aventuro
Italy
Things to do in Florence
560 attractions · Italy
Tuscany, Italy · 43.783, 11.250
About Florence
Florence serves as the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, housing one of the world's highest concentrations of artistic masterpieces. The city is defined by the massive terracotta-tiled dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which remains a landmark of engineering innovation. Visitors can explore vast collections at the Uffizi Galleries or view the iconic statue of David at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. The historical center is dominated by the medieval Ponte Vecchio, which continues to support a dense cluster of shops spanning the Arno River.
Good to know
- 1
Florence served as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy for five years between 1865 and 1870.
- 2
The city is the birthplace of the Italian language, as the dialect spoken in Florence became the standardized form of modern Italian through the works of Dante Alighieri.
- 3
Local regulations strictly control the external aesthetics of the city center, forbidding the installation of modern signage or neon lighting on historic storefronts.
- 4
The Florentine year officially began on March 25th, rather than January 1st, until the year 1749.
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Florence is home to the world's oldest pharmacy, the Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella, which has been operating since 1221.
Plan your visit to Florence
Best time to visit
May to June or September to October, as these months offer mild weather for extensive walking while avoiding the peak summer humidity and tourist density.
How many days
3-4 days, which allows sufficient time to visit major museums and walk the historic center without rushing through the dense concentration of art galleries.
Getting around
The historic center is almost entirely pedestrianized and best explored on foot, supplemented by a comprehensive local bus network and a modern tram system connecting the outskirts to the center.
Where to stay
Stay in the Oltrarno district for a quieter atmosphere and artisanal workshops, or choose the area surrounding the Duomo for maximum proximity to major transit and primary attractions.
Budget
Florence is a mid-to-high range destination, with premium pricing for centrally located accommodations and dining, though it remains accessible with strategic planning.
Highlights of Florence
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
Ponte Vecchio
This medieval stone bridge is unique for its continuous rows of goldsmith shops built directly over the Arno River.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Climb the massive dome, an architectural marvel engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi without the use of a traditional support frame.
Uffizi Galleries
Access one of the world's most significant collections of Renaissance paintings, including works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo.
David
Witness the sheer scale and anatomical precision of Michelangelo's marble masterpiece in person.
Boboli Gardens
Stroll through these expansive Medici-designed gardens that provide a sweeping elevated view of the city skyline.
Palazzo Pitti
Tour the opulent former residence of the Medici family, which currently houses several specialized art and decorative museums.
Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence
Visit the final resting place of notable Italians including Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Niccolò Machiavelli.
Palazzo Vecchio
Explore this fortress-like palace that has served as the center of Florentine civic power since the 13th century.
Top things to do in Florence
The 560 most popular places in Florence.
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211
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia di S.Francesco
Parrocchia di S.Francesco is a functioning parish church located on Piazza Fra' Girolamo Savonarola in Florence. The chu...
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212
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia della Beata Vergine Maria Madre delle Grazie all'Isolotto
Parrocchia della Beata Vergine Maria Madre delle Grazie all'Isolotto is a prominent modernist parish church located in t...
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213
Museums Hidden gem
Florentine Museum and Institute of Prehistory
The Florentine Museum and Institute of Prehistory, located within the historic complex of the Oblate, focuses on the hum...
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214
Museums Hidden gem
Loggia del Bigallo
The Loggia del Bigallo is an exquisite 14th-century Gothic loggia located directly across from the Florence Cathedral. B...
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215
Historical places Hidden gem
Palazzo Pazzi (INPS)
Palazzo Pazzi, also known as Palazzo Pazzi-Quaratesi, is a notable 15th-century Renaissance palace situated on Via del P...
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216
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa di San Carlo dei Lombardi
The Chiesa di San Carlo dei Lombardi, also known as San Carlo ai Cairoli, is a historic church situated on the prominent...
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217
Temples Hidden gem
San Pietro a Varlungo, Florence
San Pietro a Varlungo is a medieval parish church located in the eastern outskirts of Florence, retaining its historical...
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218
Venues Hidden gem
Teatro dell'Affratellamento
Teatro dell'Affratellamento is a historic cultural and community venue located on Via Giampaolo Orsini in the Gavinana d...
