Florence can feel like an open-air museum, every piazza, church, and palazzo layered with centuries of ambition and artistry. For first-time visitors, the challenge is less finding things to do than choosing where to begin.

This guide focuses on essential experiences that reveal the city’s character today: its Renaissance icons, neighborhood life, food culture, and nearby Tuscan landscapes. With a bit of planning you can see the major highlights while still finding quiet corners and authentic encounters.

Get Your Bearings in the Historic Heart

The historic center of Florence is compact enough to cross on foot in 20 minutes, yet dense with landmarks. Starting with a slow circuit through its main squares helps first-time visitors understand how the city fits together before diving into individual museums and churches.

These first strolls also set the mood: stone streets polished by centuries of footsteps, church bells overhead, and the Arno River cutting through the city’s fabric.

Piazza del Duomo and Brunelleschi’s Dome

Most first visits begin in Piazza del Duomo, dominated by the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s bell tower, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni. The cathedral’s marbled facade and Brunelleschi’s great terracotta dome define the city skyline and symbolize Florence’s Renaissance confidence.

Step inside to grasp the building’s scale, then look up to the vast fresco of the Last Judgment that encircles the interior of the dome.

Climbing the dome or the campanile is a classic Florence experience and a good way to visualize the city’s layout. Both involve steep, narrow stairways and timed reservations, but the panorama from the top reveals how close the historic sites really are, from Santa Croce to the Pitti Palace.

For a deeper understanding of the Duomo complex, consider visiting the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo nearby, which conserves original sculptures and reliefs from the cathedral, baptistery, and bell tower.

Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio

A few minutes’ walk from the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria has been Florence’s political stage since the days of the medieval republic. The angular bulk of Palazzo Vecchio still anchors the square, its tower rising above a forest of statues that echo Florence’s civic and artistic history.

Here you find a copy of Michelangelo’s David, the Fountain of Neptune, and the open-air Loggia dei Lanzi with its marble and bronze figures.

Lingering in the square at different times of day is worthwhile. Morning brings commuters and deliveries, while evening sees the facades warm in the low light and buskers gather near the loggia.

Inside Palazzo Vecchio, the grand council hall and frescoed chambers illustrate how art and power intertwined for the Medici and their predecessors. Guided visits to the palace’s hidden passages and tower can be particularly engaging for first-time visitors.

Along the Arno and Across Ponte Vecchio

The Arno River divides Florence into its main historic center and the Oltrarno district, and walking its embankments provides a breather from tight medieval streets.

The best orientation walk follows the river between the Ponte alle Grazie and the Ponte alla Carraia, crossing at least once over the Ponte Vecchio, the only medieval bridge to survive the Second World War intact.

The Ponte Vecchio’s clustering of goldsmiths and jewelry shops dates back centuries. In peak season it can feel crowded, so consider crossing early in the morning or after dark when the bridge’s arches frame reflections on the water. From mid-river you can look back to the Uffizi’s colonnades and forward toward the more residential Oltrarno, an area that rewards slower exploration.

Immerse Yourself in World-Class Art

No city is more closely associated with the birth of the Renaissance than Florence, and its museums are central to any first-time itinerary. While the number of masterpieces can be overwhelming, focusing on a few key collections makes the history more digestible.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended in all seasons, particularly for the Uffizi and the Accademia, both among Italy’s most visited museums.

The Uffizi Gallery traces the evolution of painting from Gothic altarpieces to the fully realized humanism of the Renaissance. Housed in the 16th-century offices of the Medici administration, it now holds one of the most important collections of Italian art, with visitor numbers in recent years surpassing five million annually. The building’s long corridors and river-facing windows create a rhythm of art and city views that keeps the experience varied.

First-time visitors should prioritize a core route that includes works by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio.

Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and “Primavera” are often the most crowded rooms, yet the quieter halls of Northern and later Italian painting can be equally rewarding. Booking a timed ticket reduces waiting, and morning or late-afternoon visits are typically less congested than mid-day.

Galleria dell’Accademia and Michelangelo’s David

Although the Accademia houses paintings, musical instruments, and plaster models, most visitors come for a single work: Michelangelo’s David.

Originally intended as a buttress figure for the cathedral, the marble giant instead became a civic symbol and was placed in front of Palazzo Vecchio before being moved indoors to the Accademia for protection. Encountering it at the end of a long, vaulted gallery remains one of Florence’s defining moments.

