Last updated on December 25th, 2021 at 03:42 am
Florence (or Firenze in Italian language), the capital of Tuscan region in Italy is the birthplace of Renaissance. This ancient city boasts of some of the greatest pieces of art and architecture ever created in the history of mankind. It is an art lover’s paradise in every sense.
Probably, I loved Florence the most among Rome, Venice and Milan in our Italy trip.
This post will guide you on the Top 8 things to do in Florence.
(A) Where is Florence?
Florence is in central Tuscany, Italy and capital of Tuscan region.
The historic center of Florence still retains its medieval flavor and it is a very different feeling to be here .
(B) How to reach Florence?
By Air:
Florence Airport, Peretola is the international airport of Florence with flights to/from many cities in and outside Europe.
By Train:
Florence is well connected with rest of Italy through train.
You can buy your tickets online from the TrenItalia Website. This is a state-run website. For buying online tickets, you need to specify the date and time.
If you are buying tickets from the ticket counter, you will need to validate the tickets in one of the ticket machines inside the station. This step is essential because off-the-counter tickets do not have a time mentioned. Hence, always remember to validate the ticket before you board the train. If you have bought an online ticket which has the date and time mentioned, this step is not required
TrenItalia Website offers Rail Pass for travel within Italy as well. If you intend to travel extensively within Italy, Rail Pass is a good option to consider.
We reached Florence from Venice by train and had pre-booked online tickets.
(C) Top 8 Things to do in Florence
Here goes my list of Top 8 Things to do in Florence which are absolutely unmissable.
1. Visit the Duomo
Duomo is the main Cathedral in Florence and is undoubtedly the city’s icon. Located at the center of Piazza Del Duomo, this 15th century cathedral is one of the most visited churches in Europe. The dome of the cathedral is also known as Brunelleschi’s Dome named after the architect.
As you stand in front of the Duomo, the sheer size and architectural details are going to blow your mind. Take some time to walk along the different sides of the Duomo to get a 360 degree view.
Once you are done admiring the exteriors, enter the Duomo to marvel at the interiors. Entering the church is free of cost.
Florence Duomo in the cathedral complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Did you know you can climb the Duomo and reach the top of the dome? It has 414 steps that lead you to the top and provides a panoramic view of the city of Florence. Avail the tickets here.
- Walk along behind the Duomo entrance gate and you will find a spot on the road with a circle marked. 500 years ago, the golden globe on top of the Duomo fall down. The impact had created a crack. I was enchanted to see the level of details Italians have maintained through the years!
2. Walk down Ponte Vecchio
River Arno flows through Florence and it is dotted with seven bridges at equal distances. Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge that survived the heavy bombings of World War 2. One cannot visit Florence and not visit Ponte Vecchio. It is one of the most notable landmarks of Florence.
This arch bridge over River Arno is the only surviving bridge from medieval Florence. Currently, it is lined with shops of glittering jewelry.
Take a walk down the bridge for a medieval feeling.
You can also stroll across the road adjacent to Ponte Vechhio – the vibe of Florence is palpable here.
3. Meet Michelangelo’s David
Meet Michelangelo’s most celebrated sculpture of the Biblical hero David! Does he even need an introduction?
The city of Florence is “David-ized” in every possible way. There are two replicas – one in Palazzo Vecchio and one in Piazza Michelangelo, David in key rings, miniature David statues, David on table mats and what not.
But the original masterpiece stands tall at Galleria dell’Accademia. Carved from a single block of marble, this fourteen foot tall sculpture is a representative of youth and vigor. The moment you enter the gallery, you can see David from a distance. The pathway to David has some unfinished sculptures by Michelangelo on both sides.
Take some time to stand in front of David to admire the sheer size and expression. On one side of David, you will get to read the details and history of the sculpture.
Once you are done marveling at this masterpiece, move on to the Gallery of musical instruments. This section consists of various musical instruments from the collection of Medici family. If you love music, this is one place you can not miss.
Galleria dell’Accademia is known to have long queues. So, book a skip the line ticket to avoid queues and spend some more time with David.
4. Visit Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in Italy. It houses Botticelli’s “The Birth Of Venus” painting – one of the very well-known artworks of the Renaissance period. Uffizi Gallery is located just adjacent to Piazza Della Signoria.
