Top 8 Things to do in Florence, Italy, Explore & Experience

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In this post we will be introducing the historical, stunning, and magical Florence, Italy! We will be discussing a brief history and revealing our top 8 things to do! For any tours or activities you might be interested in, you can book them through Expedia, Viator or Get your Guide all very easy to use, reliable and what we recommend.

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Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to Florence, Italy
2. Florence’s Historical Run Down
3. Top 8 Things to do and experience in Florence.
4. References
5. The Wrap up

1. Introducing Florence, Italy:

Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is a city that blends historical grandeur with a vibrant modern life. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, this amazing city has so much to offer its visitors, from the iconic Duomo, impressive museums and galleries, charming cobblestone streets lined with cafes and artisan shops to the unique Ponte Vecchio a 678-year-old bridge, and amazing gardens, there is so much to discover here. It’s hard to introduce this city without mentioning the Medici family, they were extremely influential in banking, politics, and one of the most influential patrons of the arts in history. During the 15^th to the 17^th centuries, they supported and encouraged some of the most famous artists in the world, like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello, Raphael and Brunelleschi, it’s quite a list. The Medici Family helped to spark the Renaissance. Their wealth and political skill also allowed them to rule Florence and produce 4 popes and 2 Queens of France. Today the City of Florence has a population of approx. 400,000 and is a popular tourist destination with so much beauty and history to explore there is no surprise there.  They also have a fabulous food scene, making this city great for so many reasons. Welcome to Florence!

2. Florence’s Historical Run Down:

• 59 BCE – Founded by the Romans as Florentia, a military colony.

• Middle Ages – Grows as a prosperous trade and banking centre.

• 1296 – Construction started on the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, which took 140 years to complete, due to the complexity of the dome.

• 15^th Century – The Medici Family rises to power, Florence becomes the hub of art, architecture, and humanism.

• 1436 – After 16 years, the Dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral was finally complete. The architect was Filippo Brunelleschi and it remains the largest brick dome every constructed.

• 15^th to the 17^th Century – Florence becomes the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to artists like Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli and Brunelleschi.

• 1494 to 1512 – The Medici Family are exiled and the city experiences political upheaval under the priest Savonarola.

• 1512 – The Medici Family return and eventually become the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.

• 1865 to 1871 – Florence becomes the capital of the newly unified Italy (before Rome).

• WWll – Florence was heavily damaged, but thankfully many of its treasures were spared.

• Today – Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s top art and cultural destinations.

3. Top 8 Things to Do & Experience in Florence:

1. Soak in Piazza del Duomo and Everything it has to offer:

Piazza del Duomo is the buzzing heart of Florence and home to some of the city’s most jaw-dropping sights. The star of the show is the Duomo, with its massive red bricked dome, you really can’t miss it! Right next to it, you’ll find Giotto’s Bell Tower (and its 414 steps), and the beautifully detailed Baptistery, with its Gates of Paradise Bronze doors, both packed with history and perfect for photos. Whether you’re climbing the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo or soaking it all in with a gelato, this square is pure Florence magic. If you’d like to climb to the top of the Duomo or the Bell Tower for incredible views or explore the Baptistry, museum or crypts, we recommend booking your tickets in advance, either from this site here, Viator or Get your Guide. For the Duomo climb you’ll actually book a specific time to go up, whereas the bell tower is just first come first serve. Both difficult climbs, but we felt they were well worth it.

2. The Galleria dell’Accademia with Michelangelo’s David:

    Tuck away, just a short walk from the Duomo, the Galleria dell’Accademia is one of Florence’s most iconic art museums, and home to one of the most famous sculptures in the world: Michelangelo’s David! This 17ft tall sculpture is carved out of a single piece of marble, making it both technically astonishing and emotionally powerful. We really weren’t prepared for what we saw, the sheer size and the detail put into this statue was breathtaking. This museum does have more to offer after the David, there are other Michelangelo’s sculptures, there is a collection of paintings from the 13^th to the 16^th centuries including artists such as Botticelli and Ghirlandaio. As well, there is a section of historical, musical instruments. This is a smaller museum, which we enjoyed, you were able to see some amazing pieces of art and in a short amount of time, so it doesn’t take up half your day, our kind of museum. It is small, but mighty! There are signs inside saying no photos, especially with a flash, so we put away the big camera while exploring, but people were taking photos with their phones, I choose the photo above because we didn’t have any photos from the inside and to show where the museum is located. We do recommend getting your skip-the-line tickets before you go, or you’ll waist time in line. We got them through Viator, which was easy and worked out well.

3. Take a Stroll across Ponte Vecchio:

Few places in Florence capture the city’s layered history quite like the Ponte Vecchio. Built in 1345, this medieval stone bridge spans the Arno River and is the oldest in Florence, and remarkably it is the only bridge here that survived World War ll intact. For centuries, it served as a busy marketplace, with shops lining the bridge occupied by butchers, fishmongers and tanners, whose waste was conveniently dumped straight into the river below. In 1593, the Medici Grand Duke Ferdinando l had them removed and replaced with goldsmiths and jewelers, for a cleaner and more prestigious look, which remains the bridges legacy today. Above the shops, you might notice a discreet elevated walkway. That’s the Vasari Corridor, an elevated passage commissioned in 1565 by Cosimo l de’Medici. It allowed the powerful Medici Family to move between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace without being seen by the public.

Today, the Ponte Vecchio is both a functioning shopping street and a living museum. As you cross it, you’re not just walking over the Arno, you’re walking through over 600 years of Florentine history. Take your time here, look up, peek through the arches at the river below, and imagine all the footsteps that came before yours. For more on the bridge, check it out here.

4. Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo:

There is no better way to end your day in Florence than watching the sun set from Piazzale Michelangelo. Perched high above the city, this panoramic terrace offers sweeping views of the Arno River, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio and the terracotta rooftops that make Florence so timeless. As the sun goes down, the city takes on a warm, golden hue, and the skyline becomes even more striking. When you see the Duomo from this view, it really helps you see the grandeur of it, it’s quite spectacular. It’s a popular spot, so expect a crowd, but there’s lots of space here, so you should be able to find your own spot to take it all in. It is a bit of an uphill walk, but you can also take a bus, either way, it’s well worth the effort. It’s a great place to experience Florence – camera in hand, maybe a gelato or aperitif in the other! Check out more here!

5. Check out the Infamous Wine Windows: A Quirky Sip of History.

Scattered throughout Florence’s old stone walls, you might notice tiny, arched openings just big enough to pass a glass through. These are wine windows, or buchette del vino, and they’re one of the city’s most charming (and easily missed) historical quirks. Dating back to the 1600’s, these small wooden or stone doors were originally used by Florentine noble families to sell wine directly from their private cellars to the public. Customers would knock, hand over their coins, and receive a freshly filled glass of wine, without entering the house. During the plague between 1629 and 1631, these windows came in handy as a means of social distancing and their first line of defense against the disease. They had a bit of a rejuvenation in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, as they provided a ready-made solution. Today, some of these windows are purely decorative, while others have been reactivated by cafes and wine bars, offering a fun, offbeat way to enjoy a glass of Chianti with a dose of history. Keep your eyes peeled as you explore the city – you never know when you’ll spot one tucked into a palace wall or next to a shop entrance. Check out our upcoming post “Wine Windows of Florence, A Quirky Sip of History.” for a map and walking tour of some of the wine windows still in operation, (coming soon).

6. Medici Chapels & the Riccardi Medici Palace:

Our #6 isn’t one that most people would have thought of visiting or maybe even heard of, but I felt that to truly understand Florence, this is a great place to explore. The Medici Family were the driving force behind the Renaissance. They supported, funded and provide a place for so many famous artists to create masterpieces, artists like Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli and many more. Before we travelled to Florence we watched the 3 season, TV Series called Medici. It was very entertaining and gave us a good look into what life was like in Florence, back in the 15^th and 16^th centuries. Well worth the watch before you go.    

Tucked in at the back of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels are the lavish final resting place of Florence’s most powerful family. Inside, you’ll find two amazing spaces: the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo which houses his dramatic sculptures Night, Day, Dusk and Dawn; and the Chapel of the Princes, a stunning octagonal mausoleum inlaid with marble and semi-precious stones, built to house the Medici Grand Dukes and their families.

The Riccardi Medici Palace (just across the street) was the original home of the Medici, from the 15^thcentury. While the outside may look plain, step inside and you’ll be transported into the world that nurtured the Renaissance. The highlight? The beautiful Chapel of the Magi, where frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli depict an opulent procession filled with real Medici figures. It also has a gorgeous garden and courtyard to enjoy. For more information on tickets and open/closing hours, check out their website here.

7. Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio:

Piazza della Signoria is Florence’s main square and historical open-air museum where politics, art and drama have met for centuries. Dominating the square is the 14^th century Palazzo Vecchio, the city’s medieval town hall and former seat of power, with its fortress-like tower and grand halls. Outside you’ll find iconic statues like a replica of Michelangelo’s David and Perseus with the head of Medusa, making the square feel like a stage set for Renaissance history. Best times to visit are early morning or in the evening when the square if beautifully lit and there are less crowds. You can also explore inside of Palazzo Vecchio and climb the tower for great views over the city. For more information on this, check it out here.

8. Wander & Explore, there is Something Amazing Around Every Corner:

Florence isn’t just a city – it’s a living museum, and the best way to really experience it is to simply wander. Meander through cobblestone streets, where famous Renaissance artists once walked, stumble upon tucked-away trattorias that only the locals know about, and soak in the history at every turn. Spend some time off the beaten path, Florence rewards the curious!

This is one thing that we always try and save some time for, just exploring a city with no agenda, I’ve been to some city’s multiple times and always seem to find something new and interesting by just exploring, and Florence is perfect for this, so enjoy!

4. References:

All of this information, research and suggestions came from our own experiences we had while exploring this breathtaking, historical, artsy city of Florence, Italy. As well, we spent countless hours researching and reading travel books, like DK Eyewitness, Top 10 Florence, DK Eyewitness Travel, Italy and Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany. We also read multiple Travel blogs and tourism websites like, Visit Florence and Italia.it

5. The Wrap up:

After reading this, we hope you feel inspired to visit this stunning, historical and unique Italian City of Florence. We hope you find our information helpful, so you can plan your own amazing trip to Florence, Italy.

At Wild Meadow Studio, we love everything travel – planning, research, maps, books, itineraries, tours, trying local foods, meeting new people, hiking, cooking classes, relaxing and of course creating memories and artwork, through our photos! We enjoy talking travel too, whether it’s sharing our experiences or hearing about yours. So, comment, ask questions, give advice, join our mailing list, like, follow, pin, share with friends, anything goes, let’s talk travel!

Thank you,

From Wild Meadow Studio

A Travel and Photography Blog

Where we Focus on the Journey

By: Beth de Verteuil

www.wildmeadowstudio.com

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