The most famous landmarks in Florence and Florence must-see sites: the best things to see in Florence, the best Florence attractions and experiences for first-time visitors.
Florence is one of the most beautiful places in Italy
Blessed with a wonderful position in the middle of Tuscany, beautiful architecture, unrivalled art and food to die for, it is a destination that appears on all Italy itineraries for first-time visitors and that hardly ever disappoints.
Florence city center as a whole became UNESCO World Heritage site is in 1982 and this inclusion is significant as it highlights how Florence is more than the sum of its parts.
Strolling around Florence city centre truly is like strolling in an open air museum, with beauty all around you.
I personally love the city.
I have loved it since childhood and every time I go, I discover something more about it that makes it fall in love with it a little deeper.
This is my selection of the best things to see in Florence and the most famous landmarks in Florence I recommend you go visit.
The most famous landmarks in Florence
Florence historical center
Florence is a compact city with a small, stunning historic city center.
Many of the most important Florence landmarks are in this area and their concentration is so unique that the whole of Florence city center is UNESCO World Heritage site.
As you wander along its meandering streets, you encounter breathtaking churches and museums but you will also soak in the atmosphere of this ancient city.
In Florence, a little bit like in Rome city center or in many towns in Tuscany, you walk through history and breath it the moment you leave your hotel room (this is one of the best areas to stay in Florence).
This is, I feel, what makes the city special and why I recommend a leisurely walk in the city center as one of the best things to do in Florence, not just to culture lovers but all types of travelers.
To see the sun sink down, drowned on his pink and purple and golden floods, and overwhelm Florence with tides of color that make all the sharp lines dim and faint and turn the solid city to a city of dreams, is a sight to stir the coldest nature. – Mark Twain, American writer
Find more quotes about Italy here
You can read here >>> my favorite walking itinerary in Florence
Florence Duomo Complex: Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Belltower, The Baptistry
The most recognizable and famous building in Florence is the the Duomo, the stunning Florence cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
The Duomo of Florence dates from the XIII century and is made of three buildings: the cathedra, the bell tower (Campanile di Giotto) and the Baptistry. Together, they form the Duomo Complex.
The duomo is one of the most visited landmarks in Florence and famous for being an outstanding example of Renaissance art.
Not to be missed here are its multi coloured facade, the iconic red tiled dome by Brunelleschi, of worldwide fame, and the carved door of the Baptistry by Ghiberti, a masterpiece so beautiful Michelangelo names it ‘Gate to Paradise’ (Porta del Paradiso).
Read here >>> our essential guide to Florence’s Duomo
The Duomo complex is open to visitors by ticket only and they come in three forms:
Brunelleschi Pass (best seller), which includes access to all monuments of Piazza del Duomo: the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata
Giotto Pass, which includes Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata
Ghiberti Pass, which includes The Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata
You can buy tickets from the Duomo Website directly >>> https://duomo.firenze.it/en/home/
Advance booking essential.
Santa Maria Novella (Church)
Santa Maria Novella is one of the top landmarks in Florence and one of the most important and famous churches in the city.
Santa Maria Novella dates back to 1279 when Dominican friars Fra Sisto and Fra Ristoro started working on its construction.
However, it only came to completion in the 14th century, reason why the church mixes different architectural styles, including elements of gothic architecture and Reniassance art.
Santa Maria Novella is wonderful inside and out.
The facade has distinctive polychrome marbles that seem to dance in the sun and inside the gothic nave and structure hides beautiful frescoes and altar and cloisters, among the best examples of Italian gothic style.
Fun fact: the same friars who looked after the church were responsible for its herb garden. Their herbs gave birth to the oldest pharmacy in Florence, still in operation under the name ‘Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella‘
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella 18, Firenze, Italy
Florence Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is one of the best-known piazzas in Florence, home to the most recognizable Florence landmark after the duomo: Palazzo Vecchio.
Located in the city center, the Piazza is a destination in itself, a place that embody the idea of Florence as an open air museum.
Top things to see here are:
• Palazzo Vecchio, the historical seat of Florentines’ power, now a museum.
https://cultura.comune.fi.it/pagina/musei-civici-fiorentini/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio
• The replica of Michelangelo’s David, right in front of Palazzo Vecchio
• La Loggia dei Lanzi, an open air art space with stunning sculptures of mythological heroes. This is a wonderful opportunity to admire outstanding art for free and without being tied to a schedule. The ‘loggia’ is also fantastic for kids who love Percy Jackson and mythology as they will be able to recognize some of the characters and stories narrated by the statues.
• Palazzo Ugoccioni, Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali with classical and neoclassical architecture.
Address: Piazza della Signoria, Firenze, Italy
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery needs no introduction.
One of the most famous museums in the world, it is located in the heart of Florence city center, between Piazza della Signoria and the Arno river and is home to priceless art including masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raffaello and Giotto, just to name some of the best known.
The Uffizi gallery is vast and busy.
A must-see in Florence, the best way to tackle it is by planning in advance what you want to see or paying for a tour and take it at a leisurely pace: it is the type if museums you can spend days in and still find something to marvel at!
