Things to Do in Florence
Florence is located in central Italy on the River Arno and is the capital of the Tuscany region. Nestled among the hills of Tuscany, this vibrant city has so much to offer with an impressive selection of museums, culture, art and restaurants for visitors to explore during their stay.
Florence is home to its famous cathedral, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, as well as some of Italy’s finest cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Packed full of stunning architecture and authentic terracotta buildings, there’s so much to explore during your trip. Florence is a must-visit Italian adventure.
Whether you’ve planned a romantic city break for two, a family adventure or a solo backpacking trip, there’s a huge variety of places to explore and keep you busy! Take a look at our range of Florence holidays to find the latest offers.
To help assist you in planning your trip, we’ve handpicked our stand-out spots and highlights of Florence. Remember to save some time to just relax and enjoy the city too! Let’s delve into some of the best things to do on your holiday in Florence.
What are Florence’s main tourist attractions?
Florence’s skyline is dominated by incredible architecture and picturesque attractions, with a number of squares and piazzas buzzing with life. Let’s walk through Florence’s most superb tourist attractions.
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore
As the fourth-largest cathedral in the world, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is the focal point of the city and no trip to Florence would be complete without admiring the Duomo.
Located within the Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral encompasses Gothic architecture, with its outstanding Renaissance dome which dominates the exterior of the building. The exterior consists of pink, red and green polychrome designs and white marble – a breath-taking sight.
Inside the Duomo, the interior is vast with magnificent stained-glass windows and stunning artistic detail under the dome, including the painting Last Supper. Keep an eye out for the large clock face within the Duomo too.
When was Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore built?
The extensive creation of the Duomo began in 1296 and was structurally complete many years later in 1436, when the domed roof was added to the building, engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi
Giotto’s Campanile
Florence is renowned as one of the most historical cities in the world, packed full of beautiful architecture. After paying the Duomo a visit, head over to Giotto’s Campanile.
Giotto’s Campanile is one of the most famous attractions in the city; a free-standing Italian bell tower overlooking Florence that was built in the 14th century. Standing adjacent to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the tower is a work of art reaching heights of 84.7 metres and split into five distinct levels.
When was Giotto’s Campanile built?
This structural masterpiece was constructed from 1334 to 1359, designed by Italian painter and architect, Giotto di Bondone. When he died in 1337, only the lower floors were complete. Andrea Pisano was next to work on the construction of the bell tower, following Giotto’s originally design, followed by Francesco Talenti who completed the tower in 1359.
Top traveller tip: Climb the 414 stairs in the tower for stunning views over Florence. There are no elevators or shortcuts to the top, but you won’t want to miss out!
Galleria dell’Accademia
Galleria dell’Accademia houses some of the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo’s, most famous artwork. Perhaps the most famous sculpture in the Accademia is Michelangelo’s David. Originally, the sculpture was placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio but it was later moved inside the Accademia to preserve the impressive artwork from the elements. The Galleria dell’Accademia is also home to remarkable art by a number of Italian artists including Sandro Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio.
Top traveller tip: Enjoy the gallery at your own leisure, or if you’d rather opt for a tour, make sure you make your booking in advance.
Giardino di Boboli
Giardino di Boboli, otherwise known as the Boboli Gardens, covers an immense 45,000 square meters and is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Pack a picnic and a book and wander around the different sections of the gardens to enjoy their beautiful designs, the various sculptures and the tranquil fountains.
Giardino Bardini
A great alternative to Giardino di Boboli if you’d rather beat the crowds and definitely worth a visit. This Italian Renaissance garden is often described as a hidden gem, with its beautiful gardens teeming with wildlife separated by a grand staircase. After a bit of a climb, the garden also offers elevated views over central Florence.
Top traveller tip: If you’re visiting around April time whilst the purple wisteria arch is in bloom, Giardino Bardini should be at the top of your to-visit list!
Basilica di Santa Croce
A truly beautiful building, the Basilica di Santa Croce is located in Piazza di Santa Croce and renowned as the largest Franciscan Church in the world, with its 16 impressive chapels.
How many tombs are in the Basilica di Santa Croce?
It’s home to nearly 300 tombs, including the tombs of some of the most well-known Renaissance artists, architects and scholars including Galileo and Michelangelo.If you only have time to see one Church during your time in Florence, we recommend the Basilica di Santa Croce.
What free things are there to do in Florence?
Alongside Florence’s main tourist attractions and the price tag that comes with them, there’s still a huge number of free or cheap things to keep you busy when visiting the city.
Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is a lovely square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, the historic centre of Florence, as well as the political heart of the city. The square represents an open-air museum of sorts, with art and statues dotted around the piazza, including the Fountain of Neptune and a copy of Michelangelo’s David. Across from the Piazza della Signoria, you can find the Uffizi Gallery; a notable art museum housing some of the most outstanding collections of renaissance art worldwide.
