What to do in Florence

Discover top activities in Florence! Explore iconic landmarks, enjoy cultural experiences, and uncover hidden gems to make your visit unforgettable.
Florence is a vibrant city filled with activities to do and enjoy. You can start with the iconic Duomo, a marvel of engineering topped with a mighty dome designed by Brunelleschi. The cathedral itself is free to enter, and the vast interior will leave you in wonder. You can also see the awesome display of the stained-glass windows. To see even profound art you can go to the nearby Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, which hosts sculptures and various artifacts used in the construction of the cathedral. What you must not miss is Uffizi Gallery, a treasure trove of Renaissance masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci.

Things you must do in Florence

Though Florence has its fair share of free sights to enjoy, there are others if you would like to enjoy more. You can visit squares like Piazza della Signoria, with a replica of Michelangelo’s David statue, or stop by Piazza Santa Croce, which includes the Basilica of Santa Croce, serving as a pantheon to Italian greats. If you are an art lover, you might want to walk around free open-air galleries like the Loggia dei Lanzi, which houses some famous sculptures by Cellini and Bandinelli. Florence will give you an unforgettable journey in the intertwined realm of art and history with a dash of Italian flair, regardless of what your budget or interests may be.

Free things to do in Florence

Do not think that to enjoy the historic city you need to spend a large sum of money. Here are a few things you can do without spending any money. It’s a walker’s paradise in Florence. Skip the pricier transportations and take a self-guided ambling tour. Get a free map from your hotel or the tourist information office and wander through beautiful piazzas: Piazza della Signoria, with its replica of Michelangelo’s famous David statue, and Piazza Santa Croce, with its Basilica of Santa Croce that has served as a pantheon of the greats of Italy.

Florence is filled with free artistic experiences. You can visit the open-air galleries like Loggia dei Lanzi, which showcases imposing sculptures by Cellini and Bandinelli. Walk around in the Boboli Gardens, which features renaissance sculptures that dot about the landscape. Most of the museums have free admission in the evening; check for specific days at Uffizi Gallery or Accademia Gallery. Take a different perspective with a free walking tour on street art, and explore undercover murals while educating yourself about the contemporary artistic scene of the city.

Florence Walking tour

Get to know Florence by a walking tour and explore the hidden places. The tours are an excellent means to personally experience the history and culture that the city is filled with. It is during a walking tour that you can really soak up the history of the city; it allows you to spend some time in beautiful piazzas, walk down narrow streets, and pay close attention to the architectural particulars. Although many inevitably take you by those well-trodden sights, such as the Duomo or the Ponte Vecchio, the walking tours inevitably nip off down narrow streets in between to reveal secret gardens, hidden churches, and workshops belonging to local artisans. And, it’s this personal touch that allows you to get under the skin of Florentine life and culture better than most.

To list some fun things to do in Florence, you can visit the beautiful Romanesque church of San Miniato al Monte, which has a beautiful view of the city (free, though a donation is certainly welcome). Take a free wine tasting class and enjoy an interactive experience in one of the enoteche—a wine shop—where you will be able to become more enlightened on Tuscan wines and have some quite tasty samples. The wine itself won’t be free, although it is. Evening Activities, With the sun gone, Florence becomes alive in a very new way.

Enjoy this free entertainment with a gelato. Alternatively, step into a neighborhood bar for an aperitif, or happy hour, where small nibbles are provided with drinks at a reasonable price. It takes a little planning and some creative exploring, but there is a slew of fun, budget-friendly experiences Florence has in store.

Hop-on Hop-off Florence

Make use of the hop-on hop-off bus tour for an easy preview of most of Florence’s main sights. Step aboard the open-top double-decker bus for a pleasant ride with narrated commentary from one location to another. The buses have various routes that will convey you to the historic center, museums, and even out of town. What is nice about this system is its flexibility. Get off at any stop that interests you, visit at your leisure, and then get back on when you are ready. Suitable for first-time visitors and persons with reduced mobility.

Gardens in Florence

While Florence is filled with artistic and architectural richness, sometimes one wants to get away from the crowds. The city has several beautiful gardens where one can take a walk or have picnic lunch. At the back of Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens stretch out in this extraordinary example of Renaissance park design, with their manicured lawns, hidden grottoes, and beautiful sculptures. For a more intimate taste of the beauty, cross to the other hill and visit the Giardino Bardini for breathtaking panoramic views over Florence. Whatever your preference, Florence’s gardens offer a refreshing escape from the energy of city life.

Markets in Florence

Head into one of Florence’s many markets to acclimate yourself to local life. Mercato Centrale, in its historic home, is a feast of the senses itself. Wander past stalls overflowing with fresh produce, local meats and cheeses, Tuscan specialities, and handmade crafts. For specialties and a more traditional taste, drop by Sant’Ambrogio Market—a lively open-air market offering everything from clothing and souvenirs to fresh flowers and local delicacies. Market hopping allows you to experience the daily Florentine way of life, take home some special gift items, and enjoy great street food at easy prices.

Top things to do in Florence

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