Florence Bucket List: 25 Best Things to Do in Florence, Italy

Best Things to Do in Florence You Can’t Miss

1. Explore the Duomo Complex

No Florence bucket list would be complete without the Duomo Complex, and it deserves a lot more than a quick look from the outside.

The complex includes the Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Santa Reparata and the Opera del Duomo Museum.

The Cathedral is free to visit, but everything else requires a ticket. There are three different passes available depending on what you want to see.

I highly recommend getting the Brunelleschi Pass, which covers all six sites and is the only one that includes the famous dome climb. The pass starts with the dome climb, so you’ll need to reserve a timeslot in advance, and then it’s valid for three days so you can visit the rest at your own pace.

The dome climb is the highlight for most people, and for good reason. It’s 463 steps with no elevator, but the panoramic view over Florence at the top makes it completely worth it.

If you want to get the most out of the complex, it’s also worth booking a guided tour for the full historical context. I’m talking from experience when I say the stories behind these buildings make the whole visit so much richer!

2. Visit the Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most important art museums in the world, and if you have any interest in Renaissance art at all, it’s a non-negotiable stop in Florence.

The collection is massive, spanning centuries of Italian and European art, but the highlights most people come for are Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, along with works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.

The queues can be brutal, especially in peak season, so booking your tickets online in advance is a must. Plan to spend at least two to three hours here, and if you want to go deeper into what you’re seeing, a guided tour is absolutely worth it.

3. See Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia

The Accademia Gallery is home to one of the most famous sculptures in the world, and seeing Michelangelo’s David in person is one of those experiences that genuinely stops you in your tracks.

Photos don’t do it justice. The sculpture is enormous, incredibly detailed, and the way it’s displayed at the end of a long hall means you see it slowly reveal itself as you walk towards it. It’s a special moment even if you’re not particularly into art.

The museum itself is smaller than the Uffizi, so you don’t need as long to get around it. An hour to an hour and a half is usually enough for most people.

Like the Uffizi, skip the queue and book your tickets in advance. It’s one of the most visited museums in Italy and the lines can get very long, very fast.

4. Walk across Ponte Vecchio

No trip to Florence is complete without walking across Ponte Vecchio, the iconic medieval bridge that stretches over the Arno River.

What makes it unique is that it’s lined with shops, which have been there since the 16th century. These days they’re mostly jewelers and art dealers, but the whole thing still feels like stepping back in time.

Try to cross it at different times of day if you can. Early morning it’s quiet and atmospheric, while at sunset the light over the Arno is absolutely beautiful. Just be prepared for crowds during the day, especially in summer!

5. Join a food and wine tour

One of the best things to do in Florence is exploring the local food scene with a guided food and wine tour, and there are plenty of options to choose from depending on your budget and interests.

I highly recommend this Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour, which kicks off with a Prosecco toast and takes you through four Tuscan wines, a negroni masterclass, and some of the best local bites in the city. It’s a great way to get your bearings while eating your way through Florence at the same time!

Whichever tour you choose, I recommend doing it on the first day of your trip. Your guide will inevitably point you towards their favorite spots around the city, and you’ll want the rest of your stay to actually follow up on those recommendations.

6. Hike up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset

Piazzale Michelangelo is the most famous viewpoint in Florence, and the panoramic view over the city and the Arno River is absolutely stunning. It’s the kind of view that makes you stop and just take it all in.

The walk up takes about 20 to 30 minutes from the city center. The last stretch is a bit uphill but nothing too strenuous, and the walk itself is lovely especially in the late afternoon when the light starts to change.

Be warned: this place gets insanely crowded, and I mean people start arriving one to two hours before sunset to get a good spot. I recommend going early if you want some breathing room.

That said, the atmosphere up there is something else entirely. There’s usually live music, the energy is buzzing, and the sunset itself never disappoints, no matter how many people are around you.

