Florence has more masterpieces per square metre than almost anywhere. Here are the 20 best things to do. Prices are 2026 rates.
Renaissance icons
- The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore): the cathedral is free to enter, and the dome climb is on the €30 Brunelleschi Pass. See tickets.
- Giotto’s Bell Tower: 414 steps up for a close-up view of the dome.
- The Baptistery: the gilded “Gates of Paradise” doors and the mosaics.
- The Uffizi Gallery: Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael and Caravaggio. See tickets.
- The Accademia: Michelangelo’s David (€20, plus a €4 online booking fee).
- Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio: an open-air sculpture gallery and the town hall’s tower.
- The Bargello: Renaissance sculpture by Donatello and Michelangelo.
- The Medici Chapels: Michelangelo’s tombs.
- Santa Croce: the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.
Across the Arno
- The Ponte Vecchio: the medieval bridge lined with jewellers.
- The Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens.
- The Oltrarno: artisan workshops and Santo Spirito square.
- Piazzale Michelangelo: the famous sunset panorama.
- San Miniato al Monte: a Romanesque church with even fewer crowds and Gregorian chant at dusk.
Food and experiences
- The Mercato Centrale: lampredotto, pasta and Tuscan produce.
- Bistecca alla fiorentina at a traditional trattoria.
- Gelato from a proper artisan gelateria.
- A cooking class for fresh pasta and Tuscan dishes.
- Fiesole: a hilltop town with Roman ruins, 20 minutes away by bus.
- A Chianti wine tour. See day trips from Florence.
Compare Florence museum tickets, cooking classes and Chianti tours.
Tips
- State museums like the Uffizi and the Accademia are closed on Mondays.
- Book the dome climb as early as possible, because time slots sell out.
- Visit the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria early in the morning.
More Florence guides
- Florence travel guide
- Florence itinerary: 2, 3 or 4 days
- Where to stay in Florence
- Uffizi and Accademia tickets
- Florence Duomo tickets and the dome climb
- Best day trips from Florence
- Florence and Pisa airports to the city
FAQ: Things to do in Florence
What is Florence most famous for?
Renaissance art and architecture, including the Duomo, the Uffizi and Michelangelo’s David, plus Tuscan food and leather goods.
What can you do for free in Florence?
You can visit the cathedral interior, walk the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria’s statues, watch sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo, visit San Miniato al Monte, and enjoy the state museums on the first Sunday of the month.
Is the Brunelleschi dome climb worth it?
Yes. You walk past the frescoes inside the dome and get a stunning view at the top. It’s 463 steps with narrow passages.
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