The buzzing capital city of Tuscany, Florence is a must-do on any Italian itinerary. Here, you can explore the incredible art and architecture of the Renaissance period, eat delicious food, and soak up the rich history that still runs deep through Florence. Here are 11 things to do on your first trip to Florence!
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1. See the duomo
This is possibly one of the most obvious things to do in Florence – but you absolutely cannot miss Florence’s Duomo. Built in the 15th century, the Duomo is an iconic symbol of Florence and the Renaissance. There are several buildings – the Cathedral, the Dome, the Baptistery, Santa Reparata, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Museum. Admire the beautiful harmony of the gothic facade and renaissance architecture!
You can visit the cathedral for free, but entry to the Dome or Bell Tower requires a ticket.
You can purchase tickets here, or you can take a guided tour of the Cathedral, Dome, Baptistery, and Bell Tower!
2. Visit a Rooftop
VIEW ON ART | This rooftop is located next to the Duomo and offers incredible views without the crowds of people! We got here just after they opened and nearly had it all to ourselves!
ANGEL ROOFBAR | A beautiful rooftop bar with great drinks, a gorgeous ambience, and amazing views of the city! You can also enjoy dinner here, but make sure you make a reservation!
3. Take a Cooking Class
This was, without a doubt, one of our favorite memories of Florence. We hand-made four different types of pasta while sipping on Tuscan wine and meeting people from all over! The chef was so energetic and knowledgeable and made the class so much fun. And of course, you can’t go to Italy without making fresh homemade pasta at least once!
4. Visit the Wine Windows
OSTERIA BELLE DONNE | Florence’s most popular wine window. It gets quite busy, but the queue generally doesn’t take very long. There’s no tables, so everyone stands on the side of the road and sips their wine.
CANTINA DE PUCCI | My preference of the two wine windows we visited. I found the wine to be tastier, it was less crowded, and I thought the window was cuter! There’s also a few tables here so you can grab a seat to enjoy your drink.
5. Visit the Pitti Palace
The Pitti Palace was built by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1457 and ultimately became the residence of the Medici Family.
Today, the palace houses five museums and the Boboli gardens, an impressive landscape with numerous Renaissance statues and fountains. The gardens are a beautiful place to enjoy a picnic or relax under the sun – just make sure you pay attention to signs as some places are forbidden to sit!
Tickets are purchased on site, pricing is 22€ for the museums and garden, and 11€ for just the garden.
6. Take Pics in a Photo Booth
There are a few vintage photo booths scattered around Florence! Stop in one and snap a few photos for an incredible souvenir to bring back home with you!
7. Try Florentine Steak
Florentine steak is obviously a must-try during your time in Florence. The steak is a special cut from a Chianina cattle (a Tuscan breed known for good meat), which is seasoned with local spices then cooked rare over hot coals. The result is a steak so tender it melts in your mouth!
La Falterona was recommended to us by a local for the best Florentine steak in the city. It was absolute perfection, and despite it being a ton of food for two people, we nearly finished the whole thing. The wild boar pappardelle is also worth mentioning – it was mouth watering!
8. Eat your weight in pizza
While we’re on the topic of food, the best pizza I had during my entire month in Italy was here in Florence at Gusta Pizza. It’s an incredibly famous spot, and we waited in a queue for about 20 minutes, but it was so worth it. The pizzas are cooked in a massive wood-fire oven and the ingredients are so fresh. Order the tartufo pizza – trust me!
9. Watch the sunset on the Arno
Head to the Ponte Vecchio bridge to stop and enjoy the sunset over the Arno River. The Ponte Vecchio bridge is a pedestrian bridge lined with jewelry and souvenir shops. It can get full of tourists during peak seasons, but it’s still worth a visit!
10. Visit the Uffizi Gallery
One of the oldest museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery houses incredible collections of Renaissance works of art. Here you will find many of the greats such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, and more!
11. Piazza della Signoria
Sitting right in the heart of the city, the Piazza Della Signoria is a square that is hard to miss. The Palazzo Vecchio towers above, and an open air gallery of Renaissance sculptures sits on its edge.
Climb up the Palazzo Vecchio for a birds-eye view over the city or marvel at the ancient sculptures in the square. It’s not every day you walk amongst these types of sculptures outside instead of in a museum!
TRAVEL TIP | I found it so difficult to find water fountains throughout Florence (although they are quite easy to find in other parts of Italy). The ONLY fountain we actually ever found in Florence was in this plaza – tucked away behind the statue of Neptune.
11. See the David
One of the most famous sculptures of all time, Michelangelo’s David is an important symbol of Florence’s freedom during the Renaissance. It was originally placed in the Piazza della Signoria but is now on display at the Accademia Gallery. The fourteen foot sculpture is impressive, and the details Michelangelo included are incredible.