Florence: Travel guide to the secret capital of Tuscany

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is the cradle of the Renaissance: the Duomo with Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's David, and the Ponte Vecchio are all within easy walking distance of each other. The historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. To ensure a relaxed visit, you should book tickets for the most important museums in advance and travel by train rather than car – as the city center is a limited traffic zone (ZTL).

Sights in Florence

Florence owes its art treasures primarily to the Medici family, who patronized artists and scholars such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Galileo from the 15th to the 18th centuries. For a first visit, we recommend a walking tour from the Duomo, through the Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery, to the Ponte Vecchio and on to the Pitti Palace. The map shows the main attractions:

Full screen display

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Dome

Start at Piazza del Duomo. The cathedral itself is free to enter (closed to visitors on Sundays and religious holidays). Those who are up for a climb can ascend the 463 steps to Brunelleschi's dome – there is no elevator – and enjoy the view over the city and the Arno Valley. Alternatively, Giotto's bell tower (414 steps) also offers a magnificent view, including a view of the dome. Michelangelo's "Pietà Bandini" is housed in the Cathedral Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo).

Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio

Via dei Calzaiuoli leads to the Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's town hall. In front of the palace stands a copy of Michelangelo's David, and next to it the Loggia dei Lanzi with famous sculptures that you can view free of charge.

Uffizi

The Uffizi Gallery is located right next to the Piazza del Duchy. Its name comes from "uffici" (offices): Giorgio Vasari began construction of the building in 1560 for the administration of the Duchy, and later the Medici family housed their art collection here. Today, the museum displays masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance – such as Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" – as well as paintings by Flemish, Dutch, and German masters. The Uffizi is connected to the Pitti Palace via the Vasari Corridor. To avoid long queues, book a time slot in advance.

Galleria dell'Accademia: Michelangelo's David

The original David (1501–1504) is located in the Galleria dell'Accademia, north of the Duomo. As the gallery is one of the most visited museums in Italy, the operator strongly recommends making a reservation; without a ticket, the wait can be long.

Old Bridge

The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence. Goldsmiths and jewelers have had their shops here since the 16th century. Read more about its history in our article about the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

Across the Arno lies the Palazzo Pitti, the residence of the Medici from the 16th century and later of the Grand Dukes, housing several museums. Behind the palace stretches the Boboli Gardens, laid out from 1549 onwards for Cosimo I and Eleonora of Toledo – a green oasis with grottoes, fountains and views over the city.

Other highlights

• Holy Cross: Franciscan church with the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo
• Bargello: Sculpture Museum, including Donatello's bronze David
• Piazzale Michelangelo: Viewing spot on the south bank with the classic Florence panorama, especially beautiful at sunset.
• For families: the Leonardo Interactive Museum

Admission prices and reservations 2026

point of interest	Adult price	Important notes
Uffizi	€25 (at the door), €29 (advance booking); €16 from 16 pm	Closed on Mondays; free for those under 18.
Palazzo Pitti	€16 (at the door), €19 (advance booking)	Combination with Boboli 22/25 €
Boboli Gardens	€10 (at the door), €13 (advance booking)
PassePartout (Uffizi, Pitti, Boboli)	40 €	Valid for 5 days
Galleria dell'Accademia	20 €	Tue–Sun 8:15–18:50; reservations strongly recommended
Cathedral Complex: Brunelleschi Pass	30 €	Dome, bell tower, museum, baptistery, Santa Reparata; dome with time window
Giotto Pass / Ghiberti Pass	20 € / 15 €	without dome
Kathedrale	Free	without a ticket

It's best to book tickets directly from the official providers: uffizi.it (Uffizi, Pitti, Boboli), duomo.firenze.it (Cathedral complex) and galleriaaccademiafyrenze.it . Many other websites sell the same tickets with a significant markup.

Tickets & Tours

Those who would like a guided tour, an audio guide, or a combination offer instead of just the entrance fee will find a selection at GetYourGuide (affiliate links) – compare the prices with the official tickets:

• Uffizi Gallery: Tickets and guided tours – Entry with a time slot, also in combination with the Vasari Corridor, as well as guided tours.
• Michelangelo's David: Tickets and Tours – Timed tickets and guided tours of the Galleria dell'Accademia.
• Cathedral and Dome: Tickets and Guided Tours – Dome ascent, cathedral tours and tickets for the cathedral complex.
• Guided city tours in Florence – guided tours through the historic center.

Arrival, ZTL and parking

By train

The easiest way to get there is by train. The main train station, Santa Maria Novella, is located right on the edge of the old town; the cathedral is about a ten-minute walk away. Regional trains connect Florence with Pisa , Lucca , Prato, and Montecatini Terme , among other places. Be sure to check the schedule for the last train back.

By car: Attention ZTL

The entire historic center is a ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone), and its entrances are monitored by cameras. According to the city of Florence, it is in effect Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; from April to the beginning of October, it is also in effect Thursday to Saturday nights from 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Anyone entering without authorization will receive a fine – which can also be sent to Germany or Austria. Therefore, park in a parking garage on the edge of the ZTL, for example at the Fortezza da Basso or the train station, or in a park-and-ride facility and continue your journey by tram or bus. Hotel guests within the ZTL should check with their hotel in advance regarding entry.

Tourist tax (Imposta di soggiorno)

Florence levies a tourist tax per person per night, payable at your accommodation: as of 2026, this ranges from €3,50 (e.g., 1-star hotel, campsite ) to €8 (5-star hotel), and €6 for holiday apartments and B&Bs. It applies for a maximum of 7 consecutive nights; children under 12 are exempt.

Accommodation in Florence

Florence offers accommodation for every budget: elegant hotels near the Duomo, B&Bs in the lively Santa Croce district, and hostels for budget travelers. Book early during peak season. Those traveling with a tent or campervan will find helpful tips in our articles Camping in Florence and Campervan Sites in Tuscany.

You can compare hotels, B&Bs and holiday apartments in Florence at Booking.com.

Our tips for Florence

Perhaps the most famous gelateria in Florence is Vivoli (Via dell'Isola delle Stinche 7r, www.vivoli.it ), where the making of these delicate creams is practically a ritual. It's just a short walk from the Church of Santa Croce. And if you can, stay overnight – Florence reveals its most beautiful side in the evening, after the day-trippers have left.

Frequently asked questions about Florence