Things to Do in Florence

The Uffizi Gallery houses one of the world’s most significant collections of art, drawing in more than a million annual visitors who wish to cast eyes upon its many masterpieces. Set in the heart of Florence, the museum contains the works of artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Botticelli, and Giotto, among others. It is the premier place to view Italian Renaissance art and is the most-visited museum in Italy.

Due to its immense popularity, the Uffizi Gallery is prone to long lines and extensive wait times—it's best to book skip-the-line admission to maximize your time. The gallery features a number of long, winding art-filled hallways, making it near-impossible to see everything on display, so small-group guided tours and self-guided audio tours are recommended to help you see the top pieces and give some context to the works you’re viewing. A visit is often combined with a stop at the nearby Accademia Gallery, which houses the Statue of David.

The Uffizi Gallery is set between the Piazza della Signoria and Arno River in central Florence, not far from the Ponte Vecchio. The museum is best approached on foot, and is about a 15-minute walk from the Duomo.

The gallery’s busiest times include weekends, mornings, and Tuesdays. Crowds tend to be lighter after 4pm and from November to March. It is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month—expect the biggest crowds of all on these dates.

Although art enthusiasts are bound to enjoy every piece, a few highlights include the Medici collection (gifted to the museum in the 18th century) and the Caravaggio works on the first floor. Other must-sees include Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus; da Vinci's only completed panel painting, The Annunciation; and Titian's Venus of Urbino. Together with Raphael’s portraits and Michelangelo’s Tondo Doni, these works signify the height of the Italian Renaissance.

The Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano), designed by Giorgio Vasari in the 16th century, is an elevated medieval passageway connecting Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti), each set on opposite banks of the Arno River in Florence. Snaking through and along many of the city's landmarks, the near-mile-long, elevated walkway was once a secret, used by the Medici family to travel unnoticed through Florence. Today, it is an art gallery, home to Italy’s most important collection of self-portraits. Visitors can admire views over the river from its large windows running over the Ponte Vecchio.

This near mile-long walkway is only accessible via small-group guided tours, rendering gallery visits a rare and coveted experience. Official corridor tours are limited to a maximum of one hour for groups of no more than 25, and booking in advance is a must. A literal walk through history, tours take visitors through the Uffizi Gallery; across the river in an enclosed passageway running atop the Ponte Vecchio; along a private balcony in the Church of Santa Felicita; and into the Boboli Gardens, as it extends to the interior of the Pitti Palace. Vasari Corridor tours can be combined with a skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery tour and a private tour of the Pitti Palace museums.

Entrance to the Vasari Corridor is in the western hall on the second floor of the Uffizi Gallery, located in the heart of Florence next to the Palazzo Vecchio. The museum is a 10-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella train station. From there, walk down Via Cerretani until you reach Piazza del Duomo and then take Via Calzaiuoli toward Piazza della Signoria. When facing Palazzo Vecchio, head to the right to find the Uffizi Gallery.

Access to the Vasari Corridor is only available via advance reservations as part of small-group tours led by professional tour guides, so crowds are not an issue even in summer; you can expect a quiet and nearly private visit. As such, space is limited and tours frequently sell out, so if visiting in spring, summer, or fall when there is more demand, be sure to book your tour ahead of time.

More than 1,000 artworks line the corridor halls, including a famous collection of self-portraits that dates back to the 16th century and features paintings by European greats such as Bernini, Guido Reni, Rubens, Ingres, and Delacroix.

Entering the neighborhood of San Frediano means historically passing through the Porta San Frediano, which was once a door to the walled city, leading to one of Florence’s most popular residential areas in the present day. The trendy area has a variety of culture, cuisine, and art that contribute to its cosmopolitan feel. The neighborhood is home to many artisans that have kept their workshops here for decades. It has been compared to the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Many will cross the bridges on the river from the historic city center to enjoy a greater variety of food and drink in a less expensive price range.

After crossing through the Porta San Frediano, the Chiesa San Frediano in Cestello becomes visible. The 17th century church was built on the site of an older monastery, Santa Maria degli Angeli, which was founded in 1450.

In a city filled with artistic masterpieces, the San Marco Museum (Museo Nazionale di San Marco) has the distinction of being home to Florence’s largest collection of paintings by Fra Beato Angelico. The 15th-century former monastery is also home to works by Fra Bartolomeo, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Lorenzo Ghiberti.

