Florence is one of those cities where some of the best experiences happen beyond museums and monuments. Renaissance masterpieces are an essential part of any visit, but so are discovering Tuscan wines, tasting local food, walking through historic neighbourhoods and seeing the city from its surrounding hills.
If you are wondering what to do in Florence, this guide brings together some of the best things to do in Florence, from essential landmarks to wine, food and more authentic local experiences.
Wine is one of the most direct ways to understand Tuscany.
Florence sits at the centre of some of Italy’s most celebrated wine territories, with Chianti Classico just outside the city and Montalcino, Montepulciano, Bolgheri and San Gimignano all forming part of Tuscany’s extraordinary wine culture.
You don’t necessarily have to leave Florence to begin exploring them.
At Vino al Vino, an independent wine shop in Florence city centre, visitors can discover a carefully selected range of Tuscan and Italian wines and take part in guided wine tastings.
The focus is particularly strong on small artisanal wineries, organic producers, low-intervention winemaking and distinctive expressions of Tuscany’s different terroirs.
A tasting can introduce you to wines such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Super Tuscan wines, alongside selections from other important Italian and European regions.
For wine lovers, this is one of the easiest ways to turn a few hours in Florence into an introduction to the wider wine culture of Tuscany.
Few places explain Florence better than the Uffizi.
The collection brings together masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and many other artists who shaped European art.
Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera are among the museum’s most famous works, but the real experience is seeing the evolution of Renaissance painting unfold from room to room.
Book in advance whenever possible, particularly during spring, summer and early autumn.
Florence still has a strong tradition of specialist food shops, markets and independent producers.
Rather than buying generic souvenirs, look for products that genuinely represent Tuscany and Italy: extra virgin olive oil, aged Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, artisanal pasta, traditional sauces, balsamic vinegar, cured meats and preserves.
At Vino al Vino, alongside wine, you’ll find a dedicated gourmet selection including Tuscan extra virgin olive oils, artisanal dry pasta, aged cheeses, balsamic vinegar, mostarde and other Italian specialities chosen from small and quality-focused producers.
Many products are vacuum-packed or suitable for travelling, making food one of the most enjoyable souvenirs to bring home from Florence.
Crossing Ponte Vecchio is almost inevitable on a first trip to Florence. But don’t stop there.
Continue into Oltrarno, literally the area “beyond the Arno”, where Florence gradually becomes less monumental and more residential.
Walk through Santo Spirito and San Frediano, explore small streets filled with workshops and independent businesses, and take time to see another side of the city.
This is also one of the best areas in Florence for an aperitivo or an evening drink.
For the classic panoramic view of Florence, head to Piazzale Michelangelo.
From here, the skyline unfolds almost completely: the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio and the Arno, framed by the Tuscan hills.
Sunset is the most popular time, so expect company.
For a quieter experience, continue uphill to the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, one of Florence’s most beautiful churches and another exceptional viewpoint over the city.
Wine receives most of the attention in Tuscany, but extra virgin olive oil is just as deeply connected to the region’s agricultural identity.
A good Tuscan EVO oil can be surprisingly intense, with aromas of fresh herbs and artichoke and the characteristic bitter and peppery sensations associated with high-quality freshly produced oils.
At Vino al Vino you can also explore selected Tuscan extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars, with dedicated tastings available for visitors interested in understanding the differences between origins, cultivars and production methods.
It is a simple experience, but one that can completely change the way you think about two ingredients often taken for granted.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore dominates Florence.
Brunelleschi’s dome remains one of the great achievements of Renaissance architecture, while Giotto’s Campanile and the Baptistery complete one of Italy’s most recognisable monumental complexes.
Climbing the dome or bell tower requires some effort, but the reward is a remarkable view across Florence’s terracotta rooftops.
Reservations are strongly recommended.
Mercato Centrale is famous and convenient, but if you’re interested in seeing a more everyday side of Florence, Sant’Ambrogio Market deserves a visit.
Fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, bread and traditional products are sold alongside small places to eat.
Go in the morning, when the market is at its liveliest.
Combine it with a walk through Santa Croce and the surrounding neighbourhood.
Wine makes even more sense when tasted alongside food.
