The vibe of Florence is unlike any other city in Italy, so I hope you get the chance to get lost in the historic streets. Wondering what to do in Florence? There are so many plazas to see, foods to try, and entertainment waiting to be found. If you are a night owl, Florence is a fitting destination for you – the city is lively at all hours.

What to Do in Florence

1.) See the Duomo

You can’t go to Florence without seeing the Duomo. You turn off of a dark historic street and see the insane architecture of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. This picture is just a quick snapshot of one section of the building. Walk all the way around it, because there is so much more to see! There are cafes and restaurants all around, so continue taking in the views over a couple drinks or a nice Italian meal.

2.) Find Piazza della Signoria

I explored the city for hours with no destination in sight and was surprised by every new plaza that I found. Although, if you prefer to plan each day of your trip, then you should plan on exploring the political center of Italy, Piazza della Signoria, to find unique fountains and insane statues.

3.) Take in the views at Piazzale Michelangelo and try to catch a sunset

Want to see these incredible views over the city? Head to Piazzale Michelangelo!

This location can be a bit of a hike depending on where you are coming from, but the views are definitely worth it! If you are getting hungry during your hike, don’t worry, there is a restaurant or two at the top. It gets super busy near sunset, so if you are trying to snap some beautiful pictures without people blocking the view, then you should arrive early to get a good spot.

4.) Eat gelato and then eat more gelato

Besides these top attractions, grab some delicious gelato. When in Italy… you eat gelato! There are gelato shops everywhere in Florence, so you don’t have to know of one place to go to.

5.) Go to the markets

I recommend finding the market downtown and bartering for some memorable souvenirs. I bought some intricate head scarves which I love. The popular shopping spots are San Lorenzo Market and Mercato Centrale.

6.) Snap a few pictures at Ponte Vecchio

For some more beautiful views, check out Ponte Vecchio. If you are like me and enjoy watching sunsets, then I recommend catching a clear sunset from Ponte Vecchio as well.

7.) Search for live music

Listen for music, because some nights there are people playing live music on a nearby bridge. I stumbled across a group one night after watching a sunset at Ponte Vecchio and spent a few hours enjoying the music with hundreds of people. We were all smiling ear to ear while people danced to the music that was filling the streets. If this scene doesn’t sound like the Italian dream vacation, then I don’t know what does!

Tips

Where to Stay

There are several airbnbs that you can find within walking distance from the train stations. I stayed at an airbnb near the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station and never had to rent a taxi or a car. My little borrowed apartment was walking distance to all the sights and restaurants of the center which was perfect. I searched through numerous airbnbs and read the captions to determine which was the best fit. If you choose to travel this way as well, expect to carry your luggage down some bumpy cobblestone roads. It can be a bit of a hassle, but it is part of the experience! All of the crazy travel experiences add to the adventure!

Safety / Travel Scams

Unfortunately, many travel scams aim to take advantage of tourists, so it is smart to prepare for them… In Italy, bracelet scams are common. Here is what you can expect… People will come up to you and give you compliments and try to offer you a bracelet. After they give it to you though, they will demand money for it. I recommend that you try to avoid these people, but if the bracelet gets put on you, you can give it back and walk away. The scammers got me good at first, but honestly, it’s just a funny memory at this point. One guy even went as far as to demand a picture with me and him with the bracelet on me.

Ready to learn some history, marvel at architecture, and experience Italian culture? Florence, Italy is a great spot for you. Cheers to new experiences and making connections around the world!

Planning your trip to Italy and wondering what other cities to see? Check out my blog post about Positano and my other post on Venice. If interested, watch for my Italy itinerary that will be posted soon for reference. Thanks for stopping by!