Headed off to Florence for the very first time? Lucky you! This breathtakingly beautiful Italian city is jam-packed with architectural and artistic marvels. Which means deciding what to see and do can be a little difficult when you’ve not been before.
Covered in this Florence travel guide is all the practical advice you’ll need to plan your trip to Florence. Including where to stay and eat, what to wear while you’re there, and the best walking tour we reckon you can take.
We’ll also take you through the top 10 things to see and do in Florence, including some slightly lesser known options than the Accademia and Uffizi galleries, the Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio. These include a city market, lovely gardens to stroll through, a prominent palace, the best city squares, and even the Gates of Paradise.
Read on so you can plan your perfect stay in the Tuscan capital – one of the world’s dreamiest arty destinations!
Florence Travel Guide’s – Top 10 Things to Do in Florence
Florence Duomo
Better known as the Florence Duomo or simply the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a must-see when discovering Florence. Dating back to 1436, the dome is one of the biggest on earth.
The intricate design of the cathedral itself is every bit as impressive as the Duomo. As well as the dome and cathedral, you can also visit Giotto’s Campanile (or bell tower), the Santa Reparata crypt, the baptistry, and the Opera del Duomo Museum.
Gates of Paradise
The Baptistery of St. John, in Piazza del Duomo, is among Florence’s most favoured selfie spots. These striking golden doors feature 10 richly detailed Biblical scenes, and are a stunning sight to behold. It’s said that Michelangelo referred to Lorenzo Ghiberti’s iconic doors as the Gates of Paradise.
Accademia Gallery
The hallowed halls of this Florence gallery are home to one of Michelangelo’s most famous works, his beautiful sculpture of David. It’s said that the artist himself was even more proud of this sizable statue than of his Sistine chapel ceiling frescoes. David isn’t the only Michelangelo masterpiece to be found here, though, as the gallery boasts the biggest collection of his sculptures on the planet.
It’s not all about Michelangelo at the Accademia, though. You can also see thousands of other breathtaking sculptures, paintings, and other objets d’art at the gallery.
Uffizi Gallery
The Doric architecture of the Uffizi Gallery’s exterior is almost as impressive as the art collections housed within. It was commissioned by the Medici family, and has almost 50 halls displaying an incredible array of artworks.
Italy’s most-visited museum houses Boticelli’s Birth of Venus, various works by Leonardo Da Vinci, and many items from the private collection of the Medicis.
Piazza della Signoria
A free open air sculpture gallery, the Loggia dei Lanzi, can be found in this Florence square, and this actually belongs to the Uffizi Galleries. But the piazza is an open air gallery in more ways than one.
Originally, Michelangelo’s David was going to be displayed here, but instead, you can find a replica. Other notable works in Piazza della Signoria include the Fountain of Neptune, Cellini’s Perseus and Medusa, and Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus.
Palazzo Vecchio
The Medici family, influential during the Renaissance, once lived in this palace in Florence, which is situated in Piazza della Signoria. This majestic, honey-hued fortress is impressive whether you simply gaze at the exterior, or enter it to explore further.
History and art buffs will be equally happy with what they find at Palazzo Vecchio. There’s an outstanding art collection, not least the Michelangelo and Da Vinci full-length wall frescoes. The palace has also played a prominent role in the city’s political life.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s most picturesque and photogenic bridge. It’s also one of the oldest bridges in the entire country, and was once the only bridge spanning the Arno. The bridge was originally constructed during the ancient Roman era, then rebuilt in 1345 following a flood.
Make sure you cross the Arno via Ponte Vecchio at least once while in Florence. As well as enjoying spectacular views, there are boutiques and designer shops dotted along its length.
Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Repubblica is one of Florence’s most instantly recognisable sights. It was used as the Roman Forum headquarters in the past, and thus is often known as the Roman heart of Florence. The piazza has also been used as a Jewish ghetto and a marketplace.
Today, Piazza della Repubblica is the perfect spot to stop for a drink, a snack, or a meal, as there’s a great selection of cafes and restaurants to choose from. It’s also a lively place to be, with many street artists, markets, and performances.
Boboli Gardens
Escape for a breath of fresh air by taking a wander through the Boboli Gardens while in Florence. Their design inspired many well-known European gardens, including those at the Palace of Versailles in France. You can also find all sorts of treasures at the gardens, including fountains, sculptures, and ancient trees.
San Lorenzo Market
If all that artwork has given you cravings for a slice of Italian life – or a slice of pizza – then head to San Lorenzo Market. It comprises a series of outdoor stalls as well as the indoor Mercato Centrale. In addition to food, the leather goods sold here tend to be of the highest quality.
12 Best Places to Stay in Florence
Duomo / Historic District
Stay close to the cathedral and Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi Galleries by choosing the historic district of Florence as your base. It can be crowded, and expensive, but the convenience of being able to walk everywhere is worth it, particularly for first-timers.
