Florence, Italy
Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy. There is plenty to do and see when visiting Florence. It is filled with history, great views, and all the gelato your heart desires.
If you are visiting soon or considering Florence for your next travel destination then keep reading for top things to do!
Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza Della Signoria
Getting Around Florence…
The best way to truly see and experience a city is by walking. Florence makes this very easy. Most of the major attractions are all found within District 1. This means you can walk everywhere in just 15 to 20 minutes. This area is filled with hotels, restaurants, and shops. So, it is the best place to stay when visiting Florence.
To get an idea of how close everything is I’ve included a map below highlighting the major attractions.
If you are traveling into the city by train, you’ll probably arrive to Firenze S.M.N. When I visited Florence this is how we arrived. It was very easy to navigate and within a 10 minute walk to our hotel and other main attractions.
Florence’s District 1 neighborhood
Top Attractions in Florence
Take a free walking tour of the city
What better way to learn about a city than by hearing about it from locals? I love doing these tours the first day I arrive to a city because it helps me get a sense of direction in the city. You can find these tours easily by simply typing in google “free walking tour of Florence”. The best part? You decide how much you want to pay at the end of the tour!
Visit the most famous attraction in Florence; The Duomo
The Duomo is located inside Florence’s Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. This cathedral is one of the tallest buildings in Florence. Entrance to the cathedral is free and lines are long, but move quickly. You can also visit the top of the duomo (463 steps, no elevators) by buying tickets ahead of time.
Cost to visit the top of the Duomo is $22.00 per person. You must purchase your ticket online and select a time slot in order to do this. Tickets are non-refundable, be sure to plan accordingly.
Hours:
Cathedral is open Mon-Sat from 10:00am to 4:30pm and Sun from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.
Duomo is open Mon-Fri from 8:30am to 7:00pm, Sat from 8:30am to 5:00pm, and Sun from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Stroll the many shops located in Ponte Vecchio
Another attraction you can’t miss is visiting the Ponte Vecchio, which translates to “the old bridge”. It is a medieval arch bridge that passes over the Arno river. Since its opening, it has always been filled with small shops. One of the best locations to get a full picture of the bridge is from Ponte Santa Trinita.
Observe the grandeur of Michelangelo’s David
Probably one of the most well-known sculptures in history, the David is a must-do in your list while in Florence. It is located in the Academia Gallery in Florence. Lines can be long and take a while because only a limited amount of people are allowed in at once. I recommend you go early in the mornings.
Cost is approximately $18 (at ticket booth) or $25 if you book online (helps you skip the line).
Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 8:15 am to 6:50 pm (last ticket sold at 6:15 pm).
Tip: Entrance is free for everyone the first Sunday of every month
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Visit the Piazza Della Signoria
Known as the main square in the city, it is filled with visual representations of the artistic and political background of Florence. The square is also the site of the Loggia Dei Lanzi. The Loggia is an open air, free museum filled with sculptures (including a copy of the David). The square is open all the time and it is a popular place for street performers as well.
Visit the Piazzale Michelangelo for the best views of the city
Located on a hill on the south bank of the river, this square offers beautiful panoramic views of the city. It is about a 20 minute walk from Ponte Vecchio and very worth the short climb. As a reward, you will find stands at the top where you can buy wine, beer and treats to enjoy the view with.
Take a day trip to Pisa
Pisa is only an hour train ride away from Florence. Trains run every 20 minutes making it a super easy day trip. The leaning tower is part of a complex of buildings that make up the Piazza Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles).
Opening hours vary depending on the month, but generally the hours are 10:00am to 5:00 pm. Be sure to check their page before visiting!
Cost: Free! Unless you want to do a tour, at which case there are various prices depending on the company you use.
I hope you find this post helpful and inspiring for your next adventure. If you have visited Florence and have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear about your experiencesl! Thanks for visiting, see you next time!