7. Escape the crowds at Terrazza San Miniato

If Piazzale Michelangelo gets a bit too crowded for your liking, Terrazza San Miniato is just a five minute walk further up the hill with the same stunning view and a lot fewer people.

The terrace sits right in front of the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte, one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Tuscany and worth a visit in its own right. The church dates back to the 11th century and the interior is incredibly well preserved.

To be honest, this is one of my favorite spots in the whole city. It feels like a proper hidden gem even though it’s not technically a secret, and the combination of the view, the church and the quieter atmosphere makes it well worth the extra few minutes of walking.

8. Experience Florence’s famous wine windows

Florence’s wine windows, or “buchette del vino”, are one of those quirky historical details that make the city so fascinating.

They are small openings built into the walls of Renaissance palaces, originally used by noble families to sell wine directly to people on the street without any middlemen.

Most of them disappeared over the centuries, but a handful were revived during the Covid pandemic when bars and restaurants started using them again to serve drinks contactless.

Some are still operating today, and passing a glass of wine through a 400 year old hole in the wall is a surprisingly fun experience!

Search “buchette del vino” on Google Maps to find them around the city. Some of my favorites are at Ristorante Matteoni, Osteria Belle Donne and BABAE.

9. Take a pasta cooking class

Taking a pasta cooking class is one of the most fun things to do in Florence, and honestly one of the best souvenirs you can bring home from any trip to Italy.

Florence has plenty of options to choose from, from intimate classes in local home kitchens to larger group sessions in dedicated cooking schools. Most of them will teach you how to make fresh pasta from scratch, and you’ll sit down to eat everything you’ve made at the end.

It’s a great activity for couples, solo travelers and groups alike, and a nice change of pace from a full day of sightseeing. Plus you’ll actually use the skill when you get home, which is more than you can say for most souvenirs.

10. Stroll through Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is the main public square in Florence and one of the most impressive in all of Italy. It’s been the political and social heart of the city since the Middle Ages, and you can feel the weight of that history just by standing in it.

The square is home to an incredible collection of outdoor sculptures, including a copy of Michelangelo’s David and the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open air gallery with original Renaissance and Roman statues that you can walk right up to for free.

It’s also where you’ll find the entrance to the Uffizi Gallery, so chances are you’ll pass through more than once during your trip. Go early in the morning if you want to appreciate it without the crowds, but at any time of day it’s one of those places in Florence that never gets old.

11. Tour Palazzo Vecchio

Most visitors to Florence walk straight past Palazzo Vecchio without ever going inside, which is a shame because the interior is absolutely spectacular.

The building sits right on Piazza della Signoria and has been the town hall of Florence since the 14th century. The highlight inside is the Hall of the Five Hundred, a vast ceremonial room covered floor to ceiling in frescoes commissioned by Cosimo I de’ Medici. The detail and scale of it is genuinely jaw dropping.

You can visit on your own with a ticket, but this is another one where a guided tour adds a lot of value. The history of the Medici family and the political intrigue that played out within these walls makes the whole visit a lot more interesting.

12. Go on a Tuscany day trip

Florence makes one of the best bases in Italy for exploring the surrounding region, and getting out of the city for a day is one of the most rewarding things to do in Florence if you have a few days to spare.

The Tuscan countryside is every bit as beautiful as it looks in photos! Rolling hills, cypress trees, medieval hilltop towns and some of the best wine in the world, all within an hour or two of the city.

Siena and San Gimignano are two of the most popular day trip destinations and both are absolutely worth it. If you’re a wine lover, a Chianti wine tour through the vineyards between Florence and Siena is hard to beat.

I recommend booking a guided day trip rather than renting a car, especially if it’s your first time in the region. You’ll cover more ground, learn a lot more, and actually enjoy the wine without having to worry about driving home.

13. Visit the Medici Chapel

Visiting the Medici Chapel is one of the most overlooked things to do in Florence, which is surprising given how extraordinary it is! It was built as the mausoleum of the Medici family, the powerful dynasty that essentially bankrolled the Renaissance, and the interior is unlike anything else in the city.

