Travel guide: What to see and do in Florence

The best way to see and visit Florence: Take a free tour

What to see in Florence in 1 - 3 days?

Welcome to Firenze, as the Italians say. This is a city that attracts its visitors for its tourist offer, its delicious gastronomy and its cultural and monumental heritage.

Located in the north of the central region of Italy, it has become one of the favorite travel destinations in Tuscany. Walking through the city of the Renaissance will take you to another era where you can enjoy its historic center and end up watching the sunset from the famous Ponte Vecchio.

In this guide we will tell you everything you need to know before planning your trip to Florence.

How to plan my visit to Florence?

At Yoorney we have local tour guides who offer you the best selection of guided tours, free tours and excursions in Florence and other cities around the world.

A different and fun way to discover a city.

Hey Yoorner! Do you want to live adventures? Visit the city in a different way with our Tours of Florence!

Why visit Florence?

If you have in mind going to one of the most important cities in Italy, do you want to know the essential places to visit in Florence?

They say about it that no matter how many times you visit it, it never runs out. Without a doubt, Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance and artists like Dante, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Also, it has been the home and source of inspiration for poets like Boccacio or Petrarch and thinkers like Galileo or Machiavelli.

These are the essential places to see and visit in Florence in 3 days (or a weekend getaway). Take note!

12 essential places to see and do in Florence

1. Duomo Square

One of the first places to visit in Florence is undoubtedly the Piazza del Duomo. This beautiful square is considered the historical and religious center of the city.

Here you will find some of the most important and emblematic tourist spots in Florence:

What to see and do in Piazza del Duomo?

Florence Cathedral

Known under the name of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), it was built by Filippo Brunelleschi and stands out in the square with its impressive façade in white and green marble, and the spectacular 45-meter-diameter dome that plays a very important in the history of architecture.

Giotto's Campanile

Right next to the Duomo, you will find this incredible 14th century bell tower, the work of Giotto, Pisano and Talenti, which today is one of the most beautiful places to see in Florence. On the outside, its Gothic style in green, white and pink marble stands out, and inside you will discover the 414 steps that await you to climb to the top with some 84 meters high and have amazing panoramic views of the historic center of the city. city and the imposing dome of the cathedral in the foreground.

The Battistery of San Giovanni

Located right in front of the Cathedral, this construction completes the architectural ensemble of the square. The Battisterio de San Giovanni is the oldest in the square and stands out with its octagonal structure covered in white and green marble that blends perfectly with the rest of the monuments found in the area.

Yoorney Tips! Get to know the main monuments of the square on this Florence Tour.

2. Piazza della Signoria

Very close to Piazza del Duomo, is another of the busiest and most famous squares in the city.

This beautiful place has had different uses throughout history, at the time of the Roman Empire, there were some thermal facilities here that later, in the Middle Ages, were eliminated and little by little the artisans took over the place. Today it can be considered the center of civil power in Florence.

What to see and do in Piazza della Signoria?

Vecchio's Palace

This Palace has received different names, originally it was called Palazzo dei Priori, later in the fifteenth century it became Pazzo della Sgnoria. In the 16th century, Duke Cosimo I de' Medici moved his residence there, turning it into the Doge's Palace and finally it was renamed Palazzo Vecchio when the residence of the Medici family was moved to the new Palazzo Pitti.

The Loggia della Signoria

This place is also known as the Loggia dei Lanzi. It is a kind of open-air museum or gallery where you can find some important sculptures and enjoy them for free. Some of these sculptures are "The kidnapping of the Sabine women", "The kidnapping of Polissena or "The lions of the Medici", but without a doubt one of the most important is Perseus with the head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini in his hand, this sculpture has great symbolism, representing the power of the duke against the republic.

The Equestrian Statue of Cosimo I de Medici

In the center of the square you will find this sculpture that dates back to 1594 and shows who was in power at the time, Cosimo I de Medici. This work was built by Juan de Bologna, the most important sculptor in the city at that time. This sculptor was also the creator of the statue of Felipe III located in the Plaza Mayor in the city of Madrid.

3. Ponte Vecchio

If you think of Florence, surely this iconic bridge will quickly come to mind. This stone construction over the Arno River is considered the oldest bridge in Europe, since its origins date back to the year 1345. In addition, one of the most surprising facts is that it was one of the few bridges that was not bombed and consequently destroyed, during World War II.

Something that has always characterized this beautiful and emblematic bridge are its hanging houses that have not always been occupied by jewelers and goldsmiths as is the case today, but during the 15th and 16th centuries it was butchers and butchers who settled in the area, until Fernando I, ordered these establishments to close due to the bad smell.