Florence is packed full of different piazzas to wander around, many of which double up as outdoor galleries. If you have the time during your trip to Florence, some of the best squares include:
- Piazza del Duomo
- Piazza della Repubblica
- Piazza Santo Spirito
- Piazza Santa Croce
Ponte Vecchio
This beautiful bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Florence and spans the River Arno at its narrowest point. With its vast, interesting history, the Ponte Vecchio is a definite must-visit and worth exploring to look around the many authentic shops and market stalls sat upon the bridge. You’ll come across art dealers, jewellers and souvenir shops.
Top traveller tip: Wander down the banks of the River Arno for some stunning views of the Ponte Vecchio, in particular during sunrise and sunset. Don’t forget your camera!
Mercato Centrale
Imagine an array of fresh Tuscan produce; meats and cheeses, fresh pasta and pizza, ice cream, wine, fruit and veg, all housed under one roof. If that’s enough to tempt your taste buds, Mercato Centrale is the place for you during your visit to Florence! Even if you’re not purchasing any produce from the market stalls, Mercato Centrale is great to wander around and soak up the gastronomic delights on offer.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is located on a hill south of the River Arno in the Oltrarno district of Florence. This lookout offers some of the most amazing views over the city and makes for a perfect photo opportunity. And best of all, it’s completely free!
What can you see from Piazzale Michelangelo?
Soak up the panoramic views of the city with its terracotta buildings and magnificent architecture nestled within the Tuscan hills. From Piazzale Michelangelo, you can see the River Arno and its bridges in all their glory, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and many more attractions within the city.
Top traveller tip: This is another fantastic spot to catch the sun setting. Grab a bottle of local wine and a picnic to accompany your visit and enjoy the views.
What things can you do in Florence in the evening?
Florence’s nightlife is diverse. Ranging from romantic candlelit dinners for two followed by a walk along the river, wine and jazz nights and cocktail bar galore – there’s something for everyone.
Stroll along the River Arno
As night falls, take a tranquil, romantic walk along the River Arno. Head to Ponte Vecchio to see the illuminated bridge and watch the city light up and reflect down onto the water.
Live music in Florence
For the music fans among us, you can find a live music event almost any night of the week in one of Florence’s many restaurants, bars, pubs or clubs. The Jazz Club is a great spot for lovers of jazz and you can sit back, relax and enjoy the music whilst sipping on your favourite cocktail. Like many of the venues offering live music in Florence, the atmosphere is great.
Sip on a Negroni cocktail
The Negroni cocktail, part of the integral Italian tradition, the Aperitivo, is said to have been first mixed in Caffé Casoni in Florence, thanks to Conte Camillo Negroni who requested the barman change the cocktail he drank. Consisting of one-part gin, one-part sweet vermouth and one-part Campari, garnished with orange, this cocktail quickly became popular and is a definite must-drink during your visit to Florence. Soak up the stunning views of Florence into the evening, whilst sipping on a Negroni, or an Aperitivo of choice.
Devour a Florentine steak
A Florentine steak, also known as Bistecca alla Fiorentina, is another tradition in Florence, perfect for the meat-lovers among us. This is one of the most famous dishes in Florence and can be found in the majority of restaurants in the city.
Where to eat in Florence
Florence’s dynamic food scene makes it the dream city for any foodie, with authentic, independent restaurants tucked away on every street corner. Don’t forget to indulge on the rich, Tuscan wines too!
What are the best restaurants in Florence?
La Giostra – Perfect for a romantic candle-lit dinner with a huge selection of gourmet dishes and indulgent wines.
Gustarium – Quality food and quality service. This gem is just a short walk from Piazza della Signoria.
Obicà Mozzarella Bar – A contemporary Italian restaurant and pizzeria with a modern indoor courtyard, serving an array of dishes made from the freshest ingredients.
What are the best bars in Florence?
Bitter Bar – The ideal destination for cocktail enthusiasts, taking a gourmet approach to preparing cocktails with unusual ingredients and mixing techniques
La Terrazza Rooftop Bar – Soak up the stunning views over the River Arno in this fashionable cocktail bar. Perfect for Aperitivo.
Manifattura – Quirky, hand-crafted cocktails with a focus on Italian spirits.
What are the best cafes in Florence?
La Ménagère – Lovely décor and relaxed ambience, perfect for enjoying a coffee and a cake.
Ditta Artigianale – Enjoy great Italian coffee in a laid-back atmosphere.
Caffè Rivoire – Located in the heart of Florence, this venue offers an array of coffee, cakes and pastries to be enjoyed whilst taking in the view of the square.
Book a holiday to Florence with Viva Holidays
Discover our range of holidays to Florence, with a variety of options to pick from including package holidays to Venice and Florence or Rome, Florence and Pisa.Or why not design your own trip? Bring your dream holiday to life with our online holiday builder to plan the perfect adventure.Contact us today to find out more about this romantic destination and enquire about booking your upcoming Tuscan trip.
