22 Unique Things To Do in Florence, Italy

The gorgeous Tuscan city of Florence, Italy is known for many things. It has an iconic cityscape that includes its famous Duomo (the rounded dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), Michelangelo’s David statue and was the setting for Season 4 of Jersey Shore. And while it’s a smaller city than Rome, Italy, there are still so many things to do in Florence, Italy—especially during the holiday season.

Florence, or Firenze in Italian, is a city with almost 400,000 residents, and it’s overflowing with culture, museums, restaurants and shopping opportunities. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, meaning that it’s deemed as a destination that has “outstanding universal value to humanity and such,” and sees anywhere from 10 to 16 million tourists every year. Firenze is also known as the City of Lilies for the Florentine irises that grow nearby (and that were wrongly called lilies initially); the iris also makes up the coat of Florence.

Once you step foot in Florence, it’s easy to see why it was once Italy’s capital and why it’s such a cultural touchstone (the Renaissance and the piano were both born here). And if you have an upcoming trip planned to Firenze and have no idea where to start when it comes to choosing what to do, we’ve got you covered. Here are the 22 best things to do in Florence, Italy—including some seasonal favorites.

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Best Things To Do in Florence, Italy

1. Shop (no seriously)

This seems like a no-brainer when you come to Italy. However, Florence really does have some of the best shopping experiences that also won’t break the bank. There’s the Mercato Centrale, which has a floor dedicated to stalls that sell authentic pasts, wine, olive oil, pastries and so much more. Perfect if you want authentic goodies to take home. The upper floor has a massive eatery if you want a lot of Italian options for lunch.

Then there are leather and jewelry stalls all around the Mercato Centrale. You can buy genuine leather, Italian clothing, fun graphic tees and so much more from street vendors all in one place. It’s the best time to practice your bartering skills if you can speak Italian (and a perfect place to practice your Italian as well!).

And while there are street vendors everywhere, you can also go into so many storefronts and brick-and-mortar stores for silk scarves, more leather goods and even items made from crystal and glass.

We stopped into La Bottega Dei Cristalli Srl and bought earrings, a trinket tray, a figurine and more all artfully crafted from glass. They were all gorgeous and very affordable.

2. Stay at the Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo

This is a must-do if you want to stay at a very authentic Italian villa that isn’t too far from the city center (centro) of Florence. Torre di Bellosguardo is about a 10 to 20-minute drive from the main part of Florence and the front desk was always helpful in calling us a taxi when we wanted to head out. It sits on a hill overlooking the city and gives breathtaking views of not just Firenze but of the land south of the city.

The hotel/villa is on the southern side of the Arno (the river that cuts through the city), and therefore on the opposite side of the centro. But again, it’s all worth it for the amazing stay we had at the hotel.

Getting into just how amazing the villa is, the history really explains why it’s so iconic. The Torre di Bellosguardo was built in 1200 and was expanded in 1500 by the Marquises Roti Michelozzi. Painter Bernardino Poccetti was hired to create the frescoes that are still in the entry hall. In the 1920s and 1930s, Baroness Marion von Hornstein-Franchetti turned this villa into a “salon for nobles and intellectuals from all over Europe.”

There’s a gorgeous pool in the front, a massive front lawn, sculptures and fountains everywhere, a garden and mini vineyard in the back and a barn with three donkeys. Yes, donkeys, and you can hear them from your room in the morning (don’t worry it’s endearing and not distracting!). There is also an amazing terrace where breakfast is served every morning, and it’ll have you feeling like an Italian noble as you take your cappuccino and toast outside. The property also has eight cats and they employ one named Silver to ward off the annoying birds and pigeons that normally would hang out on the terrace. She’s very good at her job and loves scratches and attention.

Our room was massive with a bathroom bigger than most small city apartments. All of the furniture and artwork are historically accurate and add to an otherworldly, out-of-time feel of the hotel. If you can swing it, staying at Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo is a must if you want superb service and to feel like you’re a part of the Renaissance (but with running water, of course).

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3. Have a spiritual food experience at L’Imperatore Ristorante Pizzeria

I’m going to talk about food a lot, and that’s because Florence had some of the best (if not the best) food we had in Italy. One place I wanted to point out, specifically, is the food at L’Imperatore Ristorante Pizzeria. You can go to a lot of hole-in-the-wall restaurants and have good luck, but it’s a lot harder closer to tourist hotspots because it’s all very catered to American travelers who don’t know better. So we were a little nervous to try a restaurant so close to the Mercato Centrale, but L’Imperatore Ristorante Pizzeria blew us away.

