Square

Florence’s most famous square and the heart of the city is home to several of Florence’s famous landmarks. Piazza del Duomo will be your first stop in Florence, and we’re sure you’ll pass through it countless times during your stay. [btn "Find the cheapest hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-florencie-piazza] Formally, the area consists of two squares: Piazza del Duomo and Piazza di San Giovanni…

Cathedral

You can visit Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral free of charge and without a booking. You only need to pay to climb Brunelleschi’s dome or to visit other attractions around the cathedral. If you want to go up, decide in advance: from the dome you’ll see Florence and the fresco up close, whilst from the bell tower you’ll be able to capture the dome itself in your photographs. Hundreds of steps lead up to both viewing points, and there…

Church

The Baptistery of St John the Baptist (Battistero di San Giovanni) in Florence stands directly opposite the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. You’ll recognise this octagonal building by its white and green marble and bronze doors. It was here that Dante Alighieri was baptised. Before buying a ticket, it is worth noting that the famous ceiling mosaics depicting the Last Judgement are currently covered. Their long-term restoration is scheduled…

Lookout, Tower

You’ll mainly want to climb Giotto’s bell tower for the close-up view of Brunelleschi’s dome. You’ll be standing right next to it, rather than directly on top of it as you would when climbing the dome. The bell tower is 84.7 metres tall and there are 414 steps leading up to the viewing platform – there is no lift. The cheapest ticket to the tower is the Giotto Pass at 20 eur. If you also want to visit the dome, choose the Brunelleschi Pass at…

Historic Bridge

The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), with its many goldsmiths, spans the River Arno and immediately catches the eye with its unusual appearance. You can walk across the Ponte Vecchio for free at any time, even in the evening. Jewellery shops are situated directly on the bridge, with the famous Vasari Corridor running above them. The corridor is now open to the public again, but only with a pre-booked ticket. Would you like to see the whole bridge?…

Gallery

At the Uffizi Gallery, you can see Botticelli’s *The Birth of Venus * and *Spring*, Leonardo’s *The Annunciation * and Michelangelo’s *Tondo Doni*. Allow about 2 hours to see the most famous works. If you want to see the whole gallery, allow more than 3 hours. Looking for Michelangelo’s statue of David? It’s in the Galleria dell’Accademia, not the Uffizi. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid…

Town Hall

The Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria remains Florence’s town hall to this day. Behind its austere façade, however, lie the magnificent halls of the Medici family, and above them a tower offering views over the city centre. You can visit the museum, climb the tower, or do both. And you don’t need to pay anything for a quick peek inside. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label…

Square, Lookout

Would you like to capture the River Arno, the rooftops of Florence and the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in a single photograph? Head up to Piazzale Michelangelo above the south bank of the river. From the public terrace, you’ll also see the Ponte Vecchio and the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio. The view is free; if you don’t fancy the climb, there’s a bus that goes up there. [btn "Find the cheapest hotels in Florence" https:/…

Gallery, Statue

Michelangelo’s original David can be found in the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence. The statue in front of the Palazzo Vecchio is a freely accessible replica. On your way to the original, you’ll pass four of Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures, where you can see the figures emerging from the marble. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-florencie-galleriaaccademia] Admission…

Fountain

The Fountain of Neptune stands in Piazza della Signoria, right next to the Palazzo Vecchio. You can see the white giant from a distance, but it’s worth getting a bit closer: you can admire the statues around the basin and discover a commemorative plaque that you might easily miss whilst walking through the square. You can combine a visit to the fountain with a trip to the nearby Uffizi Gallery. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https:/…

Palace, Museum, Garden, Gallery

Behind its austere façade, the Palazzo Pitti on the south bank of the Arno conceals sumptuous halls featuring paintings by Raphael and Titian. The Boboli Gardens begin behind the palace. If you’re interested in both, the best option is a combined ticket: if purchased on the day of your visit, it costs 22 eur and also grants you access to the Bardini Gardens. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid…

Basilica

In Piazza Santa Croce stands a basilica where Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Niccolò Machiavelli and the composer Gioachino Rossini are buried. Dante has only a memorial here, with no remains. And Leonardo da Vinci? Don’t look for his tomb here. You’ll find another Leonardo here: the Florentine chancellor Bruni. Santa Croce is also well worth a visit for its art. Giotto’s frescoes in the Bardi Chapel are once again on display following…

Church

From Florence’s main railway station, Santa Maria Novella, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the basilica of the same name. Behind the geometric marble façade, you’ll find Masaccio’s fresco, Giotto’s crucifix and the cloister. A single ticket grants access to the entire complex; allow about an hour to an hour and a half for your visit. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p…

Square

One of the city's most important squares, and the largest of them all, should not be missed during your Florence tour. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-florencie-repubblica] The square has been the centre since antiquity, when it was the site of the Roman Forum. In the Middle Ages, markets were held in the square and it remains the centre of Florence's historic district to…

Museum

Casa di Dante takes you to the neighbourhood in Florence where the family of the poet Dante Alighieri lived. The museum at Via Santa Margherita 1 tells the story of the author of *The Divine Comedy*, medieval Florence and the exile that had a profound impact on his life. The name is a little misleading: the building as it stands today is a reconstruction dating from the early 20th century. Don’t expect to find Dante’s original bedroom or a…

Basilica

From the outside, the Basilica of San Lorenzo appears unfinished. Behind the bare façade, however, lies one of the key works of the Florentine Renaissance: Brunelleschi’s architecture, Donatello’s decorations and the tomb of Cosimo de’ Medici, known as the Elder. Please note before buying a ticket: you will find Michelangelo’s Medici tombs in the neighbouring Medici Chapels. They have a separate entrance, different opening hours and require a…

Square

Piazza Santo Spirito is not a popular tourist spot, so you can experience the true local atmosphere of the city. The square is home to excellent cafes and wine bars, a market and some of the cheapest restaurants in town. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-florencie-santospirito] Although not the centre of tourist interest, the square is a 10-15 minute walk from the historic…

Market

In the city's largest and oldest market, you can experience the real Florence with all your senses. You will smell, see and touch the freshest local produce and taste everything you want. The first floor hides bars, restaurants and cafés where you can eat and drink well. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-florencie-trznice-sanlorenzo] More often than not, you will come across…