Florence: 13 Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, known in Italian as "Firenze", impresses with magnificent buildings and exceptional art.
It’s no wonder that this lively, romantic city is often considered the most beautiful in Italy.
In this guide, we’ll show you 13 highlights you absolutely must see in Florence, along with useful tips for your visit.

1. THE DUOMO OF FLORENCE

The landmark of Florence is the Duomo, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This impressive building is especially famous for its large Renaissance dome and the beautiful façade made of white and dark green marble, which attracts many visitors. The Duomo is located in the Piazza del Duomo and is one of the largest churches in Europe. It includes several important buildings: the cathedral with its large dome, considered a masterpiece of early Renaissance architecture, as well as the nearly 85-meter-high bell tower designed by Giotto. Additionally, there is the octagonal Baptistery of San Giovanni, a separate building in front of the cathedral, and the Cathedral Museum (Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore), located behind the cathedral.

Entry to the main nave of the Duomo is free. However, a long queue usually forms shortly after opening, so it’s best to arrive as early as possible. If you want to visit other attractions in the cathedral, such as the bell tower or the dome, it’s recommended to book a ticket for your preferred time in advance. You can find tickets and more information on the official Duomo website: duomo.firenze.it.

On Sundays and religious holidays, the cathedral and its paid attractions are closed to visitors due to services.

2. PONTE VECCHIO

The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence, with its name meaning "old bridge" in Italian. Built in 1345, it is about 100 meters long and 30 meters wide, spanning the Arno River. It connects the historic city center with the neighborhoods on the opposite side of the river.

What makes the Ponte Vecchio special is that crossing it feels more like walking down a shopping street than a bridge, thanks to the numerous shops, especially gold and jewelry stores, that have been here for centuries. A walk across this historic bridge is a must during your visit.

After crossing, be sure to take a look at the bridge from a distance – the view from the first floor window of the Uffizi Gallery is particularly beautiful.

3. GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI

The Galleria degli Uffizi is one of the most famous art museums in the country, housing an exceptional collection from the Early and High Renaissance. A true paradise for art lovers, here you can admire masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, and Raphael. The museum also showcases numerous works by Italian, German, and Dutch artists, making it a significant treasure of art history.

For true art lovers, half a day in the Uffizi Gallery is hardly enough. Even we, with little knowledge of art, spent over two hours there.
As the museum is one of the most famous attractions in Florence, it is almost always very crowded. To avoid long wait times, we recommend purchasing an online ticket in advance at https://www.uffizi.it/en/tickets.

Our tip: Don’t miss the view of the Ponte Vecchio from the top floor of the gallery!

4. PALAZZO VECCHIO, TORRE DI ARNOLFO & PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA

PALAZZO VECCHIO‍

After visiting the Galleria degli Uffizi, be sure to explore the Palazzo Vecchio, located right behind the museum exit at Piazza della Signoria. This historic building is another highlight of your sightseeing tour. The impressive, sand-colored Palazzo, built in the 13th century, was once the residence of the powerful Medici family and now serves as Florence’s town hall. With its distinctive architecture and the prominent Arnolfo Tower, named after its architect, the Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most iconic and photographed landmarks in the city.

A special highlight is the beautiful courtyard of the palace, which is free to visit. If you’d like to explore the interior, you can visit the museum and discover impressive historical rooms. A must-see is the Hall of the Five Hundred (Sala dei Cinquecento), a grand Venetian-style room that exudes a royal atmosphere with its artwork, arches, columns, and sculptures.

For all information on ticket prices and opening hours, visit the official website of the museum: museo-di-palazzo-vecchio.it.

TORRE DI ARNOLFO

A true highlight is the view over Florence from the nearly 100-meter-high Torre di Arnolfo, the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio. The tower not only dominates the city's skyline but also offers one of the best viewpoints Florence has to offer. The only small drawback: to enjoy the breathtaking view, you’ll first need to climb about 200 steps.

You can purchase a ticket for the tower either as part of a combined ticket with the Palazzo Vecchio Museum or as a single ticket. For more information on opening hours and tickets, visit the official website: museo-di-palazzo-vecchio.it.

PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA

Standing in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, you are already on the bustling Piazza della Signoria, one of the most significant squares in Florence. Surrounded by historic buildings, the square features many sculptures that depict important moments in the city’s history.