 

The San Marco Museum is housed in a former Dominican convent that was restored by Michelozzo under Cosimo il Vecchio de' Medici, and is a well-preserved example of Florentine Renaissance architecture. The cloister, Pilgrims’ Hospice, Lavabo Room, Fra Bartolomeo Room, Chapterhouse, and dormitory cells are decorated with sacred frescoes by some of the most important artists in Florence at the time, including Fra Beato Angelico who was first a monk and later Prior of the monastery—highlights include his Annunciation, Crucifixion with Saints, and Noli me tangere; The Last Supper by Ghirlandaio; and the Signoria Altarpiece by Fra Bartolomeo. The complex also has a library containing a collection of historic illuminated manuscripts, as well as a modern convent library with books on philosophy and theology.

 

This is one of the most important collections of sacred art in Florence, so book a private museum tour with skip-the-line tickets ahead to avoid a long wait. Many Renaissance Florence walking tours also include a stop at the San Marco Museum.

 

 

The San Marco Museum is located on Piazza San Marco in the historic center of Florence, a short walk from Santa Maria Novella train station or the city’s famous Duomo.

 

The San Marco Museum has a tricky monthly schedule, as it is closed the 2nd and 4th Monday and 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday of each month. Check your calendar carefully, or plan to visit Tuesday through Saturday to avoid confusion.

San Marco was famous as the seat of Girolamo Savonarola, Dominican friar and outspoken religious reformer, during his short spiritual uprising in Florence in the late 15th century.

If you’ve ever seen a picture of the Tuscan countryside—softly rolling hills, towering cypress trees, winding country roads, and quaint hill towns—chances are that you were looking at the Val d'Orcia. This unique landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered among the loveliest in Italy, and the wines produced here are among Italy’s best.

The Val d'Orcia, a favorite subject of Renaissance painters and modern photographers, covers a small area of Tuscany between the town of Siena and Mount Amiata, and is known for its beautiful landscapes, medieval towns, and excellent cuisine. Take a Val d'Orcia tour to visit the villages of Montalcino and Montepulciano, and to sample their local Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines—perhaps paired with pecorino cheeses from nearby Pienza—during a wine tasting session. Other delightful small towns worth a visit on a private tour of the Val d'Orcia are San Quirico d'Orcia, famous for its olive oil, and Bagno Vignoni, home to historic thermal baths. 

Val d'Orcia is located about an hour south of Florence and is an easy day trip from Rome, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, and Siena. There is little public transportation between the towns and wineries in this area, so by far the best way to explore is by joining a small-group tour with transportation included.

The Val d'Orcia is lovely year-round but is particularly interesting to visit in the fall, when the grapes and olives are harvested and many towns hold wine and olive oil festivals.

The Val d'Orcia is just one of many areas in Tuscany known for its striking scenery. The stark chalk hills of the Crete Senesi and the wooded countryside of Chianti are also beautiful—and are equally popular wine tour destinations.

Florence’s central San Lorenzo Market includes two separate markets. One is the Central Market (Mercato Centrale), an indoor food market with a trendy upstairs gourmet food market and stalls selling everything from seasonal produce to Chianti wine and Tuscany's famed olive oil on the ground floor. The other is an outdoor souvenir market that has as many trinkets and affordable souvenirs as leather goods and other Florentine crafts for which the region is known. 

While travelers can visit independently, many Florence cooking courses and food tours also begin with a walk through the Central Market so visitors can learn about Italian food markets and select ingredients to use during the lesson. A stroll through the outdoor San Lorenzo Market is always fun, and exploring the market with a small-group walking tour of Florence can help you get to know it like a local. Many sightseeing tours include the market along with some of the most famous sights in the city such as the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and the Uffizi Gallery.

The San Lorenzo Market and Mercato Centrale are located in Florence's city center, just a short walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station.

Both markets are open year-round, but the outdoor market shuts down in inclement weather. Spring and fall are the best seasons to explore the food market, and summer is best to wander through the souvenir market.

If you've discovered a label you particularly like during a wine tour or wine tasting in Florence, stop in the Central Market and visit the well-stocked wine shop upstairs.

This historic Anglican Church in Florence, Italy has English roots — remaining one of three worship centers that form the chaplaincy of the Church of England (the other two are St. Peter’s in Siena and a growing congregation in Bologna.) Built in 1881, it is steeped in local history — part of an old Medici palace, later owned by Machiavelli, and then renovated in neb-renaissance style. It is known as a symbol of Renaissance architecture. 

The church often serves the homeless community of Florence and holds mass regularly. It remains a center of Anglo-Catholic religion for the British expat community in Florence. The beautiful interior of the Anglican Church is furthermore a hub of historic art and one of the most celebrated concert venues in Florence with classical performances in music, choral singing, and opera as well as a variety of visiting performers. With only 150 seats, it is an intimate venue to experience a live concert.

