Ah, Florence – What we wouldn’t give to go back and experience this city again for the first time! Florence, Italy has a way of making you feel as if you have stepped back in time – back to the Renaissance! Winding your way through the ochre and terracotta buildings and the narrow cobblestone roads, you find yourself in awe – catching glimpses of the iconic Duomo, the graceful arches of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and of course the stunning sculptures!
Walking the streets of Florence, you’re enveloped by the scents of espresso from the cafe’s, the smell of freshly baked focaccia bread, and the faint sweetness of leather from the many leather shops in town.
Florence is home to one of the most famous museums – the Uffizi Gallery (home to Michaelangelo’s David sculpture) and is also known for having one of the oldest city centers in the world! This city is definitely where art, beauty, and everyday life blend together.
Whether you spend your day climbing the steps of the Duomo or Giotto’s bell tower, walking the streets and eating gelato, or sipping wine with a view of the terracotta rooftops – you won’t be disappointed in your visit.
If this sounds like the place for you, keep reading for our Florence Itinerary, or feel free to check out our Florence, Italy video!
Affiliate links are used in our website. We receive a small commission from the products you purchase at no extra cost from you.
What to do & see in Florence
Giotto’s Bell Tower
If you are looking for a fun/adventurous activity with an amazing view, climbing Giotto’s Bell Tower needs to be on your list! With a stunning view of the Duomo and the terracotta tiled rooftops spanning Florence, the 360 degree view from the top of the tower will not disappoint! Please note that to reach the top of the tower, you have to climb up 414 steps. There are no elevators and the staircase can be very narrow so we do not recommend doing this activity if you have any serious health conditions that may make it difficult for you to reach the top. This is also an activity that needs to be booked in advance and sells out quickly, so we recommend booking in advance!
Piazzale Michelangelo
If you are a fan of sunsets, we highly recommend taking a walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of Florence and the Arno river. Be aware that this is a very popular place to view the sunset so it can get really crowded, but with views like this, we can’t really blame everyone for flocking to this area.
Uffizi Gallery
While we personally aren’t huge art museum people and didn’t visit here during our stay – the Ufizzi gallery is noted to be one of the top art museums in the world. Florence is also noted to be the city of art – so if seeing a lot of famous artwork is important to you – definitely make sure to stop here!
Galleria Dell’ Accademia Di Firenze
Another must see stop for art lovers! The famous David sculpture by Michaelangelo is housed here!
Ponte Vecchio Bridge
Spanning the Arno river, this unique bridge is Florence’s oldest bridge being built in 1345, and is also the only bridge to have survived in World War 2. This historic bridge is a medieval style bridge known for connecting the historic center and the Oltrarno district. Lined with goldsmiths and jewelry stores, visiting this pedestrian bridge is like a step back in time.
Note: Due to this being a highly populated tourist attraction, it is also a great spot for pickpocketing so be sure to be mindful of that.
Piazza della Signoria
If paying to see art isn’t your thing, but you still like art then visiting this free open-air museum in the heart of Florence is definitely a must do! This small square features multiple prominent sculptures, making it feel as if you are walking through an old city sculpture garden. We personally enjoyed the replica David sculpture and a nearby gelato spot during our visit.
Boboli Gardens
While we personally didn’t make it to see the Boboli Gardens, we have heard that this is a must do stop while visiting Florence. Designed as a formal garden for the Medici family, later opening to the public, this 111 acre garden is the perfect place to get lost and take some photos!
Go Thrift Store/Vintage Clothing Shopping
Florence is definitely known for their fashion and there are many places to go shopping in Florence including many high end stores. If you prefer a good deal though, they also have many vintage/thrift stores in town where you can find amazing Italian brands for a fraction of the price. Check out our map for all of our recommendations of stores to visit during your time in Florence.
Where to eat in Florence:
Trattoria Dall’Ost
If you’re a meat lover like us, then it’s highly recommended to try a Florentine steak while in Florence! This thick cut t-bone steak is a Florence staple and is meant to be served on the rare side. Be prepared – it’s a huge steak and we recommend sharing! We made a double date night out of our visit and each couple shared a steak. There are multiple locations in Florence, so pick whichever location works for you, and be sure to make a reservation. We visited in the off season and were able to get a table, however in the busy season it is suggested to make a reservation well in advance.
Don Nino Cafe
This quaint little cafe near the Duomo is not one to be missed. We fell in love with this cafe and visited it multiple times during our time in Florence! From the best pastries (aka – the maritozzi’s) to the delicious cappuccinos, this cafe not only has the best breakfast treats, but was right in the heart of the historic city center! We found them to be very decently priced for being in such a high tourist area as well! Note that they are only open in the mornings so be sure to stop here early.
Ristorante Vincanto
With a view of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella church and the piazza, we enjoyed dining in the outdoor part of this restaurant, taking in the view, and trying several of our first Italian items including risotto and an Aperol Spritz.
I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti
This little sandwich shop came highly recommended to us by some good friends that have been to Italy several times. This artisan sandwich shop is filled with Tuscan salami style sandwiches made with fresh focaccia bread and so much flavor! It’s important to note that this place is really tiny, and very popular. It is definitely a tourist stop with long lines, but man, is waiting in line worth it – we would return to Florence just so we could eat here again!
Cimatori Trenta Firenze
While roaming around the streets of Florence, we wandered into this restaurant, and not only was it super cute with amazing service, but the food was fantastic. We enjoyed their bruschetta and the tomato and basil pasta – and yes, we know these are basic dishes, but you can’t mess with a classic dish! The cheesecake here was also to die for!
Tip: It’s been rumored that people with gluten (not celiac) and dairy intolerances in the US can eat these items in Italy and not be affected. HallyAnn is lactose intolerant in the US, but didn’t seem to be affected by any of the dairy products she consumed on this trip!
Check out our Wanderlog Map for a complete list of places we recommend while visiting Florence.
General Florence Information:
- We suggest a good pair of walking shoes as you will be getting in a lot of steps walking around the city! For transportation between cities in Italy, we suggest taking the train. We booked our train tickets on Italiarail. We suggest walking the city as it is very walking friendly, however you can also use uber here for longer distances and the US based Uber app works while in Florence!
- Bring a water bottle, or plan to pay for water! Water is not free at restaurants in Italy so bringing a pre-filled water bottle can help to save your wallet! We used the free water from our hotel fridge to fill out water bottles before venturing out for the day to save a bit on water where we could.
- Tipping is not custom or expected in Italy unlike it is in the US. However, we did notice that many places would charge more if you wanted to be seated vs a to-go order or eating/standing at the counter which seemed to be very common throughout Italy, especially in cafes.
- It’s important to note that places like the Duomo or other religious spaces require you to cover up your shoulders and knees – so plan your outfits accordingly!