If you are visiting the Tuscany region, a trip to Florence is a must. Florence is rich with history, art, and great food. There is much to see, and learning about its history before you come will help you decide what is on your must see list.
Guide Books
Get both of these books. I resisted the Glam Italia book, but I am thankful that I got it. This book tells the history of Florence, points you to significant places that you’d otherwise walk right on past, and even tells you where to see the best sunset and eat the best gelato. On the flip side, Rick Steves will tell you how to make the most of your time, offering tips on how to see the city and what pitfalls to avoid.
History
Paul Strathern’s The Medici is absolutely captivating. I recommend getting an audible membership (it’s free for 30 days) and listening on audio book. Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King is a national best seller that tells the story of Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral’s iconic dome; it is a quicker read and also comes on audio book. Pro tip: if you are training for one of the Spanish Steps treks, listening to the book while walking is a great option.
Early Admission Tickets
Buy tickets for the popular attractions ahead of time, and go early. You won’t regret this.
The Uffizi Gallery holds famous works from the Italian Renaissance. People come to see Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, works by Caravaggio, and other famous art pieces. Securing an early admission ticket with a small group tour could help navigate this expansive gallery.
Accademica Gallery. If seeing the Statue of David is a must for you, book a ticket for the first admission of the day. I did this in 2018, and was able to view this great work with only a few people around me. It was absolutely magical. Look for Michelangelo’s unfinished pieces — they are absolutely fascinating.
Be sure to explore the south side of the River Arno where you will find the Palazzo Pitti. The palace houses several museums. Make sure your visit includes entrance to the palace, the Palatine Gallery and the Boboli Gardens. There is also the Royal Apartments, the Silver Museum, Museum of Costume and Fashion and Gallery of Modern Art.
What Else to See
There is literally so much.
Basilica of Santa Croce
From the Glam Italia book I learned if you have time for only one church, choose Basilica of Santa Croce. Here you’ll find chapels that the Medici and Pazzi families used, art masterpieces, and the funerary monuments of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Niccolò Machiavelli. Dante and Da Vinci are also commemorated here. Note that the Medici Chapels are a separate thing, and I’ll describe that below.
The Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore
If you are not claustrophobic and are able to ascend 463 steps, try the Dome Climb. If you want a view without the squeeze, go up in Giotto’s Bell Tower instead — this will give you a wonderful view of the dome and of Florence. The interior of the cathedral itself is not as interesting as one might think, opt instead for the octagonal building right in front of the duomo. The Baptistery of San Giovanni is famous for its bronze doors and its interior is rich with art masterpieces including its magnificent ceiling.
Tip: sometimes people use the word duomo when referring to the dome. Actually, the word duomo refers to an Italian cathedral. The Italian word for dome is cupola.
Palazzo Vecchio, Bargello, Medici Chapels
For Medici, Michelangelo, and Brunelleschi super fans (like me) here are some interesting places to visit. Palazzo Vecchio literally translates to Old Palace; it is also called Palazzo della Signoria and is the most important government building in Florence. The Medici Chapels are two structures at the Basilica of San Lorenzo and worth a visit if you are interested in Medici history. The Bargello is where you will find Donatello’s David, the baptistery doors that both Ghiberti and Brunelleschi made for the competition (spoiler alert: Ghiberti won), and masterpieces by Michelangelo.
Leonardo Interactive Museum
Here’s something a bit different and family-friendly! You can grab tickets to the Leonardo Interactive Museum and interact with 50 life-size working machines based on Da Vinci’s work. Please note, this is different from the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum (which is located in Venice).
When in Doubt, Eat Gelato
When the sun goes down, wander down to Gelateria dei Neri for gelato. Head toward the Loggia dei Lanzi near the replica of the Statue of David. The acoustics in this area brings out musicians, especially vocal artists that will give you goosebumps.
A Room with a View
I found an apartment on AirBnb with a breathtaking view of the Duomo and its beautiful cupola. This becomes an audio experience when the bells rings.
Follow for More
For more ideas of what to do in Italy, see Scenic Drives in Italy: Italian Alps by car and Scenic Italy: Italian Alps by cable.
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