Things to do and see in Florence

14 June 2021

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Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.

 

Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany, is cradled between the surrounding hills in scenic splendour. The birthplace of European Renaissance, the city hosts some of the most famous works of art on the planet along with palaces, churches and monuments that evoke its rich past. The surrounding countryside comprises rolling hills that only add to its beauty and charm. There is a lot to explore in Florence to keep the art enthusiast in you alive!

Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore

Florence’s main church stands on the city with its magnificent Renaissance dome, designed by Brunelleschi. The cathedral was built on the ruins of the 7th century church of Santa Reparata. On its right side you can admire Giotto’s Bell Tower, whereas the Baptistery of San Giovanni stands opposite the cathedral entrance. This remarkable historic landmark can be considered a summary of the entire city, as point of convergence of the greatest artists of the glorious Italian Renaissance period.

 

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Santa Maria Novella

The church of Santa Maria Novella is located just a few metres from the railway station which shares its name, so it is easy to find. Chronologically, it is the first great basilica of the city, it was built between 1279 and 1357 by the Dominican order. Architecturally, it is one of the most important Gothic edifices in Tuscany. Inside the building, you will find masterpieces by Masaccio, Giotto and Brunelleschi.

 

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Basilica Santa Croce

Located right in the main square of the Piazza di Santa Croce, Basilica Santa Croce, perhaps the most famous Florentine building is one of the largest and oldest Franciscan basilicas in the world. It is also known as the ‘Temple of the Italian Glories’, as the church is today the burial ground of some of the greatest Italian artists including Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Gioacchino Rossini, just to name a few. The church was built in 1294 and designed by one of the great architects, Arnolfo di Cambio.

 

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Basilica di San Lorenzo

This cathedral is the great masterpiece of Michelangelo in Florence. Here, you will find the Master’s New Sacristy, some sculptures that Michelangelo made for Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici’s tombs, and fine examples of Mannerist architecture in the Biblioteca Laurenziana – which is the building annexed to the cathedral. In addition, the edifice also houses the splendid Old Sacristy by Brunelleschi.

 

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Cappella Brancacci and Santa Maria del Carmine

The Brancacci Chapel is located in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. It is also known as “the Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance” for its magnificent painting cycle by Masaccio, which inspired great artists as Michelangelo and Raffaello. Today its access is via the neighbouring convent, designed by Brunelleschi. Nevertheless, the church and the chapel are treated as separate places to visit; they even have different opening times.

 

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Galleria degli Uffizi

This is one of the biggest museums of the world. It houses important masterpieces from the 13th to the 19th century. Among its works it boasts of Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”, probably the most famous painting in the history of art, after the “Mona Lisa”. The museum is also historically important for being one of the firsts to open its doors to the public, during the 18th century. A reservation far in advance is necessary.

 

Useful Info:

  • Location: Piazzale degli Uffizi 6, Florence
  • Website: www.uffizi.com
  • Timings: Tue–Sun 8.15am–6.50pm
  • Price: Free entrance for Firenze Card owners, children under 6 years old, disabled people and their helpers, authorized tour guides and leaders, and teachers accompanying school groups.



Galleria dell’Accademia

This gallery is mostly famous for its sculptures by Michelangelo: The Prisoners, St. Matthew and, above all, the magnificent statue of David. Accademia houses works by the greatest Italian artists, such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, and many others. Great part of the collection belonged to the powerful Medici family, who, at the end of their domination, donated it to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany so that this treasure could be preserved and enjoyed by everyone.

 

Useful Info:

  • Location: Via Ricasoli 58, Florence
  • Website: www.istitutodeglinnocenti.it
  • Timings: Tue–Sun 8.15am–6.50pm
  • Price: Discounts for: EU citizens between 18 and 25 years old, teachers from EU public institutes. Free entrance for: Minors below 18 years old, disabled persons and an accompanying family member, ICOM members, and journalists.



Museo degli Innocenti

Museo degli Innocenti – Hospital of the Innocents – is the headquarter of a charitable institution that has provided care of children and infants for more than 500 years. The structure houses a gallery and museum exhibiting famous paintings of Italian artists, such as “Madonna with Child” by Botticelli and “Adoration of the Magi” by Ghirlandaio. Even the building itself, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, is a masterpiece of the Renaissance architecture.

 

Useful info:

  • Location: Piazza della Santissima Annunziata 12, Florence
  • Website: www.istitutodeglinnocenti.it
  • Timings: Mon–Sun 10am–7pm
  • Price: Different kind of tickets are available according to their validity period. Discounts are available for younger persons between 12 and 18 years old, students, persons over 65 years old, and for members of groups of at least 15 people. Free entrance for children, university students of some departments (see the website), disabled people and helpers.



Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio – literally “the old palace” – was the ducal residence in Piazza della Signoria, but today it is the town hall of Florence. It houses a large collection of paintings and sculptures, and on the square just in front of the building, you can admire several amazing statues which one of them is a copy of the famous “David” by Michelangelo. In fact, this was where the original sculpture was located, before it was moved to Accademia Gallery in 1873.

 

Useful Info:

  • Location: Piazza della Signoria 1, Florence
  • Website: www.florenceartmuseums.com/palazzo-vecchio
  • Timings: Mon–Wed 9am–12pm; Fri–Sun 9am–12pm
  • Price: Discounts available for: Younger persons aged 18 to 25 years, students and people over 65. Free entrance for: Persons below 18 years old, disabled people and their helpers, authorized tour guides and leaders, teachers accompanying school groups, Firenze Card owners.



Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti houses different types of museums and temporary exhibits. The basis of the current palace dates back to 1458, when it was the residence of the powerful bank man, Luca Pitti. It was then bought by the Medici family a century later and employed as official residence of the ruling family of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Attached to the Palazzo Pitti are the Boboli Gardens which are among most beautiful and ancient royal gardens in Italy.

 

Useful Info:

  • Location: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze 
  • Website: www.florenceartmuseums.com/pitti-palace
  • Timings: Tue–Sun 8.15am–6.50pm
  • Price: It is possible to buy a 3-days cumulative ticket that includes all the museums in Palazzo Pitti complex. Free entrance for children below 6 years old, disabled people and helpers, authorized tour guides and leaders, teachers accompanying school groups and Firenze Card owners.



Museo Galileo – Institute and Museum of the History of Science

Florence, which has a long history of collecting art and artefacts of historical relevance, opened its science museum in 2010. The exhibitions include all kinds of inventions from history, with informative videos showing how they work. Since Galileo Galilei was one of the world’s most celebrated scientists and inventor, this museum is a tribute to him and to the work he accomplished in Florence.

 

Useful info:

  • Location: Piazza dei Giudici 1, Florence
  • Website: www.museogalileo.it
  • Timings: Mon 9.30am–6pm; Tue 9.30am–1pm; Wed–Sun 9.30am–6pm.
  • Price: Discounts available for: 6-18 ears old and for groups of at least 15 people. Free entrance: For children below 6 years old. Family tickets are also available.



Tuscan Wine Tour

Chianti region is one of the world’s most famous wine districts, and Florence is located right in the centre of this area. The landscape here is unique with its green hills and vineyards lying next to olive groves. This scenery is so beautiful that many internationally renowned directors set their movies here. It possible to hire a car and visit cantines and vineyards on your own, or book one of the many wine tours organised from the numerous private tour operators located in the city centre.

 

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Villa Gamberaia

If you are visiting Florence during the warm season, Villa Gamberaia is worth a visit. This luxurious villa is located 15 minutes from the centre of Florence, surrounded by green hills and the Tuscanian countryside, it is particularly famous for its Renaissance and Baroque gardens. Take a break from the chaotic tourist paths by taking a walk in this peaceful place just outside the city.

 

Useful Info:

  • Location: Via del Rossellino 72, Settignano
  • Website: www.villagamberaia.com
  • Timings: Mon–Sat 8am–6pm; Sun 9am–5pm
  • More info: Occasionally the gardens are closed for private events. It is recommended to contact the villa to be sure that visits are possible on a given day.
  • Prices: Tickets are available on the spot. Discounts for students and groups.



Cooking Classes in Florence

Learn the foundations of universally revered Italian cuisine by joining a cooking class. Some classes include tours of local produce markets with an immersive workshop on picking the best ingredients from across vendor stalls. There are multiple providers – see details below for one of those.

 

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Leonardo Da Vinci Museum

The museum is situated in the historic heart of Florence and shows in full-scale the perfectly working machines designed by the Great Master, Leonardo Da Vinc. Here, visitors can not only see the large models of Leonardo’s creations but also experiment personally with their mechanism, thanks to the interactive exhibitions. Leonardo designed in his time machines and principle that the modern civilization would afford only several centuries later. Let yourself be amazed by his indisputable genius and creativity.

 

Useful Info:

  • Location: Via dei Servi 66, Florence
  • Website: www.mostredileonardo.com
  • Timings: Mon–Sun 10am–6pm
  • Prices: Reduced entrance: Children over 6 years old, students and group of at least 15 people. Free admission: Children up to 6 years old and disabled people.



Florence Food Walking Tour

Thanks to this organised tour, you can discover Tuscanian specialties and the best places where to eat in Florence, while at the same time exploring the charming and historical areas in Florence accompanied by a professional and knowledgeable guide. There are more food tours available like the “Florence beers and bites” including “private afternoon food tour”. So food, art and history all together in one tour! What more could you ask for?

 

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Museo Casa di Dante

Born in Florence 1265, Dante is the father of modern Italian language and author of the famous The Divine Comedy, one of the greatest masterpieces of world literature. Keep in mind, the museum is not the actual place where Dante was born; it is a restored medieval house similar to Dante’s birthplace. This picturesque tower house illustrates the story of the poet and the medieval Florence through historical documents and some models.

 

Useful Info:

  • Location: Via Santa Margherita 1, Florence
  • Website: www.museocasadidante.it
  • Timings: Tue–Sun 10am–5pm
  • Price: Reduced price for: school and tour groups, children ages 7-12, members of TCI/Edumusei/Assointesa, journalists, ICOM cardholders, and disabled people helpers. Free admissions: For children up to 6 years old, ICOM cardholders, tour guides and disabled people.



Italian Coffee, Cappuccino and Latte Art Courses

The entire world knows Italian coffee: espresso, macchiato, cappuccino… But if you are curious to discover something more about how to make a real Italian break, these courses fit you perfectly! Lectures are held by English speaking teachers with years of coffee experience, not only they will answer all your questions about coffee, but you can also learn how to recognise a top quality blend, and how to make a good Italian espresso.

 

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Segway Italy Tours

Explore one of Italy’s most beautiful Art Cities with an eco-friendly sightseeing tour – with a Segway. A 3-hour tour where the knowledgeable guide will show you Florence’s most iconic sights and attractions while telling you stories and curiosities about the city. If this is your first time, do not worry, you will first get to know how to rid a Segway before the tour starts.

 

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