Florence (meaning Firenze in Italian), is the old capital of Tuscany, being now a provincial capital, a university city surrounded by hills, a very picturesque place. If you want to visit Florence, here you will find the most beautiful sights in Florence and the main places to visit.
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy because it has a lot of tourist, historical, artistic and architectural attractions. Only this beautiful city brings together over 25% of the works of Italian artistic heritage. The historic center of Florence was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 17, 1982.
So it is a real historical jewel, but at the same time, it is a very charming, very active and lively city. You will take an exciting journey back in time and you will wake up in the heart of the Middle Ages or the Renaissance.
What to see in Florence first? You can start with the Dome of Florence, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Florence. The construction of the huge Gothic cathedral began in 1296 and was consecrated in 1436 and today can accommodate up to 20,000 people.
It is a very imposing cathedral, being one of the largest in the world, next to Saint Paul in London or Saint Peter in Rome.
The exterior, made of green, pink and white marble has several elaborate gates and statues that are worth discovering.
Inside, the Brunnelleschi dome is a true masterpiece. You have to climb the 463 stairs to reach the top but the view from here is fully worth it.
Your first discoveries can begin around the famous square in Florence. The heart of its historic center, a veritable art scene and a political center of the city, since the Middle Ages, Pizza della Signoria hides several treasures.
A medieval style, Palazzo Vecchio was built in the late 13th, early 14th century.
In the Middle Ages, it was the heart of political life. From 1865 to 1871 it was the seat of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Italy, while today it houses the mayor of Florence and various municipal offices.
There is also a museum, which allows you to visit the magnificent rooms where, among others, work of art by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Donatello, Verrocchio are exhibited.
Located in Piazza della Signoria, its architecture is sure to catch your eye. It has a 94 meter high tower – the Arnolfo Tower, which offers a beautiful view over the city. The big clock in the tower was built in 1667 (originally it was a smaller clock) and it works perfectly today.
One of the most important tourist attractions in Florence is Il Campanile di Giotto.
The bell of the Cathedral of Florence resumes the same codes as the cathedral for its facade – white, pink and green marble and niches where there are statues of saints. A narrow 414-step staircase allows access to its 84-meter tower. Just like the dome, you will be able to take full advantage of a 360 degree view of the city and the cathedral.
Another tourist attraction in Florence that must be visited is the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist.
It has a Roman style architecture and is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, being a place where many people from here were baptized. Especially Dante, an illustrious poet and writer. Its interior has ceilings decorated with mosaics in shades of gold that present the life of John the Baptist.
To conclude with the things you can visit around the Cathedral of Florence, you must visit this museum. It brings together statues, sculptures and works that were once in the cathedral, the Baptistery and the Campanille. It is very modern and here the statues are very well highlighted.
The history of Florence is closely linked to that of the Medici family. Thus, the graves of this family are located here in the city and can be visited by tourists.
You can also distinguish three chapels that house their graves – the New Sacristy, the Chapel of Treasure and the Chapel of the Princes.
If you want to find a place away from the hustle and bustle, this is it. It is a perfect place that will surely amaze you. Bargello Palace is on the site of a former prison. Here are grouped impressive sculptures from the Renaissance.
Its courtyard is remarkable and one of the most beautiful in Italy.
It is one of the greatest works of Mizelozzo di Bartolomeo, a famous architect, much appreciated by the Medici family.It has a very harmonious appearance and is considered a model for other palaces in the city. Its interior has a beautiful garden and various frescoes.
It is a city attraction located at the Mercato Nuovo covered market. It is a bronze statue dating from the 17th century.
Toss a coin into his mouth and then rub his nose. If it falls into the water, then it seems that you will be lucky and you will return to the city of Florence.
It is a replica of the original marble statue in the Uffizi Galleries.
The museum houses one of the most famous statues in the world – it is about David’s Michelangelo’s. It is a masterpiece of over 16 feet of white marble that presents David before facing Goliath.
It has the most impressive work dating from the 13th-16th centuries, masterpieces by famous artists.
In those nine rooms of the museum you will be able to admire a lot of Florentine works of art, a collection of Russian icons and the museum of musical instruments.
Santa Maria Novella is a short walk from the Academy Gallery. It is a giant neighborhood, famous for its church of the same name, which invites you to take a coffee or cappuccino break on one of the terraces of its cafes.
On the most charming streets, you can discover its main curiosity – it is the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.
It is the oldest pharmacy in the world, a real institution where the Queen of England also does her shopping.
Built in St. Marco’s Square, the San Marco Museum was once a Dominican monastery. Today it is open to the public and has the largest collection of paintings in the world by Fra Angelico, a renowned painter and monk.
