by Lucarelli / CC BY-SA 3.0

Home to World-famous Masterpieces of Art

A. About Florence

Nickname: The City of Lilies

Situated along the borders of the Arno River, Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance.

The capital of Tuscany houses world-famous masterpieces of art such as Botticelli’s "The Birth of Venus" or the splendid Statue of David by Michelangelo.

On top of that, Florence features one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

Best Things to do in Florence

👍 Positive Aspects

Scoring remarkably high for its sights and pedestrian zones results in a well-deserved top-ten finish for Florence in our list of the best cities worldwide.

Furthermore, you can enjoy delicious Italian cuisine and sunny weather.

Finally, while there is plenty to see in the city itself, the capital of Tuscany offers also excellent excursions to the nearby cities of Siena, Pisa, and San Gimignano.

👎 Room for Improvement

Florence is certainly not a great shopping or nightlife destination, and it is rather expensive.

Moreover, crowds in front of the Uffizi can be — especially in high season — awfully long.

B. Best Things to Do in Florence in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than fifty sights in Florence. The following sights contribute to an exceptional score of 8.60/10 in this most important category:

# GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI 8 4.1 out of 5 stars 

This world-class museum hosts the greatest collection of Italian paintings in the world. It was built in Late Renaissance style by Giorgio Vasari circa 1560.

Highlights include masterpieces by Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Caravaggio.

Show top 10 paintings (click here)

Art Museum World Heritage Site: since 1982, Gallery Space: 8,000 m2 / 86,000 ft2 | Galleries: 45 | Artworks on Display: ca. 1,700 | Established: 1581 | Visitors [2017]: 2,235,355

(Click on images to open in lightbox)

# DUOMO 8 4.1 out of 5 stars 

Florence's Duomo with its imposing 19th-century neo-Gothic facade and its enormous, red-tiled cupola is, without doubt, the city's most iconic landmark.

Climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome for breathtaking views over Florence. 

Cathedral World Heritage Site: since 1982

Things to do in Florence | Best Cities | No. 6: Florence | DUOMO (cathedral)

# HISTORIC CENTER  8 4.1 out of 5 stars

Acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1982, the compact historic center of Florence is packed with stunning palaces, churches, and monuments at every turn.

Historic Area World Heritage Site: since 1982

Things to do in Florence | Best Cities | No. 6: Florence | HISTORIC CENTRE

# PONTE VECCHIO 7 3.5 out of 5 stars 

Constructed in 1345, the famous pedestrian Ponte Vecchio is the only Florentine bridge spared by Germans during their retreat in 1944. It is one of the only bridges in the world still featuring overhanging shops, which were once common.

Vasari's Corridor, a walkway constructed in 1565, runs over the houses of the Ponte Vecchio connecting the Uffizi to the old Medici palace.

Bridge World Heritage Site: since 1982

Things to do in Florence | Best Cities | No. 6: Florence | PONTE VECCHIO (bridge)

# Galleria dell'Accademia 7 3.5 out of 5 stars 

The second most visited art museum in Italy after the Uffizi is home to the world's most famous statue, Michelangelo's 4.8-m-tall "David".

Furthermore, this small museum features various other sculptures (including the unfinished “Slaves” by Michelangelo).

Art Museum (Sculptures) Gallery Space: ca. 1,000 m2 [10,763 ft2] | Galleries: 15 | Artworks on Display: ca. 500 | Established: 1784 | Visitors [2017]: 1,623,677

by Jörg Bittner Unna / CC BY-SA 3.0

# PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

An impressive collection of statues embellishes Florence’s popular pedestrian main square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio that now serves as the City Hall.

Marvel at Cellini's famous bronze Perseus holding the severed head of Medusa or a copy of Michelangelo's David.

Square World Heritage Site: since 1982

Things to do in Florence | Best Cities | No. 6: Florence | PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA (square)

# CAMPANILE (Tower of the Duomo) 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Designed by the famous Giotto this slender bell tower of the cathedral was completed in 1359. 

