Location: Florence Historic Center
Top Things to do in Florence Historic Center
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The 10 Best Architectural Buildings in Florence Historic Center, Tuscany
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. Cappella Rucellai
2. Palazzo Corsini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
A splendid example of Florentine baroque, this palace houses one of the most beautiful and extensive private art collections in Italy, featuring Italian paintings and sculptures by Signorelli, Botticelli, Bellini, Pontormo and Girodano.
3. Battistero di San Giovanni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,408 reviews
A beautiful building best known for its elaborately sculpted doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
Reviewed By the_Devilyn - Surrey, United Kingdom
Get the combined ticket for the 4 main attractions and take some time to appreciate the atmosphere in the Battisterio. There's currently some restoration work going on so quite a bit of the walls is covered but you can still see the golden mosaic ceiling and also get a rare glimpse into the restoration work.
4. Church of Santa Maria Novella
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,679 reviews
Dominican monastery that serves as a distinguished monument to the religious and artistic history of Florence, which features valuable examples of Florentine paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries..
Reviewed By athyoz - Liverpool, United Kingdom
Most people rush past on their way to and from the main Florence railway station which takes its name from this church. If you can, I would recommend that you try and find an hour or so to visit. As well as being a beautiful church with amazing cloisters, it also contains many art treasures: frescoes, statues, paintings and wooden crosses, some of the pieces are world famous, like my favourite, The Holy Trinity, a fresco by Masacchio which profoundly influenced Florentine painting and inspired future generations with its use of perspective. Back home now, I can still visualise it up on the wall of the church. Fantastic. Highly recommended.
5. Cappelle Medicee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,031 reviews
Opulently decorated in marble, gold and jewels, these chapels are a celebration of one of Italy's most famous and powerful families - the Medicis.
Reviewed By SoCalOregonian - Murrieta, United States
The Medici chapels are more than just religious places of prayer; they have been a state museum since 1869. The chapel consists of the Sacrestia Nuova (New Sacristy), Cappella dei Principi (Chapel of the Princes), La Cripta (The Crypt) and the Treasure of the Basilica of San Lorenzo. The main attraction is of course the New Sacristy, commissioned by Pope Leo X as the resting place for his brother Giuliano (Duke of Nemours) and his nephew Lorenzo (Duke of Urbino). Then in 1555 the remains of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano were interned here. This sacristy has on the tomb of Lorenzo, Dusk and Dawn, on the tomb of Giuliano, Day and Night. The tomb of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano has Madonna and Child. In the Chapel of the Princes, the grand sarcophagi are empty and serve as cenotaphs; the remains are interred in the crypt. In the niches are 2 statues, Cosimo II and Ferdinando I both created by Tacca.
6. Basilica della Santissima Annunziata - Chiesa di Santa Maria della Scala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 412 reviews
Reviewed By N4156PHbillb - Pueblo, United States
The exterior of the Basilica is Renaissance in style and truly magnificant. It blends into the Ospedale near by in the Piazza. The church's chapels contain works by Giambologna, Perugino, del Sarto, Pontormo and others. Well worth a visit when you are in Florence as is the Piazza.
7. Campanile di Giotto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,493 reviews
Reviewed By Travelmad237
As part of our Duomo climb ticket (Cupola) we also had access to the other sites on the complex. After scaling the hot & dizzy heights of the duomo in July standing at 92m high we noticed the campanile adjacent to the dome & couldn’t resist climbing there too to enjoy the magnificent views from there. The climb inside the campanile offers more respite moments to catch your breath on much more open staircases climbing to a similar height of 82m & equally magnificent views all around including the wonderful Duomo. So if you’re unsure of tackling the challenge of climbing in more confined & upright spaces in the duomo then consider the campanile climb instead. You will not miss out on the glory of the views over Florence in a slightly less intense environment.
8. Palazzo Gondi
9. Loggia dei Lanzi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,109 reviews
This outdoor museum space is a peaceful place to rest your weary feet after a long day of sight seeing. Admire some of Florence's most iconic original sculptures from Cellini's "Perseus" to Giambologna's "Rape of the Sabines."
Reviewed By Jo_and_Tom - Anna, United States
This area has several masterpieces with Cellini's Perseus to Rape of Sabines. Luca, our tour guide, stated this area has been there since Renaissance. Many artist at that time along with tourist would be able to study the art up close. Flanking this is the Uffzi, Pallazo Vecchio, and Uffzi museum. If you want an up close photo of a masterpiece this is the place to go.
10. Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 435 reviews
This little-visited church was one of Florence's most important churches during the Renaissance. Botticelli is buried here, along with his muse, Simonetta Vespucci. Don't miss the exquisite Domenico Ghirlandaio "Last Supper," the very one Leonardo da Vinci admired before painting his.
Reviewed By RonL40 - Utica, United States
Located a couple bridges over from the Ponte Vecchio, the Ognissanti would be visited a lot more if it were closer to the center. Even better for those who invest part of a sunny day to walk over toward the St Regis and Harry's Bar ... the Ognissanti has great works of art, including two remarkable frescoes by Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio. The late Gothic wooden cross by Stoss is equally remarkable. And be sure to the see the Last Supper by Ghirlandaio in the refectory. The overall experience here is of a sacred place with art... a nice change from the hundreds of tourists in Santa Reparata or Santa Croce.
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