Top Things to Do in Florence

About the City

Florence, Italy, a Renaissance beacon nestled in the heart of Tuscany, brims with art, culture, and culinary delights. The cityscape, an enchanting maze of narrow streets, opens up to the grandeur of the Duomo with its towering dome designed by Brunelleschi. Here, you can bask in the splendor of masterpieces by Michelangelo and Botticelli at the Uffizi Gallery. Despite its artistic allure, Florence has a few drawbacks. The throngs of tourists that flock to the city can make peaceful exploration a challenge, and finding a spot at one of its famed leather markets can feel like a competitive sport. Summers unleash a fury of heat with limited reprieve, as air conditioning isn't as ubiquitous as one might hope. The Arno river, while picturesque, isn't suitable for a refreshing dip due to its cleanliness standards. Still, the irresistible charm of gelato colors, the siren song of street musicians, and the perfume of Tuscan cuisine make the trade-offs of crowded sidewalks and summer swelters seem minute. In Florence, every corner turned is another postcard scene, another step back through centuries, another taste of la dolce vita—the sweet life.

Things to Do in Florence

Spoon into Ribollita

Food & Drink

Get cozy with a bowl of Ribollita, a rustic, hearty soup that'll hug your soul with every spoonful. It's like a Tuscan grandma's love in a dish, brimming with cannellini beans, kale, and day-old bread...

Botanical Buzz in Boboli

Outdoors

Release your inner horticulturist and saunter through the Boboli Gardens. Feel like royalty as you stroll through the grand avenues, surrounded by statues and fountains. Remember to pack a sketchbook ...

Unearth Botanical Wonders at the Garden of Archimedes

The Unexpected

Take a walk on the wild side at this mathematical garden that's a total hidden gem! Think of it as nature's version of a science lab where you can geek out among greenery that's come straight out of a...

Hit the Thrift Shop Jackpot

The Unexpected

Get ready to rummage through racks and unearth some vintage gold at Florence's fabulous thrift shops! Imagine finding a snazzy leather jacket or some quirky sunglasses that'll have you looking like yo...

Become a Gelato Connoisseur

The Unexpected

Scoopin' ain't easy, but somebody's got to do it! Get your taste buds a PhD in gelatology (yeah, I just made that up) by sampling the gloriously rich and creamy gelato of Florence. Pit your palate aga...

Savor the Art of Paper Marbling

The Unexpected

Get your hands all inky and dive into the mesmerizing world of paper marbling. This ancient craft will have you swirling vibrant colors into hypnotic patterns that turn ordinary paper into personalize...

Botanical Bonanza

Outdoors

Bring out your inner botanist and come sniff around the lush landscapes of Florence! Enjoy the rainbow palette of flowers and plants, and don't forget to show some love to the grumpy old trees. It's a...

Sundown Serenade at Piazzale Michelangelo

Outdoors

Got a proclivity for epic sunsets? Venture up to Piazzale Michelangelo with a gelato in hand as you watch the day say 'ciao' to the night. It's the classic spot to see the sun do its evening magic ove...

Unleash the Speed in Cascine Park

Outdoors

Don your running gear or grab some wheels, because Parco delle Cascine is calling all speedsters. This is the ultimate spot for jogging, cycling, or rollerblading amidst nature. Ready, set, and off yo...

Climb to Empyrean Epoch

Outdoors

Ever dreamt of touching the Florentine sky? Lace-up your walking shoes and hike up to San Miniato al Monte for a breathtaking view that'll give your Insta followers a serious case of FOMO. This ancien...

Relish in Schiacciata alla Fiorentina

Food & Drink

Break into a slice of Schiacciata alla Fiorentina, a fluffy, sweet orange-scented cake that's the epitome of Florentine Carnival tradition. It's lightly dusted with sugar and sometimes laden with a sw...

Journey Through the Boboli Gardens

Sights

Ready for an episode of 'Gardeners' World: Renaissance Edition'? The Boboli Gardens are an open-air museum with a green thumb. Get lost among the fancy fountains, grottoes, and manicured lawns. It's l...

Unlock History at the Secret Passages of Palazzo Vecchio

Sights

Ever fancied being a fly on the wall during the Medici's most private moments? Now's your chance to walk the secret corridors and hidden rooms of Palazzo Vecchio. Uncover the mysteries and hear the wh...

Gaze at the Stars from the Florence Observatory

Sights

Heads up, space cadets and star lovers! Head to the Florence Observatory for a cosmic experience that's out of this world. Look through telescopes that have seen more than a century of starry nights, ...

Sprint Through Street Art in San Niccolò

Sights

For a fresco of the street kind, zip over to the artsy 'hood of San Niccolò. Keep your eyes peeled for colorful graffiti, bold murals, and sharp stencils. It's a living canvas that keeps evolving, so ...

Encounter Eccentricity at La Specola

Sights

Got a taste for the quirky? La Specola is Florence's most unusual museum, where you'll meet wax anatomical models that look so lifelike, they might just make you blush. It's creepy cool on a whole new...

Sip Espresso like a Local

Food & Drink

Stand elbow-to-elbow with Florentines at an unassuming café and knock back an espresso that'll jolt you like a Vespa ride down a cobblestone alley. It's small, but mighty—just like David—and a quick, ...

Inhale a Truffle Panini

Food & Drink

Sniff out a truffle panini, so potent and earthy it'll whisk you straight to the rolling Tuscan hills! This luxurious sammy is loaded with earthy truffle goodness, and it's designed to make your taste...

Crunch into Cantucci with Vin Santo

Food & Drink

Dunk a Cantucci, Florence's famous almond biscotti, into Vin Santo, the holy nectar of sweet dessert wine. It's a divine combo that'll have you seeing stars with every crunchy, soak-able bite!

Create Your Own Masterpiece in a Fresco Workshop

The Unexpected

Channel your inner Renaissance artist and slap some plaster and paint onto a wall. In these workshops, you'll be tutored in the ancient art of fresco, daubing pigments onto wet walls like you're Miche...

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