the 5 best things to do in florence

Published On : 02 Sep 2024

This place is steeped in history, culture, and art and has a charm that is seen at every turn in Florence. For being the birthplace of the Renaissance, traveling to Florence, Italy is filled with an astonishing number of activities and tourist attractions, including the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery. Here are 5 of the best things you absolutely must do when visiting this magical city.

1. In this level, visitors can take the stairs to the top of the Duomo.
The most famous landmark of Florence, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, also referred to as the Duomo, towers over the skyline. Built by Filippo Brunelleschi it is by far the most easily recognizable dome of Florence, it belongs to the Renaissance. The final 463 steps inside are up the stone spiraling staircase to the top; you are met with stunning 360-degree views of the terracotta rooftop vista of the city. Wonder at the stunning view of the city outside and the ceiling painted by great Renaissance artists when you take a birds-eye view of the cupola.

2. Stroll Along Ponte Vecchio
The beautiful bridge called Ponte Vecchio has stretched across the Arno River since 1345. The street contains numerous small specialty shops and the bridge is built with numerous small jewelry shops hanging right over the water. Stroll around while having a look at a shop or two and checking the reflection of the golden color in the windows. The bridge also provides excellent views of the up and downstream from the river. It is again recommended to walk to the end of the bridge, and this way, avoid numerous tourists who stay in the middle of it to take pictures.

3. Boboli Gardens: A Stroll
Unless you want to visit some more buildings, you can free yourself from the city streets and walk around the huge Boboli Gardens which are situated behind the Pitti Palace. The lovely layout of the campus includes lawns, flower and vegetable gardens, forested land, pieces of sculpture, water features, and rocky arches. It says that as you wander along this arbored trail, stumble upon a 16th-century theater hewn from the once imposing cliff. Or simply unwind in the shade of trees while seeking beautiful views over the city, which can be viewed from several points in the gardens.

4. See Michelangelo's David
There wouldn’t be any first-time visit to Florence that one would not go to see Michelangelo’s marvelous 17-foot-tall work of art of David, the epitome of Renaissance Florence. The perfect sculpture is housed at the Galleria dell’Accademia: the masterpieces of art reveal their best sides when viewed from close. It is advisable to walk around the Statue of David to watch closely and observe the statue from different points of view. And do not leave without noticing replicas of the Slaves by Michelangelo that surround him and are partially his works as well.

5. Taste Traditional Tuscan Food and Wine
Tuscany is famous for its wine, and Florence is at the center of it, do not forget to taste the good food and the best wine that Tuscany has to offer. They may also order bistecca alla fiorentina which are steaks cooked over wood-fired grills and served with creamy gnocchi or spicy ribollita soup. So when it comes time to celebrate a memorable Tuscan adventure, do so with a Chianti Classico or a glass of Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Florence has so many attractions that are historical, artistic, cultural, gastronomical, and even ones that are just plain atmospheric. Saunter about the city, lose one’s bearings in its quaint alleys, marvel at the beauty of its monuments and simply enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this wonderful Italian city. Here is a list of some of the best things to do in Florence so that you can start your exploration and then just go where the road leads you.

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