Florence has been one of our favorite cities we’ve ever traveled to. Surprisingly, Florence is actually not that big. We were able to walk pretty much everywhere, and even if we were going from one side of the city to the other, it usually only took about 30–40 minutes. We absolutely loved how walkable Florence was.

We spent 4 nights and 5 days exploring Florence, and it felt like the perfect amount of time. During our stay we also took a day trip to Siena and Pisa. If you’re planning your trip, I think 3–4 nights in Florence is ideal, but even 2–3 nights will allow you to see the major attractions.

There’s a lot to see in Florence, so the more time you have the more opportunities you’ll have to discover hidden gems. But even with just a few days, you can experience some of the most iconic places in the city.

Here are some of the best things to do in Florence based on our experience.

See Michelangelo’s David

One of the most famous works of art in the world, I was so excited to see Michelangelo’s David in person. It’s definitely an absolute must-see in Florence. I was honestly shocked at how tall the statue is in person. Photos don’t do it justice.

The David is located inside the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, and I highly recommend buying skip-the-line tickets. The line to get in was extremely long, but with our tickets we were able to walk right in. It does get crowded inside, especially around the statue itself, but thankfully David is elevated so people don’t really block your view.

We visited in the early afternoon after spending the morning exploring the Uffizi Gallery.

Visit the Uffizzi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is definitely a must-visit in Florence and the most popular museum in the city for good reason. There are so many famous works of art here, including The Birth of Venus, which was my personal favorite.

The architecture alone is breathtaking, and you could easily spend hours wandering through the galleries. I recommend coming early in the morning. We booked timed entry tickets for 8:30 AM, and it wasn’t too busy yet.

We also added the audio headset guide, which is an extra cost but completely worth it. It explains the history behind each section, room, and many of the major pieces of art. Having that context really helped us appreciate what we were looking at.

Visit the Florence Duomo

We actually stayed right next to the Florence Duomo, and we had amazing views of it from our rooftop and even from our room. The outside of the cathedral is absolutely magnificent. Make sure to walk all the way around it to appreciate the details.

You can also go inside the Duomo for free. There will likely be a long line, but it moves pretty quickly. Since it’s a church, there is a dress code. Make sure your knees and shoulders are covered, and avoid hats or sandals.

The painting on the Duomo ceiling is breathtaking. You can also purchase tickets to climb the 463 stairs to the top of the dome for panoramic views of Florence. We didn’t do this ourselves, but I imagine the views would be incredible.

Watch Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the best viewpoints in Florence and an amazing place to watch the sunset. It’s a bit of a walk uphill, but the panoramic views of the city are absolutely worth it.

I highly recommend going for sunset, but make sure you arrive early. We got there pretty last minute and thankfully squeezed ourselves into a spot, but it was packed. If I could do it again, I’d arrive 30 minutes to an hour before sunset.

There’s usually live music, food, and drinks, and it’s such a fun atmosphere. You can easily hang out here for a while, enjoy the view, and even meet some new friends.

Explore Medici Palace and Boboli Gardens

I actually made a huge mistake here when we visited Florence and accidentally went to the wrong Medici palace. While researching, I saw a Medici palace on the opposite side of Florence from the Boboli Gardens, so that’s the one I originally planned to visit.

However, the main Medici palace, Palazzo Pitti, is actually connected to the Boboli Gardens.

The funny thing is we had already toured the Boboli Gardens the day before and saw the massive palace attached to it. I remember thinking, “Wow, who owns this place?” Turns out… that was the palace I was trying to visit the whole time.

So learn from my mistake, buy tickets that include both Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.

This is absolutely one of the best places to visit in Florence. The gardens are massive and breathtaking. It honestly feels like they go on forever. Between exploring the palace and walking through the gardens, you could easily spend several hours here.

Walk Across Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Ponte Vecchio is one of the most iconic landmarks in Florence. It’s also historically significant because it was the only bridge in Florence that wasn’t destroyed during World War II.

Today, the bridge is lined with small shops, mostly jewelry stores, and it’s something you’re almost guaranteed to walk across while exploring Florence.

Go Shopping in Florence

Florence also has some of the best shopping I’ve seen in Europe. Even my husband Evan, who usually doesn’t enjoy shopping, loved it here.

There are so many beautiful boutiques, leather shops, and unique stores, so definitely take some time to wander and browse.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Florence

Florence is such a beautiful city with so much to see and do. These were just some of the top things to do in Florence, especially if it’s your first time visiting.

I also highly recommend taking a day trip to Tuscany, Siena, or Pisa depending on how much time you have and whether you plan to explore Tuscany separately.

Florence truly has something special about it, and it’s definitely a city I’d love to return to someday.

Best Things to Do in Florence, Italy