Artistic, romantic, and inspiring – Florence is one of the most remarkable Italian cities. It’s a dream vacation spot for any history and art lover, an excellent option for a romantic getaway, and a perfect place to learn about Italy’s cultural heritage. But man cannot live by art alone. So, to help you prepare for the exciting trip ahead, we put together a list of the fun things to do in Florence. Some of the suggestions are free, some are not so much, but something on the list will surely suit your taste.
Top 10 Things to Do in Florence
Climb to the Top of Florence’s Duomo
The world-famous Florence Cathedral became the symbol of Florence long ago. And its astonishing dome is truly something incredible. It is about 45 meters across, and the top of its lantern rises 114.5 meters above the ground. And one of the top things to do in Florence is climbing the prominent landmark.
There are 463 steps to conquer, so the route is not for the faint-hearted, but the breathtaking views over the magical city from the observation point at the end of the journey are more than worth the challenge. Plus, you get to see the Last Judgment frescoes by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari up close on the way. Just keep in mind that the climb must be booked in advance for a set time slot.
See Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Michelangelo’s David
Considering that Florence is generally known as the cradle of the Renaissance, it’s hardly surprising that the capital of Tuscany is a treasure trove of renowned masterpieces. And while we emphasized that the art museums are not the only things to explore in the city, you haven’t been to Florence if you haven’t seen at least these two artworks – Birth of Venus by Botticelli and the statue of David by Michelangelo. Even if you are not an aesthete and less than enthusiastic about the art galleries in general, you still will get to know the artistic heritage of Tuscany’s capital (unless you go across the city blindfolded). But these two masterpieces are worth extra effort.
To admire the first one, head to the Uffizi Gallery and make sure to come early, the scene tends to get quite crowded later in the day. On your way there, feel free to stop for a quick photo with the replica of David, located near the renowned art museum. But if you want the real deal, you can find the original masterpiece displayed in the Accademia Gallery.
Eat Gelato in Vivoli
Life becomes so much fuller if you allow yourself to enjoy small pleasures from time to time. Just imagine seeking cover from the heat of the Italian sun in a small local cafe and enjoying a big portion of delicious gelato before heading back into the busy streets to continue with your day’s agenda. Quite a picture, right?
The famous Italian ice cream can be found pretty much everywhere in Florence, but if you are looking for a special experience, stop by Vivoli. It’s one of the oldest and arguably the best gelaterie in the city. The Vivoli family opened it back in 1929, and the recipes have been perfected for almost a hundred years. Although now the ice is not transported in blocks from the mountains anymore (glory to the refrigerators), the taste is still exquisite.
Admire the Fountain of Neptune
Piazza della Signoria’s jewel, the Fountain of Neptune, is one of the most famous in Italy. It can’t boast the world fame of Rome’s Trevi Fountain, but it still gets its fair share of visitors every year. The first Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I de’ Medici, commissioned it in 1559, and the sculptor Bartolomeo Ammannati completed it in 1565. To be frank, at first it was not a very popular one: the Florentines nicknamed the giant white Neptune “il Biancone,” the big white one.
Nevertheless, as time went by, the historical value of the Renaissance monument increased immensely, and now it’s an essential part of Florence’s historical heritage. Unfortunately, more than 450 years took their toll, and the Fountain of Neptune lost part of its charm, but thanks to the major restoration completed in 2019, today we can see the composition in all its glory.
Take an Italian Cooking Class
Of course, Italian cuisine is a masterpiece in itself. So why not start mastering the art during your Italy tour? Bringing back the bottles of olive oil and Chianti, as well as packages of real Italian pasta, is never a bad idea. But if you learn a recipe or two, you can bring the true spirit of Italy to your kitchen. Even if for a little while.
The most popular classes offer to teach you how to make authentic Italian pizza and gelato. It is a great option if you are looking for fun things to do in Florence with kids! Even if cooking doesn’t hold much interest to them, they will hardly say no to tasting afterward. If you are not a fan of pizza (we know, impossible) or want to dive a bit deeper into the subject, pasta and ravioli classes are also available.
Have a Picnic in the Bardini Gardens
It might seem like a surprising option because most travel guides advise visiting the famous Boboli Gardens. And they are not wrong, of course, the gardens are amazing. But precisely because the sight is a part of pretty much everyone’s Italy tour program, to find a quiet place to have a picnic might be rather tricky.
The Bardini Gardens, on the other hand, are less well-known, less crowded, and just as beautiful. If you plan your tour to Italy at the end of April, the Bardini Gardens are a must-visit, because at that time the wisteria is in bloom, and visitors are treated to the breathtaking sight of the wisteria tunnel at its best. Imagine a tunnel covered in delicate purple flowers. And regardless of when you are visiting, the Baroque staircase on the other side of the tunnel will be waiting for you. The famous staircase leads to a small bar, by the way.
Visit the Florence Artisan Chocolate Fair
One of the most fun things a person can do in Florence is visiting the local chocolate fair. If you have a sweet tooth (or are traveling with a kid), you will adore this event. The stalls include chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.
The event brings together numerous exhibitors from all around the world. The visitors will get a chance to learn about dozens of nuances of chocolate flavor. They will also discover how different processes influence the final product’s taste. Master chocolatiers hold lessons, teaching how to taste the treat correctly and which foods it pairs best with. Trust us – you will be surprised. Chocolate cooking classes are also available for everyone from 5 to 150 years old.
The fair takes place only once a year, usually in late January or February, in Piazza Santa Croce.
Admire the Frescoes in the Chapel of the Magi
There is an inseparable connection between Florence and the Medici family, the most powerful and influential in the history of the city. As patrons of art, the Medici shaped the Florence we know today like no one else. And everything they commissioned, purchased, and owned is stunning and extremely expensive.
Today, there are several Medici palaces available to the public, and all share two similarities. First, they don’t look very luxurious from the outside. And second, inside they are extremely luxurious. Once they housed the masterpieces of the most renowned artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Donatello. Today, part of the collection has been moved to world-class art galleries. Some amazing pieces remain on display though.
But not all tourists are aware that Palazzo Medici Riccardi houses a small chapel, once very private and meant exclusively for prayer and devotion. It is small, but it’s one of the most beautiful rooms in Florence, covered with dazzling frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli showing the Procession of the Magi, with members of the Medici family among the riders.
Enjoy a Guided Wine Tasting
Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, and wine is an integral part of Italian culture. Of course, you can explore the great variety on a self-guided tour of local restaurants. However, if you want to go a bit deeper into the subject, we advise treating yourself to a wine tasting tour.
You can enjoy a tasting in the city, but if you want to enhance the experience, book a tour to one of the multiple wineries near Florence. The hills between Florence and Siena are home to Chianti Classico, so don’t miss your chance to taste the famous wine where it is made.
Watch the Sunset Over Florence
At the end of the day, cross the Arno and walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, a terrace on the hill above the Oltrarno with the best view of the city. As the sun goes down, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the river turn gold, and it’s one of the most magical moments you can have in Florence. On your way back, stroll through Piazza della Signoria, the city’s main square, which is beautifully lit in the evening.
As you can see, the capital of Tuscany offers so many amazing things to see and do that a lifetime is not enough to accomplish them all. But, the journey has to start somewhere, so why not add a few things from the list to your travel agenda and see how it goes from there? And if you need help with your next Florence vacation, we are at your disposal.
