Location: Florence
Top Things to do in Florence
Countries
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Florence That You Shouldn't Miss
Florence is an art historian’s dream. The Galleria dell'Accademia bursts with works by Michelangelo, who is entombed within the frescoed walls of the Basilica di Santa Croce. Budding photographers can snap pics of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and serious shoppers can spend a blissful afternoon wandering the shops of Piazza Santo Spirito. Tuscan cuisine pays homage to the region’s bounty. Swipe a hunk of crusty bread across a pool of local olive oil and you’ll be instantly transported to your happiest place.
Restaurants in Florence
1. Tuscany Vespa Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,047 reviews
Tuscany vespa tours offers one day scooter tours just south of Florence in the heart of the Chianti wine region. Our full day Tuscany vespa tour takes us on a exhilarating scooter ride through the hills of Chianti passing vineyards villas and olive groves.
2. Grape Tours in Tuscany
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,245 reviews
Grape Tours is a tour operator that focuses on high quality wine tours. Our wine tours are guided by our staff of local and knowledgeable wine lovers, and start at our office in central Florence. On our website WWW.TUSCAN-WINE-TOURS.COM you'll see the full range of small group wine tours on offer. We go to the regions of Chianti, Chianti Classico, Carmignano, San Gimignano, Montepulciano & Montalcino. We also do exclusive private tours with visits at special wineries. Our are always all-inclusive of winery visits, tastings and meals.
3. Tuscany Cycle
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,588 reviews
The best way to view the beautiful city of Florence is by Vespa or Bike! Tuscany Cycle offers you the best deals on bike rentals in all of Florence. We offer the one day Tuscany Vespa Tour and Bike tour. Zoom around Tuscany like a local. Wind your way through the rolling hills, visit a vineyard then finish your tour with an authentic Tuscan lunch, olive oil and wine tasting in the 12th-century winery.
4. E-Bikes Florence
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 371 reviews
We provide everything you need for an unforgettable self guided and fully supported electric bike tour through the majestic Tuscan countryside surrounding Florence. With the freedom to explore at your own pace and assisted by our top quality e-bikes, you'll meander your way through cypress tree forests, olive groves and vineyards, little villages and hamlets with their ancient churches, monasteries, amphitheatres and delicious restaurants! You can sample the EV olive oils and locally produced wines, meet the owners of an organic Chianti vineyard and have the option to cool off in their outdoor swimming pool. Our route utilises the cycle path network to get you out onto the quieter country roads quickly and on the way back the cycle path route traverses the River Arno and up to Piazzale Michelangelo for great views of the city up close. The map works offline on your phone, we provide phone holders for the bikes and we are always on hand to make sure your ride goes smoothly.
5. Museo Galileo - Institute and Museum of the History of Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,280 reviews
Housed in an old palace that was restored in the mid-1800s, this science museum houses an impressive collection of scientific instruments dating from the 13th century.
Reviewed By SelinaF_01 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
What a fascinating museum and welcome respite from art gallery overdose! The videos that further elaborated some of the exhibits were really interesting and educational (not to mention hypnotic)... we sat and watched quite a few. Amazing telescopes, Galileo’s actual middle finger, Peter Leopold’s chemistry cabinet, ancient globes, anatomical models - a dizzying array of exhibits that ensure this museum really packs a punch!
6. Museo Nazionale del Bargello
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,996 reviews
Housed in the Palazzo del Podesta (1255 AD) as the residence of Florence's chief magistrate, this museum houses an unrivalled collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture..
Reviewed By Odyssey54128356707
I teach in Montepulciano on a study abroad program from the University System of Georgia, headquartered and administered by my home campus, Kennesaw State University, on a fairly regular basis, and Florence is one of our destinations. I am an art historian with a BA in Renaissance and Baroque painting and sculpture, so unlike most of my colleagues, I always want to take my students on a side trip to the Bargello to see the original Baptistery Doors competition panels of Brunelleschi and Ghiberti, Donatello's David, Giambologna's Mercury and some lesser known Michleangelo reliefs and other sculptures. They are always thrilled to do so, as am I. I recommend a visit to the Museo Nazionale dei Bargello to anyone visiting Florence.
7. Sant'Apollonia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
One of Cenacoli's masterpieces resides in this convent, appreciated by all who live there.
Reviewed By AppyGuide - Florence, Italy
I think this Last Supper by Andrea del Castagno is as wonderful and influential as any of the paintings in the Uffizi. Apparently, this Last Supper was done before Leonardo da Vinci painted his Last Supper in Milan. So it is possible that Leonardo himself studied this piece while he lived in Florence. Anyways, I love this work a lot! I wish more people knew about it and appreciated how wonderful it is!
8. Church and Museum of Orsanmichele
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 981 reviews
This extraordinary structure testifies to the historic evolution of the city, which once served as a granary in the gardens of the Sisters of San Michele during Florence's mercantile period.
Reviewed By artmac21 - Inverness, United Kingdom
This was my last stop in Florence and I am so glad I went in. The church is small but has the most beautiful tarbancle I’ve ever seen. It’s very quiet and peaceful and has some art. I went onto the museum which houses the original statues, that you see outside in the niches. They are stunning and worth viewing, especially the four crowned saints which is so detailed you can see the stubble! Finally, the upper floor has the most stunning views of Florence, giving you a panorama of the city, with the Duomo to one side and the Palazzo Vecchio to another. I didn’t climb the Duomo as both the heat and the wait seemed too much. This was such a delight. It was quiet and the stairs are manageable, although still a hike. I was so pleased I had left this to last as it did allow me to see Florence in all its glory. An unexpected delight.
9. Basilica San Miniato al Monte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,337 reviews
Situated on a hill (monte) outside Florence with unsurpassed views of the city, this structure is one of the finest examples of Tuscan Romanesque architecture, built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Reviewed By DJ-TA-11 - Perth Hills, Australia
A beautiful quiet (off the beaten track) Basilica that is well worth a visit. We combined it with our sunset visit to Piazzale Michelangelo. Infact we had planned to stay at Michelangelo for the sunset however we decided to travel further to San Miniato after reading positive reviews on TA, we are so very glad we did. Before sunset we were able to visit the Basilica and spend a good amount of time listening to the monks chanting. At sunset we enjoyed some snacks from one of the park benches whilst watching the sun set on the Florence skyline. It was magical and one of our most memorable nights in Florence. As oppose to the hundreds of people at Piazzale Michelangelo, there was probably only about 40 people at San Miniato watching the sunset with us. It was so quiet and peaceful . Even a couple of the monks came out to sit near the stairs with the people.
10. Museo di San Marco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,959 reviews
Opened to the public in 1869, this museum houses the largest collection of sacred art in Florence including a sweeping fresco by Giovanni Antonio Sogliani and a superb collection of works by Mariotto Albertinelli.
Reviewed By JurreSilbi - Krakow, Poland
Museum is located in the Dominican convent, where Fra Angelico was a monk and a famous painter. His work is shown in a separate room at the ground level. Have a look at tabernaculum which is a great piece of art. The wooden frame was made by Ghirlandaio, another great artist. Ghirlandaio’s work, a polychromy in the refectory presenting the Last Supper is also on display. Have a deeper look at the face of Saint Paulus (the person with knife). Don’t miss the upper floor where there are monks’ rooms with paintings. Here it is time to recall another monk, Girolamo Savonarola who lived here, and his influence on the history of Florence and Medici family. Really dramatic times. And the library with a huge collection of books is also worth a visit. This museum accepts Firenzecard. Be also prepared that some attractions might be closed even if they should be available, according to the schedule.
