Best of Italy: Florence

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Florence is seriously one of my favorite places in Italy. It is gorgeous and the art there is astounding. I've been to Florence quite a bit. When I lived with an Italian host family in Pisa, Florence was less than an hour train ride away, and cheap to get to also. So I went fairly often. I ended up spending my next summer with the same host family and one of my BFFs came along with me (to another family who lived close by) so we went to Florence together too. My husband, parents, brother, and I also went in the summer of 2015 which was really fun.

This is me on my very first trip to Florence when I was 19 in the spring of 2010. 
This is me and my husband and kids (one is napping off-camera) in the fall of 2022.
The most recent time I went was with my husband and 3.5 kids in September of 2022. (If you want to travel with kids, I've got your back.) For your convenience, here's a map of all the best stuff! It's color coded too đŸ¤“


✨ Best of Florence ✨


Yellow = To Do
Blue = Gelato
Red = Eats
Green = Museums
Purple = Extra Churches & Parks

(If clicking the map doesn't work, copy and paste this in your browser to see the full thing: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1DP8kWYBGIT9h-P3RMFVcocxNwQsKnyg&ll=41.7235840152629%2C12.884463749999995&z=6)


You can use the map to guide your trip. Or pick your favorite things from the list. For detailed explanations, keep reading. Here are all of my favorite things to do in Florence.


1. Galleria Dell'Accademia (where Michelangelo's David stands)

The David is just...there are no words to describe it. There are replicas outside in Florence (one is in the Palazzo della Signoria, see #6 and another one is in Piazzale Michelangelo, see #8). Like me, you may see one of the replicas before you see the real deal. Whatever you do, don't be tempted to think that it's enough and you don't need to see the real David. It's absolutely false. Pictures don't do it justice. Replicas aren't even close. You must see the David, the real thing and in person! It is incredible, awe-inspiring, and one of the top 5 most incredible pieces of art I've ever seen. I think my jaw was on the floor for a good five minutes the first time (actually every time) I saw it. You must see it. Period. 

You can get tickets to Galleria Dell'Accademia here 
or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/en/tickets/

2. The Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) & the Baptistery

I looove this cathedral. Both the outside and the inside are so interesting and aesthetically pleasing. I really enjoyed seeing them. My favorite part was climbing to the top of the Duomo with my friend Kate when we lived in Italy together. It's awesome to see the paintings on the ceiling of the Duomo up close as you go up. When you get to the top, you get a spectacular view of the city of Florence. Note: if you are claustrophobic, this might not be the best experience for you as the stairs are quite narrow going up to the top.

 

You can get tickets to see the top of the Duomo, museum, basement of the cathedral, and climb the bell tower here 
or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://operaduomofirenze.skiperformance.com/it/negozio#/it/acquista?bookable_y_n_a=a

The baptistery is so cool too! In my art history class, we learned about how there was a competition to see who would earn the commission to make the baptistery doors. 

3. Gallerie Degli Uffizi 

This place is just fantastic. It has tons of classic pieces that must be seen in person! Plus a bunch of other beautiful art that is so worth your time and attention. Some of my favorite things here are: 


You can get tickets to the Uffizi here 
or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://www.uffizi.it/en/tickets

4. And the Hall of Famous Italians
Lining the courtyard of the Uffizi are statues of famous Italians. Here are a few and you can read about them:
5. Ponte Vecchio
This is a famous bridge in Florence. The bridge is lined with jewelry shops which are fun to look at! And there is usually a musician of some sort playing on the bridge. It's a fun walk so definitely take your time to see this. 

This bridge is open to the public and therefore free :)

6. Piazza della Signoria & 7. Loggia dei Lanzi

These two are probably in my top places in Tuscany. Piazza della Signoria is an old square which has lots of statues, a cool fountain, and of course Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio). All these things are fun to look at but by far the best is Loggia dei Lanzi! When I was in Florence with my parents, brother, and husband, my mom didn't believe these statues were the real deal! Because the gallery is outdoors, it's easy to think they might be replicas but they are in fact, the original statues! My favorite ones are The Rape of the Sabines, Perseus with the Head of Medusa, and  Hercules and Nessus by Giambologna. 