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi 6, Firenze, Italy
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio (lit. Old bridge) is the oldest in Florence and the most distinctive landmark in Florence as well as one of the most famous.
The bridge connects the two sides of the river Arno and it is peculiar as it is flanked by rows of shops that make it feel more like an enclosed road than a bridge.
History tells us that the bridge has hosted shops since the XIII century.
Originally it hosted butchers and greengrocers, then in 1593 a decree by Ferdinand the II stated only goldsmiths and jewelers could trade there and this has been the case ever since!
Ponte Vecchio has had many admirers, including Hitler. Apparently, he was so taken by the bridge that he gave order to spare it. This is a fate somewhat similar to that of the leaning towers of Pisa, that also got spared last minuted from the destruction brought by the II World War.
Find here >>> fun and interesting facts about Ponte Vecchio.
Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens are one of the most beautiful places in Florence and one most visitors don’t hesitate to describe as ‘magical’.
They are the gardens of Palazzo Pitti and they are a large, green space originally wanted by the Medici family and kept alive ever since.
Developing over 45.000 acres, the gardens have fountains, sculptures, caves, stairs, paths that have been designed and created by some of the most important architects and artists in the city.
The Boboli Gardens are not a park as such but an attraction and I recommend them as a must-see in Florence especially for lovers of art and villas more than families (see here if going to Florence with kids)
Address: Piazza de’ Pitti 1, Firenze, Italy
Accademia Museum
The Accademia Gallery is one of the most famous museums in Florence.
The most famous artwork in Accademia is Michelangelo’s David and many people come to Accademia just for it.
However, the museums has many other stunning pieces including priceless painting by Giotto, Paolo Uccello, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Filippino Lippi and more.
How to visit: Tickets are available online on the official Accademia Museum. Advance booking is recommended.
Official site: https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/en/
Address: Via Ricasoli 58-60, Firenze, Italy
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is a large panoramic square at the top of a hill overlooking the city of Florence.
Located on the same side of the river as the Boboli Gardens (Oltrarno) is it famous for offering iconic views over the city.
The shot of Florence with the river and the red large Brubnelleschi dome is taken from here.
The star of the show here is the view.
The square itself has a leafy cafe but otherwise feels very much like a large parking lot for buses and cars to come and admire the view.
Address: Piazzale Michelangelo, Firenze, Italy
Fontana del Porcellino
Fontana del Porcellino is a fountain in Florence city centre in the shape of a wild boar.
The fountains is famous and a beloved Florence landmark as it says to bring luck!
To gain it, you need to slide a coin in the boar’s mouth, dropping it into the opening on the ground.
All you need to do to try your luck is to wait in line: this fontain used to be a local curiosity but it is now a very. popular attraction for visitors.
The church of San Miniato al Monte
If you are looking for viewpoints, then you can do even better visiting San Miniato al Monte, a wonderful church in Romanic style perched high above Piazzale Michelangelo and Florence.
The church is wonderful and has beautiful marbles and chapels and the views from outside vast and expansive.
If you don’t mind the walk, climbing up to San Miniato al Monte is one of the best things to do in Florence.
Address: Via delle Porte Sante 34, Firenze, Italy
Santo Spirito church and piazza
Santo Spirito is a wonderful church in a quiet area of Oltrarno, overlooking a tranquil square.
From the outside, it is easy to miss the importance of this church.
Unlike the duomo or many other churches in this list, Santo Spirito hasn’t got an elaborate facade made of colorful marbles but a plain-looking exterior.
However, it has some important works of art by Michelangelo, Perugino, Lippi and it is also worth noticing that is was built by the design of Brunelleschi.
Address: Piazza Santo Spirito 30, Firenze, Italy
San Lorenzo church
Art lovers should not miss Piazza San Lorenzo and its church, home to the famous Medici’s Chapels.
This is the place where the members of the Medici family are have been designed by masters such as Buontalenti, Brunelleschi and Michelangelo.
Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, Firenze, Italy
The carousel in Piazza della Repubblica – one for kids!
Piazza della Repubblica is a lovely square in Florence city center with stunning architecture and a vintage carousel, a favorite photo op for many.
The square is right in the center of town and a nice place to stop for a drink while shopping or sightseeing.
On the square itself and immediately nearby there are very many cafes and gelato shops that make it perfect for relaxing and people watching.
Address: Piazza della Repubblica, Firenze, Italy
The church of Santa Croce and surrounding area
Art lovers will want to make sure they include into their Florence itinerary a stop in Santa Croce, the basilica that now hosts the tombs of some of Italy’s most illustrious sons such as Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Rossini and Galileo Galilei.
It also hosts a memorial monument to Dante however, the poet is not here: he is instead buried in Ravenna, where he spent his exile.
The church is wonderful and has incredible frescoes by Giotto and works by Donatello and it is also in a lively area: after you visit the church, you will find plenty of places for aperitivo or a meal here.
I hope you enjoyed this overview of the best things to see in Florence and most famous landmarks in Florence and it helped you decide what to see on your first trip to Florence
Happy travel planning!
This post was published in 2020 and has now been updated with photos from out latest trip to Florence, in 2023
