Is Florence Worth Visiting? Here’s All You Need to Know
Are you planning a trip to Italy but going in circles asking yourself, “Is Florence worth visiting”? If so, you’re in the right place!
As an Italian, who feared that Florence would be a tourist trap, I arrived with low expectations. By the end of my first trip there, a day trip from Rome, I was… IN LOVE! Now that I have a few visits under my belt, I am ready to share with you everything about Florence, Italy. Furthermore, I am ready to help you understand if Florence is the right destination for you.
Florence is ABSOLUTELY worth visiting in my personal opinion. But, because every city and traveler is different, here’s everything you need to know to decide if Florence is worth visiting.
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Is Florence Worth Visiting? 16 Reasons To Visit Florence!👇
1. Home of the Renaissance: Renaissance Art and Architecture
Let’s start with one of the most obvious reasons about why Florence is worth visiting. Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance.
If you are a Renaissance lover, Florence will both blow your mind and take your breath away. Almost sounds like a painful mix, but boy will it be heaven for your eyes!
Some of Florence’s most important Renaissance masterpieces include:
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Duomo): The third largest church in the world and an absolute Renaissance masterpiece.
- Brunelleschi Dome: The world’s largest masonry dome. This is a part of the Florence Duomo,
- Uffizi Gallery: One of the world’s oldest and finest art galleries that houses endless masterpieces.
- David by Michelangelo: The first colossal marble statue from the Renaissance years – 5.17 meters, or 17 feet, tall!
2. Birthplace of World-Renowned People
Florence is the birthplace of world-renowned individuals who brought great influence. Just to name a few, Florence was the birthplace and home of:
- Leonardo Davinci – known as the ultimate “Renaissance man”. A man of endless genius and talents, he was the creator of the iconic Mona Lisa and the Last Supper paintings, and beyond.
- Michelangelo – One of Italy’s most important and renowned Renaissance artists.
- Galileo Galilei – Astronomer and physicist who made important astronomical discoveries.
- Dante Alighieri – one of Italy’s most important Poets, writer of The Divine Comedy.
- Guccio Gucci – mentioning for the fashion lovers. 😉
Some may be wondering, why would I want to see someone’s birthplace? Visiting Florence can give you insights into that person’s life and history. Furthermore, it helps you see and appreciate what “created” that person, as well as their impact, and what influenced them creatively.ee and appreciate what “created” that person, as well as their impact.
3. Cultural Heritage
Florence is a city that flourishes with a strong cultural heritage. From the Renaissance years to the culinary scene, and craftsmanship to its people – there is endless culture. If you are looking for an authentic, Italian experience that is rich in all its cultural aspects, Florence is the perfect city.
4. Artisanship
In Florence, art runs through EVERYTHING. From architecture to food to people, the artisans, and so forth.
Florentine artisans play an important role in keeping the cultural heritage alive and well. Their amazing skills, from wood carving to leatherworking, are passed down by generation.
If you are looking for a unique, high-quality product, Florence is home to endless amazing artisans! Here you will find everything from the most beautiful leather products to pens, clothes, and so on.
Some of my personal favorites are 39 Rosso, Pinocchio Store Firenze, and D.VERS@!
5. World-Class Museums: Uffizi Gallery & Accademia Gallery
Being a city so rich in cultural heritage and history, Florence is home to world-class museums! Two of the most important are the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery.
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world’s finest and oldest art galleries. Commissioned by the Medici family, the Uffizi Gallery is home to over 300,000 artworks. Here you will find over 1,800 paintings, mainly from the Italian Renaissance. As well as around 600 ancient artifacts, important sculptures, and so much more. The Uffizi Gallery is home to masterpieces such as “Birth of Venus” by Botticelli.
Book your entry tickets today before they sell out!👇
The Accademia Gallery hosts the world’s largest collection of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, including David. With 7 Michelangelo masterpieces, David is certainly the most famous. The Statue of David is a 16th-century colossal marble statue that is 14 feet tall. Michelangelo, only 26 at the time, built this sculpture out of ONE single marble block. This sculpture alone brings over 1,5 MILLION people.
David is a very popular “man”, book your entry tickets today before they sell out!👇
6. Rich History and Landmarks
It seems that most reasons simply add to, or expand, each other, but hey – guess that’s Florence!
Florence, even if for a short period, was the second capital of Italy following Turin. Florence was home to the Medici family, one of Italy’s most influential families.
The Medici family transformed Florence into the cultural hotspot that it is. The family members were avid patrons of Renaissance culture and art, supporting artists. Some artists under the Medici patronage were Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli.
