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Overview

Florence The guide was updated: 2024-09-13

Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It is acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and stepping onto its historic cobbles, it is easy to see why. Cradled between the surrounding hills, the city hosts some of the most famous works of art on the planet, and the whole of the city centre is packed with stunning palaces, churches, and monuments. The surrounding countryside is well-known for its rolling hills and its wine, particularly the Chianti area between Siena and Florence.

Facts

Population:	Metro area: 710,000 Florentines (2022)
Currency:	1 Euro (€) = 100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Carabinieri: 112 Police: 113 Fire brigade: 115 Medical Emergency Service: 118
Newspapers:	La Nazione — www.lanazione.it/firenze Il Corriere Fiorentino — corrierefiorentino.corriere.it Metro (free) — www.metronews.it The Florentine (English) — www.theflorentine.net
Opening hours:	Shops are usually open from 9 am to 1 pm and from 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Closed on Monday mornings.
Tourist information:	APT (Tourist Information Board) E-mail: infoturismo@cittametropolitana.fi.it Via Cavour 1r +39 055 290 832 / +39 055 290 833 Piazza Stazione 4 +39 055 212 245 / +39 055 272 8208 Bigallo, piazza San Giovanni 1 (Duomo) +39 055 288 496 Airport A. Vespucci +39 055 315 874 Open Mon–Fri 9am–1pm; Sat, Sun & holidays closed

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Section in Florence

Visiting Florence during spring is an obvious option. It is one of the best times of the year to explore Tuscany's capital city due to warmer temperatures and all the beautiful flowers in bloom. In Florence, there is so much to see and do. The city attracts millions of tourists each year, and it has been ranked as one of the world's most visited destinations by Euromonitor International.

Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore

Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore

Florence's main church stands in the city with its magnificent Renaissance dome, designed by Brunelleschi. The cathedral was built on the ruins of the 7th-century church of Santa Reparata. On its right side, you can admire Giotto's Bell Tower, whereas the Baptistery of San Giovanni stands opposite the cathedral entrance. This remarkable historic landmark can be considered a summary of the entire city as the point of convergence of the greatest artists of the glorious Italian Renaissance period.

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio — literally 'the old palace' — was the ducal residence in Piazza della Signoria, but today, it is the town hall of Florence. It houses a large collection of paintings and sculptures, and on the square just in front of the building, you can admire several amazing statues: one of them is a copy of the famous 'David' by Michelangelo. In fact, this was where the original sculpture was located before it was moved to the Accademia Gallery in 1873.

Galleria dell’Accademia

Galleria dell’Accademia

This gallery is mostly famous for its sculptures by Michelangelo: The Prisoners, St. Matthew and, above all, the magnificent statue of David. Accademia houses works by the greatest Italian artists, such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, and many others. A great part of the collection belonged to the powerful Medici family, who, at the end of their domination, donated it to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany so that this treasure could be preserved and enjoyed by everyone.

Galleria degli Uffizi

Galleria degli Uffizi

Uffizi Gallery is one of the biggest museums in the world. It houses important masterpieces dating back from the 13th to the 19th century. Among its works, it boasts Botticelli's "Birth of Venus", probably the most famous painting in the history of art, after the Mona Lisa. The museum is also historically important for being one of the first to open its doors to the public during the 18th century.

Museo degli Innocenti

Museo degli Innocenti

Museo degli Innocenti – Hospital of the Innocents – is the headquarters of a charitable institution that has provided care for children and infants for more than 500 years. The structure houses a gallery and a museum exhibiting famous paintings of Italian artists, such as "Madonna with Child" by Botticelli and "Adoration of the Magi" by Ghirlandaio. Even the building itself, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.

Florence City Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Florence City Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Discover Florence's most famous landmarks on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Select a 1-, 2- or 3-day pass and travel around the city's top attractions, hopping on and off as you like. See the panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo, the burial spot of Galileo and Machiavelli at Santa Croce church and much more.

Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti

The Pitti Palace houses different types of museums and temporary exhibits. The basis of the current palace dates back to 1458 when it was the residence of the powerful bank man Luca Pitti. It was then bought by the Medici family one century later and employed as the official residence of the ruling family of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In connection with Palazzo Pitti, you will find the Boboli Gardens, which are among the most beautiful and ancient royal gardens in Italy.

Basilica di San Lorenzo

Basilica di San Lorenzo

This cathedral is the great masterpiece of Michelangelo in Florence. Here, you will find the New Sacristy, some sculptures that Michelangelo made for Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici's tombs, and fine examples of Mannerist architecture in the Biblioteca Laurenziana, which is the building annexed to the cathedral. In addition, the edifice also houses the splendid Old Sacristy by Brunelleschi.

The 10 Tastings of Florence With Locals

The 10 Tastings of Florence With Locals

Discover Florence’s vibrant food scene and sample the best in Tuscan gastronomy while at the same time exploring this charming and historical city accompanied by a local foodie guide. Sip on an authentic Italian espresso, haggle over fresh pasta at the bustling Sant’Ambrogio market, and taste regional delicacies like Tuscan street food and the best gelato in Florence. Food, art and history all together. What more could you ask for?

Cooking Classes in Florence

Cooking Classes in Florence

Learn the foundations of two Italian favourites — gelato and pizza — at a picturesque Tuscan estate near Florence with this fun and memorable cooking class. Enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson with a professional Italian chef, which will culminate in a 3-course meal of appetizers, pizza, and gelato, accompanied by wine and beer. Plus, each participant receives a recipe booklet so you can practise your newfound skills back home.

Basilica Santa Croce

Basilica Santa Croce

Located right in the main square of the Piazza di Santa Croce, Basilica Santa Croce, perhaps the most famous Florentine building, is one of the largest and oldest Franciscan basilicas in the world. Also known as the "Temple of the Italian Glories", the church is the burial ground of some of the greatest Italian artists, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Gioacchino Rossini, just to name a few. The church was built in 1294 and designed by the great architect Arnolfo di Cambio.

Santa Maria Novella

Santa Maria Novella

The church of Santa Maria Novella is located just a few metres from the railway station, which shares its name, so it is easy to find. Chronologically, it is the first great basilica of the city. It was built between 1279 and 1357 by the Dominican order. Architecturally, it is one of the most important Gothic edifices in Tuscany. Inside the building, you will find masterpieces by Masaccio, Giotto, and Brunelleschi.

Cappella Brancacci & Santa Maria del Carmine

Cappella Brancacci & Santa Maria del Carmine

The Brancacci Chapel is located in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. It is also known as "the Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance" for its magnificent painting cycle by Masaccio, which inspired great artists like Michelangelo and Raffaello. Today, its access is via the neighbouring convent, designed by Brunelleschi. Nevertheless, the church and the chapel are treated as separate places to visit, they even have different opening times.

Museo Galileo

Museo Galileo

Museo Galileo features exhibitions that include all kinds of inventions from history, with informative videos showing how they work. Since Galileo Galilei was one of the world's most celebrated scientists and inventors, this museum is a tribute to him and to the work he accomplished in Florence.

Leonardo Interactive Museum

Leonardo Interactive Museum

The museum is situated in the historic heart of Florence and shows in full-scale the perfectly working machines designed by the great Leonardo da Vinci. Here, visitors not only can see the large models of da Vinci's creations, but they can also experiment personally with their mechanisms thanks to the interactive exhibitions. Da Vinci designed in his time machines and principles that modern civilisation would only afford several centuries later. So head here and let yourself be amazed by his indisputable genius and creativity.

Museo Casa di Dante — House of Dante

Museo Casa di Dante — House of Dante

Born in Florence in 1265, Dante is the father of the modern Italian language and author of the famous The Divine Comedy–one of the great's masterpieces of world literature. Keep in mind that the museum is not the actual place where Dante was born; it is a restored medieval house similar to Dante's birthplace. This picturesque tower house illustrates the story of the poet and medieval Florence through historical documents and some models.

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