Florence: Where Renaissance Meets Romance

Visit the Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi is one of the world’s first modern museums and, today, one of the largest and most famous. Housed in a historic 16th-century building originally designed as government offices, it is celebrated for its priceless collection of Italian Renaissance masterpieces, including Sandro Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus," Leonardo da Vinci’s "Annunciation," and Michelangelo's "Doni Tondo." It is closed on Mondays and often has fluctuating hours of operation depending on the time of year. I recommend securing tickets in advance.

See The Statue of David at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze

If you’re visiting Florence for the first time, you can’t miss The David. Michelangelo’s masterpiece (created between 1501 and 1504) is a world-famous representation of the Italian Renaissance, symbolizing the defense of civil liberties, youthful courage, and the triumph of the underdog. I highly recommend securing tickets in advance since the lines are typically very long.

Shop along the River Arno

There are so many little shops and boutiques along the river, but Moto Vintage (vintage goods), Switch Fine Good (boutique women's, men's, and children’s clothing), Artemisia Fioristi (florist), Area Interini (interior designs and home goods), Rosacca Jewelry, Flo (contemporary clothing and art), and La Casa della Stampa (antique printshop) are some of my off-the-beaten-path picks. More mainstream (and higher-end) favorites of mine are Pucci, AquaFlor (perfumery), Ferragamo, Valentino, Fendi, Intimissimi, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (perfumery and skincare). You can also walk along the Ponte Vecchio bridge, famous for the gold shops that are built into it.

Stroll through Boboli Gardens

Boboli Gardens is a large park in Florence, originally designed as the garden of the Medici family's Pitti Palace in the mid-16th century. It is an important early Italian garden that influenced aristocratic gardens across Europe. I highly recommend visiting in the spring when herbs, fruits, and flowers like roses, peonies, lavender, and lemons are at their peak.

Tour Palazzo Pitti

The Palazzo Pitti—in English sometimes called the Pitti Palace—is a vast, mainly Renaissance, palace. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. Purchased in 1550, the palace was chosen by Cosimo I de’ Medici and his wife Eleanor of Toledo as the new Grand Ducal residence, and it soon became the new symbol of the Medicis' power over Tuscany.

Monastery of San Marco

This monastery is a historic 15th-century complex featuring a church and a museum. It is most famous for its stunning early Renaissance frescoes by the friar Fra Angelico and as the former residence of the fiery preacher Girolamo Savonarola. On the first floor, 44 individual cells where the Dominican friars slept are each decorated with a unique, spiritually contemplative fresco painted by Fra Angelico. The cell once inhabited by the controversial 15th-century religious reformer Girolamo Savonarola is preserved here, featuring a famous painting of his execution.

Visit the Ferragamo Museum

The Ferragamo Museum is located in the basement of the original Ferragamo flagship store, just steps from the Arno. The museum itself is small and takes only about 30 to 45 minutes to walk through, but it’s such a fun stop if you’re interested in fashion, history, design, or cinema.

Tour the Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence. It overlooks the Piazza della Signoria, which holds a copy of Michelangelo's David statue, and the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi. It is one of the most famous sites in Florence, and the guided tours are incredibly informative.

See the Duomo

The Duomo is Florence’s most recognizable landmark. Also known as Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, its construction began at the end of the 13th century under the design of Arnolfo di Cambio, a famous architect and sculptor who loved the Gothic style. Today, the Duomo is the episcopal seat of the archdiocese of the city of Florence. It is one of the greatest masterpieces of Gothic art and the first Italian Renaissance, but it is also one of the largest Christian churches in the world.

Go to the top of Giotto's Bell Tower

This famous clock tower is located right next to the Duomo, so you could knock both out in one day if you’re feeling ambitious. The views from the top of the clock tower are breathtaking.

Singorvino

Singorvino is an upscale all-day café and wine shop. There are several locations throughout the city, but I enjoy the one in Piazza Santa Maria Novella the most. Sit outside, sip a glass of wine, bask in the beauty of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, and watch the world go by. Sometimes, they even have markets and live music in this square. I recommend the truffle carbonara, the pomodoro, and all of the antipasti options. You can mail wine home from here as well, and they make it incredibly easy to do so.

La Buchetta

This is one of my favorite spots to eat in Florence. The truffle burrata gnocchi is top-notch, and it’s one of the best places to get a Florentine steak. The restaurant itself is small and has limited seating, so reservations are recommended.

Osteria Del Cinghiale Bianco

This is allegedly one of Stanley Tucci’s favorite restaurants, and it’s very difficult to get into, but it's absolutely worth the wait. I highly recommend making reservations, or getting in line for a table as soon as the restaurant opens. You simply can’t go wrong here!

The Wine Window / FirstGlass

Florence’s iconic wine windows—known as buchette del vino—are small, arched cutouts carved into the walls of historic palazzos. Originating in the 1600s to let noble families sell wine directly to the public, they were used during the plague as a contactless way to serve drinks. Though there are several wine windows located throughout the city, my favorite is FirstGlass, which is located along the River Arno.

Il Santo Bevitore

I stumbled upon this local favorite as I was shopping one day, and I am so glad I did. It is a true hidden gem that features a full bar, a luxe wine shop, and a sit-down restaurant. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere is great. In fact, this spot was featured in Condé Nast Traveler and 2025’s Michelin Guide. I recommend the spicy rigatoni made with Calabrian chili (if it’s still available—the menu rotates seasonally).

Il Palagio

This Michelin-starred restaurant is connected to The Four Seasons Firenze. If you’re looking for a high-end, creative fine-dining experience, Il Palagio is the place for you. It’s an ideal option for a romantic, memorable meal in a gorgeous setting—I speak from experience!

Samambaia Brunch Café

If you’re looking for a quiet place for a casual breakfast or just an afternoon pick-me-up, Samambaia is a great option. They serve breakfast, brunch, and afternoon light bites but close at 3 p.m. Nestled into the neighborhood around Santa Maria Novella, this little café has a friendly atmosphere and is frequented by locals.

Osteria Gusto Toscano Steakhouse

This intimate, traditional Tuscan steakhouse is a delicious option if you’re in the mood for hearty local flavor. Though they specialize in Tuscan and Florentine steaks (the filet is fantastic), the truffle risotto was one of the best dishes I had on my most recent trip.