I had their cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) pasta—and as you’ll find, I ate this at almost all the restaurants I went to—and it was superb. But my partner had their pesto pasta and it was so good, they nearly cried. This was the first place we ate at in Florence after a train ride from Rome and it did not disappoint.

4. Eat Florentine meat at Trattoria Da Guido

Florence is known for its meat—specifically, its steak. However, good steak is expensive anywhere (even outside of Italy) and so it was hard to find a place to get a good sampling of Florentine steak because it was all just vastly too expensive. But that’s where Trattoria Da Guido came in handy.

This restaurant is right across the street from the previous one I mentioned, but we went on a different day. The best thing about Trattoria Da Guido (other than its food and wine) is their great meal deals. They offer different discounts that include wine and different types of food, including Florentine meat. It was very affordable and felt like we were eating different courses for less than 25 or 30 euros. Plus, you can get a liter of wine for a cheap price, which always adds to a meal.

On that note, always find a restaurant that serves liters of carafes of their house wine. You’ll be able to share a large portion of wine for less than 10 euros most of the time and it’ll be some of the best wine you’ve ever tasted. It’s well worth the search.

Things You Have To Do When You Visit Florence

5. Visit a wine window

Wine windows are a fun aspect of Florence, but you have to search for those worth going to. Wine windows offer a walk-up wine-ordering experience from a literal hole in a wall down a side street in Firenze. There are some right by the Duomo that are definitely very tourist-focused (meaning they might not be worth the trip).

Right off the Duomo, though, there’s Cantina de’Pucci, which seemed to always have a line (which doesn’t always mean it’s worth it, but I think it was).

The way it works is that you order with a person through the tiny window, they ring a bell once it’s ready, and you pay with cash. My partner and I ordered rosé, which was deep, almost orange, and sat at their tiny street-side patio. A lot of patrons just stood across the street and sipped on their wine-window wine, and it was overall a fun, unique thing to try.

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6. Experience a Tuscan wine tour and tasting

I studied abroad in Florence in college and never got to have my Tuscan wine experience. So this time, I made sure to book a wine tasting and we didn’t even have to go that far out of the city to do it.

We booked a Tuscany Wine Making Experience and Gourmet Dinner from Florence with The Tour Guy, which included a 30-minute van drive to Relais Villa Olmo where Diadema wine and olive oil are made.

We got a tour of the facility and then got to try five or so different wines and two olive oils. We then got to concoct our own red wine by mixing different amounts of red blends for our perfect blend. We were able to name the wine, it was corked and we got to take it home! And at the end of it all, we got a multi-course dinner at the fabulous restaurant on the property.

This tour was booked through The Tour Guy but facilitated by Towns of Italy (it’s called their “Semiprivate wine-making experience with winery tour and dinner in Tuscany”).

Overall, it was truly an unforgettable experience, and is worth it if you want a Tuscan wine tasting that’s not far from the city of Florence.

Things To Do in Florence for Families

7. Eat Gelato, of course

You can’t go to Italy and not eat gelato. La Carraia is one of my favorite places to get authentic gelato in Firenze, and they have a few different shops around the city.

They also have a very unique flavor called, Crema Buontalenti. This is called “Florentine cream” outside of the city, but in Florence, you’d order Buontalenti. The flavor is named after the 16th-century architect credited for making this flavor and is made with “mascarpone, egg yolk, honey and bourbon vanilla.”

So not only do I recommend getting gelato in Florence, but make sure to at least try Crema Buontalenti. And no matter where you go, make sure to always get gelato from shops that have them flat in their tins. Don’t get gelato from the places that stack them up; they have way too much air and aren’t considered very authentic Italian gelato.

8. Refill your water at the sparkling water fountain in Piazza Della Signoria

This one is a little off-the-beaten-path, but it’s fun if you like secrets and sparkling water (or frizzante in Italian). In the Piazza Della Signoria, which is right outside the Palazzo Vecchio—the town hall of Florence and once the residence of Cosimo I de Medici—and near the Uffizi Gallery, there is a fountain that dispenses regular water and sparkling water.

In Italy, there are tons of public water fountains to refill water bottles or drink from with your hands. But this is the only one I’ve seen that has sparkling water.

