking views of the Arno River and the city skyline from the bridge during sunset.
Nearby Restaurant Golden View Open Bar: Enjoy Italian dishes with stunning river views at Golden View Open Bar, just steps from the bridge.
Eating at il Mercato Centrale Firenze is one of the top things to do in Florence if you’re a big foodie. Il Mercato Centrale Firenze is a lively food market offering a wide range of tasty treats from local artisans. It’s ideally located on Piazza del Mercato Centrale in central Florence.
Whether you’re looking for traditional Italian food, like pizza and freshly made pasta, or a hearty burger, the market has something for you. Honestly, even if you’re not hungry, you must visit the market. The sights, smells, and lively atmosphere are a joy to experience. Besides, the market also sells freshly baked goods you can enjoy later.
We recommend ordering a pizza from La Pizza In Teglia and a glass of red wine.
Operating Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to midnight. Great for lunch, dinner, or late-night snacks.
Must-Try Restaurants: Grab fresh pasta at Pasta Fresca, which is highly rated by locals and tourists.
The fun for foodies doesn’t stop there, as Florence is also well-known for its gelato. In fact, it’s widely believed that Florence native Bernardo Buontalenti invented modern ice cream. As such, Florence is one of the world’s best and most historic places to enjoy this tasty treat.
However, unsurprisingly, there are many delicious places to buy ice cream in Florence, so finding the best is challenging. That said, it only seems right to visit a few gelaterias to see who you think does it best.
Don’t panic; we’re here to help you start your ice cream journey. Vivoli is Florence’s oldest gelateria. Gelateria della Passera is an award-winning gelateria with countless tasty flavors, and Gelateria Badiani claims to be home to the real Buontalenti ice cream.
Vivoli Gelato: Visit Florence’s oldest gelateria, Vivoli, for classic flavors.
Gelateria della Passera: Try their Pistachio flavor, a local favorite.
Badiani: Home to Buontalenti gelato, a must-try original flavor. Visit their location near the city center.
Boboli Gardens is one of the best places in Florence to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy streets. Constructed in the 16th century, these gardens offer a vast green space filled with vibrant lawns, tree-lined paths, and beautiful fountains. Attached to Pitti Palace, the gardens originally served as an extension of the palace, providing recreational space for the Medici family.
Today, the gardens are a picturesque place to enjoy a romantic walk with your partner. The gardens have many walking paths, so you won’t be short of options. Walking through the park, you’ll also pass many beautiful landmarks, such as Fontana dell’Oceano and Cerchiate Piccole.
You can enjoy a picnic in the designated picnic area if you take some food.
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Opening Hours and Entry Fee: Tickets cost €10 ($10.30) and can be purchased here. Opening hours vary, which can be checked here.
Picnic Tip: Bring a picnic to enjoy in the designated area near the amphitheater. There are small shops nearby for fresh paninis.
Considering that Boboli Gardens is connected to Pitti Palace, it would be rude not to visit it after walking around the gardens. Built in the 15th century, this grand Renaissance palace, known locally as Palazzo Pitti, is home to five museums. This includes the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, the Museum of Russian Icons, and the Imperial and Royal Apartments.
If you love history, you’ll particularly enjoy the Imperial and Royal Apartments, which feature royal reception rooms, ornate bedrooms, royal studies, and more. There are over three centuries of royalty to discover.
Meanwhile, the Treasury of the Grand Dukes occupies what was the Medici family’s summer apartment. It contains breathtaking frescoes, 17th-century jewels, crystals, and precious Medici collections.
Opening Hours and Entry Fee: Pitti Palace is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM. Tickets cost €16 ($16.50) for general admission and can be purchased in advance here.
Top Spot for Art: Don’t miss the Palatine Gallery, which features stunning works by Raphael and Titian. It’s located on the first floor of the palace and is a highlight for art enthusiasts.
Nearby Restaurants: For a relaxing lunch after your visit, try Trattoria 4 Leoni, located just a 5-minute walk away. This restaurant is highly rated for its pear-filled ravioli, a local favorite.
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Florence is go wine tasting. One of the main things Italy is known for, especially in the Tuscany region, is red wine. Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Montalcino are some of the area’s beautiful wines.
Therefore, world-class wines have been a staple in Florence for hundreds of years. In fact, many old-school enotecas (wine shops) still operate across the city. That said, it would be a big mistake not to spend some time wine tasting.
Zanobini is one of the city’s most popular enotecas. This traditional wine shop offers authentic Chianti wines and other Italian delights. Sounds perfect, right?
Tour Options: Book Florence Wine Tasting for an immersive experience with local wine and delicacies.
Nearby Snack: Pair your wine with a charcuterie platter at Coquinarius, a highly-rated wine bar near the Duomo.
If you’re looking for the best views in Florence, you must head to Piazzale Michelangelo. Piazzale Michelangelo is a scenic square on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River. It offers a more relaxed atmosphere than the city’s busier streets and arguably the best city views.
You can see most of Florence from the square, including the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery. This is an excellent place to take panoramic photographs of the city skyline. While the views are spectacular any time of day, I recommend visiting at sunset.
One of the best things to do in Florence if you love sports is to watch ACF Fiorentina play at the Artemio Franchi Stadium. ACF Fiorentina is one of Italy’s most famous and successful soccer teams. The club has won multiple league titles, the Coppa Italia, and European competitions.
In 2023, they also narrowly missed out on the UEFA Conference League title, losing in the final to West Ham United. On a match day, the atmosphere at the Artemio Franchi Stadium is incredible.
You can expect plenty of singing, colorful displays, and high-quality football on the pitch. You can purchase tickets for a match on the official ACF Fiorentina website.
Nearby Snack: Grab a pre-game bite at Antico Vinaio, famous for its generously filled schiacciata sandwiches.
Palazzo Vecchio is one of Florence’s most historically significant buildings, so make sure you photograph it for your Instagram. Constructed in the 13th century, this majestic building has been the seat of Florence’s government for seven centuries. It overlooks Piazza della Signoria in central Florence.
This castle-like stone structure has a Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance design. Its stand-out feature is its tall clock tower. Visitors can climb the 200+ steps to the top of the tower to enjoy magnificent city views.
Meanwhile, Palazzo Vecchio also features a museum with exhibitions detailing Florence’s rich history. The Traces of Florence exhibition displays art from the early Renaissance to the Contemporary era.
Opening Hours and Tickets: It’s open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Tickets cost €17.50 ($18.10) and can be booked here.
Nearby Gelato: Treat yourself to gelato at Perché No!, located just a 5-minute walk from the piazza.
The Basilica of Santa Croce is the world’s largest Franciscan church and one of Florence’s most impressive historical landmarks. Constructed in the 13th century, it features a magnificent facade, 16 chapels, vast halls, and beautiful frescoes.
According to the church’s official website, the Basilica of Santa Croce “contains the entire history of art and faith of Western culture.” When not admiring the impressive architecture, you’ll likely discover over 4,000 precious works of art. You can also learn more about the church in the Museum of the Opera di Santa Croce.
The Basilica also offers guided tours should you want to learn more about the church from an expert.
Opening Hours and Tickets: It’s open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Tickets cost €8. Visit here to book.
Nearby Café: Try Finisterrae, located on Piazza Santa Croce, for great coffee and pastries with a view of the basilica.
Jack is a freelance content writer from the U.K. He writes about travel, health & lifestyle, and food amongst other things. As a passionate traveler, he’s always in search of his next big adventure, and ways to save his readers money on their next trip.
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