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10 Must-See Attractions in Florence, Italy: A Guide for First-Time Visitors

10 Must-See Attractions in Florence, Italy: A Guide for First-Time Visitors

Want to know the must-see attractions in Florence, Italy? First-time visitors should be sure to add these stops to their itinerary. 

First-time travelers may dream of visiting Rome but seasoned visitors know the heart of Italian art, music and cuisine lies in Florence, Italy.

Home to greats like Michelangelo, Dante and Donatello, Florence is a city of masterpieces. So many, that it’s hard to know where to begin your sightseeing.

Known as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Firenze is reminiscent of a sprawling castle, with massive wooden doors and impressive displays of masonry throughout.

Stay by the Duomo to be in the center of the action or the Oltrarno neighborhood if you’re seeking a more local experience.

You can get to and from the airport to the city center by taxi or the VolaInBus. It’s easy to access nearby locations like Pisa, Venice and Cinque Terre by train

Florence is a walkable city, with all major attractions within a 15 minute stroll of each other. Should you need a boost of energy along the way, simply stop by your nearest gelato shop for a sugar fix—there’s one on almost every corner.

To make the most out of your time in one of Italy’s busiest cities, plan ahead and make sure visit these 10 must-see attractions in Florence. 

1. The Duomo

Florence Duomo

Most people picture the Duomo as just one building; the red dome that has become synonymous with Florence. In fact, the Duomo is a complex of several buildings, including the Baptistery, Museum, Bell Tower and Dome.

One ticket to the Duomo complex gains you entry to all of the buildings and is valid for 48 hours from the time of first use.

Reservations are available and must be made in advance, including Firenze Card holders, in order to climb the Bell Tower and Dome. Click here to get Duomo Florence tickets.

Otherwise you can wait in line and enter as space becomes available, but that takes a while during the summer months and sunset hours.

Don’t miss Ghiberti’s original Gates of Paradise inside the Duomo Museum. The doors at the Baptistery, where you’ll find people lining up to take photos, are merely replicas.

2. Accademia Gallery

Florence Statue of David

The Statue of David at the Accademia Gallery is only 17 feet tall but seems larger than life. Where so many works of art fall short of expectations (I’m looking at you, Mona Lisa), Michelangelo’s David does not disappoint.

Reserve your admission ahead of time for entry first thing in the morning by booking online through the city’s website prior to your trip.

While it’s in Italian and confusing to navigate at first, you get the best price buying your tickets from the city directly as opposed to a third party vendor.

The other highlight of the Accademia is Michelangelo’s Prisoners, bringing to life his well-known quote, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”

Download Rick Steve’s free audio tour on your phone before you go–it’s more entertaining than the museum guide and saves you 6 Euro.

RELATED POST: MUST-SEE ART IN FLORENCE, ITALY

3. Piazza de la Signoria

Hercules Medusa Florence

The Piazza de la Signoria is a public square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, adjacent to Uffizi Museum. During the Renaissance, it served as a political hub and city center.

Today, it’s a pedestrian area where you’ll find vendors, horse drawn carriages and street performers, but the main draw is the outdoor art museum it holds.

The Palazzo Vecchio has a full sized replica of the Statue of David facing the square. The Loggia dei Lanzi, an arched and open-air building, houses Perseus Holding the Head of Medusa and the Medici lions.

In the middle of the Piazza you’ll find the famous Fountain of Neptune.

In any other city, you’d have to pay admission to view works of this caliber, but Florence has so much art it’s literally overflowing into the streets.

The square and its sculpture collection can be enjoyed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

4. Scuola di Cuoio

Scuola di Cuoio Florence

Florence is known for fine handcrafted leather, and the best place to buy leather products is at the Scuola di Cuoio. Don’t let the name fool you—this may be a leather school but the merchandise is far from rudimentary.

You’ll find expertly crafted jackets, purses and accessories from belts to portfolios. Tours are available for small groups only but visitors can see craftsmen at work as they peruse the available merchandise.

You pay more for leather items here than you might at other stores or markets throughout the city, but you can rest assured knowing that what you’re buying is the highest quality Florentine leather.

5. Mercato Centrale

Florence

Mercato Centrale is an indoor food market in the center of the old city, housed in a warehouse setting. It’s open late, 7 days a week, and filled with specialty shops, bars and restaurants.

There are tables everywhere but finding a seat can be hard because it’s so popular.

This is your one-stop for gelato, pasta, vino and steak all under one roof.

RELATED POST: 5 FOODS YOU MUST EAT WHILE VISITING FLORENCE, ITALY

6. Piazza Michelangelo

Florence, Italy

Want picture perfect views of Florence? Head to Piazza Michelangelo. This is the one site in Florence more easily accessed by taxi or bus than by walking.

