The first thing I should tell you about this guide to the best things to do in Florence is that it used to be much longer.
I originally published this blog post years ago, when Jeremy and I had wrapped up a magical month-long stay in the Cradle of the Renaissance.
It was a wonderful time in our lives, and that fall catapulted Florence to our list of favorite cities on the planet.
Since then, a lot has changed, including us, the internet, and how we travel as a society (social media and the pandemic changed so much).
We’ve also personally returned to Florence and Italy a lot, spending over a year in the country once you add up all our trips–some of them with our dog, Ranger, or our young son in tow.
As time went on and I published and updated more and more blog posts (nearly 150 on Italy alone by now), I avoided revisiting our gargantuan Florence bucket list. It was too long, too unwiedly, too overwhelming for even its author to handle!
So, several years of experience as a travel writer and months spent traveling Tuscany later, I finally decided to simply… make it shorter. A lot shorter.
This trimmed-down version covers our personal recommendations for the top things to see in Florence on your first (and potentially second or third) trip to the capital of Tuscany. Yes, we of course talk about the Duomo and Piazzale Michelangelo and Piazza della Signoria (and what exactly that is), but even for a first trip, the best things to do in Florence do go a bit beyond those icons!
While we cover many more things to see in the Cradle of the Renaissance in places like our guide to hidden gems in Florence, our suggestions for the best day trips from Florence, and even our Florence food guide–and there are some extra suggestions mentioned in this post if you read line-by-line–my hope is that this guide to what to do in Florence is now more inspiring and less overwhelming.
Planning your first trip to Florence and want to get excited about what you’re going to see?
Here are the best things to do in Florence, curated by someone who loves it there.
Table of Contents
Our Recommended Top 10 Things to Do in Florence
Want to get acquainted with the top things to see in Florence the easy way?
Walking tours like this incredible one (that includes visits to both David and the top of the Duomo) and this affordable option (no attractions, but a smooth introduction to the city center) can help you discover many of these sights very efficiently!
Whether you visit with a group or on your own, though, be sure not to miss these spots on your first trip to Florence:
Experience the Duomo Complex from several angles.
Florence’s iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is, without a doubt, the most distinctive piece of the Florence skyline, and visiting is one of the absolute best things to do in Florence!
Visiting it also includes several components, which is why I wrote an entire blog post about how to maximize a visit to the Duomo.
Here’s the short version, however: the third-largest cathedral in the world can include visits to the interior of the church, the underground Crypt of Santa Reparata, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo where you can learn about how the dome was built (it’s an excellent story, here’s the long version), and the Baptistery of St. John (don’t skip this).
It also, famously, can include a climb up Giotto’s Bell Tower, up the dome itself, both of these, or neither. Here’s how to decide which climb is right for you. Note that you do need a pre-booked time slot for either climb.
Once you decide if you’re doing a climb, you can either snag a ticket on the official site or book a well-reviewed tour like this if you’d like a guide or if the cupola tickets are sold out (and they do tend to sell out).
Want an exceptional Duomo experience?
This incomparable Alone in the Duomo After Hours tour I took (and paid full price for) with Walks is how I personally climbed the dome, and I highly recommend it–it was one of the most memorable travel experiences I’ve ever had in Florence!
Book the after-hours Duomo tour I loved today!
Prefer to visit during the day? This well-reviewed tour is a great option, or you can grab tickets without a tour on the official website!
Marvel at Michelangelo’s David.
Unlike the expansive Uffizi Gallery, the Galleria dell’Accademia is much smaller and essentially exists to show off one piece of artwork.
Michelangelo’s magnificent David is displayed in all his glory here, housed in a room built especially for the statue!
There is not much else to see in the gallery, so you won’t need a terribly long time here.
However, be sure to check out Michelangelo’s unfinished statues that are in the museum (called somewhat interchangeably the Prisoners, Captives, or Slaves).
