Florence Travel Guide

Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, a center of art, high culture, and history. It’s also a whole lot of fun as a place to visit. Whether you’re looking for outdoor summer activities, romantic date ideas for you and that special someone, or fun family-friendly experiences with the kids, Florence is abuzz with things to do.

If museums are your thing, Florence is the place for you. The city’s rich history of art, archaeology, science, and culture is reflected in its architecture, many historical landmarks, and in its unparalleled collection of galleries and museums. Lovers of art can delight in some of the world’s most celebrated art galleries, with masterpieces by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Fra Angelico, and many more.

Known as the Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is a city bursting with creativity. From its astonishing architecture to its history of science, its tradition of delicious food to its long legacy of visual art and design, the city is a must-visit for aesthetes and culture vultures.

With its bustling piazza and fragrant lavender, summer in Florence is seriously special. Keep cool in the sun by sipping Tuscan wine or paddling the Arno; or seek shelter from the heat in the city’s incredible array of museums and galleries.

There are plenty of well-known great places to visit in Florence — the city attracts 16 million visitors a year, who flock to highlights such as Michelangelo’s David and the city’s many wonderful art galleries. If you’ve seen the more famous Florence landmarks, and you’re looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, get ready to discover another side to Florence with this guide to the 10 best hidden gems in Florence.

Florence’s rich history as the epicenter of architecture, science, politics, commerce, and art has left its imprint on the city’s skyline and topography. The entire old town is a UNESCO heritage site, and it’s impossible to wander through the city without coming upon sights of historical and architectural importance. Many of these landmarks are centuries old, yet still unsurpassed in the history of human ingenuity.

Italian food is a central part of the culture, and nowhere is this truer than in Florence. Food to eat here is typically simple and flavorful, with fresh, locally grown ingredients. There’s an Italian phrase: ”Buon cibo. Buon vino. Buon amici” — ”Good food. Good wine. Good friends.” Food and wine are central to life in Italy, and when you visit Florence, you’ll understand why.

In Florence, the Tuscan light lends the scenery a romantic, dusky tint. Wander the city’s cobblestone streets hand in hand, soak up the romance-tinged atmosphere, and share a scoop of gelato as you pass hundreds of years of history.

You’ve seen Florence by day: maybe you’ve spent the afternoon soaking up the world-famous art in the city’s many art galleries or sightseeing in the Chianti hills. The sun has dipped below the horizon in a glorious golden haze, and now it’s time to experience a different side to Florence after dark.

Florence is world-renowned as the birthplace of the Renaissance; a city steeped in art and culture, with famous historical landmarks and architecture around every corner. In addition to its sophisticated charms, however, it is also a city that offers plenty of fun activities for kids.

What are your top 5 tips for someone visiting Florence?

1. Plan ahead and prioritize. There's a lot to do in Florence, so pencil in the must-see attractions like the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Medici Chapel, then plan other things around that.
2. Look beyond the main sights to explore Florence's more local gems, such as Santo Spirito, a riverside neighborhood with buzzing streets and leafy squares perfect for casual outdoor dining. Via Santo Spirito is the main street, usually lined with hungry diners leaning against the old walls, sipping wine while waiting for a table.
3. Visit off-peak. The busiest visitor season in Florence is summer (July to September), when it can be very hot too, so visit instead during the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall if you can.
4. Book ahead. Attractions in Florence can get very busy, so book skip-the-line tickets in advance, especially the Duomo tours and the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's "David".
5. Don't spend hours in line for the Duomo. The Duomo's dome and green and white marble facade is the iconic symbol of Florence. Being one of Florence's few free attractions, the lines can be hours long, and other churches in Florence are more impressive inside. Instead, book a tour of the dome, which allows you to get a glimpse inside the cathedral as you ascend.