Home to the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, Florence Italy is a cultural and artistic mecca for tourists. It’s relatively small size and accessibility make it a very convenient city to cover on foot, and every street is home to beautiful architecture, great food, and welcoming people.
The Duomo in Florence Italy
The first and main attraction in Florence Italy is the Duomo, or Santa Maria del Fiore, which is an immense dome in the center of Florence. You can walk around the piazza (plaza) around the Duomo to soak up the beautiful building and architecture from all angles, and you can even take a tour inside the Duomo to see the historical artifacts inside. You can even climb to the top of the Duomo for a great view of the city, but in high season, the line can be 1-2 hours long. The other main sight for tourists is the great bronze doors at the entrance of the Duomo, called the “Gates of Paradise.” These doors are actually perfect replicas of the original, which have been put in the Duomo Museum for safety.
Another very famous church is the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, located near the train station of the same name. The piazza around the church is always filled with tourists, locals and vendors, and inside, you can find art, as well as mathematical and artistic artifacts. The entire church is located inside a monastic complex, so you can explore the cloisters and walk around once you’ve seen the church.
Florence’s San Lorenzo Market
For lunch, you can lead to San Lorenzo Market for a quick and traditional meal at one of Florence’s oldest and most famous markets. This market actually has two parts – an outdoor market that has souvenirs, leather and clothing products, and an indoor market (“Mercato Centrale”) that has butchers, fishermen, fruit and vegetable vendors. Here, you can find a huge food market with vendors selling all types of traditional Italian food. You can also grab a bite at one of Florence’s many “lampredotto” trucks, which sell tripe sandwiches and are Florence’s original street food.
The Home of the Renaissance
Then, time to hit the museums. As home to the Renaissance, Florence has some of the most amazing and famous artwork in the world. Some of the most famous galleries are the Uffizi, the Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Pitti Palace (along with the Boboli gardens next door). You may not have time for all of these, so here’s a brief description of each museum.
The Uffizi has the world’s most sought after collection of Renaissance paintings by artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, Da Vinci and more. If you can only go to one museum, the Uffizi is a must-do. However, it is very large with over 100 rooms, so plan beforehand to get to the pieces you’re most interested in to avoid wasting time.
The Accademia is most famous for the sculpture of David by Michelangelo, probably the most famous statue in the world. There are also many other less-famous pieces by Michelangelo, all which are breathtaking. There is also extensive work there by Botticelli, Orcagna, Da Vinco and others. The Accademia is great for a relaxing museum visit as it is much more managable than the Uffizi.
The Medici Family
Palazzo Vecchio is the seat of power of the Medici family, who founded Florence Italy. It now boasts a huge collection of art, and a comprehensive history of the Medici family. The Palazzo also has a tower that you can climb for great views of the city (alternative to climbing the Duomo), which is much less crowded. After finishing Palazzo, you can stroll around Piazza della Signoria, one of Florence’s most historic plazas. Afterwards, you can visit the Boboli gardens, Florence’s biggest and most acclaimed garden, which is next door to the museum.
Lastly, before leaving, head up to Ponte Vecchio and hike up the hill to Piazza le Michelangelo to see the Basilica di San Miniato and a breathtaking view of the entire city. This is the best place to watch the sunset, if you have time.
Other Activities
Florence, Italy is a city known for its rich history, art, and architecture. With only one day in Florence, it can be challenging to experience everything this beautiful city has to offer. However, there are still a few must-see attractions that you should consider adding to your itinerary:
Tour the Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world, and it’s home to some of the most significant works of Renaissance art. The gallery is home to works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli, among others.
Walk across the Ponte Vecchio: The Ponte Vecchio is a famous bridge in Florence that spans the Arno River. The bridge is lined with jewelry stores and art galleries, and it’s a great place to take in the beauty of the city.
Visit the Accademia Gallery. The Accademia Gallery is another art museum in Florence that’s home to Michelangelo’s famous statue of David. The gallery is a bit smaller than the Uffizi, but it’s still worth a visit.
Explore Piazza della Signoria.Piazza della Signoria is a large square in the heart of Florence that’s surrounded by historic buildings and sculptures. The square is a great place to people-watch and take in the city’s architecture.
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