What to see in Florence, the birthplace of the Risorgimento and revered for its rich cultural heritage of art, history, and culture?
Visiting Florence means delving into a treasure trove of museums, churches, historical buildings, and charming streets.
To help you get the most out of your visit to this spectacular Tuscan city, we will guide you to its most important must-see attractions.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
A visit to the entire complex of theCathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore will give you the chance to admire four of Florence’s iconic landmarks: the cathedral itself, Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s bell tower, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the “Duomo” of Florence, stands as the city’s main Catholic church and one of Italy’s largest and most important. Construction of the cathedral began in the 13th century and concluded in the 15th century with the renowned dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The cathedral’s striking white and green marble banded facade houses works of art by renowned artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo, and Nanni di Banco.
Next to the cathedral lies Giotto’s Bell Tower, designed by Giotto di Bondone and constructed between 1334 and 1359. Rising to a height of approximately 85 meters, it features a Florentine Gothic style and is adorned with sculptures and three-light windows.
Brunelleschi’s Dome, the most celebrated architectural work of the Renaissance, graces the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the early 15th century. This double elliptical shell, spanning 45.5 meters in diameter and towering 114 meters high, was constructed using pioneering techniques for its time, such as the use of a self-supporting double-shell structure.
Opposite the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore stands the Baptistery of San Giovanni, whose origins trace back to the 4th century and which is among Florence’s oldest and most suggestive buildings. Its Romanesque façade is made of white and green marble, while the interior is enriched with magnificent 13th-century Byzantine mosaics. Notably, it houses Lorenzo Ghiberti’s famed Gates of Paradise, a series of gilded bronze panels.
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery houses a vast collection of artworks spanning from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period.
It dates back to the 16th century, when Cosimo I de’ Medici decided to build a new building for government offices.
The project was entrusted to architect Giorgio Vasari, who completed the complex in the following years.
Over time, the Medici art collection has burgeoned through acquisitions, donations, and exchanges with other noble families. Specifically, the Uffizi Gallery hosts masterpieces by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Botticelli and many more.
The most notable works featured in the Uffizi Gallery include The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, the Madonna of the Goldfinch by Raphael, and Venus of Urbino by Tiziano.
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge dating back to the 14th century that connects the two banks of the Arno River, near the Uffizi Gallery.
One of the most characteristic features of the Ponte Vecchio are its balconies running along the sides of the bridge and offering breathtaking views of the River Arno and Florence.
The Ponte Vecchio is also famous for its history, marked by several important events such as the siege of Florence during World War II. The Ponte Vecchio, in fact, was the only bridge in Florence spared from German bombings during the last World War.
The Ponte Vecchio, adorned with quaint stores housing jewelers and goldsmiths, is today one of Florence’s most visited and revered landmarks, and a symbol of resilience and hope in the face of war’s destruction.
Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria, located in the heart of the historic city center, is surrounded by historic buildings, palazzi, and artworks showcasing Florence’s rich and beautiful cultural heritage.
The square is dominated by Giambologna’s 16th-century majestic equestrian statue of Cosimo I de’ Medici.
One of the square’s most iconic monuments is the Fountain of Neptune (known as Biancone), a 16th-century bronze sculpture by Ammannati portraying the god of the sea. The fountain is surrounded by statues representing the four seasons.
With its array of outdoor cafés, restaurants, and street artists, Piazza della Signoria is a lively and bustling destination that attracts tourists and locals all year round.
Situated between the Fountain of Neptune and the Uffizi Gallery stands the imposing Palazzo Vecchio, a symbol of Florence. Serving as the city’s political center for centuries, Palazzo Vecchio, located in Piazza della Signoria, still houses the municipality of Florence.
An imposing Gothic-style structure, the construction of Palazzo Vecchio commenced in 1299 to designs by Arnolfo di Cambio, a prominent figure of the Italian Renaissance.
Within the building, numerous rooms are adorned with frescoes and artworks by esteemed Renaissance artists, including Vasari. The building’s most famous rooms include the Salone dei Cinquecento, showcasing Vasari’s famed fresco cycle, and the Sala d’Arme, exhibiting a rich collection of ancient weapons.
Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens in Florence stand out as one of the most distinguished and ancient Italian gardens.
Situated just behind Palazzo Pitti, the gardens span over more than 45,000 square meters and represent one of the most significant works of the Italian Renaissance.
Designed by architect Giorgio Vasari and commissioned by Eleonora di Toledo, the garden’s construction commenced in 1550.
