1. Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo was designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi in 1869. During that period, Florence was named as the capital of Italy and was undergoing urban renewal.
The square’s lookout offers a magnificent panoramic view of Florence city. Piazzale Michelangelo can be reached by bus 12 or 13 in front of Santa Maria Novella Station.
Remember to purchase and validate the bus ticket as consistent checks are made by officers.
Getting There
Bus: Bus 12 or 13 departing from Santa Maria Novella Station
2. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore is the third-largest church in the world after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London.
The construction started in 1296 designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in a Gothic style with pointed arches and angular vertical spaces. However, the cathedral was only completed 140 years later in 1436, with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi.
Book Online: Small Guided Tour with Fast Track Entry to Duomo and the Secret Terraces
3. Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio Bridge is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River. The bridge spans the Arno at its narrowest point where historians believed the bridge was first built during the Roman times when the via Cassia crossed the river at this point.
There have been shops on Ponte Vecchio since the 13th century. Initially, there were all types of shops, including butchers and fishmongers however in 1593 Ferdinand I decreed that only goldsmiths and jewellers be allowed to have their shops on the bridge in order to improve the wellbeing of all.
4. Uffizi Gallery
Credit: @jav.velasco
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most important Italian museums and holds a collection of priceless works from the Italian Renaissance. The main part of the collections was gifted by the Medici family.
Some of the collections by great Italian artists such as Botticelli, Giotto, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello are hosted in the museum.
Book Online: Ultimate Uffizi Priority Entrance Small-Group Tour | Uffizi Gallery Skip-the-Line Ticket
5. Michelangelo’s David
David is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created between 1501 and 1504 by the Italian artist Michelangelo.
The 5.17-metre statue depicting the Biblical hero David was carved from one single block of marble from the quarries in Carrara in Tuscany.
Book Online: Michelangelo’s David Guided Accademia Gallery Tour | Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line Ticket
6. Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio located in Piazza della Signoria is the town hall of Florence. Inside the Palazzo, there are a series of hidden passages built by the Medici to escape their enemies or to store valuables.
7. Mercato Centrale
Credit: @kayranade
Mercato Centrale is a two-level food market. On the ground floor, you will find the butchers, fishmongers, fruit and vegetable vendors. The second floor has a 3000 square meters of space dedicated to a different Italian speciality such as cheese, Chianti wine or baked goods.
8. Florence Factory Outlets
There are 3 main factory outlets in Florence that offer discounts on hundreds of designer labels such as Prada, Burberry, Gucci.
1. The Mall Firenze
BUSITALIA/SITA runs a shuttle bus service every 30 minutes from Santa Maria Novella train station in the city centre (€13 round-trip).
2. Barberino Designer Outlet
A shuttle bus runs from Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence every 2 hours (€13 round-trip). Free parking is available.
3. The Space Prada
The Space Prada is a dedicated outlet for all Prada lines including Miu Miu, Church’s and Car Shoe.
Visitors can reach the out by taking the train to Montevarchi. There is a dedicated taxi stand outside the train station that offers a shared ride to the outlet. Free parking is also available at the outlet.
Note: If you are driving to the outlets, make sure you do not leave valuable items especially designer handbags in the car. There are syndicates that target visitors’ car and will smash and grab all items in the car.
Day trip from Florence
9. Pisa
The leaning tower of Pisa is just 1 hour 30 mins train from Florence. You can take half a day to visit Pisa.
10. Cinque Terre
Explore the rugged Cinque Terre region of the Italian Riveria on a full-day trip from Florence. Visit the charming villages and walk the narrow lanes of Manarola, Riomaggiore, Monterosso and Vernazza.
Book Online: Full-Day Tour of Cinque Terre from Florence
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