florence over tourism

How overtourism destroyed Florence

Jul 30, 2023 | Travel

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The Italian city of Florence welcomes millions of tourists each year. While enjoying its riches for many years, numbers have become unsustainable. 

Florence is one of Italy’s most precious historical sites. This mysterious allure, full of cultural heritage, welcomes millions of tourists and wealthy individuals that want to bathe in the unique aura of the city. While great on the surface, underneath lies a town that has seen a soaring housing market on track to becoming a real estate bubble and historic sites being sold to the highest bidder, shredding local communities that once formed the beating heart of this Italian icon. 

Tourists take over Florence

The problems and Disney-fication of Florence have been around for many, with the city walking a fine line as to how to contain the stream of endless tourists visiting the city. One simple Google search into Florence’s overcrowding will fill countless pages and reveal just how dire the situation has become. Since 2012, tourist arrivals have been steadily increasing . In 2012, 4.49 million tourists arrived in Florence, increasing to 4.94 million in 2016 and exceeding 5.2 million in 2017. Figures dropped to 2.1 million in 2021, during the global pandemic.

In December 2015, the sale and renovation of the Rotonda del Brunelleschi, into a five-star luxury hotel and spa got residents out onto the streets, protesting against a plan that would alter and reshape the building into a playground for the wealthy . One of the activists who wants to protect the historic heritage of the city, Tiziano Cardosi, told The Guardian, “The whole historic center is a pedestrian center. It is not for citizens, though, just for big groups of tourists and rich [foreign] students. This is a dying town.” Adding the town is only building large hotels for rich people, selling everything the town has to offer. 

Cardosi cites the stark contrast surfacing in the city, where poor residents cannot afford bread as local shops are now solely focused on catering to tourists and students in search of alcohol. The Guardian highlights that he doesn’t stand alone in his fights to preserve the city’s fragile history. UNESCO raised its concerns about the city selling off its historic real estate. 

In the letter, signed by the director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, Kishore Rao, the organization questions whether the selling and change of use of its heritage sites are well planned out, pointing toward the absence of a tourism strategy. UNESCO is also concerned about large infrastructure projects in relation to the city’s flood-prone geographic location.

Zero tolerance

In May 2017, the mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, was catching headlines by expressing his discontent with tourism in his city. Nardella acknowledged that tourism is an important resource for the city . Figures between 2018 and 2018, showed that domestic tourists spend an average of €132 ($145) per day and international tourists €171 ($188) per day per capita in the metropolitan area of Florence. However, as lucrative as the tourism industry may be for the city, Nardella says that a segment of tourists doesn’t respect the city’s cultural heritage, only leaving a trail of trash where they go. 

The mayor of Florence points toward day-trippers, who arrive in the city on a cruise vacation, strolling the city for a mere few hours. They camp out at historic sites, littering food and rubbish across the historic streets. Nardella warned that the tourists would “get wet” by hosing down historic sites such as the steps at the Basilica of Santa Croce, instead of imposing fines that restrict eating. 

Nardella paints a very negative image of the day-trippers, as not all tourists have ill intent in mind. Back in 2008, The Florentine interviewed city dwellers, including the so-called nightmarish day-trippers . Reports from the Florentine found that the overwhelming majority of visitors who stay less than 24 hours, would love to experience the city in a more relaxed fashion, fully taking in the wonders of the city. A traveler said, “We’re on a cruise and are just in town for the day. It’s our first time and we definitely would like to come back and explore more of the city.” Other visitors also stayed for the day, with some for several days. 

Visitors are in awe of the museums and countless monuments. Citing a mixture between the old and the new world. Ironically enough, the tourists themselves are tired of other tourists. Crowds fill the streets and chaotic traffic. Hence, Nardella has a valid point that visitor numbers have to be reduced. However, the proposed measures sound like a much-needed effort to get tourism under control, but the real tragedy was playing out in the shadows of the housing market.  

Florence’s boiling housing market

In June 2017, A recently published report by the University of Siena found that the rise of Airbnb across Italy had resulted in many residents leaving their historic homes in the country’s most popular cities. This phenomenon rings especially true in cities like Venice, which has seen an exodus of its former residents and the fate had also befallen Florence. Entire city centers have been transformed into glorified theme parks, a development all too familiar for residents in the Dutch city of Amsterdam. 

Co-author of the report, Stefano Picascia, told The Telegraph ,” Almost 20 percent of the entire housing stock in the historic center of Florence is listed on Airbnb, which is a lot.” Warning that every apartment repurposed for short-term rental is one home that is pulled off the long-term real estate market. Picascia, together with its co-authors, have found that more and more residents are being pushed out of their own cities. Cities like Florence have become unrecognizable. Turned into a dystopian version of Disneyland, devoid of any semblance of a tight-knit community. 

The housing market is just one of many factors that destabilize a city’s core foundation. Picascia notes that the heightened interest in the tourism sector has a spillover effect on other parts of the economy such as grocery shops that try to turn an extra profit from its short-time clientele. An extreme version is Amsterdam, where local shops had made room for Nutella shops that only cater to tourists instead of locals.   

Luxury real estate

Nonetheless, several months later, in September 2017, the housing market in Florence was considered to be flourishing as reported by the Financial Times. The city has a lot of people with foreigners thanks to its authentic city center, oozing with a cosmopolitan flair. The historic city, for some too crowded and lacking greenery, remains appealing to a wide audience, who submerged themselves in the days of yesteryear. 

On the surface, having a thriving housing market sounds fantastic, but when considering how the Florence real estate market is reaching a boiling point, the picture becomes less glamorous. The Financial Times points to a recent sale, totaling €9 million ($9,968,220), where the square meter price just surpassed €21,000 ($23,259). Double the already high €10,000 ($11,075) per square meter in the luxury real estate segment. The more modest figure for average homes is still high, lying between €3,500 ($3,867) and €4,600 ($5,095) per square meter. 

One of the primary drivers that has resulted in the skyrocketing prices in the luxury real estate segment is the lenient tax incentives, according to Bill Thomson from Knight Frank, when referring to the penthouse sale. In Italy, an annual flat tax of €100,000 ($110,758) exists for new residents who have a foreign income. Thomson told the Financial Times, “Tax-driven buyers will often start off in Milan or Rome because that is where many of their tax advisers or notaries are based, […]”. Remarking that some branch out to Florence, who are attracted by the lifestyle in the city. 

Sustainable tourism

Florence experienced a downturn in tourism, as many other cities, like the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, saw visitor numbers slashed due to travel restrictions during the global pandemic. As these restrictions started to ease, the empty streets of Florence started to fill once more. In June 2022, Euronews zoomed in on the tourism recovery in the Italian city, where locals enjoyed the riches of their own town in tranquility. Ph.D. student in Florence, Rebecca Orr, enjoyed the quiet museums and desolate churches, which are normally full of tourists with little room to roam around. Orr arrived in August 2020, when the pandemic was in full swing. 

Euronews notes that the city isn’t feeling the intense strain of tourism compared to its peak periods, but numbers are quickly ramping up. Orr recalls anecdotes from locals, saying, “People talk about not being able to move in the city center for crowds of people and I can’t imagine what that must be like although it is very busy in central locations already.” Additionally, tourism is mostly concentrated around the central square, while there are many sites such as museums, parks, and churches just outside the city center that are less crowded, but worth the visit. She notes that promoting these areas isn’t without its challenges, as these parts of town lack the necessary infrastructure and might cause gentrification.    

In a January 2023 press conference the mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, outlined how the city would reclaim its historic center , emphasizing livability and housing instead of tourism.  The city council had developed a new urban plan to restructure the town to be better accommodating to families and young couples to find the appropriate housing. Through controlled renting schemes, the city wants to remain accessible to students and take measures to recover the “logistic functions” of Florence that will otherwise make place for a center completely geared toward tourism. 

One of the measures to stabilize the housing market is limiting the expansion of Airbnb. Nardella explained that rooms under 30 square meters aren’t allowed to add new bathrooms and a limit on apartment fragmentation. A few months later, in June 2023, Florence announced it would ban new short-term vacation rentals across its historic center. The ban would go into effect immediately, aiming to attract full-time residents instead of tourists that have severely disrupted the housing market in Florence.  

Promoting the countryside

Policymakers in cities like Florence are treading a fine line between maintaining a healthy tourism industry and liveability. Introduce drastic measures and tourism numbers might fall too quickly, resulting in an economic fallout that spreads like wildfire across the city. Welcome too many tourists and witness how locals leave the city in a mass exodus or become a giant candy shop.  

Over four decades ago, in 1980, Sari Gilbert, wrote for the Washington Post, about mass tourism plaguing Italian cities during vacation periods, citing cities such as Rome and Florence among others, who bask in countless visitors. At the time, Italy was gearing up to become a tourist powerhouse. Gilbert notes that apart from these major hotspots, a wide variety of more elegant retreats exist across the country. Highlighting medieval villages like Castello di Gargonza in Tuscany. 

As uneventful as such cities might seem for the average tourist, creating policies that promote the lesser-known towns, might just do the trick in helping spread out tourism numbers away from already jam-packed cities, and in turn giving economic prosperity to the regions that really need it. Admittedly, this sounds easier on paper than in practice, as infrastructure investments will have to be made. But in the long run, preventing major hubs from turning into luxury resorts for the wealthy, can only benefit the country as a whole.

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Florence fights to keep its cultural heritage alive via tourism

Saturday, February 17, 2024 Favorite

Tommaso Pestelli, a goldsmith with deep-rooted familial ties to his craft in Florence, was recently evicted from his traditional workshop to accommodate the construction of a luxury hotel, marking him as the latest casualty in a wave of changes spurred by mass tourism in the city.

This incident has fuelled calls for immediate measures to safeguard the city centre, designated as a UNESCO site, especially following comments last month by a museum director.

The influx of tourists, which saw a 6.6 percent increase last summer with 1.5 million visitors, along with the conversion of independent shops and residential spaces into fast-food joints and holiday accommodations, has sparked concern. Pestelli, who continued a goldsmithing legacy dating back to 1908, lamented the loss of such establishments as a blow to the city’s essence. Although Pestelli managed to secure another workshop, he acknowledged that many artisans were not as fortunate.

The impact of tourism has also been felt in the housing market, with residential rents surging by 42 percent from 2016 to 2023 and Airbnb listings escalating from approximately 6,000 to nearly 15,000. The tourist presence is evident even in February, with long lines at major attractions like the Duomo and Michelangelo’s David.

Pestelli and others have observed a diminishing local population and a fading traditional charm, with Florence described as becoming an “empty box”. Elena Bellini, a local vendor of art by Florentine artists, noted the adverse effects of decreasing long-term residency on community life and security.

The situation in Florence mirrors that of other Italian tourist hotspots such as Venice and the Cinque Terre, where local communities suffer from high rents and overtourism.

In response, Venice has experimented with a ticketing system for day visitors, while Florence’s city council has embarked on a campaign to distribute tourist footfall more evenly, promoting less congested historical, artistic, and gastronomic attractions.

Efforts to preserve residential availability and control rent increases have led to a ban on new short-term private vacation rentals in Florence’s historic centre, introduced last October. This policy aims to encourage long-term leasing through tax incentives for landlords.

Despite these initiatives, the eviction of artisans from their workshops near the Ponte Vecchio for tourism-related development underscores the ongoing struggle to maintain Florence’s cultural and artisanal heritage.

This narrative of displacement and the city’s attempt to balance tourism with cultural preservation is poised to influence the tourism sector significantly. From the initial reaction to the eviction of traditional artisans to the broader implications for Florence’s identity, these developments will impact how tourists experience the city and potentially reshape Florence’s appeal as a destination that values authenticity and heritage over mass tourism appeal.

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Privacy Overview

Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information.

Understanding the movement of people through phone use analysis in Florence (Italy)

In order to understand the flow of people in the Historic Centre of Florence, the local government analysed mobile usage data from major telephone operators. The results provide useful information for infrastructure design and tourism management.

