Last Updated on October 3, 2022 by Soumya
Florence, the cradle of Renaissance, is absolutely the best place for any history or culture-addict. After experiencing so many interesting things to do in Rome that included a mindblowing tour of the Colosseum, we were really looking forward to spending a couple of days in the artistic town of Firenze (Florence). And that is because some of the best historical sights to see in the world are in Florence.
There is so much you can do in Florence. It can actually be a little overwhelming when you start out. And if you are sightseeing in Florence only for a day or two, the fear of missing out can creep in. For that very purpose, we made you a list of things that you should absolutely not miss when doing your Florence sightseeing tour.
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Best sights to see in Florence
We have divided our list of sights to see in Florence by type i.e. into churches, museums, art masterpieces, piazzas, palaces, and gardens. This will help you pick and choose depending on your preferences.
If you are in Florence for a day or a week or simply visiting Florence on a cruise holiday, this to-do list will help you get sorted. Additionally, you can take several day trips to pretty Tuscan villages nearby if you ever get overwhelmed by all the Renaissance art. Sounds like an amazing Florence vacation, doesn’t it?
So let’s get started with our list of the best things to do in Florence, one of the must-visit places in Italy.
Must-See Churches in Florence
When you are in Florence, you cannot miss the churches. It was in these churches that many magnificent pieces of art were commissioned during the Renaissance. They are, therefore, the most important sights to see in Florence especially if you wish to learn more about the Renaissance.
Santa Maria del Fiore or the Florence Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or Florence Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in Florence. It is actually the Florence that you have always seen in photographs and travel guides. And there is no way you will ever leave Florence without visiting Santa Maria del Fiore.
Santa Maria del Fiore is the most visited sight in the city. The cathedral has magnificent interiors and exteriors as well as a beautifully painted dome. Look up to see the Last Judgement painted inside the dome. You can also climb up 463 steps and take in breathtaking views of the city and beyond.
Apart from beautiful interiors, the exterior of Brunelleschi’s Dome also takes your breath away. You can view and appreciate Brunelleschi from various vantage points in Florence. And the dome looks pretty from all angles.
Santa Maria Novella
The church of Santa Maria Novella is another fascinating sight to see in Florence. I was impressed by the expressive exterior of the church which is also the oldest surviving facade in Florence today.
Santa Maria Novella may not be as important as del Fiore but it holds many famous frescoes by Renaissance masters. The Strozzi Chapel bears some exotic ones such as the Last Judgement, Hell, and Paradise.
If you are looking for more fascinating monuments, try taking some day trips from Florence and check out what the Tuscan land has to offer.
Must-Visit Museums in Florence
The museums of Florence are absolute-must sights to see in Florence. Because these are the places where all that treasure of art and sculpture from the Renaissance period rests.
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi is one of the world’s top art museums that is housed in a large building constructed in the 16th century. Collections in the gallery include some of the best masterpieces from the Renaissance period. A few notable ones are the Adoration of Magi, Madonna with Child, Annunciation, Birth of Venus, Coronation of the Virgin, and Medusa.
The sculpture collection at Uffizi is also rich. Portraits of emperors and OF important men and women dot the galleries. A fascinating and more visual way to dig deeper into Roman history. I was riveted by the image of the Togaed child. Check it out if you get a chance.
Wish to learn about the origins of Roman Toga? Read our post on the Etruscan Necropolises of Tarquinia.
The Accademia Gallery
The Accademia or the Gallery of the Academy of Florence is another spectacular art museum in Firenze. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Florence even if you are here for a day.
Accademia is much better known as the Home of David – Michaelangelo’s masterpiece. David, a Biblical hero, is sculpted in white marble as a standing nude male. The statue is 14 ft tall and is uncannily perfect. This makes it one of the most famous sculptures in the whole world.
Must-See Art Pieces in Florence
Because Florence was the center of Renaissance art, you cannot leave the city without taking a glimpse of the best masterpieces here.
Michaelangelo’s David
Like we have already discussed, Michaelangelo’s David is one of the most famous and awe-inspiring pieces of sculpture in the world. At 14 ft tall and with an out-of-the-world perfection, this statue easily stands out from the many other impressive ones at the Accademia Gallery in Florence. It is easily one of the best sights to see in Florence and should not be missed.
Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise
The Gates of Paradise are a pair of gilded bronze doors installed at the east entrance of the Baptistry of San Giovanni. They were created by Ghiberti in the 15th century and are recognized as a masterpiece of Early Renaissance.
The gates have 10 panels representing various scenes from the Old Testament. The reliefs are breathtakingly beautiful – you must not miss them while sightseeing in Florence.
Botticelli’s Birth of Venus
Botticelli’s masterpiece – Birth of Venus – is housed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. It depicts the arrival of Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, on land.
Mosaics in the Baptistery in Piazza Duomo
At the Florence Baptistery, you will find captivating mosaics adorning the octagonal dome. The mosaics were created over a period of 100 years in many phases. The Last Judgement is the largest and most important one here.
Looking for some more beautifully-painted duomos? Check out our one-day itinerary of Naples.
Must-Visit Piazzas & Bridges
Apart from being the center of art and architecture, Florence is also home to some remarkable local spaces and culture. The town squares are an important component. Plus, Florence has this quirky, little thing called Ponte Vecchio which draws tourists from near and far.
Ponte Vecchio or The Old Bridge
Well, if you are planning a trip to Florence, then you need to have Ponte Vecchio on your Florence itinerary. Ponte Vecchio is the uber-famous arch bridge over the Arno River in Florence. The bridge has a long history going back to the 10th century when it is believed to have been built for the first time.
Today, Ponte Vecchio is filled with quaint little shops owned by jewelers, artists, and souvenir sellers. And is one of the most favorite and inexpensive sights to see in Florence. In fact, it is one of the most unique things to do if you are visiting Italy with kids.
The bridge is usually crowded but I suggest you go despite that. The crowd, the noise, and those shops are what make Ponte Vecchio so special and so Florentine.
Piazzale Michaelangelo
If you are crazy about panoramic views, then you have to visit Piazzale Michaelangelo. The square offers incredible views of the city and that includes views of Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Florence Duomo which may actually steal your heart.
Try coming here at dusk. The buildings are bathed in an ethereal glow of gold as the sun goes down the horizon. The sight is even prettier when it gets dark and city lights start coming in one by one. The monuments appear strangely medieval against a backdrop of black, blue, and purple with golden flickering inside them. Definitely one of the best things to do in Florence at night.
Must-Visit Palaces in Florence
Apart from renowned museums and churches, Florence has some pretty grand palaces too. And you must drop in at at least one on your Florence sightseeing tour.
Palazzo Vecchio
An imposing palace called Palazzo Vecchio was the seat of power during the Renaissance. It was constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries and was the resplendent residence of the Medici family of Florence. It is located on Piazza della Signoria, the most important square of Florence.
Today, Palazzo Vecchio houses the Museum of Ragazzi, the Town Hall, and several other offices. The palace is famous for having a number of hidden passages that helped the Medici family to escape from enemies.
Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti was another residence of the House of Medici. It is located on the opposite side of River Arno from Palazzo Vecchio, a short distance from Ponte Vecchio. Palazzo Pitti went on to house two more royal families after the Medicis.
The palace has now been converted into 4 museums – Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palatine Gallery, Modern Art Gallery, and the Museum of Costume & Fashion. The Palatine Gallery Royal Apartments on the first are a must-visit when you are in Florence.
Must-Visit Gardens in Florence
When you are in Florence you must not skip visiting the gardens here. If you thought Florence was only about art, museums, and churches, then these beautiful gardens will surprise you. Two of them listed below are quite picturesque and the most wonderful sights to see in Florence.
Boboli Gardens – Famous Gardens of Florence
16th-century Italian gardens, the Boboli are a famous lot. Boboli Gardens were the gardens of residence of the great dukes of Tuscany in the middle ages.
Today, they are one of the most visited sights in Florence and form an integral part of the Historic Center of Florence – a UNESCO Heritage Site. They are one of the largest green spaces in the city apart from functioning as a veritable open-air museum with an amphitheater, sculptures, water fountains, and manicured grounds.
Bardini Gardens – A hidden gem
Bardini Gardens are yet another set of greens located on the Florentine hills. It is an Italian Renaissance garden but one of the lesser-known gems in the city.
The garden features a long, baroque staircase, a wisteria arbor, baroque statues, and a terrace that provides spectacular views of the city. The best part is that Bardini is far less crowded than Boboli making it an ideal spot to lounge around and appreciate what lies in front of you.
