Florence is one of those gorgeous Italian cities that needs little introduction. It’s the kinda city that’s perfect to visit on a trip across Italy and one place I’m almost certain you’ll want to go back to. That’s the thing about it, there are so many incredible and best things to do in Florence that one trip just isn’t enough.
That being said, holiday time is precious and although you might not be able to see everything on your first trip, you can surely give it a good go. This is why I wanted to share some of the best things to do in Florence on your trip to the city.
For me, Florence is easily up there with the likes of gorgeous spots in Rome, Cinque Terre and Southern Italy. It’s a proper Tuscan charm that’s too good to miss… and not just because of the gelato!
So, in my opinion, the last thing you want your holiday in Florence to become is stressful.
This is why it’s important to prioritise some of the key things to do and some chill time to just enjoy the city. After all, that Tuscan wine isn’t going to drink itself.
Take a look at some of the best things to do in Florence, below. Have the best time.
1.) Gorge on a Florentine Steak
No first-time visit to Florence can be completed without devouring a steak Florentine. It’s easily one of the biggest and best things to do in Florence if you’re not a vegetarian. For obvious reasons, if you are a veggie, you might wanna give this one a miss.
For one of the best Florentine steaks in the city, pop on over to Bucca Mario where you’ll be whisked away into the centuries-old restaurant that sits in the historic part of Venice. They serve up the tastiest Florentine steak.
Just remember, the Florentine Steak is rare in the middle, so consider this before ordering if you don’t like more rare-cooked meals.
Also, skip the first course! There’s no way you’ll be able to get through a steak Florentine and eat the first course at the same sitting. We tried this steak twice and failed miserably both times.
That being said, if you’re wanting to head to some of the best Tuscan vineyards, then book this gorgeous wine tour directly from Florence. You’ll get to visit two beautiful wineries within the Chianti Hills – it’s bliss.
Just be sure to book before arriving in Florence, these wine tour tickets sell out fast.
Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit
2.) Stroll across Ponte Vecchio
This unique bridge is one of the oldest in Florence and possibly the most recognisable bridge in Italy. Filled with little shops and stalls, the market is a bustling place with visitors, so expect big crowds.
That being said, it’s one of the best things to do in Florence if you haven’t been before. Just make sure to wander the banks of the river Arno, too. You’ll get some impressive views of Ponte Vecchio from there.
With almost a thousand years of history, Ponte Vecchio is a must-see.
Read more: The best things to do in Rome
3.) Attend a Candlelight Concert
For an extra special experience in Florence, book this Candlelight Concert whilst in the city. You see, the concerts take place at Pucci Palace and the performances are just beautiful. Not only are the string quartet absolutely incredible, but the stage, lit by candlelight, is just magical.
You’ll get to see concerts like; “A Tribute To Queen” which play some of the band’s most iconic hits. It’s so incredible. It’s one of the best things to do in Florence, especially if you’re already exploring near Pucci Palace; which is so ornate. Just be sure to look up during the concert, the wall and ceiling of the palace are breathtaking.
4.) Dine Like a Tuscan
Okay, so Florence is known for its tasty food and little independent restaurants that are dotted all across the city. And you know what, that’s one of the many reasons why I love Florence… the food!
Being a foodie’s dream city, there are literally thousands of places to gorge in the city. For a proper informal, but totally tasty spot, head over to La Bussola. It’s an intimate Florentine pizzeria and seafood haunt where you can actually sit with the chef cooking right in front of you. It’s such a great place to spend an evening exploring all the best things to do in Florence.
Oh, and don’t forget to ask them about their Tuscan wines. They know so much about the wines of the region.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a few more spots, head over to; Le Cappelle Medicee (for their tasty pasta), Ristorante Brandolino ( a traditional bistro) or B.O.r.G.O. (for their regional meals). You won’t be disappointed.
Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit
5.) Stroll through Piazza della Signoria
Florence has a lot of gorgeous piazzas to explore, but there are some that really stand out. Piazza della Signoria is one of those!
It’s easily one of the best things to do in Florence if you love history and want to see a little slice of the city’s past. Plus, you’ll be able to see Palazzo Vecchio right from the Piazza itself.
Now, the piazza itself is filled with statues, so keep your eyes peeled for these.
Some to look out for are the 500-year-old Fountain of Neptune, Perseus with the head of Medusa and Michelangelo’s David (which is a replica). However, the latter is a replica, with the original housed inside the Accademia Galleries.
That being said, if art is your thing, you have to book these tickets to the Uffizi gallery which is right by the piazza. Inside, you’ll get to see original works by Da Vinci, Michelangelo and so many more.
You’ll get a timed entry with these tickets, so there’ll be no needless time wasted in queues.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for a small sign showing where the execution site of Savonarola happened and the fire of the Vanities. Gruesome.
Read more: Best places in Southern Italy to visit
6.) Climb Giotto’s Campanile
Take a wander around (and inside) Giotto’s Campanile which has stood in Florence for many hundreds of years. After all, it’s one of the most recognised and best things to do in Florence that you can’t really miss.
To make sure you get inside, book these incredible tickets to explore all the gorgeous spots within the Duomo itself.
You’ll be taken on a totally informative guided tour of the Baptistery and get to explore the Cathedral. Plus, it will also give you access to Giotto’s Belltower, which has some of the best views in Florence.
Best of all, with these tickets, you will get fast-track entry – meaning no queues in the baking sun.
The tower is right next to the Florence Cathedral and is only a stone’s throw from the bustling Piazza della Signoria.
This makes it really easy to see whilst seeing the Uffizi gallery.
There are about 400-450 steps to get to the top (and no lift), so make sure you’re feeling fit before attempting the steps.
