Florence is the capital of the Tuscany and the historic city center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site as it is considered to be home to one-third of the world’s greatest artworks and architectural treasures.

It's a magical and vibrant city full of Renaissance history and overflowing with culture, art and fashion. Below we have listed some ideas of things to do while you're here.

FOR A FULL LIST OF TOURS AND LOCAL DAY TRIPS, CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES:

VIATOR BY TRIPADVISOR - FLORENCE

GET YOUR GUIDE - FLORENCE

Sunsets in Florence are something to be savored, the way the light falls over the city is something magical. Go to one of the bridges on either side of the Ponte Vecchio, or make you way up to the viewpoint at Piazzale Michelangelo by taxi, bus, or on foot. It’s a must in our book!

Go to the Rick Steves website (link below) and download the free audio tour and map directly to your phone. It’s a one hour tour, although you can pause and go at your own pace, through the heart of the historic city center.

Starting in Piazza del Duomo and finishing at the Ponte Vecchio, you’ll hear interesting facts and stories about the artists and historical figures who made Florence a symbol of the Renaissance during the Medici period. It’s the perfect way to get a lay of the land and learn a little bit about the city’s history without being overwhelmed with too many facts.

TIP: SEE ALSO RICK STEVES' FREE AUDIO TOURS FOR MICHELANGELO'S DAVID, THE UFFIZI GALLERY, AS WELL AS FREE AUDIO TOURS IN ROME

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/florence

Wine windows date back to the 1500s when the Medici dynasty came back into power. In hopes of winning over the support of wealthy Florentine families, the Medici passed a law allowing prominent families to sell the wine they produced directly to customers, thereby cutting out the middleman and avoiding taxes.

Wine windows, or buchette del vino, can be found primarily in Florence but also in other cities and towns of Tuscany. Nowadays, wine windows have been restored and were reopened following the Covid pandemic as a way to observe social distancing measures and have since found a renewed popularity.

Wine Windows

Babe

Belle Donne

Il Latini

La Buchetta Food & Wine

Have an intimate dinner party making fresh pasta and a seasonal sauce alongside some farm-to-table bites with our friend Ileana, a private chef and pasta maker, in her charming home. Ideal for couples or small groups.

For booking, message Anya or Jorgos to put you in direct contact with Ileana for special pricing.

Learn more on her website: The Dolce Vita Experience

Take a tour through the Sant’Ambrogio farmer’s market and local neighborhood while sampling authentic Tuscan snacks along the way. Learn about Italian food culture and taste some local delicacies with our friend Ileana, private chef and expert in living the dolce vita. Great for groups and foodies who want to eat and explore the local area but don’t want to cook.

For booking, message Anya or Jorgos to put you in direct contact with Ileana for special pricing.

Learn more on her website: The Dolce Vita Experience

The San Lorenzo market is Florence’s big Central Market. On the lower level you’ll find many Italian foods and souvenirs to bring home, and on the upper level there is a food court with a variety of options for lunch. Outside the Central Market you will find the leather market, however we don't suggest shopping at the leather market. See the Q & A page for recommendations on where to buy leather goods.

This is a half-day activity starting with a tour of the Central Farmer’s Market then a cooking class and lunch in a local Tuscan farmhouse located just outside of the city center, with a stunning view of the countryside.

Booking and Info here: WalkAbout Market Tour & Lunch

Taking a day trip to the Tuscan countryside would likely be one of the highlights of your trip, aside from our wedding of course. You can organize a private tour or book with Viator or Get Your Guide (website links at the top of this page).

Visit a couple of the small towns or villages in the region, go wine tasting, book an amazing place for lunch like at Cantine Antinori Winery or Dario Cecchini, the famous “mad butcher.” You will need to plan and book ahead. If you want to do a private day trip, please contact Anya or Jorgos for help with organizing.

If you’ve never seen Michelangelo’s David or it’s been several years since the last time you saw it, we highly recommend visiting this masterpiece. This is a must see! Nearly reaching the height of a two-story building, the Statue of the David and the unfinished, yet powerful, statues of the Prisoners are housed in their own museum, Galleria dell’ Accademia. You can download Rick Steves free audio guide for this museum or there are also options for audio guides at the gallery.

TIP: PLAN AT LEAST ONE WEEK AHEAD AND BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE ON THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE TO SKIP THE LINE.

https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/en/

NOTE: when you are directed to the official site for buying tickets at the main museums in Florence, change to ENGLISH by scrolling to the bottom of the webpage and select INGLESE

An iconic collection of Italian paintings including works by Giotto, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo di Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio, and home of the Birth of Venus by Botticelli. Visit if you are interested in Renaissance art, it’s a very big museum so plan well.

Highly recommend to book in advance here:

https://www.uffizi.it/en

The “old palace” in Piazza della Signoria was once the home of the Medici family and workplace of the officials of the republic. The palace consists of lavishly decorated apartments, a collection of rooms each with unique personalities, halls with elaborate frescos, as well as paintings and statues by Michelangelo and Donatello. The palace is now Florence’s City Hall.

No need to book ahead, buy entry tickets inside the palace.

Housing a collection sculptures including pieces by Michelangelo, Donatello, and some Medici treasures.

https://bargellomusei.it/en/

One of the oldest and largest churches in Florence and the final resting place of Dante and Galileo. This Franciscan basilica has some impressively preserved frescoes and precious artworks. Well worth a visit!

No need to book in advance, buy entry tickets at the church.

A small chapel with the tombs of the Medici family designed and carved by Michelangelo. It’s a part of the Basilica of San Lorenzo with a separate entrance behind the church.

Open daily until 2:00 pm, no need to book ahead.

A massive palace which was once the home to many of the city’s rulers, including the Medici. There are a series of galleries and museums, don’t try to see it all, focus on what interest you the most. Behind Pitti Palace are the extensive Boboli Gardens, the model for Versailles.

You can buy combined tickets for both here:

https://www.uffizi.it/en/pages/combined-pitti-boboli

A fascinating collection of old clocks, maps, telescopes and scientific curiosities. Galileo’s actual middle finger is also on display, it was cut off because he was believed to be a secular saint so they cut the finger he would have used to hold a pen.

https://www.museogalileo.it/en/