10 Famous Things In Florence, Italy - Updated 2024

things florence is famous for
Shivani
Shivani 
Updated
| 4 min read

If you are a travel enthusiast, Italy is sure to find a spot on your travel list. Some of the world-famous destinations are Rome, Venice, Puglia, Florence, etc. This little European country has something for everyone and if you are an art connoisseur, then Florence has some of the greatest art treasures in its various palaces, museums, and churches to enthuse you. Florence is the capital of Tuscany and is one of the most beautiful of the world’s cities as per Forbes. It also plays an important role in the fashion industry and makes it to the coveted list of the fashion capitals of the world. Due to its art and glamour, it sees a number of tourists all-year-round. To help you plan your Florence itinerary we have got you a list of some of the famous things in Florence, Italy.

Tip from tour guide

Joanna

Joanna
Florence

Florence Florence street

Florence is truly a picture book, as Hans Christian Andersen called it. 

What can you see while walking through the streets of Florence? Street art, wine windows, Clet Abraham's street signs, coats of arms, plaques with famous people who have stayed in the city, flood plaques, medieval saints, beautiful shops and more.

You can always discover something new, even after so many years. Remember to walk with your head up in Florence.

1. Cradle of the Renaissance

http://www.bella-toscana.com/ Cellini's Perseus - not a bad piece of work!

Posted by Florence Firenze Italy on Thursday, 11 December 2014

Florence is rightfully called the “Cradle of Renaissance” as it is the city where modern-day Western art and culture saw the light of day. It is the place where transition of art, architecture, and monument started and Europe began to see a move from the middle ages to modernity. Some of the masterpieces that still stand tall include The Cathedral of Florence, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, Historic Centre of Florence, etc. Florence is a magical and vibrant city that inspires artists to this date.

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2. Richest city in Europe for centuries

Florence, Firenze !

Posted by Italy - Italia on Saturday, 11 March 2017

Florence was known as the cradle of Renaissance of Europe and was an economically successful city from 15th century onwards. Its economy was booming mainly due to its banking empire. A few families mastered financial speculations and acted like banks, loaning money to common people. Art, architecture, and fashion were other pillars strengthening the economy.

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3. Major fashion houses

Posted by Christopher Lines on Saturday, 23 February 2019

Florence is one of the top fashion capitals of the world. From olden times, fashion has been one of the industries that have remained in limelight and also contributed towards the economy of Florence. Fast forward to present day, young designers and new concept stores offering bespoke clothing is taking Florence’s fashion capital tag to another level. Florence Fashion Week is one of the most important events happening in the fashion industry across the world.

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4. Horse and carriage rides

Horse and buddy ride through the streets of Florence, Italy.

Posted by Spotted Travelling on Monday, 20 March 2017

Horse and carriage rides are a unique way to explore Florence. If you are a couple, riding a carriage is one of the most romantic ways to explore the place. Various guided tours are also provided where information about the history of the place and monuments is given to tourists. The tour can last anywhere between 30 minutes to 60 minutes and is normally accompanied by drinks toward the end.

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Florence Tour Guide

Sara Pallabazzer

Sara Pallabazzer

I am a lively well-spoken tour guide and tour leader from Florence, and a person who has the ability to motivate different sets of audience; to communicate effectively and possesses a high degree of energy and enthusiasm.I am able to manage multiple tasks, self-motivated team player with excellent communication skills. I am proficient in Italian, English and Norwegian and possess a strong love for art and culture and enjoy passing on this passion for our land to my guests in an exciting and educational manner which will leave them not only with a lasting memory of the country that they have visited but also of myself and the company I am working for.Come with me and explore the best Florence has to offer. From world class museums and galleries to famous sites such as Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and the Palazzo Vecchio! I will ensure guests get the most out of their visit. I can show off Florence and Tuscany's hidden treasures such as narrow medieval street, hidden gardens, unique shops, and the quirky details that make a tour memorable while discovering Florence's past, present and future.I am very adaptable and flexible with guests' interests and taking into account any special events or the weather. With me as a private guide, guests will have the time to fully experience Florence - stopping to take the perfect photo or popping into one of the shops, cafes or pubs.I am also an enthusiastic well-spoken language teacher who has the ability to motivate different student ranges and a freelance translator for English and Scandinavian languages! I have a great passion for art and cooking, and consider cooking to be a high art form, so I suggest how to pair food and wine, while also looking for the right setting, as eating should be an all-around experience. I love cooking and make my own pasta, bread and pizza!