A board of Tuscan cheeses and cured meats allows you to explore how acidity, tannins, fat, salt and ageing interact.
At Vino al Vino, wines by the glass and guided tastings can be accompanied by selections of raw-milk and aged cheeses and artisanal cured meats, creating an informal alternative to a traditional restaurant meal.
Beyond Tuscany, the shop also specialises in selected Italian and European cheeses, making this an interesting stop for anyone genuinely interested in gastronomy rather than simply looking for a quick aperitivo.
Florence changes considerably after sunset.
Once many day visitors have left, the historic centre becomes calmer and its architecture takes on a completely different atmosphere.
Walk from Piazza della Signoria towards the Uffizi, continue along the Arno and cross one of the bridges towards Oltrarno.
Ponte Santa Trinita offers one of the best evening views of Ponte Vecchio.
A slow walk after dinner is one of the simplest — and completely free — things to do in Florence.
If you have more than two or three days in Florence, dedicate one of them to the countryside.
Chianti Classico is the obvious choice and one of the easiest wine regions to reach from Florence. Villages such as Greve, Panzano, Castellina and Radda are surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and historic wine estates.
Serious wine enthusiasts may instead consider travelling further to Montalcino, home of Brunello di Montalcino, or Montepulciano, associated with Vino Nobile.
Whenever possible, visit wineries by appointment rather than simply arriving at the cellar. A proper estate visit gives much more context to the wines you will taste.
Finding a memorable bottle while travelling is easy. Getting it home safely can be more complicated.
Specialised wine shops can make the process considerably easier.
Vino al Vino offers international wine shipping from Florence, allowing travellers to build personalised selections rather than limiting themselves to the bottles they can fit into their luggage.
This can be particularly useful if you discover Brunello, Chianti Classico, Barolo, Amarone, Champagne or small-production wines during your trip and want to enjoy them again once you return home.
Ask about current destinations, shipping conditions and customs requirements before purchasing, as regulations vary by country.
If you only have one day in Florence, concentrate on experiences that are geographically close to each other.
Start early around the Duomo before walking towards Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi. Continue to Ponte Vecchio and explore Oltrarno in the afternoon.
Before dinner, dedicate an hour to a Tuscan wine tasting or aperitivo. Finish the day at Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato al Monte for sunset.
You won’t see everything, but you’ll experience several different sides of Florence without spending the entire day rushing between attractions.
Rain doesn’t have to ruin a day in Florence.
The Uffizi, Accademia, Palazzo Pitti and numerous smaller museums provide obvious alternatives, but rainy days are also ideal for slower gastronomic experiences.
Spend time in a traditional wine shop, organise a wine tasting, explore Tuscan olive oils, visit covered food markets or simply dedicate more attention to Florence’s churches and historic interiors.
Florence works particularly well as a city for couples because many of its best experiences don’t require complicated planning.
Walk along the Arno at sunset, cross Ponte Santa Trinita, explore the streets of Oltrarno, share a bottle of Tuscan wine or climb towards San Miniato al Monte as the city lights begin to appear.
For something more structured, book a private or small-group wine tasting before dinner.
The easiest way to find a less touristy Florence is simply to move beyond the most famous streets.
Explore Sant’Ambrogio in the morning, walk deeper into San Frediano, visit artisan workshops in Oltrarno and choose independent wine and food shops rather than stores designed primarily around souvenirs.
Florence is compact enough that moving only ten or fifteen minutes away from the busiest monuments can completely change the atmosphere.
Museums tell the story of Florence’s artistic past. Food and wine reveal another part of its identity.
Tuscany’s vineyards, olive groves, cheeses, cured meats and traditional recipes are the result of centuries of agriculture and craftsmanship. Exploring them gives visitors a connection with the territory that goes beyond sightseeing.
At Vino al Vino, in Borgo Ognissanti in Florence city centre, our aim is to bring this culture together in one place through wine tastings, artisanal wines, Tuscan and Italian gourmet products and international wine shipping.
Whether you have one afternoon or an entire week, leave some space in your Florence itinerary for eating, drinking, walking and discovering.
Very often, those are the moments you will remember most.
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