It’s difficult to think of another city that has so much to teach visitors about art, history, fashion, culture, and gastronomy. Florentines’ commitment to seeking art and refinement is what made Florence the center of the Renaissance. And this is what continues to make Florence such an artistic and dreamy destination today.

There’s so much to do and see in this dynamic city that’s always overflowing with cultural events and monuments. Here are our essential must dos for any traveler headed to Florence, once you’re done staring with your mouth agape at the Duomo.

 

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The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most renowned art museums in the world for countless reasons. The Uffizi houses many of the most iconic Renaissance masterpieces that are famous the world over. It’s where you can glimpse originals of Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and Caravaggio’s shocking “Medusa,” as well as works by other legends such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo Da Vinci. The building itself is also historic, constructed in 1560 by Giorgio Vasari, featuring stunning ceilings, intricate lunettes, and some of the best views in town of the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio.

Be sure to get your tickets online far in advance to avoid long lines or tickets selling out. Give yourself a good two or three hours to explore every section and take in the most iconic Renaissance art ever created.

Everyone must trek up to Piazzale Michelangelo at least once to catch the most impressive views of Florence. It’s the perfect excuse to cross Ponte Vecchio to get to the other side of the Arno River. From the city center, it’s a 25-minute walk to the Piazzale. You get to walk along the Arno and catch the views of the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio from the other side. After walking up some sets of stairs to the right, you’ll arrive at a small piazza with a statue of Michelangelo’s David and sprawling panoramic viewpoints of Florence at his feet.

From Piazzale Michelangelo, you’ll see everything from the dome and body of the Duomo, the impressive Basilica of Santa Croce, the Campanile di Giotto, and both sides of Ponte Vecchio. Hanging out and taking in the views from Piazzale Michelangelo is an essential must-do for any first-timer’s trip to Florence.

Next to Piazzale Michelangelo, behind Palazzo Pitti, are the Boboli Gardens. The Boboli Gardens were once the property of the Medici and served as one of the first examples of an Italian Renaissance Garden when it was first designed. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful gardens in all of Europe. And like anywhere else in Florence, the Boboli Gardens are full of artworks from the Renaissance.

Palazzo Vecchio, which is also referred to as Palazzo della Signoria, is the city hall of Florence and has served that function ever since the 13^th century. The palace was built to demonstrate the power and importance of Florence and continues to be among the most significant buildings in the city, with its tall medieval tower that’s 94 meters high. The grand entrance is flanked by a large replica of Michelangelo’s David and Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus.

The first courtyard is usually open to the public and is a nice free activity to look around. The courtyard is surrounded by tall arches with a fountain of Putto with Dolphin in the center. The walls and ceilings of the hallways are covered with some of the most impressive and intricate frescoes painted by Giorgio Vasari, which you will naturally want to spend some time marveling at.

For a touch of design that’s more contemporary but just as delectable, book a room at Hotel La Gemma, which is the prettiest boutique hotel in Florence. La Gemma is decorated from top to bottom in lush hues of pink and green in a maximalist Art Deco style, which makes every space a delight to be in. The rooms are chic and luxurious with pink and green headboards, wall panels painted with palms, and sumptuous green marble in the bathrooms that will make you never want to leave. The hotel’s restaurant, Luca’s, offers fine dining that’s still lighthearted and fun inside a trendy space that takes on the hotel’s signature pink and green palette.

For any fan of Wicked and glamorous maximalist hotel design, Hotel La Gemma is the prettiest place to rest your head in Florence after a long day of taking in Renaissance art.

Antico Ristorante Paoli is the oldest restaurant in Florence, going strong since 1827. Far from a tourist trap, Paoli is a beautiful space that retains its dramatic 14th-century neo-Gothic style. Guests get the pleasure of dining under delicately patterned vaulted ceilings, stone pillars, and unique frescoes painted by various Italian artists. It’s an evocatively old-world setting that stays true to its deep roots.

Atto di Vito Mollica easily claims the title as the most beautiful restaurant in Florence. Atto Restaurant is set inside the splendid Emperor’s Court within the illustrious Palazzo Portinari Salviati, where guests get to dine in exquisite dining rooms with evocative frescoes, stained-glass ceilings, and glimmering contemporary art pieces.

Chef Vito Mollica’s gracious hospitality is infectious, as is his reverence for the space, ingredients, and people with which he works. Chef Mollica sees himself and his team as stewards charged with taking care of the land, local suppliers, and the historic space that make his restaurant extraordinary. His profound philosophy and dedication are what make Atto di Vito Mollica the favorite place to dine for many other chefs in the city.

