Is Florence Worth Visiting?” Florence has something different than other cities in Italy. Some say Florence is more romantic than Venice, while others claim Florence is like an outdoor museum with art and statues everywhere. In my opinion, Florence will certainly leave an impression on you, and everything you need to see is within walking distance.
Yes, Florence is worth visiting. The city is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and world-famous museums and attractions. Florence also offers excellent Tuscan cuisine and wine, and its vibrant culture offers something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff, art lover or foodie.
To help you decide Is Florence Worth Visiting, below are my list of 21 reasons to visit Florence. Use them to discover the many things to do and see in Florence and to help you plan your visit.
Is Florence Worth Visiting? 21 Reasons to Visit Florence
1. Admire the Free Sculpture Exhibition on the Piazza della Signoria
The Piazza della Signoria is totally unique in the world! Nowhere else will you find sculptures from masters like Michelangelo in a public place. The great thing is that you don’t need to queue or to pay to see them! Just open your eyes and enjoy this special place.
There are three different areas on the piazza:
- Main Piazza – First, there is the square where you will find David (the original is in the Galleria dell’Accademia), along with Hercules and Cacus by Bandinelli and the Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) by Ammannati.
- Loggia dei Lanzi – The second area is the Loggia dei Lanzi which is an arched open-air sculpture gallery. The loggia is impressive with its four arches and decorations but below it are magnificent sculptures including the Perseus holding Medusa’s head. It’s hard to believe that all of this is outside and free to view!
- Palazzo Vecchio – The third part is the Palazzo Vecchio which is a museum and the Town Hall of Florence. The building was built to impress and as a display of power. When you are standing in front of it, you can’t fail to notice this. If you have time, the museum is not the most well-known, but it is one of the most interesting in Florence with its secret routes and is definitely worth a visit.
2. Climb the Dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a must as all the facades are made of marble. At this time, the architect had no problem with money! The Cathedral and the Baptistery were designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.
From the outside, it is certainly one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen. The façade is extremely detailed, and I recommend you take your time to look at this closely.
The entrance to the cathedral is free but you need to arrive early, if you don’t want to spend too much time queuing. Since the queues can be very long, our advice is to wake up early and start your day with the cathedral. To be honest, the inside of the cathedral was disappointing as it is rather plain and empty compared to the magnificent exterior.
You can also buy a ticket to climb the Dome and to enter the other buildings in the complex. The combined ticket option below also gives you access to the crypt, the magnificent Baptistery of St John (one of the oldest buildings in Florence) and the bell tower (where there are also some stairs to climb!).
3. Eat Authentic Food at the Central Market San Lorenzo
The San Lorenzo market is a good place to see the variety of food available in Florence. Locals come here to shop. If you happen to be staying in accommodation with a kitchen, it’s a good idea to shop here for provisions and ingredients.
This market is also a great place to have lunch and taste local food. The focaccia with a variety of toppings like sausage, artichoke and potato with pork were delicious! This is an ideal place to experience local life.
4. Visit the World-Famous Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi)
The Uffizi Gallery is a museum situated next to the Piazza della Signoria in the heart of Florence. The building is a masterpiece in itself, but inside you will find la crème de la crème in art. They display the art of some of the best artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Giotto, Da Vinci … the list is long!
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the best places to go and visit in Florence. Unfortunately, the Uffizi Gallery isn’t a secret which means you will need to wait and queue if you don’t have a pre-booked ticket.
Booking skip the line entrance to the Uffizi Gallery with a guide is a good option because the museum is so big. Local guides will explain all you need to know, avoid you getting lost in the museum and will share secret areas which most visitors miss.
5. Walk Across the Ponte Vecchio
Built in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in the city of Florence. This bridge is unusual as there are shops and houses on it. Long ago, the shops were Butchers and Fishmongers because they could throw the leftovers from the windows directly into the River Arno. Today, most of the shops are Jewellers and they don’t throw any leftover gold out of the windows!
On top of the bridge, you may spot a hidden passage called the Vasari Corridor which is one kilometre long. It starts in the Palazza Vecchio and then passes through the Uffizi Gallery over the Ponte Vecchio, finishing at the Palazzo Pitti.
6. Relax in the Bardini Gardens (Giardino Bardini)
In Florence, everything is art even the gardens! The Bardini Gardens will reconnect you with nature and natural beauty. If you want to escape the crowds of the city, this garden will bring you peace and silence.
If you have time, it is a good idea to visit the Bardini Gardens. There is no queue and it is free. You can enjoy an hour walking around this beautiful garden. At the same time, you will enjoy some of the best views of Florence!