There’s also a room stuffed to the brim with plaster molds of what later became beautiful marble statues and a small series of rooms featuring gorgeous musical instruments!
Despite its small size, the Galleria dell’Accademia sells out its reservations months in advance (as of the time I’m writing this, tickets are sold out for 2+ months on the official website).
You can get in faster with third-party sites like Get Your Guide (which is how we visited), but suffice it to say that this is definitely not a museum you just walk into. Be sure to plan ahead if you have seeing David on your Florence bucket list!
The easiest (though of course most expensive) way to see David at the last minute is to book a broader tour that includes a visit to the Galleria dell’Accademia as part of its route, like this popular one.
If you can’t get in, there’s a replica in Piazza della Signoria–but while it’s a good replica, it doesn’t come close to the masterpiece of the original.
Shop tickets to visit David today!
Tour the iconic Uffizi Gallery.
With a nickname like the Cradle of the Renaissance, of course visiting the heart of the city’s Renaissance art collection easily ranks among the top things to do in Florence!
Home to masterpieces by not only hometown heroes like Da Vinci (including his rare drawings) and Botticelli (you’ll find the iconic Birth of Venus here), but also other celebrated Italian artists like Caravaggio, the Uffizi is an incredible place to behold.
(And that’s even before you get a chance to admire the stunning views of the Ponte Vecchio from its windows, or consider touring the recently-reopened Vasari Corridor, which I’ve been waiting years to do).
How long you spend at this world-class art gallery can be highly dependent on your personal preference, but a “quick” stroll through the masterpieces is considered to take about 2 hours, with 3-4 hours needed for a more thorough visit.
Booking a ticket or a tour in advance is virtually required, as the lines for the museum can get very long and it is even known to sell out!
We personally love the context of a tour in the Uffizi–the context of a guide truly brings the art to life, and as a bonus, you’ll likely move much more efficiently with a guide than on your own (they know where everything is, after all).
We loved this Uffizi tour, but if you’d rather explore independently, you can book tickets online via the website or via third-party operators like Get Your Guide (who have a very competitive cancellation policy–one of the reasons we so frequently book through them!).
Climb a historic building for a mesmerizing view of Florence.
I thought about narrowing this down to a specific view, but honestly, the best view of Florence for you might not be the best for everyone… but everyone who is excited by the idea of climbing a tower in Florence should absolutely climb at least one!
We have a guide to the best views of Florence here, so I’ll resist the temptation to get bogged down in too many details.
Suffice it to say that our absolute top recommendations for tower climbs are Brunellschi’s Dome (AKA the cupola of the Duomo–this is the amazing tour I climbed it on) for a view of the city, and Arnolfo Tower at the Palazzo Vecchio for views of the Duomo itself.
I could easily add dozens of caveats and details to that, but those buildings are covered more in-depth in other places in this Florence blog post, and many other options are covered in this guide (including the semi-secret Florence tower that’s only open a few months a year).
Whichever you choose, there’s no doubt that admiring views of the city from above belongs on your Florence bucket list!
Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio.
As the first and longest-standing bridge across the Arno River in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio (literally “Old Bridge”) is among Florence’s most recognizable sights.
With roots dating back to the Romans (though it has been rebuilt many times), the Ponte Vecchio has long been a lively and crowded spot–a tradition that definitely lives on today, as it will likely be one of the most crowded spots you visit in Florence!
Don’t let the crowds deter you, though: the bridge is beautiful, and home to shops along both sides that glitter with gold and jewelry.
And, while the gold may be advertised to tourists now, jewelers ended up dominating the bridge for a much different reason! In 1565, the Medici banned butchers and tanners from using the bridge, handing it over to jewelers exclusively.
This was to benefit themselves: the Vasari Corridor that links Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti passes over the bridge, and the wealthy family didn’t want to smell the less-savory shops!
Explore Piazza della Signoria (and enjoy some people-watching).
Bustling and beautiful, the Piazza della Signoria is one of the central heartbeats of Florence, and it has been for centuries!
