Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. What is it about this city that makes it so popular with everyone who visits it, and what are the things to do in Florence that makes such a good impression? The answer is easy: everything. Everything in this city has a unique and special style. This is what makes it the favourite city in Italy for most of its visitors.
Florence stands out among all Italian cities for its impressive monuments and the elegance that dominates its streets. This city of undoubted beauty offers a wealth of attractions that will make you want to return to rediscover it again and again and again. It is a city where you can set out and follow to the letter a route marked out by all its essential stops. But it’s also a place to explore, investigate and get lost in the knowledge that whatever you find, you’ll love it.
What things to do in Florence?
Piazza del Duomo
This square, Piazza del Duomo is the most important point in Florence. Also, it is the square around which the historic centre of the city is located. It is notable for housing three of the most essential sights to see in Florence and the three most important religious buildings. All of them share the same base, architecture and style, built with white and green marble; the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Battistero di San Giovanni and Giotto’s Campanile.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the building that stands out above the whole city, with its impressive Brunelleschi dome. It draws a perfect silhouette in the square that surprises and impresses at first sight. Inside, it also offers one of the best panoramic views of the city from the top of its dome. The Florence Cathedral (known locally as the Duomo) has a beautiful white, green, and red marble façade common among all the buildings in Piazza del Duomo, but this one stands out for its stunning dome.
The Brunelleschi dome, built by Filippo Brunelleschi, was the architect’s greatest challenge as it is 114 metres high and 45 metres in diameter. This project took him 14 years to complete. The dome can only be climbed on foot and has 441 steps, but it is well worth it.
Giotto’s Campanile
This is the bell tower of the Florence Cathedral. It is considered one of the most beautiful monuments to see in Italy. Also, it offers a privileged view of Florence. This bell tower has 414 steps and is 84 metres high, which is why it has one of the best views of the city.
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Baptistery of St. John
The Battistero di San Giovanni is situated opposite the façade of the cathedral and is the oldest building in the Piazza del Duomo. It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist who is the patron saint of Florence. Like the other buildings in the square, the Battistero has a façade clad in white and green marble. Inside, the mosaic on the dome is particularly noteworthy.
The most important and imposing door is the so-called “Paradise Door”. It is located on the side facing the Cathedral, which its architect, Lorenzo Ghiberti, took 26 years to build.
The David and the Gallery of the Academy
One of the icons of this city that you cannot miss and that you have to see is Michelangelo’s David. The David is located in the gallery of the academy, among a large collection of sculptures, paintings and musical instruments. It is a white marble sculpture 5,17 meters high, which represents David facing Goliath. It is one of the most famous sculptures of all time, and one of the symbols of Italian art.
The sculpture was built between 1501 and 1504 in the Opera del Duomo workshops. When the work was completed, it was moved to Piazza della Signiora. However, in order to protect it from the weather, it was finally moved to the gallery of the Accademia in 1873.
Uffizi Gallery
Visiting the Uffizi Gallery is one of the things you have to do if you travel to Florence. Inside, it contains one of the most important art collections in the world. This palace museum houses the great works of art of many of the most important artists of the Renaissance. Among all the works, it is important to highlight the Bacchus by Caravaggio, The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, Tondo Doni or Holy Family by Michelangelo, The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci, The Venus of Urbino by Titian and The Madonna of the Goldfinch by Raphael.
Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio
The Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square) is located between the Piazza del Duomo and the river Arno. It has always been closely associated with civil power. The Palazzio Vecchio is the most characteristic building in the square. At its entrance you will find the sculptures of Adam and Eve, a copy of David and Hercules and Cacus. The Fountain of Neptune, another of the most representative monuments in the square, was built by Bartolomeo Ammannati.
Ponte Vechio
With its hanging houses and tents, the Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous bridges in the world. As a curiosity, the “Ponte Vecchio” is also the oldest stone bridge in Europe. Its image is the best known and most representative of the city. The Ponte Vecchio is the symbol of the romanticism that pervades the whole of Florence.
The origins of the “Ponte Vecchio” date back to 1345, making it the oldest stone bridge in Europe. In the 15th and 16th centuries, its hanging houses were occupied by butchers and slaughterers. However, when the court moved to the Pitti Palace, Ferdinand I ordered the shops closed because of the bad smell. Since then the shops have been occupied by jewellers and goldsmiths.
Piazzale Michelangelo Viewpoint
Michelangelo Square (Piazzale Michelangelo) is one of the best viewpoints in Florence. From its top you can see the city in all its splendour.
