Florence, the Italian city where behind every corner and street is a new work of art waiting to be discovered. The Renaissance city breathes history with its many palazzos, piazzas and churches. The showpiece is undoubtedly the cathedral with the largest dome in the world, but Florence has so much more to offer. From architectural gems to finger-licking culinary highlights, here’s how to read about the not-to-be-missed sights for a perfect two-day city break. Find out quickly what are the best things to do in Florence, Italy, where to stay and more!
12 best things to do in Florence, Italy
Florence, or Florence, is a bustling city in Italy that has something for everyone. Divided by the Arno River, you’ll find impressive museums, centuries-old buildings and tucked-away osterias with their authentic wine windows. To really absorb the city, we recommend spending two to three days here. Here are the 12 best things to do during a city trip to Florence.
1) Visit the Duomo di Firenze cathedral
We begin with Florence’s showpiece: the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral or Duomo di Firenze. This gigantic structure rises high above the city and is absolutely not to be missed while visiting Florence. The cathedral is a work of art in itself with its facade full of geometric patterns and detailed sculptures in white, green and pink Tuscan marble. But it is mainly the iconic Duomo that draws attention, the largest dome in the world! Inside, then, the grandiose exterior contrasts with the understated interior. In addition to the cathedral, you then have the 84-meter-high bell tower and the Baptiserium to visit.
For current information on opening hours: https://duomo.firenze.it/en/
TRAVEL TIP: No matter when you go, there is always a line to line up in front of the cathedral. Therefore It’s best to buy skip-the-line tickets online here so you don’t have to wait in the heat.
2) Taste the best affogato in Florence
The coffee bar Vivoli is a true icon in Florence. Here you will find best affogato in Florence, and perhaps even in all of Italy! Affogato is an espresso coffee poured over a glob of vanilla ice cream. And at Vivoli, since 1930, you can try this delicacy with their freshly made vanilla ice cream made according to an old family recipe. Expect to wait in line for a while, but we found it well worth the queue! You can choose a normal affogato (€6) or with pistacchio (€9). Vivoli also sells other goodies such as croissants, sandwiches and pastries.
3) Ponte Vecchio: the oldest bridge in Florence
Another icon in the Renaissance city is the Ponte Vecchio (literally translated: old bridge). Dating back to the 14th century, this is the oldest bridge in Florence and the only bridge that also survived World War II. For centuries, this bridge has housed several jewelers and goldsmiths who sell their finest jewelry every day. In the middle of the bridge you will find a viewing platform that gives you a fantastic view of the Arno River. Be sure to also take a look at the Ponte Santa Trinita, the bridge next to the Ponte Vecchio. From here you have a great view of medieval bridge with its three arches and you can take the best pictures, especially during sunset!
4) Seeing art at the Uffizi Gallery
Walking through the Gallerie degli Uffizi in Florence feels a bit like taking a time trip. This art gallery is one of the largest museums in Europe. You will find works of art by famous Italian masters such as Botticelli, Michelangelo and the Medici. With its two floors and 45 rooms, you can easily spend three hours here. Due to the popularity of the Uffizi Gallery, it is also recommended to order tickets online and reserve your time slot.
Uffizi Gallery opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closed Monday) | Buy your skip-the-line ticket online here
5) Palazzo Vecchio & Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is one of the busiest squares in Florence, and that mainly because of the Palazzo Vecchio. This is Florence ‘s historic city hall and a medieval palace. You can visit part of this palace today, including the tower that gives you a great view of Florence. By the way, you can visit the beautiful entrance hall with detailed frescoes for free. The square itself, with its many, impressive statues, feels like an outdoor museum. Especially the 16th-century Neptune Fountain is definitely worth a look!
TRAVEL TIP: Piazzo dell Signoria does feel a bit touristy. We found Piazza Santo Spirito over the Ponte Vecchio to feel much more local and cozy.
6) Eating at the Mercato Centrale
If you want to discover the culinary side of Florence, visit the lively Mercato Centrale. At this covered market you can buy numerous local products such as meat, vegetables, pasta, olive oil and so much more. On the upper floor, in turn, you will find a kind of food hall where you will find various food stalls. Choose your dish of choice, order an aperol spritz and settle down at one of the tables.
7) Buy Italian leather at the Leather Market
Are you looking for a nice souvenir from Firenze in Italy? Then go take a look at the Mercato del Porcellino. Here you will find the daily Firenze leather market, where you can buy all kinds of leather products. From belts and purses to handbags, backpacks and suitcases. Leather working is an ancient craft in Florence that is still carried out today. You have another market in Florence called San Lorenzo, but it’s best to avoid it. Prices here are higher and not all products are made of real leather. Mercato del Porcellino is the “real” leather market in Florence.
TRAVEL TIP: Near the market you will find Osteria del Porcellino, one of the best restaurants in town. Their Florence steak is especially delicious!
8) Watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo
One of the best things to do in Florence is watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo. As the sky slowly turns from blue to shades of yellow and orange, you can see the iconic dome of the cathedral stand out against the Tuscan landscape and city. Watching the sunset from Piazzala Michelangelo is one of the most popular things to do in Florence, so be sure to arrive on time. To get there, cross the Ponte Vecchio toward Piazza Guiseppe Poggi. From there, take the stairs up to the square. Along the way, you’ll also pass a beautiful rose garden.
9) Drinking wine at a wine window
Italy is the land of pasta, pizza and, of course, wine! Therefore, in Florence you will find numerous hidden wine windows or buchetta del vino. These small windows were used centuries ago by winemakers who wanted to sell their wine without an intermediary, especially in times when the Plague reigned. Nowadays, most windows are sealed or converted into mailboxes. However, there are still some in Florence that still work as wine windows. Knock on the little shutter or ring the bell, place your order and enjoy a good glass of wine! These are some of the wine windows in Florence that are still in operation:
- Osteria San Fiorenzo
- Osteria Belle Donne
- Babae
- Cantina De’ Pucci
Read more about the history of wine windows and where to find them in Florence!
10) David in Galleria dell’Accademia
Whoever says Florence, says Michelangelo. And whoever says Michelangelo, says the David. This statue is undoubtedly one of the most famous works of art in the world. Carved from one, solid block of marble, this detailed statue came into being that appears lifelike. It depicts the Biblical hero David just before his battle with Goliath. The statue also used to stand in Piazza della Signoria but now you can admire Michellangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia. And as with most museums in Florence, it’s better to buy your ticket in advance online so you don’t have to wait in line.
Opening hours Galleria dell’Accademia: Tuesday to Sunday from 08:15 to 18:20 | Admission price: €16 (€2 between 18 and 25 and free under 18) – book your tickets online
11) Santa Croce Basilica
Florence was an important, Catholic city for a long time. And you can tell by the many churches with their impressive Renaissance facades. Not surprisingly, Dan Brown based one of his best books, The Bernini Mystery, on this multifaceted city. Follow in Robert Langdon’s footsteps and discover the various churches with their rich history. The Santa Croce Basilica is one such church, where important figures such as Michelangelo and Machiavelli are buried. The Basilica di Santa Maria Novella is also beautiful to see.
Piazza di Santa Croce in front of the church regularly hosts a market. Here you will find cutting boards made from olive wood, jewelry by local artists and wine stalls where you can taste Chianti.
12) Italian cuisine: paninis, pastas & pizzas
Who doesn’t love Italian cuisine? If this is the reason you’re traveling to Florence, we totally understand! This Italian city certainly doesn’t fall short on the culinary front. Whether you want to sample a world-famous panini, an oven-baked pizza or a typical Florence steak in an osteria, eating in Florence is one of the best things to do. Prefer not to choose? Then take a food tour of Florence is a fun activity to do!
Some of the best restaurants in Florence:
- All’Antico Vinaio: world famous for its paninis, but keep in mind that you’ll have to wait in line. A good alternative is the local paninoteca Lo Schiacciavino
- Osteria del Porcellino: here you will taste authentic, Tuscan dishes such as the Florence steak.
- Loggia Roof Bar: cozy rooftop terrace with great cocktails and even better views.
- Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco: traditional dishes in a traditional setting, highly recommended!
- Osteria San Fiorenzo: famous for its picturesque wine window, but the food should certainly not be understated.
Where to stay in Florence
In Florence’s historic center, you’ll find plenty of accommodations for every budget. From cozy hostels to historic boutique hotels that take you back to Renaissance times. If you go further away from the center, you have beautiful hotels in the green Tuscan countryside such as Park Palace Hotel.
- Budget (€): Hostel Firenze Campo di Marte
- Comfort (€€): B&B Santa Maria del Fiore
- Luxurious (€€€): Villa Neroli
How to visit Florence in Italy
Florence has an international airport from which you can fly to from the larger European cities. From the airport you can take the “full in bus” to the city center. This shuttle bus runs every half hour (between 8:30 p.m. and 00:30 a.m. every hour) from the airport to the center. The ride takes 20 minutes and costs €6 per person. Furthermore, the train network is also excellent in Italy and you can travel from cities such as Rome, Bologna and Venice to Florence by train.
Florence itself is not very large and you can explore most of the sights on foot. Furthermore, the city has a good bus network to get you from A to B. Finally, there is also Uber or local cabs. But we found that the Ubers are not responsive and ended up getting around on foot or by bus which went very smoothly. Through Google Maps you can easily see which bus lines to take and where the bus stops are.
Best travel time Firenze in Italy
The best travel time for Florence is from March to June and from September to October. During these shoulder seasons it is less crowded and temperatures are more pleasant. The summer months are also popular, but then it is much busier in Florence which means you often have to queue everywhere for a long time and accommodation prices rise. Furthermore, summer can be scorching hot with temperatures between 30°C and 38°C.
Still have questions about what to do in Florence, Italy? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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