Things to Do in Florence Italy: A First-Timer's List

Updated 2026-10-27. Written with AI assistance and checked against our editorial rules; entry rules and prices change, so confirm with the official source before you travel.

Florence, Italy, packs a lot of art, history and views into a small area. The best things to do sit in the historic center, the Oltrarno across the river and the surrounding hills. Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo make good bases for a first trip. Here is a practical guide to help you plan.

Quick answer

For a first visit, focus on the city's best-known landmarks and add a few local experiences. These are the top picks to include in your itinerary.

Discover the city's artistic heritage

• Explore the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's most famous art museums. It holds Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus' and many other Renaissance works.
• Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's 'David', a symbol of the city.
• Wander through Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, a large palace and garden complex south of the river.

Experience the city's rich history and culture

• Walk across the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone bridge lined with shops.
• Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the heart of the city's religious life.
• Enjoy a Tuscan meal at a local trattoria. Try ribollita, pappardelle, or cantucci with vin santo.

Enjoy the city's natural beauty

• Take a walk along the Arno River and explore the streets and piazzas nearby.
• Visit the hill town of Fiesole for wide views of Florence and the countryside.
• Relax in a green space such as the Giardino delle Rose, just below Piazzale Michelangelo.

Top sights

Most of Florence's main sights lie within walking distance of each other. You can cover the core in a few days.

Famous landmarks

• The Duomo Complex
• The Uffizi Gallery
• Ponte Vecchio

Iconic bridges and squares

• Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone bridge lined with shops
• Piazza della Signoria, a grand square with the Palazzo Vecchio and many statues
• Piazza del Duomo, the busy square at the center of the city

Cultural hotspots

• The Duomo, whose red-tiled dome dominates the skyline
• The Uffizi Gallery, home to some of the most famous paintings in the world
• Ponte Vecchio, with its views up and down the Arno

For more trip ideas, see Best Places to Travel in October: Where to Go and Why.

Duomo Complex

The Duomo Complex is the first stop for most visitors. It includes the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery of St. John and Giotto's Campanile.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The cathedral, known as the Duomo, is the largest church in Florence. Filippo Brunelleschi designed its huge brick dome, a famous feat of engineering. You can climb to the top for views across the city.

Baptistery of St. John

The Baptistery stands in front of the cathedral. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Look for its famous bronze doors outside and the golden mosaics on the ceiling inside.

Giotto's Campanile

Giotto's Campanile is the cathedral's bell tower. Its marble facing in white, green and pink matches the cathedral. You can climb its stairs to a terrace near the top for a close view of the dome.

• Visit early in the morning for softer light and fewer people.
• Take a guided tour to learn the story behind each building.
• Look closely at the carvings and marble panels on the walls.
• Explore the nearby streets for more historic buildings.
• Find a quiet corner of the square for a photo with the dome behind you.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi is one of the world's most famous art museums. It fills a 16th-century building first built as offices for the Medici government. The collection focuses on Italian Renaissance painting.

World-class art

Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus' and 'Primavera' are the best-known works. The museum also holds paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Titian, as well as ancient Roman sculpture.

Must-see works

• Look for Michelangelo's Doni Tondo, a rare panel painting by the artist
• See the early works by Leonardo da Vinci
• Spend time with the Roman statues in the corridors
• Plan ahead to avoid long queues. Check the official website, and see Best Time to Book Flights in Advance: A Simple Guide for help with the rest of your trip.

Ponte Vecchio

History and Architecture

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence. Shops line both sides, which gives it a unique look. Above the shops runs the Vasari Corridor, a private passage built for the Medici.

Shopping and Dining

Today most of the shops sell gold and jewelry. Street performers and artists often gather at each end. For a meal, head to the Oltrarno side, where you will find many small trattorias.

Tips and Insights

• Expect crowds, especially in peak season.
• Stop in the middle of the bridge to take in the river views.
• Come early in the morning or late in the evening for a calmer visit.
• Walk along the riverbank to see the bridge from a different angle.

Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens

Palazzo Pitti is a grand Renaissance palace that later became the main home of the Medici family. Its rooms are richly decorated with frescoes and fine furniture. The Palatine Gallery inside holds a large painting collection, including works by Raphael.

Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens spread up the hill behind the palace. Walk the shady paths and look out for statues, fountains and grottoes. From the higher terraces you get fine views over the city.

Visit the Royal Apartments and Gallery

• See the lavish rooms of the Royal Apartments
• Admire the paintings in the Palatine Gallery
• Follow the garden paths past fountains and sculptures
• Find the Buontalenti Grotto near the garden entrance
• Take a guided tour to learn about the palace's history

Check the official website for opening hours and tickets before you go. For flight timing tips, read Best Time to Book Flights: A Practical Planning Guide.

Accademia Gallery

The Accademia Gallery draws huge crowds for one main reason: Michelangelo's 'David'. The museum also holds other sculpture and paintings from the Renaissance and earlier.

History and Architecture

The gallery is smaller than the Uffizi and easy to see in a couple of hours. Its long main hall leads you toward the 'David', which stands under a skylight.

The David

Michelangelo carved the 'David' from a single block of marble in the early 16th century. The statue is far taller than most visitors expect. Along the same hall stand his unfinished 'Prisoners', which seem to emerge from the stone.

• Plan your visit:
• Buy tickets in advance to avoid long waits
• Take a guided tour to learn more about the art
• Look closely at the unfinished 'Prisoners'
• Visit the musical instrument collection
• Allow time to walk around the 'David' and see it from every side

Frequently asked questions

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