21 Must See Attractions in Florence, Italy

Florence Italy Places To See
Robbie Vai Author: Robbie Vai
Clock Icon 9 minutes read
Update Icon Oct 27, 2024

Florence is one of the most culturally vibrant cities in Europe, renowned as the birthplace of Renaissance art and home to some of the world’s most prized masterpieces. As the capital city of Tuscany, it’s also the ideal base to explore this beautiful region of Central Italy.

There’s so much to see and do in Florence that it’s difficult to know where to begin. In this travel guide, we highlight 21 must-see Florentine sights to help you plan the perfect trip to this magnificent city.

1. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Photo Credit: Vunav

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo or Florence Cathedral, is the crowning jewel of the city and one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. It dates back to 1436, but its beautiful marble facade wasn’t finished until the 1800s.

Look out for the incredible Last Judgement fresco painted on the underside of the cathedral’s epic dome, designed by famed architect, sculptor, and goldsmith Filippo Brunelleschi.

2. Giotto’s Campanile

Giotto’s Bell Tower lies close to the Duomo but in an amazing Gothic building separate from the cathedral. Its construction began in 1334, with famed artist Giotto at the helm of its design until his death in 1343 when Talenti took over. By 1359, the tower was complete and decorated with magnificent Renaissance paintings and sculptures.

3. Baptistery of St. John

Photo Credit: Ivo Antonie de Rooij

The Battistero di San Giovanni is a 12th-century baptistery with a fascinating octagonal shape and marble facade. Inside, it’s adorned with intricate mosaics and artworks, including a Byzantine-style fresco covering the ceiling and upper walls. This is one of Florence’s oldest buildings, and it’s right next to the Duomo and Giotto’s Campanile, so it shouldn’t be missed.

4. Uffizi Gallery

  • Website: uffizi.it/gli-uffizi
  • Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 8.15 am – 10 pm Tuesday / 8.15 am – 6.30 pm Wednesday to Sunday

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the best art museums in the world. It’s the perfect place to learn about Renaissance art and the impact of 14th- to 16th-century Italian art on Western art.

The building, which was designed by famed artist and architect Giorgio Vasari, was originally constructed as one of the Medici family’s palaces. Today, it houses some of the world’s most famed and beloved works of art by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Botticelli.

5. Palazzo Vecchio

Photo Credit: SvetlanaSF

Palazzo Vecchio was originally built in 1299 when it served as the palace of the Signoria of the Republic of Florence. Later, it became the city’s town hall and still operates as such today. Much of the building is open to the public to allow people to admire its impressive architecture and decor.

6. Ponte Vecchio

  • Address: Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 24/7

Vecchio Bridge is one of Florence’s most famous landmarks. It spans the Arno River and offers fantastic views of the waterway from its midpoint, but the true charm of the Ponte Vecchio is the shops that are built into the bridge’s main walkway. To get great views of the unique bridge itself, take a stroll along the Corridoio Vasariano.

7. Piazzale Michelangelo

Photo Credit: Paolo Borella

  • Address: Piazzale Michelangelo, 50125 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 24/7

The Piazzale Michelangelo lies on the south bank of the Arno and is positioned high on a hill. This means that it provides some of the best views of Florence and Brunelleschi’s Dome atop the cathedral.

At the heart of the square is a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David statue. While you’re here, take the opportunity to walk around the Oltrarno neighborhood, which has some fantastic restaurants and bars.

8. Piazza del Duomo

  • Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 24/7

Piazza del Duomo is one of Florence’s main squares and is the perfect starting point for a walking tour of the city’s historic center. The Duomo, Giotto’s Campanile, and the Baptistry of St. John surround the square, and their coordinating marble facades are impressive. There are also shops, restaurants, and cafes here, so grab a cup of coffee and take in the bustling atmosphere.

9. Piazza della Signoria

Photo Credit: ColorMaker

  • Address: Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 24/7

The Piazza della Signoria was a key meeting place in Florence long before its 14th-century origins, as proven by the Etruscan and Roman ruins that were discovered beneath its pavement.

Today, it’s a bustling square packed with locals, tourists, vendors, and street performers. Palazzo Vecchio crowns the square, and the wall of the Uffizi Gallery forms the Loggia dei Lanzi, an outdoor art gallery with several famed sculptures, including Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa.

10. Galleria dell’Accademia

There are several copies of Michelangelo’s David throughout Florence, but the original can be found in the Accademia Gallery. You can also see some of Michelangelo’s other works here, including his unfinished St. Matthew and a set of four nude male prisoners. Some say these pieces were deliberately left unfinished, and the subjects seemingly trapped in the marble to represent the eternal struggles of humans.

11. Basilica di San Lorenzo

Photo Credit: Lasse Johansson

  • Website: sanlorenzofirenze.it
  • Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 9, 50123 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 5.30 pm Monday to Friday / 1 pm – 5.30 pm Saturday

Basilica de San Lorenzo is an impressive church where many members of the Medici family are buried. The interior is beautifully finished in gold and white, with magnificent frescos and sculptures to admire.