This is where you’ll find the Palazzo Vecchio (which still functions as Florence’s City Hall, in addition to being a museum), many travelers meandering, the occasional busker or concert or political demonstration, and… lots, and lots of art.
This being Florence, you don’t even need to visit a museum to marvel at epic works of art: the Piazza della Signoria is home to some truly incredible statues that you can admire for free!
In addition to the remarkable original statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi and the incredible Neptune’s Fountain, you’ll also find a copy of David here, resting in the former home of the original.
The Uffizi is also located right around the corner, and the original location of the famous All’Antico Vinaio is nearby too.
Any visit to the Piazza della Signoria will include seeing many travelers sitting on the steps of the Loggia dei Lanzi (and anywhere else they can find), enjoying a panino or a scoop of gelato and some people-watching.
If you can grab a spot, be sure to sit down and join them! (Though we don’t recommend waiting in a long line for a sandwich–more on that in a bit).
Enjoy as much Tuscan food as you have time for.
If Florence is best known as a city of art, it’s second-best known as a city of food!
Tuscan food is an absolute marvel, and like virtually all regional foods in Italy, it tends to highlight fresh, flawless ingredients prepared in a simple way that makes the natural flavors sing.
For those of us from outside of Italy, it’s easy to fall into the habit of talking about “Italian food”…
… but truly, the regional differences in food in Italy are just as substantial as, say, the regional differences between the food in Southern California and Maine, or Minnesota and Georgia: there are some similarities, sure, but there are also large differences.
And often, those differences come down to city-specific or town-specific dishes. Here are the best traditional foods to try in Florence specifically!
If you have time and the inclination, we highly recommend taking a food tour in Florence as early in your Florence trip as possible.
That way, you can use your newfound knowledge to sniff out tasty meals for the rest of your trip!
We love taking food tours, and this evening food tour in Florence was no exception. With limited time in a city, food tours offer a chance to try a much broader array of local foods quickly, and you tend to get great restaurant recommendations of out it, too!
Shop for food and/or souvenirs at one of Florence’s markets.
Florence’s markets range from the hopelessly touristy (but often aesthetically pleasing) to obscure and out of the way, and there’s truly something for every taste!
The most famous (and crowded) two markets are Mercato Centrale, which mostly sells unprepared food downstairs and prepared food upstairs, and Mercato San Lorenzo, the souvenir/leather market outside of Mercato Centrale.
One step off the beaten path lies the much calmer and smaller Mercato Sant’Ambrogio (a one-story food market and food hall), which is located just a short block away from the Mercato delle Pulci (Florence’s flea market).
Depending on when you visit, you’ll also find plenty of seasonal farmers’ and artisans’ markets scattered throughout the city, too–the one in Piazza Santo Spirito was a delight when we visited!
If you have your heart set on buying a high-end leather souvenir, it’s best to find a well-reviewed artisan’s shop or stop by the School of Leather, rather than browse the outdoor tourist markets, though affordable leather belts and wallets also have their place!
Here are the best things to buy in Florence!
Meander through the Boboli Gardens.
Formerly the haunt of the Medici family, the Boboli Gardens are easily Florence’s most famous formal gardens.
Laid out in the 16th century and spanning a whopping 11 acres next to the Palazzo Pitti (the one-time home of the Medici), the Boboli Gardens are the perfect place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of Florence and to take a moment to stop and smell the (literal) roses.
Our favorite spot is at Casino del Cavaliere in front of the Porcelain Museum, which is one of the highest points in the gardens. Be sure to sure to stop by in order to soak in the stunning views of the Tuscan countryside!
Small but pretty, a quick visit to the Porcelain Museum itself is worth adding to your list of things to do in Florence, and your entrance is included with a visit to the Boboli Gardens. (2025 note: once it reopens, anyway: it’s currently closed for updates).