Grand Hotel Minerva is the iconic grand hotel of Florence and the only spot in town that boasts a rooftop pool. While the pool is reserved exclusively for guests of the hotel (which we fully recommend for a luxurious stay), the rooftop cocktail bar is open to the public after 7:30 PM.

Grand Hotel Minerva’s rooftop offers one of the most spectacular views of Florence, with panoramic views of the city in every direction. You can sip on a Terrace Negroni while looking out at the top of the Duomo, the Campanile di Giotto, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, and every rooftop surrounding the center of Florence. Pop into the rooftop bar for scenic cocktails paired with tasty pizzas and snacks at the top of Grand Hotel Minerva, the grand dame of Florence.

For those who want a Tuscan winery experience without having to drive far from the city, Tenuta Poggio Casciano is just a 30-minute ride away. Tenuta Poggio Casciano is the main hospitality estate for the wine-producing giant, Ruffino, and it’s the only winery to which guests can take a taxi from Florence.

Tenuta Poggio Casciano consists of Tre Rane restaurant, elegant tasting rooms for wine tours, and Casa Ruffino, where guests can book to stay in rooms inside a Renaissance villa (complete with an infinity pool with views of the vineyards). Tre Rane Restaurant is an excellent destination for a decadent meal that creatively revamps regional Tuscan cuisine. The dining room is set in a chic, modern space decorated with custom art collaborations with the Ruffino brand, which also feature large windows that look out to the rolling hills and vineyards outside.

The estate offers a wide selection of wine tours and tastings, which guests can customize based on the types of wines that they’d like to try. The tours take place in various spots around the estate, including the historic cellar and Renaissance villa, as well as outside in the vineyards. Thanks to Ruffino’s centuries-old history, there are over twenty types of wines produced in the brand’s portfolio. We highly recommend picking up a bottle of the award-winning Riserva Ducale Oro and the fantastic Aqua di Venus white vermentino.

Il Gusto di Xinge is a showstopping restaurant that seamlessly fuses Italian and Chinese under the masterful eye of Chef Xin Ge Liu. Not only is this restaurant unique for the fact that it’s headed by an Asian female chef in Florence, but Il Gusto di Xinge offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

The food is surprising and delicious with dishes like cannoli filled with wonton paste and chicken pate and seabass branzino glazed with five-spice sauce and osmanthus flower. What really sets the dining experience apart is the visual artistry that Chef Xin Ge Liu channels into every dish. Fried shrimp fritters hanging on tree branches look like lychee fruit, and purple dumplings (naturally dyed by using cabbage) are topped with caviar and gold leaf. Everything from the chic, colorful interior to the garnishes on the dishes is visually stunning. The restaurant also runs an excellent cocktail program with fabulous signature cocktails based on each of the Chinese zodiac signs.

When in Florence, get ready to eat the best sandwich of your life. All’Antico Vinaio is the world-famous sandwich chain that started in Florence and has now expanded to locations all around Italy and the world. However, there’s no better place than the original shops in Florence for a taste of what these viral sandwiches are all about.

There are three locations in Florence: one by the Uffizi Gallery, one by the train station, and one by Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. All of them will have a long line out the door most of the time. However, don’t let this keep you away because the line moves impressively fast. While you’re in line, make sure to scan the QR code for the menu to decide what you’re going to order once you get to the counter.

The menu is a gloriously long list of sandwiches featuring your favorite artisanal Italian ingredients. There are endless combinations of ingredients like beef carpaccio, mortadella, Tuscan salami, prosciutto crudo, gorgonzola dolce, burrata, fior di latte mozzarella, truffle cream, pistachio cream, stracciatella, and more. Every sandwich comes on two slices of perfectly crispy focaccia that stays crunchy with every bite. The focaccia is extra wide, which makes for a huge sandwich that’s bursting with the mouthwatering ingredients of your choice. You’ll be in heaven as you join the legions of pedestrians stuffing their faces in their sandwiches as they walk along the streets of Florence.

Florence has been famous for producing the finest leather going back to the Etruscan period. Florentine artisans are still considered the best in Italy for their mastery of tanning and commitment to quality. The leather goods produced in Florence are made with the best materials and ancient techniques, which have been refined over generations.

Leather bags are particularly plentiful and for sale in shops and markets all over the city. In Florence you can find a leather bag for a fraction of the price of a designer bag, which will most likely be better quality and genuinely artisan made. There are many boutiques all around the city center, like NOI Firenze and Pelleteria Fratellini. And then there’s the Florence Leather Market off Via Calimala where you can peruse through leather bags of every size, shape, and color. When in Florence, you’re in the leather capital of Italy, and any leather bag you buy is bound to be your favorite purchase for years to come.