That being said, the views from the top are incredible! Plus, you’ll have worked off enough calories for a massive gelato after.
Oh, and don’t forget to keep a lookout for the hexagon panels around the base, it tells the story of mankind through the ages.
Book: Fast-track Florence Duomo tickets
7.) Watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo has to be one of the best things to do in Florence if you want to see a gorgeous sunset. It’s still one of my favourite places to just come and sit and watch the city turn from day to night.
Now, it’ll take you around 30 minutes to walk to the piazza from Ponte Vecchio, but it’s well worth it for the views.
You can even see across the Tuscan landscape and across the mountains.
Just remember to visit around an hour before sundown as the area fills up quite quickly just before sunset and choose your spot wisely
8.) Sleep in style
The Antica Torre Tornabuoni 1 is a perfect little slice of Tuscan charm in the beating heart of the city. We chose this spot to stay in because of its location, but the hotel is so much more than that. It’s a proper
With rooms decorated in a Florentine Renaissance style and unique views across the city, this hotel really is a special place that we love. it’s a gorgeous treat.
Best of all, you can eat breakfast on the rooftop, overlooking the whole city. It’s so magical hearing the chimes and sounds of Florence as the city comes alive. Sounds cheesy but it’s totally special.
Read more: Best places in Southern Italy to visit
9.) Take a ride in Piazza della Repubblica
Once an old Jewish ghetto within Florence (hundreds of years ago), Piazza della Repubblica is now one of the city’s open piazzas that’s great to see.
That’s the thing about the city, there are so many piazzas that you’ll come across, even by chance.
Take a wander around and grab an espresso in one of the little cafes, see the local artists’ stalls and even take a spin on a carousel.
Now, lots of the original buildings have been demolished, but one column still remains, so Keep your eyes peeled for the column of the Abundance.
Afterwards, book these priority tickets to visit one of Florence’s most beautiful museums.
With these tickets, you’ll get to explore Pitti Palace, alongside the Gallery of Modern Art that’s just so incredible to visit in Florence.
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10.) Ogle at David
Remember I mentioned visiting Piazza della Signoria? Well, there’s one guy you can’t miss.
Probably the most famous man in the city, seeing Michelangelo’s David is one of the best things to do in Florence. Situated right within the heart of Piazza della Signoria, David stands proudly for us all to see.
That being said, just be aware that this is a replica that was placed here to protect the original.
If you really want to see the original masterpiece, book these tickets to see Michelangelo’s David within the Academia Gallery. You’ll get a timed entry slot and can stay all day if you wish!
Also, make sure to look at his eyes, I was told his eyes are facing directly at Rome.
Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit
11.) Stroll Florence’s winding streets
There are hundreds of small, narrow streets that crisscross this city and they are filled with some of the most impressive bars, cafes and fashion houses one can muster.
Honestly, that’s the thing about the streets of Florence; there are just so many to explore and find.
Take a little detour and discover some of the beautiful markets and little stores selling everything you could ever want. Now, I’m almost certain (at some point) you will get lost in the city, so make sure to download an offline map for your phone.
Trust me, It’ll help you get around so much quicker which is important for trying to see as much of Florence as possible.
Read more: best places to visit in Italy
12.) Take in the beauty of Palazzo Vecchio
Another one of the best things to do in Florence has to be to see Palazzo Vecchio (and its 311ft high bell tower). And guess what? It’s totally easy to see if you’re already in the piazza.
Palazzo Vecchio has graced the streets of Florence for over 700 years and is still as iconic as ever.
Take a wander through its Courtyards and marvel at its stunning architecture and the frescoes that adorned the walls. It’s incredible to see all the different works that the Medicis arranged.
Best of all, admission is relatively cheap, though it can get crowded at weekends.
Also, another gorgeous hotel to stay at in Florence is the Bernini Palace that’s right next to Palazzo Vecchio
Read more: Best national parks in Italy to visit
13.) See the Duomo
You can’t go all the way to Florence without booking these tickets to see Duomo di Firenze.
Actually, its full name is the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, but most people just call it the Duomo. It’s easily one of the biggest buildings and the best things to do in Florence whilst you’re here and one spot that is part of the wider complex of Giotto’s Campanile, that I mentioned earlier.
Located within the Piazza del Duomo, it’s one stunning piece of Florentine history that you can’t miss.
After booking these queue-jump tickets, take a look around and marvel at this beautiful piece of architecture that was considered the largest dome ever constructed (before modern building techniques).
Book: Fast-track Florence Duomo tickets
14.) See the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte
Only a few hundred metres from Piazzale Michelangelo, this medieval basilica is the perfect place to make a stop before the sun sets on another day in Florence.
Take a walk inside and discover one of the incredible Romanesque architecture that is so beautiful to see.
Once inside, make sure to see the local marble that adorns the nave and the beautiful frescos that are all over the basilica itself.
One thing to note is that the basilica gets dark quite quickly. Visit before the sun goes down fully to see the beautiful interior.
Read more: How to explore San Miniato
15.) Watch the sunset from the rooftop bars
One of the most special memories I have of Florence is overlooking the city (on the rooftop terrace) as the sun goes down. It’s something that certain hotels have (and lots of bars in the city).
Just make sure to head across a little earlier than sunset as seats can fill up fast.
For some great views, head to the La Terrazza Bar which is perched within the Consorti Tower. Alternatively, head to La Rinascente rooftop for a nice bottle of Tuscan wine and views across the city.
Another great terrace is the Terrazza at Hotel Continentale, it’s a beautiful place to spend a few hours and the views are insane.
Read more: best places to visit in Italy
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