10 Top things to do in Florence Italy. Visit Florence!
Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is a city that captures the heart and stirs the imagination of every traveler.
From its stunning architecture to its rich artistic heritage, Florence offers an abundance of experiences that beckon to be explored.
Whether you’re wandering through the iconic streets, indulging in authentic Tuscan cuisine, or marveling at world-renowned art, there are countless things to do in Florence, Italy, that will leave you enchanted.
In this post, we’ll unveil the top 10 must-see attractions and hidden gems that make Florence a destination like no other. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of this timeless city!
Table of Contents
10 Top Things to do in Florence
Now we see the 10 Top Things to do in Florence that are:
- Center of Florence and Ponte Vecchio
- Uffizi Museum
- View from Piazzale Michelangelo
- Brunelleschi’s dome
- Academy Museum
- Giotto’s Bell Tower
- Terraces of the Cathedral
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Leonardo’s Museum
- Dante’s house
Things to do in Florence: visit Florence and admire art
Florence is worth seeing just for the city itself. Its monuments make the city different from all the others. Its old bridge, the well-decorated white cathedral, the shape of Palazzo Vecchio, and the famous white statues in the square make Florence unique.
Video Visit Florence Italy
You can well understand how is Florence by watching the following video.
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1 – Center of Florence and Ponte Vecchio
The first thing you should do in Florence is to walk along the river Arno and see Florence’s profile. Along the Arno, you’ll also find the famous Ponte Vecchio or Old Bridge. From there, go into the city center and admire the beauty of Florence’s monuments.
Florence from the walk along the river Arno:
You can watch the video directly here or on YouTube using the following link: https://youtu.be/tJVbPmUjDss. If you are reading this article from your smartphone, scroll to the bottom of the page and exit the mobile mode to view it directly on this page.
2 – The Uffizi museum
Florence is worth seeing especially for those loving art. Art is visible all around the city, but the most precious artworks are located in the museums.
When you visit Florence, visiting the Uffizi is one of the things you should do. The Uffizi Museum is very important for its history and for what it preserves. In this museum, you can find artworks of Raffaello, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Caravaggio, and many other famous artists.
A very famous Raffaello’s artwork, the “Portraits of Agnolo Doni and Maddalena Strozzi”, is an iconic painting of the artist. It’s a revolution in the thinking in the world of portraits.
In the Uffizi, some works by Leonardo da Vinci are exhibited, too. The most famous are The Baptism of Christ, The Adoration of the Magi, and The Annunciation.
The Baptism of Christ is an artwork of Leonardo’s master, Andrea del Verrocchio. In fact, Leonardo has done the profile of the angel, the shaded background, and Christ’s body.
Instead, the Adoration of the Magi and The Annunciation is completely done by him. The first one was never completed entirely, in fact, the characters in the painting are partially done.
The Announcement is the only artwork entirely made and completed by the artist, it represents the announcement from the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin in a Renaissance palace. It was made for a lateral altar in a church.
The most famous work exhibited in the Uffizi is the Birth of Venus by Botticelli. It was made after the request from Lorenzo the Magnificent. There are represented Venus in the center, Zefiro on her left, and Ora on her right, while she was giving her a dress.
The unknown meaning of the painting is the celebration of the birth of a new humanity.
Another important artist is Piero Della Francesca, who made the “Double Portrait of the Dukes of Urbino”. The artwork can be dated between 1465 and 1472.
3 – Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is a square and a balcony upon Florence. The view from Piazzale Michelangelo is amazing and it’s completely free. You don’t have to pay to have this fantastic view. It’s only 20 minutes on foot from the Florence city center.
4 – Brunelleschi’s dome
Brunelleschi’s dome gives you the best Florence view you can have. At the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome is an incredible 365° balcony where you can admire all of Florence. You are in the middle of the city, and you can see all its moments around you.
To go up to the Dome, you need to climb 463 steps, then the effort is significant, but the view is worthy of your effort.
You can watch the video directly here or on YouTube at the following link: https://youtu.be/LKhQtPWzDJw. If you are reading this article from your smartphone, scroll to the bottom of the page and exit the mobile mode to view it directly on this page.
5 – The Accademia Gallery
The Uffizi is not the only important museum in Florence. When you visit Florence you should visit also the Accademia Gallery. This is the museum where you can see the magnificent original statue of David made by Michelangelo.
It’s the same statue you can see in Piazza Della Signoria in front of Palazzo Vecchio. The only small and big difference is that in the square where it was placed at first there is now only a copy.
The Statue was removed from the square in 1872 to preserve it. When it was in the square it was too exposed to the dangers. During its history, the statue had to be repaired more than one time. The David of Michelangelo is too precious to allow something to damage it. That’s why they decided to move it from the square and place it in a safer place.
The David of Michelangelo is important not only because is a masterpiece work of art but also for its meaning.
David is a young man who has to fight against the giant Golia. In his hand, he has the sling because he’s represented soon before his fight. The young man well represents the new republic instituted in Florence. The David was made in fact a few years before the new republic was instituted. The republic took the place of the dominion of De Medici’s family. This young republic had to fight against big giants. An example could be the papacy of that time.
Another curiosity is that the David had originally to be placed on the Duomo as one of its decorative statues and not in the square.
6 – Giotto’s Bell Tower
Giotto’s Bell Tower in Florence is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that captivates travelers with its intricate design and breathtaking views of the city. Standing tall next to the Florence Cathedral, this iconic landmark is a must-visit for those seeking a glimpse into Italy’s rich artistic heritage. The vibrant marble facade and elegant campanile are a testament to Giotto’s artistic genius and continue to inspire visitors from around the world.
8 – The Palazzo Vecchio or Old Palace
The Palazzo Vecchio, also known as the Old Palace, stands tall in the heart of Florence, Italy, as a symbol of the city’s rich history and artistic heritage. Its majestic tower offers panoramic views of the charming streets below, beckoning travelers to explore its grand halls filled with stunning frescoes and sculptures. A visit to the Palazzo Vecchio is a journey back in time, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the captivating stories of the Medici family and the Renaissance period.
10 – Dante Alighieri’s house
House where Dante Alighieri is thought to have lived. The original house has been modified and extended. The Casa di Dante Museum, therefore, does not contain particular objects that belonged to the poet but its purpose is to spread the knowledge of Dante’s life and works and of the medieval Florence he lived.
Shopping and food
Art has always been of great value but the food and the shopping can make us very happy. When you visit Florence you can also relax and enjoy the food.
In Florence in fact there are a lot of good restaurants and you can have very good food. The salami, the pasta, and the meat are delicious and are even better with a good glass of red local wine. The main specialty is the famous “Bistecca alla Fiorentina” for those very hungry. If you like truffle there are many restaurants that have dishes with it on their menu.
After all this food you can go through the streets and find out all the shops where you can buy very cute leather bags and clothes. Shopping is one of the best things to do in Florence before leaving.
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