The highlight is Michelangelo’s New Sacristy, which he designed and decorated himself, including the famous sculptures of Night, Day, Dawn and Dusk. It’s one of the most complete examples of his work as both an architect and a sculptor in one single space.

Tickets are available on site and it’s a smaller visit than the Uffizi or the Accademia. Plan for around 30 to 60 minutes, so it fits easily into a busy day of sightseeing.

14. Shop at Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, founded by Dominican friars in the 13th century. Today it sells perfumes, skincare, candles and herbal remedies, all made to traditional recipes that have barely changed in centuries.

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s worth going in just to see the space! The interior is stunning, with frescoed ceilings and dark wood cabinets that make it feel more like a museum than a shop.

To be honest, it’s one of those places in Florence that most tourists walk past without realizing what it is. If you’re into beautiful, artisanal products with a serious amount of history behind them, this is a must stop!

15. Have an affogato at Vivoli

If you’ve never had an affogato before, Vivoli in Florence is the perfect place to try one! It’s a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of gelato, and it sounds deceptively simple until you actually try it.

You can choose between the original or a pistachio version for a small extra charge. To be honest, I tried both and the pistachio won for me, but either way you really can’t go wrong.

Vivoli has been making gelato since 1929 and the quality is consistently excellent. No towering piles of brightly colored gelato in the window here, just the real thing made fresh daily.

One practical thing worth knowing: there are two entrances. The right one is just for affogato, and the left is the entrance to the full shop. There’s not much seating inside, so most people end up sitting on the curbs outside with their cup, which is honestly part of the charm!

16. Grab a sandwich at All’Antico Vinaio

All’Antico Vinaio is probably the most famous sandwich shop in Florence, and the queues outside are proof enough that it lives up to the hype!

The sandwiches are made on schiacciata, a soft Tuscan flatbread, and stuffed with a combination of cured meats, cheeses and spreads. The portions are generous to say the least, and one sandwich is more than enough for a full lunch.

The original location is on Via dei Neri, and the queue can get very long during peak hours. I recommend going early or timing your visit for mid afternoon when the lunch crowd has thinned out. It moves fast though, so don’t be put off by the line.

It’s cheap, delicious and as local an experience as you’ll find in the city center. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of sandwich spots in Florence, but this one has earned its reputation!

17. Visit Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens

Palazzo Pitti is one of the largest palaces in Florence, sitting just across the Arno River in the Oltrarno neighborhood. It was the main residence of the Medici family for centuries and today houses several museums, including an impressive art collection that rivals the Uffizi.

But the real highlight for many people is the Boboli Gardens behind the palace. They are one of the most beautiful Renaissance gardens in Italy, with fountains, sculptures, hidden grottos and sweeping views over the Florence skyline.

Both the palace and the gardens are huge, so wear comfortable shoes and plan to spend here half a day if you want to explore properly.

A combined ticket covers both the palace and the gardens, and booking in advance is recommended especially in summer.

18. Rub the Fontana del Porcellino for good luck

Tucked under the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo near Ponte Vecchio, the Fontana del Porcellino is a bronze fountain in the shape of a wild boar that most people stumble across without knowing what it is.

The legend says that if you rub the boar’s nose and let a coin fall through its mouth into the water below, you’ll be guaranteed to return to Florence one day. The nose is so polished from centuries of rubbing that it shines like gold against the rest of the statue.

It’s a quick stop but a fun one, and a great excuse to wander through the Mercato Nuovo while you’re there, which is a covered market selling leather goods, souvenirs and local products.

19. Try the tagliatelle flambe at Osteria Pastella

If you’re looking for a memorable dinner in Florence, Osteria Pastella delivers one of the most fun dining experiences in the city. The tagliatelle flambé is their signature dish and it’s as theatrical as it sounds: fresh pasta finished tableside in a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano and then set on fire.