Tours by Sara

Florence Tour Guide

Joanna

Joanna

Hello, my name is Joanna. I was born and raised in Poland but then I fell hopelessly in love with Tuscany and have been living in Florence for 20 years. Wisely enough, I decided to turn my passion into work and became a tour guide. Now I can share with you my immense love for the beauty, history and art of these enchanted places. I am particularly passionate about the Middle Ages, history, sculpture, nature and sports. In my spare time, I travel, read, go to concerts, play sports and do a lot of hiking. I work mainly in Florence and Siena but I love going to Lucca, less known Tuscan beauty and Pisa. I can also organize a food tour, a wine tasting or a day trip in Tuscany.

Tours by Joanna

Florence Tour Guide

Irina Willmer

Irina Willmer

Florence Tour Guide

Dina

Dina

Florence Tour Guide

Francesca Boldrini

Francesca Boldrini

Linguist specializing in art history. I am a licensed tour guide with natural communicating skills and a big passion for Tuscany andRinascimento. I speak five languages: Russian at B2 TRKI level, German at B1 level, English, Italian and French at the mother tongue level.I’ve got a great problem solving skills and the ability to work under pressure gained thanks to my experience in hospitality. I Believe in thepower of creativity. I offer tourists a unique, memorable experience involving them in what is going on around them. I love leading visitorsthrough sites of historical and cultural interest sharing my passions for history of art, especially the period of Renaissance. Optimistic andopen-minded and meeting diverse people from all over the world, I have got a real genuine interest for Guest satisfaction.

Tours by Francesca

5. Florentine Steak (from USD 108.0)

If you are someone who enjoys cooking and would like to try a cuisine different than yours, then this Original Cooking Class and Market Tour in Florence is something you will love. A half day class lasting a little over five hours starts with picking the freshest ingredients from the Central Market. This trip is in the company of local expert chefs and you wouldn’t be required to fend for yourselves! Maximum size of the group is 25. On the menu are dishes like bruschetta, homemade pasta and dessert.

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Small-Group Italian Cooking Class with Market Tour in Florence

Duration: 5 hours

1120 reviews

6. Uffizi Gallery (from USD 19.65)

things florence is famous for | uffizi gallery

Uffizi is one of the must-visit museums in Florence as it has some breathtaking works of art. It is a great window through which Italian Renaissance and European history can be looked into. This place houses art pieces by some of the most well-known Renaissance masters and antiques donated by the Medici family. The gallery is spread over two floors and takes upwards of two hours to explore artwork well. Things to see include various paintings, architecture, sculptures, books, and archives.

Tip from tour guide

Joanna

Joanna
Florence

Leonardo da Vinci at Uffizi Gallery
Among the various works of art at Uffizi Gallery, you can find the sculpture of Leonardo da Vinci created by Luigi Pampaloni in 1839. Leonardo seems deep in his thoughts, meditating about something. In his left hand, he holds a drawing, the study for Jesus's head for the Last Supper. He was looking to create "the perfect head" of Christ for his fresco, observing different people and their expressions, and he eventually found it.

Tip from tour guide

Sara

Sara
Tuscany

Tribuna, Uffizi Tribuna, Uffizi

The Tribune was realized between 1581 and 1583 by architect Bernardo Buontalenti “to keep the jewels and embellishments of the Grand Duke”, Francesco I de’ Medici. The structure is octagonal because, according to Christian tradition, eight is the number that draws near Heaven. Francesco I conceived the iconography of the Tribune’s decorations and furniture as a full cosmos featuring the four elements. Earth is represented by the floor, realized as a wide flower inlaid with polychrome marbles. On the dome, Water is represented by 5,780 mother-of-pearls from the Indian Ocean, all masterly set on a background painted with a scarlet varnish. Fire is represented by the precious red velvet on the walls. Air is symbolized by the towering lantern open to the winds.