So how do you find this fountain? If you’re looking at the replica of Michelangelo’s David statue in front of Palazzo Vecchio, to the left, you’ll see the statue of Neptune (the Roman counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon). Go around to that side of the building and you’ll find the water fountain on the outside wall of Palazzo Vecchio. Even the still water tastes fantastic.

9. Find luck at the Porcellino Fountain statue

Another fun find (and not far from the sparkling water fountain, either) is Il Porcellino in Piazza del Mercato Nuovo. Il Porcellino is a bronze statue of a boar that sits on one end of the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo. This small plaza is raised and has a large roof held up by columns which is sometimes used for markets and merchant stalls.

Back to the large statue of the boar. Technically, this is a fountain, but the statue part is the most important because you’re supposed to rub his nose for good luck.

You’re actually supposed to hold a coin in the boar’s mouth as you rub his nose for good luck and drop it! If it falls into the grating of the fountain then your good luck is “guaranteed.” But honestly, just rubbing it for good luck can do wonders for the spirit.

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Things To Do in Florence for People Over 50

10. Visit the Medici Chapels

The Medici Chapels are a fairly new museum in Florence, though they contain centuries-old artifacts and the Medici crypts. If you’re into the history of Firenze, specifically the later members of the Medici family, this is a must-do for you. The Grand Dukes are buried here, from Cosimo I to Gian Gastone, the last in the Medici dynasty.

The large sarcophagi in the Chapel of the Princes feel otherworldly (plus they’re so ornate and gorgeous, I could have stared at them forever) and the newly restored Sagrestia Nuova (New Sacristy) is astounding.

Michelangelo was commissioned by Medici Popes Leo X and Clement VII to create the sculptures and architecture of this sacristy and the final result is hard to tear your eyes away from. So if you love sculptures and architecture, and you want to look at this underrated Florence museum, you need to go to the Medici Chapels.

11. Go to the Scuola del Cuoio

While not completely “hidden,” the Scuola del Cuoio is tucked behind the Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze and you have to walk through a little courtyard to get there. But once you do get into the leather school, you’ll get an up close and personal look at how students of leather making create leather products.

There’s also a shop where you can buy leather-bound journals, bracelets, wallets and more. You can also get your purchase embossed with gold initials, which they do right in front of you too.

12. Visit the Uffizi and see the Birth of Venus

In addition to the David statue, another famous piece of art that lives in Florence is the Birth of Venus by Botticelli. This painting is housed at Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, or simply the Uffizi, which is a large art museum near Ponte Vecchio. It contains artwork, sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the Modern period. Popular artists with pieces in the Uffizi include Raffaello, Michelangelo, Caravaggio and more.

While it’s not that large of a museum, there are so many rooms and so many art pieces to see. If you’re an art lover, definitely wear your comfortable shoes for this one.

13. Stay at Hotel Calimala

The second hotel we stayed at in Florence was the lovely Hotel Calimala, which has two locations right next to each other and in the heart of the city’s center. It truly is a luxury hotel and the inside is very modern with an eclectic decorative style.

One thing we really loved about this hotel was the breakfast, which takes place on the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Angel. And if you’re looking for something trendy, you can even eat at Angel for dinner. This is definitely for people who want to venture outside of traditional Italian dining. Plus meat and cheese spread was really good and so was the wine!

Best Free Things To Do in Florence

14. Look at the Duomo

As we briefly mentioned earlier, the Duomo is one of the most recognizable buildings in Florence and it’s the roof of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Construction of this cathedral started in the late 1200s and was completed (and consecrated) in 1436. 

The outside is so notable with green and white marble and you can go inside for free Monday through Saturday. There is gorgeous art everywhere on the inside—not to mention, you can look up at the large dome from the inside. Just know that because it is a church, you have to have your sleeves and legs covered (like at the Vatican). 

There are other buildings that make up the plaza including the Duomo, but some of them cost money and require tickets. 

15. Check out the Piazza di Santa Croce

There is also the Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze, which has a large piazza in front of it where there are often markets or vendors on the sides. It’s also in a very active part of the city, so if you find yourself on a night out, there’s a nice taxi station right there to easily get you where you need to go.

16. Take a gander at other churches

Churches in Italy (and Florence, specifically) are so beautiful and they’re all free to enter. As Visit Florence pointed out, because Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance, many of their churches had artwork commissioned by some of the greatest artists of all time.

