Florence has some of the greatest collections of Renaissance art in the world. You can easily walk everywhere, have historic monuments at your fingertips, and are only a bus ride away from the beautiful countryside of Tuscany. Tuscany is absolutely stunning, filled with great wineries and food. If you would like a more in-depth look at the attractions, I will be adding a post very soon, the Best Restaurants in Florence.
Duomo Florence Cathedral (formerly Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
The Florence Cathedral was engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1296. The cathedral stands tall over the city and has a magnificent renaissance dome. It is so pretty with pink, white, and green marble used to cover the exterior. Not only should you go and look around inside the church, but you should take the time to walk up 463 steps to see a closeup of the frescoes on the dome and panoramic view of the city!
Gates of Paradise
The Gates of Paradise built by sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti in the 1400’s are famous bronze doors gilded in gold panels depicting different biblical scenes that served as the entrance for the Baptistery of San Giovani. Michelangelo upon seeing the doors nicknamed them “The Gates of Paradise”. Keep in mind that these doors are replicas of the original doors which are kept at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore. They are just right across from the cathedral and definitely worth the stop.
Mercato Centrale
If you’re wanting to shop locally and find the cheapest prices, Mercato Centrale is the perfect spot. This is where I need to remind you that Florence is known for its leather! As a tourist, watch out for inflated prices but don’t forget you can always bargain. You will see booth after booth of leather goods, scarfs, etc, but don’t forget to go inside to the fresh produce, cheese, and meat vendors. Even if you don’t buy anything, it is a great spot to see some local culture. Upstairs in the indoor market, you will find restaurants and an almost cafeteria-like feel area with unusually good food! I highly suggest grabbing some lunch or dinner for a great spot to stop and eat.
Statue of David in Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
The Gallery of the Academy of Florence is home to the Statue of David. I am at a loss for words when I think about the statue. If you don’t go see anything on my list, that’s okay, but you HAVE to see the Statue of David. I’m not a big art person, but I couldn’t believe the architecture I was looking at. David is easily Michelangelo’s most famous sculpture he has ever done and in my opinion is flawless. Just go see it, you won’t regret it!
Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall and is considered the most historic building in Florence. It was built between the 13th and 14th century. You can look around several different rooms it offers, visit the museum, and even go to the top for a wonderful view. Palazzo Vecchio sits in Piazza della Signoria, the most important square in Florence and one of my favorites. It is quite stunning with the buildings and sculptures it showcases.
Uffizi Gallery
Whether you are into art or not, the Uffizi Gallery is something you can’t skip. It houses some of the best art from the Renaissance period. Some of the most famous pieces, whether they are paintings or sculptures, were made by Botticelli, Giotto, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello.
Giardino Bardini
The Bardini Garden is an Italian renaissance garden with stunning views of Florence. It is considered a secret spot in Florence and something relaxing to do on a clear, sunny day!