Check out a different kind of Renaissance garden with monsters at Bomarzo on a day trip from Rome.
These are our picks on the most amazing sights to see in Florence when you are doing a city sightseeing tour.
There is so much to do in the Renaissance city that it is easy to feel lost and confused. Having a bucket list of things to do in Florence just makes life so much easier. Doesn’t it?
Have you visited Florence yet? What did you love about the city? What is your favorite spot here? Do let me know in the comments and let’s get the conversation going.
If you are planning a trip to Italy, do not forget to check out our other posts for historical and cultural travel ideas.
10 Must-Do Things in Rome
Complete Guide to Visiting The Colosseum
16 Amazing Day Trips from Rome
How to spend a day in Naples
How to visit the Valley of Temples in Agrigento
Exploring Sicilian Baroque art in Modica Sicily
More on Italy
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You just reminded me that I am yet to complete Florence. I only managed to spend a few hours there 🙁 . I still have to see the Duomo from the inside and explore all these lovely palaces that you share. Would three days be good?
3 days are good for Florence, Ami. Especially because you are such a history lover. Those museums could take days on their own. 3 days gives you ample time to relax and enjoy your time there. In case you are planning to do some day trips as well, I would recommend spending more time.
You have brought back such lovely memories of my visit to Florence 6 years ago. I wonder how you managed to get a picture of Michelangelo’s David? I remember when we were there, they did not allow us to take any! I love your night shot of the Florence cathedral as well, you’ve done an amazing job! Even Ponte Vecchio.
Florence is indeed close to my heart, infact whole of Italy is. Santa Maria Novella took me by surprise. It was not in my plan, but I just went it when I had some spare time before my bus arrived, as it was close to the bus station and I was so so shocked, surprised and awestruck! Its frescoes are just magnificent.
I went to see David early in the morning, so I can see how sexy he is without too much crowd. Haha…..
Its sad that I didn’t have time to explore the gardens of Florence. This looks nice.
Good point about David. Will try that next time I am there. 😉 And I hope you get to see the gardens when you go there again.
The photograph of the Florence Cathedral blew my mind away. I would so love to visit it and see it for myself exactly from Piazzale Michaelangelo. I don’t like visiting gardens personally but Bardini Gardens seem to be quite different from what I have generally been to. Great info on Florence and sightseeing places.
Thanks Pooja. The view from Piazzale Michelangelo is very enticing. The whole city of Florence with a beautiful cathedral dotting the sky.
Goodness, this brings back memories! I was there when I was 14. It makes me want to head back. Especially to see the churches! 🙂
I am glad I could bring back those memories.
This must be such a beautiful and inspirational city. With so much history, there is so many sights to see and they all have interesting stories to tell. Churches are always on my list to visit, so this was a great post to me. I hope I get to back to Italy soon and also visit Florence while I’m there.
That’s so true, Paula. Every single place has an interesting story to tell. I hope you visit Florence soon.
I must admit Italy is one of my favourite holiday destinations and I have travelled much of it excluding Florence. I would live to visit it soon and your post gives me a good idea of what to see and how to go about. Without a doubt the most iconic building would be the Santa Maria del Fiore or the Florence Cathedral. The architecture is one of the main attractions I say and one worth every mention. Thanks for sharing s very informative post.
Thanks Amar for your kind words. And yes, the Duomo is definitely the most iconic monument in Florence. I hope you get to visit it soon.
Ah, your post and beautiful pictures brought back some sweet memories about Florence. We went there for our niece’s wedding some years ago and absolutely fell in love with this city. We only spent a few days in Florence, but I’m hoping to return. I’d like to revisit all these sites again and see Bardini Gardens, which we missed last time.
Bardini is a great choice, Anda. Especially because it is far less crowded than the Boboli. Florence is absolutely lovable. And I can imagine how amazing it would have been to attend a wedding in a beautiful city like Florence.
I loved Florence for its great architecture but I spent only 2 days and 1 night there. The view of full Florence city from top of Piazzale Michaelangelo is really amazing and nothing can beat this. Also the bridges of Florence are very romantic and beautiful. Florence Cathdral is truly a landmark of its skyline. Though I did not get time to visit museums but hopefully next time I will surely go for it.
The museums will make a great addition for your itinerary next time, Yukti. And you are so right about the bridges and the views from Piazza Michelangelo. Simply stunning!