10 Best Things to Do and See in Florence
Exploring Florence on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Florence, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Florence. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is one of the most iconic bridges in Florence, Italy. Spanning the Arno, it offers a striking view of the city and the river, while standing out for the shops lining its walkway. Its picturesque architecture, with colorful facades and openings overlooking the water, makes it a particularly photogenic spot. Popular with visitors, it offers a lively atmosphere and a typical urban panorama of Florence’s historic center.
2. Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of Florence, is one of the city’s most iconic squares and an ideal starting point for discovering its heritage. It is especially admired for the Duomo of Florence with its famous dome, the slender campanile, and the nearby baptistery, a remarkable ensemble of light-colored marble. The square, lively with visitors and the surrounding narrow streets, offers superb views of Florentine religious architecture. It is a must-see place to feel the atmosphere of the historic center and take a close look at some of Italy’s most famous monuments.
3. Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most famous viewpoints in Florence, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city and the Arno River. From this large elevated square, you can take in the ochre rooftops, bell towers, domes, and Tuscan hills surrounding the city at a glance. It is a very popular spot for a stroll, a photo break, or a peaceful moment at sunset. You will also find a lively atmosphere here, with a few terraces and streams of visitors coming to enjoy the view.
4. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, in the heart of Florence, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Visitors discover a vast church in Gothic and Renaissance style, famous for its marble façade, immense dome, and solemn interior. The site also includes the baptistery and the bell tower, which together form a remarkable architectural ensemble around the square. It attracts visitors both for its artistic value and for the majestic atmosphere it exudes, offering an essential glimpse into Florentine history and heritage.
5. Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is one of Italy’s great art museums and a must-see for discovering Renaissance painting. Housed in a historic building in the heart of the city, it displays an outstanding collection of European paintings, sculptures, and works of art. Visitors can admire masterpieces by great Italian masters, as well as Flemish and German schools, in galleries that trace the evolution of art through the centuries. A visit offers a rich and captivating overview of Florence’s artistic history.
6. Piazza della Signoria
In the heart of Florence, Piazza della Signoria is one of the city’s most iconic squares, surrounded by remarkable buildings and elegant facades. Here, you will discover a monumental ensemble of open-air statues, arcades and palaces, with the Palazzo Vecchio as the main landmark. The atmosphere is lively at all hours, among passersby, visitors and café terraces. It is an ideal place to admire Florentine architecture, observe the sculpted works and experience the historic and cultural life of the city center.
7. Central Market of Florence
The Central Market of Florence is a lively place to discover the rich flavors of Tuscany in a friendly, vibrant atmosphere. Browse stalls with fresh produce, seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, bread, olive oil and other local specialties. Inside, food counters also let you enjoy freshly prepared Italian dishes on site. It is the perfect place to shop, have lunch or simply soak up everyday Florentine life.
8. Gallery of the Academy
The Accademia Gallery in Florence is one of the best-known art museums in Italy. It is especially notable for masterpieces of Florentine painting, with Renaissance works that help visitors better understand the evolution of Tuscan art. The museum is particularly famous for its sculptures, including Michelangelo’s David, displayed in a space that highlights its proportions and power. The visit also includes collections of religious panels, old paintings, and other works that offer a fine overview of Florence’s artistic heritage.
9. Leonardo da Vinci Museum
The Museo Leonardo Da Vinci in Florence offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the world of the famous Italian inventor. This science museum highlights his ideas through machine replicas, technical models, and interactive exhibits that help visitors understand his genius as an engineer, artist, and researcher. It explores a variety of fields such as mechanics, optics, hydraulics, and the study of motion, in a setting designed to spark the curiosity of visitors of all ages. It is an ideal stop for discovering the innovative spirit of Leonardo da Vinci.
10. Santa Croce Basilica in Florence
Santa Croce Basilica in Florence is one of the city’s great religious landmarks, known for its marble façade and its setting on a large square in the historic center. Inside, the Franciscan Gothic space features frescoed chapels, funerary monuments and artworks linked to Florence’s history. It is a remarkable blend of architecture, memory and art.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
