Florence 🎨

Florence's Duomo, with its polychrome marble facade and Brunelleschi's dome dominating the skyline since the 15th century. The climb to the dome has 463 steps, no elevator.

The oldest monument on the square, famous for Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise and the golden mosaic ceiling.

The center of Florentine power for eight centuries, with Palazzo Vecchio, the copy of David, and the Loggia dei Lanzi full of statues visible for free.

The bridge with goldsmith shops, topped by the Vasari Corridor that connected Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti without going down to the street.

The pantheon of great Italians: here rest Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli, beneath frescoes by Giotto.

The Birth of Venus and the Primavera by Botticelli, Leonardo's Annunciation, Michelangelo's Doni Tondo — the gallery that tells the entire Renaissance in chronological order.

Home to Michelangelo's David and the unfinished Slaves, which show figures still emerging from the marble block.

The immense Medici residence, today five museums in one, with the Boboli Gardens behind: fountains, grottoes, and cypress avenues.

The mausoleum of the family that financed the Renaissance, with the New Sacristy entirely designed and sculpted by Michelangelo.

The great collection of Renaissance sculpture — Donatello's David, works by Cellini and Giambologna — in a medieval palace often ignored by tours.

The artisans' quarter, with restoration, leather, and goldsmith workshops still active, and an evening square that is the Florentines' hangout.

The quintessential panoramic terrace: all of Florence in a single shot, with the dome at the center and hills in the background.

Just above the Piazzale, one of Italy's most beautiful Romanesque churches — same view, but a fraction of the people.

Flowered terraces on the hill, spectacular in late April when the wisteria pergola blooms, with a view over the city from above.

The neighborhood market where Florentines shop — much less touristy than Mercato Centrale, with fruit stalls, cheeses, and popular trattorias around.

A thick cut of Chianina cooked rare and served by the kilo, not by portion — shared between two or three people, and the only right way to order it.

The lampredotto sandwich is Florence's historic fast food, sold from carts in the center. For those who prefer the classic: schiacciata with finocchiona and pecorino.

Traditional stalls on the ground floor and a food hall on the first, open until late evening — convenient, lively, and suitable for groups with different tastes.

Ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, and peposo in trattorias across the Arno, where prices remain neighborhood-level.

Florence claims the invention of modern gelato. The practical rule: if the gelato is piled high and brightly colored, look for another shop.

The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the striped Duomo, and an intact medieval center — Florence's historic rival, reachable by bus in just over an hour.

The town of medieval towers, an improbable skyline amid the hills — beautiful early morning or late afternoon.

Hills, vineyards, and wineries between Florence and Siena: Italy's most famous scenic road can be done in a day, best with a car or organized tour.

The Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli are an hour away by direct train — half a day is more than enough.

Etruscan town on the hills above Florence, with a Roman theater and view over the city — reached by city bus in twenty minutes.

They are the two museums with the longest lines in Italy. The timed ticket can be booked online and changes the day completely.

The historic center is a limited traffic zone with cameras: entering by car without a permit means an almost certain fine. Better to park outside and walk.

The Duomo, Santa Croce, and the other main churches require covered shoulders and knees — in summer, bring a light scarf with you.

Many Florentine museums close on Mondays or have midweek closing days: check before building your itinerary around a fixed date.