Six centuries ago, masters of the arts used Medici money and extraordinary creativity to turn Florence into the jewel of the Renaissance. Today, the city’s historic center boasts the world’s highest concentration of universally renowned artworks, from Michelangelo’s David to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. Naturally, the top things to do in Florence revolve around art and architecture. Tour the beloved Uffizi and Accademia galleries, stroll across the goldsmith-lined Ponte Vecchio, and marvel at Brunelleschi’s Dome—just leave enough time to pop into artisan shops and sample a plate of Florentine steak.
The historic center of Florence is essentially an open-air museum, meaning you’ll spend lots of time outside walking from one attraction to the next. Enjoy the area when the weather is at its best from April–May and September–October. An increasingly touristic city, Florence doesn’t have a true off-season, but you’ll still enjoy fewer crowds at key sites if you visit in winter, which have the bonus of holiday lights and seasonal festivities.
Walking is the best way to explore Florence’s 2-square-mile (5-square-kilometer) historic center, which takes about 45 minutes to traverse via pedestrian-only piazzas, panoramic bridges, and winding cobblestone lanes. While rental cars have limited access to the area, taxis and buses can take you anywhere you like. Shared e-bikes and e-scooters are convenient for zipping along the Arno River but are harder to navigate along busy side streets.
Florence is known for art and architecture, but it’s also a green space hub if you know where to look. Take a break from museum hopping at the historical center’s best gardens. In addition to the popular Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) and Bardini Gardens (Giardino Bardini), the Giardino delle Rose is a scenic spot to smell the roses beneath Piazzale Michelangelo. Giardino dei Semplici provides a respite from its busy neighbor, the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia).