Looking for the best things to do in Florence, Italy? The city may be famous for Renaissance art, but Florence offers much more than museums and monuments. Its historic center brings together traditional trattorias, artisan workshops, local markets, wine bars, panoramic walks and some of Italy’s greatest masterpieces.
Whether you are planning Florence in one day, searching for fun things to do in Florence, organizing a romantic trip or looking for authentic experiences away from the busiest streets, the city is compact enough to explore mostly on foot.
From enjoying a wine tasting in Florence city center to visiting the Uffizi Gallery, tasting a real Florentine steak and discovering the markets of Santo Spirito, here are 10 unmissable things to do in Florence.
1. Enjoy a Tuscan Wine Tasting in Florence City Center
A wine tasting in Florence is one of the most enjoyable ways to discover Tuscany without leaving the city. Located at Borgo Ognissanti 70R, a few minutes from Santa Maria Novella train station, Vino al Vino is an iconic wine bar, wine shop and established reference point for wine in Florence.
The tasting includes five Italian wines, with a focus on Tuscany and small artisan producers. The wines are presented in an accessible way and can be paired with Italian cheeses, cured meats and regional specialties. An olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting is also available.
Wine and artisan food products can be purchased and shipped internationally, making Vino al Vino a useful address for Italian food gifts and food souvenirs in Florence. Advance booking through WhatsApp or Instagram is essential.
BOOK NOW DIRECTLY TO VINO AL VINO:
Plan Your Visit
Ask for a tasting focused on Tuscan wines and small artisan producers.
📍 Open Vino al Vino in Google Maps
2. Visit Florence Cathedral and Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore—better known as the Florence Duomo—is the visual symbol of the city. Its green, white and pink marble façade dominates the historic center, while Brunelleschi’s Dome still defines the Florentine skyline.
The cathedral complex also includes the Baptistery of San Giovanni and Giotto’s Bell Tower. Those ready for the climb are rewarded with extraordinary views over Florence’s rooftops and the surrounding Tuscan hills.
Book in advance, especially during spring and summer. Even without climbing the dome, walking around Piazza del Duomo early in the morning or after sunset remains one of the essential things to do in Florence.
Plan Your Visit
Visit Piazza del Duomo early in the morning and return after dark to admire the illuminated marble façade.
📍 Open Florence Cathedral in Google Maps
3. Visit the Uffizi Gallery and Walk Across Ponte Vecchio
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence houses one of the world’s most important collections of Renaissance art. Its rooms contain celebrated works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio.
Allow at least two or three hours and reserve a timed ticket. Trying to see everything can be exhausting, so focus on the masterpieces and leave time to enjoy the views over the Arno.
After the museum, walk toward the river and continue across Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest and most recognizable bridge. This easy route connects two of the most famous attractions in Florence and leads directly toward the Oltrarno, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. It is also ideal for travelers exploring Florence in one day.
Plan Your Visit
Book the Uffizi in the morning and walk across Ponte Vecchio immediately afterward, continuing toward the Oltrarno.
📍 Open the Uffizi Gallery in Google Maps
📍 Open Ponte Vecchio in Google Maps
4. Eat an Authentic Florentine Steak at a Traditional Trattoria
Eating an authentic Florentine steak in Florence is an essential experience for meat lovers. The bistecca alla fiorentina is traditionally cut thick, grilled over high heat and served rare. It is generally ordered by weight and shared between at least two people.
Choose a traditional trattoria in Florence instead of the most obvious tourist restaurants. Excellent local options include Trattoria da Burde, Trattoria Ruggero, Vecchia Bettola, Trattoria Mario and Osteria dell’Enoteca.
Burde and Ruggero take visitors beyond the busiest tourist streets, while Mario, Sergio Gozzi and 13 Gobbi are easier to include while exploring the center. Ask about the available cut and price per kilogram before ordering, and avoid requesting it well done if you want the traditional Florentine experience.
Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Ask about the steak’s weight and price per kilogram before ordering. A Florentine steak is normally large enough to be shared.
