Location: Florence Historic Center
Top Things to do in Florence Historic Center
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Top 10 Points of Interest & Landmarks 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. Mercato Centrale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,896 reviews
Open-air market that has a cast-iron structure dating back to 1874, which offers a variety of food shops catering to local residents and restaurants.
Reviewed By ZahidMalti - London, United Kingdom
Amazing space with a vibrant market in the ground floor with a wonderful range foods and a foodie heaven on the first floor with a fabulous range of cafes, restaurants and bars. Definitely worth visiting for the market treats and the fantastic food outlets.
2. Palazzo Vecchio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,946 reviews
Florence's principal palace was begun in 1299 and built as the seat of the Signoria, the fathers of the city's republican government.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
The beautiful Palazzo Vecchio offers us mysteries, riddles, secret passages and a trip back into history to three eras. Palazzo Vecchio offers to us Roman ruins, a Medieval fortress and amazing Renaissance chambers and paintings. A microcosm where art and history have been indissolubly bound for centuries. Its significance and beauty is immeasurable. And its history is extremely interesting. Palazzo Vecchio is the main symbol of civil power for the city of Florence, whose original project is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio. Construction on the solid fortress began in 1299 above the ruins of the destroyed Uberti Ghibelline towers, testimony of the final victory of the Guelph faction. From the very beginning, the main section of Palazzo Vecchio was destined to host the city council which was composed of chief members the Guilds of Florence (the Priori) who governed the Republic of Florence. In 1342, the Duke of Athens, Walter VI of Brienne, enlarged Palazzo della Signoria towards Via della Ninna, giving it the appearance of a fortress and even adding a secret staircase for nightly exits. The Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) was built from 1494 during the Republic of Fra’ (friar) by Girolamo Savonarola. The Hall is the largest and most important room in terms of artistic and historical value inside the palace. Paneled ceilings and large wall frescoes, golden decorations and imposing sculptures leave us breathless. When the court of Medici was transferred to Palazzo Vecchio (from Palazzo Medici-Riccardi), it was transformed into a fascinating labyrinth of institutional chambers, apartments, terraces and courtyards. All of the rooms (the so-called Quartieri Monumentali) are magnificently decorated by artists such as Michelangelo, Giorgio Vasari and Donatello. It is fascinating that Pier Soderini, who was named gonfaloniere for life, selected the two greatest Florentine artists of the time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, for the construction of two large murals to decorate the walls of the room, with battle scenes depicting victories of the Republic. Leonardo began to paint the Battle of Anghiari, while Michelangelo used another part of the wall for the Battle of Cascina. The two geniuses of the Renaissance would have had the opportunity to work for a certain period of time face to face, but none of their work had ever been completed.
3. 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.
4. Palazzo Strozzi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 927 reviews
The Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi is a dynamic cultural centre that hosts an extensive programme of exhibitions, ranging from ancient art and the Renaissance right up to the modern era and contempoary art, on the Piano Nobile and in the Strozzina of what is one of the unquestioned masterpieces of Florentine Renaissance architecture. Life in the Palazzo revolves around its Renaissance courtyard, which is used as a venue for concerts, performance art, contemporary art installations, theatrical performances and a great deal more. The educational programmes and collateral activities designed to tie in with each exhibition make Palazzo Strozzi a unique experience that engages every single visitor, with a special emphasis on young people, families and children, thus connecting the Palazzo with Florence and with the whole of Tuscany.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Palazzo Strozzi is a perfect example of the ideals of a noble Renaissance residence, and the complex appears as if a small fortress in the heart of the city, a specific request made by Filippo Strozzi himself. The Strozzi family, undoubtedly one of the richest Florentine families until it was exiled from Florence in 1434, suffered through many political and financial competitions with the Medici family. After their exile, Filippo Strozzi worked to accumulate the funds which allowed him to regain his powerful position and re-enter the city of Florence. In 1466, he came back with a mission...squash his rivals...with a vengeance. Once within the walls of the city, his first step was to build a home that would be a physical representation of his power and wealth, more noticeable, more prestigious and...just plain bigger than everyone else's, especially that of the Medici family. Its construction began in 1489 under the direction of Simone del Pollaiolo, known as Il Cronaca, on the orders of Filippo Strozzi. The appearance of the palace is similar to a small fortress built to a rectangular plan with three floors. Though much restructured internally, it is possible to still appreciate the original plan and beauty of the exterior and in the courtyard of the building. The construction was finished in 1538 and stayed in the Strozzi family until 1937, when the last heir passed away. Since the Second World War the Palazzo has been Florence's largest temporary exhibition space hosting modern and contemporary art shows. The building is today one of the most important museums in the city: the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi organizes a varied and innovative program of exhibitions, events and special activities. Perhaps the most memorable exhibits include The Peggy Guggenheim (1949 and recently repeated in 2016), Gustav Klimt (1992), Botticelli and Filippino Lippi (who was the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2004), and Cézanne in Florence (the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2007). The Palazzo Strozzi now hosts three major exhibitions annually, and there is one permanent exhibition which concentrates on the history of Palazzo Strozzi. In those days of our visit we were able to enjoy the exhibition of Natalia Goncharova with Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso.
