Things to do in Florence for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Florence
All self-guided activities
This self-guided audio tour includes your ticket to Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum® and takes you through Florence's streets on a walking route. (!) Please note that while your ticket to the museum is included and available within the app, the audio tour inside the museum is not provided. Start at the Leonardo Interactive Museum, where wooden models from da Vinci's notebooks come alive. Then, unpause the tour and stroll through Florence's iconic landmarks like the soaring Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the elegant Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Palazzo Strozzi, Orsanmichele Church with its guild sculptures, Palazzo Vecchio, the replica of Michelangelo's David, Uffizi Gallery, Vasari Corridor, ending at the jewel-packed Ponte Vecchio. Travelers will handle working models of Leonardo's inventions like the Air Screw and Giant Tank, marvel at Brunelleschi's innovative dome, peer into historic wine holes, and trace Medici influence amid vivid frescoes and sturdy palaces.
Step right up and secure a golden ticket to Florence's dazzling Accademia Gallery - without the pesky queues! With priority access, stroll straight into a world of gothic and Renaissance masterpieces, drinking in the stunning artistry for as long as your heart desires. Nestled within the antique walls of the Hospital of Saint Matthew and the Convent of Saint Niccolo' of Cafaggio, the Accademia Gallery of Florence (or Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze) proudly stands as Italy's second most visited art gallery. Boasting an awe-inspiring collection, this cultural haven owes its grandeur to the generous contributions of various convents and monasteries over the years.
Florence attracts visitors from around the globe to witness the masterpiece of Michelangelo, the David statue. This renowned sculpture is widely known as one of the most famous worldwide, representing the strength and beauty of youth in the Renaissance era. Visitors can obtain their tickets from the company representative before experiencing the Michelangelo Buonarotti museum.
There's more than one breathtaking dome in Florence! With its enormous green patina dome, the Great Synagogue of Florence is an architectural treasure and one of the most important synagogues in Italy. Constructed between 1874 and 1882, with the goal of going toe-to-toe with Florence's immaculate architecture, it remains one of the largest and impressive synagogues in Europe to this day. Take a wander around this beautiful corner of Jewish and Florentine history, and admire its remarkable marble floors, majestic mosaics, frescoed walls, and stained-glass windows. Then, explore the adjoining Jewish Museum. Here, you can delve deeper into the amazing stories surrounding the building's inception and the long, proud history history of Florence's Jewish community, and the challenges they have faced and overcome with grace and fortitude over the centuries.
Your tickets to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum in Florence will launch you on the way to discovering the history of the Ferragamo company, the life of its founder and his spectacular creations! Discover the history of the shoemaker who moved to California from a little village in the province of Naples and began a career designing and creating shoes for the movie industry. Ferragamo returned to Italy in 1927 and opened a workshop in Florence. His creations - like the famous cork wedge heels, metal-reinforced high heels and invisible sandals soon made him famous all over the world. See them all at the museum in the medieval Palazzo Spini Feroni - the historical headquarters of the company.
Experience the beauty of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence without having to wait in line. Save time and head straight into one of the world's finest collections of Renaissance art. Upon arrival use your pre-reserved ticket to skip the long lines and start exploring the Uffizi Gallery. Enjoy a hassle-free entry experience so you can use more time enjoying the fantastic works on display. Explore at your own pace as you experience some of the finest examples of Renaissance art – Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael and more!
Explore The Museum, located between Palazzo della Signoria and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The first floor features original sculptures by renowned Florentine artists from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, adding historical charm to the building. But the art experience doesn't stop there! Head to the second floor for a breathtaking panoramic view of Florence that will leave a lasting impression. Continue your journey to discover the marble tabernacle of the Madonna delle Grazie in the in-house church—a place of worship where holy masses are held.
This tour is a treat for lovers of art, history, and architecture. Including your ticket to the Boboli Gardens, this self-guided adventure caters to those eager to delve into the heart of the Renaissance at their own pace. We'll embark on our adventure from the ticket office of the Pitti Palace (Piazza Pitti 1) where you will need to swap your smartphone voucher for a paper ticket. Then you'll reach the gardens through the main entrance. Due to safety regulations, this is currently the only entrance to the Boboli Gardens. While this tour provides only a brief audio guide inside the Boboli Gardens, the exterior journey through Florence's storied streets is detailed and captivating. After your visit to the gardens, you'll embark on a journey that leads you through Florence's most celebrated landscapes and timeless achievements. The tour format allows you to immerse yourself fully in the city's heritage, narrated in your ear at each fascinating stop. Your route will traverse grandeur and simplicity, from the regal Pitti Palace to the sacred Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Begin surrounded by the greenery and sculptures of the Boboli Gardens before venturing to the medieval stores on the Ponte Vecchio, and pass by the remarkable facade of the Uffizi Gallery. Along the way, marvel at the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, crowned by its magnificent dome, and soak in the artistic splendor at stops like the Palazzo Vecchio and the Orsanmichele Church.
Skip the line to five of Florence's hottest attractions! Take in one of the world's greatest collections of Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery, gawp at the sumptuous decor of the Palazzo Pitti, and explore the leafy Tuscan paradise of the massive Boboli Gardens.