About the city of Florence

The Historic Centre of Florence was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982 under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi). Built on the site of an Etruscan settlement, the symbol of the Renaissance rose to economic and cultural pre-eminence under the Medici in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its 600 years of extraordinary artistic activity can be seen above all in the 13th-century cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), the Church of Santa Croce, the Uffizi and the Pitti Palace, the work of great masters such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Michelangelo.

No State of Conservation Reports on the site were presented to the World Heritage Committee between 1999 and 2021. The 1999 State of Conservation Report refers to the construction of a high-tension power line through the landscape surrounding Florence.

On the other hand, although not included in the 1999 State of Conservation Report, the city is one of the most visited cities in Italy and struggles with massive tourism. In 2019, Florence registered over 15 million tourist overnight stays, over 20 times its population of 708,000, according to Statista .

Understanding the movement of people through phone use analysis

The project consists of the acquisition of data deriving from the telephone traffic of two of the main telephone operators in Italy, in order to integrate the information already available on tourism and on the utilization of the city by the city users. 

The Municipality of Florence contacted Vodafone and Telecom to purchase the telephone traffic. At the end of 2016, the data was delivered by the operators to the Municipality of Florence. The Statistics Office of the Municipality of Florence verified the quality of the data and processed it to elaborate the output. In November 2017, the data were officially presented.

The goal of the project is to understand the origins of the flow of people in Florence and to quantify the actual number of residents, commuters, tourists and excursionists. The project arises from the need of the Municipality of Florence to monitor dynamics unknown by official statistics. The project aims to develop a greater knowledge of the “dynamic” movement phenomena that affect the territory in order to make a more effective management of city mobility, tourist flows, and the intervention of civil protection.

The project allowed the Municipality to reach to data not included in the official statistics, which was an innovative way to study urban dynamics in Florence.

Source: Thematic Study on common challenges. HeRe Lab – Heritage Research Lab, University of Florence and UNESCO Office of the Municipality of Florence. Atlas World Heritage - Heritage in the Atlantic Area, June 2019

Contribution towards the implementation of the 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape

The research project forms part of a preliminary study that aims to contribute to better management of the historic centre, especially regarding transportation needs and sustainable tourism. It fits within the first of the Six Critical steps described in the HUL Guidebook “To undertake comprehensive surveys and mapping of the city’s natural, cultural and human resources”.

Historic Urban Landscape Tools

Knowledge and Planning tools

Contribution towards Sustainable Development

If fully implemented in accordance with the described plans, the initiative could contribute towards Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

• Target 11.2: the initiative aims to contribute to the provision of access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, by providing accurate data regarding visitors and residents’ flows through the historic city.
• Target 11.4: the initiative aims to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural heritage by enhancing the understanding of the challenges of tourism and visitor management in the historic city of Florence.

Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

• Target 17.17: the initiative aims to promote effective public-private partnerships, by joining the data provided by telephonic companies with public administration data.

Contribution to the New Urban Agenda

At the same time, the initiative could be also in line with the principles and lines of actions set out in the New Urban Agenda, by aiming to:

• Work towards improved access to quality services in areas such as mobility and transportation
• Work towards the sustainable management of tourism

To learn more

• Thematic Study on common challenges. HeRe Lab – Heritage Research Lab, University of Florence and UNESCO Office of the Municipality of Florence. Atlas World Heritage - Heritage in the Atlantic Area, June 2019.
• Monitoring of the Management Plan of the Historic Centre of Florence – UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ufficio UNESCO – Comune di Firenze, 2018.
• Come vive la città: Firenze e il Mobile Analytics. Comune di Firenze n.d., (in Italian) .
• Management Plan of the Historic Centre of Florence World Heritage site . Firenze Patrimonio Mondiale, 2016.
• Monitoring of the Management Plan of the Historic Centre of Florence World Heritage site . Firenze Patrimonio Mondiale, 2018.

Firenze Patrimonio Mondiale : municipal office for the World Heritage site

Credits © UNESCO, 2021. Project team: Jyoti Hosagrahar, Alba Zamarbide, Carlota Marijuán Rodríguez. Note: The cases shared in this platform address heritage protection practices in World Heritage sites and beyond. Items being showcased in this website do not entail any type of recognition or inclusion in the World Heritage list or any of its thematic programmes. The practices shared are not assessed in any way by the World Heritage Centre or presented here as model practices nor do they represent complete solutions to heritage management problems. The views expressed by experts and site managers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Heritage Centre. The practices and views shared here are included as a way to provide insights and expand the dialogue on heritage conservation with a view to further urban heritage management practice in general.

Florence   Travel Guide

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17 Best Things to Do in Florence, Italy

The most popular attractions of Florence, Italy, center around the famous architecture and artwork found in the city – from the works hung in the Uffizi and the Galleria dell'Accademia  to the incredible construction and design of the Duomo and

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Piazza della Signoria Piazza della Signoria free

Loggia dei Lanzi, in the Piazza della Signoria, is an open-air (and free) museum that was designed in the 14th century by Orcagna, an influential architect and artist. Below the building's curved arches are dozens of sculptures (notable ones include Giambologna's Rape of the Sabines and a statue of Perseo holding Medusa's head, by Benvenuto Cellini), which draw crowds of tourists and locals alike. Behind it sits the  Galleria degli Uffizi , which is one of the city's most famous art museums. The Piazza della Signoria is also filled with its (more than) fair share of sculptures, including a towering replica of Michaelangelo's David.

Take your time wandering around, and if you get tired, grab a seat along the Loggia dei Lanzi, or make your way to a cafe near the Fountain of Neptune. Recent visitors said this is a must-see spot and a great area to people-watch, view magnificent sculptures and rest travel-weary feet (though past travelers recommended avoiding the restaurants in this area, calling them "outrageously overpriced"). To avoid the height of the crowds, visit in the early morning or the evening. Access to the area is free 24/7.

Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) free

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (known simply as the Duomo) is not only Florence's religious center, but it's also the city's most recognizable attraction. Occupying the Piazza del Duomo in the heart of the city, this massive Gothic cathedral was erected during the 14th century on the former site of the Roman church, Santa Reparata. You'll know you're in the right place when you find yourself straining your neck to see the church's massive, iconic dome and the intricate marble statues on its facade staring down at you. The red-tiled cupola was designed by Brunelleschi and is described as a must-see by experts and travelers alike.

Visitors like to joke that the cathedral was designed inside-out: its exterior boasts intricate designs and breathtaking features while the interior is surprisingly plain. For many, the main reason to visit is to climb the 463 stairs to the top of the dome (the cupola) where you'll find spectacular views of the city. (Be aware that there is no elevator and some of the narrow walkways require you to stand to the side while people pass in the opposite direction. Some visitors report this is not for the claustrophobic.) However, if you are interested in looking around inside, guided tours are available.

Ponte Vecchio Ponte Vecchio free

Much like  London 's Tower Bridge, the Ponte Vecchio was built to replace an earlier bridge. Once dominated by butchers, fishmongers and bakers, the original bridge was washed away during a flood in the early 14th century. When the new Ponte Vecchio was completed, it too was home to local food stores until Grand Duke Ferdinand I of the Medici family decided to designate this unadorned bridge the epicenter of the city's gold and jewel trade. It has maintained this purpose ever since.

Recent visitors said it is especially beautiful at sunset. If you don't want to overpay for souvenirs, heed the advice of past travelers and avoid shopping along the bridge. You can also book a gondola tour of the Arno River to experience sailing beneath the bridge, though prices can be high (typically starting at 65 euros, or around $71, per person).

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Piazzale Michelangelo Piazzale Michelangelo free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're eager to get your steps in, climb up another 1,500 feet to the doors of the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte, one of the oldest churches in Florence. Admission is free and the views even higher up are worth the climb. – Holly D. Johnson

Overlooking the city from its perch in the Oltrarno district, the Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most popular viewpoints in the city, and it's definitely worthwhile if you're a first-time visitor. This ornate square is known for its spectacular views and its towering replica of Michelangelo's David. Getting to the piazza can be quite the trek on foot, yet a meandering path in front of and below the piazza makes it within reach if you're reasonably fit.

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

Spanning 28 rooms and three floors, the massive Museo dell'Opera del Duomo houses more than 750 works of art covering nearly 720 years of history. In short, it serves to preserve the artistic masterpieces that were once on display in the Duomo . Highlights from the collection include Ghiberti's original Gates of Paradise from the Baptistery (the Baptistery is currently adorned with replicas of the original gates) and Michelangelo's Pietà, which many believe he created to adorn his tomb.

Many past travelers suggested stopping at the museum prior to visiting the Duomo to better understand the historical context of the cathedral and surrounding monuments. Plus, entrance to the museum is covered by the combo ticket you're required to buy if you want to climb the steps of the Duomo or enter any of the other sites within the square. Other visitors advised setting aside plenty of time to admire all of the works housed here. What's more, many others mentioned that this museum is not as crowded as the Uffizi .

Galleria dell'Accademia Galleria dell'Accademia

If you only have a limited amount of time for art museums while you're here, devote some of it to the Galleria dell'Accademia for one simple reason: the David. This is your chance to see one of Michelangelo's most famous works in all his authentic glory and recent visitors say it doesn't disappoint. However, you aren't alone on your mission: The gallery can get flooded with other tourists also eager to see the famous piece, which is why some recent reviewers suggest booking a reservation ahead. While you're waiting for the crowds to clear so you can get your photo of David, take the time to see some of the artist's lesser-known works, including the unfinished Slaves or Prisoners.

While the David is undoubtedly the star here, the museum houses a variety of other works and artifacts, including works by the greatest Florentine painters from the 13th to early 15th centuries, such as Giotto and Bernardo Daddi. What’s more, it displays approximately 50 musical instruments from the private collections of the grand dukes of Tuscany, Medici and Lorraine.

Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi)

Occupying the first and second floors of the U-shaped Palazzo degli Uffizi along the banks of the Arno River, the Uffizi Gallery was created by the Medici family at the end of the 16th century. Today, the museum is any art lover's dream: it still displays the 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." What’s more, it’s housed in a building designed by Giorgio Vasari that dates back to 1560.

Because of the many works of art housed here, you're going to need to take your time. One of the best ways to see the highlights and learn about the lesser-known pieces is to take a guided tour from a third-party operator, which many recent visitors highly recommend. Some tour operators also offer "skip-the-line" tours, which reviewers also spoke highly of. If you’re not up for a guided tour, you can also rent an audio guide from the museum for an additional 6 euros (about $6.50).

Mercato Centrale Firenze Mercato Centrale Firenze free

Located in an iron-and-glass building designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni in 1874, the Mercato Centrale Firenze is a great place to browse and stock up on tasty Italian foods. The ground floor of the market features vendors selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, fish, olive oil, vinegars, truffle products and other local goods. Upstairs from the vendors, you'll find a modern food hall with shops selling everything from pizza and gelato to Tuscan specialties, such as lampredotto, porchetta and trippa. Here, you can sit down to a meal or pick up items for a picnic. Surrounding the building, dozens of vendors also sell artwork, pottery, jewelry, leather, clothing, souvenirs and anything else you can think of. 

Recent visitors called the market fun and lively to visit, with lots of tempting things to eat and buy. Some recommended stopping in a few times over the course of your Florence visit, although recent visitors have said food you can purchase to eat on-site has become rather expensive. If you want a local to show you around, consider signing up for one of the best tours in Florence , many of which stop at the market.

Skip the line: Uffizi and Accademia Small Group Walking Tour

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Baptistry (Battistero) Baptistry (Battistero)

The Battistero is the oldest religious monument in all of Florence, and although the current façade dates from the 11th century, historians have dated the Baptistery back to the fifth century. It hasn't been proven, but many say that this octagonal building was once a temple dedicated to Mars, the Roman god of war.

