Best things to do in Florence, Italy
To start your one day trip in Florence, we recommend heading to the Duomo of Florence, located in the heart of the city. This magnificent Gothic cathedral is one of the city’s main attractions and one of its greatest architectural treasures. It houses some of the most famous works of art in Florence including the busts of the artists: Giotto, Brunelleschi, Arnolfo and Emilio de Fabris.
You can climb the dome of the Duomo to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, or visit Giotto’s Bell Tower, an 84 meter high tower that offers spectacular views.
The Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens: A Complete Artistic Experience in Florence
Afterwards, you can visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important art galleries in the world. This famous art gallery houses some of the most important works of art of the Italian Renaissance, including the "Spring" and the "Birth of Venus" by Botticelli, the "Madonna with Child" by Michelangelo and the "Venus of Urbino" by Titian.
It is important to book tickets in advance, as this attraction is very popular and queues can be very long.
Palazzo Pitti: A Temple of Fashion and Renaissance Art
The Uffizi Gallery as well as Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. These two attractions are connected to each other, lending themselves well to be visited together in one day! Florence can be considered, as well as the cradle of Italian art, the city of fashion and Palazzo Pitti is par excellence a place dedicated to fashion and costume, with its museum and home to fashion shows of great brands and ateliers of the world such as Armani, Valentino and Versace.
In the heart of the Palace, are also exposed major works of art of the Renaissance, such as Raphael, Rubens, Titian, Canova and Hayez.
The Historic Center of Florence: Breathtaking Architecture and the Famous Ponte Vecchio
After visiting the Uffizi Gallery, we suggest you take a walk in the historic center of Florence declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, admiring the beautiful architecture of the streets and buildings. Don’t forget to visit the Ponte Vecchio, one of the most famous and photographed bridges in the world, which crosses the Arno river.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella: An Architectural and Artistic Masterpiece
A church, which is definitely worth seeing is the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, very close to the railway station of the city. It is one of the most beautiful and important churches, dating back to the fifteenth century whose facade in white and green marble was designed by Leon Battista Alberti. Inside, two priceless works: Giotto’s Crucifix and Masaccio’s Trinity!
Traditional Florentine Lunch: Delight in Authentic Local Dishes
After a morning of sightseeing, it’s time to rest and refresh yourself with a traditional Florentine lunch.
You can choose to eat in one of the restaurants in the historic center, such as the famous restaurant Buca Lapi, which serves typical Tuscan dishes such as Florentine steak and ribollita.If you prefer a quick and informal meal, you can opt for a panini al lampredotto, a typical specialty of Florence that consists of a soup of tripe served inside a sandwich.
After lunch, you can spend the afternoon visiting some of the less known but equally fascinating attractions of Florence. You can visit the Galileo Museum, which houses an extensive collection of scientific instruments, maps and ancient books. Alternatively, you can visit the Central Market, an indoor market offering a wide selection of fresh food and local specialties.
If you are passionate about contemporary art, we suggest you visit the Museo Novecento, which houses 20th century works of art by Italian and international artists.