Medici Family, who ruled Florence throughout the Renaissance period had established Uffizi Gallery .As connoisseurs of art, Medici family had extended their patronage to the artists of that era.
Book a Skip the line ticket to avoid waiting in long queues. Unless you are part of a group-tour with a tour guide to provide you with all information, ensure to take an Audio Guide.
The first floor of the gallery has a cafeteria. If you want to take a refreshment break, you can grab some snacks and coffee from here. The interesting part of the outdoor seating arrangement of the cafeteria is that, there is a beautiful view of the Golden globe of the Duomo from here.
PRO-TIP : I always swear by Rick Steve’s audio guides. Download the Audio Guide app before visiting the museums. It not only provides you a detailed description of the artifacts’ history, it also guides you through the museums with recommendations on which floor or hall to visit first and so on. And it is absolutely free!!
5. Admire Renaissance art at Piazza Della Signoria
Piazza Della Signoria, the L-shaped square next to the Uffizi gallery is probably the most vibrant square of historical Florence. The square has replicas of some of the greatest sculptures of Renaissance period including a replica of David marking the location where the original stood until it was moved to Academia.
It is the meet and greet place of the locals and the square comes to life in the evening with music by the street musicians. We visited the square couple of times during our stay in Florence just to feel the vibe.
6. Go for a Day Trip
Tuscany is beautiful and just outside Florence there are many locations that can be reached via a short trip. Be it Pisa or the signature rolling hilly landscape of Tuscany countryside or a day trip to Chianti, there are a lot to do.
For day trips, either you can book a trip with Viator or get in touch with you Hotel executives who can help you book a trip.
We were staying in a Airbnb and our hostess recommended a private tour to Chianti in a car. The driver doubled up as our tour guide. This trip was one of the most memorable experiences in Italy.
7. Take a free walking tour
Another great way of exploring Florence is to take a walking tour and, guess what! Most of the tours are free of cost!
The tours last for around 2 to 2.5 hours with short break in between. A knowledgeable tour guide will be accompanying you explaining history of the major attractions of Florence.
8. Panoramic sunset view at Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is an open terrace on the left bank of river Arno built in the 19th century. The piazza was created as a tribute to Michelangelo’s work and has a bronze statue of David installed here.
This place bustles with street artists, vendors and tourists. Go here during sunset time to experience a panoramic view of Florence.
(D) Where to Stay in Florence?
We stayed in an AirBnB in Florence right next to the Duomo. It is one of the best accommodations I have ever stayed. The apartment was spacious, well-maintained and in the middle of all actions in the historic center of Florence. It was on one of the floors of a building which also hosts the consulates of two countries. On top of it, it had many good food joints around.
AirBnB is always one of the most preferred options if you would like to stay at the city center at an affordable price. Some of the accommodations are located provide enviable locations.
For Hotels, Booking.com is a trusted source and you can get good deals if booked in advance.
Always ensure to read up on the Hotel reviews in TripAdvisor.
PRO-TIP : Galleria dell’Accademia, Duomo and Uffizi Gallery are on a straight line and at walk-able distance from each other. The area around this is a vehicle-free zone and tourist friendly. Try to get your accommodation around here.
(E) What to eat in Florence?
Delectable food and Florence go side-by-side.
>> The Florentine steak is a dish that should not be missed if in Florence. It is a specialty of Florence and worth a try.
>> Gelato, Gelato and Gelato – Be it Florence or any other part of Italy, having gelato multiple times a day is a must. In Florence, Groms has some of the best gelatos in the town. It is located at a stone’s throw distance from the Duomo.
For that authentic historical Florence feeling, dine at one of the restaurants next to the Duomo. Believe me! It is going to be one of the most memorable dining experiences while in Florence. Bear in mind that the seats outside the restaurant get occupied very quickly. Reason is simple – these seats provide the best view of Duomo.
(F) Final Thought
I read this on the internet about Florence which rightly summarizes the spirit of this beautiful city.
And the voices in the waves are always whispering to Florence, in their ceaseless murmuring, of love – of love, eternal and illimitable, not bounded by the confines of this world, or by the end of time, but ranging still, beyond the sea, beyond the sky, to the invisible country far away!
– Charles Dickens
Have you visited Florence? Comment below to share your story.