Like virtually all of the most popular places to visit in Florence, booking timed-entry tickets in advance is recommended to visit the Boboli Gardens, and you can buy them either on the official website or through sites like Get Your Guide.
Watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato al Monte.
Watching the sunset from one of Florence’s best viewpoints is free, mesmerizing… and in the case of Piazzale Michelangelo, nearly unbearably crowded on some nights.
So, here are two options: either stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, which undoubtedly offers one of the best free views of Florence… or keep climbing and ditch (some of) the crowds.
The Abbey and Church of San Miniato al Monte offers an even higher view of Florence, and the climb keeps the crowds dampened (we actually first visited San Miniato al Monte via this vintage Vespa tour, which was incredible).
If you time your visit right, you can even hear the monks perform Latin and Gregorian chants, which is a very memorable travel experience in Florence! You can check the schedule here.
15 More Incredible Travel Experiences in Florence
Try your hand at a Tuscan cooking class.
Our cooking class in Florence (or technically speaking, our cooking class held in the hills just outside of Florence) remains our favorite that we’ve taken in Italy!
A hands-on cooking class like this will take your new Tuscan food expertise to a whole new level, and it’s extremely helpful for understanding what makes Tuscan cuisine so special–and how to bring pieces of it home with you.
Whether you want to participate in an all-day affair that includes enough food that you’ll need to roll yourself out of the kitchen by the end (we highly recommend this experience) or a smaller class that focuses on one or two dishes (say, pasta or tiramisu), there’s a Tuscan cooking class for you.
Our day of cooking up fresh pasta, ragu, tiramisu, Napoli-style pizza (no, not technically Tuscan–but delicious), pork, and more while sipping glass after glass of Chianti and staring out at the hills of Tuscany ranks as one of our favorite memories from our many trips to Italy.
See incredible sculpture at the Bargello National Museum.
Want to visit an elaborate art museum in a gorgeous building that once served as a prison?
That’s what you’ll find at the Bargello National Museum, along with world-class sculpture by artists like Michelangelo and Donatello!
This is one of Florence’s premier museums, and it’s absolutely worth the time to visit. It’s also located right in the center of the city, so you’ll likely pass by it as you explore!
However, like the Capitoline Museums in Rome, the Bargello National Museum is generally far less crowded than it feels like it should be simply because of its location.
In a city with so many world-class attractions, it flies a bit under the radar. In a less art-laden city, it might be the star of the show!
Art buffs will enjoy taking a guided tour, but for the casual visitor, this is one of the less stressful major attractions in Florence, where you can still simply buy a timed-entry ticket and explore without too much planning.
Zairon, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Marvel at the interior of the Palazzo Pitti.
Once the home of the prominent Medici, today Palazzo Pitti bears the curious distinction of being a very famous building in Florence… that thousands of visitors brush right past in order to visit the Boboli Gardens that are located next door!
For those who stop before smelling the roses, though, Palazzo Pitti is a marvelous place to explore.
You can opt to visit either the Palatine Gallery (in the main section of the palace), the Royal Apartments, or both during your visit.
Part art gallery and part historical museum, the Palazzo Pitti’s stunning interior is memorable and we greatly enjoyed visiting it.
Temporary exhibits, from modern art to fashion and beyond, often also pop up at the Palazzo Pitti.
If you’d like to visit, consider purchasing a combined ticket to the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens, and a handful of other attractions, available on the website or through Get Your Guide. Just be sure to read the activation instructions carefully!
Hop on the antique carousel at the Piazza della Repubblica.
The stately Piazza della Repubblica is one of the city’s most-visited piazzas and a must-see while visiting Florence.
Here, you’ll find beautiful architecture, buskers, roaming crowds made up of everyone from tourists to schoolchildren, souvenir stalls, pop-up artists, and… and antique carousel!
Carousels aren’t terribly uncommon in Italy (we appreciated just how many there were for the first time when visiting Italy with our baby), and they tend to be very affordable–think a couple Euro for a ride.
