Must-see sites you cannot miss in Florence

To start with, Galleria degli Uffizi is one of the oldest and most famous art museums in the world. It boasts the most important masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance – Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci are just two of the artists you can find hereIn high season, queues for entrance tickets can be up to five hours long so if you don’t want to waste precious time, reserve a ticket in advance! If you’re staying at our fabulous NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa, in the heart of Florence historic center, make sure you book with our special package: hotel + Uffizi tickets included!

Another must visit museum in Florence is the renown Galleria dell’Accademia: it is the fourth most visited museum in Italy – after the Uffizi – and it exhibits the largest  number of Michelangelo’s sculptures worldwide. Of those exhibited, the magnificent David is literally something you cannot miss: with its 5 meters in height and outstanding perfection, it will amaze you. A reproduction of this sculpture is also on show in Piazza della Signoria – another spot worth visiting. In addition to this astonishing replication of David, this square also boasts the Loggia dei Lanzi, an amazing outdoor sculpture gallery boasting amazing statues by Cellini and Giambologna.

In Piazza della Signoria, make the most of your time there and also visit Palazzo Vecchio, that overlooks the piazza. Palazzo Vecchio is the city’s town hall, and one of the most iconic and renowned town halls of the world. It dates back to the 13th century and a visit is strongly recommended:  begin your tour in the old roman ruins located in the basement, pass through the medieval fortress and arrive to outstanding renaissance style rooms. The Palace is a microcosm where arts and history are inextricably bound in the structure of the building. Another Palace you might like is Palazzo Pitti. When it was built in 1440, it was the greatest private residence in all the city of Florence. The façade is still intact and the same as it was in the past,. The palace is so large, it is today  home to many museums, among which are the Galleria Palatina, the Royal Apartments and the Gallery of Modern Art. It also boasts one of the most famous gardens in Europe, the Giardini di Boboli: they were originally usedas an example and reference for the construction of the gardens in Versailles.

Ponte Vecchio is the most photographed bridge in Florence and the only one thatstill has buildings on it. It is home to iconic jewelry boutiques and above it, a part of the Corridoio Vasariano, an ancient passage built in 1565 that connected Palazzo Pitti to Palazzo Vecchio, to allow the Medici’s family to pass from their private residence to the political centre of the city without walking in the streets, is still visible.

Florence’s Dome, the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its huge cupola – they had to wait for Brunelleschi’s project to build it, as the dimensions were so wide no architect had been able to cover such a wide space before – is one of the most breathtaking monuments you could visit. Even more breathtaking is the view you can enjoy from the top of its  dome. In the same square, you will also find the Campanile di Giotto, built in the 14th century, and the Battistero di San Giovanni, whose basements are believed to date back to the old roman city of Florentia. If you are astonished by the beauty of this church, we suggest visiting the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella and Basilica di Santa Croce. The former is just a stroll from the train station and treasures wonderful works by Giotto, Masaccio and Michelangelo; the latter is in the heart of historic center and is the burial place of all the great and good of Florence: Michelangelo is there together with Rossini, Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei…and many others. There is also a memorial to Dante, who is actually buried in Ravenna as he was exiled from Florence.