19 Best Things to Do in Florence

The beautiful, terraced gardens of historic Villa Bardini are laid out over a hillside in the Oltrarno, south of the river, with spectacular views of the city from the top. Grand in design, but intimate in scale, the garden has a long, steep stone staircase—in spring entirely covered in a magnificent, fragrant wisteria—leading up to the Belvedere panoramic terrace. After recovering your breath and admiring the views, you can splash out on lunch at gourmet restaurant La Leggenda dei Frati housed in the same complex.

Curious Apetite’s three-hour Craft Cocktail and Aperitivo Tour of Florence kicks off at a given meeting point in the centro storico. The custom tours—on foot—take in multiple cafés and bars and are geared towards individuals or small groups. Tailored to your preferences—say, a particular liquor or cocktail—they are led by a team of savvy sommeliers, culinary professionals, and food historians under the direction of expert Coral Sisk. Reservations are required but you can book as late as 24 hours in advance.

The city's elevated, enclosed orridor re-opened in December 2024 after eight years of closure to much fanfare. It was commissioned in 1565 as a secret passageway that allowed Cosimo I de’Medici to move back and forth between his offices in the Uffizi gallery and his residence in the Pitti Palace without being observed. Now open to the general public, it offers unique views of the Florence cityscape through the many windows along its half-mile length. Book well ahead; it’s a popular attraction.

A night at the opera can be a glamorous treat, and there's nowhere better to experience it than in Italy where the genre was born. Florence is home to one of the country’s most prestigious opera houses. Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino occupies a striking contemporary building west of the city centre. Try and book something by Verdi, Puccini, or Rossini where there will be lots of local audience participation—the Florentines know and love their opera!

This brilliant walking tour kicks off in historic Piazza Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno neighborhood, the area of the city that lies south of the river Arno and which has been known for its artisan workshops for centuries. The narrow, characteristic cobbled lanes are still lined with ‘botteghe’ where you can see skilled furniture painters, restorers, book binders and wood turners at work. It's a fascinating tour for anyone interested in learning more about what is sadly a dying breed; don’t expect it to take in international fashion brands. Groups for these private tours are small, and advance booking is essential.

Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence—which opened in 1865 by order of by royal decree, making it Italy’s first national museum—houses the city’s most important collection of Renaissance sculpture. A former barracks and prison, the building alone is impressive, never mind the masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello. The Bargello’s collection includes some of the most important works of Renaissance sculpture: masterpieces by Donatello, Luca della Robbia, Andrea del Verrocchio, Michelangelo, and Benvenuto Cellini. The building also houses bronzes, ceramics, waxes, enamels, medals, ivories, tapestries, seals, and textiles, some from the Medici collections and others from convents or private collectors. In 1888, Louis Carrand, an antiquarian from Lyon, made one of the most important donations to Bargello: more than 2,500 paintings and works of decorative art.

These cruises along the Arno offer an unusual perspective of the historic centre of Florence from water level and are undeniably romantic. The boats—restored 100-year-old wooden transport vessels—glide visitors past the Uffizi, under the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinità and past the elegant palazzos lining each bank of the river; well-informed guides will tell you all about the history of the boats as you slip silently along. It’s a brilliant experience—which can be booked privately or as part of a small group—for anyone who wants a different view of Florence away from the crowds.