Italy is known for its vibrant outdoor markets, and one of Florence’s liveliest is the Sant’Ambrogio Market (Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio). Here you can enjoy the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Italian food market and make some purchases from the stalls piled high with fresh produce and local specialties.

This bustling market is packed with stalls that sell many of the same sorts of items seen at the Florence’s larger and more famous Central Market (Mercato Centrale)—fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, cheese, fish, cured and fresh meats, spices, and household items—but with fewer tourists. It’s a charming spot to stroll through, especially as part of a Florence street food walking tour.

The Sant’Ambrogio Market is located on the corner of Piazza Ghiberti, just opposite the Trattoria da Rocco in the Santa Croce neighborhood, about a 10-minute walk from the train station. Florence is a rail hub in central Italy, with high-speed routes connecting from Rome, Venice, and Milan.

The Sant’Ambrogio Market is open Monday through Saturday from 7am until 2pm, and the earlier you visit, the better. Like all Italian markets, Sant’Ambrogio specializes in seasonal produce and the offerings change from week to week.

Another well-known Florentine shopping venue is the San Lorenzo Market, where travelers come to purchase Tuscany’s famous leather.

Stretching 150 miles (241 kilometers) from Mount Falterona to the Ligurian Sea, the River Arno is Tuscany’s largest body of water. While the Arno runs through Casentino and Pisa, it is most often visited in Florence, where it divides the city in two. Florence’s bridges—including the iconic Ponte Vecchio—are renowned for their River Arno views.

As Florence’s bisecting waterway and one of its main attractions, the Arno is seen on most walking tours, which also typically include the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Croce Church, and Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence. While walking tours are the best way to get a close look at the Arno, golf cart, Vespa, and vintage car tours typically include a drive along the river’s banks and provide a quicker way to see all that Florence has to offer. All that said, you can’t get closer to the Arno than through water-based activities, from paddleboarding to barchetto tours, which provide views of Florence from a perspective that many visitors often miss.

The Arno runs through two of Italy’s top destinations—Florence and Pisa—both of which are easily accessible using public transit. The centrally located Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station in Florence and Centrale station in Pisa are the terminuses for most direct buses and trains. If traveling by car to Florence, take Autoroute E35 to Highway SS67; to Pisa, take Autoroute E80 or Superstrada Firenze-Pisa-Livorno.

The Ponte Vecchio, one of the river’s main attractions in Florence, can get congested on weekday and weekend afternoons. For a quieter visit, go in the morning just as the vendors begin to set up shop. Annual highlights in the city of Pisa include Luminara di Santa Ranieri in June, when thousands of twinkling lights float down the river to celebrate the patron saint of Pisa, as well as the Pisa Regatta, where participants race against the Arno’s current.

While there are no bad views of the Arno, the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita offer the best close-range views of the Arno’s current. For panoramic views of Florence and the river at sunset, climb to the top of Piazzale Michelangelo around 5pm. Easy Living Beach, on the south bank of the Arno, is a popular summer haunt, while the Uffizi Gallery offers glimpses of the river through gallery windows above. 

One of the many things Italy is known for is fashion, so it's no surprise that shopping is a popular activity for visitors. The Mall is a luxury outlet shopping mall in Tuscany where you can find dozens of high fashion names at discounted prices. Some of the brands there include Armani, Burberry, Coach, Stella McCartney, Fendi, Versace, Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Balenciaga, and many more. You can shop here for women's, men's, and children's fashions, accessories, shoes, perfumes, jewelry, watches, and sunglasses. 

Non-European residents can claim a refund on the taxes at the airport, which means you'll get an even lower price on your purchases. When you need a break from shopping, a restaurant and cafe is available on the property. The restaurant uses local ingredients to make Italian and Tuscan dishes, so you can enjoy a meal as part of your shopping experience. There is also a selection of local wines. The Mall also has free WiFi, ATMs, a tourist info point, and information in multiple languages.

Perched high on a hilltop overlooking the lush Mugello valley, the magnificent Sanctuary of Monte Senario is among Tuscany’s most important religious complexes and offers a tranquil retreat from nearby Florence, surrounded by the Monte Senario Nature Reserve. Founded in 1233 by a group of noble Florentines known as the Seven Holy Founders, the monastery became an important place of pilgrimage during the 15th century and is still inhabited by a number of monks today. 

The Baroque-style Church of our Lady of Sorrows is among the main attractions, with its 15th-century nave richly decorated and including a striking fresco by Antonio Domenico Gabbiani, an 18th-century wooden crucifix and the tomb of Sigismondo Della Stufa. Additional highlights of the monastery include the monumental cross, the great hospice, a distillery and a number of caves.

