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 octagonal Chapel of John the Baptist (Battisterio San Giovanni) dates from the 4th-5th centuries, making it the oldest religious building in Florence. However, its present form dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. The bronze entrance door, known as the "Porta del paradiso", with a depiction of the Old Testament, which can be found just opposite the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is sure to catch your eye. [btn "Find the cheapest…

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…

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…

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

Bartolomeo Ammannati's work of 1565 is one of the landmarks of the Piazza della Signoria. In front of the fountain, the year 1498 is carved into the pavement. This is not the date of the fountain's foundation stone, but a commemoration of the burning of the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola for criticising the dissolute life of the nobility. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p…

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?…

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

The Church of Santa Maria Novella is considered, together with the Church of Santa Croce, the most beautiful in Florence. The 1420 seat of the Dominicans boasts a famous wooden crucifix by Brunelleschi, one of his few sculptural works. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Florence" https://booking.com/city/it/florence.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-florencie-chiesasmn] The façade bears the typical features of black and white Pisan architecture, but the…

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…