📍 Burde on Google Maps · Ruggero · Vecchia Bettola · Trattoria Mario · 13 Gobbi · Sergio Gozzi
5. Explore Santo Spirito and Its Sunday Markets
Cross the Arno and spend time in Santo Spirito, one of the liveliest and most characterful parts of the Florence Oltrarno district. The neighborhood combines artisan workshops, independent shops, traditional restaurants and informal bars, creating a more local atmosphere than the streets around the Duomo.
Visit the Basilica di Santo Spirito, explore the surrounding lanes and stop in the piazza for coffee or an aperitivo. On selected Sundays, Piazza Santo Spirito hosts markets dedicated to antiques, vintage objects, local agriculture and traditional craftsmanship.
The periodic market is generally held on the second Sunday of the month, while La Fierucola di Santo Spirito, featuring organic produce and handmade goods, usually takes place on the third Sunday of the month. Dates may change, so check the current calendar before visiting.
Exploring this area is one of the best non-touristy things to do in Florence for travelers interested in local life.
Plan Your Visit
Combine the market with a visit to the Basilica di Santo Spirito, followed by lunch or an aperitivo in the piazza.
📍 Open Piazza Santo Spirito in Google Maps
6. See Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery
Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery looks completely different in person. Standing more than five meters tall, the sculpture dominates the central gallery and reveals details that photographs cannot fully communicate.
The Accademia Gallery in Florence is smaller and more manageable than the Uffizi, making it suitable for a shorter cultural visit. Alongside David, visitors can see Michelangelo’s unfinished Prisoners, whose figures appear to emerge directly from the marble.
Tickets frequently sell out during the busiest months. Reserve a specific entrance time, preferably early in the morning, to avoid the largest crowds.
Plan Your Visit
Choose the first available entrance and take time to observe David from different angles, not only from the front.
📍 Open the Accademia Gallery in Google Maps
7. Join a Traditional Pasta Cooking Class in Florence
Joining a traditional pasta cooking class in Florence is a fun and engaging way to discover Tuscan culture beyond museums and monuments. During a hands-on lesson, participants can learn how to prepare fresh pasta from scratch, working the dough by hand and creating traditional shapes such as tagliatelle, pappardelle or ravioli.
A recommended option is Florence Food Studio, a local cooking school dedicated to sharing Tuscan culinary traditions through practical classes guided by experienced chefs. Depending on the selected lesson, the experience may also include preparing seasonal sauces, Tuscan recipes or a classic Italian dessert.
The best part comes at the end, when everyone gathers around the table to enjoy the dishes prepared during the class. It is one of the most enjoyable food experiences in Florence and a great choice for couples, families and groups of friends. Since the activity takes place indoors, it is also among the best things to do in Florence when it rains.
Plan Your Visit
Choose a small-group, hands-on class that allows every participant to prepare the pasta rather than simply watching a demonstration.
📍 Florence Food Studio on Google Maps
🌐 Discover the cooking classes at Florence Food Studio
8. Visit Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens
Once the residence of the Medici grand dukes, Palazzo Pitti is one of Florence’s grandest historic buildings. Its museums contain paintings, royal apartments, decorative arts and an important collection of Renaissance and Baroque works.
Behind the palace, the Boboli Gardens extend across the hillside with statues, fountains, grottos and panoramic viewpoints. The open spaces make Boboli one of the most enjoyable things to do in Florence with kids, as well as a welcome change of pace after several hours inside museums.
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli can be visited together, but the complete experience requires at least half a day. Wear comfortable shoes: the gardens are extensive and include several steep paths.
Plan Your Visit
Check the weather before visiting Boboli and bring water during the warmer months. Comfortable shoes are essential.
📍 Palazzo Pitti on Google Maps
📍 Boboli Gardens on Google Maps
9. Watch the Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo
For the best panoramic view of Florence, walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo in the late afternoon. From the terrace, you can see the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio and the hills surrounding the city.
The square becomes crowded around sunset, but the view remains spectacular. For a quieter experience, continue uphill to San Miniato al Monte, one of Florence’s finest Romanesque churches and one of the most rewarding hidden gems in Florence.
The walk from the center is part of the experience. Start from the Oltrarno or San Niccolò and follow the historic ramps designed by Giuseppe Poggi.
Plan Your Visit
Continue uphill to San Miniato al Monte for another spectacular viewpoint that is generally quieter than the main terrace.
