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Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s packed with fascinating historic sites and must-see attractions, and the Ponte Vecchio, Duomo di Firenze, and Uffizi Gallery attract huge crowds of visitors. But there’s even more to see when you wander off the beaten path.
Here are 17 of Florence’s hidden gems to check out on your next visit to this extraordinary city.
1. The Bargello Museum
Photo Credit: Simona Bottone
- Website: bargellomusei.it
- Address: Via del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Firenze
- Opening hours: 8.15 am – 6.50 pm Monday / 8.15 am – 1.50 pm Wednesday to Friday & Sunday / 8.15 am – 9.50 pm Saturday
Although the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery are two of Florence’s best-known art museums, the Bargello Museum is not to be missed. Set within a former jail, it’s home to artworks by some of Italy’s most renowned masters, including Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, and Cellini.
There are even some sculptures and early carvings by Michelangelo. The masterpieces look all the more special set within the impressive medieval building.
2. San Miniato al Monte
- Website: sanminiatoalmonte.it
- Address: Via delle Porte Sante, 34, 50125 Firenze
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 1 pm / 3.30 pm – 7 pm daily
San Miniato al Monte lies high up on a hill above Piazzale Michelangelo on the south side of the Arno River. Its beautiful marble facade mimics that of Florence Cathedral, and there’s a wealth of magnificent decor and art to admire inside.
The walls are adorned with 14th-century frescos by Spinello Aretino, which depict scenes from the life of St. Benedict. Be sure to spend a while taking in the incredible views of Florence while you’re here.
3. Palazzo Davanzati
Photo Credit: stefano cellai
- Website: bargellomusei.it/musei/palazzo-davanzati
- Address: Via Porta Rossa, 13, 50123 Firenze
- Opening hours: 8.15 am – 1.50 pm Tuesday to Thursday / 1.15 pm – 6.50 pm Friday to Sunday
There are several impressive palaces to explore in Florence — many of which belonged to the powerful Medici family. The Palazzo Davanzati, however, is often overlooked.
It was originally constructed in the 1400s when it was owned by the Davizzi family, but the Davanzati family purchased it in the 16th century. Although it went through several rounds of renovations over the years, it’s been carefully preserved since its last iteration of changes in 1838.
Today, it serves as a museum to share insights into what life was like for Florentine nobility in the fourteenth century.
4. Mercato Sant’Ambrogio
- Website: mercatosantambrogio.it
- Address: Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 50122 Firenze
- Opening hours: 7 am – 2 pm Monday to Saturday
Mercato Centrale is generally considered Florence’s main market, but Mercato Sant’Ambrogio is a great alternative because it’s where many of Florence’s locals go to pick up their fresh produce. You can expect meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, baked goods, cheese, and much more. Head here for lunch to enjoy some authentic Tuscan dishes from one of the market’s eateries.
5. Scuola di Cuoio
- Website: scuoladelcuoio.it/en
- Address: Via di S. Giuseppe, 5/R, 50122 Firenze
- Opening hours: 10 am – 6.30 pm daily
Florence is renowned for its fine leatherwork, and Scuola di Cuoio (Leather School) is where many of the city’s leather artisans learned their craft.
The school operates out of a former dormitory space in the cloister of Santa Croce. It was established after World War II for young people orphaned by the war to learn a trade. You can visit to watch the skilled artisans at work or take a short workshop to learn some basic leatherworking skills.
6. Corridoio Vasariano
Photo Credit: Efired
- Website: www.uffizi.it/corridoio-vasariano
- Address: Lungarno degli Archibusieri, 50122 Firenze
- Opening hours: 24/7
The Vasari Corridor was constructed in the 16th century to provide private passage between the Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio because the city’s wealthy elite were reluctant to walk around in public. Today, the passageway is open to all, and it’s a wonderful spot to admire the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio.
7. Forte di Belvedere
Photo Credit: BLAZE Pro
- Website: musefirenze.it/musei/forte-di-belvedere
- Address: Via di S. Leonardo, 1, 50125 Firenze
- Opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm Tuesday to Sunday
Belvedere Fort is the second-largest fort in Florence and dates back to the 1500s when it was constructed to showcase the city’s immense wealth and power. It lies in the Boboli Gardens and offers fantastic views across the River Arno.
Take a guided tour to learn about the fort’s design and strategic position. You can also capture some excellent photos of the city from here.
8. Palazzo Medici-Riccardi
- Website: palazzomediciriccardi.it
- Address: Via Camillo Cavour, 3, 50129 Firenze
- Opening hours: 9 am – 7 pm Thursday to Tuesday
The Palazzo Medici was the original residence of the Medici family before the Pallazo Pitti and the Palazzo Vecchio were constructed. It was later owned by the Riccardi family. Compared to the incredibly lavish finish of the later Medici palaces, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi is more reserved and imitates the style of Florence’s earlier dukes.
There’s plenty of incredible art to take in, including a beautiful fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli that depicts 15th-century Florentine court life. The ground floor of the palace is dedicated to the Medici Museum, where you can learn more about the Medicis and see one of Filippo Lippi’s most famed works, Madonna and Child, which dates back to 1442.
