What to see while in Florence

A simple walk around the charming and historical city of Florence provides you with enough sights to fill several days. Museums, churches, statues and the famed bridges fill the city and we want to ensure you hit some of the best spots…

Da Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli await

When it comes to museums in Florence, the Museo degli Uffizi is not one that should be missed. As soon as you make it to the second-floor entrance you will be struck by the incredible ceilings above and the hall lined with statues and busts at either side. The frescoes are just a welcome to the vast collection, though, as you are guided through the huge corridors and rooms with works of art progressing chronologically.

From Gothic artists like Cimabue, to those of the early Renaissance period like Masaccio, you then reach some of the most famous pieces held in the gallery. The Birth of Venus is one of Sandro Botticelli’s most admired paintings and The Annunciation likewise for Leonardo da Vinci carries such authority. Add to that works by the likes of Raphael and Michelangelo and we’ve still not even scratched the surface of one of the world’s most visited museums.

A cathedral two centuries in the making

If you visit Florence but do not see the Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore, it could be argued that you were never really here. This cathedral is the centerpiece of the city and its enormous Renaissance dome can be seen from almost any vantage point, sitting on top of the imposing Gothic structure beneath. It took two hundred years to put these two aspects of the building together and you can pay tribute to the two architects – Arnolfo di Cambio and Filippo Brunelleschi – who made this possible and who have statues in their honor placed outside.

As well as the carefully crafted structure itself, admire the frescoes within and pay particular attention to the 15th century clock as you enter the church. I’d thoroughly recommend that you purchase an audio guide to explain more of the background to the clock and the rest of the elements to this truly magnificent cathedral, and if you feel up to it, climb to the top of the cupola for a breathtaking view from the heart of Florence.

The seat of Florentine power

Now the town hall of Florence, the main palace in the city goes by several names, Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Vecchio most commonly, and was originally Palazzo della Signoria. Amble around the courtyard soaking up the history of this 13th century building, as you glance at the Verrocchio fountain, replicas of Michelangelo’s David and the heraldic lion of Florence, Marzocco, by Donatello, among others. After this, head up the impressive staircase to take in the Salone dei Cinquecento, the Hall of the Five Hundred. Interestingly, this huge space played a major role in the 2013 book Inferno by Dan Brown and just by its enormity brings real presence to the internal part of the palace.

Find out while your there about the intriguing story of the lost works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci as well as how the transfer of power changed hands over the years. There is so much to admire and learn as you explore the palace and its surroundings and it is very much one of our top suggestions while you’re visiting.

Where gold, jewels and romance cross

As the oldest crossing of the Arno in Florence, Ponte Vecchio (‘Old Bridge’) is very appropriately named. Not only its age, it was the only bridge in the city not to be destroyed by the Germans in the Second World War, and has survived some near disastrous natural flooding along the way too. All this is great news for the visitor and local alike who can admire the crossing’s unique look from the banks of the river – or from a boat floating beneath it – or they can wander across it and see what it has to offer.

The bridge connects the Palazzo Pitti to the Uffizi gallery and is a go-to area in the evenings for those out to stretch their legs and often couples looking for a romantic stroll. During the day there is a thriving trade underway with jewelers and goldsmiths showing off their wares in the many small shops that line the walkway. It’s definitely worth seeing it on both sides of the sunset.If these Florentine treasure are all you manage to see while you stay with us then you will go away happily fulfilled, yet longing to come back again and see everything else that the Tuscan capital has to show you.