Top 10 Experiences You Cannot Miss In Florence

Top Experience #1: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore & Brunelleschi Dome

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly known as the Duomo di Firenze, is the most famous landmark in Florence and one of the greatest achievements of the Italian Renaissance. Construction began in the late 13th century, and it took nearly 150 years to complete.

The cathedral is known for its striking red-tiled dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, a groundbreaking engineering achievement that became a symbol of Florence. The exterior is covered in pink, white, and green marble. Climbing the 400+ steps to the dome’s top is one of the most memorable experiences in Florence. Along the way, you can admire Vasari’s frescoes of The Last Judgment up close and then step out onto the terrace for breathtaking views of the city and surrounding hills. 

Outside, don’t miss the Baptistery of St. John and Giotto’s Bell Tower, both part of the same complex and worth visiting for their stunning design and historical importance.

Top Experience #2: Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) is one of the most famous art museums in the world and an absolute must for anyone visiting Florence. Originally built in the 16th century for the Medici family to house government offices (uffizi means “offices” in Italian), it later became a gallery showcasing their extraordinary art collection.

Inside, you’ll find masterpieces by the greatest artists of the Renaissance, including Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo da Vinci’s early works, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo, and Raphael’s portraits. The museum’s long corridors and beautifully decorated rooms are filled with sculptures, frescoes, and paintings that trace the evolution of Italian art.

Even if you’re not an art expert, this is a must-do experience. As a bonus, the gallery also offers some of the best views of Florence, from its windows, you can look out over the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio below.

Top Experience #3: Accademia Gallery

The Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) is one of Florence’s most visited museums and home to one of the most famous sculptures in the world: Michelangelo’s David. Originally created to stand outside the Palazzo Vecchio, the statue was moved here in 1873 to protect it from damage. Beyond the David, the museum features other works by Michelangelo, including his unfinished Prisoners (or Slaves). The gallery also features paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries, musical instruments from the Medici collection, and Florentine artwork.

Although smaller than the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia’s focus on Michelangelo and its manageable size make it an ideal museum to visit, especially if you want to experience incredible Renaissance art without feeling overwhelmed.

Top Experience #4: Pitti Palace

The Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) is one of Florence’s grandest landmarks, a Renaissance palace that was once home to the powerful Medici family. Located just across the Arno River in the Oltrarno district, it offers a quieter, more local side of the city compared to the busy historic center.

Originally built in the 15th century for the wealthy Pitti family, the palace later became the main residence of the Medici rulers, who expanded it into the magnificent complex seen today. Inside, you’ll find several museums, including the Palatine Gallery, which displays masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, and Rubens, all set within lavishly decorated rooms filled with gold, frescoes, and chandeliers.

Behind the palace stretch the Boboli Gardens, one of Europe’s most beautiful examples of Italian Renaissance landscaping. With fountains, sculptures, and sweeping views over Florence, the gardens make a perfect escape from the city’s very busy tourist crowds. 

Top Experience #5: City Tour

A walking city tour in Florence is one of the best ways to discover the city’s most famous landmarks and hidden gems, especially if it’s your first visit. With so much history, art, and architecture spread around the city, a guided tour helps you understand the stories behind each place while taking you through Florence’s charming streets and lively piazzas. 

Most tours pass by the city’s greatest highlights, such as the Piazza della Signoria, where sculptures like Michelangelo’s David once stood. You’ll also see the Palazzo Vecchio, the city’s old government palace, and stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge lined with jewelry shops.

Top Experience #6: Food Tour & Wine Tasting

Another fantastic way to experience authentic Italian gastronomy in Florence is by doing a food tour. Florence isn’t just about art and architecture. It’s also the heart of Tuscan cuisine, known for simple, high-quality ingredients and rich flavors.

Most food tours take you through local neighborhoods and markets, where you’ll taste a variety of classic dishes and snacks while learning about their origins.

If you love wine, a day trip from Florence to Chianti is one of the most classic and rewarding experiences you can have in Tuscany. Just a short drive from the city, the Chianti region is famous for its rolling vineyards, cypress-lined roads, and charming hilltop villages.

On a wine tasting tour, you’ll visit local wineries to learn how Chianti wines are made, you’ll stroll through vineyards, explore centuries-old cellars, and taste several varieties, often paired with olive oil, cheeses, and cured meats. Usually day trips also include lunch.

Top Experience #7: Cooking Class

Taking a cooking class in Florence is one of the most enjoyable and authentic ways to experience Tuscan culture and bring Italy back home with you. You can choose from a variety of options. 

For example, there are classes that will teach you how to make homemade pasta from scratch, rolling and shaping it into tagliatelle, ravioli, or pappardelle, and making a classic tiramisu for dessert. This cooking class even includes unlimited wine. You can also enjoy visiting a market followed by cooking a 4-course lunch menu in a farmhouse. There are also cooking classes if you love pizza and gelato. 

Taking a cooking class in Florence is a relaxed, memorable experience that captures the essence of Italian hospitality: food, conversation, and the joy of sharing good company around the table.

Top Experience #8: Tuscany Vespa Tour

On this unforgettable day tour, you’ll leave Florence behind and wind through the hills of Tuscany on your own Vespa, led by a local guide. You’ll pass iconic vantage points like Piazzale Michelangelo and the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, high above the city. The route continues through the charming countryside, olive groves, and quiet lanes off the beaten path. At a rustic country estate once owned by Galileo, you stop for a relaxed Tuscan meal, including bruschetta, pasta, cheese, salami, and wine, before returning to Florence.

Top Experience #9: Day Trip to Cinque Terre 

A day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre is one of the most scenic and memorable experiences in Italy. Located along the Ligurian coast, Cinque Terre is made up of five colorful fishing villages (i.e., Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore), each perched dramatically on cliffs overlooking the sea.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its pastel houses, steep terraces of vineyards, and breathtaking coastal views. A guided day trip makes it easy to reach Cinque Terre from Florence without worrying about logistics, and it’s ideal if you want to experience the beauty of the Italian Riviera in a single day. However, keep in mind that the round trip is about 5 hours long, so if you want to fully enjoy this area, we highly recommend extending your stay and booking a hotel in Cinque Terra. 

Top Experience #10: Day Trip To Siena and San Gimignano

A combined day trip to Siena and San Gimignano, both classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is the perfect way to experience Tuscany’s medieval charm and breathtaking countryside. Siena is one of Tuscany’s most beautiful cities, known for its Gothic architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, the stunning Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena), and the famous Piazza del Campo, where the historic Palio horse race takes place twice a year. 

Just an hour away, San Gimignano is a small hilltop town often called the “Medieval Manhattan” for its impressive towers. Don’t miss tasting local Vernaccia wine and gelato from one of Italy’s most award-winning gelaterias in the main square.