The Accademia also exhibits Michelangelo’s “Prisoners,” unfinished sculptures that reveal his approach to carving figures that seem to emerge from the stone. Seeing these alongside David offers insight into his working methods.

Because the Accademia is relatively compact, even a focused visit of around an hour can be meaningful, making it easy to fit into your schedule before or after another major site.

Smaller but Essential Museums

Beyond the headline institutions, several smaller museums enrich a first-time visit without requiring half a day each. The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo presents original panels from Ghiberti’s Baptistery doors, reliefs by Donatello, and architectural models that bring the construction of the cathedral to life. For sculpture enthusiasts, it offers a concentrated survey of early Renaissance innovation.

On the south side of the river, the Pitti Palace, once the main Medici residence, houses multiple galleries under a single roof. The Palatine Gallery displays paintings in lavishly decorated rooms filled with frescoes and gilded stucco, while the adjacent museums explore fashion, silverwork, and more.

Because of its range, the Pitti can be adapted to different interests, from costume history to baroque painting, making it a flexible choice for mixed-interest groups.

Experience Florence’s Churches and Spiritual Heritage

Florence’s religious buildings are not only places of worship but also repositories of frescoes, sculpture, and tombs that map the city’s spiritual and political history. For first-time visitors, a handful of major churches offer an accessible introduction to sacred art while providing welcome quiet away from busier streets.

Santa Croce

The Franciscan basilica of Santa Croce is often described as Italy’s “Temple of the Italian Glories,” thanks to its concentration of memorials to major cultural figures. Inside, visitors find the tombs or cenotaphs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini, and others, along with fresco cycles by Giotto and his followers.

The vast, barn-like interior contrasts with the more vertical emphasis of the cathedral, emphasizing the Franciscans’ original emphasis on preaching and community.

Beyond the main nave, Santa Croce’s cloisters and chapels invite slow exploration. The Pazzi Chapel, attributed to Brunelleschi, is a highlight of early Renaissance architecture, its proportions and gray pietra serena stonework offering a serene counterpoint to more crowded sites. The surrounding neighborhood, long associated with leatherworking and artisans, remains an interesting area for browsing small shops.

Santa Maria Novella

Near the main train station, Santa Maria Novella is easy to access on arrival or departure day. Behind its distinctive marble facade lies a church rich in frescoes, including Masaccio’s “Holy Trinity,” an early masterpiece of linear perspective, and works by Ghirlandaio and Filippino Lippi. The combination of Gothic structure and Renaissance decoration reveals the stylistic transition that Florence helped drive.

The complex’s cloisters and former convent spaces are particularly atmospheric, with frescoed walls and quiet gardens that feel far from the city’s busier arteries. Because it receives fewer tour groups than the Duomo or Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella can be a calmer place to absorb the city’s artistic heritage.

Oltrarno Churches and Views

On the south bank of the Arno, the churches of Santo Spirito and San Miniato al Monte give a sense of Florence beyond the better-known basilicas. Santo Spirito, in the heart of a lively neighborhood square, is associated with Brunelleschi and houses a youthful crucifix by Michelangelo. Its plain exterior belies a harmonious interior where local parish life coexists with visitors.

Further uphill, San Miniato al Monte crowns a ridge above Piazzale Michelangelo, often described as one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Tuscany.

Arriving in time for late-afternoon light or evening vespers allows you to see the mosaic-studded facade glow while the city spreads out below. Walking up from the river is steep but straightforward, and the panoramic views help first-timers understand Florence’s setting amid Tuscan hills.

Cross the River into the Oltrarno

For many visitors, Florence becomes most memorable once they cross into the Oltrarno, the “other side of the Arno.”

Long known as a district of artisans and workshops, it retains a more residential feel, with fewer chain shops and a different pace of life. Exploring its streets reveals how craft traditions persist alongside cafes, wine bars, and small galleries.

Artisan Workshops and Bottegas

The Oltrarno remains Florence’s most concentrated area for authentic artisan workshops, particularly around Piazza Santo Spirito, Borgo San Frediano, and the lanes near Piazza della Passera.

Here cabinetmakers, gilders, bookbinders, leatherworkers, and jewelry designers continue practices that once supplied the city’s noble palaces and churches. Local tourism and regional organizations have highlighted these crafts as an essential part of Florence’s living heritage.

Many workshops welcome visitors for brief, respectful visits during working hours, especially in the morning. Signs of authenticity include modest storefronts filled with tools and works in progress rather than shelves dominated by mass-produced souvenirs.

