Top things to do in Florence
Attractions, tours, and activities in Florence
Recommended museums in Florence
Where to find art and culture in Florence
Florence: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Florence
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Florence Historic Center
In downtown
Our best advice for exploring the centre? Travel on foot. Pretty as the paintings that adorn its most illustrious galleries, Florence will charm you with stories and beg you to make your own. Get lost among the jewellery makers and trinket buyers of Ponte Vecchio; then tie your love to a lock on the bridge’s fence (for good luck).
Places to stay from $11 a night
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Piazzale Michelangelo
1 miles from downtown
Hot, hungry, and dreaming of pecorino? Sounds like you made it through the tree-lined streets to the heights of Piazzale Michelangelo. The Duomo looms high above the terracotta rooftops. A few flights up, you’ll find the prettiest church in Florence called San Miniato. Picnic among the ornate tombstones of the church’s cemetery (if you dare).
Places to stay from $52 a night
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Santa Croce
0.5 miles from downtown
Pay homage to Galileo and Michelangelo, both buried beneath this Basilica. But don’t pray and run. Giotto’s frescoes decorate the Franciscan church’s interior chapels. French writer Stendhal coined his syndrome of the same here (an illness of “awe” marked by symptoms of intense nervousness caused by seeing great art).
Places to stay from $24 a night
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Santa Maria Novella
0.4 miles from downtown
Ready to cut your teeth on 20th century Italian art? Museo Novecento’s got just the collection. Afterward, let an espresso buzz you through Santa Maria Novella’s Gothic Basilica. Next door is Italy’s oldest apothecary and perfumery (1221), where aromatic elixirs steep in decanted bottles, and chemists still concoct colognes from the past.
Places to stay from $12 a night
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Tornabuoni
0.2 miles from downtown
Gucci certainly approves of the high-fashion boutiques that abound in his hometown. Heels and cobblestone? Not a problem for the Florentine female. This block is a who’s who crash course of Italian high fashion–from Armani to Versace and everyone in between. Even the air smells expensive. Window-shop your heart out, honey.
Places to stay from $34 a night
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Uffizi
0.2 miles from downtown
Both district and world-famous gallery. Art students stand agog in front of masterworks (ah, Botticelli) in the Uffizi Gallery. After a Renaissance morning, buy a gelato from “Perché no!" (the mozzarella with chestnut honey is a must!) and lick it all the way to Piazza della Signoria. Navel-gaze amidst pigeons, people, and sea-coloured statues.
Places to stay from $20 a night
About Florence
Including tips for the best time to visit Florence
Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is also the capital of Italy's Tuscany region and a powerhouse of culture, architecture, and art.
The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you never have to look far for things to do. The Uffizi Gallery is home to masterpieces like "The Birth of Venus" and "Primavera" by Sandro Botticelli, as well as Titian's "Venus of Urbino," while the Accademia Gallery is home to Michelangelo's "David" and the unfinished "Slaves." If you have time, be sure to visit other great museums like the Bargello, the Gucci Garden, and the former palace of the famous Medici family.
In the old town's center, you'll find the city's wonderful cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (also known as Duomo di Firenze) and Giotto's Tower, which offers a 360º view of the entire city. Then make a visit to Mercato Central to try some Florentine cuisine. It's the city's oldest and largest food market, packed with fresh, local produce, and even a bookshop and culinary school. You'll find all the local favorites, from tripe panini and pasta to gelato and Florentine steak.
Florence's Amerigo Vespucci airport is close, only a 15-minute bus or taxi ride from the city center.
Tonight
From $121 per night
This weekend
From $564 per night
Next weekend
From $224 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.07 |
| Language | Italian |
| Average weekend price | $134 per night |
| Average weekday price | $139 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Florence
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Florence
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Ponte Vecchio
0.2 miles from downtown
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Uffizi Gallery
0.2 miles from downtown
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Pitti Palace
0.5 miles from downtown
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Piazza della Signoria
0.1 miles from downtown
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Artemio Franchi Stadium
1.6 miles from downtown
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Santa Maria Novella
0.3 miles from downtown
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Palazzo Vecchio
0.2 miles from downtown
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Piazzale Michelangelo
0.8 miles from downtown
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Piazza del Duomo, Florence
0.2 miles from downtown
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Via Faenza
0.4 miles from downtown
Florence reviews
What other travelers say about Florence
We really enjoy shopping and eating at the central market.
April 25, 2024
We really enjoy shopping and eating at the central market. Because you can have a variety of experiences at a reasonable price. We bought some very good leather products at a specialty store near the river. We were satisfied with the wine, food, and shopping in this city !
I was amazed at the cleanliness of the city considering the...
April 25, 2024
I was amazed at the cleanliness of the city considering the number of visitors each day the attractions were well kept and maintained, the historical sights were easy to find and explore. each corner had new surprises and things to explore. so much to do and see at every turn. would recommend a minimum of 3-4 full days to truly see half of what Florence has to offer.
The endlessly gorgeous architecture, charming streets,...
April 25, 2024
The endlessly gorgeous architecture, charming streets, vibrant nightlife, and treasure trove of art everywhere you turn! The FOOD, which is almost invariably delicious -- including the produce at the supermarket, the amazingly cheap wine and coffee, and the stunningly wide selection of restaurants of all kinds. Just a fantastic and beautiful city. I could return here again and again.
We loved that you can walk everywhere easily and there is so...
April 20, 2024
We loved that you can walk everywhere easily and there is so much to do and see. They have great museums, shopping, etc. and the food is phenomenal & well priced. The uneven pavement and small sidewalks makes it a bit difficult. You definitely need comfortable walking shoes.
Easy to walk around the city and see the sights.
April 20, 2024
Easy to walk around the city and see the sights. Lots of places to eat with varying prices. Pre book tickets to attractions to avoid the worst of the crowds and to make sure that you get to see them. If you want to explore further afield or not wall toomuch try out the buses,
Florence is an amazing place to visit and enjoy all the...
April 19, 2024
Florence is an amazing place to visit and enjoy all the attractions as well as close enough to the mountains for a day trip along awesome roads in excellent condition with a hire car Definitely see the Florence Duomo and climb the Dome Galleria Academia is great for statue of David (real one) Uffizi gallery too much to see in 1 viewing We spent 5 nights and walked 60 kilometres to and from places to see as well as lots of bus rides Beware that you MUST have a ticket active BEFORE you get on bus 43 Euro fine if not.
Popular places to stay in Florence
Stay in some of the best accommodations Florence has to offer
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Casa Gordigiani - bilocali con parcheggio Novoli - San Donato, Florence
From $135 per night
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La Firenze Sogna Florence Historic Center, Florence
From $181 per night
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Pietrapiana Boutique Apartments Florence Historic Center, Florence
From $208 per night
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Other accommodations in Florence
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Florence
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Apartments
From $20 per night
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Villas
From $160 per night
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Cottages
From $52 per night
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Serviced apartments
From $48 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $52 per night
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Guest Houses
From $11 per night
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Hostels
From $26 per night
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B&Bs
From $29 per night
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Homestays
From $16 per night
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Farm stays
From $57 per night
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Self-Catering Accommodations
From $20 per night