After climbing the 414 steps to the top of the tower you are rewarded with wonderful views of Florence as well as the cathedral's dome.

Historic Tower World Heritage Site: since 1982 | Total Height: 84 m | Built: 1359

Things to do in Florence | Best Cities | No. 6: Florence | CAMPANILE (tower of the Duomo by Giotto)

# PALAZZO VECCHIO 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Built at the start of the 14th century, this iconic fortress-like palace is today Florence’s town hall. 

Unmissable highlights include the “Salone dei Cinquecento” (Hall of the five hundred) with its marvelous paintings on the walls and ceiling as well as the fabulous views from the top of the iconic 94 m-high bell tower.

Art Museum and Palace World Heritage Site: since 1982

by Guillaume Piolle / CC BY-SA 3.0

# PALAZZO DEL PODESTÀ AND BARGELLO NATIONAL MUSEUM 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Housed inside a Gothic palazzo, the Bargello National Museum is home to a fabulous collection of Renaissance sculptures. Marvel at famous masterpieces in marble or bronze by Michelangelo, Donatello, Giambologna, and Cellini.

Show top 7 sculptures (click here)

Art Museum (Sculptures) World Heritage Site: since 1982, Gallery Space: ca. 2,000 m2 [21,527 ft2] | Galleries: 18 | Artworks on Display: ca. 1,000 | Established: 1865 | Visitors [2015]: 238,713

(Click on images to open in lightbox)

# Palazzo Pitti 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Commissioned in the 15th century by the banker Luca Pitti, this immense Renaissance palace became the main residence of the Florentine rulers in the 16th century and now houses six different museums in its lavishly decorated rooms.

The most impressive of the Pitti's galleries, the Galleria Palatina 7, displays over five hundred paintings from the private Medici collection. Other Museums in the Palazzo Pitti include the Royal Apartments 5, the Silver Museum 5, the Gallery of Modern Art with 18th to early 20th-century art 4.5, the interesting Porcelain Museum 4.5, the Costume Gallery 4, and the Carriages Museum 4.

Show top 10 paintings (click here)

(Click on images to open in lightbox)

Palace and Art Museum Gallery Space (Palazzo Pitti): 32,000 m2 / 344,445 ft2 | Galleries (Palatine Gallery): 28 | Artworks on Display (Palatine Gallery): ca. 500 | Established: 1833 | Visitors [2016]: 400.626

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Florence

    • BATTISTERO (baptistery) 6
    • Piazzale Michelangelo (square with a view) 6
    • Vasari Corridor (ca. 1 km long passageway with portrait gallery, accessible only by a guide) 6
    • Duomo Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo) 6
    • Brancacci Chapel 6
    • Medici Chapels 6
    • Basilica di San Lorenzo 6
    • Piazza Vecchietta 6
    • Piazza di Santa Croce (square) 5.5
    • Basilica of Santa Croce (Santa Croce Church) 5.5
    • Church of Santa Maria Novella 5.5
    • Museum of San Marco 5.5
    • Basilica San Miniato al Monte (church) 5.5
    • Palazzo Strozzi 5.5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Florence

SIENA (city, 51 km from Florence) 7

PISA (city, 69 km from Florence) 7

SAN GIMIGNANO (small city, 38 km from Florence) 6

PIENZA (city, 84 km from Florence) 5.5

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Florence (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Florence for at least three entire days:

 GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI (museum) 8

 DUOMO (cathedral) 8

HISTORIC CENTRE 8

 PONTE VECCHIO (bridge) 7

Galleria dell'Academia (museum) 7

PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA (square) 7

 CAMPANILE (tower) 7

PALAZZO VECCHIO (palace and museum) 7

PALAZZO DEL PODESTÀ AND BARGELLO NATIONAL MUSEUM 7

 Piazzale Michelangelo (square with view) 7

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