9. Bardini Gardens
Photo Credit: Dan74
- Website: villabardini.it/il-giardino
- Address: Via de’ Bardi, 1, 50125 Firenze
- Opening hours: 10 am – 6.30 pm daily
The Bardini Gardens are a hidden gem in the Oltrarno neighborhood on the south bank of the Arno. They are separated into three key areas — the Italianate Garden, the English Garden, and the Agricultural Park.
There are pretty mosaic fountains dotted amongst the greenery and a charming terrace with a cafe where you can enjoy a relaxing coffee. The Bardini Gardens can be accessed with tickets to the Boboli Gardens, which are one of Florence’s biggest attractions.
10. Brancacci Chapel
- Website: ticketsmuseums.comune.fi.it/4_cappella-brancacci
- Address: Piazza del Carmine, 14, 50124 Firenze
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4.15 pm Monday, Friday & Saturday / 1 pm – 4.10 pm Sunday
The ornate Medici Chapel, where the Medici family is entombed, is a popular tourist attraction, but the Brancacci Chapel is a great alternative. Its construction began in the 13th century but wasn’t completed until the 15th century, when its interior was decorated with one of the era’s greatest frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino. The masterpieces depict scenes of the Old Testament and the life of Saint Peter.
11. Stibbert Museum
Photo Credit: stefano cellai
- Website: museostibbert.it
- Address: Via Federico Stibbert, 26, 50134 Firenze
- Opening hours: 10 am – 2 pm Monday to Wednesday / 10 am – 6 pm Friday to Sunday
Museo Stibbert is the former home of Frederick Stibbert, an Italian-born British art collector and businessman. He dedicated his life to gathering a varied assortment of artworks, including a range of ancient armor and weapons. He bequeathed his collection to the people of Florence upon his death in 1906, and it’s now one of the most fascinating attractions in the city.
12. Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy
- Website: eu.smnovella.com
- Address: Via Della Scala, 16, 50123, Firenze
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 8 pm daily
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is the world’s oldest pharmacy in continuous operation. Dominican friars founded it in 1221, and their expertise was handed down and expanded over the years until the pharmacy came to specialize in perfumes. There are now several branches throughout the city, but the shop in the original location is a must-visit for fragrance fans.
13. Laurentian Library
Photo Credit: Yuri Turkov
- Website: bmlonline.it/en/la-biblioteca
- Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 9, 50123 Firenze
- Opening hours: 10 am – 1 pm Monday to Friday
The Laurentian Library, which was designed by Michelangelo, can be found in the Basilica de San Lorenzo. This epic 16th-century reading room has a high, beautifully decorated ceiling and a grand staircase. There are thousands of historic manuscripts stored here, so it’s a fascinating attraction for book lovers.
14. Florentine Street Art
Renaissance art is the focus of many of Florence’s galleries and museums, but modern art can be spotted all over the city’s streets. The last few decades have seen a rise in street art, with some artists, such as Clet and ExitEnter, gaining notoriety for their eye-catching works.
Street artworks change regularly, so your best chance of stumbling across cool stuff is in the Oltrarno neighborhood around Piazza Pitti and Via Toscanella.
15. Hospital of the Innocents
Photo Credit: Anna Pakutina
- Website: istitutodeglinnocenti.it/it
- Address: Piazza della SS. Annunziata, 12, 50121 Firenze
- Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm Monday to Friday / 11 am – 8 pm Saturday & Sunday
The Hospital of the Innocents was built in the very early 1400s to serve as a home for orphans and children facing difficulties. It was pioneering in that it was the first hospital of its kind in Europe. Plus, it is considered by many to be the first fully Renaissance building.
Many of the architectural decisions made by the building’s designer, Filippo Brunelleschi, were driven by a need to keep costs low, but this doesn’t mean the building is lacking in beauty. There’s much art to be admired here, including terracotta medallions on the facade created by Andrea della Robbia and artworks inside by Botticelli and Ghirlandaio.
16. Piazza San Marco
Photo Credit: xbrchx
- Address: Piazza San Marco, 50129, Firenze
- Opening hours: 24/7
Piazza San Marco is a little less touristic than some of Florence’s other central squares, but it’s no less busy because it lies so close to the city’s main train station. It is dominated by the 17th-century San Marco Church, which forms part of a Dominican covenant, which is now a museum.
Piazza San Marco lies close to the bustling Accademia Gallery, which is home to Michelangelo’s David. It’s the perfect spot to grab coffee after a hectic morning of sightseeing.
17. High Speed Train from Florence to Rome
Many visitors don’t realize that Florence’s main train station in San Marco offers convenient rail travel to several other major Italian cities, including Rome, which you can reach in just 90 minutes via high-speed train.
There are epic sights to explore in Rome, including the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Rome is very walkable and easy to explore, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes to get around as many sights as possible on your day trip.
Discover More Hidden Gems When You Explore Florence
These are some of Florence’s best hidden gems, but there are countless more lesser-known sights and points of interest to discover when you wander around the city. Be sure to explore Florence’s narrow streets and alleyways on foot to see what you can find.
