Things to do in Florence
Florence's treasures are mainly found in the historic centre, north of the River Arno. Visit the iconic domed Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and its exquisite 11th-century Baptistery. The Uffizi Gallery boasts the world's largest collection of Renaissance paintings. Cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge to the Oltrarno district, home to Pitti Palace and its romantic Boboli Gardens. Charges apply to most sights. Opening hours vary and can change at short notice.
Bargello Museum
Renaissance sculptures
Renaissance masterpieces including sculptures, textiles and armoury fill the
Bargello Museum in central Florence. This imposing former prison houses
sculptures by artists like Michelangelo, Giambologna and Donatello.
Don't miss the latter's famous bronze version of
David, which is displayed here.
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Cost
€4; concessions €2; during exhibitions €7; concessions €3.50; EU under-18s & over-65s free
Opening Hours
Daily 8.15am-5pm (closed 1st, 3rd and 5th Sun and 2nd and 4th Mon of each month)
Address
4, Via del Proconsolo, Florence, 50122
Telephone
+39 055 238 8606
Uffizi Gallery
World's finest Renaissance collection
The queues for the Uffizi Gallery in central Florence are a clue:
it's the world's finest collection of Renaissance art.
You'll never see it all. Look out for Botticelli's Birth
of Venus and early works by Leonardo da Vinci.
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Cost
€6.50; concessions €3.25; during temporary exhibitions: €10; concessions €5; EU under-18s & over-65s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 8.15am-6.50pm
Address
Piazzale degli Uffizi, Florence, 50122
Telephone
+39 055 238 8651
Galleria dell'Accademia
World-famous artworks
The Galleria dell'Accademia, near bustling Piazza San Marco square in
central Florence, was the world's first school of art. It's
now a fascinating gallery, home to one of the world's most famous
sculptures - Michelangelo's stunning marble statue of
David.
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Cost
€6.50; concessions €3.25; during temporary exhibitions: €10; concessions €5; EU under-18s & over-65s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 8.15am-6.50pm
Address
58-60, Via Ricasoli, Florence, 50122
Telephone
+39 055 2388612
Fontana del Porcellino
Famous fountain
The gleaming snout of the Fontana del Porcellino, a bronze boar in the city
centre, is testament to the fact that it is rubbed hundreds of times a day.
According to legend, giving it a rub ensures a return visit.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
off Piazza Davanzati by Mercato Nuovo (New Market), Florence, 50123
Transport
On foot
San Miniato al Monte
Frescoed marble church
Perched on a hill in the Oltrarno district, south of the Arno, the church of
San Miniato al Monte dates back to the 13th century. It's a steep
climb, but worth it for the colourful marble facade and fine frescoes.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily approx 8am-7.30pm (closed 12pm-3pm in winter)
Address
Via Monte alle Croci, Florence, 50125
Telephone
+39 055 2342731
Ponte Vecchio
14th-century bridge
The medieval Ponte Vecchio spanning the River Arno is Florence's
oldest bridge and one of the city's most photographed sights. Dating
back to the 14th century, it's lined with goldsmiths' shops
and contains a hidden corridor used by the Medici.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Ponte Vecchio, Florence, 50122
Transport
Electric bus D to Ponte Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria
Picturesque square
Bustling Piazza della Signoria square, in the centre of Florence, is
dominated by the striking medieval Palazzo Vecchio and is home to some fine
classical sculptures. Have a coffee or aperitivo while joining the Italians
in a spot of people-watching.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Piazza della Signoria, Florence, 50122
Transport
Bus A from Santa Maria Novella to Via Porta Rossa
Baptistery
1000 years of history
The little Baptistery, Battistero, beside the Cathedral in central
Florence, is probably the city's oldest building. Built around the
11th century, on the site of a Roman temple, it is where Dante was baptised.
The carved bronze doors are stunning.
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Cost
€4
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 12.15pm-7pm; Sun 8.30am-2pm
Address
Piazza Duomo, Florence, 50122
Telephone
+39 055 230 2885
Casa Buonarroti
Michelangelo's house
Michelangelo bought Casa Buonarroti, near the Basilica of Santa Croce, in
1508 and lived there until 1515. The attractive 17th-century building,
enlarged and beautified by his great-nephew, contains original masterpieces
by Michelangelo, including the Madonna of the Steps.
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Cost
€6.50
Opening Hours
Wed-Mon 9.30am-2pm
Address
70, Via Ghibellina, Florence, 50122
Telephone
+39 055 241752
Pitti Palace
Collection of museums
Former residence of the powerful Medici rulers, Pitti Palace sits south of
the River Arno. Today it houses the Palatine Gallery, with its astonishingly
lavish Royal Apartments, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Porcelain Museum,
among many other attractions.
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Cost
€6-€8.50, concessions €3-€4.25; during exhibitions €12, concessions €6
Opening Hours
Individual museum opening times vary
Address
1, Piazza Pitti, Florence, 50125
Telephone
+39 055 294 883
Medici Chapels
Opulent resting place
The sumptuous Medici Chapels, Cappelle Medicee, form part of the San
Lorenzo basilica in the city centre. The burial place of the powerful Medici
rulers, they contain masterpieces by Michelangelo and opulent decorations of
marble and semi-precious stones.
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Cost
€6; concessions €3; during exhibitions €9; concessions €4.50; EU under-18s & over-65s free
Opening Hours
Daily 8.15am-1.50pm (closed 1st, 3rd & 5th Mon and 2nd & 4th Sun each month)
Address
6, Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini, Florence, 50123
Telephone
+39 055 2388602
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Iconic architecture
Florence's Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo, was
begun in 1296 and still today dominates the city centre, topped by
Brunelleschi's iconic dome. The vast interior features frescoes,
including one of the famed English mercenary, Sir John Hawkwood.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Mon-Wed & Fri 10am-5pm; Thu until 3.30pm; Sat until 4.45pm; Sun 1.30pm-4.45pm
Address
17, Piazza Duomo, Florence, 50122
Telephone
+39 055 215 380
Transport
Bus 23 from Santa Maria Novella to the Cathedral
Website
Bike Tour of Chianti
Rolling hills and vineyards
This full day Bike Tour of Chianti is a great way to explore the countryside
surrounding Florence. It starts from the Ponte Vespucci bridge in central
Florence, includes lunch and a visit to one of the famous Chianti
vineyards.
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Cost
€60
Opening Hours
Apr-Aug Daily 10am
Address
Ponte Vespucci, Florence, 50123
Telephone
+39 055 222 580
Certosa del Galluzzo
Medieval monastery
The Certosa del Galluzzo is a tranquil monastery outside Florence, in the
village of Galluzzo. It dates back to 1342. A guided tour shows visitors
sights such as the cloisters, the monks' cells and the
refectory.
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Cost
Donations for guided tour
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 9.15am-11.15am & 3pm-5pm (until 4.15pm in winter; afternoon only Sun)
Address
2, Buca di Certosa, Galluzzo, Florence, 50124
Telephone
+39 055 204 9226
Boboli Gardens
Renaissance retreat
The romantic Boboli Gardens adjoin the Pitti Palace in the Oltrarno district,
offering a tranquil escape from the city centre bustle. Designed for the
Medici rulers, they're filled with statues, grottoes and fountains.
Shelter from the sun under shady trees.
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Cost
€6; concessions €3; during exhibitions: €10; concessions €5; EU under-18s & over-65s free
Opening Hours
Daily 8.15am-dusk (closed 1st & last Mon of month)
Address
1, Piazza Pitti, Florence, 50125
Telephone
+39 055 2388786; +39 055 294883
