The best things to do in Florence will genuinely take your breath away. This compact Tuscan city — the birthplace of the Renaissance — packs more extraordinary art, architecture and culture into a small area than almost anywhere else on earth. Walking through Florence feels like moving through a living museum where every street corner, every church doorway and every piazza reveals something remarkable.
The best things to do in Florence span from world-famous museums housing masterpieces that changed the course of art history to completely free experiences that cost absolutely nothing but deliver memories that last a lifetime.
This guide covers everything — from must-book tickets to hidden free gems — so you can make the most of Florence in 2026 without overspending.The best things to do in Florence will exceed every expectation you arrive with.
1. Visit the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is without question one of the best things to do in Florence — and one of the finest art museums anywhere in the world. Home to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, Raphael’s portraits and hundreds of other Renaissance masterpieces, a visit to the Uffizi is an overwhelming and genuinely unforgettable experience.
Allow at least two to three hours here. The galleries flow logically through the history of Italian Renaissance art, building towards the rooms that house the most famous works. Arrive early — the Uffizi opens at 9am and the first hour is the most pleasant time to visit before crowds build.
Book tickets well in advance — the Uffizi is one of the most popular attractions in Italy and sells out regularly during peak season. Tickets from €20 on ourFlorence attractions page.
2. See Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery
Seeing Michelangelo’s David in person is one of the most powerful best things to do in Florence — and one of those experiences that genuinely exceeds expectations. Standing over five metres tall and carved from a single block of marble between 1501 and 1504, David is even more impressive in person than any photograph can suggest. The scale, the detail, the expression all of it is extraordinary.
The Accademia Gallery is smaller and less overwhelming than the Uffizi most visitors spend 60 to 90 minutes here making it an easier and more focused experience. Book your tickets at least two weeks ahead during peak season.
Tickets from €16 on ourFlorence attractions page.
3. Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome
Climbing to the top of Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome is one of the best things to do in Florence for views alone. The 463-step climb brings you to the top of the largest masonry dome ever built — an architectural achievement so extraordinary that it wasn’t equalled for centuries. The panoramic view of Florence’s terracotta rooftops, the Arno River, and the Tuscan hills stretching to the horizon is simply stunning.
The Duomo complex includes the Cathedral, the Dome, Giotto’s Campanile, the Baptistery and the Opera del Duomo Museum all covered by one combined ticket. The Cathedral interior is free to enter. Book dome climb tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
Tickets from €18 on ourFlorence attractions page.
4. Walk Across the Ponte Vecchio
Walking across the Ponte Vecchio is one of the best free things to do in Florence. This extraordinary medieval bridge — lined with jewellers’ shops that have been here since the 16th century — spans the Arno River and is one of the most photographed spots in Italy.
The view of the Ponte Vecchio from the riverbank, especially in the golden hour before sunset, is simply magnificent. Visit early morning for photographs without crowds, or at dusk when the bridge is beautifully lit and the atmosphere is at its most romantic.
Free to walk across — no ticket needed. ✅
5. Explore the Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio is Florence’s magnificent medieval town hall and one of the best things to do in Florence for history lovers. Dominating the Piazza della Signoria — Florence’s main square — this fortress-palace has been the seat of Florentine power for over 700 years.
Inside, the extraordinary frescoed halls commissioned by the Medici family are some of the most impressive Renaissance interiors you’ll see anywhere. Climb the tower for sweeping views over the city’s rooftops.
The Piazza della Signoria outside is completely free to visit — packed with outdoor sculptures including a copy of Michelangelo’s David — and one of the finest public spaces in Italy.
Palazzo Vecchio tickets from €14 on ourFlorence attractions page.
6. Visit the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens
The Palazzo Pitti is one of the most overlooked best things to do in Florence. This vast palace — once the residence of the Medici family — now houses five separate museums including the Palatine Gallery with works by Raphael, Titian and Rubens. Less crowded than the Uffizi, it offers a more relaxed and equally rewarding art experience.
Behind the palace, the Boboli Gardens are one of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance garden design in the world. Grottoes, fountains, sculptures and terraces with sweeping views over Florence’s rooftops — the gardens are a wonderful escape from the busy city streets.
Tickets from €10 on ourFlorence attractions page.
7. Watch the Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo
Watching the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most magical best things to do in Florence — and it’s completely free. This elevated piazza on the hillside above the city offers the finest panoramic view of Florence anywhere — the Duomo, the Arno, the Ponte Vecchio, the terracotta rooftops stretching to the Tuscan hills.
Go about 30-45 minutes before sunset and find a spot on the steps. Bring a bottle of local wine from the supermarket (€5-8) and watch the city turn golden. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
Free — no ticket needed. ✅
8. Eat at the Mercato Centrale
The Mercato Centrale — Florence’s magnificent covered food market — is one of the best things to do in Florence for food lovers. The ground floor is a traditional market selling fresh produce, meat, fish, cheese and cured meats. The first floor is a food hall where you can eat brilliantly at very reasonable prices — pasta, pizza, lampredotto sandwiches, bistecca Fiorentina, and more.
Eating at the Mercato Centrale is one of the best budget food experiences in Italy. A full lunch here costs €10-15 — significantly less than a sit-down restaurant of equivalent quality. It’s busy, noisy, atmospheric and completely authentic.
Free to enter — just pay for what you eat. ✅
9. Discover the Oltrarno Neighbourhood
The Oltrarno — the neighbourhood on the south bank of the Arno, literally meaning “across the Arno” — is one of the best free things to do in Florence for atmosphere and authenticity. While tourists crowd the streets around the Duomo and Uffizi, the Oltrarno is where Florentines actually live.
Artisan workshops, neighbourhood trattorias, independent wine bars and some of the city’s best street food are all concentrated here. Wander the streets around Piazza Santo Spirito in the late afternoon — the aperitivo culture here is outstanding and excellent value for money.
Free to explore. ✅
10. Take a Day Trip to Pisa or Siena
Some of the best things to do in Florence actually involve leaving the city for a few hours. Florence’s position in Tuscany makes it a superb base for day trips — Pisa is just 1 hour by train,Siena is 1.5 hours by bus, and the Chianti wine country is accessible by car or organised tour.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is as extraordinary in person as you’d expect — the whole Piazza dei Miracoli is a genuinely remarkable collection of medieval architecture. Siena’s Piazza del Campo is one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe. Both make for outstanding day trips from Florence.
Book cheap train tickets in advance on ourtrain tickets pagefor the best prices.
Practical Tips for Florence
- Book tickets at least 2 weeks ahead: The Uffizi, Accademia and Boboli Gardens all sell out in peak season. Never arrive without a pre-booked ticket.
- First Sunday of the month is free: Italian state museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of every month — including the Uffizi and Accademia. Plan around this and save €20+ per person.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Florence’s cobblestone streets are beautiful but hard on your fe GGet after a long day. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
- Walk everywhere: Florence’s historic centre is entirely walkable — almost every major attraction is within 30 minutes on foot. Save money on transport and see more of the city at the same time.
- Eat away from the tourist areas: vRestaurants within 200 metres of the Duomo charge premium prices. Walk 10 minutes in any direction for excellent local food at half the price.
- For official Florence travel information visit theItalian Tourism Board.
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