In the square, as well as a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David, you’ll find a restaurant and café where you can sit. Although you can walk up to Michelangelo Square from the south bank of the Arno River. It is a very pleasant walk through nature. Also, you can choose to use bus lines 12 and 13 which leave from the square itself. By bus, it loses a little of its charm, but it is a good option for the outward or return journey.
Republic Square
This is one of the largest squares in Florence and the heart of the city since Roman times. In the centre of the square is the Column of Plenty. This is the heart of the city, symbolising the place where the main streets of the ancient Roman city, the Cardo and the Decumano, intersect. In addition, it is a square with a lot of atmosphere and music playing, the ideal place to have a fantastic Italian gelato.
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What things to do near Florence?
One of the best things to do if you travel to Florence, to get to know the environment and essence of the place, is to do one of the routes of Tuscany; San Gimignano- Pisa- Lucca. You can stroll through the romantic streets of Lucca, visit the famous tower of Pisa and visit the charming village of San Gimignano. All are very charming and easily accessible by car or train. Trains in Italy are very cheap so it won’t cost you more than 6 € per trip.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is an Italian hilltop village in Tuscany, southwest of Florence. It is surrounded by a wall, with narrow pedestrian streets where cars cannot enter. This makes it a place to discover on foot. Also, it is like stepping back in time and is well worth a trip back in time. This village has a lot of charm and will make you want to stay for as long as possible.
Pisa
The city of Galileo Galilei is one of the most interesting places to visit in the vicinity of Florence. Moreover, it is only 100 kilometres away, making transport between the two cities quick and easy. You can’t miss the famous Tower of Pisa located in the beautiful Piazza del Duomo. But, don’t focus on seeing too many monuments, this is a city to be enjoyed without haste.
Lucca
Lucca is one of the few Italian cities that has kept the medieval splendour of its historic centre intact. It is known as “the city of 100 towers and 100 churches”, and is home to an infinite number of historical and artistic gems that are well worth a visit. It is another magical place that you will enjoy if you like art and photography.
What to do in Florence in 2 days?
To help you organise your two-day itinerary, and select the most interesting things to see in Florence, here is an idea of how you can do it. Two days is enough to see all the important sights of the city, but it may be too short as it is a city for recreation.
Day 1: Piazza del Duomo, where you can visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore, the Baptistery of St. John, and the Campanile de Giotto. In the afternoon you can stroll to the Galleria dell’Accademia to see David, and then walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Day 2: A good starting point is the Piazza della Signoria, there you can see the Palazzio Vecchio and all the statues that adorn the square such as the fountain of Neptune, then right next to the square is the Uffizi Gallery, where you will spend a lot of time so reserve a large part of the day for this stop. To end the day, a walk to the Ponte Vecchio passing through the Republic Square.
What to do in Florence in 3 days?
Three days in the beautiful Florence are perfect to discover and investigate all the charm hidden in this city. You will be able to extend in time each one of the important stops and you will be able to get lost in the streets of this city.
First day: The ideal place to start exploring the city is the Piazza del Duomo, where you can visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore and climb up to the dome to see the views, the Baptistery of St. John, and the Campanile de Giotto by climbing up to the highest point which offers a perfect view of Florence.
Second day: A good starting point is the Piazza della Signoria, there you can see the Palazzio Vecchio and all the statues that adorn the square such as the fountain of Neptune, then just off the square is the Uffizi Gallery, where you will spend a lot of time so reserve a large part of the day for this stop.
Third day: To start the day, you can enter the Galleria dell’Accademia to see the David, and then take a walk to the Ponte Vecchio passing through the Piazza della Repubblica and strolling through all the streets and jewellery shops. You will pass to the other side of the city and it is a good time to lose yourself in those streets and pass by the Boboli Garden. In the afternoon you can walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo.
How to create your itinerary of what to do in Florence?
You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the options that the Passporter App suggests. You will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and what to do in the city. Thanks to the App you can sort your selection by preferences, creating the ideal trip to Florence for you quickly and easily.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Two days would be the minimum time in Florence to see it well, but 3 days is the most recommended amount of time.
The cheapest way to get to Florence from Spain is to fly to Pisa airport. You will then have to take a train to Florence which will drop you off at Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, an hour’s journey.
The cheapest way to get from Florence airport to the city centre is by bus. There is a direct bus service, “Vola in Bus” operated by BusItalia now, which links the airport with the central train station of Santa Maria Novella (SMN) in about 20 minutes.
The entrance fee for the entire “Il grande museo del Duomo” complex, which includes the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Brunelleschi Dome, the Campanille di Giotto, the Baptistery of St. John, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Museo dell’Opera is €15.
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