Whether you’re traveling with kids or you’re just a kid at heart, it’s a fun way to mix up your sightseeing in Florence!
After years of snapping photos of the carousel, it was a very special moment when we were able to make the Piazza della Repubblica Carousel our son’s first carousel ride.
(For those looking for a different kind of viewpoint, it’s also worth noting that the Rinascente department store and its famous rooftop bar overlooking the Duomo is right off of this piazza too–but fair warning, it’s very crowded these days).
Visit the Santa Maria Novella Church.
As the first major house of worship that you’ll encounter after exiting the Florence train station (they do share a name, after all!), you might expect this to be one of the top places to visit in Florence… but while the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is certainly well-known, a very small fraction of travelers visiting Florence step inside.
Don’t make that mistake when deciding what to do in Florence!
A Dominican basilica dating to the late 1200s, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is best known for its 15th-century frescoes (especially the Filippo Strozzi Chapel and Tornabuoni Chapel). Its cloisters are also stunning and peaceful.
We were surprised by just how much there was to see here–there are various chapels off of the cloisters, not just in the main building–and how long we wanted to linger. The Spanish Chapel from the 1300s captured our attention in particular!
There was no line and no requirement to pre-book tickets here during our most recent October 2024 visit, either–a breath of fresh air in Florence these days!
Eat your gelato-loving heart out.
Fun fact: while gelato is of course wildly popular in all of Italy and beyond, the leading theory is that it was invented right here in Florence!
We have devoured everything from the most highly recommended artisan gelatos to whatever touristy gelato was closest when the craving struck while in Florence, and we haven’t had a truly awful scoop yet–but some gelato is certainly better than others, so it’s worth seeking out the better ones.
If you’re looking for the most authentic gelato, here’s the scoop (see what I did there?): the beautiful mounds of gelato that look great in store windows are for the tourists, not the foodies, and they weren’t created in-house.
For an in-house created gelato, your best bet is to find shops that store the gelato in silver containers, out of sight, or in low-lying silver bins where the gelato doesn’t sit higher than the edge of the container.
You’ll also want to look for muted colors (think brown-ish pistachio, not Crayola-green pistachio).
The display is less impactful that way, but the gelato is more authentic and more likely to be made on-site.
A few of our favorite gelato shops in Florence are My Sugar (we try to stop here at least once per trip), Gelateria Edoardo for creative flavors (try the cinnamon!), and Gelateria Della Passera for its creamy texture and competitive prices!
Tour the Palazzo Vecchio.
How many cities can say that their current city hall has been serving as a center of government since the 13th century?
Not many, I’d guess, but Florence sure can!
The Palazzo Vecchio, located in Piazza della Signoria and very close to the Uffizi, is Florence’s seat of local government to this day!
These days, though, much of the building functions as a museum as well. Stop by for a dash of history, a sprinkle of art, and some great views of Florence!
Arnolfo Tower, which we discussed earlier as one of our favorite views of Florence, is located here–but it is ticketed separately from the museum, so be aware of which you’re hoping to see when you visit!
Check out the Basilica of Santa Croce.
Did you know that Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo–all Italians who are notable in wildly different ways–are all entombed in the same place?
They are–and that place is the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence!
Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, and you’ll find not only these final resting places but memorials to many other famous Italians who are buried elsewhere, such as Da Vinci and Dante.
This is probably Florence’s second-busiest church after the Duomo, so come prepared for lines and crowds. Timed-entry tickets are encouraged, though not as essential as at some spots.
If you happen to be visiting Florence during the holiday season, it’s also worth noting the Piazza Santa Croce (where Ranger and I are standing in the below photo) is where Florence’s main Christmas market is held each year!
Enjoy a simple but tasty lunch at a panino shop.
Panini shops are ubiquitous in Florence–they seem to be around every corner, each one smaller and cuter than the last.
