Florence
Rating of the best tourist attractions in Florence (Italy) celebrates the birthplace of the Renaissance. The Tuscan capital is famous for the Duomo with Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's David, the Ponte Vecchio, and an unrivalled concentration of art and architecture.
General information
Florence (Firenze), the capital of Tuscany, is the cradle of the Renaissance and one of the greatest art cities on earth. Compact and elegant on the banks of the Arno, it packs an astonishing concentration of masterpieces into a walkable historic centre — the legacy of the Medici, who made the city a powerhouse of art and banking. Terracotta roofs, artisan workshops, leather markets and Tuscan trattorias give it a lived-in charm beyond the museums. Italian is the language, English is common in tourist areas, and the entire centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made for wandering.
Transport and how to get there
Florence has its own small airport, Amerigo Vespucci (FLR), with nearby Pisa (PSA) offering more low-cost flights, both linked to the city by tram or train. Florence sits on Italy's high-speed rail line, just 1.5 hours from Rome and about 2 hours from Milan and Venice, arriving at the central Santa Maria Novella station. The centre is small enough to cross on foot in twenty minutes, so most visitors simply walk between the great sights.
Prices
Florence is moderately to upper-priced, busiest and dearest in spring and autumn. Expect roughly 90-190 EUR per night for a mid-range hotel, with hostels from about 25 EUR. A casual trattoria meal runs around 16-28 EUR, a coffee at the bar about 1.30 EUR and a glass of Chianti 4-6 EUR. The Uffizi and the Accademia cost around 20-25 EUR each (book a timed slot to skip the queues), while climbing the Duomo dome is roughly 30 EUR with reservation. Prices are approximate and vary by season.
Main attractions
The skyline belongs to the Duomo, with Brunelleschi's terracotta dome, Giotto's bell tower and the octagonal Baptistery. The Uffizi Gallery holds Botticelli's Birth of Venus and works by Leonardo and Raphael, while the Accademia guards Michelangelo's original David. Cross the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio over the Arno, stand in the open-air sculpture gallery of Piazza della Signoria beside Palazzo Vecchio, and explore the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset for the classic view over the city.