4. Church of Santa Croce

The construction of the church began in the year 1294 and it is the largest Franciscan church in the world. In Florence it is only surpassed in size by the Duomo, the authentic pantheon of Florence.

Inside you can find frescoes by artists such as Giotto, Brunelleschi or Donatello, as well as more than 300 tombs of famous people such as Galileo Galilei, Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo, among others.

PRICES

General admission 8€.

Audio guide: 4€.

Schedules

From Monday to Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sundays and religious holidays: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

5. Oltrarno neighborhood

Located on the left bank of the Arno River, the Oltrarno area stretches out, something like the other Florence, where Florentine artisans carry out their trade as old-fashioned sculptors, tanners or restorers, recovering the magic of manual labor with love. and patience.

This area was very popular in Florence before the year 1150, when the Medici settled there. Nowadays, walking through its alleys, visiting old squares full of workshops, is a delight. By the way, speaking of delicacies, in the area you will also find restaurants, where you can enjoy the best fresh pasta at a reasonable price, unlike the other side of the river.

6. Markets

In Florence there are three markets that you should not miss, they are very central and in them you will find an infinite number of gifts and souvenirs from the city.

New Market

Going down from Piazza del Duomo along Via Roma, you will find the famous Mercato Nuovo or also known as Porcellino Market. This name is due to the emblematic bronze sculpture by Pietro Tacca, located on one side of the market and representing a wild boar, but not just any boar, it is said that if you rub its snout it will bring you luck.

San Lorenzo Market

This market was inaugurated in 1874 and as in any market, in this place you can find an infinite number of products such as t-shirts, key rings and all kinds of souvenirs from your trip to Florence.

Central Market

Located on the first floor of the historic San Lorenzo covered market, the Mercato Centrale project emerged in 2014 as a celebration of the 140th anniversary of the original construction by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni, dating back to 1874. It is a gourmet paradise perfect for lovers of good food, since here you can find top-quality gastronomic products.

7. Palazzo Pitti

This imposing building was built in the 15th century under the commission of Luca Pitti, a friend of Cosimo de' Medici, and was later bought by Eleonora de Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I de' Medici. From there, it was remodeled until it became the construction we know today.

Over the years it passed from one hand to another, even being used by Napoleon as his residence. Currently this palace houses sculptures, paintings and all kinds of items arranged in several museums:

The Palatina Gallery where you will find works by Renaissance and Baroque artists such as Rubens, Titian or Raphael.
The Gallery of Modern Art, with pictorial and sculptural works by Italian artists from the 18th century to the First World War.
The Costume Museum, considered the only fashion history museum in Italy.
The Silver Museum, with all kinds of objects that make up what was the treasure of the Medici family, jewels, precious stones, etc...
The Porcelain Museum, where pieces collected from the different palaces of Italy are exhibited, including items that belonged to the Savoia.

8. Boboli Gardens

Just behind Palazzo Pitti, are these 45,000 m2 gardens, the largest green space in the Tuscan capital.

The garden project was carried out by Niccolò Pericoli until his death, after which Davide Fortini and Giorgio Vasari continued the works, although Ammannati also collaborated by designing the patio that bears his name.

This place is ideal to relax, you can walk around the lake, enjoying the fountains, sculptures, caves, even an amphitheatre.

PRICES

General admission: from 10€.

Schedules

November - February. From Monday to Sunday: 08.15 - 16.30.

March and October: Monday to Sunday: 08:15 - 17:30.

April, May and September: Monday to Sunday: 08:15 - 18:30.

June - August: Monday to Sunday: 08.15 - 19.00. h..

9. Piazzale Michelangelo

This square was built to honor the artist Michelangelo, which is why in addition to bearing his name, in this place you will find copies of the statues exhibited in the Medici Chapel and of David.

But this is not the only thing that you can see in this square, since the vast majority of tourists go up here to enjoy one of the most special views of Florence, these are undoubtedly the best panoramic views of the city and if you add the sunset, this, will be an experience that you will never forget

10. Church of Santa Maria Novella

This church dates from the year 1246, the project began at the hands of the Dominicans Sisto of Florence and Ristoro da Campi and continued thanks to Jacopo Talenti.

The beauty of its white and green marble façade is mesmerizing, even being considered one of the jewels of the Florentine Renaissance. Inside, which is divided into three naves, you will find different chapels decorated with frescoes by Giotto, Ghirlandaio, Masaccio and Filipino Lippi. In addition, right next to the church, is the Convent, in which the Chapel of the Spaniards stands out, where you can see a fresco by Andrea Bonaiuti.

