Things to Do in Tuscany

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.

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.

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. 

The historic Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Florence after Brunelleschi’s soaring red dome topping the Duomo. The three lower arches of this 14th-century bridge span the Arno River at its narrowest point between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace, and a stretch of the famous Vasari Corridor runs along its top. Situated on street level, the Ponte Vecchio is lined with pocket-sized jewelry shops and packed with locals and tourists taking a stroll or snapping photos of the colorful palazzi lining the river bank.

The Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous bridges in Italy and a popular, crowded sight in Florence. A visit to the bridge is often included in city sightseeing tours and small-group walking tours through the historic center of Tuscany's capital city, along with other Florentine highlights like the nearby Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, Uffizi Gallery, and Michelangelo's David (housed in the Accademia Gallery a short walk away).

The Ponte Vecchio crosses the River Arno just a block from the Uffizi Gallery, linking the historic center to the Oltrarno neighborhood.

The center of Florence can be uncomfortably crowded during the popular summer months, and it can be a challenge to navigate the crowds on the bridge. Take an early morning or late evening stroll if visiting between April and October to savor the sunrise or sunset over the RIver Arno without the crowds.

Located on the opposite banks of the Arno River, the 16th-century Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano) is an elevated passageway running between Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti. Commissioned by Duke Cosimo I de' Medici in 1565 and designed by Giorgio Vasari, the walkway was once a secret route used by the Medici family to travel unnoticed through the city. Today, the corridor is used as an art gallery, and visitors can admire views over the Arno River from large windows added to the section of the corridor running over the Ponte Vecchio.

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. 

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.

San Michele in Foro takes its name from its location – the basilica was built over the site of Lucca's ancient Roman forum. The original church dates back to the eighth century, although the one seen today was built in the 11th century. The 13th-century facade is one of the highlights of the basilica, with its graceful arches and intricate carvings. It's noted as one of the best examples of the Pisan Romanesque style, and – as a bonus – visitors can see an open staircase on the backside that climbs over the roof of the church.

 

By contrast, the church's interior is more sedate and not very well-lit, although there is a painting by 15th-century master Filippino Lippi of Saints Helen, Jerome, Sebastian, and Roch. There is also a statue of the Madonna at the back of the church that was once on the facade.

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.

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.

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. 

Giacomo Puccini was a great Italian musician from the city of Lucca in Tuscany. He was the last in a long line of musicians in his family. The house he was raised in held a special place in his heart, and he always made sure it remained in the family. Today this restored house is the Puccini Museum. The displays include photographs, opera costumes and librettos, drafts, and other rare documents from Puccini's life. Visitors can also see the costume of Turandot, which was worn by Maria Jeritza at the Metropolitan Opera House of New York in 1926. 

The museum also contains original furniture from when Puccini and his family lived there. You will also see awards the musician won, including the Messa a Quattro Voci from 1880 and Il Capriccio Sinfonico from 1883. There is also a collection of letters written by Giacomo Puccini, his wife Elvira, his son Antonio, and his publisher, Giulio Ricordi.

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.

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.

Saint Margaret – Margherita in Italian – was a 13th century Franciscan penitent who died in Cortona, where they erected a church dedicated to her. The church was completed only seven years after Santa Margherita died.

The Basilica di Santa Margherita, also known as the Sanctuary of Santa Margherita, was rebuilt in the 19th century after having undergone some serious modifications in the 18th century. The church we see today bears no resemblance to the original 14th century structure, though some features on the interior were preserved.

The remains of Saint Margaret herself are kept in the basilica, as they have been since it was first built. She lies in a chapel in the left transept, and a wooden cross to which she prayed during her lift is in the altar at the back of the nave.

Travelers who want to take in stunning views, revel in salt water breezes and enjoy plenty of open space for walking will love the Terrazza Mascagni, tucked along the Italian coast. Its checkerboard promenade is a local landmark as many visitors as locals gather here to watch ferries sail in and out of the port from this terrace on the sea.

A number of picturesque cafes and tasty restaurants prove the perfect stopping point for a drink with a view during an evening constitution, but quiet benches and peaceful bike paths offer up alternatives for those who want to unwind near the water.

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.

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.

Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) is one Tuscany’s most beautiful churches, second perhaps only to Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore. The magnificent Gothic and Romanesque structure is hard to miss thanks to its tall spires, bold white-and-green stripes, and ornate facade. Inside, the cathedral is equally impressive with works of art by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo.

 

Appreciate Siena Cathedral’s wealth of art and architecture on a guided tour. Skip-the-line entrance tickets grant access to the church, crypt, and baptistry (Battistero di San Giovanni), along with the adjacent Piccolomini Library—frescoed by Pinturicchio—and the Museo dell'Opera. Explore the cathedral complex as part of a city walking tour or on a day trip from Florence to Siena, Pisa, and San Gimignano. Inside the cathedral, highlights include the marble pulpit and floor, numerous statues, and the Chigi and Saint John the Baptist chapels.

 

 

The Cathedral of Siena is on Piazza Duomo in Siena’s pedestrian-only historic center. It can only be reached on foot.

 

Siena's cathedral has a breathtaking graffito floor, one of the most impressive in Italy. There are 56 marble panels of biblical and historical scenes, most hidden behind a protective covering and revealed for just a few weeks each summer. Try to time your visit for this period to view this masterpiece.

 

The cathedral’s construction began in the early 1200s, and after almost a century, Giovanni Pisano, whose style was heavily influenced by his father, Nicola, completed the beautiful facade. Despite an impressive cathedral, Siena's ambitious ruling families decided in the 14th century to double the size of the existing structure into the New Cathedral (Duomo Nuovo). The plague stopped the plan, and today Museo dell'Opera occupies the only nave that was completed. Museo dell'Opera holds many of the cathedral's most important works of art, including Giovanni Pisano’s statues of prophets and philosophers that once adorned the facade and Duccio di Buoninsegna's Maesta. Duccio di Buoninsegna designed the huge rose window, and the gable’s glittering Venetian mosaics were added in the 19th century.