The food is excellent across the board, but honestly the whole experience is what makes it worth it! It’s the kind of meal you’ll be talking about long after you’ve left Florence.

Reservations are strongly recommended as it gets booked up quickly, especially on weekends. It’s not the cheapest dinner in the city but for a special evening out it’s well worth it.

20. Wander through Giardino delle Rose

Perched on the hillside between Piazzale Michelangelo and the city center, Giardino delle Rose is one of those spots in Florence that feels like a well kept secret even though it’s right there on the map.

The garden is free to enter and home to over 1000 varieties of roses, which bloom beautifully in spring, typically from late April through June.

Outside of rose season it’s still a lovely place to take a break, with shaded paths, Japanese garden sections and some of the best views over Florence you’ll find anywhere in the city.

It’s a perfect stop to combine with a visit to Piazzale Michelangelo since it sits right along the same route. Go in the morning when it’s quiet and you’ll practically have it to yourself but sunset is another great time to visit.

21. Have coffee at Caffe Gilli

Caffè Gilli has been serving coffee in Florence since 1733, making it one of the oldest and most storied cafes in the city. It sits right on Piazza della Repubblica and the interior alone is worth stepping inside for, all Belle Époque mirrors, chandeliers and dark wood paneling.

Order a cappuccino or a Negroni depending on the time of day and take it all in. Sitting down comes with a table service charge, which is standard in Italian cafes of this caliber, but it’s a small price to pay for the experience.

It’s the kind of place that reminds you that in Italy, going for a coffee is never just about the coffee!

22. Explore the city on a Vespa tour

Seeing Florence on a Vespa sounds touristy but it’s actually a really fun way to cover more ground than you would on foot, and most tours take you beyond the city center and out into the Tuscan countryside around it.

There are two ways to do it. You can book a tour where you ride your own Vespa, which most operators will let you do even without prior scooter experience. If you’re not comfortable behind the wheel, you can just as easily book as a passenger and let someone else do the driving.

Either way, it’s a nice change of pace from a full day of museums and churches, and a good way to see parts of the city and surrounding hills that most visitors miss.

23. Grab drinks at View on Art Rooftop Cocktail Bar

For one of the best rooftop views in Florence, head to View on Art at the top of Hotel Medici. It’s a cocktail bar with a terrace overlooking the Duomo, and the setting is genuinely hard to beat.

It’s a great spot for an afternoon break or a sunset drink after a long day of sightseeing. The cocktail menu is solid and the atmosphere is relaxed but stylish. Prices are on the higher end, which is to be expected for a rooftop bar in this location, but the view more than justifies it.

Reservations are recommended, especially in the evening and during peak season as it fills up fast.

24. Day trip to Cinque Terre and Pisa

If you have a few extra days on your Florence itinerary, a day trip to Cinque Terre and Pisa is absolutely worth it! Both are easily reachable from Florence and a guided day trip is by far the easiest way to do it.

Pisa is home to the iconic Leaning Tower and the surrounding Piazza dei Miracoli, which is smaller than you’d expect but genuinely impressive in person.

Cinque Terre is a different experience altogether, five colorful villages clinging to the cliffs above the Ligurian Sea, and one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Italy.

While you can do the day trip on your own, I recommend booking a guided tour. This way you won’t have to stress all day about train connections and you can actually enjoy both stops without worry!

25. Visit Giunti Odeon

Giunti Odeon is one of those places in Florence that genuinely surprises you. It’s a stunning 1920s cinema combined with a bookshop, right in the heart of the city, and the interior alone is worth the visit.

The main screen is one of the largest in Italy and the whole space has an old school grandeur that’s hard not to love. You can walk in and explore for free, browse the bookshop, and soak up the atmosphere without buying a ticket for anything.

If you do want to catch a film, they screen original language movies with Italian subtitles on selected nights, which is a great option for English speakers. Check the schedule on their website in advance as screenings vary.