Things to See And Do

Visit the Uffizi Gallery
​The Galleria degli Uffizi is one of the oldest and most famous art museums of the Western World. The Renaissance paintings that you will find are quite unique because they are one of a kind. These are paintings by famous artists such as Michelangelo and da Vinci.

Sit down at the Revoire Cafè and watch the beautiful Piazza della Signoria and Loggia dei Lanzi
This beautiful open piazza is just in front of the Palazzo Vecchio and it’s surrounded by different statues: a “David” replica, Nettuno, and at the Loggia dei Lanzi (an amazing outdoor sculpture gallery) the statue of Perseus with the head of Medusa by “Benvenuto Cellini,” the Rape of the Sabine women and many others. In the squares you will also find a great number of restaurants and bars ;). Just sit down on the steps of the Loggia or in a bar, and admire the beauty of this square!

Visit San Lorenzo’s Market
Take the time to visit one of the food markets in central florence: There are two closed markets — one is San Lorenzo (the largest and oldest) – the otherSant’Ambrogio. Here you’ll get the chance to live the real florentine feel… you will smell, see and touch the freshest products and above all you will get to taste whatever catches your attention!

Visit the Duomo and get to the Top of the Cupolone
Climbing Florence’s Duomo, with the huge cupola by Filippo Brunelleschi, is one of the most breathtaking experiences you can do in the center of Florence. From there you can dominate the whole city and have a unique view. But, beware! The steps to get on top are 463, pretty challenging even for the trained ones!

Have an aperitif-snack at The Biblioteca delle Oblate
After climbing the Duomo steps you definetly deserve a nice rest. Why don’t you have a snack or an aperitif at the Caffetteria delle Oblate, with the great view of the Duomo! The caffetteria is located on the roof terrace of one of Florence’s public libraries: the Biblioteca delle Oblate! It’s a popular study spot for young Italian students during the day, but in the evenings the program and views of the city create an atmosphere comfortable for a mix of ages.

Walk along the Arno River and Cross The Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s landmarks and probably the most photographed bridge in the city.
The most famous bridge of them all was built at the narrowest part of the Arno. It’s distinguished as being the only remaining bridge to have houses and shops on it. In part this is because something important was built on top of those:the Vasari Corridor. This secret passageway built by Vasari for Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1565 links the Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace. In 1593, the jewelry stores that tourists so love were brought to the bridge on command of Ferdinando, the Medici heir who thought that the previous tenants – butchers – smelled too bad in his corridor.

During WWII, the treasures of the Uffizi gallery were stored in the Corridor. Hitler had been on a tour of it at the start of the war, and perhaps because of this, the Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge spared bombing during the German retreat of August 1944. 

See the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is most famous square in Florence with a magnificent panoramic view of the city, and it’s located in the Oltrarno district of the city. The view from this observation point overlooking the city is justly famous and has been reproduced on countless postcards and snapshots over the years. To get there you will have to walk the tiny streets of San Niccolò neightborhood and you will probably see Clet’s Studio in San. Clet is a famous french artist that decided to set up his studio in Florence, a quick visit will surprise you!

Get lost in Oltrarno
The Oltrarno, the section of Florence on the other side of the river from Piazza Della Signoria, is the more “intimate” area in Florence, (compared to the rest of the city) and in many ways feels like a small town. In this area you will find a lot of history and art heritage: monuments, museums, churches, palaces, parks: Pitti Palace, the Old Bridge, Santo Spirito Square, the Gardens of Boboli, but also handcraft shops, artisan workshops, mosaic-makers, wood carvers, gilders, goldsmiths carrying on a century-old tradition of both spirit and working methods. And last but not least a great number of restaurants and cafes maintaining the typical atmosphere.

Restaurants
There are many excellent and unique restaurant options when dining on your own in Florence.
Click here for some suggestions.