15 Things You Must Do in Florence for Your Bucket List
Florence packs more artistic punch per square inch than practically anywhere else on Earth.
Between climbing centuries-old towers and sipping Tuscan wine at rooftop bars, you’ll discover why Florence ranks as one of Europe’s most captivating cities.
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1. Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome
The massive burnt sienna cupola crowning Florence’s cathedral isn’t just pretty – it’s an architectural miracle that took 140 years to complete.
Scaling all 463 steps might leave you breathless, but the payoff is worth every step.
Through the climb, you’ll walk right next to the dome’s innovative herringbone brickwork, a revolutionary design that allowed it to be built without scaffolding.
At the top, all of Florence and the rolling Tuscan hills spread out before you in a view that will make your heart skip a beat.
2. Ascend the Arnolfo Tower
The Arnolfo Tower is a medieval watchtower that rises 95 meters above the Palazzo Vecchio.
The 223-step climb takes you past the “Alberghetto” – a tiny prison cell where powerful Florentines were once held.
Time your visit for sunset when the golden light bathes the city’s terracotta rooftops. From the top, you’ll spot everything from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio while ancient bells toll in the chambers below.
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3. Watch Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
As day melts into dusk, this hilltop plaza becomes Florence’s ultimate sunset spot.
The panoramic views sweep from the Duomo’s distinctive dome to the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, with the Tower of Arnolfo piercing the skyline.
A bronze copy of Michelangelo’s David presides over it all, while the surrounding Tuscan hills fade to purple in the distance.
4. Browse the Uffizi Gallery
The Medici family’s former offices now house an unmatched collection of Renaissance masterpieces.
Beyond the art-filled halls, seek out the hidden balcony overlooking the Duomo – it’s a photo op most tourists miss.
The gallery itself is a masterwork of architecture, with corridors designed to showcase Florence’s greatest artistic treasures.
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5. Shop at Mercato Centrale
Mercato Centrale is a two-story food paradise housed in a stunning 19th-century building that combines old-world charm with modern flavors.
The ground floor buzzes with vendors selling everything from fresh pasta to Tuscan wines.
Upstairs, you can watch pizza masters craft perfect Neapolitan pies or see how traditional buffalo mozzarella is made.
6. Cross the Historic Ponte Vecchio
Built in 1345 with three sturdy arches, Ponte Vecchio is a medieval masterpiece that survived floods and wars while other bridges crumbled.
What started as a hub for butchers transformed into a glittering jewelry paradise in 1593 when the Medici family decided they’d had enough of the meat market smells.
During WWII, it was the only bridge in Florence spared from German bombs, possibly thanks to Hitler’s fascination with its beauty.
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7. Explore the Loggia dei Lanzi
This open-air sculpture gallery in Piazza della Signoria is where Renaissance masterpieces mingle with the masses.
Built between 1376-1382, this Gothic-Renaissance hybrid was originally designed for public ceremonies.
Today, it’s home to some serious artistic heavyweights – think Cellini’s dramatic Perseus holding Medusa’s head.
The wide arches and elegant columns create the perfect frame for people-watching and soaking in the square’s electric atmosphere.
8. Rub Il Porcellino’s Nose
This bronze boar fountain has been granting wishes since the 1700s. Created in 1634 and based on an ancient Greek marble original, Il Porcellino (literally “Little Pig”) stands guard at the Mercato Nuovo.
The ritual is simple but specific – place a coin in his mouth, let it drop through the grates below, and rub his shiny snout for good luck.
Hans Christian Andersen was so charmed by this tusked wonder that he wrote a story about him in 1842, imagining the boar coming alive to give a young boy a magical tour of Florence.
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9. Tour La Specola Museum
After a five-year makeover, this 250-year-old science museum has reopened with mind-blowing collections that blend art and science.
Founded in 1775, it was Europe’s first museum open to everyone, regardless of class or gender.
The highlights will make your jaw drop – anatomical waxes that look eerily real, glittering mineral formations, and exotic stuffed creatures including the famous Boboli Hippopotamus.
The museum’s piece de resistance is the Astronomical Tower, offering a 360-degree view of Florence’s terracotta skyline.
10. Visit Galileo Museum
Housed in the historic Palazzo Castellani, Galileo Museum showcases over 1,000 instruments that changed our understanding of the universe.
The star attractions? Two of Galileo’s original telescopes and the lens he used to discover Jupiter’s moons.
The museum’s treasures span from intricate globes and timepieces to astronomical devices that would make any science buff swoon.
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11. Shop at San Lorenzo Market
San Lorenzo Market stretches around the Basilica di San Lorenzo, serving up retail therapy with a side of local flair.
From butter-soft leather jackets to handcrafted bags and glittering jewelry, the market is a treasure trove of Italian craftsmanship.
Insider Tip: the indoor Mercato Centrale upstairs is your go-to spot for gourmet shopping and people-watching.
12. See Michelangelo’s David
Standing 17 feet tall in the Accademia Gallery, this marble masterpiece stops visitors in their tracks.
The David’s intense gaze and perfectly carved muscles showcase Michelangelo’s unmatched genius.
Skip the replica in Piazza della Signoria and head to Via Ricasoli to see the real deal. Make sure to book your tickets in advance to dodge the notorious lines.
Fun fact: there are actually three Davids in Florence, but only one original lives in the climate-controlled gallery.
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13. Stroll through Oltrarno
Cross the Arno River to discover Florence’s creative soul, where narrow streets reveal artisan workshops and hidden gardens.
This former working-class neighborhood now buzzes with authentic Florentine life. By day, explore the magnificent Pitti Palace and lose yourself in the tiered Boboli Gardens.
When night falls, join the locals in Santo Spirito Square, where hip bars and restaurants create the perfect setting for an aperitivo.
14. Visit the Neptune Fountain
Standing proud in Piazza della Signoria, the Neptune Fountain tells a tale of Medici might.
Created by Bartolomeo Ammannati in 1565, the fountain features Neptune (sporting Cosimo I de’ Medici’s face) commanding a chariot pulled by four seahorses.
Bronze water nymphs and mythological figures add drama to this aquatic spectacle.
The fountain was commissioned to celebrate a royal wedding and Tuscany’s maritime power, making it both a political statement and an artistic triumph.
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15. Experience SE·STO on Arno
Perched atop the Westin Excelsior, this rooftop gem dishes up contemporary Tuscan cuisine with a side of jaw-dropping views.
The 360-degree views through floor-to-ceiling windows put you at eye-level with Brunelleschi’s dome while you sip craft cocktails.
The mixologists behind the curved bar craft signature drinks that rival the views, while the kitchen plates up innovative dishes like red prawns with burrata and citrus-cured sea bass.
Reservations are essential – especially for the coveted window tables at dusk.
