Five Cool Things to See in Florence

Florence skyline and Duomo with purple wisteria in the foreground Five cool things to see

Our company seat is in the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence, so of course we have thoughts! Everyone knows about the Duomo, the David, and the Ponte Vecchio, so we thought we’d share with you some of our favorite, more “off the beaten track” things to see and do. Read on for five cool things to see in Florence beyond the usual tourist sites!

Some of our Favorite Less-Visited Places in Florence

 

Medieval room in the Palazzo Davanzati five cool things to see in Florence

No. 1) The Palazzo Davanzati

This 14th century palazzo, which had been closed for renovations for years, is now open again and is one of our favorite smaller sights in Florence. It’s a rare example of an intact four-story building that retains the shape and floor plan of the original house, complete with a kitchen and even bathrooms on some floors. You’ll love the intimate spaces, colorful wall paintings, decorative furnishings, and household objects. Best of all, it’s hardly ever crowded!
Open 8.15 am – 6.50 pm, CLOSED MONDAYS (see link above for current opening hours).

 

The lavish main hall of the Salone dei 500 in Florence's Palazzo Vecchio (City Hall)

No. 2) The Upper Floors of the Palazzo Vecchio (extra points if you climb the tower!)

Most people look up at the towering City Hall and admire the “outdoor David” statue but don’t get tickets and go upstairs. There you’ll see the vast “Salone dei 500,” designed to hold 500 people as they conducted business during the Renaissance. Later it was used by the Medici family to hold court, welcome eminent visitors, and basically show off. The monumental paintings depict battle scenes as the Medici gradually conquered the rest of Tuscany and founded a Grand Duchy. The rest of the building has a series of spectacular rooms covered with frescoes. You can climb to the top of the Arnolfo Tower for sweeping views across the city’s rooftops.
Open 9 – 7 pm (closes at 2 pm on Thursday; see website for current opening hours)

 

Marble statue of woman with an outstretched cloak in cemetery of San Miniato al Monte

No. 3) The Church and Monumental Cemetery of San Miniato al Monte

One of the oldest churches in Florence (11th century!), San Miniato sits on a hill just south of the city. It makes a nice outing on foot that you can combine with a visit to the Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint. The interior is beautiful and quite sober, with the classic green and white striped marble. Next door is a Benedictine monastery that’s still active. In fact, the church is famous for their religious services when the monks sing in Gregorian chant. While you’re up there, take a stroll around the monumental cemetery, which has some beautiful marble statues out front but also a large area around the back with a whole section of family mausoleums in a variety of architectural styles. Some look like temples from ancient Egypt while others look like mini-cathedrals!
See this website for opening hours and the times of mass (when the church is closed for tourst visits). It’s only in Italian, but you can figure it out. 

 

Man on a horse in suit of armor at the Stibbert Museum

No. 4) The Stibbert Museum

If you want a real off-the-beaten-track destination, take a short taxi ride (or bus, then walk) to the very cool Stibbert Museum. Frederick Stibbert (1838-1906) was a wealthy Anglo-Italian man from a prestigious military family who began collecting military artifacts at a young age. The museum has Medieval armor on the ground floor and an astounding collection of Japanese Samurai armor on the top floor. The villa itself is beautiful and surrounded by a lovely garden, so it can make a lovely day-trip.
Opening hours: Mon-Tues-Wed 10 am – 2 pm; Fri-Sun 10 am – 6 pm. CLOSED THURSDAY. The Ticket Office closes one hour before.

 

The Etruscan Bronze Chimera at the Florence Archaeological Museum

No. 5) The Archaeological Museum

Most of Florence’s artistic reputation dates from Medieval and Renaissance times, but it has a long history that goes back to Ancient Rome and  the Etruscans before that. The museum isn’t as overwhelming as those in Rome, so it makes a nice visit and you won’t find many tourists. It’s housed in a former Medici palazzo, and you can wander the two long halls to admire findings from the ancient world, including the spectacular Etruscan bronze Chimera (above) as well as a surprisingly good ancient Egyptian collection.
Opening hours are a bit complicated, so check the link above. It’s mainly open every day except Sunday (open the first Sunday of the month).