Today, this ancient building is a must-see for any art lover. Wake up early to beat the crowds, who flock to the Battistero in search of the Gates of Paradise. Designer Lorenzo Ghiberti's delicate depictions of Christ and other religious symbols on these massive doors inspired awe in even the most renowned artists, including Michelangelo, whose praise of the doors reportedly earned them their name. Note: The doors at the Baptistery are replicas of the originals. If you would like to see the originals, you'll have to pay a visit to the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo , which can be found just a short walk behind the Baptistery.

Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)

Designed by Giotto in the early 14th century, this ornate 277-foot high bell tower is part of the renowned  Duomo  in central Florence's Piazza del Duomo. Although it is known as Giotto's Bell Tower, it actually required three architects to finish. The changes in style and design are apparent. Today, you can marvel at the tower's external design from the square below – make sure to spend plenty of time admiring the statues and reliefs by such famed artists as Donatello and Andrea Pisano. Or you can climb the more than 400 steps to the top for spectacular views of central Florence, a hike that recent visitors said leads to a better panorama than you get at the top of the Duomo because you get to view the Duomo from this vantage point.

However, the climb can be a real workout, so make sure to pace yourself. Travelers appreciated that there were several places where they could stop to catch their breath and admire the views on the way up to the top, which they said were well worth the steep climb. However, if you're visiting during the summer months, reviewers say you'll want to time your visit for the morning (or right before closing), as the climb only gets hotter as the day progresses.

Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli)

U.S. News Insider Tip: After perusing the gardens, treat yourself to a glass of wine at Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, a popular wine bar that sits opposite Palazzo Pitti. – Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

Originally, these beautiful gardens belonged to the Medici family; it wasn't until the late 18th century that the gates opened to the public. Today, Boboli Gardens (located in the Oltrarno behind Pitti Palace ) offers sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-trodden city center. While you stroll through this extensive green, keep your eyes peeled for the numerous sculptures and grottos strategically placed along the paths, like Giambologna's Bathing Venus. Also swing by the Isolotto, a large fountain located at the southwestern end of the park.

Basilica di Santa Croce Basilica di Santa Croce

Santa Croce is similar to the  Duomo  in style (both churches represent dominant Gothic traits), and the exterior is stunning, despite not being as elaborate as the Florence Duomo. Visitors come here to pay respects to such notable Italians as artist Michelangelo, scientist Galileo Galilei and political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, whose tombs and memorials are housed here. Santa Croce is also home to what some say is the most important art collection of any church in Italy, the most notable works being spectacular frescoes done by Giotto.

Recent visitors raved about the architecture of the church and suggested giving yourself plenty of time to explore. Others appreciated that it was removed from the main tourist areas and less busy than other Florence attractions.

Palazzo Pitti Palazzo Pitti

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're visiting the Pitti Palace because of an interest in Medici history, consider booking a private entry into the Vasari Corridor – a hidden passageway Medici members once used to cross the Arno River from the Uffizi Gallery all the way to Pitti Palace. – Holly D. Johnson

If you're headed to Oltrarno for a stroll through the  Bóboli Gardens , it's worth it to take some time to tour the  Palazzo Pitti  (Pitti Palace) as well. This former Renaissance residence is now home to Florence's most extensive grouping of museums. The most notable of the Pitti's galleries is the Galleria Palatina, which – with its impressive collection of works by Raphael, Titian and Rubens – is second in prestige only to the  Uffizi Gallery . Other museums within the palace spotlight everything from historical fashion to household treasures once belonging to the Medici family.

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Palazzo Vecchio Palazzo Vecchio free

Palazzo Vecchio is a central Florence landmark with a long and storied history that dates back to 1299. The ruins of an ancient theater of the Roman colony of Florentia can be seen below from the first floor of this iconic building, and visitors can admire a range of artworks and medieval architecture here.

The Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) is the most visited and impressive hall in the building due to its massive size, large wall frescoes and various sculptures throughout. There are also many secret routes through the palace, which you can explore with one of many available group tours of Palazzo Vecchio.

Basilica di San Lorenzo Basilica di San Lorenzo

U.S. News Insider Tip : The Church of San Lorenzo is where the famous Medici Chapel is located. You can book a tour to see these elaborate tombs, including the "Chapel of the Princes," through various tour companies. – Holly D. Johnson

The Basilica di San Lorenzo is the oldest Florentine cathedral, thus its external architecture is not as ornate and embellished as others built throughout Florence in later centuries. The church is said to have been consecrated in the presence of Saint Ambrose in 393 and also dedicated to the martyr Lorenzo. That said, the basilica was reconstructed in 1418 by Medici family founder Giovanni di Bicci.

Piazza Santo Spirito Piazza Santo Spirito free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Pick up a delicious pizza or two from Gustapizza on nearby Via Maggio and enjoy it on the steps that surround the square. – Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

Located in the Oltrarno, the neighborhood on the other side of the Arno River (opposite the Duomo ), this square is a lively hub of activity, especially at night when its many cafes and restaurants draw locals out to relax on terraces and patios for a meal or a drink. A main feature of the square is Filippo Brunelleschi's last church, the Basilica di Santo Spirito, which he designed in 1444, but was unable to finish before his death. Antonio Manetti, Giovanni da Gaiole and Salvi d'Andrea finished the church by the end of the 1400s.

Santa Maria Novella Santa Maria Novella

While Santa Maria Novella is not nearly as grand as the world-famous Duomo , it is still one of the most important Gothic churches in Tuscany. Located just 750 feet from Firenze Santa Maria Novella (the city's train station), this cathedral is also easy to find or run into by surprise.

The impressive exterior was designed by artists Fra Jacopo Talenti and Leon Battista Alberti, and the interior features a range of master works, such as Masaccio's Holy Trinity fresco, Ghirlandaio's fresco cycle in the Tornabuoni Chapel and Giotto's crucifix. The Nativity by Botticelli and the Pulpit by Buggiano are also located within the church and worth a look. Recent travelers note that the church museum is also worth exploring, and that even roaming the grounds of Santa Maria Novella can be worth the time and effort due to the natural beauty found on the property.

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36 Hours in Florence, Italy

By Ingrid K. Williams Updated Oct. 5, 2023

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As tourism returns to prepandemic levels across Italy, travelers itching to visit Florence face a delicate dilemma: how to experience the Tuscan capital’s Renaissance grandeur while remaining sensitive to the damage mass tourism inflicts. One solution is to travel outside of the high season, but even in the fall, visitors will face crowds at the Galleria dell’Accademia and at the Uffizi (especially if the latter reopens the long-shuttered Corridoio Vasariano to the public this year, as planned). Even better is to approach Florence not as a historical theme-park, but as a living city, by seeking out lesser-known pockets and new projects — from an ambitious cultural complex to a tiny trattoria run by passionate young Florentines — that will help sustain this city for years to come.

Recommendations

• Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is rarely crowded and its exhibits include Michelangelo’s newly restored “Bandini Pietà.”
• Dalla Lola , a new trattoria in the Oltrarno neighborhood, serves fresh twists on traditional Tuscan fare.
• Manifattura Tabacchi is an innovative cultural hub in a former tobacco factory northwest of the city center.
• The Duomo and its neo-Gothic facade is best admired during a stroll in the historic center at night, when crowds have thinned.
• Museo Nazionale del Bargello offers early-bird visitors a private audience with Donatello’s bronze David statue.
• Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi is a Renaissance-era palazzo turned contemporary art venue.
• San Miniato al Monte is a striking Romanesque basilica with hilltop views of the Tuscan capital.
• Manifattura is a chic cocktail bar stocked exclusively with Italian spirits.
• Vineria Sonora , a funky enoteca in Sant’Ambrogio, specializes in both natural wine and vinyl.
• Schiaccia Passera , on a small piazza in the Oltrarno, serves sandwiches on house-baked schiacciata bread.
• Pizzeria Giovanni Santarpia is a destination for Neapolitan-style pizza just south of the city center.
• La Gelatiera is an artisanal gelato shop where flavors are made with all-natural ingredients.
• Pasticceria Buonamici , in the San Frediano neighborhood, is a local favorite for pastries and coffee.
• Florence Factory is dedicated to contemporary Florentine artisans and designers.
• The market at Piazza Santo Spirito sells local food products, vintage gems and made-in-Florence goods.
• Velona’s Jungle Luxury Suites blurs the line between boutique hotel and bed-and-breakfast with 10 suites filled with vintage gems that the owner, Veronica Grechi, sourced from her grandfather, a Florentine art-and-antiques dealer. Doubles from 250 euros, or about $264.
• The Oltrarno Splendid is a delightful 14-room bed-and-breakfast in a palazzo with 18th-century frescoes, Italian antiques and views across Florence’s terra-cotta rooftops. Doubles from €229.
• Ad Astra , next to one of the largest walled private gardens in Europe, is a 14-room hotel situated in the ancestral palazzo of the patrician Torrigiani family. Doubles from €229.
• Ostello Bello Firenze is a popular hostel that opened in 2021 in the San Lorenzo neighborhood with common areas, a rooftop terrace and nightly events. Mixed-dorm beds from around €60.
• Walking is the easiest way to get around the compact city center. There are also buses and trams (tickets cost €1.70 and can be purchased from automatic vending machines, at tabacchi shops or with the Autolinee Toscane app ; remember to validate upon boarding). Driving should be avoided since most of central Florence is a limited traffic zone, with hefty fines levied against unauthorized vehicles. Taxis can be found at designated stands or called to any location.

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Florence Launches Campaign Telling Tourists How to Behave

By Julia Buckley

First Venice , now Florence. Less than a month after Italy’s lagoon city launched its #EnjoyRespectVenezia campaign, aimed at changing tourist behavior through fines, encouragement, and a little bit of public shaming, the cradle of the Renaissance has followed suit.

Today, tourism chief Anna Paola Concia unveiled new campaign #EnjoyRespectFirenze, with a stern warning to tourists that visitors to the city must not only help preserve its heritage, but also “respect the Florentines who live in it.”

This is a call to respect the city, its history, its art, and its inhabitants.

“We want to defeat the common idea that people coming to Italy can do whatever they want,” she said at a press conference Thursday. “We’re at the point where we have to make it clear that they must behave as if they’re in their own home, that Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and must be conserved, and that the tourists have this responsibility, as well.”

Unlike the Venice campaign, which seeks to encourage tourists to behave better , as well as tell them what not to do, the Florence initiative is purely prohibitory. Visitors are instructed not to deface their surroundings, dump trash, buy counterfeit goods, or sit anywhere but benches and public seating areas. Tourists squatting on church steps to eat or drink have enraged Florentines to such an extent that, this summer, the authorities took to hosing them down to put an end to it.

Perhaps appropriately for an initiative geared towards tourists, the council has produced souvenirs including T-shirts , mugs, keyrings and tote bags with some of the offending behavior printed on them—which will be distributed to hotels, restaurants, and tour operators and doled out for free to tourists. The stick figure cartoons on the items—illustrated with social media-style thumbs up and down—have, it’s fair to say, the potential to become cult possessions.

One of the four depictions of bad tourist behavior to be issued on free souvenirs.

The four scenarios selected for the campaign illustrate the “main problems” faced by the city, Concia told Condé Nast Traveler . “Sitting in public places, littering and buying counterfeit goods aren’t the only ones we have by any means, but they’re certainly the principal ones,” she said. One of the pictures shows Michelangelo’s David coated in red paint; although that may not have happened (yet), it’s probably not far off. (“They write on the monuments ,” Concia said.) In another illustration, figures sit on a bench in front of Santa Maria Novella church with their arms raised, Rocky-style; beside it, figures nonchalantly perched on church steps get a thumbs down.

The initiative will be a permanent “sensitization” campaign, designed to increase awareness, said Concia—just like the hosing down of the steps. “That did the rounds of the world and put the spotlight on our problems with tourism,” she said. The campaign will be pushed online, through social media and via tourism partners both in Florence and abroad. There are also plans to project the images on landmarks around the city.

