Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance, and it shows — an extraordinary concentration of art and architecture packed into a city small enough to walk across in under an hour. Here are the 14 best things to do in 2026.
One of the world's great art museums, holding Botticelli's Birth of Venus, works by Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael — book skip-the-line tickets well ahead, as queues are genuinely long without them.
Housed in the Accademia Gallery, the original David is genuinely more striking in person than any photo conveys — book ahead, as this is consistently Florence's most in-demand ticket.
Brunelleschi's dome remains an engineering marvel over 500 years after completion — climbing it rewards you with sweeping views over the terracotta rooftops of the whole city.
A medieval stone bridge lined with jewellery shops, the only Florence bridge to survive WWII bombing — genuinely one of the most photographed spots in the city, best visited early morning to avoid crowds.
Elaborate Renaissance gardens behind the Pitti Palace, offering a genuinely peaceful escape from the busier museum circuit and excellent city views.
A hilltop square across the Arno with the single best panoramic view of Florence — especially worthwhile at sunset.
Florence's fortress-like town hall, still the seat of local government, with lavishly decorated interiors open to visitors.
A covered food market with a ground floor of fresh produce and a lively upstairs food hall — genuinely one of the best casual eating experiences in the city.
A Gothic basilica serving as the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli — genuinely significant history packed into one church.
The "other side" of the Arno, home to artisan workshops and a noticeably more local, less touristy atmosphere than the historic centre.
Florence is the natural gateway to Chianti — a guided wine tasting, either in the city or a short trip into the countryside, is a genuine highlight for many visitors.
A quieter, less crowded sculpture museum than the Uffizi, with important early Michelangelo and Donatello works — genuinely worth it for art enthusiasts wanting to skip the crowds.
Both are easy day trips from Florence — Siena for its medieval core and Palio history, Pisa for the Leaning Tower and its surprisingly pleasant cathedral square.
Florence is often credited as gelato's birthplace — seek out artisanal gelaterias with muted, natural colours over the neon-bright tourist-trap versions.
Currency: Euro. Card payment is widely accepted throughout the city.
Getting around: The historic centre is compact and entirely walkable — you're unlikely to need public transport for most sightseeing.
Language: Italian. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
How many days do you need in Florence? 3 days covers the essential museums and sights. 4-5 days allows day trips to Siena or Pisa without rushing.
Do I need to book the Uffizi and Accademia in advance? Yes, strongly recommended — both are consistently Florence's most in-demand tickets, especially in peak season.
Is Florence walkable? Yes — the historic centre is genuinely compact enough to cross on foot in under an hour.
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