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219
Museums Hidden gem
Museo Bandini
The Museo Bandini houses a significant collection of 12th- to 14th-century Tuscan paintings and sculptures, primarily so...
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220
Temples Hidden gem
Parish of San Giuliano a Settimo
The Parish of San Giuliano a Settimo, locally known as the Pieve di San Giuliano a Settimo, is an ancient Romanesque par...
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221
Places of interest Hidden gem
Grotta del Buontalenti
The Grotta del Buontalenti is a Mannerist-style grotto located within the Boboli Gardens, designed by Bernardo Buontalen...
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222
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fontana delle Scimmie
The Fontana delle Scimmie, or Fountain of the Monkeys, is an ornate sculptural basin located within the Boboli Gardens,...
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223
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa Cattolica Parrocchiale di Sant'Antonino a Bellariva
Chiesa di Sant'Antonino a Bellariva is a modern parish church located in the residential Bellariva district of Florence,...
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224
Museums Hidden gem
Gallery of Modern Art
The Gallery of Modern Art is housed on the top floor of the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. It preserves a comprehensive coll...
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225
Parks Hidden gem
Parco Ragnaia
Parco Ragnaia is a public park located in Sesto Fiorentino, part of the metropolitan area of Florence, Italy, situated a...
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226
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia S. Andrea A Cercina
Parrocchia S. Andrea a Cercina is an ancient Romanesque parish church situated in the hills north of Florence, within th...
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227
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Peter 'a Quaracchi'
The Church of Saint Peter 'a Quaracchi' is a historic parish church situated in the outlying Quaracchi district of north...
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228
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Martin 'a Brozzi'
The Church of Saint Martin 'a Brozzi' is a historic parish church located in the Brozzi district on the western outskirt...
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229
Temples Hidden gem
Pieve di San Pietro a Ripoli
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230
Historical places Hidden gem
Cimitero Comunale del Pino - Firenze - Quartiere 3 Gavinana
The Cimitero Comunale del Pino is a municipal cemetery located in the Gavinana district of Florence, specifically servin...
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231
Parks Hidden gem
Giardino Maragliano
Giardino Maragliano is a neighborhood park located in the Porta al Prato area of Florence, serving primarily as a local...
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232
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa di Santa Maria a Quarto di Rimaggio
The Chiesa di Santa Maria a Quarto di Rimaggio is a historic parish church situated in the Bagno a Ripoli area on the so...
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233
Amusement parks Hidden gem
Parco Giochi Mondobimbo
Parco Giochi Mondobimbo is an outdoor children's amusement park located on Via Madonna della Tosse in Florence, Italy. T...
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234
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa di Santa Maria a Scandicci
The Chiesa di Santa Maria a Scandicci serves as a historic ecclesiastical hub located in the heart of the Scandicci muni...
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235
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Jesus The Good Shepherd
The Church of Jesus The Good Shepherd, locally known as Chiesa di Gesù Buon Pastore, is a contemporary Catholic parish c...
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236
Museums Hidden gem
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze
The National Archaeological Museum of Florence houses one of Italy's premier collections of Etruscan, Roman, Greek, and...
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237
Museums Hidden gem
Galleria Poggiali
Galleria Poggiali is a prominent contemporary art gallery located in Florence, housed within an historic space that cont...
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238
Parks Hidden gem
Giardino Martin Lutero
Giardino Martin Lutero is a small public green space situated along the Arno River in Florence, named in honor of the Ge...
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239
Places of interest Hidden gem
Sagrestia Nuova di San Lorenzo
The Sagrestia Nuova di San Lorenzo, or New Sacristy, is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and sculpture designed...
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240
Museums Hidden gem
Art Gallery Studio Iguarnieri Florence
Art Gallery Studio Iguarnieri is an artist-owned exhibition space located on the banks of the Arno River, specializing i...
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Florence on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in Florence?
Aventuro lists 560 curated attractions in and around Florence, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in Florence?
Piazza del Duomo is the most popular place to visit in Florence right now.
What kind of attractions does Florence have?
The largest category is temples, with 156 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Rome, Milan, Turin.