Florentines seemed largely happy with the news, especially in the light of the Venice campaign, which took off around the world. “The campaign is absolutely necessary —Italy has been invaded by mass tourism," tour guide Lucia Lazic told Condé Nast Traveler . "The geopolitical situation here has changed, and so has the type of tourism, so it’s really important that tourists behave appropriately. Large groups come to Florence for two to three hours, they eat a gelato , and then they sit on the ground or on church steps, leaving dirt in their wake. I don’t know if the campaign will be effective. It’s definitely PR, but it’s been done at the request of people who live here.”

Not everyone is as happy with the measures or as hopeful about their potential, however. Jacopo Cellai, a council representative of right-wing party Forza Italia, called it “a ridiculous initiative that’s offensive to tourists.”

Does public shaming work? If Venice is anything to go by, possibly not: This week, tourists were happily sitting down on bridges to eat their lunch, and two Brits were reportedly spotted passed out, naked, on the dock of a luxury hotel on the Grand Canal .

But Concia is convinced that this—along with fines of up to €500 ($590) already in place for bad behavior—is the only way to get visitors to behave better in the 21st century. “This is a call to respect the city, its history, its art, and its inhabitants,” she said. “People who don’t respect the rules will be punished.”

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Museum chief brands Florence a ‘prostitute’ over tourist numbers

Cecilie Hollberg sparks outrage in remarks about capital city of Tuscan region being ‘crushed by tourism’

Mass tourism has turned Florence into a “prostitute”, one of the city museum’s directors has said, sparking outrage from politicians including Italy’s culture minister.

“Once a city becomes a prostitute, it is difficult for it to become a virgin again,” Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell’Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s statue of David, told reporters on the sidelines of an event.

“Florence is very beautiful and I would like it to return to its citizens and not be crushed by tourism,” the German historian added, complaining about a lack of normal shops in streets filled with souvenirs.

But “it is already too late”, she said, according to La Repubblica daily, warning that if there was not an “absolute” brake on numbers, “I do not see any more hope”.

The gallery later issued a statement in which Hollberg apologised “for having used the wrong words” about “a city that I love”.

“What I meant to say is that Florence must be a witness for all of Italy of an increasingly conscious tourism, not hit-and-run tourism,” she said.

But culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said her words were “serious and offensive” to Florence and the whole of Italy and threatened to take action, saying he would “evaluate all appropriate initiatives” under current legislation.

The nationalist government of the prime minister, Giorgia Meloni , has been accused of seeking to promote more Italians into top cultural roles, as well as more people sympathetic to her rightwing views.

Last year, ministers approved a change that forces opera chiefs to leave their jobs when they reach the age of 70, a measure widely viewed as a way of removing particular foreigners from their posts.

The deputy mayor of Florence, Alessia Bettini, also weighed in against Hollberg, saying that if the city was a prostitute, “Are then Florentines the children of a prostitute, and tourists clients of a prostitute?”

Former premier Matteo Renzi, a senator for Florence, said Hollberg “should apologise or resign”.

The gallery director is the latest official in Italy to express concern about the impact of uncontrolled tourism, particularly in cities such as Florence – where the historic centre is packed with crowds for much of the year – and Venice .

After the UN’s cultural organisation warned that it could lose its prized heritage status, Venice last year announced plans to test a ticketing scheme to seek to control numbers, which begins in April.

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22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Florence, Italy

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

It would take weeks to see everything Florence has to offer. Almost any one of its dozens of churches would be the prize tourist attraction of a smaller city. Some of its sights are among Italy's best-known icons — Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo's David , Brunelleschi's Dome — and the entire city is a showcase of the Italian Renaissance, the humanist artistic movement that broke Europe out of the Dark Ages.

But even among such an illustrious collection of palaces , churches , museums , and landmarks, some stand head and shoulders above the rest. As you consider all the things to see and do in Florence and plan your days of sightseeing, you won't want to miss the highlights that have made Florence one of Europe's most popular cities.

You'll be sure to find the best places to visit by using this handy list of the top attractions and things to do in Florence.

1. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Piazza Duomo

2. battistero di san giovanni (baptistery of st. john), 3. see florence from piazzale michelangiolo, 4. uffizi palace and gallery, 5. piazza della signoria and the loggia dei lanzi, 6. galleria dell'accademia (academy gallery), 7. san lorenzo and michelangelo's medici tombs, 8. palazzo vecchio (palazzo della signoria), 9. santa croce, 10. ponte vecchio, 11. palazzo pitti (pitti palace), 12. santa maria novella, 13. san miniato al monte, 14. bargello palace national museum, 15. stroll through boboli gardens, 16. explore the oltrarno and take a break in piazza santo spirito, 17. palazzo medici-riccardi, 18. mercato centrale: florence's food market, 19. bardini museum and gardens, 20. brancacci chapel, 21. museo galileo, 22. shop for leather at piazza santa croce, where to stay in florence for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to florence, map of tourist attractions in florence, italy, florence, italy - climate chart, more things to see and do.

Piazza Duomo and the group of buildings that form its cathedral complex gather some of Italy's greatest artistic treasures into one relatively small area. As you tour the baptistery, the bell tower, the cathedral, and its museum, you'll see some of the best-known masterpieces of art and architecture by the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance -- Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Giotto, and Michelangelo.

Begin by walking around the square to admire the intricate inlaid marble exteriors, then step inside each one to look more closely at the stained-glass works of art that greet you wherever you look.

If waiting in long lines to buy a ticket is not your idea of fun - especially on a hot day - consider the Skip the Line: Florence Duomo with Brunelleschi's Dome Climb tour. This 2.5-hour guided tour includes the cathedral, the dome, the baptistery, entrance fees, and the option to visit the Opera del Duomo Museum on your own.

• Read More: Exploring Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide

From any angle, inside or out, the 12th-century octagonal baptistery is a consummate work of art. Its marble façade, the intricate mosaics of its interior, and the art works it holds all merit a place high on your list.

But the magnificent bronze panels that Ghiberti created for the doors facing the cathedral trump them all. Nowhere has bronze been worked with such exquisite expression as in these Gates of Paradise . For a closer look, and to see some of the treasures that have been made for the baptistery, visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo , the cathedral's museum.

So often misspelled as Piazzale Michelangelo that even city tourism material occasionally slips up, this terrace above the city is an obligatory stop for tour buses, and the spot from which all those postcard shots of the cathedral are taken. During busy tourist seasons, the best time to enjoy it in relative peace is late afternoon or early evening; it's especially lovely at sunset.

Although you can get a 360-degree panorama of Florence from the dome of the cathedral, only from this terrace can you fully appreciate how Brunelleschi's dome dominates the city center. Nor can any other height give you this sweeping city view that encompasses the Ponte Vecchio , Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce, and other landmarks.

You can walk here, climbing from the riverbank through the gardens, or take bus 12 or 13. While you're here, continue up to the church of San Miniato al Monte or stay on the bus to the church and walk back down.

Few would argue the Uffizi's place among the handful of world's top art museums. Its collections are simply staggering in their diversity and quality, and even if art is not your main interest, you should see the highlights of the paintings here.

You'll come away understanding a lot more of how Florence's 14th- to 16th-century painters changed the face of western art, as you see the transition from the stilted Byzantine images to the life-like figures and landscapes of the Renaissance artists.

The vast building stretching along the river was one more of the Medici palaces but was intended not as a residence, but to house governmental offices, scientific studies, and part of their growing art collection. One of its loveliest spaces, the octagonal Tribuna , was commissioned especially to display the most prized paintings and jewels of Francesco I de' Medici.

You can bypass the long wait for admission and go straight to the entrance with a Skip the Line: Florence Accademia and Uffizi Gallery Tour that gives you priority access as well as a guided tour.

• Visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence: 12 Top Highlights, Tips & Tours

This broad square has been the center of power in Florence since its 14th-century origins - and perhaps even before, as Etruscan and Roman remains have been found below its pavement. Today, it is the social center as well, a favorite meeting place filled with tourists and locals. At its center is the Neptune Fountain , at one side the Palazzo Vecchio , still housing the city's government.

Against the wall of the Uffizi, which forms one end of the piazza, is the Loggia dei Lanzi , an outdoor sculpture gallery with several notable pieces. Most widely recognized of these is Benvenuto Cellini's best-known work, Perseus with the Head of Medusa . In front of the Palazzo Vecchio is a copy of Michelangelo's David .

• Read More: Exploring Piazza della Signoria in Florence: A Visitor's Guide

Michelangelo's best-known work, David , is copied all over Florence, but inside this art museum, you'll find the original. Unfortunately, as a result of an attack on the sculpture, it is now behind glass, but it still never fails to inspire.

The David isn't the only Michelangelo here, nor is it the only important masterpiece. In the sculptures shown in the same gallery, you can almost watch Michelangelo at work as you see the four unfinished slaves, meant for a tomb in Rome, seemingly in the process of being released from the marble.

Here, also, is his St. Matthew for Florence cathedral, also unfinished. You'll want to look in the other galleries to see highlights by 13th- to 16th-century Florentine artists, especially if you do not plan to see the Uffizi Gallery collections. Sandro Botticelli's Madonna is a highlight.

You can save time waiting in the long lines at both these outstanding art museums with a Skip the Line: Florence Accademia and Uffizi Gallery Tour that takes you straight to the entrance, as well as a guided tour.

The Medici commissioned the best talent for the family church and burial chapels: Brunelleschi for the church and Michelangelo for the chapel intended to memorialize their most illustrious princes. Both artists died before finishing the work, but Brunelleschi's church was completed according to his plans.

Michelangelo's chapel, called the New Sacristy, was not; in fact, it was never completed at all. But what he did finish is considered one of the world's crowning achievements in marble sculpture. As you tour the church, the Old Sacristy , the New Sacristy , the Princes' Chapel and the Laurenziana Library, you'll find the works of other Renaissance masters, including Donatello and Lippi.

• Read More: Exploring San Lorenzo in Florence: A Visitor's Guide

History, art, and power echo in the opulent rooms and grand galleries of this fortress-like palace in the center of Florence. From here, the city/republic was ruled, and its powerful Medici family commissioned the leading artists and architects of the day to design and decorate their offices and apartments.

Be sure to sign up early for one of the free tours, so you'll get to see some of the secret passages the Medici used to move among the rooms; return in the evening (save your ticket) to climb to the roof for sunset views of the city.

• Read More: Exploring Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria) in Florence: A Visitor's Guide

Behind the geometric marble inlay of its typical Tuscan façade, Santa Croce is both art-filled church and mausoleum for some of Florence's greatest names. Among its treasures are several landmarks of Renaissance art.

You will want to look especially for Cappella Bardi with some of Giotto's major frescoes, and in the adjacent Cappella Peruzzi, for more of them, which inspired Masaccio and Michelangelo. Donatello's Christ Crucified is considered one of the finest examples of Florentine Renaissance humanism. The frescoes in Cappella Baroncelli are the greatest work of Taddeo Gaddi.

But the most famous is Cimabue's magnificent Crucifix, one of the first to move from stiff Byzantine to naturalistic Renaissance styles, influencing the greatest artists that followed. In the nave, you'll find the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Ghiberti, the composer Gioacchino Rossini, even Machiavelli.

The Ponte Vecchio may well be the most widely recognized icon of Florence, and its graceful arches topped by a jumble of shops is most certainly one of the city's prettiest scenes. The bridge has traditionally been the home for the shops of Florence's talented goldsmiths, and a stroll across it still shows a dazzling array of fine jewelry.

But most tourists don't realize that another set of treasures hides above their heads. The purpose of the bridge, of course, was to link the two sides of the Arno, and the Medici needed to cross frequently between their offices in the Palazzo Vecchio and their apartments in the Pitti Palace . So they commissioned the architect Vasari to build a passageway, officially called the Percorso del Principe (Passageway of the Prince), but now more often known as the Corridoio Vasariano, Vasari Corridor .

You can see its line of evenly matched windows above the shops. It's not just a hallway; lining its walls is a priceless collection of portraits, mostly self-portraits, by artists that include Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Velásquez.