12. Basilica of Santa Croce

  • Website: santacroceopera.it/en
  • Address: Piazza di Santa Croce, 16, 50122 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm Monday to Saturday / 12.30 am – 5.45 pm Sunday

The church of Santa Croce has a classic Tuscan geometric marble facade and is packed with Renaissance art, including some of Giotto’s most famous frescoes. The church is also the resting place of several hugely influential Renaissance masters, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo.

13. Palazzo Pitti

Photo Credit: T photography

  • Website: uffizi.it/palazzo-pitti
  • Address: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 8.15 am – 6.30 pm Tuesday to Sunday

Pitti Palace complex is home to a series of attractions, including a Medici palace, an art gallery, museums, royal apartments, and exquisite gardens. The art collection here rivals that of the Uffizi Gallery. It includes masterpieces by Rubens, Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto, and several other famed artists.

14. Santa Maria Novella

  • Website: smn.it/it
  • Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 9 am – 5.30 pm Monday to Thursday & Saturday / 11 am – 5.30 pm Friday / 1 pm – 5.30 pm Sunday

The attractive facade of Santa Maria Novella features the inlaid marble common to many Florentine churches, and there’s even more artistry inside. Some of the finest frescos in the city can be seen here, painted by several masters, including Giotto, Masaccio, Lippi, and Bonaiuto. There’s also a marble pulpit designed by Brunelleschi.

15. Boboli Gardens

Photo Credit: Lasse Johansson

Boboli Gardens are part of the Palazzo Pitti complex, and they’re the perfect place to find some peace in the busy city. The 11 acres were carefully designed in the 16th century and feature fountains, ponds, sculptures, and beautifully manicured trees, plants, and flowers.

16. Mercato Centrale

  • Website: mercatocentrale.it/firenze
  • Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 50123 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 9 am – 12 am daily

Mercato Centrale is one of the best places in Florence to sample delicious authentic Tuscan treats such as olives, olive oil, candied fruit, nougat, and Chianti. If you’re staying in self-catered accommodation, you can also pick up fresh, locally-grown produce here. Don’t miss the food courts on the upper floor to grab a tasty meal or a refreshing gelato.

17. Leonardo Da Vinci Museum

Da Vinci is considered one of the world’s most innovative and influential artists and inventors, and this museum is the perfect place to learn about his life and works. The interactive exhibits are primarily focused on his mechanical inventions, with opportunities to operate a series of machines designed by Da Vinci.

18. Museo Galileo

Photo Credit: Aliaksandr Antanovich

  • Website: museogalileo.it
  • Address: Piazza dei Giudici, 1, 50122 Firenze
  • Opening hours: 9.30 am – 1 pm Tuesday / 9.30 am – 6.00 pm Wednesday to Monday

The Galileo Museum is dedicated to the works of pioneering astronomer, engineer, and physicist Galileo Galilei, who played a vital role in the development of observational astronomy, modern science, and the scientific method. Displays include several of Galileo’s original scientific instruments.

19. Cappelle Medicee

The Medici Chapels are where members of the Medici family were laid to rest inside beautifully ornate crypts. They’re one of several attractions under the Museums of Bargello umbrella, and visiting gives you an idea of the sheer scale of the wealth and influence of this powerful family.

20. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Photo Credit: zevana

Pisa lies some 56 miles west of Florence and is easy to reach by road and rail. Consider taking a day trip to admire its historic architecture, including the iconic Leaning Tower. Trains depart Florence’s main train station for Pisa every 15 to 30 minutes. A guided tour of the historic center is your best bet for seeing the main landmarks in a single day.

21. San Gimignano

San Gimignano, also known as the city of a thousand towers, is a small, walled village that dates back to the medieval era. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has incredibly well-preserved tower houses featuring impressive spires.

San Gimignano lies 37 miles away from Florence, so take a half-day trip to it or make a full day of it by dropping into the beautiful city of Siena and the walled village of Monteriggioni along the way.

Plan Your Sightseeing Tour of Florence

These are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Florence, but there are many more beautiful buildings and historic points of interest to discover when you begin exploring the area. Get started planning your trip to see everything this stunning Italian city has to offer.

Robbie Vai
Author: Robbie Vai
Our journal features a diverse group of travel enthusiasts who are passionate about exploring the world and sharing their experiences. From solo adventurers to family vacationers, our team of writers offers unique perspectives and insightful tips to help inspire and guide your next adventure. Whether it's discovering hidden gems off the beaten path or indulging in luxurious getaways, we're here to help you make the most of your travels. Robbie is an amalgam of these writers.
EXPLORE THE WORLD THROUGH STORIES.

Travel with us and discover the best destinations to create lasting memories.

icon
Experience diverse cultures and top destinations that cater to all travel needs.
icon
Explore and learn the traditions and histories of incredible places.
icon
Find hidden gems and create life-changing moments with your loved ones.
icon
Meet fellow travelers while enjoying exciting and stress-free holidays.
images