Top 20 Things to do in Florence, Tuscany
Piazza della Signoria
The centre of the political life of Florence, the square is like an open museum. In the loggia and in front of Palazzo Vecchio you can admire a statue of Neptune, a copy of the famous David by Michelangelo, statues by Donatello, Hercules and a lot more. No other places in the world hosts such a great collection of statues in a square. The square was also used for executions, for example the monk Savonarola was burned here at the end of the 15th century.
The Dome
The iconic dome by Brunelleschi is one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance architecture. It has a peculiar octagonal shape and it had been the biggest dome for centuries. It is decorating Florence cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore together with the tower of Giotto and the Baptistery, two other musts in the square. The square is the most important religious center while Piazza della Signoria the political center.
David at the Accademia
David is the symbol of Florence, of Michelangelo and the Renaissance art. The statue inspired by the classical values of art was carved from one block of marble by Michelangelo Buonarroti. The copy of David is in Piazza della Signoria in front of Palazzo vecchio, the original place where the statue was supposed to be. It took 4 days to move the statue from the dome to Piazza della Signoria in 1504. If you want to learn the curiosities and the legends about this famous masterpiece, we recommend to hyre a local guide.
The Uffizi Gallery
The Offices of the important family Medici were used for their collections, today the Uffizi represent one of the most important museums in the world. We recommend to prebook the tickets to avoid long lines. Here you can admire masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Giotto and many more.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Great panorama view over the city. On the other side of the Arno River the Piazzale Michelangelo is a must when in Florence. Sunrise or sunset are recommended but at anytime you can enjoy the stunning view of Florence city center and the Arno river.
Ponte vecchio
Ponte vecchio, the old bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Italy. It used to have butcher shops but in the 16th century the Medici decided to transform the shops into Jewelery shops, which are still visible nowadays. Over the bridge there is the interesting corridoio vasariano made by Vasari. This long corridor was connecting the Medicis residences in Palazzo Pitti with their offices.
Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti was the residencial palace of the governing families of Florence: the Medici, the Lorena and the Savoia. Nowadays it holds a museum with masterpieces by Titian, Raphael and many more. The museum is the third most visited in Florence after the Uffizi and the Accademia. From Palazzo Pitti is starting the corridoio Vasariano connecting this building with the Uffizi Gallery.
Boboli Gardens
Connected with Palazzo Pitti is the Boboli garden, a nice green area with many trees where you can relax in the hot months during summer. The garden has rich and interesting decorations such as the amphitheater, the fountain of Neptune, the Artichoke fountain, the Egyptian obelisk and the fountain of the fat Bacchus.
Santa Croce
In the church of Santa Croce we have some important burials such as Michelangelo, Galilei and Ugo Foscolo. The square in front the church is the venue for the spectacular calcio fiorentino, a very old tradition which takes place on the 24th june, the day of Saint John, the special saint protector of Florence.
Santa Maria Novella
Near the train station, this beautiful church and square, is full of interesting curiosities. The square was in the past used for chariot races. It has one of the few Renaissance facades and in the square there is the balcony from where Garibaldi had a famous speech.
Try Tuscan food in local Trattorias
When visiting Florence, a juicy Florentine Steak is a pleasure for your senses. If you add also a good glass of red wine than your experience in Florence is complete. Typical plates from Tuscany are the home made pici, the worldwide famous truffle, ribollita, wildboar, pecorino cheese and a lot more. Our favorite trattorias are Trattoria dal Parione, Sergio Gozzi, Sabatino and Mario Buca.
Have a picture with the wildboar
The market of leather in the city center of Florence attracts thousands of tourists especially for the wildboar. The tourists are queing for a picture and do a special ritual. You can put a coin in the mouth, if the coin falls down through the grid, you will come back to Florence. If you don t have a coin you can just touch the wildboars nose and it will bring you good luck.
San Lorenzo and the Cappelle Medicee
San Lorenzo is a church with adjoining chapels where the powerful members of the Medici family were buried. San Lorenzo is also famous for its market. The chapels are nowadays museums where you can enjoy artworks of Raphael, Michelangelo, Ghirlandaio and Perugino.
Have a refreshing gelato
The gelato was invented in Florence by Bernardino Buontalenti who prepared a cream with sugar, egg and ice for Caterina dei Medici. Our favorites are the ice creams from Badiani, Carapina, Gelateria dei Medici, La Sorbetteria, Vivoli and Gelateria dei Neri
Wine Tasting
Florence means also Wine & Food. From the province of Florence comes also the Chianti Wine, the most famous Italian wine around the world. You can visit the Chianti Classico Area with the villages Radda, Castellina and Gaiole in a one day tour or you can drive along the Chiantigiana road connecting Florence with Siena. If you want to remain in Florence you can have a Wine tasting in the many Enotecas, Bars and Markets of Florence.
Mercato Centrale
The central market in Italian called Mercato centrale is our favourite market in Florence. You can find all different kind of Food from Tuscany from the Florentine Steak to taglieri with cold cuts and cheese, Pasta, Pizza to delicious desserts. You can also buy some good olive oil, truffle and wines to bring back to your country.
Have a snack with a Lampredotto sandwich
Typical street food in Florence is the panino with Lampredotto. Better to not go in details because we are talking about cows stomach. Once you have tried it you will not think about it anymore. This street food delicacy is sold everywhere in Florence, you can find it easily from the Lampredottai
Try a schiacciata from all'Antico Vinaio
Another must from the Florentine Street Food is the schiacciata. It's a kind of white salty pizza-bread which is pressed with the thumbs. In Italian schiacciare means to press down. You can try it in the white version or filled with tuscan cold cuts or cheese.
Oltrarno
Oltrarno means on the other side of the river Arno. It has become in the last years the most hipster Area of Florence. The Florentine citizens call this area also Diladdarno. This is the place you should visit to meet some local people.
Have an aperitivo
Aperitivo in Italy is a must and Florence has a lot to offer. From the low cost "La Sosta dei Papi" to a posher place such as "Il Locale" the Tuscan tagliere with a glass of Wine is the best way to start an evening in Florence.