Best Things to Do in Florence

#1 The Florence Cathedral aka the Duomo

The Duomo, also called Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is the centerpiece of Florence. If you do one thing in Florence, it should be a visit to the Duomo.

The Florence Cathedral is part of the Monumental Complex of Santa Maria del Fiore, which also contains Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Santa Reparata, and the Opera del Duomo Museum. All of these sites are located around the cathedral and can be visited on the same ticket.

One of the best things to do in this complex of sites is to climb the the 463 steps to the top of dome of the cathedral. Along the way you will have marvelous views of the interior of the cupola. These paintings are The Last Judgement frescoes showing heaven and hell. They are very graphic and our kids were mesmerized by these, in particular the creepy portrayal of hell.

#2 Visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. It stands in Piazza del Duomo across from the Florence Cathedral. The Baptistery is famous for its multiple sets of bronze doors, which were created by Lorenzo Ghiberti and Andrea Pisano. The original Gates of Paradise doors (created by Lorenzo Ghiberti) are located inside of the Opera del Duomo Museum. What you see at the baptistery is a replica. A visit inside of the Baptistery is relatively quick (10 to 15 minutes) and it is absolutely worth it to see the golden mosaic ceiling. Dante Alighieri and members of the Medici family were all baptized here.

#3 Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower

To get to the top, you will climb a long series of staircases and along the way, you can stop at several terraces for a break and a view of Florence

#4 The Uffizi Museum

Journey back into the Renaissance with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery. This museum contains thousands of Renaissance works of art, donated to Florence by the Medici family. The Uffizi is also one of the oldest museums in the world, opening in 1865. On display are works of art by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Titian, Raphael, Caravaggio, and many more.

#5 Climb the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence and it sits on Piazza della Signoria. Things to do here include touring the museum, taking a tour of the Roman Ruins, and climbing the Arnolfo Tower for one of the best views of Florence. This is one of our favorite views of Florence, since this is one of the best places to get a great photo of the Duomo.

#6 Stroll across Historic Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio, which means “old bridge,” is a medieval stone bridge that spans the Arno River. For centuries, shops have lined the sides of the bridge. Now, most of these shops sell jewelry. This is a pedestrian bridge. Near the center of the bridge you get views looking in both directions along the Arno River. It is free to visit and open 24 hours a day.

#7 Boboli Gardens and the Pitti Palace

The Pitti Palace is a palace built in 1457 by Brunelleschi for the Pitti family. In 1550, it was purchased by Cosimo I de’ Medici as the new Grand Ducal residence. Now, the palace contains five museums: the Museum of Russian Icons, the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, the Imperial and Royal Apartments, the Museum of Costume and Fashion, and the Gallery of Modern Art. Boboli Gardens sits behind the Pitti Palace. The gardens contain numerous Renaissance statues and fountains. From these gardens, you also get a very nice view of Florence.

#8 Go Shopping at San Lorenzo Market and Mercato Centrale

San Lorenzo Market is made up of two markets, an outdoor market and an indoor market located inside of the Mercato Centrale building. At the outdoor market, you can go shopping for leather goods, pottery, and souvenirs. It is open Tuesday through Saturday.

#9 David at the Accademia Gallery

The statue of David is a masterpiece, one of the most famous works of art in the world. Seeing the sculpture in person is an awesome experience and the amount of detail is astounding! We could clearly see the veins on David’s arms, the definition of all of his muscles, and the expression on his face. In addition to the statue of David, there are more things to see inside of this art museum, such as other sculptures by Michelangelo and paintings from other Florentine artists.

#10 Watch the Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is the best spot to watch the sunset in Florence. As the skies grow dim, watch as the lights come on and illuminate the city in a magical glow.

Rooftop Bars in Florence

At the end of the day, consider visiting a rooftop bar in Florence. One of our favorite experiences in this city is to have a glass of wine or a cocktail with a view of the Duomo, Arno River, or Palazzo Vecchio. Several of our favorite rooftop bars are View on Art, Divina Terrazza, and SE·STO on Arno. You can see the full list in our guide to the best rooftop bars in Florence.

Please note that this tour includes a guided walking tour where you can expect to encounter hills, uneven surfaces, cobblestone streets, unpaved roads and stairs. Participants should be able to walk for extended periods, typically around 2-3 hours and stand for long periods during the guided tour.