Over the centuries, it underwent numerous enhancements and expansions, becoming a genuine symbol of grandeur and beauty.
Characterized by its plethora of fountains, statues, grottoes, and labyrinths, the Boboli Gardens offer a unique and captivating experience.
Its most famous installations include the Knight’s Garden (featuring the equestrian statue of Cosimo I de’ Medici), the Artichoke Fountain, the Buontalenti Labyrinth, the Buontalenti Grotto, and the Fountain of the Apennines.
The Basilica of the Holy Cross
The Basilica of the Holy Cross, situated at the heart of the city’s historical center, houses the tombs of numerous illustrious figures, including Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Machiavelli, Foscolo, Alfieri, and Rossini.
Inside the basilica, visitors can also admire an array of valuable artworks.
The most important include the Crucifix by Cimabue, the Crucifixion by Donatello, various paintings by Giotto and his school, and the Rinuccini and Madonna di Firenze Chapels, featuring works by Andrea della Robbia and the Florentine Renaissance school.
Construction of the basilica, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, began in 1294 and continued over several centuries.
The Baroque façade we see today, was designed by Giovanni Battista Caccini in the 17th century.
The basilica has a Latin cross plan with three naves and a transept, with richly decorated interiors boasting numerous frescoes and invaluable artworks.
Gallery of the Academy and Michelangelo’s Statue of David
The Gallery of the Academy is the Florentine museum hosting a vast collection of artworks, including Michelangelo’s renowned Statue of David.
Established in 1784 as the Accademia di Belle Arti, the museum has amassed works by famed artists such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, del Sarto and naturally, Michelangelo.
The Statue of David stands as the undisputed masterpiece of the Gallery of the Academy and one of the most iconic symbols of Florence.
Created between 1501 and 1504, the sculpture depicts a young biblical King David just before his encounter with the giant Goliath. Michelangelo successfully captured the moment of tension and concentration just before the battle, portraying David’s powerful expression of strength and determination.
The statue measures 5.17 meters in height and is carved from Carrara marble.
Michelangelo carved every detail of David with remarkable precision.
Recognized as an absolute masterpiece of Renaissance art, in 1873 the statue was relocated from Piazza della Signoria, where it had stood for over 400 years, to the Gallery of the Academy to protect it against weathering.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo stands out as one of the most evocative and popular spots in Florence, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its iconic monuments.
Situated on the hill of San Miniato al Monte, this spectacular look-out serves as a landmark for tourists and locals alike, who gather here to savor one of the world’s most beautiful vistas.
Named after Michelangelo Buonarroti, the square was designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi in 1869.
A mere 20-minute walk from Florence’s historic city center, the square is easy to reach by foot or public transport.
Once on the terrace, visitors are treated to a spectacular view: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Basilica of the Holy Cross, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Arno River, offering a unique and unforgettable panorama.
Palazzo Strozzi
Palazzo Strozzi, erected in the 15th century, stands as one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Florence and Italy.
The building was commissioned by the wealthy Florentine Strozzi family as a symbol of their economic and social power.
The building features a striking hard stone façade with three rows of windows and an elegant entrance door.
Adorning the façade is a cornice embellished with the Strozzi family crests and petite corner towers, lending the building a stately air.
Inside, Palazzo Strozzi boasts a rich collection of artworks and period furniture, reflecting the wealth and prestige of the family.
Among the building’s most famous works are paintings by esteemed artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Andrea del Sarto, and Filippo Lippi.
Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti is one of Florence’s most esteemed landmarks, nestled in the western part of the city at the foot of the Boboli hills.
Constructed in the 16th century as the dwelling of Florentine banker Luca Pitti, it has since been transformed into one of the city’s premier museums and one of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture.
The building was designed by architect Filippo Brunelleschi and later completed by other artists, including Bartolomeo Ammannati and Giorgio Vasari.
The building boasts an imposing and lavish façade adorned with intricate stone and marble decorations, exuding the magnificence and prestige of its owners.
Inside Palazzo Pitti, visitors can explore a vast array of artworks spanning from the Renaissance to Neoclassicism.
Major works on display include paintings by artists such as Raphael, Tiziano, Caravaggio, and Rubens, alongside sculptures, furniture, and antique textiles. Beyond its artistic treasures and lush gardens, Palazzo Pitti also hosts the Costume Gallery, the Silver Museum, and Porcelain Museum, providing further points of interest for visitors to explore.