A day at the Pitti Palace complex (and you could spend a day seeing it all) gives you a little taste of the many things Florence has to offer: an outstanding art gallery, a Medici palace, Florentine craftsmanship, museums, history, royal apartments, and one of Italy's premier gardens.

If a day isn't quite what you had in mind, at least tour the palace to see the Royal Apartments and the sumptuous rooms, where you'll find paintings by Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Tintoretto, and other masters - a collection almost rivaling the Uffizi - hanging not in gallery style, but as decoration for rooms designed for entertaining and show.

• Read More: Exploring the Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens in Florence: A Visitor's Guide

Although this Dominican church has the familiar striped façade of inlaid marble worn by several other churches in Florence , here it has been interpreted quite differently, tracing graceful curving designs, imitating windows, and highlighting rows of arches in the lower story.

The artistry continues inside, with some of the city's finest frescoes, by such masters as Masaccio, Giotto, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Lippi, Paolo Uccello. As if that weren't enough, an entire chapel is lined with Andrea di Bonaiuto's frescoes, some of the greatest artworks of 14th-century Italy.

In addition to the frescoes are a marble pulpit designed by Brunelleschi, his wooden crucifix, Vasari's Rosary Madonna, and a bronze by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Stop in at the convent's historic pharmacy, where they sell herbal balms and floral lotions.

The sight of San Miniato al Monte's inlaid green-and-white marble façade is worth the short climb beyond the favorite viewpoint of Florence, Piazzale Michelangiolo (or you can stay on the bus to ride here).

This was the first time this dramatic effect was used in Florence, where it soon became the most popular façade decoration. But unlike the later facades, this one rises to a large gold mosaic. The portico effect looks back to Classical Roman architecture, and the mosaics are distinctly Byzantine inspired, both influences that blend into the new Tuscan Romanesque architectural style.

Inside, there's a spacious open nave, with a mosaic floor and painted wooden ceiling, ending at a magnificent Renaissance chapel under a glazed blue-and-white terracotta ceiling. More Byzantine-style mosaics, a 12th-century marble pulpit, and the decorated choir screen are all highlights,

Even more outstanding is the sacristy. Its walls are lined by the vibrant panels of Spinello Aretino's 14th-century masterpiece, Life of St. Benedict . It is among the most splendid rooms in Florence, and equal to those in any palace.

Address: Via delle Porte Sante, 34, Florence

The four Michelangelo masterpieces alone are reason enough to put the Bargello Palace on your list of things to do in Florence. Works by Donatello, the della Robbias, Cellini, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, and 14th- to 16th-century Tuscan artists fill the palace, along with a room of ivory carvings and a collection of majolica.

An entire room is filled with enamels and gold work, a Florentine specialty during the Renaissance. This emphasis on decorative arts and sculpture sets the Bargello apart from the rest of Florence's art museums .

Address: Via del Proconsolo 4, Florence

Behind the Pitti Palace, the Medicis' Boboli Gardens rise up the hillside in 111 acres of green terraces. Grand Duke Cosimo I spared no expense in their building, between 1550 and 1560, and the result became the model for royal gardens all over Europe (including Versailles ). Still beautifully manicured, the gardens climb to overlooks that reveal increasingly sweeping views over the city.

Throughout are fountains, statuary, and a faux cave complete with stalactites and stalagmites carved into the hillside, the Grotta del Buontalenti .

Other things to see include a maze, formal beds, even an amphitheater in the quarry hole left from removing stone to build the palace. At the highest point is the terrace of the Kaffeehaus, and at the top of the hill overlooking Boboli Gardens, Casino del Cavaliere houses a rich collection of porcelains owned by ruling families, including the Medici and the Savoy.

The Oltrarno is worth exploring for its atmospheric lanes and the workshops and studios of Florence's famous artists in wood, silver, and gold work; gilding; miniature mosaics; decorative papers; and leather bookbinding. You're sure to be tempted by the works for sale in the small shops, and there is no better souvenir or gift than a beautifully bound journal or a gilded wooden box.

Make your way to Piazza Santo Spirito, a lively square that's more intimate than the grander, busier ones across the river. Find an outdoor table at a café or restaurant and watch shoppers at the morning market or children playing ball after school.

Although it's not one of the best-known churches in Florence, the Basilica of Santo Spirito is one of the purest Renaissance churches and is filled with notable paintings and sculpture, especially in the transept chapels

More restrained in its furnishing and décor than the showy palaces of later members of the Medici family, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi is more in line with the earlier dukes, who governed a more democratic society. Completed in 1464, it was the home of the Medicis for nearly a century until Cosimo I moved to the Palazzo Vecchio.

A staircase leads from the courtyard to the Palace Chapel, decorated with well-preserved frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli that give a good sense of court life in 15 th -century Florence.

Although the Riccardi family, which owned the house after the Medicis, made alterations, the Medici Museum on the ground floor retains the original Medici interior. Here, also, is one of Filippo Lippi's most important works, Madonna and Child, painted in1442.

Address: Via Cavour 1 & 3, Florence

Official site: www.palazzo-medici.it

If you have begun to worry that Florence is just one giant open-air museum, it's time to meet some Florentines as they go about their daily routines. There's no better place to find them than in the enormous food market, Mercato Centrale.

To get here, you may have to run a gauntlet of street stalls selling everything from cheap plastics to "authentic Italian crafts" that are mass-produced, mostly in Asia. But once inside and immersed in the fragrance of fresh herbs, flowers, and garden produce, you'll rub elbows with women shopping for ingredients for today's dinner.

Don't overlook this as a source of welcome gifts to take home, including fine Tuscan olive oils, olives, candied fruits, and luscious nougat. On the upper floor, you'll find food courts, a good place to visit for a quick lunch.

Address: Piazza del Mercato, Florence

In the late 19 th century, artist and collector Stefano Bardini bought a group of buildings on a hillside in the Oltrarno, overlooking Florence. From these, which included a chapel and a former palazzo dating from the 14 th century, he created a setting for his collections of art and priceless antiquities.

To create this museum, he used architectural features salvaged from demolished medieval and Renaissance buildings. Monumental fireplaces, doors and windows, columns, carved stonework, entire staircases, paneling, carved Venetian woodwork, even entire ceilings have been retrofitted into a highly eccentric home for his equally eccentric collections.

But the resulting palazzo and its magnificent artworks are not the only attraction for tourists. After completing his museum, Bardini bought a neighboring garden overlooking the river and transformed it into an outdoor gallery to display some of his sculpture collections.

The Bardini Gardens overlook Florence, a lovely place to get away from the crowds and rest your eyes amid the greenery and flowers. The best time is in April, when brilliant purple wisteria covers the pergola and fills the air with fragrance. A long staircase, mosaic fountains, an English garden, and a terrace with a café make it a pleasant place to relax. Entrance to the garden is separate from the museum.

Bardini Gardens

• Costa San Giorgio 2, Florence

Bardini Museum

• Via dei Renai 37, Florence

You would never guess by looking at the plain façade of Santa Maria del Carmine church that inside holds one of the great masterpieces of the 15 th century . Frescoes on the walls and ceilings of the chapel depict the life of St. Peter and Old Testament scenes by Masaccio and Masolino, who were well-known artists in the early 1400s, friends of Brunelleschi and Donatello.

The works, especially those of Masaccio, are remarkable for their vivid color and vitality, demonstrating some of the first use of perspective, and showing facial expressions that give life and energy to his figures.

Masaccio is considered the first great Italian painter of the Quattrocento period (15 th century) of the Italian Renaissance and the founder of the Early Italian Renaissance . The chapel was left unfinished by the two painters and was completed later in the 1400s by Filippino Lippi. Although the chapel is an important landmark, and a magnificent work of art, it is one of the least known treasures of Florence.

Address: Piazza del Carmine 14, Florence

With the abundance of Renaissance painting, sculpture, architecture, and other masterpieces in Florence, it's easy to forget that the Renaissance was about more than art. Science was a major concern of the Humanists as they broke away from the confines of religion to explore their universe. And they saw art and science as connected and inseparable.

The Museo Galileo proves this, with tools of astronomy, navigation, surveying, and exploring that are priceless works of art. You'll see Galileo's own instruments, and the work of some of Florence's foremost artists in metal, wood, gold, and other arts in the collections of compasses, tools, and magnificent world globes.

Address: Piazza dei Giudici 1, Florence

Official site: https://www.museogalileo.it/en/

Fine leatherwork has been a tradition in Florence at least since Renaissance times, when leatherworkers had their workshops around Santa Croce, close to the tanneries along the river. That neighborhood is still the best place to shop for Florentine leather goods. To find the best quality, and at fair prices, shop at the leatherwork school or at an artisan's studio shop; some of the other shops, like the street market vendors, sell imported and imitation leather goods.

Inside the cloister of Santa Croce, the Scuola di Cuoio leatherworking school produces fine handmade leather goods, and you can watch the students fashion wallets, boxes, handbags, and leather jackets. There you'll find Francesca Gori's one-off handbags in rare and exotic leathers, designed especially for the school. You'll also find luggage, bound books, belts, jewelry boxes, and leather clothing.

Also on Piazza Santa Croce is Misuri, in a former palazzo covered in frescoes, with equally fine traditional craftsmanship and designs.

Address: Piazza Santa Croce, Florence

Official site: www.scuoladelcuoio.com

From the UNESCO-acclaimed complex of the cathedral, baptistery, and Giotto's Campanile to the museums and gardens of the Pitti Palace, on the opposite side of the Arno River, Florence's main tourist attractions lie within easy walking distance. And surprisingly, there are plenty of places to stay in the centro storico (historic center). Here are some highly rated hotels in Florence:

Luxury Hotels :

• Adjacent to the cathedral and some of the best shopping streets, Brunelleschi Hotel has recently renovated guest rooms in a historic building with a medieval tower. Superb service, views of the Duomo, and complimentary breakfast add to its appeal.
• Close to attractions but just beyond the crowded streets of the main tourist area, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze rooms have views over Florence and the gardens.
• Famed for its exceptional guest services, Portrait Firenze is on the Arno River overlooking Ponte Vecchio, a block from the Uffizi Gallery.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Family-run Hotel Davanzati , in the historic center near Piazza della Signoria and the cathedral, offers free breakfast and a relaxing patio but no elevator.
• In the historic center, but a short walk from the busiest streets, Hotel Orto De Medici has individually decorated, soundproof rooms, some with private balconies.
• The highly popular Hotel David , on the Oltrano side of the Arno on the way to Piazzale Michelangelo, includes free breakfast and is especially handy for those driving to Florence, offering free parking.

Budget Hotels:

• In a historic home halfway between Santa Croce and Piazza della Signoria, Hotel Santa Croce has free breakfasts that include cappuccino; there's no elevator, but the staff helps with luggage.
• Free buffet breakfast and Wi-Fi, a short walk from Santa Maria Novella rail station and the major attractions, make Hotel Fiorita a good choice for budget travelers.
• In a quiet residential neighborhood a few streets from Santa Croce, Hotel Orcagna is an inviting budget option, with attractive rooms (some with balconies) and free breakfast.
• Getting Around : You can save both time and energy with a Florence City Hop-on Hop-off Tour that stops at 18 of the top attractions in the city, including the must-see view from high above the city at Piazzale Michelangiolo. You can choose a 1-, 2-, or 3-day pass for unlimited rides and 360-degree views from the open-air bus.
• Tuscany Day Trip: Rolling hills bathed in golden light and quaint hilltop villages surround the city of Florence, and the Tuscany in One Day Sightseeing Tour is a great way to see the highlights. An experienced guide will you in a luxury air-conditioned coach to Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa. The tour includes a three-course lunch, entrance fees to Siena Cathedral, and a detailed map of all the destinations.
• Cinque Terre Semi-Private Day Trip: If you want to add another of Italy's famous attractions to your itinerary, the Cinque Terre Semi-Private Day Trip from Florence is an excellent option. See the colorful, cliff-hugging villages of this stunning stretch of coast and cruise across the water between Manarola and Vernazza. This full-day tour allows time for you to explore the villages and includes entrance fees to the coastal walking path, round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned minivan, the boat ride, and a snack. To ensure personalized service, the tour is only for small groups, with a maximum of eight people.
• Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hiking : For incomparable views and one of the top experiences in Italy, hike a 5.5-kilometer stretch of the famed Cinque Terre walking path between towns on a Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking . The tour includes time for a swim, and transport from Florence on an air-conditioned coach.