This gallery is open to the public and therefore free :)

   

 



8. Piazzale Michelangelo

This place has an incredible view of the city of Florence! It also has a replica of Michelangelo's David in bronze so that's fun to see. Just to warn you, it's a bit of a hike to get here — but totally worth it! 

This piazza is open to the public and therefore free :)

9. Mercato Centrale
This is a super fun market where you can buy dried fruit, nuts, souvenirs, art, and a bunch of other stuff. It's way fun to just look around but I actually bought some food here when I went and it was great. 

This market is open to the public and therefore free :)

10. Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
This church is gorgeous and was a big part of my art history class in high school! That's because it has S-curved scrolls (technically called volutes) on the facade in the upper corners that are the first of its kind. If you pay attention, I'm sure you'll see lots of scrolls like this or variations of them on churches all over Italy and all of them draw their origins from the design of Santa Maria Novella! 

This church is open to the public and therefore free :)

11. Basilica of Santa Croce 
This basilica is really pretty so if you have extra time, I'd recommend a quick visit. 

This basilica is open to the public and therefore free :)

Other fun things to do when you go to Florence:





Eat Gelato

Seriously. At least once a day (if not more!), get some authentic (artiginale) gelato. It's true Italian, absolutely delicious and you're going to walk off the calories anyway. 


Go to some parks

We went to some parks as a family and that was really fun. Sometimes it's nice to step out of the touristy places and get a feel for what local life is like. 



Eat Delicious Local Food

And this doesn't just mean at restaurants! Even just the fresh fruit and bread at the grocery stores is amazing. (There are a lot of good restaurants and cafes on the map too.)


Rent Bikes

Renting bikes is one of my favorite things to do in Europe. The main cities in Europe are very bike-friendly and it's such a fun way to see a city. Plus it is generally not expensive at all and there are bike lanes everywhere which makes it really nice and easy. 


Well, that's a wrap! Hope you enjoy your exciting trip in Rome. Did I miss something? What was your favorite thing to do in Italy?  Leave me a comment!



Other fun things to do before you go to Florence:

Watch these movies:
✨ Hannibal (if you like thriller/murder movies)
✨ Eat, Pray, Love (especially the part in Tuscany!)
✨ Inferno (sequel to Angels and Demons)

Get this gear:
✨ Really good walking shoes (you'll walk a lot!)
✨ Clothes that support a good appetite :D
✨ A little fan (if you're going between May-October)

General tips about traveling in Italy: 

Plan Out Your Trip

  • Always buy tickets directly with the official sites (not third-party websites). Not only will you save money, but you'll also avoid scams.
  • When you're there, you may want to check the metro/train/bus times the day before you plan to take that route.
  • Consider seeing two places around the same time — for example, you can walk down La Rambla on your way to shop in Mercado de La Boqueria. 


Transportation Methods 


 ✈️ Cheap Little Flights

  • You can find excellent deals with Ryanair (watch how much baggage you can bring!) or Google Flights
  • Often they're just as cheap (or cheaper) than the train and can save you loads of travel time

🛴Electric Scooters đŸš˛ (or Bikes)

  • These are a great way to get from A to B quickly
  • Also a great alternative if you don't want to go into the hot metro
  • They are cheap and you can find them with app locators — we have used Lime, Bird, Dott and some others

  

 đŸš‡ The Metro / Tram

  • Metros/trams are cheap and fast 
  • They connect the city really well
  • They come very often (not long to wait!)
  • They are easy to navigate if you pay attention well 

         đŸšśWalking

  • Italians (and Europeans in general) walk everywhere!
  • Bring good walking shoes!
  • It’s a wonderful way to get around and get a feel for the city

         đŸš™ Uber

  • Also a handy way to travel 
🚌 Buses
  • Buses are another great way to get around town
  • If you're lucky and going in the off-season (September - May), they shouldn't be too crowded 
  • Be aware that around rush hour (5-6 pm), they can get quite busy

Other transportation helps
  • Google maps is accurate and helpful​
  • If you're going to other cities, Rome 2 Rio is helpful to see ways to get from A to B, but be sure to double-check the bus and train schedules before you plan. It’s a good way to see multiple methods of travel and compare cost, times, etc

Great Resources