A rock music temple if there ever was one, the Hard Rock brand doesn't require an introduction; not with 170 establishments worldwide! Both a restaurant, a bar and a museum, this peculiar Florence attraction draws in rock music aficionados thanks to an impressive collection of authentic memorabilia and mouth-watering American-themed menu (something seldom found in all of Italy). Loud rock music, a relaxed atmosphere, original cocktails and humongous quantities of food await at Florence's most American institution.

Golden records, guitars, costumes and other iconic memorabilia can be found at the restaurant's two-floor museum. Some of the most popular items include Jimmy Hendrix's hippie shirt, Diana Ross' Supremes-era doll, an old Cavern Club membership card (signed by all of the Far Four), a handwritten draft of Prince's "The Glamorous Life," Michael Jackson's rhinestone-bedecked pants, one of Elvis Presley's red shirts, a bass that belonged to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Runaways' Lita Ford's red teddy.

The brand's most loyal fans will certainly want to stop at the restaurant's gift shop, where they will be able to extend their pin collection"”a popular tradition for Hard Rock fans is to get a guitar-shaped pin every time they visit a new location"”with one from Florence.

Piazza della Repubblica is one of the most important and elegant squares in the heart of Florence, lined with porticoed 19th-century palazzi, Grand Dame hotels, high-end boutiques, bustling restaurants, and historic cafes. A stroll through this beautiful public space is a must during any Florence sightseeing tour.

Florence's main square is located on the site of the city's ancient Roman Forum, which later became the market square dedicated to commerce while the Piazza del Duomo was the center of religious and civic affairs and Piazza della Signoria was the city's political heart. A warren of narrow lanes crowded with buildings, churches, towers, and palaces sprang up in the area surrounding the market square, a portion of which became the Jewish ghetto. Today's sweeping space was created by razing almost all of this neighborhood as part of a 19th-century urban renewal project during the brief period when Florence was capital of the newly united nation of Italy. Today the only original architectural detail that remains is the 15th-century Colonna dell'Abbondanza, marking the historic center of the square.

Piazza della Repubblica is generally included in private or small-group Florence walking tours, or Florence tours by Segway or electric bike. In addition to this landmark square, skip-the-line Florence highlights tours may include the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo's David statue in the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia), Piazzale Michelangelo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Florence Duomo, and Santa Croce (Basilica di Santa Croce).

Piazza della Repubblica is located in the historic city center of Florence, just a short stroll down the Via Roma pedestrian thoroughfare from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo). 

The square is a lively spot to visit year-round, but during the winter holidays many of the shops and businesses surrounding the square are decorated with abundant fairy lights, making it especially magical at night.

At the end of the 19th century, the literary cafes lining Piazza della Repubblica became a meeting place for Florentine scholars, writers, and artists. Many of these spots are still open more than a century later; among the most famous are Giubbe Rosse and Gilli.

One of the most striking and important churches in Florence, Santa Croce Basilica (Basilica di Santa Croce) is a classic example of Tuscan Gothic architecture. It’s also home to myriad works by Giotto, Gaddi, della Robbia, and Donatello, plus the tombs of numerous luminaries including Michelangelo, Galileo, Ghiberti, and Machiavelli.

Work on the Santa Croce Basilica began in 1294, though the facade and bell tower are 19th-century additions. The world’s largest Franciscan church, Santa Croce houses 16 chapels decorated with some of the most important Florentine fresco cycles dating from the 14th century. It’s part of a larger complex including a refectory, two cloisters, and the Museum of the Opera of Santa Croce.

The Santa Croce Basilica is a highlight of any visit to Florence, and many sightseeing walking tours and shore excursions include a stop at the basilica and adjacent complex along with other famous sights like the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia). Due to its artistic and historic importance, the church is among the most visited in the city and there are often long lines to enter; booking a guided tour with skip-the-line entrance in advance is a must in the crowded summer months.

Santa Croce Basilica is located on Piazza Santa Croce in the historic center of Florence, just a short walk from the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria.

Florence is one of the most visited cities in Italy, and its main churches and monuments can be very crowded in summer. To enjoy the city sights in relative peace, schedule a visit for spring or fall. Piazza Santa Croce holds a charming Christmas market each year through the month of December, with stalls selling holiday decorations, artisan crafts, and seasonal foods.

Over the centuries, the Santa Croce Basilica became the prefered burial place for important Florentines and, later, notable Italians. The church is now home to dozens of tombs and funerary monuments honoring some of the most famous Italian artists and luminaries from Leonardo da Vinci to Enrico Fermi. 