11. Medici Chapel

This chapel is located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo and its construction was carried out in 1422 by Filippo Brunelleschi, under the order of Cosme de' Medici.

It really is a complex that includes the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Mausoleum of the Princes and the New Sacristy, the work of Michelangelo and which functions as the funeral chapel of the Medici family.

Today the place can be visited as it is a state museum, here you can learn about the legend of one of the most important families in Florence as well as the history of the city.

12. Museums

One of the attractions of Florence is its great cultural offer, but in this guide you will find the most important and famous museums in the city:

Uffizi Gallery

Located at the foot of the Arno river, in the heart of the city, this gallery is the most visited in the city and one of the best museums in Florence. It is a 16th century palace where some of the most important works in the world are exhibited.

Some of the most emblematic pieces in the collection are, for example, "The Birth of Venus" by Botticelli, "Adoration of the Magi" by Da Vinci, "The Holy Family" by Michelangelo and "Bacchus" by Caravaggio , among other.

Academy Gallery

This gallery is the second most visited in the city of Florence and is internationally known for housing the most famous sculpture in the world, Michelangelo's David, a 5-meter-high piece of white marble that impresses everyone who stops by. to admire him for the incredible details with which the artist reflects the tension of David while fighting Goliath.

Bargello National Museum

This museum, which is actually a palace, is famous for exhibiting the largest collection of Renaissance sculptures from the 14th to 16th centuries. This palace was built as a residence for the Barguello, until it was set up as a museum in the 19th century. The name originates from the figure of the Barguello, the former mayor of the city.

Some of the most important works in his exhibition are Donatello's David and Michelangelo's Bacchus.

Galileo Museum

Located in what was the old Palazzo Castellani, is this museum dedicated to science, where you can enjoy the telescopes that Galileo Galilei used to discover the satellites of Jupiter or the lunar mountains and also its library with all kinds of books dedicated to To science.

Where to eat in Florence?

Who does not know Italian food? As in all places in Italy, Florentine gastronomy is spectacular and is characterized by seasonal products from the region. They have high quality products, such as oils, pasta, sausages and vegetables. We give you some recommendations to taste the typical foods of the area.

4 places to eat in Florence

Osteria All'antico Vinaio. The specialty of this place is undoubtedly the schiacciata, something like a square bread sandwich with the ingredients of your choice, prosciutto, tomato, mozzarella, Tuscan pecorino, truffle sauce and many more. The best thing is the quality of the product combined with good prices, you can eat a good sandwich for about 5 euros.
Trattoria Mario. A most traditional restaurant, where you can enjoy from a good Fiorentina, a very typical beef steak from the Tuscany region, to homemade dishes such as Tuscan peposo, or a good pasta dish, at affordable prices.
Tamero. This restaurant is the best place to try fresh pasta, pasta that they prepare by hand. They have a menu with a wide variety and the price is around 20 euros per person.
gustarium. If you travel to Florence, you cannot miss the pizza. In this place you can enjoy pizzas with very good quality ingredients, they are also bought by weight so you can try the types of pizza you want.

4 typical dishes of Florence

The gastronomy and typical cuisine of Florence is incredible!

Schiacciata. It is a traditional Tuscan square bread sandwich, which you can fill with the ingredients of your choice such as prosciutto, tomato, Tuscan pecorino mozzarella, truffle sauce and many more.
Lampredotto sandwich. It is a typical food from Florence whose main ingredient is the stomach of the cow.
Pizza. Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of Italian gastronomy is pizza, it is a flour dough on which we place mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, and you can add as many ingredients as you like.
Ribollita. It is a first course that is usually served in winter and whose main ingredient is stale bread accompanied by vegetables and legumes.

Florence with children

Are you going to travel to Florence with the little ones? All the cultural offer that this city provides is perfect for a family trip. Virtually all tourist visits have an area dedicated to children so they will not get bored at any time.

A getaway in Florence with children can be a lot of fun! Take a look at the best plans for adults and children in Florence. You sign up?

Carousel of the Republic Square

Located in the very heart of the city is this masterpiece of Florentine craftsmanship, a special merry-go-round. The little ones will love enjoying this carousel, with beautiful hand-painted wooden horses and if you have to choose a specific time of day, without a doubt, at night, the lights will give this place a magical touch.

Florence beach

Although it may seem unbelievable, in Florence, you will find an urban beach on the Arno River where you can have a good time with your family. The little ones can have fun playing with the sand, while the older ones rest in the hammocks, there is also a hostel, perfect for you to have something cool. A great plan! yoorney pets logo.png Pet-friendly Florence

Are you passionate about animals and looking for a different plan? A getaway with your pet is always a good idea. But surely you think, where can they enjoy to their heart's content?

