18 Things to See and Do in Florence

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is full of romantic and legendary treasures around every corner. With artistic museums, luxurious shopping and famed gelato, the capital of Tuscany will entice all types of travelers. Spend the day retracing the steps of Leonardo Da Vinci, learn the history of the famed Medici Family, purchase some Tuscan leather or sample some Michelin cuisine. Regardless of your desires, the historical city is always enchanting.

Also known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo di Firenze is the city's centerpiece. This amazing piece of architecture dominates the skyline and was the largest dome in the world until the late 19th century. Climb to the top of the cathedral for some of the best views of Florence. If you want a close-up photo of the famous dome, head to the adjacent Giotto's Campanile bell tower and climb the steps to the top.

The oldest bridge in Florence, the renowned Ponte Vecchio crosses the river Arno River and links the north and south sides of the city. Butchers originally occupied the shops, but now the bridge is a popular place to buy luxurious jewelry. Also, you can find the secret Vasari Corridor above the bridge, which was originally built as a shortcut between the Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace.

Explore a treasure trove of artwork at the Uffizi Gallery. Besides seeing the famous triad of Renaissance artists-Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rafael-you'll enjoy gazing at Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. As Florence's most visited museum, you'll want to make sure you get there early and allow yourself at least 2 hours to wander the incredible halls.

The Palazzo Pitti is the grand palace of Florence. Rivaling most galleries, the palace is filled with a huge collection of some of the greatest art from the Renaissance. You can also learn more about the Medici family, as it once housed the famed family. Additionally, don't miss a visit to the fashion gallery in order to admire ancient clothes and accessories.

Behind the Palazzo Pitti is the enormous Boboli Gardens. This large, green expanse feels like an open-air museum filled with century-old trees, statues and fountains, along with a collection of labyrinths. You have to buy a separate ticket from that of the Palazzo Pitti, but it's worth the extra price to wander through the natural architecture.

It's said that Florence may have invented Gelato sometime in the 16th century, and a trip to Florence isn't complete without sampling some. While there are plenty of spots to choose from, Vivoli is world-famous for this delicious dessert. Starting in 1930, their gelato is still as tasty as ever.

Michelangelo's masterpiece sits in the historic Galleria dell' Accademia, which is seemingly built to show off the impressive masterpiece. The awe-inspiring, 14 foot sculpture was carved out of a single block of marble. If you don't want to brave the long lines of the Galleria dell' Accademia, you can find a replica in the Piazza Della Signoria, where the original sculpture once stood.

Across the Arno river and above the San Niccolo neighborhood is probably the best view of Florence: the Piazzale Michelangelo. There are numerous carts serving wine, gelato and cafe, along with live music on the steps nightly. Make the short hike during sundown to enjoy a magical view.

If you get tired while hiking up to the Piazzale Michelangelo, make a stop in the Giardino Delle Rose. Aptly named the Garden of Roses, this green space has over 400 different types of roses. Also, the hilltop park has great views of the city and is a great place for an afternoon picnic.

Make sure to find yourself some souvenirs at the Mercato del Porcellino. This daily running outdoor market was originally a covered luxury-goods market and is still being used for trade today. Besides shopping, you can rub the Boar Fountain for some good luck.

Named after the city, the Bistecca alla Fiorentina is one of the most popular dishes of Tuscan cuisine. The enormous Italian meal is a T-bone steak that's sure to fill you up for a day or two. If you don't like your meat rare, consider trying something else as the Tuscan's prefer their meat a little red.

There are endless stores to buy authentic Tuscan leather in Florence, ranging from budget to super expensive. Be cautious though-although most of the leather at the markets is real, you don't want to overpay for something fake.

You wouldn't expect to see a colorfully painted circus carousel in an old renaissance square, but that's what you'll find in Piazza Della Republica. Ride or watch as people enjoy the antique carousel. Additionally, the square is a popular space for shops, cafes and street performers.

Located in the Piazza Della Signoria, this old palace has much history tied to the famous Medici family. At one time, this building was the political center of Florence and eventually turned into a Medici palace. Climb to the top of the bell tower for an amazing view of Florence.

It is in this central square you can find the Palazzo Vecchio, a huge amount of outdoor statues, numerous bars, restaurants and museums. This Plaza is where Michelangelo's David originally stood and where you can find the replicate today. Also, make sure to see the nearby Gucci museum when you are finished admiring the statues.

Sante Croce is one of the most popular areas in Florence for both tourists and locals due to the impressive Santa Croce, which is the second most famous church in Florence after the Cathedral and the numerous leather shops. You can find the remains of many great artists, writers and scientists buried beneath the Santa Croce, such as Galileo, Machiavelli and Michelangelo. The large piazza hosts many concerts festivals and markets throughout the year.

Only in Florence is a building as impressive as the Santa Maria Novella not as popular as other churches. Despite being less visited than the Sante Croce or the Florence Cathedral, the Basilica di Santa Maria is still architecturally amazing thanks in part to marble colors reminiscent of the Duomo. The interior is also stunning due to impressive vaulted ceilings. The S is located just a few steps down from the train station and is much less busy than some of the other historical spots of Florence.

Located right in the center of Italy, Florence is a great base to explore Tuscany and further. Traveling between most destinations is very easy, thanks in part to a well-developed network of trains, buses and highways. Take a day and explore pretty medieval towns, wine country or the nearby Mediterranean Sea.