The city and regional promotion boards encourage visitors to support these small businesses, sometimes marking traditional bottegas with discreet labels that signal their connection to historic crafts.

Guided artisan walks have become more common, offering structured introductions to ateliers that might otherwise be hard to find. These tours typically keep groups small and focus on conversation and demonstration rather than hard selling, allowing travelers to understand techniques like marquetry, hand-stitching, or goldsmithing.

For first-time visitors eager to see beyond the standard museum route, spending a morning in the Oltrarno’s workshops can be one of the most memorable experiences in Florence.

Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

Just beyond the Ponte Vecchio, the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens form a vast complex that showcases Medici-era grandeur and the evolution of Italian garden design.

The gardens, opened to the public in the 18th century, are considered a foundational example of the formal Italian garden style, later imitated across Europe. Terraces, shaded avenues, fountains, and scattered sculptures create a layered landscape that invites wandering.

For first-time visitors, combining a shorter visit to one of the Pitti galleries with a stroll through Boboli works well, especially on clear days. The gardens offer welcome green space and long views back toward the Duomo and across the hills, breaking up days otherwise spent indoors. Because the site is extensive, comfortable walking shoes and water are advisable, particularly in warmer months.

Everyday Life in Santo Spirito and San Frediano

The squares of Santo Spirito and nearby San Frediano embody the Oltrarno’s everyday rhythm. Mornings bring market stalls and local residents doing their shopping; evenings see cafe terraces and wine bars fill as people gather outside.

For a first-time visitor, spending an unhurried evening here provides a sense of contemporary Florence that balances the formality of the city’s main piazzas.

While this area has grown more popular in recent years, especially with younger visitors, it still retains a lived-in feel. Small grocery stores, hardware shops, and neighborhood bakeries sit alongside more fashionable venues. It is a good district to try traditional Tuscan dishes, from ribollita and pappa al pomodoro to grilled meats, while observing how locals use these public spaces.

Savor Florence’s Food and Wine Culture

Cuisine is central to understanding Florence and Tuscany, yet dining here is shaped by ongoing debates about overtourism and the preservation of local character.

In recent years the city has introduced measures from limits on certain outdoor seating areas in the historic center to rules targeting short-term rentals, seeking to balance economic benefits with residents’ quality of life. For visitors, this means thinking a bit more deliberately about where and how to eat.

Trattorias, Osterias, and Traditional Dishes

Florentine cooking emphasizes simplicity and quality of ingredients: grilled meats, seasonal vegetables, beans, and hearty bread-based soups. Classic dishes to look for include:

  • Bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick-cut, bone-in steak from Tuscan Chianina or similar cattle, traditionally grilled rare over high heat
  • Ribollita, a dense soup of bread, black cabbage, beans, and vegetables, often even better reheated
  • Pappa al pomodoro, a tomato and bread soup with olive oil and basil
  • Crostini di fegatini, small toasts topped with chicken liver spread
  • Cantucci with vin santo, almond biscuits dipped into sweet dessert wine

Locating family-run trattorias a few streets away from the busiest thoroughfares often yields better value and atmosphere. Reservations are still advisable in central districts, particularly on weekends and during peak seasons.

Lunch is a good time to sample more substantial dishes, while evenings lend themselves to sharing antipasti and a bottle of Chianti or other regional wine.

Markets and Food Halls

Florence’s markets allow visitors to see the ingredients behind its cooking. The central market area, with its combination of traditional stalls and contemporary food hall spaces, showcases produce, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods from around Tuscany. Visiting earlier in the day reveals the market’s working side, as locals shop for daily necessities and vendors prepare deliveries.

Sampling small bites across several counters can be an efficient way for first-time visitors to taste specialties without committing to long, formal meals. Look for seasonal items such as artichokes in spring, porcini mushrooms in autumn, and wild boar salumi in cooler months. Outside the center, neighborhood markets offer a more local slice of life for those willing to walk a bit further.

Wine Bars and Aperitivo Culture

Early evening in Florence is marked by the tradition of aperitivo, when cafes and wine bars offer drinks often accompanied by small plates or buffet-style snacks. For visitors, this can serve as either a pre-dinner ritual or, with more substantial offerings, a relaxed meal. It also provides an opportunity to sample Tuscan wines by the glass, from Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino to whites from coastal areas.

Enotecas in central neighborhoods and the Oltrarno typically list wines with clear regional indications and are accustomed to explaining differences in style. Many also sell bottles to go, making them useful for those planning picnics along the Arno or in nearby hills.

