Location: Florence
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What to do and see in Florence, Tuscany: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
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. Ars et Fides Firenze
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 380 reviews
Reviewed By N4156PHbillb - Pueblo, United States
This was our first stop after departing the train station and it was truly impressive. There is an entrance fee but it was very reasonable. The crowds head to the Duomo so we spent a significant amount of time viewing the paintings and art. The museum is small but nice. The alter is incredible. They have some restoration underway and it appears they had already completed many areas making the pieces incredibly vivid. A place we would return as the Gothic design is incredible and the pieces are more impressive than the Duomo.
2. Gallerie Degli Uffizi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37,499 reviews
One of the great museums of the world, the Uffizi houses the premier collection of Italian Renaissance art, featuring works by such masters as Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo and da Vinci.
Reviewed By sanju_222323 - New Jersey, United States
If art interests you, then Uffizi Gallery is one place that you should not miss on your Florence tour. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Florence, Italy. Situated in the Piazza Della Signoria, it can be covered together with the L shaped beautiful square. With the world’s preeminent collection of Renaissance paintings from artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, Da Vinci and more, this is the obvious go-to museum for one day in Florence. However, it’s also enormous, with 101 rooms bursting with art. it still displays the Medici family's prominent art collection, which includes such masterpieces as Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," Raphael's "Madonna of the Goldfinch" and Titian's "Venus of Urbino." *** The 10 Most Important Artworks at The Uffizi Gallery ( just so that you don’t miss this, I did miss a few and found out when I was reading about it) The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli Coronation of the Virgin by Fra Angelico Laocoön and his Sons by Baccio Bandinelli Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino Portrait of Pope Leo X with Two Cardinals by Raphael Head of Christ by Unknown Tuscan Master Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Verrocchio Medusa by Caravaggio Doni Tondo by Michelangelo Venus of Urbino by Titian It houses a collection of awesome Renaissance time paintings of Botticelli, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Giotto, and Michelangelo to name a few. A minimum of 2-3 hours is needed to explore all the paintings and sculptures. Don’t miss the courtyard outside. It houses statues of Galileo, Dante, Da Vinci and other greatest of Renaissance times. Online Reservation of tickets is available and I suggest buy skip the line ticket. This is a must-visit place in Florence and it will easily take 4-6 hours. Just to know Uffizi's place is among the handful of world's top art museums. So don’t regret if you come across something and think, S**t, I was there, why I did not see this.
3. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,355 reviews
For preservation purposes, many significant works have been moved from the Duomo to this nearby museum.
Reviewed By PRS48 - Brisbane, Australia
Not to be missed! The main room on the ground floor contains Ghiberti's original bronze doors of the baptistery as well as the statues which adorned the medieval facade of the cathedral. A visit here is a logical step after seeing the interior of the Duomo and the museum has relatively short queues, especially as it opens at 9 a.m.
4. 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.
5. Basilica of Santa Croce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,994 reviews
This is the richest medieval church in Florence, which features frescoes by Giotto, a chapel by Brunelleschi and one of the finest of all early Renaissance tombs.
Reviewed By revlisad - Sarasota, United States
Don't miss seeing the Duomo from the outside. But the one you want to tour inside is Santa Croce. It's a must see for multiple reasons 1. The grandeur of the architecture. It's the largest Franciscan church in the world. The main sanctuary is stunning as are the 16 chapels and courtyards. 2. Don't miss the tombs, both those on the floor of the main sanctuary, the sides of the main sanctuary, and the crypt. Many famous Italians are buried or memorialized here, including, Dante, Galileo, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Rossini, Marconi 3. The art, including frescoes by Giotto and his pupils, incredible icons (my favorite is the Francis of Assisi Icon to the right of the main altar), and statues. Speaking of the main altar, take a few moments in the presence of the crucifix icon, altar icons, stained glass, and painted dome. Stunning. Be sure to find the Last Supper and Tree of Life fresco in one of the additional chapels on property. 4. Set in a delightful piazza with great restaurants, shops, and vendors. Neither the church nor the piazza were crowded when we visited. 5. Great restrooms and quaint gift shop
6. 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.
7. Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 271 reviews
Historical center of Florence features Sant'Ambrogio, one of the first religious buildings to be built in Florence.
Reviewed By GathererHunter - Menlo Park, United States
We came to the indoor market to eat lunch at Trattoria da Rocco, which was great! After our meal we walked through the indoor and outdoor markets, full of shops selling fresh meat, cheese, seafood, pasta, and produce. We bought some excellent fresh ravioli from Botteghina Dell’Agusta, and had a wonderful experience here. The ravioli of buffalo mozzarella and porcini mushrooms was fantastic and we fixed this for dinner the same day we purchased it. A very friendly lady helped us easily, between our mediocre Italian and her broken English, it was an easy transaction. Outside there was lots to walk through and around- a wonderful break from touristy Florence, and just far enough off the beaten path.
8. 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!
9. 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.
10. Galleria dell'Accademia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31,647 reviews
Europe's first school of drawing, this museum of art is chiefly famous for its several sculptures by Michelangelo, notably his David, in addition to an extensive collection of 15th- and 16th-century paintings.
Reviewed By Darren_C_Thomas - Brisbane, Australia
The Accademia is a wonderful art gallery in Florence which houses arguably the most famous statue in the world - Michelangelo's David which is simply perfection in a sculpture. Whilst the Accademia is far smaller than the Uffizi, it still houses a number of important works. Also the historical musical instrument collection is well worth taking the time to visit. To avoid the queues which are long and slow moving as well as always present, make sure you get a skip the line ticket -especially if you have children or impatient teens. We booked for 3:15pm and arrived at 3:05pm whilst we still had to queue in a small line, was into the gallery by 3:20pm
