Things To Do In Florence

Florence is without doubt one of the great art cities of the world and it boasts a range of attractions. There are striking churches and landmarks, numerous monuments and museums, and some of the world’s foremost art galleries. Peaceful city parks and gardens offer respite from the tourist hordes, while lofty towers lend outstanding panoramic views.

Battistero di San Giovanni

Believed to be Florence’s oldest building, the Baptistery of St John (Battistero di San Giovanni) stands opposite the Duomo and was built on the site of a Roman building. The present Renaissance structure hails from the middle of the 11th century and is resplendent with richly-adorned bronze doors. This minor basilica was used to baptise all Florentines up until the late 1900s.

Campanile di Giotto

The 14th century Campanile di Giotto is one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture in the country and is located in Piazza del Duomo. The building was started by genius artist Giotto and finished by Francesco Talenti, due to the death of the former master. The tower stands 275 feet above the square, ensuring its bells could be heard all over the city at times of mass or when warning residents of impending danger.

Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore

Florence’s awe-inspiring cathedral, the Duomo is situated at the western end of Piazza del Duomo square, right in the heart of Florence. The grand structure dominates Florence and its cavernous dome can be seen from miles around and was the largest dome to be built using scaffolding in its time. Another of Giotto’s masterpieces, the Duomo took 200 years to complete and is still the tallest building in the city, offering fantastic views after you climb the 463 steps to the top. Renowned artists also contributed to the cathedral’s interior and visitors can see fabulous frescoes, mosaics and rich stained-glass windows.

Galleria degli Uffizi

The famous Uffizi gallery covers the history of art in Florence and is an enormous structure featuring an array of world-famous masterpieces. It is one of the world’s most important galleries and houses the Medici art collection including Michelangelo's ‘Holy Family’, Botticelli's ‘Birth of Venus’ and Titian's ‘Venus of Urbino’. Other notable attributes include the Tribune, Medici Theatre, the ancient church of San Pier Scheraggio, Leonardo Room and the massive Vasarian Corridor.

Giardino dei Semplici

Literally translated as ‘the simple gardens’, the Giardino dei Semplici are beautiful mid-16th century botanical gardens featuring a wide variety of mature plants and trees that have been extensively studied. There are also many types of medicinal herbs here as well as several greenhouses and specialist museums. The gardens are located to the northeast of the city centre and are easy to get to from Piazza del Doumo; simply follow via Ricasoli. The gallery is linked to the Pitti Palace to the south of the River Arno by a secret passage over the Ponte Vecchio bridge, constructed so that the Medici family could get into town in peace.

Palazzo Strozzi

The Strozzi Palace is a gigantic and striking Renaissance palace that was constructed between 1489 and 1536 for rich banker, Filippo Strozzi. Today, the palace houses art exhibitions and a library in its three storeys, each of which is the height of a normal city palace.

Palazzo Vecchio

Located near the famous Uffizi gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) is another 14th century structure that was built as Florence’s town hall, still fulfilling this purpose today. Also featuring an impressive bell tower, as with many other Florentine buildings of the time, the palace sports a remodelled interior that was completed by Vasari.

Ponte Vecchio

This bridge dates back to the mid-1300s and is Florence’s oldest bridge. Ponte Vecchio is today a healthy shopping thoroughfare and is characterised by three arches and a secret passageway on top. Gold and silversmiths line the bridge and portraits of Florence’s great artists adorn the secret passageway above. This is also a great place to pick up cheap copy portraits. 

Museums

Florence boasts a magnificent collection of museums, many of which are situated in beautiful old buildings. Museo e Istituto di Preistoria 'Paolo Graziosi' is located in the town hall and contains important pre-Stone Age collections, while Casa di Dante (Museum of Dante's House) is one of Florence’s most striking monuments featuring important works by the famous artist and poet. The Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza (Science Museum) shows off many experimental instruments of the time through thousands of interesting exhibits.