Places to Visit near Florence: Several of the best places to visit in Italy are close to the city. The beautiful medieval city of Siena to the south is crowned by one of Italy's most magnificent - and largest - cathedrals, filled with more art masterpieces than some major museums. This and a string of Medici villas are all easy day trips from Florence .

Where to Go from Florence: Pisa's famous Leaning Tower is one of the top tourist attractions in Italy , and only the beginning of beautiful Renaissance monuments and artworks to see there. Less well-known - and less crowded- is the charming, small city of Lucca , surrounded by walls so thick, there's a popular promenade along their tops. Beyond, the Tuscan coast leads into Liguria, with the five villages and magnificent scenery of the Cinque Terre .

More on Italy

Are you planning to take a trip to Florence? We can help! At Introducing Florence you'll find updated information about what to see , where to stay , the best places to eat , and much more!

Florence Travel Guide

• General Info
• Top Attractions
• Getting to Florence
• Where to Stay
• Where to eat
• 48-Hour Itinerary

Florence (Firenze in Italian) is a small cultural metropolis that offers visitors some of the world’s top museums and art galleries . The city is a real open-air museum and is the birthplace of the Renaissance .

Why visit Florence?

Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, and as the capital of the region, Florence is mainly visited for its museums , its fashion boutiques, its tasty Florentine cuisine, for an unforgettable experience watching the sunset over the Ponte Vecchio or to admire some of the most stunning Renaissance artwork, like the sculpture of David . If we're sure of something, is that Florence will leave no visitor indifferent.

Florence is a tourist destination that can be seen in one day or in a week . Some travellers prefer to go for a day or two from Rome to see the top attractions and get a feel for the city, while others prefer to take their time in Florence and take advantage of their trip to visit other villages and towns in the stunning region of Tuscany. Whether it be for a day, a week or a month, visitors will want to return to Florence in the near future .

How to organise your trip?

Before preparing your trip to Florence, we recommend reading about the city’s history and general information , which can be useful for when you're in the metropolis. Then why not read about  Florence’s top attractions , the best museums and art galleries ?

When it's time to look for a hotel,  we suggest reading our article on the best areas to stay in Florence. And just before travelling, we recommend reading about the region’s traditional cuisine , so that you do not miss out on any of the city’s top dishes. With all this information, you'll guarantee an unforgettable trip to Florence.

Book your hotel in advance

Since Florence is one of the most visited cities in Italy, we recommend booking your hotel or accommodation as far in advance as possible. Check out the following link and  you'll find all types of hotels, hostels and apartments with the best rates guaranteed . You can get up to 75% off if you pay directly at the hotel.

• Hotels in Florence – Book online for the best rates guaranteed

Want to discover other Italian cities?

If you're travelling through Italy and want to find information on other great places to visit, check out our travel guides of Rome , Milan and Venice .

top activities

Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip Take a day trip from Florence and discover three of Italy’s most beautiful cities . The Tour also includes an exquisite 3-course Italian lunch at a winery.

Private Tour of Florence Discover the most emblematic landmarks of Florence accompanied by an exclusive guide. The birthplace of the Renaissance awaits!

Accademia Gallery Guided Tour Accompanied by an expert guide, skip the line and get straight into the Accademia Gallery and discover Renaissance masterpieces including Michelangelo's “David”

San Gimignano, Siena & Chianti Day Trip Set off on a fabulous day trip from Florence and discover Tuscany’s medieval towns, beautiful countryside and wine territory .

Florence Cathedral Tour + Dome & Terraces Discover the Italian Renaissance on our tour of the Florence Cathedral . You'll have access to the temple, the panoramic terraces & the Brunelleschi Dome !

Free Walking Tour of Florence Join us on this free walking tour in Florence. We'll explore the  historic centre of what is a Renaissance open-air museum and uncover the Tuscan Capital's past.

Tuscan Cooking Class and Dinner During this Tuscan Cooking Class and Dinner, a professional chef will guide you step by step to make some of the most typical dishes of the region.

Chianti Half-Day Wine Tour Explore the Chianti wine region during a half day trip from Florence and visit two rustic wine estates, where you will enjoy a tasting of local produce.

Pompeii Train Excursion In Florence & want to visit the Roman city that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius? Don't hesitate to book this excursion to Pompeii by train !

Cinque Terre Day Trip Take a day trip to Cinque Terre - a group of fishing villages on the Italian Riviera surrounded by hills and vineyards. One of the best day trips from Florence!

On our unforgettable electric buggy tour of Florence, we'll explore  one of the Italian Renaissance's most important cities  in a fun and unique way. Let's go!

Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages Tour Wind your way through a labyrinth of hidden doors and corridors concealed within an ancient Florentine palace on our Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages Tour.

Pienza, Monteriggioni & Montalcino Day Trip Join us on a route of medieval Tuscany on this day trip to Pienza ,  Monteriggioni and  Montalcino . We'll see the most charming corners of Tuscany !

Florence Hop On Hop Off Bus Discover Florence’s top sights, monuments, squares, and streets at your own leisure along the route of this Hop-On Hop-Off tour bus.

Pisa and Lucca Day Trip Take a day trip from Florence to discover Pisa and Lucca, two of Tuscany’s most-visited cities, and their famous attractions including the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Opera in the Santo Stefano al Ponte Vecchio Enjoy a live performance of the famous opera interpreted by the three tenors in an unsurpassable auditorium : the Santo Stefano al Ponte Vecchio church.

Pisa and the Leaning Tower Half-Day Trip Set off on a day trip to Pisa and explore one of the most visited cities in Italy on a guided tour of the centre and then climb the world-famous Leaning Tower.

Baptistery & Duomo Museum Tour + Giotto's Bell Tower Explore two of the most important buildings in Piazza di San Giovanni on this tour of the Baptistery & the Opera del Duomo Museum .

Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour Skip the line and visit the most important museum in Florence with a professional guide. The Uffizi is a must-see for all first time visitors to Florence.

Florence Outlet Shopping Tour Take a shopping trip just 40 minutes from Florence and discover the Barberino Outlet with over 200 stores, including Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Nike and Prada.

Medici Florence Tour Dive head first into  Florence ! Stroll through the street on a guided tour as we uncover the impact of the famous Medici family on the city's architecture .

Palazzo Vecchio Guided Tour Skip the line and step into the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall and one of the city’s most emblematic buildings with an expert English-speaking guide.

Pienza & Montepulciano Day Trip + Wine Tasting Travel into the heart of Siena on this day trip . You'll visit two villages famous for their charming atmosphere and sample some fine local wines .

Assisi and Orvieto Day Trip On this tour, we'll remember the film Under the Tuscan Sun travelling through the regions of Umbria and Tuscany and visiting towns such as Assisi and Orvieto .

Florence Cathedral Dome Guided Tour Delve into the details of Florence Cathedral’s majestic dome as you climb up to the top with an expert guide and enjoy incomparable views of the city.

Pitti Palace & Palantine Gallery Tour Discover the Medici dynasty's place of residence and be fascinated by one of Italy's largest art collections with this Pitti Palace & Palantine Gallery Tour.

Chianti Wine Tour Discover one of Italy's most famous winemaking regions with this Chianti Wine Tour. Visit this charming town in the picturesque Tuscan landscape.

Guided Tour of Santa Croce Basilica Discover the beautiful Tuscan church, originally dating back to 1212, hosting a great amount of artistic wealth with this Guided Tour of Santa Croce Basilica.

Florence Cathedral Guided Tour Fall in love with one of the jewels of the Italian Renaissance with this fantastic guided tour of Florence Cathedral. It's perfect for art and history lovers!

Chianti Vespa Tour Touring the Chianti region is incredible, but doing it on a Vespa while soaking up the smells and sounds of Tuscany makes it a unique experience.

Private Day Trip from Florence Explore the areas surrounding the Renaissance capital with a Private Day Trip from Florence. Discover the charming Tuscan region with an exclusive guide.

Sant’Ambrogio Market Food Tour On this food tour of the San Ambrogio market , you'll get to taste the delicious schiacciata of the award-winning All'Antico Vinaio sandwich shop  and much more!

Pizza and Opera in Florence Would you like to enjoy an unforgettable evening in Florence ? Then, don't miss this pizza dinner and opera in the Oltrarno district of the Renaissance city!

Florence Food Tour On our Florence food tour , we'll visit the San Lorenzo Market and several restaurants. We'll also taste lots of delicious, traditional Tuscan products .

Sunset in Siena and Chianti Dinner Set off on a day trip to the magnificent city of Siena and admire a beautiful sunse, then head to a wine estate in the Chianti area. A perfect Tuscan evening.

Inferno Guided Tour Are you a fan of Professor Robert Langdon's adventures? Follow in his footsteps with this Inferno Guided Tour and discover the settings of the novel and film!

Renting a Vespa with an audio guide is the most fun and typical way to discover all the treasures that surround Florence , the city of the Renaissance.

Medici Riccardi Palace Guided Tour Visit one of the most important buildings of the Renaissance on this Medici Riccardi Palace tour. You'll learn how the most powerful family in Florence lived!

Hard Rock Cafe Florence Enjoy delicious American cuisine in a restaurant decorated with tons of rock 'n' roll memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe in Florence !

Italian Pizza & Gelato Workshop Experience Italian cuisine first-hand and cook alongside a professional chef on this Italian Pizza and Gelato Workshop. Enjoy making your own delicious dishes!

Venice Day Trip Discover the most famous floating city in the World when you take this brilliant trip to Venice, Italy's most enchanting city.

Bargello Museum Guided Tour Admire remarkable works of art to come from the Italian Renaissance with this Bargello Museum guided tour . Discover the impressive techniques and history.

On this electric bike tour of Florence and Piazza Michelangelo , we'll ride through one of the most beautiful areas of the capital of Tuscany.

Electric Boat Ride & Tuscan Lunch Experience the charm of Florence from a unique vantage point with this electric boat ride on the Arno River , followed by a delectable Tuscan lunch .

Mount Vesuvius Day Trip Hop on a train to Naples for a day trip to Mount Vesuvius - ascend to the summit aboard a minibus and learn about this historic volcano from an expert guide.

Chianti Tour by Vintage Fiat 500 Spend the day driving a beautiful and  classic Fiat 500  and explore Tuscany’s stunning landscape and its scattered medieval and Renaissance villages

Florence City Pass Save money while travelling in Florence with the Florence City Pass ! Also, enjoy priority access to the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery .

Florence, Accademia and Uffizi Gallery Tour Take a guided tour of Florence’s historic center followed by the visit to two of the city’s most famous museums: Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Gallery.

Piazzale Michelangelo Walking Tour This walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo will take us to one of the most famous squares in Florence, from where we'll look out over the city of the Arno .

Florence Mysteries & Legends Free Tour On this free tour of Florence , we'll get to know the darker and more hidden side of the city while discovering its most surprising mysteries and legends .

Florence Walking Tour Take a guided tour of Florence and discover why it is considered the cradle of Renaissance while you admire its most emblematic monuments and buildings.

Learn how to make some Italian dishes and delicious desserts   with this pasta and pastry workshop in Florence . You'll get to sample your creations!

Florence Mysteries & Legends Tour The beautiful Italian city of Florence is a hive of legendary tales and hidden secrets. Explore its most mysterious corners on this guided walking tour.

