What to see in Florence, the Essential Guide
There are so many things to do in Florence that this guide could become endless, but I know you’ll probably have just a day or two to explore the city of Dante. So here’s my essential guide on what to see in Florence.
Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, one of the most beloved cities in Italy for tourists around the world and home to architectural masterpieces, is so rich in history, fashion, art, and cuisine that you could spend months visiting it without ever getting bored! It’s one of those places I could return to again and again, constantly discovering new things and fascinating secrets.
Florence’s worldwide fame is not just due to its monuments and galleries but also to the many historical events that took place here and its delightful food! I’ll try to give you some tips on this as well, offering suggestions for tasting great food at reasonable prices and avoiding tourist traps you might stumble upon!
If you’re planning your trip to Florence, I hope this essential guide will be helpful.
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How to get to Florence
First of all, if you plan a trip to Florence, I recommend arriving by train at Santa Maria Novella Station and getting around the city on foot or with public transport within its perimeter.
This will save you a lot of stress and time, and instead of looking for parking, you can enjoy the streets of the center and the beauty that dominates even the air here.
Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo is located right in the heart of Florence, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s the best place to start since many of the city’s most beautiful sites are within walking distance from here.
You’ll be struck by the beautiful facade of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Florence Cathedral, a true masterpiece that is much more than a “simple” marble building. It was designed by the famous architect Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296. Its Gothic style and the elaborate decorations on its outer walls give it an extremely fascinating appearance.
The square houses the magnificent Florence Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Giotto Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and the Museum of the Opera del Duomo.
Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is one of the most beautiful and historically significant squares in Italy. It’s an open-air museum where you can admire some incredible sculptures: the beautiful Fountain of Neptune, the statue of the Rape of the Sabine Women, a replica of Michelangelo’s David (the original is housed in the Galleria degli Uffizi), the Medici lions, Perseus and Medusa, and Hercules and Nessus.
Here also stands Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s city hall since the Middle Ages, and perhaps you didn’t know you can climb to the top of its tower! Tickets cost 10 euros, and during high season, it closes at 9:00 PM. It’s one of the best places to watch the sunset over the city, and you’ll likely be one of the few people up there.
Galleria dell’Accademia
The Galleria dell’Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s famous David, and we can confirm that this statue is absolutely stunning to see in person: images and replicas simply don’t do it justice.
The statue was originally located in Piazza della Signoria and became a symbol of freedom and pride for the Florentine Republic. The David had been outdoors for years until 1873 when it was moved to the small Galleria dell’Accademia, literally built to house and better preserve it, protecting it from the elements and birds.
The Galleria dell’Accademia is quite small, so you’ll quickly move through the other rooms and get a taste of the Florentine art scene before heading out to enjoy the rest of your day in Florence.
Galleria degli Uffizi
Adjacent to Piazza della Signoria, you’ll find the entrance to the Galleria degli Uffizi, one of the most visited art museums in the world.
If you have little time to visit Florence, you might decide to skip this stop as the collection inside is immense, and you might not fully enjoy the city. However, if you’re an art lover, this is an unmissable stop on your itinerary! The Uffizi houses an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to today. Among the many, you’ll find works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Giotto, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael, just to name a few…
You can also visit the Galleria degli Uffizi online! This fantastic initiative, launched during the first lockdown, was a huge success! A great way to enjoy art from home! For more information on which museums you can visit online, click here.
Buy the “skip the line” tickets!
All Florence museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month. Lines tend to be long, but it’s a great way to see many museums and save money if you have time. However, both the Galleria degli Uffizi and the Galleria dell’Accademia are located inside historic buildings, so tourist access is limited.
Be smart and book your tickets in advance if you’re visiting Florence, especially in spring and summer. The lines are overwhelming without pre-booked tickets, and you’ll waste hours instead of enjoying the visit.
Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Repubblica was the site of the city’s Roman Forum. Today, it’s a beautiful, airy square where artists draw, and musicians entertain tourists with songs at all hours of the day until late at night. There’s also a fairytale-like carousel: make sure to stop for a photo or hop on a horse!
Fontana del Porcellino
At the end of Piazza della Repubblica, you’ll find the Fontana del Porcellino.
It’s said that if you rub its nose, you’ll return to Florence, but there’s also another tradition associated with this pig: insert a coin into its mouth and make a wish. If the coin falls through the gate, your wish will come true.