One reason the Medici’s rose to political power was their legacy in banking and commerce. Banking was the foundation for their wealth. With two Popes in the family, the Medici’s influence expanded to the broad Italian and European political landscape.
With all that said, visiting Florence allows you to see the deep influence of the Medici family.
7. Walkable City with Charming, Medieval Streets and Piazzas
The vibrant city of Florence is very walkable and super easy to navigate. Florence is truly charming and a wonder to walk through. The streets have a Renaissance and Medieval charm, and a romantic and enchanting vibe.
Picture this. It’s a sunny day and you’re walking through quaint streets filled with cobblestone floors and stone buildings.
Here you’ll find Palazzo Vecchio, the second last Medici residence, and an open-air museum. The open-air museum hosts replicas of statue masterpieces, including the Statue of David.
8. Florence Food & Culinary Scene
Let’s be real, one of the best aspects of traveling is eating traditional food! 😍
Florence has an incredible culinary scene and delicious food.
One of the most popular dishes in Florence is the iconic Bistecca alla Fiorentina. If you are a steak fan, this dish is enough of a reason to book a flight to Florence! 😂😍
A dish that comes in close second in popularity, is the Schiacciata. This popular sandwich has appeared everywhere on the internet at this point.
To describe Florence’s cuisine, the main theme is Tuscan traditions and agricultural abundance. Here, you’ll find simple but rich dishes made with fresh and high-quality local produce. The cuisine places a strong importance on using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. This results in high-quality food and the continued support of artisans and farmers.
Read about Florence food and discover the delicious traditional cuisine that awaits you.
Check out the highest-rated food tours in Florence and see if there’s one for you! 👇😍
9. Vibrant Street Life
If there was one word to describe Florence’s aura, it’s solar! Maybe it comes from the people, the endless colorful architecture, the street art, or them all. Whatever the solar aura comes from, Florence is an incredibly vibrant city.
10. Tuscan Countryside and the Vineyards
Florence is the capital of one of the dreamiest regions of Italy, Tuscany. Tuscany’s enchantment comes from its beautiful green hills and flourishing vineyards. Furthermore, in the Tuscan countryside, you will find beautiful,quaint little villages.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into Italian agriculture, Tuscany is an amazing place to visit.
11. Oldest Pharmacy in the World
If you like pharmacies, medicine, and/or perfumes, this one is for you! Florence is home to the oldest pharmacy in the world, Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella. Dating back to 1221, Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella came into existence soon after the Basilica’s construction.
The Basilica was a convent of Dominican Friars, who, in an attempt to take care of the gardens, began to discover the medicinal properties of plants. A few years later, the Friars began creating fragrances and wellness products. Due to this, the pharmacy became a perfume shop.
Today, the Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella is a store that continues to sell perfumes, wellness products, and home products. The ancient look remains the same, with only the products being sold changing over time.
12. Ponte Vecchio and Arno River
If you’ve seen pictures of Florence, you’ve likely seen pictures of the iconic Ponte Vecchio, “Old Bridge”, and the Arno River that flows under it. Ponte Vecchio (likely) dates back as early as the Ancient Roman times when it was a wooden bridge and the only one to cross the river. The first known identification of this bridge appears in a document of the 10th century B.C.
The bridge we see today results from a 14th-century renovation, which occurred after an abrupt flood.
Ponte Vecchio is not only a beautiful bridge with a long history. It’s also a deeply-loved bridge and the home to the not-so-secret Vasari Corridor. To speak to its belovedness, Ponte Vecchio, during World War II, was the only bridge to be purposefully spared by the Germans as they fled.
Hitler visited Florence in 1938 and fell in love with the city. Years later, Florence’s German console, Gerhard Wolf, asked for the protection of Florence’s beauty. Hitler agreed and gave his support to Gerhard in sparing Florence’s beauty.
The Vasari Corridor is the “secret” passage of the Medici family. This corridor starts in the Uffizi Gallery and ends in the Medici’s last home, Pitti Palace.
13. Third Largest Church in the World + Brunelleschi Dome
If you’ve heard of Florence, you’ve seen pictures or heard of this landmark. Nicknamed the Florence Duomo, this complex hosts several parts, including Giotto’s Bell Tower and the iconic Dome.
One part is the Cathedral itself, which is the third largest church in the world. The second part is the Brunelleschi Dome, the world’s largest masonry dome.
The entire complex showcases the most stunning green and terracotta-colored lines and shapes. As well as intricate carvings, statues, and more! To call the Florence Duomo complex a work of art is a major understatement!
