12 Interesting Things to Do in Florence, Italy! (Tips + Tricks)

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Did you even go to Florence if you did not see Michelangelo’s David?

These famous places are the absolute must-visit during a trip to Florence, Italy. The incredibly beautiful city of Firenze is famous for being a romantic destination and a center of the Renaissance movement. If you are short on time, make sure to visit the top five; these wonderful sights will make your trip memorable.

First things first, let’s talk about transportation!

How do I get to Florence?

I went to Florence from Cinque Terre by train. It took around 3 hours by train, and I had one transfer at Pisa Centrale before arriving at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella station. Be aware that there might not be room in the train for big luggages! I personally booked my train ticket and monitored my journey through the apps that I recommended in my previous post.

How do I get around the city?

What surprised me was that Florence was very much walkable! The places to visit are not very far from each other and I was able to plan my day pretty efficiently. I would recommend you to do the same, because when I checked out the bus routes it took the same duration as plain ol’ walking!

What is Florence known for and what should I see?

1. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore / Piazza del Duomo

Start your day with the most iconic sight of Florence: the Duomo! This building was constructed in 1436 in an eyecatchingly Gothic/Gothic Revival style. Come early, because an hour can mean a world of a difference in terms of experience. As the main destination most tourists seek, it is expected that the crowd will grow much larger the later the day gets! In the piazza, you can also find Giotto’s campanile (bell tower) that you can climb to the top. There are 414 steps to reach the top, and the admission ranges from 20-30 EUR depending on how many Duomo monuments you’d like to enter.

2. Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio literally translates to “old bridge”, since it is a medieval bridge first documented in 966 (wow, over a millennium ago!). It is pedestrian-only with shops lining the sides of the structure, mostly being watch or jewelry stores. Since this is also one of the main things tourists seek, be aware that you will encounter a crowd if you go later in the day- this will last until the night!

3. Galleria dell’Accademia

This museum is small, but it holds the world-famous Michelangelo statue- David! Other than the main star, they have other statues from Renaissance artistes of Florence. If you are interested in visiting this museum, I definitely recommend booking in advance. I booked through their official ticketing website, B-Ticket, around 2 months in advance, and the dates get filled up quickly. A travel hack, though: you can get last-minute tickets, even when B-Ticket is sold out, through websites like Get Your Guide*!

Alas, during my actual visit, the museum closed its doors during the time slot I registered for (8:30 am) due to hours-long internal meeting. I had to come back later and queued up for hours because of this issue. All was not lost, though, because I was able to come to place #4 right when they open 💞

4. Oblate Library (Bibliotecca delle Oblate)

The best café view in Florence, period! 🖼️ The Oblate Library has a café located on the topmost floor of their building, and it has an amazing view of the Duomo. Thankfully, I was able to come early and have the whole place to myself for awhile. The view really took my breath away the first time I entered the café’s doors, and I think it will take yours away too! Order some drinks, nibble on some cantucci, and contemplate how lucky you are to be seeing this awe-inspiring sight. 😱

5. Giardino delle Rose

Once you cross the Ponte Vecchio, you head to a stunning rose garden where you can enter for free. The atmosphere was so very romantic, and there are so many different colors of roses there! People also brought some books and snacks and have little picnics. This is the perfect place to sit back, wind down, and maybe bring that book you’ve always wanted to read. 🌹

6. Piazzale Michelangelo

See a stunning sunset from a panoramic point of view! After stopping by the Giardino delle Rose, continue your hike up the hill and arrive at a very romantic view of the Florentine skyline (I even saw a proposal!). It can be quite hectic, but seeing the city during sunset is just an experience like no other. Be prepared to wait a little while to get a photo spot for yourself!

7. Wine window (buchette del vino)

Wine lovers who are up for a clandestine experience, swing by Florence’s increasingly rare wine windows! These were created during the Renaissance to sell wine while avoiding the Black Death ☠️. The revival of wine windows during the Covid-19 pandemic was an interesting phenomenon of history repeating itself. You simply go up to the small window, ring the bell, give out the Euros, and get a glass of wine 🍷. There are quite a few scattered throughout the city, but some of the most visited ones are Babae in Piazza Santo Spirito and Osteria Belle Donne in Santa Maria Novella.

8. Uffizi Gallery

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Named after the word “office”, this museum used to be the literal judiciary office of Cosimo de’ Medici. This family has deeply rooted history in Florence, and you will see their family crest all over town. The building, created by famed architect Giorgio Vasari, is filled with many famous paintings. Some of the most recognizable paintings you can find in the Uffizi are: “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli, “Medusa” by Caravaggio, and “Tondo Doni”– Michelangelo‘s only painting!

9. Mercato Centrale / San Lorenzo Market

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Find plenty of food and leather shops in the central market of Florence! It is free to enter, and you can find local food specialties such as lampredotto (cow stomach sandwich), porchetta (roasted pork belly) and delicious Italian cheeses. Don’t miss out on the cured meats, get your truffle and prosciutto fix here as well!

10. Gelateria Vivoli

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The oldest gelato shop in Florence is known for their luscious affogato! It is a luscious scoop of vanilla gelato, drowned in a shot of espresso. The icy sweetness of the gelato balances out the bitterness of espresso, creating a wonderful harmony for both coffee and ice cream lovers alike.

11. La Sorbetteria

I saw this gelateria being recommended by Italians as a high-quality gelato shop, so I had to try it for myself. Their gelatos are stored in a lidded container; no colorful mounds of gelato with artificial flavorings here! La Sorbetteria pride themselves as an artisan-made gelato shop with various flavor offerings, and they definitely did not disappoint. I ordered the pistacchio and cream cheese (!) gelato and they were soo yummy 😋! I visited their shop near Piazza Santo Spirito, but they are available in 3 different locations throughout the city.

12. Leather school of Florence (Scuola di cuoio)

If you are looking for high-quality souvenirs for your loved ones, you need to visit this leathercraft school! It has a long history, with its conception just after the World War II. They sell leather goods created in their workshop on the ground floor, and you can see plenty of bags and small leather goods sold in the shop. Some of the smaller goods you can buy for souvenirs are: wallets, belts, journals with leather cover, and passport covers. Nonetheless, you can be assured that the handbags they sell are really high quality.

I hope this guide helps you to plan the most fulfilling trip to Florence, Italy! It is, I’d have to say, the most romantic city I have ever visited. I love how walkable the city is, and as the center of the rise of Renaissance, it is such an honor to be able to visit this place.

P.S. = Before you go, download the best apps for traveling in Italy and make your life easier! Also see my guide for Cinque Terre and save some time on your research 💕

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