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Florence: Skip-The-Line Uffizi Gallery Timed Entrance Ticket

15471 reviews

7. The Santa Maria del Fiore (from USD 61.55)

things florence is famous for | the santa maria del fiore

Also known as the Duomo di Firenze, The Santa Maria del Fiore is Italy’s most beautiful Gothic building by far. It is a magnificent piece of architecture that was started by Arnolfo di Cambio in the late 13th century (1296) and completed with a dome in 1436 that was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, an Italian architect who is also credited as one of the founding fathers of Renaissance architecture. The entrance to the cathedral is free and it sees long queues of visitors most of the time.

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Florence: Cathedral Tickets with Brunelleschi's Dome Pass

Duration: 3.0 day

736 reviews

8. Boboli Gardens (from USD 28.25)

things florence is famous for | boboli gardens

The Boboli Gardens are located behind Pitti Palace. It is an open park and houses sculptures from 16th to 18th century. Many sculptures are inspired by Roman mythology. Spread over 111 acres (45,000 sq m), it is a one of its kind outdoor museum. Main attractions of the garden include the amphitheatre, Neptune’s Fountain statue, Porcelain Museum, House of the Lorraine etc.

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Florence: Tales of Boboli Gardens Tour

Duration: 1.45 hour

9. Architecture (from USD 52.51)

architecture

The city of Florence is plush with beautiful museums, churches, and palaces. It is an art connoisseur’s paradise with something to admire at every nook and corner of the city. It is not called the “Cradle of Renaissance” for no reason. Some monuments date back to the Middle Ages and still continue to impress people. Some of the important masterpieces are The Florence Cathedral, Basilica of San Lorenzo, Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, The Pitti Palace, Palazzo Vecchio etc.

Tip from tour guide

Sara

Sara
Tuscany

San Salvatore al Vescovo

Marble inlays of the church of San Salvatore al Vescovo (Florence). The square containing the diamond is reminiscent of the eight-pointed star or, Rub al-Hizb, the Tartesian star, also known as the seal of Mechisedec. On the left, a star is shown, with a sun, surrounded by hearts, thus love, God's charity for mankind. On the right, however, we find the more complex symbol of Revelation, with the circle, which stands for divinity, and the four semicircles on each side indicating the Evangelists.

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Florence by Land & Water: Walking Tour and Arno river E-Boat

Duration: 2.5 hour

65 reviews

10. Churches (from USD 285.0)

Italy is home of Catholicism and houses some of the most beautiful churches in the world. Florence is no different and its churches are an architectural marvel in themselves in addition to being places of worship. So much so that some of the churches that are not in use have been turned to museums and thronged by millions of visitors each year. Some of the most well-known churches are Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, San Lorenzo among others.

Tip from tour guide

Sara

Sara
Tuscany

San Salvatore al Vescovo

At the church of San Salvatore al Vescovo in Florence, there's something special: seven candelabra arranged like a Menorah, a Jewish symbol. It's a reminder that different religions can come together. Instead of focusing on our differences, it teaches us to find what we share. This mix of symbols shows that we can respect each other's beliefs and find unity in diversity. It's a simple but important message of togetherness.

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Private Tour: 3-Hours Churches of Florence Walking Tour

Duration: 3 hours

Florence: a melting pot of art, culture, and fashion

Florence art
Source: Pixabay

Be it the revival of art and culture of Europe or the outdoors in the form of gardens and hills, Florence has a vast number of treasures to enthrall and amuse you. The city’s major fashion houses makes you get a feel of high-end celeb life and the horse and carriage rides are a unique way to enjoy the beauty of this picture perfect Tuscan capital. Florence is a great way to understand the transition from Middle Ages to modernity. Have a great and enlightening vacation in Florence!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Shivani is a marketer by profession and a writer by passion. She is a founding member at MeeHappy Wellness, an employee wellness initiative in India. Shivani has had the good fortune of working in...Read more

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