Welcome to the self-guided audio tour of Florence, Italy, where you will delve into the city's rich art, architecture, and cultural heritage. This tour is perfect for anyone interested in history, art, and the Renaissance period. Your journey begins at the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's famous statue of David. The ticket to the Accademia Gallery is included, but please note that an audio tour inside the gallery is not provided. From here, you will make your way through various iconic sites such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery of St. John, the Medici Chapels, and many more. The tour will conclude at the Boboli Gardens, a grandiose Renaissance garden designed for the Medici family. Along the way, you will discover the imposing red-tiled dome of the Duomo, the intricate bronze doors of the Baptistery, and the elegant architecture of the Medici Chapels. You will also explore the Uffizi Galleries, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti, each offering a unique glimpse into Florence's historical and cultural significance. This tour promises to be an immersive experience, blending art, history, and culture, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the city of Florence. As you conclude your tour, you will have experienced some of the most memorable landmarks and artistic treasures of Florence, creating lasting memories of your time in this magnificent city.
Cities in Italy
About Florence
The best indoor tours in Florence for rainy days are:
The must-see attractions in Florence for a first visit are:
The best tours to do in Florence with kids are:
The best walking tours to do in Florence are:
The best tours in Florence are:
Insider tips for visiting Florence
Rolf Laimbock is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2024 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Florence on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Florence.
I recommend at least three full days in Florence, and four if you like to slow down and really look. When I visit Florence, I keep one day for the historic center, one for the Oltrarno workshops and quieter churches, and one for museums and evening walks along the Arno. In my travel guide Florence notes, I always tell friends not to rush the city: the best things to do in Florence are often small moments, like an early cappuccino near Sant’Ambrogio Market or sunset from San Miniato al Monte. If you plan to visit Florence in summer, add extra time because the heat and crowds slow everything down.
When I visit Florence, I always start with the dishes locals actually order: bistecca alla fiorentina, pappa al pomodoro, ribollita, and crostini with chicken liver pâté. If you visit Florence in cooler months, ribollita tastes especially right after a damp morning walk. In my travel guide Florence notes, I also point people to schiacciata sandwiches and cantucci with vin santo, because they show the city’s simpler side. One of my favorite things to do in Florence is to step into Sant’Ambrogio Market around lunchtime and see what’s selling out first. Florence is at its best when you eat seasonally, not just famously.
For a first stay, I recommend balancing big sights with the Florence that locals still use every day. My favorite things to do in Florence begin early: walk from Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Signoria before the streets fill, then cross to Oltrarno for artisan workshops and a long lunch. Among the essential attractions in Florence, I’d choose one major museum and one church, then leave room for wandering. When friends ask me what to see in Florence, I often say San Miniato al Monte at dusk tells you more than a rushed checklist. Even if you book tours in Florence, keep an unscheduled evening for the Arno and small wine bars.
When I’m in Florence, I usually divide my time between the historic center, Santa Croce, San Niccolò, and the Oltrarno. For classic attractions in Florence, the center gives you the grand façades and civic history, but I find Santa Croce more lived-in, especially in the morning around its cafés and leather workshops. If friends ask me what to see in Florence beyond the obvious, I send them to San Niccolò for quieter streets and the climb toward Piazzale Michelangelo. Oltrarno is where Florence feels most human to me—craft studios, small trattorias, and evening light on worn stone. Even with tours in Florence, I always leave time to simply wander there.
I recommend late April to early June or September into mid-October. In my travel guide Florence notes, those weeks give you the best balance: warm light, longer evenings, and fewer punishing crowds than peak summer. When I visit Florence in May, I can still linger in cloisters or cross the Arno at sunset without feeling wrung out by heat. Autumn is wonderful too, especially when the first cooler evenings make ribollita and red wine feel right again. If you plan to visit Florence in July or August, start early and rest in the afternoon. Many of the best things to do in Florence are far more enjoyable outside the hottest months.
When I visit Florence, I shop by neighborhood, not by souvenir street. For artisan goods, I always head to Oltrarno, especially around Santo Spirito and Via Maggio, where Florence still has bookbinders, leatherworkers, and small design studios. If you visit Florence for fashion and polished storefronts, the area around Via de’ Tornabuoni is the elegant answer, but I prefer mixing it with quieter side streets where the window displays feel less staged. In my travel guide Florence notes, I also flag Sant’Ambrogio for food shopping—olive oil, pecorino, and seasonal produce. One of the most rewarding things to do in Florence is to buy something made by hand, directly from the maker.
When families ask me, I usually recommend Boboli Gardens first. Of all the things to do in Florence, it gives children space to move while adults still get beauty, views, and Medici history. Florence can feel dense indoors, so the gardens are a relief, especially in the morning before the stone paths get too hot. Among the classic attractions in Florence, this is one of the easiest with kids because you can turn it into a treasure hunt for fountains, statues, and hidden corners. If you’re wondering what to see in Florence beyond museums, pair it with nearby Oltrarno for lunch. Even families who book tours in Florence often enjoy this more relaxed rhythm.
When I need a break from the main attractions in Florence, I head into the hills or to smaller towns that still feel tied to the city’s rhythm. Fiesole is my easiest recommendation: a short ride up, cooler air, Roman ruins, and a view that helps you understand Florence in its landscape. If friends ask me what to see in Florence and nearby, I often pair central Florence with a half-day in Chianti for vineyards and stone villages, or with Settignano for quiet lanes and old villas. Even if you book tours in Florence, leave room for these smaller places; they reveal the city’s softer, rural edge.