Among the most famous artworks are the statue of Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici on horseback, a copy of Michelangelo’s David (the original is in the Galleria dell'Accademia), and the large Neptune Fountain. These sculptures make Piazza della Signoria a special and important place that you shouldn’t miss during your visit to Florence.

5. PALAZZO PITTI

Had enough of the bustling Piazza della Signoria? Then it’s time to head across the Arno River and visit the Palazzo Pitti, specifically its art museum and the expansive green space, the Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli).
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The Renaissance palace’s exterior is relatively plain in terms of architecture, but that doesn’t detract from its grandeur.
Due to its sheer size, Florence’s largest palace certainly doesn’t go unnoticed among the surrounding buildings.

The Palazzo Pitti was built in the 15th century for the merchant Luca Pitti. After his death, ownership of the palace passed, as expected, to the Medici family.
To allow the city’s most influential family at the time to quickly move from one palace to another, Cosimo I de’ Medici had a passageway, known as the Vasari Corridor, constructed above the shops on the Ponte Vecchio.

Inside the Palazzo Pitti, you'll find several museums and exhibitions, including the Galleria Palatina, which houses the impressive painting collection of the Medici family. The numerous masterpieces in this collection truly left us in awe.

Tickets and more information on opening hours are available on the official website: uffizi.it/en/pitti-palace.

GIARDINO DI BOBOLI

If you need a break in the greenery after all the colorful artworks at the museum, you should definitely visit the Giardino di Boboli, which is directly adjacent to the Palazzo Pitti. The Giardino di Boboli is the second-largest park in the city and offers a peaceful retreat.

Through a separate entrance (the entrance fee is not included in the Palazzo Pitti ticket and costs extra), you'll find well-maintained paths that lead you past lush lawns, ponds, fountains, and a small amphitheater. You can also stroll through tree-lined avenues adorned with sculptures. Above the garden, you'll have a fantastic view of Florence and the surrounding hills.

Tickets and more information about opening hours can be found on the official website: uffizi.it/en/boboli-garden.

TIP FOR AN IDEAL CENTRAL ACCOMMODATION

When visiting a city like Florence, the location of your accommodation is crucial. The rule is: the more central, the better!

We opted for a Central Apartment with its own parking near the Palazzo Pitti, which we booked via booking.com. The apartment was ideal due to its size, location, and included parking.

6. PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO

The Piazzale Michelangelo may no longer be a hidden gem, but it is still a must-see. From the viewpoint, you get a stunning view of Florence, especially at sunset when the city is bathed in warm, golden light. The hill where the terrace is located is easily recognizable from afar, thanks to the famous replica of Michelangelo's David.

The Piazzale Michelangelo is about a 20-minute walk from the city center (Palazzo Vecchio). The climb is pleasant and manageable, but if you prefer convenience, you can also take the bus or drive.

7. GALLERIA DELL’ACCADEMIA

Do you want to see the original, world-famous “David” by Michelangelo after viewing the copies at the Piazzale Michelangelo and the Palazzo Vecchio?
Then you should visit the Galleria dell’Accademia. It’s here that the 6-ton marble original, which took Michelangelo around 3 years to complete, resides.

Naturally, the gallery also houses other sculptures and paintings by notable artists, like Sandro Botticelli’s “Madonna with Child”.
But, let’s face it, they’re probably not the main reason why hundreds of people visit the museum daily – 'David' is the undisputed star!

Tickets and further information on opening hours are available on the official website: galleriaaccademiafirenze.it.

8. MERCATO CENTRALE FIRENZE

If you’re looking for a break from the art and history in your sightseeing schedule, the over 140-year-old and largest market hall in Florence is well worth a visit.
The impressive iron and glass structure, Mercato Centrale, is located just a few streets north of the Duomo, right in the old town – so you’ll likely pass by on your tour.

From 10:00 am to midnight daily, numerous modern street food stalls in Mercato Centrale offer a variety of treats, including pizza, sausage and cheese platters, burgers, pasta, as well as wine and aperitifs. The market hall is a popular spot for both locals and tourists to grab a midday snack or enjoy an aperitif.

Outside Mercato Centrale, you’ll also find many stands selling souvenirs, bags, belts, clothing, and more, mostly run by vendors from Asia.

9. MERCATO DI SANT’AMBROGIO

Unlike the busy Mercato Centrale, the smaller Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio retains the charm of a traditional market hall and is a real hidden gem, as primarily locals shop here.
Inside, you’ll find a variety of fresh, locally-sourced products at permanent stands.
Some stands even allow you to sample Tuscany’s culinary delights on the spot – and we can guarantee it’s worth it!

