10 things to do in Florence, Italy
So you’re headed to Florence? I am so excited for you! I spent a month in Florence and absolutely loved it. It has such a quaint charm that makes it the perfect vacation getaway. I compiled my top ten activities to do in the city that I would highly recommend for your trip.
Visit Piazzale Michelangelo.
Piazza Michelangelo offers panoramic views of Florence and is known for having the prettiest sunsets in the city. Most stock images you see of Florence were likely taken from this square! I recommend going for sunset but if you do be sure to get there early because it gets packed! It sits on a high hill so it can be quite a hike to get there but a taxi is also an option. Some nights there is even live entertainment, making it the perfect spot to grab a gelato, listen to some music and enjoy the view!
2. Climb to the top of the Duomo
The Florence Cathedral also referred to as Duomo di Firenze in Italian is the main cathedral of Italy and is the 4th largest cathedral in the world. The Gothic Style cathedral was built in the 1200’s and the Dome (Cupola) was the last structure to be completed on the cathedral in the 1400’s. You should definitely visit the actual cathedral as well but climbing to the top is a very cool experience and also gives amazing views.
There are around 463 steps to get to the top (yes, it’s a workout) and you MUST purchase a timed Brunelleschi pass to do this climb. The cost is around 30 Euros for visitors over 15 years old and 12 Euros for children ages 7-14 and free for all children under 6.
The pass also includes entry into the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto's Bell Tower, Brunelleschi's Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata. The validity starts from the date selected for the visit to the Dome but your pass to climb the dome WILL be on a strict timed pass.
Video I took of a portion of the walk down from the Dome!
NOTE: If you get claustrophobic in small spaces or have certain mobility restrictions, I would reconsider this climb. But seeing the cathedral from the outside is still gorgeous! I recommend going through the website to book. Be sure to read the site carefully to ensure you are purchasing the right pass and for the time you want.
3. Take a Sunset Rooftop Yoga Class
One of my favorite experiences I did while in Florence was a sunset rooftop yoga class. Not only was it relaxing with beautiful views but It was also interactive and I got to meet a bunch of other travelers. We had an hour long yoga session followed by dinner and wine prepared by our host. It was a magical experience. I got this video of the view on my Instagram.
4. Grab a sandwich from All’Antico Vinaio
There is a reason that the line at All’Antico Vinaio is always down the street! The sandwiches are delicious. It was first suggested to me to try this place on one of my walking tours but the long line always turned me off. I was fortunate to pass one mid-day where the line was only about 15 minutes long so I went for it.
The sandwich did not disappoint! As someone who doesn’t really eat much meat, my options were somewhat limited but I was able to ask for their recommendations. My sandwich was called Vegetariana 2 and it had Stracciatella cheese, pistachio cream, sun-dried tomatoes and basil.
5. Visit Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens is a historic park in Florence that dates back to the 1700’s. It was initially created for the Medici Family, and later came to serve as one of the first representations of a true Italian Garden. You can purchase a single ticket to the gardens for around 10 euros which will also grant you free admission to the Garden of Villa Bardini or you can buy a combination ticket to Palazzo Pitti and the gardens.
6. Visit the World’s Oldest Pharmacy
The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is the world’s oldest pharmacy dating back to 1221. The pharmacy has been crafting beautiful fragrances and herbal remedies for centuries and is a popular stop in the city. I walked around for about 20 minutes to smell some fragrances and read about its history. I purchased a perfume travel kit which was a perfect memento to have and could also make for a great gift.
7. See “David”.
If you have heard of Florence, then there is a strong likelihood that you have seen or heard of this statue. Created by Michelangelo between 1500 - 1504, the David is one of the most recognized pieces of Renaissance art. It is located in the Accademia Gallery and tickets to the museum are about 17 Euros. I found the statue to be much larger in person than I anticipated and reading about the inspiration behind the piece was interesting. Whether you’re a museum person or not, I feel it’s something you have to see at least once.
8. Take a Pasta Making Class
If you didn’t eat pasta did you even go to Italy?? If you do nothing else, you must take a pasta making class! There are so many options and the classes are so fun. I took a class through Airbnb Experiences and it was one of my most memorable experiences in Italy. It was hosted by a local Italian woman in her loft style apartment. I made new friends and learned how to make three different types of pasta, while enjoying endless glasses of wines!
My Pasta Making Group! We had so much fun.
9. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce
Santa Croce is one of the more prominent and recognizable churches in Florence. The basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world and was first constructed in the 1200’s.
It is the burial place of some of the most well-known Italians in the world including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and the poet Foscolo. The entire space is a museum that also includes works of some of the most important painters of the Italian art scene. You must purchase tickets to enter online or in person.
10. Visit Mercato Centrale
The Mercato Centrale is a 2 story marketplace that sells food, fresh produce, flowers, spices and even has performances and live cooking shows! It is fun to spend an afternoon here browsing the food hall and trying the different options that Tuscany has to offer!