📍 Piazzale Michelangelo on Google Maps
📍 San Miniato al Monte on Google Maps
10. Take a Day Trip through the Chianti Wine Region
If you have more than two days in Florence, dedicate one to a Chianti wine tour from Florence. Vineyards, olive groves, medieval villages and historic wineries begin less than an hour from the city.
A Chianti day trip from Florence can include towns such as Greve, Panzano, Radda or Castellina in Chianti, together with a winery visit and guided tasting. Booking directly with smaller estates often provides a more personal experience, although a car, private driver or organized transfer is usually necessary.
Travelers without enough time for a full day in the countryside can begin with a wine tasting in Florence city center, discovering the main Tuscan denominations before visiting or purchasing bottles from the region.
Plan Your Visit
Choose two villages and one or two wineries rather than trying to cover the entire Chianti region in a single day.
📍 Greve in Chianti on Google Maps · Panzano in Chianti · Radda in Chianti
More Things to Do in Florence for Every Kind of Traveler
Florence in One Day
If you have only one day in Florence, begin at the Duomo before walking through Piazza della Signoria to the Uffizi Gallery. Continue across Ponte Vecchio, explore the Oltrarno and finish with a wine tasting at Vino al Vino near Santa Maria Novella.
This itinerary combines Florence’s most famous landmarks with food, wine and a glimpse of local life. Book museums and tastings in advance, as there is little room for long queues when visiting Florence in one day.
Things to Do in Florence When It Rains
There are plenty of things to do in Florence when it rains. Visit the Uffizi or Accademia Gallery, explore Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio or spend the afternoon tasting Tuscan wines, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Florence’s churches, museums and historic food shops make it possible to enjoy the city even when the weather is less than perfect.
Things to Do in Florence for Couples
The best things to do in Florence for couples include sharing a Tuscan wine tasting, walking across Ponte Vecchio, exploring the narrow streets of the Oltrarno and watching the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo.
For a romantic evening, begin with an aperitivo or tasting, continue with dinner at a traditional Florentine trattoria and finish with a walk along the Arno.
Fun Things to Do in Florence
Travelers searching for fun things to do in Florence can choose between wine and food tastings, cooking classes, artisan workshops, neighborhood markets and day trips through Chianti.
Florence does not need to be experienced only through museums. Tasting unfamiliar wines, meeting small producers and discovering the city on foot can be just as memorable as seeing its most famous masterpieces.
Non-Touristy Things to Do in Florence
Many of the best non-touristy things to do in Florence can be found in the Oltrarno. Explore Santo Spirito, enter traditional artisan workshops, visit a neighborhood market and eat at a trattoria frequented by Florentines.
Moving beyond the immediate area surrounding the Duomo reveals a quieter and more authentic side of the city. Traditional addresses such as Burde, Ruggero and Vecchia Bettola offer a different atmosphere from restaurants concentrated along the busiest tourist streets.
Hidden Gems in Florence
Travelers looking for hidden gems in Florence should visit San Miniato al Monte, explore San Niccolò and Santo Spirito and discover the small artisan workshops scattered across the Oltrarno.
La Fierucola in Piazza Santo Spirito is another interesting experience for visitors who want to discover organic products, traditional craftsmanship and everyday Florentine life.
Things to Do in Florence with Kids
Some of the best things to do in Florence with kids involve open spaces and interactive experiences. Families can explore the Boboli Gardens, walk across Ponte Vecchio, climb Giotto’s Bell Tower or discover the outdoor sculptures in Piazza della Signoria.
Food experiences can make the city more engaging for younger visitors too. Depending on their age, families can arrange accessible tastings of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cheeses and other Italian specialties.
Final Tips for Visiting Florence
Florence is compact and best explored on foot, but its leading museums and attractions require planning. Reserve the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery and Brunelleschi’s Dome before arrival, particularly during high season.
Whether you are looking for romantic things to do in Florence, cultural attractions, family activities, local food or unusual experiences, leave some free time in your itinerary. Many of the best experiences in Florence happen spontaneously: entering an artisan workshop, discovering a neighborhood market, enjoying a glass of Tuscan wine or walking through the Oltrarno at sunset.