Santa Croce is one of Venice’s six central districts (sestieri). Home to a number of sumptuous palaces and museums, important churches, and Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio— one of the city’s prettiest squares—it is also where Venice’s busy Piazzale Roma bus station and vaporetto (water bus) hub is located.

Santa Croce has fewer big-name tourist sights than other districts like San Marco, home to St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Square, and the Doge’s Palace. Instead, this quieter neighborhood is a great place to get a feel for the more local side of Venice while still enjoying important artistic and historical sights like Palazzo Mocenigo, the Museum of Modern Art in Ca' Pesaro, the Natural History Museum at Fondaco dei Turchi, and the San Stae church. 

Joining a small-group walking tour of Santa Croce is a great way to discover its lavish monuments along the Grand Canal and charming back canals and alleyways. Private tours can also include some of the sights in the bordering San Polo district, including the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and San Giacomo di Rialto, said to be the oldest church in Venice. You can also pair a private walking tour with a gondola ride and visit to highlights in the neighboring sestieri.

Santa Croce is home to Venice’s main train station, bus terminal, and vaporetto hub. Trains here connect from the Marco Polo Airport, and from all major cities in the Veneto region and across Italy, including Florence and Rome.

As one of the most popular destinations in Europe, Venice can be very crowded during the summer months. Instead, visit in the early spring and late fall when the city is less crowded but the weather is mild.

Venice has six central sestieri: Castello, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, San Marco, Santa Croce, and—the smallest—San Polo. In addition, the Floating City has two outlying districts, Giudecca and Lido, and the small islands of Torcello, Murano, and Burano.

Via Cavour is one of the main roads in the historical center of Florence, Italy. It was named in 1861 when two ancient streets, Via Larga and Via San Leopoldo, were joined. Visitors walking down certain sections of the street should look closely for plaques commemorating well-known people who once lived here. At the south end of the street is the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, which was once home to the famous Medici family during the Renaissance. Today it is a museum of art and architecture covering more than 400 years of Florence's history. 

Several other museums are located on Via Cavour, such as the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum and the Crime Museum. Along Via Cavour, you will find plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops as well as apartment buildings. You'll also see the Museum and Convent of San Marco. The road passes through Piazza San Marco as it heads north, eventually meeting up with Piazza della Liberta.

In 1596, Ferdinando I de’ Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, commissioned famous Italian architect architect Bernardo Buontalenti to build a hunting villa, which quickly became the court and estate of the Grand Duke and Duchess. Today, Villa Artimino is one of twelve villas and two gardens collectively granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

This particular villa has the unusual nickname of the villa of 100 chimneys. Since Ferdenando I suffered from gout, numerous fireplaces were incorporated into the villa’s design, and their chimneys are visible from miles away. The interior of the estate still contains many of its original frescoes, furnishings and — perhaps most interesting of all — a roasting spit designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Though Milan is considered Italy’s fashion capital, Florence is home to some of the most historic fashion houses in the country, including shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo. You don’t have to be a fashionista to appreciate the Ferragamo Museum, where the beauty and craftsmanship of the iconic shoes classify them as works of art, rather than simply footwear. 

The Ferragamo Museum, opened in 1995, is housed in the Palazzo Spini Feroni on Piazza Santa Trinita, a 13th-century former residential palace that Ferragamo bought in the 1930s to serve as his company headquarters and workshop. The museum’s collection started with a staggering 10,000 shoes created by Ferragamo from the 1920s until 1960, and has grown after his death. Exhibits rotate every couple of years, and there are also temporary exhibitions from time to time.

Join a private artisan walking tour of Florence to explore the city’s thriving workshops along with a number of its museums honoring Florentine fashion labels like Ferragamo and Gucci. You can easily pair an artisan tour with a guided visit of the city’s highlights, including skip-the-line access to the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Accademia (home of Michelangelo’s David). 

The Ferragamo Museum is located in the heart of historic Florence, just steps from Ponte Vecchio and an easy 10-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station. 

Florence is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, and it can get very crowded in summer. Plan to visit in spring or fall to enjoy the city’s museums and monuments without the crush of high-season tourists. The Ferragamo Museum is open daily, and can offer a respite from the crowds the more famous city landmarks see at midday. 

In addition to Ferragamo, Florence is home to a number of other famous names in fashion. You can visit the Gucci Garden, dedicated to the history and design of this iconic Florentine label; the Capucci Museum in Villa Bardini, dedicated to Roberto Capucci; or the elegant boutiques of local designers Emilio Pucci and Roberto Cavalli.