The square overlooks the Ponte Vecchio Bridge and provides a postcard-worthy shot of the city. ‘

You can walk to the nearby Church of San Miniato, which was built in the 12th century and features elaborate marble detail throughout. Also, Carlo Collodi, creator of Pinocchio, is buried in the church’s cemetery.

7. Day Trip to Pisa 

Day Trip Pisa

You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone unfamiliar with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the world’s most famous architectural blunder.

The city itself offers little more to tourists than the Pisa complex, however, making this the perfect half day trip to take from Florence.

Like the Duomo, the Pisa complex consists of several buildings, including the Tower, Baptistery, museum, and Cathedral.

RELATED POST: PLANNING THE PERFECT DAY TRIP TO PISA FROM FLORENCE

Located just an hour outside Florence and easily accessible by train, you can venture out first thing in the morning to take an iconic picture holding up the Leaning Tower before the crowds hit and be back by lunchtime.

8. Boboli Gardens

Pitti Palace is brimming with artwork, so much so that maps are provided to help you navigate the walls. But on a nice day there’s no better place to be than the palace’s backyard, the Boboli Gardens.

Fans of Dan Brown’s Inferno novel will recognize the gardens from the book’s thrilling chase. Spanning more than 100 acres, the gardens are expansive and offer stunning city views.

Art fans will also enjoy visiting the Bountalenti Grotto, featuring fairytale forms and frescoes on the walls.

Access is extremely limited, with guests only allowed to enter for five minutes a day at precisely 3:30pm.

9. Opera at St. Mark’s Church

There is no more authentic venue to watch live opera than St. Mark’s Church.

Located just 2 blocks away from the Ponte Vecchio bridge, it is an active church that still holds weekly services. The setting is intimate, with seats spanning three rows back around the perimeter of the venue so attendees are only feet away from the performers.

Your ticket also includes a complimentary drink during intermission, a steal at just 25 Euro.  

RELATED POST: THE BEST OPERA IN FLORENCE, ITALY

Those not fond of opera generally will still enjoy Love Duets, and hour and a half performance featuring the well known songs like “O Sole Mio” and “Volare.”

10. The Uffizi

Uffizi Florence

An obligatory mention on the list, the Uffizi galleries are impressive but the museum is always crowded, making it difficult to enjoy or even view the art.

If you can’t imagine leaving Florence without seeing Boticelli’s Birth of Venus for yourself, aim to go at the end of the day when most of the tour groups have cleared out.

Click here for Uffizi Gallery Tickets

If you haven’t been to Florence, you haven’t full experienced Italy. Make sure the city and its top attractions are on your must-see list. 

RELATED POST: 5 REASONS TO VISIT SICILY, ITALY

Till next time, safe travels!

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10 must-see places in Florence, Italy. All the best things to do in Firenze, from the David Statute to the Duomo. Don't visit Italy's most famous city without crossing these sites off your list!

10 must-see places in Florence, Italy. All the best things to do in Firenze, from the David Statute to the Duomo. Don't visit Italy's most famous city without crossing these sites off your list!

 

zaire

Monday 16th of December 2019

I also spent a really good time there during my last journey and we came back with stunning memories.

Lisa-Dawn

Tuesday 1st of May 2018

I am so excited and grateful for your post. My new husband and I are heading to Florence in Sept for our belated honeymoon. It has been my dream to travel to Italy for many years. I am concerned though we are not spring chicken couple and in fact I have mobility limitations. Do you know if any of the sites have services for the disabled. I am so blessed to be able to take this trip of dreams with the love of my life. Thank you for all of the suggestions and any help.

Jen on a Jet Plane

Friday 4th of May 2018

I'm so excited for you Lisa-Dawn! Absolutely, a lot of the major museums and attractions are wheelchair accessible, including the Uffizi and Accademia. I'd say your biggest concern would be lodging since I know lifts aren't common, but if you find a hotel that's accessible it sounds like you're in for an unforgettable, and long overdue, honeymoon!

Abhinav

Tuesday 15th of August 2017

Will note them for when I visit there. There seems to be a lot to see, culturally speaking

Jen on a Jet Plane

Thursday 17th of August 2017

So much to see! It's cultural overload in Florence haha :)

Susan Ripley

Wednesday 2nd of August 2017

This is such a good balance of different types of activities! I always love visiting food markets, so I'd have to hit Mercato Centrale for sure! And the Scuola di Cuoio for leather goods and the Opera sound like unforgettable cultural experiences. Great post!

Katie

Tuesday 1st of August 2017

I 100% agree on getting the Firenze card! I wish I had done that! Great post. I just got back from Florence and it made me miss it!!