Quick, tasty, and inexpensive, panini make the perfect lunch while in Florence. Either get one to take away if you’re on the go, or have a seat and a glass of wine if you have a bit more time!
If you’re not sure what to order, I recommend asking the person working there what their favorite panino on the menu is–their advice has never led me astray (though to be fair, I’ve also never had a panino I didn’t like).
There are many famous panini shops in Florence (All’Antico Vinaio has transformed itself into a global chain in the years we’ve been visiting Florence), but while they’ve all been delicious, we don’t think any of them are worth the lines.
Personally, we like Il Panino del Chianti and Il Cernacchio and tend to visit the latter on almost all of our trips to Florence.
Admire views from the Ponte Santa Trinita.
The Ponte Vecchio may be Florence’s most famous bridge to take a stroll across, but that walk comes with one major flaw: when you’re on the Ponte Vecchio, it’s impossible to get a good view of it.
For that, take a short walk over to the Ponte Santa Trinita instead!
As you’re crossing, you’ll have an incredible view of the Ponte Vecchio, and get to enjoy crossing the Arno with a fraction of the crowds as compared to what you will experience on the Ponte Vecchio.
An optional addition to the walk: we personally feel this view is best lingered over with a scoop or two of gelato in hand.
Stroll through the Bardini Gardens.
Did you know that your ticket to the Boboli Gardens is actually a ticket for two Florentine gardens?
The beautiful Bardini Gardens are smaller than the better-known Boboli Gardens, generally less crowded, and boast incredible views over Florence.
And, since there’s a good chance you’ve already paid the entrance fee by visiting the Boboli Gardens, it’s absolutely worth adding this spot to your list of things to do in Florence!
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting from mid-April to early May, you may also be lucky enough to spot the aptly named Wisteria Tunnel when it’s at its best.
Gallivanting under these beautiful purple flowers is still high on our wish list for things to do in Florence, but we loved visiting the garden outside of peak bloom, too.
Ride a Vespa through the streets of Florence (and beyond).
Is there anything better than hopping on a vintage Vespa on a beautiful day and winding through the streets of Florence and the hills of Tuscany?
We’ve yet to find anything that can beat it!
Our vintage Vespa tour, complete with stops at San Miniato al Monte, an olive orchard, and a picnic with a view, remains among our most cherished memories of all our Italy travels.
If you have the time, we highly recommend signing up for one!
Learn important Florentine history through the eyes of the Medici.
The Medici family dominated Florentine politics and culture for centuries, including through the Renaissance.
This is the family that greatly expanded Florence’s currency and banking system, nurtured the talent of Michelangelo, consulted with popes (and some of them were popes), had the Vasari Corridor built, kept a hippopotamus in the Boboli Gardens, and shaped centuries of Florentine policy.
Of course, it didn’t all go well–schemes, dramatic betrayals in the middle of the Duomo on Easter Sunday, times spent falling in and out of favor, wars, and more also plagued both Florence and the Medici throughout their years in power, but there’s no escaping that the Medici had an impressive role in shaping the Florence that we know today.
If you’re interested in this chapter of Florentine history and want to go beyond simply visiting sights related to them when picking things to do in Florence, consider signing up for a Medici-themed walking tour to learn more about their time in the city.
If you’re a fan of reading (occasionally dense) history, I also highly recommend the book The House of Medici
And, for Medici-related attractions that we haven’t already covered here, consider visiting the Medici Chapels (I love them, and cover them more in this post) and the Basilica di San Lorenzo.
This popular walking tour covers some of the best stories of the Medici!
Rub the nose of the Porcellino statue in Mercato Nuovo.
On the edge of the open-air Mercato Nuovo, surrounded by touristy leather goods and visitors en route to Piazza della Signoria or Piazza del Duomo, you’ll find a curious statue: a bronze wild boar, curiously named “Il Porcellino” (“the little pig”).
By rubbing his nose (ideally while holding a coin in his mouth and releasing it into the grate below with your other hand), you’re said to obtain good luck–and a promise that you’ll return to Florence.