Next to the Fontana del Porcellino, there’s the Mercato Nuovo where you’ll find several stalls selling leather goods.
Ponte Vecchio of Florence
The Ponte Vecchio, one of the most iconic symbols of Florence, connects the two banks of the Arno at its narrowest point. Until 1249, it was the only bridge in Florence. Its characteristic structure, with buildings along both sides, makes it one of the most photographed bridges in Europe. However, its history is marked by numerous restorations due to events like floods and wars.
Today, the bridge is known for its jewelers and goldsmith shops, but being one of the most touristy spots in the city, it’s always quite crowded. Above these shops, you’ll find the “Vasarian Corridor,” an elevated, covered passageway that connects Palazzo Pitti, the Medici family’s private residence, with Palazzo Vecchio, the political center of Florence.
The bridge once hosted mostly butchers and slaughterhouses. In 1593, to elevate the commercial status of the bridge, it was decided that commercial activities should be dedicated to goldsmiths and jewelers, thus reflecting the prestige of the area, frequented by nobility.
If you want to admire a panoramic view of the Ponte Vecchio, I recommend heading to the nearby Ponte Santa Trinità, where you’ll get a complete view of this historic marvel.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most famous viewpoints in Florence and one of the best places to admire the sunset over the city.
Try to get there a little before sunset, not only to get a fantastic spot to enjoy the view but also to have the chance to take some beautiful photos before the sun begins to set.
Where to stay in Florence
Location is key when it comes to where to stay in Florence, as walking is the best way to explore the city. To be centrally located in all the places we’ve listed above, I recommend staying in the center, between Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. If you plan your visit well, you might find amazing deals for this area of the city, which is known to be quite expensive.
I stayed at the beautiful B&B La terrazza sul Duomo , which, in addition to fantastic rooms, offers guests access to the most charming terrace in Florence, directly overlooking the majestic Duomo! The option is medium-high priced, but I think it was worth it!
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Where to eat in Florence
Florence is a city rich in excellent restaurants and delicious local dishes, but like in every tourist destination, it’s easy to encounter mediocre places with exorbitant prices, especially in the most popular areas. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it’s better not to be lured by pushy promoters or unclear offers.
For lunch, the advice is to go for tasty Florentine street food. The center is full of places serving sandwiches, focaccia, and pizza by the slice at fair prices. An excellent alternative is the Mercato Centrale, where you’ll find a wide variety of dishes to enjoy on the go or comfortably seated. Some of the best places for a quick but flavorful lunch include:
- Panini Toscani (Piazza del Duomo, 34/R)
- Il Girone dei Ghiotti (Via dei Cimatori, 23)
- Gusta Pizza (Via Maggio, 46r)
- All’Antico Vinaio (Via dei Neri, 76r)
- Pino’s Sandwiches – Salumeria Verdi (Via Giuseppe Verdi)
- Panino Mondiale – Specialità Lampredotto (Largo Fratelli Alinari)
- Amorini Panini e Vino (Via dei Servi, 16/r)
- Gelateria Santa Trinità (Piazza de’ Frescobaldi, 11/red)
For dinner, it’s better to rely on TripAdvisor to find an authentic and high-quality restaurant, avoiding the overly touristy ones. After several searches, I discovered Il Vezzo (Via Guelfa, 58/R), a small cozy place, tastefully furnished with only a few tables. The service is impeccable, the dishes are refined with original combinations, and the meat, especially the Fiorentina, is simply exceptional—the best I’ve ever had!
Aperitif on the rooftops of Florence
Sipping an Aperol Spritz with a view from one of Florence’s rooftop bars is a truly wonderful experience that I recommend doing!
Florence has some fantastic bars with views over the rooftops, offering a different experience, especially away from the crowds.
Here are some great spots with views of the city for an aperitif:
- Angel Roofbar and Dining presso Calimala Hotel, in via Calimala 2
- View on Art – Rooftop Cocktail Bar in Via dei Medici 6
- Grand Hotel Cavour, in Via del Proconsolo 3.
- Grand Hotel Minerva, in Piazza Santa Maria Novella 16.
- SE·STO sul tetto dell’Arno presso Westin Excelsior, in Borgo Ognissanti 3.
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Florence is undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I hope this essential guide will be useful to you when you visit the city, but don’t let yourself get caught up in the rush to see everything. Florence is beautiful because you need to enjoy it. I wish you an amazing experience here!
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