What to see in Florence? What should you visit in one of the most beautiful cities in Italy – and in the world? Of course it depends on how many days you have, but there are some places that you can’t miss, even if you just stay for a couple of days.
Here’s our suggestions, from born and bred Florentines who’ve always lived and loved their city. Your discovery of the city could start from Piazza del Duomo, which hosts Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s cathedral with the famous dome by Brunelleschi, the baptistery and the steeple by Giotto. You will be amazed by the gorgeous colored marble, by the fascinating buildings, and by the art pieces inside.
Climb the stairs to the top of the cathedral and enjoy the view. After that you can take the via dei Calzaiuoli and in five minutes you’ll be in Piazza della Signoria, with the massive medieval bulk of Palazzo Vecchio and the sixteenth-century white marble sculptures of the Loggia dei Lanzi, created by the greatest sculptors of the time.
From here you can go to piazza del Mercato Nuovo for the good-luck ritual of touching the muzzle of the pig in the fountain of the same name. Have a rest in piazza della Repubblica at one of Florence’s historical cafes, but don’t forget to stop at Orsanmichele, the wonderful medieval church.
Other beautiful sights to see in Florence
What more should you visit in Florence? There’s a lot to see. Among the many museums there’s the Uffizi, an amazing collection of works of art: book the visit online to avoid the queue and choose what to see before you go inside, because it’s huge. There’s the Gallerie dell’Accademia (Gallery of the Academy of Florence) and the Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels), where you can see the David and other of Michelangelo’s masterpieces.
There’s Palazzo Pitti with its enchanting Boboli gardens. If you love shopping, via Tornabuoni is the place to visit for the big brands, while Oltrarno and Santa Croce are home to traditional crafts. And for accommodation, you can’t miss us: Residence Hilda, holiday apartments in the center of Florence, a stone’s throw away from everything that matters!