Things to Visit in Florence: Renaissance Art and Tuscan Food
See the world's greatest Renaissance masterpieces and eat your way through Tuscany's capital. Covers the Uffizi, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, artisan workshops, and the best gelato and bistecca.
Last updated:
0 of 24 completed0%
Copied!
World-Class Art Museums
Visit the Uffizi Gallery
Home to Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, plus works by Leonardo, Caravaggio, and Raphael. Book timed-entry tickets online (about €25) at least a week ahead — walk-up lines can exceed 3 hours in summer. Tuesday through Friday mornings are the least crowded.
See Michelangelo's David at the Accademia Gallery
The 5.17-meter marble sculpture is the main draw, but the gallery also has an excellent collection of musical instruments and unfinished Michelangelo sculptures called the Prisoners. Timed tickets cost about €16. The visit takes 60-90 minutes.
Explore the Palazzo Pitti museums
This massive Renaissance palace south of the Arno houses 5 museums including the Palatine Gallery (Raphael, Titian, Rubens) and the Costume Gallery. A combined ticket costs about €22. Most visitors skip it for the Uffizi — meaning shorter lines and more breathing room.
Visit the Bargello Museum
Florence's most underrated museum holds the largest collection of Renaissance sculpture, including Donatello's David (the first freestanding bronze nude since antiquity). Entry is about €9. Rarely crowded — you'll often have rooms to yourself.
Iconic Landmarks and Architecture
Climb Brunelleschi's Dome at the Duomo
463 steps up a narrow passageway between the inner and outer shells of the dome, with Vasari's fresco of the Last Judgment at close range. Timed tickets are mandatory (€30 for the full Duomo complex pass). Book online — the dome slots sell out days ahead.
Book timed-entry tickets for the dome climb
Visit the Baptistery and Giotto's Bell Tower (included in pass)
Walk across the Ponte Vecchio
The medieval bridge lined with gold and jewelry shops has spanned the Arno since 1345. The shops close in the evening, but the bridge stays open — sunset from the middle is one of Florence's best free experiences.
Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce
The burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli, with Giotto frescoes in the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels. Entry is about €8. The leather school behind the church sells high-quality handmade goods at workshop prices.
Explore the San Lorenzo complex
The Medici family church includes Michelangelo's Medici Chapels with his sculptural masterpieces Dawn, Dusk, Day, and Night. The Laurentian Library's staircase, also by Michelangelo, is an architectural landmark. Chapel entry is about €9.
See the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
The facade is a masterpiece of Renaissance geometry by Alberti. Inside, Masaccio's Holy Trinity (c. 1427) pioneered linear perspective in painting — a turning point in art history. Entry is about €7.50.
Neighborhoods and Markets
Explore the Oltrarno neighborhood
The south bank of the Arno is Florence's artisan quarter, home to woodworkers, bookbinders, and leather craftspeople still working in traditional botteghe (workshops). Santo Spirito square has a daily morning market and excellent evening aperitivo spots.
Browse the San Lorenzo Market
The outdoor leather market surrounds the church (bargaining is expected — start at 50% of the asking price). The indoor Mercato Centrale food hall on the upper floor has gourmet stalls open for lunch and dinner. Lampredotto (tripe sandwich) from a street cart is the local fast food.
Walk through the Boboli Gardens
The 45,000-square-meter Renaissance garden behind the Palazzo Pitti features grottoes, fountains, and sculptures. Combined with the Pitti museums ticket. Bring water in summer — there's limited shade and no café inside.
Views and Experiences
Watch sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo
The hilltop terrace across the Arno offers the most famous panoramic view of Florence — the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and surrounding hills all in one frame. Walk up (15 minutes from the river) or take bus 12 or 13. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset to claim a spot on the steps.
Visit San Miniato al Monte
Five minutes further uphill from Piazzale Michelangelo, this 11th-century Romanesque church is one of Florence's oldest and most beautiful. The Gregorian chant vespers service (usually 5:30 PM) in the crypt is an unforgettable experience. Free entry.
Climb Giotto's Bell Tower
414 steps for a view that includes the Duomo dome at eye level — something you can't get from the dome climb itself. Included in the Duomo complex pass. Less crowded than the dome and no timed entry required.
Food and Wine
Eat a bistecca alla fiorentina
A thick-cut T-bone from Chianina cattle, grilled rare, served by weight (usually 1-1.5 kg for 2 people). Expect to pay €45-65 per kilo at a good trattoria. Restaurants in Santa Croce and Oltrarno have the best reputations.
Try lampredotto from a street cart
Florence's signature street food — slow-cooked tripe served in a bread roll with salsa verde and spicy sauce. Costs about €4-5. The carts near the Mercato Centrale and Sant'Ambrogio market are the most popular.
Get gelato from an artisan gelateria
Look for gelato shops where the gelato is stored in covered metal tins (not piled high in colorful mounds — that's a sign of artificial stabilizers). A 2-scoop cone costs €2.50-4. Neighborhoods south of the Arno have less touristy options.
Do a Chianti wine tasting (half-day trip)
The Chianti region starts 20 minutes south of Florence by car. Most wineries require reservations for tastings (€15-30 per person). Greve in Chianti is the main hub town. If you don't have a car, organized van tours from Florence cost €60-100.
Try ribollita at a local trattoria
A thick Tuscan bread soup with cannellini beans, black kale, and vegetables — the definitive Florentine comfort food. Served year-round but best in cooler months. A bowl costs €8-12 at most neighborhood trattorias.
Practical Tips
Buy the Firenze Card if visiting 3+ museums
The €85 card gives 72-hour access to 80+ museums including the Uffizi, Accademia, and Palazzo Pitti with priority entry (skip the line). It pays for itself after 3-4 major museum visits. Available at tourist offices and museums.
Walk everywhere in the historic center
Florence's historic center is compact — you can walk from the train station to Piazzale Michelangelo in about 30 minutes. Most streets within the old city walls are pedestrianized. Taxis charge a flat €6 minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Florence?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including world-class art museums, iconic landmarks and architecture, neighborhoods and markets at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Florence?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Florence?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Florence?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Florence?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.