Arno River Boat Tour On this peaceful boat ride through Florence, we'll navigate the Arno River and cross under the arches of the Ponte Vecchio in an authentic Florentine gondola!

Why read our Florence guide?

Our Florence tourist guide has been created by travelers like you to help you plan your trip and get the most out of it, all the while saving money.

The information in this guide was updated in February 2024. If you find any errors or anything you think we should change, please get in touch .

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Where to Stay in Florence: The Best Neighborhoods For Your Visit

With its iconic Renaissance architecture, picturesque streets, world-class museums, and incredible food, Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy . I’ve been a handful of times over the years and it never disappoints.

It’s also a compact and easily walkable city, so nothing is too far from anything else. That said, each neighborhood has its own unique feel and accommodation options. For that reason, it’s a good idea to choose a neighborhood that best suits your travel style and budget.

To help you do just that, here’s my list of the best neighborhoods in Florence:

Table of Contents

Where to Stay for First-Time Visitors: Centro Storico

Where to stay for budget travelers: santa maria novella, where to stay for food and nightlife: santa croce, where to stay for feeling like a local: oltrarno, get your in-depth budget guide to europe.

It’s also a good neighborhood if you’re looking to do some shopping. For luxury, head to Via de’ Tornabuoni, where all the high-end designers have storefronts, while Ponte Vecchio is the place to go if you’re in the market for jewelry.

You’ll also have the largest array of accommodation options here. Just keep in mind that it gets incredibly crowded in the summer, and prices skyrocket accordingly.

Best places to stay in Centro Storico :

• BUDGET : Emerald Palace – Offering affordable private rooms and dorms (including female-only dorms), Emerald Palace is an excellent no-frills option for budget travelers who don’t want to compromise on location. The rooms are spacious, with beautiful painted ceilings and terracotta floors, and everything (including the shared bathrooms) is kept sparkling clean. While there aren’t a ton of amenities here (though there is breakfast and a guest kitchen), it’s a friendly and affordable choice in the heart of the historic center.
• MIDRANGE : Hotel Davanzati – This cozy three-star hotel offers a lot of value, with a complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon tea, and an aperitivo hour with prosecco. The rooms are a bit dated in their décor, but they are spacious, with comfy beds, a desk, a flatscreen TV, and a wardrobe. The bathrooms are large too and have heated towel racks, as well as nice showers with excellent water pressure. The staff really go out of their way to help with anything you need too.
• LUXURY : Hotel Bernini Palace – It feels like you’re staying in a palace in this five-star hotel, set in a 15th-century building. The elegant rooms are spacious and feature wood-beamed ceilings, parquet or terracotta floors, glass chandeliers, antique furnishings, and plush beds with gilded headboards. They also have all the amenities you’d expect from a hotel of this caliber, including minibars, flatscreen TVs, desks, and air conditioning. There’s a complimentary breakfast buffet too, served in a room with a frescoed ceiling that used to be a meeting place for members of Italy’s parliament!

The area around Piazza Santa Maria Novella and south toward the river is a bit more upscale, while most hostels are concentrated just to the northeast of the train station. Just avoid staying right next to the train station, as it’s not the not the nicest section of the neighborhood.

Best places to stay in Santa Maria Novella:

• BUDGET : Ostello Bello Firenze – This lively hostel has a cozy common room, guest kitchen, and bar where all guests get a free welcome drink. There’s also a rooftop terrace and lots of social events throughout the week (such as live music or parties). It’s a really easy hostel to meet people in. Plus, all dorm rooms have ensuite bathrooms and lockers and are filled with lots of natural light. It’s one of the best hostels in town.
• MIDRANGE : Hotel Alba Palace – This beautiful three-star hotel is decorated in a traditional Florentine style. Each room is unique, with historic features that include antique terracotta floors, arched ceilings, and exposed brick walls. The fantastic complimentary breakfast is served in a tranquil atrium with a glass ceiling. All rooms have a flatscreen TV, minibar, desk, Nespresso machine, hairdryer, and safe. While the bathrooms are small, there’s great water pressure in the showers. There are even rooms with a twin bed in case you’re a solo traveler looking to save money but don’t want to stay in a hostel.
• LUXURY : The Place Firenze – This five-star hotel is located right on Piazza Santa Maria Novella in a restored 17th-century building. All the rooms in this award-winning boutique property are decorated in pastel colors, with unique artwork, chandeliers, bespoke furniture, and elegant marble bathrooms. Each soundproofed room comes with a flatscreen TV, minibar, and a desk. There’s also a complimentary breakfast on the hotel’s outdoor terrace on the piazza, and a rooftop with incredible views, not to mention exceptionally helpful staff.

If you’re after good food and a more low-key atmosphere, head to Sant’Ambrogio, a micro-neighborhood that surrounds the market of the same name.

Best places to stay in Santa Croce:

• BUDGET : B&B Hotel Firenze City Center – This bed-and-breakfast is your best choice for budget-friendly accommodation in Santa Croce. It features simple, light-filled rooms with a desk and flatscreen TV. The bathrooms have a bidet, complimentary toiletries, and a hairdryer. There’s a breakfast buffet in the mornings too (9.50 EUR) with croissants, cakes, muffins, cereals, yoghurt, and eggs.
• MIDRANGE : La Maison du Sage – This four-star hotel is eclectically designed, with Art Deco furniture, hardwood floors, and brightly colored walls. The rooms are spacious, filled with natural light, and include a minibar, flatscreen satellite TV, Nespresso coffee machine, and kettle for tea. The bathrooms are sleekly designed and spacious, with a bidet and a walk-in shower (some rooms have separate tubs). There’s also an excellent breakfast buffet boasting pastries, juice, eggs, ham, cheese, and fresh fruit.
• LUXURY : Relais Santa Croce, by Baglioni Hotels – This five-star hotel is set in an 18th-century building that retains its historic décor (including frescoed ceilings and hardwood floors). Each spacious guestroom contains different historic elements, such as a four-poster bed or exposed beams. All of the airy rooms have a desk, flatscreen TV, minibar, and large bathroom with a bidet, bathrobes, and complimentary bath products. There’s also a tasty free breakfast each morning with lots of variety.

This area is not without its own attractions though, home to both Pitti Palace and the whimsical Boboli Gardens. Overall, Oltrarno is best for travelers looking for a more authentic and local experience away from the tourist crowds.

Best places to stay in Oltrarno:

• BUDGET : “il Pitti” Soggiorno – There aren’t any hostels here (you’ll mostly find midrange accommodation in this area), but this hotel directly across the street from Pitti Palace offers affordable and comfy private rooms with ensuite or shared bathrooms. The rooms are painted in cheery pastel colors and have lots of natural light, as well as parquet floors. The décor is a bit dated, but all rooms have a desk, wardrobe, electric kettle, and bathroom with a rainfall shower and bidet. It’s a great no-frills option for budget travelers that want to stay in a quieter neighborhood.
• MIDRANGE : Hotel Palazzo Guadagni – Situated in a 16th-century Florentine palace on a quiet square, this three-star hotel boasts elegantly decorated rooms with frescoed ceilings, large windows, antique furniture, and fireplaces. In-room amenities include a minibar, flatscreen TV, safe, and tiled bathroom with a heated towel rack, a bidet, fluffy bathrobes, and slippers. There’s also a fantastic complimentary breakfast and a rooftop with stunning views over the city. I think the value for what you get here is fantastic. It feels much more luxurious than your typical three-star hotel.
• LUXURY : Hotel Lungarno – Lungarno Collection – Located just steps from Ponte Vecchio bridge leading into Centro Storico, this gorgeous five-star hotel features original modern art throughout. The spacious, light-filled rooms have Italian white marble bathrooms with a bidet and luxury toiletries, and all rooms have a desk, a flatscreen TV, a minibar, and sound-proofed walls. There’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant and an excellent breakfast spread here.

Florence is like a giant open-air museum. It’s impossibly beautiful and bursting with historic sites and stunning architecture. By using the list above to pick the neighborhood that best suits your needs, you’ll be able to make the most of your stay in Tuscany’s largest city!

My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.

Book Your Trip to Florence: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Florence? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Florence for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Tourism In Florence Statistics 2023: The Ultimate Guide

by GoWithGuide travel specialist: Ajitsa A.

Which one is harder, painting a DaVinci-style fresco or getting the information you need to book a simple tour of Florence ? If your answer is the latter, we’re here to help. 

Before you bite the bullet and make your Florence tour official, you need the facts all in one place. Our Florence tourism breakdown discusses everything you need to know, from common trends to street scams to why the world can't get enough of the Renaissance city. Interested? Keep scrolling! 

Florence, aka the City of Lilies, is one of the world’s most beautiful cities , thanks to its deep architectural history, culinary exploits, and Renaissance roots. Though the region has a small population, Florence's metropolitan area is buzzing with artisans, businesses, restaurants, and tourists. 

So let’s take a closer look at the Italian city that inspired Dante Alighieri and Michelangelo, and by the end of this article, maybe you! 

At A Glance: Tourism Statistics In Florence  

As a UNESCO World Heritage site , the City of Lilies draws millions of curious travelers. So how many tourists visit Florence each year? Let's look at Florence by the numbers.

• 65 million - The average annual pre-pandemic number of tourists in Italy. In 2019, there were 95 million !
• 10-16 million- The average yearly tourists in Florence. This number ballooned to a whopping 27.7 million in 2018!
• €3 Billion-The amount of tourist spending generated in 2018
• 710,000- The current population of the Metropolitan Area of Florence. The city sees 20 times that amount of tourists in a good year, though the population can swell up to 1.5 million during specific seasons. 
• 2.2 million -The number of tourist arrivals in the first five months of 2022. 
• 35%-The percentage tourism grew in the summer of 2022 from Spring’s numbers. 
• 15 million - The amount of tourist “overnight stays” in 2019. 
• 5km2- The size of the concentrated area where 95% of Florence’s tourism flows through. 
• 60%- The UNESCO estimated percentage of globally significant artwork held in Florence. 
• 70%- The percentage of international tourists that make up Italy’s yearly visitors.

The City of Lilies is a bucket list destination for many travelers, but there's a reason behind the intrigue. So why is Florence a popular tourist destination? Let's count the ways.

Why We Love Florence 

What is Florence most known for? Keep reading;

History - It's the number one reason people travel to Florence. The city's cultural heritage and art are indisputable. These must-see historic sites are where most journeys begin;

• The Uffizi Gallery  - This museum holds the most extraordinary collection of Italian Renaissance paintings , drawings, and prints, pulling in 1.8 million annual visitors. 
• Piazza Della Signoria  - The piazza is an open museum filled with chilling history, iron sculptures, and a culture of gathering that dates back to 1299. 
• Galleria dell’ Accademia  - Here you'll find Michelangelo's most gazed-upon work, David. Over 1.2 million visitors flock yearly to see the king in all his marbled glory. 
• The Ponte Vecchio  - Arguably Tuscany’s most popular tourist destination, this Old Bridge is splendid for anyone looking to buy Florentine artisanal items such as jewelry or leather crafts.
• The Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore - This 13th-century cathedral was designed by the great Arnolfo di Cambio, taking 200 years to complete!

Travel Bonus  - Did you know that Florence has over 70 museums ? Wild, isn't it? You don't have to stick to the usual suspects, either. Instead, talk to your GWG local guide about rare museum tours within and around the city limits.

The Luxury  - Everybody points to Milan as Italy's fashion capital, but Florence invented the Italian haute couture we all crave today. After all, this is the home of the infamous Medici family, so luxury is bound to follow. Here are some elements of Florentine fine living to remember; 

• Fashion  - Emilio Pucci, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Ermanno Scervino, and Salvatore Ferragamo are some of the many influential fashion designers from the Renaissance city. 
• Hotels  - St. Regis, The Savoy, The Brunelleschi & the Hotel Piazza San Paolino, are some of the many five-star hotels that define Italian luxury. 
• Transport  - Ride through the city in style with a luxury Florence car rental equipped with a private driver. 