As regulations around outdoor seating evolve in heavily trafficked streets, some venues are adjusting their layouts, so indoor spaces may be busier than in past years during cooler months.

Seek Out Views, Walks, and Open Air

Spending entire days inside churches and galleries can be tiring, particularly in high season. Balancing indoor visits with time outdoors not only eases museum fatigue but also reveals Florence’s relationship with its hills and river. The city offers several accessible viewpoints and walks that require minimal planning yet leave strong impressions.

Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte

Piazzale Michelangelo, a terrace on the south side of the Arno, is Florence’s classic viewpoint, especially at sunset when crowds gather to watch the light fade over the dome and towers.

While it can be busy, the sweep of the cityscape from this vantage point helps first-time visitors place landmarks they have already explored on foot. Food trucks and musicians add to the informal atmosphere.

A short climb above the piazzale brings you to San Miniato al Monte, which offers a quieter and slightly higher perspective. Its churchyard and terraces look down over a patchwork of rooftops, bell towers, and cypress trees. Arriving in late afternoon allows you to visit the church interior, observe any scheduled services, and then walk back down as the city’s lights come on.

The Arno Embankments and Lesser-Known Bridges

While the Ponte Vecchio draws most attention, Florence’s other bridges and riverfront paths are equally important for everyday life. Strolling along the lungarni, the streets that run parallel to the river, allows you to see rowers practicing at dawn and evening commuters streaming past the water.

The views between the Ponte Santa Trinita and Ponte alle Grazie are especially photogenic.

Crossing on different bridges throughout your stay reveals new alignments of the skyline. The Ponte Santa Trinita, with its elegant curve and lower crowds, remains a favorite spot for photos, while the more utilitarian bridges to the west offer glimpses of less touristed districts. These walks are particularly pleasant in the shoulder seasons, when light lingers and temperatures are mild.

Parks, Villas, and Nearby Green Spaces

Within the city, the Boboli and Bardini gardens serve as primary green refuges, but smaller parks and villa grounds also punctuate residential areas. Exploring neighborhoods just beyond the compact center, such as those around the Cascine Park, introduces broader avenues and more contemporary architecture. For families or those staying several days, these spaces can provide welcome variety.

Many first-time visitors underestimate the value of simply sitting in a quieter square or park to observe daily life. Watching children on bicycles, older residents in conversation, and students heading to and from classes adds texture to the trip that no single monument can provide.

Plan Smart Day Trips from Florence

Florence makes an excellent hub for exploring wider Tuscany, with frequent train and bus connections and a range of organized excursions. While the city itself merits several days, first-time visitors often want to see at least one other classic destination, whether for medieval cityscapes, vineyard landscapes, or coastal breezes.

Pisa and Its Leaning Tower

Pisa lies about an hour from Florence by regional train, making it an easy half-day or full-day excursion. Most visitors focus on the monumental complex around the Leaning Tower, cathedral, and baptistery, a grassy expanse of white marble structures that stand slightly apart from the more workaday modern city. Timed tickets are required to climb the tower, and security formalities mean it is wise to arrive early or book well ahead in high season.

Beyond the famous incline, Pisa’s riverside promenades and university quarter offer a quieter atmosphere than Florence, with fewer large tour groups. For first-time visitors with limited time, combining a morning in Pisa with an evening back in Florence balances novelty with the comforts of a familiar base.

Siena and the Tuscan Hill Town Experience

Siena provides a striking contrast to Florence, with its fan-shaped Piazza del Campo and cohesive medieval brick architecture. Reached in about 80 to 90 minutes by bus or a mix of train and bus, it can be visited comfortably in a day. Highlights include the striped marble cathedral with its intricate floor inlays, the slender Torre del Mangia, and the winding streets of the old town.

For first-time travelers seeking a classic hill town experience, Siena’s scale feels manageable yet rich. Cafes and restaurants line the Campo, and climbing either the tower or the cathedral’s panorama point reveals surrounding countryside.

While organized tours often combine Siena with stops in San Gimignano or the Chianti countryside, independent visitors may prefer to focus on Siena alone to avoid rushed visits.

Chianti and the Tuscan Countryside

The rolling hills between Florence and Siena, known broadly as the Chianti region, embody the postcard ideal of Tuscany: vineyards, stone farmhouses, and rows of cypress trees marking ridge lines. Day trips from Florence range from small-group wine tours to self-drive excursions and public transport combinations involving buses to larger villages.