17. Look at the incredible view from Piazza del Michelangelo

There’s a large statue of David replica and it overlooks Florence, which results in amazing photos in front of the Duomo and Firenze’s skyline. While the piazza wasn’t created by Michelangelo or during that time period, it is still an ode to the famous artist with a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David.

As Visit Florence shared, you can see Florence from above at this vantage point, which is “a singular experience” and “a moment of wonder.” There are souvenir vendors here and a car park. Come at sunset, during the day or at night for an amazing sight.

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18. Go to a Christmas market

Every Christmas season, in the Piazza Santa Croce (which we mentioned before), there’s a classic Christmas market (or Weihnachtsmarkt). In 2024, it started on November 23 and went until December 22, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

It’s free to enter and walk around the different booths. I bought my mom an adorable kitchen sign back in 2016 when I last went, plus I had some great mulled wine at night. There are also pretzels, beer and more. 

Again, it’s free to look around and just “window shop” (which is sometimes the best type of shopping), but you might want to plan to leave with something. Even if it’s a full belly.

19. Look at the Christmas lights

Also during the holiday season, Florence decorates the centro area with lights above you and around you. It’s free and magical, plus there’s a massive Christmas tree near the Duomo you can take a look at as well. It’s great for pictures and also just making memories.

Unique Things To Do in Florence

20. Go to Giunti Odeon Bookshop-Cinema

If you’ve ever dreamt of going to a bookstore and catching a film afterward (but in the same building), then the Giunti Odeon Bookshop-Cinema is right up your alley. That is a very specific dream, but it does exist in Florence.

The Odeon Cinema has been showing films since the 1920s. And now you can browse their large selection of books on the ground level as movies play on the upper floor in the horseshoe-shaped gallery and boxed seats. The movies play in their original language and have subtitles. Some recent selections include Pulp Fiction and even Moana 2.

21. Visit Boboli Gardens

Even if you don’t like nature too much or you’re not a garden person, everyone will love and appreciate a visit to Boboli Gardens—it’s a large park in Florence that opened to the public in 1766 (though it was originally made for the Medici). It’s one of the first (and most important) examples of the Italian garden, per Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi’s website.

Today it’s a gorgeous display of historic statues, fountains and views that you can spend all day exploring. Sure, it’s where Kanye West and Kim Kardashian started their failed marriage in 2014, but who can blame them? It’s a truly magical place to get married or just to spend a Sunday strolling in.

Entrance tickets start at 6 euros for regular tourists (children under 18 and students can qualify for free or reduced prices, like most museums in Florence).

22. Use Florence as your base and travel around the area

Okay, this one is cheating just a tad bit, but it is a great aspect of Florence that you should take advantage of. Florence’s train stations (I prefer the Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station) are perfect for a weekend getaway. You can get anywhere in Tuscany within a day, and you can even head up north to Cinque Terre for some beach scenery in the summer. Plus, getting to and from Rome takes less than two hours.

Outside of going to Rome, you can travel to:

• Volterra
• Pisa
• Assisi
• Cinque Terre
• Ravenna

Yes, as a former Twihard, I made my roommate travel with me to Volterra when I studied aboard here in 2016. The description of the hillside Italian Tuscan town in New Moon pales in comparison to how it looks in real life.

I went to and from Pisa a lot via the train and used the airport there (since I find it preferable to Florence’s airport) and it’s relatively inexpensive. Ravenna is in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy (so not Tuscany) and is a bit further by train (we took a bus), but is gorgeous and worth it if you have time while in Firenze. Dante is also buried here.

Assisi (yes, where St. Francis of Assisi hails from) is another town that is a must-see especially if you grew up Catholic like I did. The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi holds the saint’s remains and it’s just an overall very spiritually active place.

And Cinque Terre, as I mentioned before, is lovely when it’s warmer out (that’s when I went, so I can speak to that specifically). It means “Five Lands” in Italian and consists of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. We spent most of our time in Monterosso because of the amazing beach and food. But we did take a short train ride to Vernazza, which is visually probably the most known area of Cinque Terre and the inspiration for the fictional town of Portorosso in Disney/Pixar’s Luca. We took a boat back to Monterosso and stopped halfway to swim under a waterfall. Magical doesn’t even begin to cover the vibes of Cinque Terre.

So there you have it! I’ve spent a lot of time in Florence, as someone who lived there as well as a tourist after some time away. And I think these activities and places will make your trip to Firenze so worth it.

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