Travel Trend  - You might not be a member of a scandalous royal family, but you can certainly live like one. Here's our go-to guide for living like a celebrity in luxurious Florence.

The Food  - The city's vibrant food culture deserves a dedicated list , but if you want to understand the city's roots, these five dishes are the perfect place to start. 

• Bistecca Alla Fiorentina  - Nothing like a juicy, rare cooked cut of T-bone steak to usher you into Florence’s gastronomy scene! 
• Lampredotto  - Every city has its signature street sandwich, and this lean beef tripe delight is a great way to refuel after a long tour. 
• Chianti Wine  - The Tuscan region produces over 360 million bottles of wine every year, so be sure to grab one. Better yet, spend a day tasting your way through the Chianti region with a wine tour . 
• Pappa al Pomodoro - If you're in the city during the winter, warm up with a bowl of this soupy tomato goodness. 
• Gelato - It’s rumored that gelato was born in Florence, and the hundreds of gelato shops are proof of the city’s deep love affair with the sweet treat.

Travel Treat : Florence is a foodie’s dream come true. With layers of flavor waiting to be discovered, indulging in one of our Florence food tours is a must.

The Weather  - Florence has one of the most ideal locations when it comes to weather. So what can you expect from this Mediterranean climate ? 

• 70°F (21.1°C)  - Average Annual Daily High. 
• 7 hrs  - Average Annual Daily Sunshine Hours. July and August are the sunniest months, with an average of 11 hours of daylight.  
• 780mm  - Average Annual Rainfall. November is the wettest month, with 118mm.
• January  - The coldest month of the year with average lows of 36°F (2.2°C).
• July  - The hottest month, with average daily temperatures reaching 88°F (31.1°C). 

Travel Q&A  -  What is the best month to visit Florence? 

Well, if you're looking for that summer heat, it's best to touch down in July, the hottest month. Want a cooler atmosphere? Try April, May, or September.

Who Else Loves Florence?

The city’s overall beauty has brought international attention, so is Florence very touristy? Well, yes. It is one of Italy’s Top 5 most visited cities and was one of Europe’s Top 20 most visited cities in 2019 for international tourists. 

Open areas like the Piazza Della Signoria or the Old Bridge are almost always crowded. The Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore) gets an average of up to 4.5 million visitors yearly. So who visits Florence the most? The winner is… 

• The United States - 52% of Florence's visitors come from the land of red, white, and blue. The U.S. ranks second in international arrivals for Italy. 
• China - 18% - With China slowly lifting strict COVID rules , Florence may soon be an achievable destination. 
• The United Kingdom - 7% of Florence's international visitors come from the U.K. 
• France - 6%

Quick Florence Traveler Trends

• 42.7  - The median age of travelers to Florence 
• 5.4 million - overnight stays by tourists in 2021
• 35.8%  - The percentage of tourists traveling in pairs. 
• 2 nights  - The average amount of days spent in Florence. 

Getting lost in the cobblestone streets of Firenze sounds like a dream come true, but how many days in Florence is enough? That depends on what you're looking for. So, to go deeper than the common touristy spots, here are our recommendations .

Travel Truth  - Florence's popularity has come with some challenges. So is Florence crowded? Unfortunately, it can become quite crowded during tourist peak seasons (June to late August), especially within the UNESCO Historic Area. This has led to the following;

• Unruly behavior from partying tourists disturbing the local community 
• High rent prices, forcing out native Florentine residents 
• Noise pollution due to increased crowds

Amazing Florence tours happen when everybody is having a good time, so let’s explore what the best Florentine experience might look like.

Life In Florence: What To Expect In The City Of Lilies

Break out the sneakers and sun hats, and remember these tour tidbits. 

Getting Around 

You can get around the city with these popular methods;

• Walking  - Did you know you can get from one end of the city to the other in 30 minutes? The slim, crowded streets make getting lost easy, so a private guide can help you navigate the new terrain. 
• Bus  - Florence has a solid public transport system, and most locals use ATAF buses for their daily commute. We recommend getting a Firenze Card for easy travel. 
• Bike  - Cycling is a great way to support the Florence economy. You can rent an e-bike for a breezy tour outside the city center. 

Travel Q&A  - Are people in Florence nice? Yes! Be sure to greet strangers with an excited "Ciao" during the day and "Buona sera" in the evening. A good, firm handshake with casual eye contact is highly appreciated.

What To Avoid: Red Flags For Travelers 

Florence is a generally safe country with a low crime index of 38.3 and a high safety index of 61.7. With that being said, the high tourist activity makes it one of the more crime-active cities in the country, though it’s considered safer than Paris or Rome. 

It’s best to keep vigilant no matter where you travel, so here are a few red flags you should be aware of while touring the City of Lilies;

• Keep your belongings close  - bag snatching has decreased by 2% , but it's still a good idea to monitor your surroundings casually. 
• Only buy it once you verify it  - Florence is known for its designer brands, but a few fakes slip in every now and then. Be sure your designer item can be verified, as most original crafts will have a certificate of authenticity. 

Now, if your mind is spinning and you've caught Florence fever, it could mean two things. One, you're excited to get there and plan a terrific series of tours, or two, you're wondering how you'll ever stuff all of these activities into your itinerary. How will you balance strange encounters, rules, and awkward situations while ticking off your must-see list? 

Our Florence private tour guides take care of the stuff that causes headaches like transport logistics, tour schedules, and ticket lines, leaving you to;

• Have your own private experience without strangers or loud tour groups 
• Enjoy a personalized tour from a local guide who knows everything about the city, so no awkward exchanges or social misfires
• Keep your tours short, or extend them for as long as you're in town; it's up to you! 
• Encounter hidden gems only known by locals.

It’s time to discover what your GoWithGuide Florence adventure will look like. Let’s get your City of Lilies tour started off right. 

P.S. Looking to travel with companions? The more, the merrier! Share this post with your friends and get them as excited about touring Florence as you are.

Popular Florence Tour Guides

Hi! I am a licensed Tour Guide of Florence and its district, with a M.A. in English and French Literatureo. I have been working for over 30 years in Tourism, also as an International Tour Manager, organizing and guiding customized tours for English and Spanish speaking guests. All my tours are private and LGBTQ friendly. It would be fantastic to become one of your guides.                                                                                                                                  

Hi, I'm Eva! I've been living in Florence since 2012 and I've become a professional licensed tour guide in 2016, since then I did a lot of private tours around Florence and in Tuscany, working with families and small groups of friends. I'm still very curious and constantly learning new things about local history and artists, and Florence always gives you an opportunity to discover something interesting. I'm in love with my city and I live quite an active life, so I can tell you a lot of things not only about history, but also about modern life of Florence. During pandemic period I have finished the Wine Courses, so now I'm also professional sommelier, working in wine industry, and I can share my experience with you. We also have a nice wine cellar in the city center, where you can join one of our wine-tasting evenings. My concept of exploring Italy is doing it with taste and style. So during our tour we will have no rush and you will have an opportunity to really enjoy Italian style of life. Yes, I give a lot of historical information, but I'm very flexible and I always put your needs and wishes at the first place. So every tour is adopted to the client's preferences.                                                                                                                                  

I started riding by chance when I was about 20, I never stopped and enjoyed show jumping, cross country and the country trail riding with my horses. Today it is my life and I share my experience and my emotions on horseback with my guests and in the beauty, the history and the flavors of the Tuscan hilly countryside surrounding Florence.                                                                                                                                  

Loredana A.

Hi, i am an american living in florence. i moved to italy as a grad student for a master's degree in art history, ...and i've been here now for over 20 years. what's kept me here is my passion for art and the beauty of the city's incredible sights. i love showing visitors all the wondrous places around town and telling fascinating tales about florence's history, culture, and art. i like to think of those who follow my guided tours as inquisitive travelers, and not simply tourists. i bring into my tours my years of experience as a guide as well as my experience as an instructor of art history. a tour must be engaging, entertaining, and informative at the same time to really spark interest. most times it is the stories behind the works and the anecdotes that make the tour memorable. so join me for an unforgettable florence experience and leave the heavy guide books at home. let me lead the way to all the great sites and sights check out my tours and my blog posts at the bottom of the page for some tour ideas. i can customize tours and itineraries to best suit your interests. feel free to contact me so i can design a tour or organize a shore excursion from livorno to florence just for you. hope to see you soon in florence                                                                                                                                  , plan your trip to florence.

Chat with a local tour guide who can help organize your trip.

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12 Reasons You Should Visit Florence Over Rome

With an entire historic city centre deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site and romantic hidden spots just waiting to be discovered, Florence is a prime travel destination for many tourists. Forget the enormous Italy’s capital and opt to join the tourists in the birthplace of the Renaissance .

Florence is full of art.

When you think about Florence, the main things that come to mind are art, architecture and museums. Florence may not be big as Rome, but it has plenty of important museums and art galleries that are world-famous and deserve to be visited, such as the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia. Not to mention all the churches and buildings around the city that host masterpieces by the greatest artists, such as Michelangelo and Donatello just to name a few.

Florence has Piazzale Michelangelo

Florence has romance.

If you’re looking for romance, Florence has plenty to compete with. It’s small enough to get around on foot and discover romantic and picturesque lanes and stunning views. It’s no wonder that so many painters and artists come in town to capture the beauty of Florence.

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Florence is the hometown of Made in Italy

Milan may be one of the international capitals of fashion, but Florence is no less in comparison. The Tuscan town is the place where Italian fashion was born and it is also the creative birthplace of some of the most famous designers of the world like Gucci (we recommend you to visit the Gucci Museum to learn more about the history of the brand).

Florence is the Italian Capital of Renaissance

Florence is the birthplace of the art’s movement of Renaissance, which means there are masterpieces by the greatest painters, artists and sculptors of all the time in the city. The result is a city that oozes charm and elegance from every corner. Just look up to the majestic Duomo, or check out the prestigious Palazzo della Signoria.

Florence is easier to navigate

With a relatively compact historic city centre, Florence is easier to navigate than Rome – it’s no secret that the Italian capital is much bigger than Florence . You can easily visit the city walking through its narrow streets without using buses or taxis to reach the most impressive spots and areas.

Florence has got the Nightlife

Nightlife in Florence is acclaimed because the town has plenty of cool bars. Obviously so does Rome but in Florence, thanks to its dimensions, you can easily move from a bar to another by foot in the same night without waiting for a bus or looking for a space for your car.

Florence has the best Gelato in Italy

It is not hard to find good gelato in Italy, but Florence is noted for its excellent gelato and sampling it all over the city is a cool way to pass the time. One of the most famous gelato shops in Italy is Vivoli, a small gelateria near the square of Santa Croce. The best of all ice-cream shops in town is no doubt Gelateria La Carraia, on the left bank of the Arno River, where it is possible to taste classic flavors as well as yummy mixes.

Florence is the birthplace of Stendhal Syndrome

It’s the idea that seeing so much outstanding art in rapid succession can cause someone to become lightheaded or dizzy. The other name for Stendhal Syndrome is Florence Syndrome. Once here, you may not be surprised why this syndrome is linked to Florence.

Florence is Wine Lover’s Heaven

If you like good wine, Florence is the place to be. In many restaurants and bars, you can taste some of the most famous and expensive wines, but you can also decide to book a tour in the Tuscan countryside and taste several kinds of grapes in authentic Italian wineries.

Florence is surrounded by beautiful cities you can easily reach for a day trip

Florence is located in a perfect position, in the middle of Italy surrounded by gentle hills and picturesque hamlets. You can easily visit neighboring medieval villages, such as San Gimignano or Siena to name few for a day trip . Both are stunning and worth the travel time from the Tuscan capital city.

Florence Has Oltrarno

Recently named by Lonely Planet as the “coolest neighborhood in the world”, Oltrarno is indeed the nicest area of Florence frequented by Florentines. This place is not only a good place to spend the night out, but is also an area full of interesting places to visit, such as Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.