The shot above showcases the Brunelleschi Dome, which you can see from inside the cathedral. For an up-close look and panoramic views of Florence, you can climb the Brunelleschi Dome!
This is the type of masterpiece that doesn’t require someone to be an art or architecture lover for it to be appreciated. There are a few tips to know ahead of time that you can read in my guide to the Duomo complex!
To visit, make sure to book your tickets now, ideally MONTHS in advance. 👇
14. Panoramic Views
One of the many amazing things about Florence is the amount of panoramic sites and piazzas it has. This photo showcases the views from Piazzale Michelangelo, a square dedicated to Michelangelo. I mean… aren’t these views just magical?
If one of your goals is to leave Florence with beautiful photos of you and your family, partner, or friends – this photoshoot experience might be perfect for you!
15. Hidden Gems and Stunning Gardens
Florence is a city that flourishes with hidden gems and enchanting gardens, such as the Boboli Gardens of the Pitti Palace and Villa Bardini. This is the type of destination that, no matter how often you visit, always has a new secret corner to discover.
One of the most beloved gardens and hidden gems of Florence is the Villa Bardini Gardens. The Bardini Gardens offer spectacular panoramic views over Florence and three different gardens. One of the most beloved parts of the Bardini gardens is the Wisteria pergola (tunnel)!
Some other beautiful hidden gems are the Florence street art and the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella.
16. Great Home Base for Day Trips
One of the best parts about Florence is its perfect position and proximity to other beloved Italian cities. From Florence, you can take a day or half-day trip to places like Pisa, San Gimignano, and even Cinque Terre. Florence sits in Northern-Central Italy, which means you’re in close proximity to some of the best destinations in the country.
Here’s all you need to know about Florence!👇
Is Florence Touristy?
To my surprise, Florence turned out to be a completely authentic city and NOT a tourist trap as I had originally feared. Despite the large amount of annual tourists, Florence remains true to itself and is an authentic Italian destination.
Is Florence Safe?
Yes, Florence is a very safe city both in the day and at night! Despite how safe it is, I want to note that it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings.
Is Florence expensive to visit?
When compared to cities like Venice and Rome, Florence is a more affordable city and is not expensive. Overall, everything in Florence has fair prices from food to stays, things to do, and so forth. If you are on a budget, this is a good place to visit.
What if I’m considering other cities?
Are you trying to decide between Florence and another city? Here are some of the most frequently asked-about destination alternatives to Florence and my answers.
Which is better, Pisa or Florence?
Between the two, Florence is the city you must visit.
Pisa is a very small city and does not offer much besides the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and the surrounding landmarks. If the Leaning Tower is something you’ve always dreamt of seeing, Pisa is a great day, or half-day, trip from Florence.
If you’re celiac, I’d even recommend at least a half-day trip to eat at their STELLAR gluten-free bakery! Er Pasticceria is a 100% gluten-free bakery. This means that you can eat all the best, traditional Italian pastries and baked goods.
Is Florence better to visit than Rome?
I’m answering because people ask, but it should go without saying that Rome is ALWAYS a must-visit. When comparing the two, they are both vibrant cities full of rich history and culture.
If you’re visiting Italy for the first time, I recommend prioritizing Rome – UNLESS you’re a Renaissance art and architecture lover. If you are a Renaissance lover, you simply have to prioritize Florence!
Read here to learn everything you need to know about taking a day trip to Florence from Rome and how to maximize your day!
How many days is ideal in Florence?
The amount of days you spend in Florence should be based on your preferences and your goals for your trip. For example, if you are an art, architecture, or history lover, I recommend staying a minimum of two or three days.
Two days in Florence is enough time to see all the main attractions with some room to digest their beauty. Three days give you the time to digest everything and have room for hidden gems and unique activities.
If you don’t care for art, architecture, or history, but still want to visit – Florence is a great day trip.
In Conclusion, is Florence Worth Visiting?
Florence is the dream destination for Renaissance art, architecture, and history buffs. If you prefer mid-size cities and/or love the medieval aesthetic, you’ll love Florence.
Florence is a city that attracts many tourists but is NOT touristy itself. In other words, Florence is an authentic Italian city that remains true to itself and its culture.
With that said, Florence is worth visiting – even for those who aren’t “fans” of Renaissance. If you are not interested in the Renaissance, you should consider Florence for a day trip or at most a 2-day stay.
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Which of these reasons has convinced you to visit Florence? Let me know in the comments!
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