5. Piazza della Signoria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,857 reviews
Since its beginning during the Middle Ages, the Piazza della Signoria has been the political heart of the city.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
The Piazza della Signoria is the main political center of the former Florence Republic, and today one of the two most famous squares in Florence. It is surrounded by sights such as Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Loggia dei Lanzi, which houses a statue of Perseus holding Medusa's head in his hand, and several city palaces like the Palace of the Tribunale della Mercanzia (1359) (now the Bureau of Agriculture), and the Palazzo Uguccioni (1550, with a facade attributed to Raphael). The Piazza della Signoria was the scene of great triumphs, such as the return of the Medici in 1530 as well as the Bonfire of the Vanities instigated by Savonarola, who was then himself burned at the stake here in 1498 after he was denounced by the Inquisition as a heretic. A marble circle inscription on the piazza shows the location where he was burned. There is also a monument to the Duke of Florence, Cosimo I.(Giambologna's equestrian statue of Duke Cosimo I (1595) is an elegant portrait of the man who brought all of Tuscany under Medici military rule), the Neptune Fountain, and a magnificent sculpture of Michelangelo's David (which is become one of the most recognized works of Renaissance sculpture, a symbol of strength and youthful beauty), which is actually a copy, while the original is kept in the Academy (Galleria dell'Accademia), Bandinelli's sculptures of Hercules and Cacus (1534) to the right of the David was appropriated by the Medici to show their physical power after their return from exile. The square is named after the Palazzo della Signoria, which is another name for the Palazzo Vecchio, the 'old palace', which is also the city hall. The construction of the palace began at the end of the 13th century, and was adorned with the shape of a real fortress with a prominent tower, which wanted to show the importance and power of the then Republic. In the past, the bell inside the tower called for citizens to gather when threatened by fire, flood or enemy attack. The feeling is wonderful when we look at these wonderful palaces, sculptures and when we know the history of this beautiful square.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Piazza Santa Croce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,119 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Piazza Santa Croce gets its name from the basilica of the same name, one of the biggest Franciscan churches in Italy, famous not only for housing frescoes by Giotto, the sculptures of Benedetto da Maiano, Desiderio da Settignano and Canova, but also for being the burial place of well-known people such as Galilei, Foscolo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli, becoming a symbol of the homeland even before Italy was unified. Basilica of Santa Croce is magnificent, beautiful and dominant to us. In front of Basilica is a beautiful statue of Dante Alighieri by Enrico Pazzi, sculpted in 1865 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Dante's birth. Still in my mind is a magnificent recitation of Dante's Divine Comedy performed by the inimitable Roberto Benigni from this place. The square is rich in beautiful palaces which are characterized by protruding planes supported by supports called sports on the southern side. One that stands out is the Palazzo Cocchi-Serristori, facing the basilica and the product of various reworks over the years, thought to be the work of Giuliano da Sandallo, the trusted architect of Lorenzo the Magnificent. On the south side of the piazza stands the Palazzo dell'Antella, with a lively façade embellished with several paintings, depicting allegorical figures, cherubs, foliage, flowers and arabesques, which are set around a bust of Cosimo II de 'Medici. Particularly interesting, on the fourth tile from the left, is a copy of the sleeping Amorino by Caravaggio. Given its large size and standard shape, the piazza became the perfect place to hold popular competitions during the Renaissance, such as the Florentine Calcio Storico which is still played here today.
10. Festa di San Giovanni
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