All around, on the upper floor, you will find a lot of religious frescoes of great value.
Along with the Dome and the Academy Gallery, it wonderfully completes a trio of must-see attractions here.
It is one of the richest museums in the world.
His collection of works is truly impressive and the museum is huge. But at the same time, it is one of the most important art galleries in the world.
It is a focal point of the city, a place where you must go. Under Emperor Hadrian, this large thermal complex was built on the current market.
In the Middle Ages it was a residential complex, before becoming the political center of the city.
Around the fountain of Neptune, beats the heart of Florence – tourists and locals gather here to admire its singing artists who give a show in public.
It is a place that stands as a testimony to the local heritage. It has six museums and three gardens and lots of exhibition halls. Adorned with frescoes or optical illusions, they all have an amazing collection of work.
Pitti Palace was the residence of the Medici and Savoy families. It ‘s located in Piazza Pitti.
Inside, it houses a large museum complex, with museums and galleries containing works of art of various types. For example, there is Tesoro dei Granduchi, a specialized museum of applied art.
The Museum of Fashion and Costume, but also the Palatine Gallery inside which are various masterpieces of Raffaello e Tiziano. Finally, Palazzo Pitti also includes the Boboli Gardens, the whole complex is among the most visited in the city after the Uffizi.
Boboli Gardens are an exceptional place where you can wander. It is very often compared to the Versailles Gardens and offers the most luxurious and lush break, worthy of a fairytale.
It was once reserved for the walks of the Medici family and the most beautiful ceremonies. In the heart of the historic center of Florence, Boboli Garden is another must see.
Its 11 acres are adorned with historical wonders. Among the most emblematic, you will find the Ramses Amphitheater. But there are still a lot of fountains, marble statues and caves.
The Boboli Gardens in Florence are a timeless place, sublimated by the most precious heritages. It is a true oasis of peace, which will relax and calm you. In fact, a very positive thing for the garden – it can be visited all year round. So its colors will change depending on the season.
It is the oldest known bridge in Florence. It is the only bridge that was not destroyed by the German bombing of World War II, remaining intact since 1345.
It is an exceptional bridge with a precise purpose – it allowed those of the Medici dynasty – to pass from the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace or the Vecchio Palace in safety. Nowadays, it is famous for its boutiques where you can shop.
Florence has many squares, but the most famous of them is without a doubt, San Lorenzo Square. Here you will find especially leather products, ideal as a souvenir. But also fine gastronomy products that will surely delight you.
Michelangelo Square will allow you to stand tall. So it is the one that will give you an exceptional panorama. It will allow you to discover Florence from a unique angle.
If you want to enjoy the most beautiful sunset in Florence, you have to get here. It is a typical Renaissance garden, a wonderful corner of greenery that is very popular especially for the most beautiful viewpoint.
Set on about 10 acres, the garden can be visited from Via dei Bardi or Costa San Giorgio and promises the most charming walk among roses, wisteria, irises and other plants.
Lots of trails will take you to the fountains and canals before reaching the central staircase to reach its top.
Located in the square of the same name, the Basilica of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan basilica in Italy.
It is a sacred basilica where the tombs of several important Florentines are located, including Michelangelo, Dante Aligheri, Niccolo Machiavelli and Galileo Galilei.
The Oltrarno district is on the left bank of the Arno River. Here you can be enchanted by the most beautiful workshops of artisans, small squares, typical restaurants, the most beautiful churches, squares, monuments and museums.
A small neighborhood, located between the Arno and the hills to the south, it is very quiet during the day and very lively in the evening.
It is a real pleasure to walk on its pedestrian streets and its houses a little more colorful than other places.
You should also look for the best ice cream in Florence. Lots of ice cream parlors offer delicious and creamy varieties of ice cream here. You can also enjoy the most delicious espresso coffees.
This basilica is a pearl of Florentine art. In addition to its historical interest, it also offers the most beautiful panorama of the Tuscan city.
It is a basilica that has been built since 1018 to pay homage to Saint Miniato, the first Christian martyr in Florence to be buried here.
The cemetery of the Holy Gates surrounds the basilica. It has many interesting funerary monuments, including that of Carlo Collodi. His most famous work – The Adventures of Pinocchio. You will be able to admire here the most beautiful funerary sculptures.
In addition, you can go visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Which is 1 hour from Florence.
Florence will enchant you, without a doubt, with its majestic chapels, its fortified palaces, its elegant gardens, its many museums or its Renaissance works.
Fabulous architecture, shopping opportunities, a return to the past, art as far as you can see, gastronomy and the most delicious varieties of ice cream… these are the promises that Florence comes with. Promises fulfilled every time!