7. Enjoy the Views from the Piazzale Michelangelo
High above Florence, a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David looks down on the River Arno. Surrounding this statue is the Piazzale Michelangelo which is simply one of the best places to gain breath-taking panoramic views of Florence. Look out for a small terrace just below the main viewing area, as we think this offers the best views of the city.
To reach the Piazzale Michelangelo, you can either drive (there is a car park), take a bus (Number 12 or 13) or you can enjoy the pleasant walk.
The walk takes about 20 minutes from the Ponte Vecchio along the river and then up the hill. Be warned that there are some steps to climb! Whilst you are here, make sure you also visit the ancient Abbey of Santa Miniato al Monte (see number 13).
8. Explore the Basilica di Santa Croce
How to describe the Basilica de Santa Croce? It is an impressive Basilica with Gothic architecture and beautiful frescoes. It is also the largest Franciscan church in the world and is the final resting place of some of the finest artists, sculptors, poets, writers and composers. Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante, Rossini and Gallileo all have graves or memorials here.
The Basilica is also a museum. Inside, there are works of art by Donatello, Giotto, Brunelleschi, Vasari and plenty of others. With so much history inside and outside, the Basilica is another must see place to visit in Florence.
Although you have to pay to visit, there is much renovation work taking place on the ancient frescoes and your ticket price includes visiting the Franciscan monk’s refectory with the recently renovated ‘Last Supper’ panels by Vasari and outside cloisters.
9. Discover the Treasures of the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) & Boboli Gardens
The Palazzo Pitti or Pitti Palace is the largest architectural monument in Florence and was bought by the Medici family in 1549. You can visit some of the magnificently ornate rooms of the Pitti Palace. The Pitti Palace is also home to several other galleries and museums.
You can buy a combined ticket for the Pitti Palace that also enables you to visit the Boboli Gardens. The Boboli Gardens are also well worth visiting. Don’t forget to find the fascinating Buontalenti Grotto (Grotta del Buontalenti) that was commissioned by Franceso I de Medici.
10. Roam the Oltrarno Quarter of Florence
Oltrarno means beyond the Arno River and is a quarter of Florence on the left side of the river. It is full of restaurants, bars and things to do in Florence. In fact, Oltrarno was proclaimed the coolest neighbourhood in Florence by Lonely Planet.
Oltrarno is one of our favourite places to stay and eat as it reminds us of the Travestere area in Rome. For more information about Rome, you can check our article Is Rome worth visiting?
Tourists usually stay on just one side of the river, but we love to explore and find hidden gems. So just cross any bridge in Florence and you will find yourself in Oltrarno. Oltrarno is divided into three areas: Santo Spirito, San Niccolo and San Frediano.
11. Escape the Crowds in San Frediano
The San Frediano area of Oltrarno is a good place to wander and get lost. Enjoy discovering artisan shops, bars and restaurants on its narrow streets. If you don’t know where to go in San Frediano, you can start by visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria del Camine.
12. Unwind in Santo Spirito
In the Santo Spirito area of Oltrarno, you will find laid-back places to have a relaxing aperitif on a terrace. This area is well known by the locals. They come here to have a relaxing evening with friends.
Immerse yourself in this charming and relaxed place. During the day, you will find lively markets where Florentines or Fiorentino (people of Florence) enjoy shopping.
13. Find Peace in the Abbey of St Minias on the Mountain (Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte)
There are three good reasons to visit the Abbey of St Minias on the Mountain:
- Firstly, the exterior of the Abbey is beautiful and is made of the same marble as the Basilica di Santa Croce.
- Secondly, the interior is atmospheric with an unusual mezzanine, intricate marble mosaics and ancient frescoes.
- Thirdly, the Abbey offers an impressive view of Florence and its cathedral.
The Abbey is also surrounded by a peaceful cemetery which includes the grave of the famous Italian direction, Franco Zeffirelli.
After the short climb from the Piazzale Michelangelo, we enjoyed sitting on a bench overlooking the beautiful city of Florence. Some consider it to be better than the view from the Piazzale Michelangelo. We will let you decide for yourself when you visit!
14. Eat Delicious Food in Florence
Food in Florence is amazing! If you taste just one thing, it must be Gelato (ice cream). Gelato in Florence is the best but avoid ice cream shops with fussy displays and lurid colours.
Choose a simple shop where the ice cream speaks for itself. We found that the prices of ice cream in Oltrarno were cheaper, so head over to the left bank of the river and perhaps find the Gelateria La Carraia or the Gelateria Santa Trinita.