For first-time visitors without a car, guided small-group or private tours offer the simplest way to visit wineries and villages while safely sampling local wines. These excursions typically include tastings, cellar visits, and time in at least one hilltop village.

Those comfortable driving can rent a car for a day and follow scenic secondary roads, but should plan routes carefully and avoid attempting to navigate Florence’s historic center by vehicle.

The Takeaway

Florence rewards both structured planning and open-ended wandering. For a first visit, anchor your days around a few essential experiences: the Duomo complex, at least one of the major museums, a handful of key churches, and time in the Oltrarno’s workshops and squares. Balance these with unhurried walks along the Arno, pauses in lesser-known piazzas, and, if time allows, a glimpse of the wider Tuscan landscape on a day trip.

The city continues to adjust to the pressures of high visitor numbers, from new regulations on outdoor dining areas in sensitive streets to policies affecting short-term rentals.

Travelers who book key sites in advance, travel outside the busiest hours, and seek out less obvious corners of the city help ease that pressure while gaining richer experiences. Above all, Florence is best approached with curiosity and a willingness to look beyond a checklist of monuments, allowing its layers of art, craft, faith, and everyday life to reveal themselves over time.

FAQ

Q1. How many days should a first-time visitor spend in Florence?
For a balanced first visit, three full days in Florence is a good minimum, allowing time for the Duomo complex, Uffizi, Accademia, several major churches, and exploration of the Oltrarno. With four or five days you can add more museums, artisan visits, and at least one day trip without feeling rushed.

Q2. Do I need to book tickets in advance for Florence’s main attractions?
Yes, advance reservations are strongly recommended for the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, and climbs of the Duomo dome or bell tower, especially from spring through early autumn and around holidays. Booking ahead reduces waiting times and helps you organize your days more efficiently.

Q3. What is the best time of year to visit Florence?
Late spring and early autumn are generally the most pleasant periods, with milder temperatures and somewhat fewer crowds than peak summer. Winter can be atmospheric and quieter, especially January and February, though some countryside activities are limited. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with longer lines and higher accommodation prices.

Q4. Is Florence walkable, or do I need public transport?
The historic center of Florence is highly walkable, and most major sights are within a 15 to 20 minute walk of each other. Public buses and occasional taxis are useful for reaching hilltop viewpoints such as Piazzale Michelangelo or outlying neighborhoods, but many visitors rely primarily on walking during their stay.

Q5. How should I dress to visit churches and religious sites?
Most churches in Florence expect visitors to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Lightweight scarves or shawls can be useful to cover bare shoulders in summer. While strict enforcement varies, dressing respectfully ensures entry and shows consideration for active places of worship.

Q6. Are there new rules about outdoor dining and short-term rentals in Florence?
In recent years the city has introduced measures restricting some outdoor seating areas for bars and restaurants along certain historic streets and has tightened rules on lock boxes and self-check-in systems for short-term rentals. These policies aim to manage crowding and protect residents’ quality of life. Visitors may notice fewer large outdoor terraces in some central locations and are advised to book licensed accommodations well in advance.

Q7. Is it necessary to join a guided tour, or can I explore on my own?
You can certainly explore Florence independently, as information is widely available and the city is compact. However, guided tours can add context to complex sites such as the Uffizi, the Duomo complex, or artisan workshops in the Oltrarno. Many travelers combine self-guided time with one or two focused tours on topics that interest them most.

Q8. What should I know about visiting artisan workshops in the Oltrarno?
Artisan workshops are working spaces, not showrooms, so it is best to visit during normal business hours, enter quietly, and ask permission before taking photos. Many artisans are happy to explain their techniques and show works in progress, especially if you demonstrate genuine interest and consider purchasing a small item. Guided artisan walks are an accessible option if you are unsure where to start.

Q9. Is Florence suitable for families with children?
Yes, but pacing is important. Children often enjoy climbing towers, exploring gardens like Boboli, and hands-on activities such as gelato tastings or simple sketching in museums and squares. Breaking up museum visits with time at parks, piazzas, and the riverfront makes the experience more enjoyable for all ages.

Q10. What are some common mistakes first-time visitors make in Florence?
Common missteps include trying to see too many museums in a single day, not booking key attractions in advance, underestimating summer heat, and spending all their time in the most crowded streets without exploring neighborhoods like the Oltrarno or Santa Croce. Planning a flexible but focused itinerary, leaving room for unscheduled wandering, and seeking out local food and craft experiences can help avoid these pitfalls.