Tourism and pet-friendly getaways have grown in Florence in recent years. More and more hotels, restaurants and attractions have hung the Pet Friendly sign on their doors. A getaway with your dog is one of the most unforgettable adventures you can have.

Florence is a very #petfriendly city and that is how we have experienced it. We have been able to do a lot of activities with our dogs!

Dog parks in Florence

In Florence there are more and more green spaces that have been adapted for dogs. Some of these parks require dogs to be on a leash, even so, they are large areas where our furry friends will surely be able to enjoy themselves. Some of these places are: Cascine Park, Boboli Garden, Bobolino Gardens, Giardino Bardini, The Garden of Villa Corsini.

Restaurants in Florence to go with dogs

To enjoy Italian gastronomy accompanied by your furry friend, in Florence you will find many restaurants where you can enjoy together, yes literally together, because there are also menus for dogs. Some of these places are: Ristorante Quinoa, Crepapelle and Dog Bar that became the first bar for dogs in Florence, in this place they will treat your pet like a king, with a bowl of fresh water and a dog menu that includes popcorn with Parmesan cheese and bacon, an ice cream mousse and several types of cookies.

When the weather is good, you can be on any terrace without any problem with your pet.

Pet Friendly Hotels in Florence

This is one of the most important points when choosing a travel destination, there are more and more hotels that allow pets.

Accessible Florence

Adapted tourism is not a pending issue in Florence.

We were able to experience it first hand and here are some of our favorite adapted and accessible sites:

Attractions: Many of the places of tourist interest in the city of Florence are adapted with ramps, elevators or accessible toilets. Some of these places are: Palatina Gallery and Pitti Palace, Old Palace, Uffizi Gallery, Santa Maria Novella Museum, Baptistery of S. Giovanni, Dome of Santa Maria in Fiore, Bargello National Museum, Accademia Gallery.

Nocturnal Florence

Enjoy the night life of Florence. The city hides a multitude of corners with a special charm to have a good time in good company and where you can walk, have a drink and toast.

These are some of our favorite places to party in Florence!

Beer lovers in Florence

If good beer accompanied by good food is your thing, here are some recommendations: Archea Brewery, BrewDog Firenze, Birreria Art.17, Birreria Artigianale Il Bovaro, BHC Beer House Club.

Cocktails in Florence

For those who prefer cocktails, in this city there are many places where you can have a drink. Some of these places are: Moyo, YAB, Harry's Bar, Dolce Vita, Sesto On Arno at the Westin Excelsior, La Terraza del Minerva at the Grand Hotel Minerva, La Terrazza at Hotel Continentale.

Live music in Florence

Florence has a number of venues where you can enjoy the best live music. If you like live music, you have to go to Jazz Club Firenze, NoF Club, Glue, Virgin Rock Pub, La Ménagère, La Cité.

Florence nightclubs

Florence nightlife stands out as one of the main leisure activities. Tenax Disco, it may be the most famous in the city, although it is not in the center, it has been operating for about 30 years offering the best house and techno music, Flò Lounge Bar, is the perfect option for summer, since it is an open-air disco libre, Habana 500, is a very lively place where you can dance salsa and have a good cocktail and Space Club, is one of the rooms with the most history in Florence and offers house and hip hop music.

How to get to Florence?

Whenever you have a destination in mind, one of the biggest concerns is getting to the city. The main ways to travel to Copenhagen are by car, by plane, by train and by boat.

How to get to Florence by car

Although it all depends on the origin. From border countries such as France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia you will be able to access Italian roads.

You can take the A1 motorway to reach Rome, Naples, Bologna, or the A11 Firenze – Pisa – Livorno motorway.

How to get to Florence by train

There are many people who enjoy the trip by train, so let's see how you can travel by rail to this magical city.

There are many railway companies that operate at the Santa Maria Novella station, such as Trenitalia, InterCity, TGV Europe and FerroviedelloStato, since it is a very good option to travel by train to make a getaway from Rome, Milan or Venice.

How to get to Florence by plane

The most common option is to go by plane. To get to the city of Florence by plane, there are several alternatives, go directly to the Florence Airport, which is located just 10 kilometers away, or fly to Pisa Airport, which is 100 kilometers away and is sometimes difficult. a little cheaper. If you choose to fly to Pisa you can get to Florence by train or bus.

The low-cost companies that arrive in Florence are Alitalia, Vueling and Ryanair, among others.

How to get around Copenhagen