Around the market hall, you’ll find stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables as well as antique items. Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.

10. FIESOLE

The very small, authentic town of Fiesole is only about 10 km from Florence, making it perfect for those who’ve already seen all of Florence’s sights or simply want a break from the city.

But why Fiesole, you ask? The answer is simple! On a clear day, you can enjoy a fantastic view of Florence from the hilltop Convento San Francesco.
Surrounded by a picturesque landscape of olive and cypress trees, the capital of Tuscany lies practically at your feet. The ambiance here is especially stunning at sunset.

Depending on your mood, you can take a leisurely stroll through the town’s few streets before or after enjoying the view of Florence to soak in the historic atmosphere.
The old buildings, ruins, and statues exude a special charm that you should take in. A visit to one of the traditional and cozy restaurants will perfectly round off your Fiesole trip.

11. TIPS FOR RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS IN FLORENCE

The culinary scene in Florence is huge – cafés, gelaterias, and restaurants on every corner. Admittedly, it can be quite overwhelming at times, especially when you want to avoid ending up in an overpriced tourist trap. That's why we tried a few places and can recommend these restaurants:

• Our Local Secret Tip – Trattoria Sabatino: An unpretentious, affordable place where you won’t find many tourists. The menu is in Italian, but the waiter is happy to translate.
  Make sure to arrive early, as it gets crowded after 8 pm!
• Ditta Artigianale & Hario Cafe Sant’ Ambrogio: Perfect for breakfast or coffee.
• Sbrino – Gelatificio Contadino: A small chain with several gelaterias around the city. No matter which one you visit, the gelato is absolutely delicious!

12. GETTING AROUND FLORENCE

The best way to get around Florence is on foot. Of course, there are public transport options like buses and trams, but they aren’t necessary or relevant for reaching the tourist attractions.

With comfortable shoes, you’re all set to leisurely explore the almost car-free old town of Florence.

13. ADDITIONAL TIPS & INFORMATION

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN FLORENCE?

Despite its manageable size, there’s a lot to see in Florence. In general, we would say:

• Stay 2 nights if you want to see the most famous and essential sights within the city.
• Stay 3 nights if you want to take a more relaxed, dolce vita-style approach to sightseeing.
• Stay 3 or more nights if you want to explore the areas around Florence (day trips to Pisa, Livorno, etc.).

IS FLORENCE TOURISTY?

Is Florence touristy? Definitely! The capital of Tuscany is no longer a hidden gem. This results in high prices for hotels and restaurants, long queues, sold-out tickets, and overcrowded attractions.

During our visit at Easter, the city was already quite crowded despite being off-season – likely due to the Easter holidays. We can only imagine how busy it gets during the high season, so we recommend avoiding this time if possible.

WHERE TO PARK IN FLORENCE?

The center or historic district of Florence is, like in many Italian cities, a car-free zone – in Florence, these are known as ZTL zones.
Although there are no physical barriers, this means that you’re not allowed to simply drive in. Various signs (mostly in Italian) indicate the ZTL zones.
If you ignore or accidentally drive into these zones, it can be costly.

If you’ve booked a hotel in this zone, that’s the only exception allowing you to drive there. However, don’t forget to register your car with the hotel.

If you’re parking outside the ZTL zones, here’s what you need to know:

• Florence has a general parking problem, so it’s best to book accommodation with parking if possible!
• White parking lines are reserved for residents with parking permits.
• Blue parking lines indicate paid parking spaces.
• Yellow parking lines are reserved for those with disabilities.

FINDING THE RIGHT ACCOMMODATION IN FLORENCE

For a city trip like Florence, the location of your accommodation is key. The closer to the center, the better!
This allows you to easily reach all the major attractions on foot, take breaks in your accommodation between sightseeing, and perhaps even enjoy an extra aperitif in the evening without needing to drive.

We opted for a central apartment with parking, which we booked via booking.com. The apartment was ideal for its size, location, and included parking.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com‍
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com‍
• Discover the best accommodations‍
• The best Travel Guides for Florence
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Florence

Can’t get enough of the Italian flair and La Dolce Vita? Then Sardinia might be the perfect destination for you!
In our post, 8-Day Road Trip in Sardinia – Our Tips & Highlights, we reveal the island’s most beautiful spots, highlights, and everything else you need to know about this Mediterranean gem. Check it out!

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