Considered the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, Florence attracts tourists every year. The city does not only stand out for its medieval villages. You’ll always know what to do in Florence by taking into account the places to visit in this guide. Before going any further, you should know that the city itself has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Places in Florence
- The Basilica of Santa Croce
- Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
- The gallery of offices
- The Academy Gallery
- The Baptistery of Saint John
- Giotto’s Bell Tower
- The Medici-Riccardi Palace
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- The Santa Maria Novella neighborhood
The Basilica of Santa Croce
The basilica is perfectly enthroned in Piazza Santa Croce while imposing itself as the most Franciscan in Italy. The building stands out particularly for its interior beauty, to mention only the presence of numerous frescoes and stained glass windows. On the other hand, the basilica is the eternal resting place of great Italian artists. Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo and Nicolas Machiavelli are among the most famous. Don’t forget that the basilica has the impressive “ Cappella dei Pazzi ”.
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore or the Duomo of Florence is a must during a city tour. This cathedral with a Gothic style was built between 1296 and 1436 and can now accommodate 20 000 people. On the outside of the building there are impressive statues that attract attention. As for the interior, you will be conquered by the way the cathedral has been decorated. Note that you can go as far as Giotto’s Campanile Tower for a breathtaking view of the rest of the city.
The gallery of offices
You don’t know what to do in florence in 3 days? The gallery of offices also called Galleria degli Uffizi remains a site not to be missed. Note that the Uffizi Museum houses the largest collection of Italian Renaissance art. This is what makes it the place most appreciated by tourists, especially history lovers. Thousands of paintings made by great artists from the Middle Ages are exhibited there every day. So you can expect to see the works of Giotto and Michelangelo as well as Leonardo da Vinci and many others.
The Academy Gallery
The Academy Gallery is distinguished by its impressive paintings dating from the 13th to the 16th century. Numerous sculptures are also visible inside the building to mention only the statue of David made by Michelangelo as well as the “ Saint Matthieu ” and “ Les Prisonniers ”. You will also find other collections of historical objects to mention only the various musical instruments favored by the Medici family. In other words, you won’t regret a guided tour of the Gallery.
The Baptistery of Saint John
The Baptistery of Saint John is also known as “ Portes from Paradis ”. It was built in Piazza del Duomo during the 11th century. This makes it one of the oldest buildings in Florence. The building has an exceptional shape that is very attractive since it was built with green and white marble. You will certainly want to know the history of the bronze ports that give access to the baptistery. It must be said that the site is very popular with tourists, but also with locals who need to relax.
Giotto’s Bell Tower
Giotto’s bell tower is a must in case you don’t know what to visit in Florence. This building was built in Piazza del Duomo with a height of 85m. To visit this tower, you should start by climbing the 414 steps that will take you to the top. Be aware that you will have a great view of the rest of this Italian city once you reach the top. The scenery is simply breathtaking while offering you an incredible moment of relaxation.
The Medici-Riccardi Palace
Looking for an idea about the city florence Italy what faire ? In this case, consider taking a guided tour of Palazzo Medici Riccardi. This building is one of the most important constructions realized by Mizelozzo di Bartolomeo. It is known as the privileged architecture of the Medici. This building is simply impressive both from the outside and the inside. Lovers of ancient architecture will be convinced by this famous palace. Every fresco that you will find on the premises is simply impressive.
Palazzo Vecchio
You can also take a guided tour of the city of Florence that will take you to Palazzo Vecchio. This building, built around the beginning of the 14th century, is a witness to the political history of the city and of Italy. In fact, Palazzo Vecchio once housed the offices of the government of the Florentine Republic. Of course, part of the building is still used as the office of the mayor of Florence. But you can also visit the other part, which has been converted into a museum.
Piazzale Michelangelo
A visit to Piazzale Michelangelo is always an unforgettable moment as it gives a beautiful view of the rest of the city. The site is located in the Oltrarno district. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the narrow streets of the San Niccolo district before arriving at the site. It is even possible to spend a little time in the impressive Studio de Clet which is located in the neighborhood. You could perfectly take advantage of the sunset to treat yourself to a romantic moment on the site. It is worth noting that this magical moment is already displayed on postcards coming from the city of Florence.
The Santa Maria Novella neighborhood
The district of Santa Maria Novella is distinguished by its imposing church, but also by its splendor in particular. For example, it has many alleys that will take you to various historical buildings. At the same time, the neighborhood is home to one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. This establishment is known to be highly appreciated by the sovereign of England. Please note that you can treat yourself to a cappuccino break in one of the coffee corners in the neighborhood.