While we’re not superstitious sorts, we’ll never turn down a fun ritual, and we make a point of stopping by on every visit!
We’ve even had our son and our dog Ranger participate in the ritual with us, which made for fun photos and lots of giggles, if nothing else.
Like many outdoor artworks around the world, this Porcellino is a replica (the 17th-century original is in the Bardini Museum)… who has spawned many other replicas!
We’ve had lots of fun spotting porcellinos around the world, including in Savannah, Georgia and a short walk from our apartment in New York City (there’s one at Sutton Park on E 57th, in case you’re wondering)–but the hometown version is the most fun to visit.
… and given the reputation of Il Porcellino, there’s no better way to wrap up this list of the best things to do in Florence: because if there’s one thing we hope you take away from this blog post, it’s that you’ll likely leave wanting to come back!
Where to Stay in Florence, Italy
When it comes to planning where to stay, we’re big fans of letting location be one of the most important determining factors.
For Florence, if you choose a hotel that is centrally located, within easy reach of some of Florence’s top attractions and hopefully the Santa Maria Novella train station, you’ll be golden.
We recommend checking the walking distance to the Duomo specifically, as it will give you a good idea of how long the commute will be to the heart of the action, so to speak.
Here are a few great options for places to stay in Florence:
Budget
Hotel Dali — With an impeccable location a 1-minute walk from the Duomo, thousands of excellent reviews, and even free on-site parking for anyone planning a road trip, Hotel Dali is simultaneously charming and budget-friendly–a true rarity in central Florence.
The catch?
No air-conditioning, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a summer trip to Italy!
Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Dali today!
Mid-range
Hotel Silla — Located just a hop, skip, and jump from the Arno River, we loved our stay at Hotel Silla!
The hotel itself is lovely and quiet, the included breakfast a nice touch, and the location perfect: you have easy access on foot to all that Florence has to offer, without having to worry about crowds or noise.
We’d be happy to check in again!
Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Silla!
Luxury
Hotel Lungarno — Nestled right against the Arno River and home to one of the best views of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence (not to mention some of the best views of the rest of Florence from their top deck), Hotel Lungarno is our personal “if we ever really want to splurge” hotel in Florence.
If you’re looking to pamper yourself, you can’t go wrong using Hotel Lungarno as your base for your first trip to Florence!
Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Lungarno!
Read More About Visiting Florence (+ Beyond)
If you found this guide to the best things to do in Florence helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your travel research here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse our 100+ Italy blog posts here, or you may also like:
- To read our thoughts on the best day trips from Florence, from cities like Bologna and Arezzo to small towns like Montepulciano and Volterra (plus tips on which day trips we DON’T advise).
- Checking out detailed itineraries for cities like Rome, Venice, Milan, and Naples.
- Brainstorming the best places to visit in Italy.
- Reading up on common travel mistakes in Italy (and how to avoid them).
- To convert this Florence bucket list into a detailed 2-day itinerary for Florence (we also have a 1-day option).
My goodness that pizza looks good guys. Florence feels wonderful. I think my wife visited during her trip through Italy many moons ago. Wonderful post!
It definitely was delicious!! 😀
Florence is such a gorgeous city! Thanks for the amazing tips we will definitely need to go up and
admire the view from the Piazzale Michelangelo next time we are there – that picture is incredible!
Thanks, Nadia! We missed the Piazzale Michelangelo on our first couple of visits too (it just seems a bit out of the way compared to most of the other major sights in Florence), but it is definitely worth the climb!
Those views are amazing!! Florence is at the top of my list now!
Exactly what we like to hear, Kelly! 🙂 Florence is amazing–you definitely won’t be disappointed by it if you get the chance to go.
Thank you for your post. I found it so helpful and informative. Osteria All’antico Vinaio is definitely my favourite suggestion.
Thanks, Dale! Those sandwiches are delicious.