Florence is one of those cities that stops you in your tracks. Whether you're staring up at Brunelleschi's Dome or eating the best gelato of your life, it has a way of making every moment feel cinematic. If you're putting together your list of things to do in Florence for the first time, you're in the right place. This guide covers the iconic, the cultural, the delicious, and a few things most first-timers overlook.
1. Climb Brunelleschi's Dome
Nothing prepares you for the view from the top. Filippo Brunelleschi's engineering masterpiece took over 140 years to complete, and climbing its 463 steps rewards you with one of the most breathtaking panoramas in all of Europe. Book a Brunelleschi's Dome Climb Entry Ticket in advance — the queues without one can swallow an entire morning.
2. Lose Yourself in the Uffizi Gallery
This is non-negotiable. The Uffizi holds one of the greatest collections of Renaissance art on the planet, including Botticelli's Birth of Venus and works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Skip the long lines with a priority entrance ticket and give yourself at least three hours inside — rushing it would be a genuine shame.
3. See Michelangelo's David Up Close
Photographs do not do it justice. Standing in front of the original David at the Accademia Gallery is one of those travel moments that genuinely catches you off guard. Grab a skip-the-line entry ticket and go early in the day before the crowds build up.
4. Explore the Duomo Complex Properly
Most visitors photograph the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore from the outside and move on. Don't. The full complex includes the Baptistery, the Bell Tower, the Cathedral Museum, and the crypt, and each one is worth your time. A 3-day pass to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower gives you flexibility to spread it across your trip without feeling rushed.
5. Walk Across the Ponte Vecchio at Dusk
The Ponte Vecchio is Florence's oldest bridge, lined with jewellers and goldsmiths who have traded here for centuries. It's beautiful at any time of day, but at dusk, when the light hits the Arno and the crowds thin out slightly, it's something else entirely. Walk across, then find a spot along the riverbank and just take it in.
6. Wander the Oltrarno Neighbourhood
Cross the river and you'll find a completely different pace of life. Oltrarno is full of artisan workshops, independent wine bars, and trattorias where locals actually eat. This is the part of Florence that rewards slow walking and zero agenda. Stop into a wine bar, order a glass of Chianti, and watch the afternoon go by.
7. Take a Chianti Winery Tour
The Tuscan countryside is right on your doorstep. A half-day or full-day trip into the Chianti wine region is one of the best decisions you can make. The Chianti Winery Tour with 4 Wines Tasting takes you through rolling vineyards to a working winery where you'll taste four wines paired with local produce. It's the kind of afternoon you'll talk about for years.
8. Visit Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria is the civic heart of the city, and the fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio anchors it completely. Inside, the Hall of the Five Hundred is jaw-dropping in scale, and the views from the tower are spectacular. The Palazzo Vecchio Tour with Audio Guide is a great way to understand the political history packed into every room without needing a group tour.
9. Eat Your Way Through the Mercato Centrale
The Mercato Centrale is a two-floor food market near San Lorenzo that locals and visitors both love. The ground floor is a traditional produce market. Head upstairs and you'll find an indoor food hall with stalls selling everything from fresh pasta and lampredotto sandwiches to craft beer and cannoli. Go hungry. Go twice if you can.
10. Catch Sunrise from Piazzale Michelangelo
Everyone knows about the sunset view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Fewer people make it up for sunrise. The walk takes about 20 minutes from the city centre, the air is cool, and you'll likely have the viewpoint almost entirely to yourself. Bring a coffee in a takeaway cup and watch the city wake up below you. It's completely free and completely unforgettable.
11. Take a Day Trip to Pisa
Pisa is only an hour from Florence by train, and while the Leaning Tower is admittedly a little surreal in person, the whole Campo dei Miracoli square is genuinely beautiful. The afternoon excursion to Pisa with Leaning Tower and Cathedral tickets handles the logistics and the skip-the-line access so you can focus on actually enjoying it. It makes for an easy and satisfying day out.
---
Florence rewards the curious. The more you look, the more you find — whether that's a fresco tucked inside a neighbourhood church, a family-run trattoria down a side street, or a view you didn't expect to take your breath away. Book your experiences ahead of time, wear comfortable shoes, and give yourself permission to wander. You'll leave already planning your return trip.