A few of our favorites among the “bigger names” in Florence:

The Bargello: one of the best all-around museums with a wonderful mixed collection of statuary, paintings, and objects housed in a gorgeous Medieval building
The Casa Buonarroti: a small museum dedicated to Michelangelo Buonarroti, who grew up here. Few tourists, intimate space, nice collection.
The Medici Palace: former residence of the powerful Medici family until they moved into the Palazzo Vecchio and then the Pitti Palace. You’ll find a few stunning rooms and frescoes, not a lot of crowds

Note: we will review the city’s amazing churches in a later post, but you can see a full overview in Claire’s blog post from last year.

See Florence and some of these amazing places in conjunction with our Tuscany tours:


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about What to See in Florence:

What’s the best month to visit Florence?

The best months to visit Florence are April–May and September–October, when you get pleasant temperatures (18–26°C / 65–78°F), fewer crowds than peak summer, and the outdoor dining season is in full swing. Summer (Jun–Aug) will be very hot and crowded (often 35°C+ / 95F) and winter (Nov–Feb) will be quieter and cheaper but with cold temperatures, a chance of rain, and shorter days.

How many days do you need in Florence? 

The ideal stay for a first visit is 2–3 days. If you only have one day you can see a few things (the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria) but it will be rushed. With 2 or 3 days you can see museums, stroll the quieter neighborhoods, enjoy the food, take in a sunset or two, and possibly even take a day-trip outside of the city.

👉 Florence is compact, so even short stays feel rewarding.

Is Florence a Walkable City?

Yes — Florence is one of Europe’s most walkable cities. Most major attractions are within 15–20 minutes walking distance. The historic center is largely pedestrian-friendly. Cars are restricted in many areas (the ZTL zone). Flat terrain makes walking easy. You rarely need taxis or public transport unless you’re staying outside the center.

What is the most beautiful part of Florence?

Almost all areas of the historic center are beautiful, but travelers consistently love:
1. The Oltrarno (across the Arno River) for authentic local atmosphere, artisan workshops and quiet piazzas like Santo Spirito
2. Piazzale Michelangelo offers the most famous panoramic view of Florence and is a short walk uphill (or bus ride)
3. The Piazza del Duomo area is where you find iconic Renaissance architecture around the Cathedral and Baptistry
4. Piazza della Signoria is the main civic square where you find the City Hall (Palazzo Vecchio) and the outdoor statue (and original placement) of Michelangelo’s David
5. Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella are two of the main churches with their own squares, neighborhoods, and things to see and do

What food will I find in Florence?

Florence is known for simple, high-quality Tuscan cuisine, including:
🥩 Bistecca alla Fiorentina — massive T-bone steak grilled rare
🍞 Schiacciata — the Tuscan version of focaccia, often used in those popular sandwich places
🧀 Pecorino Cheese — about 85% of Tuscan cheese is made from sheep’s milk (pecora means sheep in italian)
🥪 Lampredotto — classic Florentine street-food sandwich (similar to tripe so definitely not vegetarian!)
🍲 Ribollita — hearty bread and vegetable soup
🍪 Cantucci with Vin Santo — almond biscotti dipped in dessert wine

The local cuisine focuses on seasonal ingredients rather than heavy sauces.

What is Florence most famous for?

Florence is world-famous as the birthplace of the Renaissance. It’s known for:
🎨 Renaissance art and masters like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli
🏛️ Architectural icons like the Florence Cathedral (Duomo)
🖼️ Museums such as the Uffizi Gallery
💰 The powerful Medici family’s history
👠 Italian craftsmanship, leather goods, and fashion heritage

Few cities concentrate so much art and history in such a small area.

What is the best area to stay in Florence?

The best area depends on your travel style:
⭐ Historic Center (Centro Storico) — Best for first visits. You can walk everywhere and be close to major sights. Lively atmosphere.
🎨 Oltrarno — Best for authentic local feel. You’ll find quieter evenings, artisan shops and local restaurants.
🚆 Santa Maria Novella — Best for convenience. It’s near the train station with some cheap hotel options. Good for day trips by bus or train.
🍷 Santa Croce — Best balance. It’s still central but less crowded. Great for restaurants, gelato, panini and the Sant’Ambrogio market.

 

Article by Claire Duiker, Wild Sage co-founder and tour leader