Where to stay
- 5 stars | Portrait Firenze | Rooms & suites | Restaurant, bar, & room service | Overlooking Ponte Vecchio
- 4 stars | Hotel Continentale | Rooms & suites | Terrace, bar, & spa | Overlooking Ponte Vecchio
- 3 stars | Hotel Perseo | Rooms | Bar & library | 250 metres from Piazza del Duomo
Santa Croce
Charming district in a convenient location by the historic centre with a notable church, a market, and a lovely piazza.
Where to stay
- 5 stars | Palazzo Firenze | Rooms & suites | Restaurant, bar, & room service | 600 metres from Piazza della Signoria
- 4 stars | Plaza Hotel Lucchesi | Rooms & suites | Restaurant, bar, & rooftop pool | 650 metres from the Uffizi Gallery
- 3 stars | Casa Leopardi | Rooms | Snack bar | 450 metres from Piazza della Signoria
Boboli Gardens / Oltrarno & Santo Spirito
This area is a short stroll from Ponte Vecchio, yet is peaceful and less pricey than the historic centre. It also has a neighbourhood feel, and local shops and eateries.
Where to stay
- 5 stars | Hotel Lungarno | Rooms & suites | Restaurant, bar, & room service | 300 metres from the Uffizi Gallery
- 4 stars | Ponte Vecchio Suites & Spa | Rooms, suites, & studios | Room service & spa | 400 metres from the Uffizi Gallery
- 3 stars | Palazzo Martellini Residenza d’epoca | Rooms & suites | Room service | 600 metres from the Uffizi Gallery
Santa Maria Novella
This area has the same name as the main train station in Florence, and is thus close to the railway. Though the area isn’t abundant in charm, Mercato Centrale is also nearby, and there’s a broad range of affordable accommodation.
Where to stay
- 4 stars | Grand Hotel Minerva | Rooms & suites | Restaurant, bar, gym, & outdoor pool | 650 metres from Piazza del Duomo
- 4 stars | Hotel Garibaldi Blu | Rooms & suites | Bar & room service | 600 metres from Piazza del Duomo
- 3 stars | Hotel Alba Palace | Rooms | Bar & lounge | 800 metres from Piazza del Duomo
What to Eat in Florence
One of the greatest pleasures of any visit to Italy is the food – and Florence is no exception. If you want to try some local specialities rather than national dishes, look out for some of the following.
Top 10 foods to try in Florence
Starters, sides, and snacks
- Crostini Toscani | Thin slices of bread topped with smooth chicken liver pate
- Lampredotto | Sandwiches made with beef offal slow cooked with tomatoes etc
Pasta
- Pappardelle al Cinghiale | Broad ribbons of pasta served with wild boar sauce
Soups
- Ribollita | Tuscan soup made with vegetables, pulses, and leftover bread
- Pappa al pomodoro | Thick tomato, garlic, basil, and bread soup from Tuscany
Meat and fish
- Florentine steak | The finest cut of meat typically unseasoned and cooked rare
- Bistecca alla fiorentina | Grilled T-bone steak cooked and served rare
- Arista alla fiorentina | Florentine spit-roasted loin of pork that’s popular when entertaining
- Trippa alla fiorentina | Tripe cooked and served Florence-style with tomatoes etc
Desserts
- Schiacciata alla Fiorentina | Light, fluffy, orange-flavoured cake dusted with icing sugar
What to Wear in Florence
The best clothing to wear while visiting Florence will be comfortable, modest, and suitable for the climate at the time of year.
Comfortable shoes should be your top priority, as touring all the attractions and museums involves being on your feet all day. You can also expect uneven surfaces in the city’s historic streets and piazzas.
Clothing-wise, layering to suit the season is the best idea, as you can add or take away garments as the temperature goes up or down. Make sure to take a daypack to carry spare layers in.
If you want to blend in with the locals in Italy, neutral and monochrome shades are always a good choice. Stylish jeans or tailored pants teamed with streamlined stylish tops are ideal. Add a scarf and sunglasses to complete the look.
Revealing garments and sportswear are best avoided. For visiting museums and religious sites, like the cathedral, it’s always wise to cover your shoulders and knees as a sign of respect – and to ensure you comply with any dress codes.
Best walking tour of Florence
Whether you don’t want to do the research, would like to join a group, or are short of time, a walking tour of Florence can be a great way to get up close to the city’s finest sights. Having sampled this Walks Tour ourselves during our recent visit, we have no hesitation in highly recommending it.
Best of Florence walking tour
Join this three hour walking tour of Florence, and you’ll explore the city on foot, alongside up to 17 other participants. All the top sights are on the agenda, from the Duomo and Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery to Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and more. Skip-the-line tickets to Accademia Gallery and the Duomo are included, as are the services of a local, English-speaking, expert guide.
What Will You Do in Florence?
We hope this Florence guide for first-time visitors has whetted your appetite for the Tuscan capital. From the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Michelangelo’s David to the galleries, the Gates of Paradise, the piazzas, the Boboli Gardens, the palazzos, and the markets, there’s an artistic treasure around every corner.
Once you’ve planned your trip, you’d best get set to swoon. Not to mention snapping more than a few selfies along the way!
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