30 Best Things to Do in Florence in 2026

Art & Museums

1. See Botticelli's Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Gallery — The world's greatest collection of Renaissance paintings. Book the 8:15 AM slot and go straight to Botticelli Hall. (€29 online / €25 ticket office, 2-4 hours)

2. Stand before Michelangelo's David at the Accademia — At 17 feet tall, carved from a single block of marble, the David is genuinely breathtaking in person. (€16, 1.5 hours)

3. Explore Palazzo Pitti — The Medici family's grand residence with four museums. The Palatine Gallery has Raphaels and Titians with a fraction of the Uffizi crowds. (€16, 2-3 hours)

4. Discover the Bargello — Florence's underrated sculpture museum. Donatello's bronze David and Michelangelo's Bacchus in a medieval fortress. (€9, 1-2 hours)

5. See Fra Angelico's frescoes at San Marco — Each monk's cell has its own intimate fresco. The Annunciation at the top of the stairs is unforgettable. (€8, 1 hour)

Architecture & Views

6. Climb Brunelleschi's Dome — 463 steps to the top of the Florence Cathedral dome. The views and the experience of climbing between the inner and outer shells are extraordinary. Book in advance. (€30 combo, 45 min)

7. Watch sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo — The classic Florence panorama. Get there 30 minutes before sunset with a bottle of wine. Free.

8. Cross the Ponte Vecchio — Florence's iconic medieval bridge lined with goldsmiths. Walk across at sunset for the best photos.

9. Visit the Baptistery and Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise — The original gilded bronze doors (now in the Opera del Duomo museum) revolutionized Renaissance sculpture.

10. Climb Giotto's Bell Tower — 414 steps and incredible close-up views of Brunelleschi's dome. Often less crowded than the dome climb itself. (€30 combo)

Food & Drink

11. Eat a lampredotto sandwich — Florence's signature street food. Stewed tripe in a bread roll, topped with salsa verde. Try it at Nerbone in the Mercato Centrale or any street cart in the San Lorenzo area. (~€4)

12. Take a food tour in Sant'Ambrogio — Florence's local neighborhood market (not the touristy Mercato Centrale). Fresh produce, artisan pecorino, and the best schiacciata in the city.

13. Have a Florentine steak (bistecca alla fiorentina) — A massive T-bone from Chianina cattle, grilled rare over charcoal. Best at Trattoria Mario, Buca Mario, or Il Latini. €45-60 per kg.

14. Gelato at the best gelaterias — Skip the tourist places with mountains of neon gelato. Go to Vivoli, La Sorbettiera, or My Sugar for the real thing. Look for natural colors and covered tins.

15. Wine tasting in an enoteca — Florence is surrounded by Chianti wine country. Visit an enoteca (wine bar) for tastings of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Super Tuscans.

Neighborhoods & Walks

16. Get lost in the Oltrarno — Cross the Ponte Vecchio and explore Florence's artisan quarter. Traditional workshops, hidden piazzas, and the best restaurants in the city.

17. Walk the Vasari Corridor — The secret elevated passageway from the Uffizi to the Palazzo Pitti, above the Ponte Vecchio. Recently reopened after restoration. (Guided tour only, ~€89)

18. Explore the Boboli Gardens — 45,000 square meters of Renaissance gardens behind Palazzo Pitti. Fountains, sculptures, grottoes, and panoramic views. (€10, 1-2 hours)

19. Visit Santa Croce — The Franciscan church where Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are buried. Giotto's frescoes in the Bardi Chapel are stunning. (€8)

20. Wander the San Lorenzo market — Leather goods and souvenirs outside, gourmet food market inside. Negotiate prices at the outdoor stalls.

Experiences & Hidden Gems

21. Take a day trip to Chianti wine country — Rolling hills, medieval villages, and world-class wine. Greve in Chianti and Castellina are easy drives or bus rides from Florence.

22. Visit the Medici Chapels — Michelangelo's New Sacristy with Dawn, Dusk, Day, and Night. Architectural genius in a compact space. (€9, 1 hour)

23. See the Palazzo Vecchio secret passages — Guided tours reveal hidden rooms, staircases, and the private chambers of the Medici. Book in advance. (€14)

24. Take a leather-making workshop — Learn traditional Florentine leather craft in an Oltrarno workshop. Unique souvenirs and a hands-on experience.

25. Watch the sunset from San Miniato al Monte — Above Piazzale Michelangelo, this Romanesque church has even better views and far fewer people. Free.

26. Day trip to Siena — Medieval rival to Florence, with the stunning Piazza del Campo and the Duomo. 1.5 hours by bus. Try to visit on a non-Palio day for a calmer experience.

27. Visit the Galileo Museum — Fascinating collection of scientific instruments, including Galileo's actual telescopes. Great for science lovers and kids. (€12)

28. Explore the Brancacci Chapel — Masaccio's revolutionary frescoes (1425) that influenced every Renaissance painter. Reservation required; only 30 visitors at a time. (€10)

29. Take a cooking class — Learn to make fresh pasta, ragù, and tiramisù from a Florentine nonna. Numerous operators in the city center; book in advance.

30. Simply walk — Florence is a city designed for walking. Every street corner reveals a Renaissance palace, a medieval tower, or a hidden piazza. Put away the map for an hour and see where the city takes you.