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Attractions

The entire Renaissance city of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy with countless churches, cathedrals, art galleries and museums. Deciding where to start your sightseeing tours may prove to be the most tricky part of the whole process.

Head to the most popular site, the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore, which began construction in 1296, was consecrated in 1436, holds 20,000 people, and offers some breathtaking views over the city. Visit one of Florence's oldest buildings, the Baptistery of John the Baptist to enjoy views over the Arno River; and stroll across the Ponte Vecchio to the Giardino di Boboli to enjoy the park dotted with fountains behind the Pitti Palace. Navigate the crowds at the Galleria degli Uffizi I to view some of the world's most important Renaissance art.

Culture-lovers will enjoy a trip to Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in Italy and which holds the tombs of Michelangelo and Dante; as well as the Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the historic centre and an open-air sculpture exhibit, where one can sip on a cup of coffee and watch the world go by from one of the surrounding cafés.

The Uffizi (Gallerie degli Uffizi)

The Uffizi is one of the world's greatest art galleries, with a collection of Renaissance paintings that includes the works of Giotto, Masaccio, Paolo Ucello, Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio. The collection is housed on the top floor of a...  see full details

The Accademia Gallery

Michelangelo's David stands self-assured above the crowds that flock to admire him at the Accademia Gallery. In the hallway leading up to the famous sculpture are further examples of Michelangelo's genius in the figures of the four Prisoners. The statues were deliberately left unfinished, revealing...  see full details

Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)

Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo or Cathedral of Florence, is set in the heart of the city and perches above the metropolis like an emperor before his subjects. Its most distinctive feature is the enormous dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built...  see full details

The Bargello (Museo Nazionale del Bargello)

This Gothic Palazzo shelters a treasured national collection of Renaissance sculpture. Before its renovation to become Italy's first national museum, the building, constructed in 1255, functioned as a town hall, private residence and prison. An extensive collection of decorative art is on display, in...  see full details

Santa Croce

Santa Croce, a magnificent Gothic church built in 1294, contains the tombs of many celebrated Florentines such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Ghiberti and Machiavelli. The Gothic interior is graced by the radiant frescoes of Giotto and his pupil Taddeo Gaddi, and integrated into the cloister...  see full details

Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio's status as the oldest bridge in Florence saved it from destruction during the Nazi retreat from Italy in 1944. They defied orders to blow up the stately bridge straddling the Arno River and bombed the ancient buildings on the either...  see full details