Florence city breaks

What to do in Florence

With unrivalled art and architecture, it’s no wonder travellers routinely fall for Florence. Get your culture fix in the city’s legendary museums and galleries, and take time to appreciate the beauty of its riverside setting, lush gardens and fantastic food culture.

Piazza del Duomo

Crowned by a red-tiled cupola, Florence's Duomo needs no introduction. Admire its marble exterior then climb the 463 steps to the top of the frescoed dome to get right into the details. The sweeping panoramas from the outdoor terrace are just a bonus here.

Pop into the Museo dell’Opera to learn how Filippo Brunelleschi constructed his architectural masterpiece, and wander among medieval and Renaissance sculptures. Another lung-busting climb to the top of the Campanile di Giotto (Bell Tower) offers views of the cathedral itself.

Uffizi Gallery

Home to the world’s most magnificent collection of Renaissance art, one of Italy’s most visited museum is a showstopper. Work your way through all the masters, including da Vinci, Caravaggio and Giotto, and linger in the hall dedicated to Botticelli (where you’ll find iconic The Birth of Venus). And don’t forget to look up at the frescoed ceilings throughout the 16th-century building.

Need a break between masterpieces? Head to the rooftop café for lunch with a view.

Palazzo Pitti

Across the Ponte Vecchio, on the south bank of the Arno, this sprawling 15th-century palace was once home to the powerful Medici clan (and later the Lorraine and Savoy families). The main gallery is filled with works by the likes of Raphael and Rubens, while upstairs you can view impressionist art, historical costumes and the opulent Royal Apartments.

Behind the palace buildings, stroll among marble statues, fountains and artificial grottoes in the Boboli Gardens.

Basilica San Miniato al Monte

To gaze upon the Florentine skyline at sunset, hike up to this 11th-century Romanesque church on the south bank of the Arno. While most tourists stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, with its bronze replica of David, continue up the steep steps and you’ll be justly rewarded.

Check out the church’s soul-stirring frescoes and glittering gold mosaics, then drink in the golden hour views – minus the crowds. If you’re lucky, you might even hear the monks chanting their evening prayers.

Mercato Centrale

With a roaring trade in fresh produce since 1872, Florence's central market is a great place to pick up cured meats, cheeses, olives and truffles. After browsing the stalls, head up to the mezzanine level for lunch or dinner at one of the street food-style stalls.

Enjoy handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza and burgers made with Tuscany’s famous Chianina beef – or try the local speciality, tripe-stuffed panini! There are also salads, soups and a smattering of vegan eats.

Where to stay in Florence

For families

Sant’Ambrogio is a quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood and around a 15 minute walk east of the Duomo, the city's medieval heart. It has a local feel, with good-value trattorias and a popular food market where you can pick up picnic supplies.

On the western edge of the centro storico (historic centre), the area between Santa Maria Novella and the river is great for families, and has a great mix of hotels to suit all budgets. Parco Delle Cascine, Florence's largest park and dotted with playgrounds, is an easy tram ride away.

For travellers on a budget

Cheap hotels abound around the main Santa Maria Novella train station. The area is a bit rough around the edges, but is still quite safe. On the upside, it’s only a short walk to Piazza di Santa Maria Novella – one of the most beautiful squares in Florence – and a 10-minute stroll to the major sights. San Lorenzo is another good option for a cheap Florence city break. This colourful market area between the train station and the Duomo is packed with budget hotels, hostels and affordable restaurants. Don’t miss the Medici Chapels, adorned with some of Michelangelo's finest sculptures.

For food and drink

San Lorenzo’s Mercato Centrale is a foodie hotspot, thanks to its fresh produce stalls, contemporary food hall and sleek cookery school. You’ll also find plenty of family-run trattorias serving earthy Florentine cooking, along with affordable hotels and stylish boutique hotels in this neighbourhood.

Across the river, Oltrarno is the city’s bohemian district. Santo Spirito and San Niccolò have a plethora of neighbourhood restaurants and wine bars away from the tourist throngs, especially around Borgo San Jacopo and Piazza Santo Spirito. Hotels match the cool vibe, with eclectic guesthouses, small palazzos and boutique hotels.

For nightlife

Oltrarno’s hip Santo Spirito neighbourhood has the city’s best nightlife. Piazza Santo Spirito is lined with bars serving Italian wines, while the surrounding area has craft beer pubs, cocktail bars and the odd venue with live music or DJ sessions. Prices are generally cheaper than across the river, too.

On the eastern edge of the historic centre, Santa Croce has a lively aperitivo scene in the streets surrounding its art-filled church (where Michelangelo is buried). There is a good selection of hotels too, with something for most tastes and budgets.

For culture

If you’re a culture buff, base yourself by the Duomo and stroll to many of Florence’s top sights, including the cathedral, Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio. Heading south towards Piazza della Signoria, the tangle of medieval streets are brimming with hotels for all budgets. It pays to be choosy though, as some cheaper hotels trade off their central location.

A 10-minute walk north, the less touristy San Marco district has the Accademia Gallery, which is home to Michelangelo’s David, and the monastery of San Marco where you can admire Fra' Angelico’s frescoes. Hotel options range from affordable boltholes to elegant palazzos.