A Guide to Unlocking the Beauty of Florence

There is no doubt that Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Located in the northern region of Italy, Florence is the capital city of Tuscany and home to more than one million people. Florence has given rise to a number of artistic gems, including Leonardo Da Vinci. The city’s food, culture, history, and vibrant nightlife make it a fantastic place to visit. 

The last thing you want to do when arriving in a new place is to lug your heavy suitcase around with you. Traveling with extra bags makes navigating busy streets and city centers difficult. Did you know there’s a great way to discover Florence without having to carry your luggage around? Florence Train Station luggage storage is a great solution to keeping your belongings safe and protected while exploring. 

Listed below are some of the most beautiful things to see and do in Florence:

Florence Cathedral & Baptistry

There’s no better place to start a visit to Florence than the heart and soul of the city, the Duomo. An architectural experiment of daring design, its red-tiled dome is famous worldwide. A climb to the top is one experience you will never forget.

Piazza Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio

Second on our list is Piazza Signoria, one of Florence’s most handsome squares and the center of political life in the city. With its Medieval fortress-like exterior and splendid Renaissance interior, Palazzo Vecchio is the city’s town hall. A copy of the statue of David welcomes visitors right at the entrance.

A 14th-century addition to the square, the Loggia dei Lanzi was originally used for public ceremonies. Today the Loggia houses a collection of Roman sculptures as well as 19th-century sculptures. One of the masterpieces includes the impressive “Perseus” holding the head of the Medusa crafted by Renaissance sculptor Cellini.

The Uffizi Gallery

Just off Piazza Signoria, you find one of the most renowned museums in the world, the Uffizi. There are over 60 rooms filled with Renaissance art, including works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Caravaggio, and many other Italian and international masters. Any lover of art could spend days exploring the Uffizi’s rooms filled with breathtaking artworks. It is definitely worth visiting if you are in Florence. 

Ponte Vecchio

For seven centuries, the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) has stood in its spot, and it has only grown in beauty over the years. As a picture-perfect landmark, the bridge still houses many goldsmiths and silversmiths who still do business as they did in Renaissance times.

You can browse the shop windows, buy a golden fiorino as a souvenir, or simply take pictures from every angle. Experience centuries of history while crossing this ancient bridge as the Arno river rolls peacefully beneath you.

Santa Croce Square & Church

Santa Croce Square was once the site of games and tournaments. Today, it’s still home to the historical game of “Calcio in Costume,” which takes place every year on June 24th. During the rest of the year, it is a spacious and vibrant piazza surrounded by beautiful buildings.

Piazzale Michelangelo

On the ‘southbank’ of Florence, there is a large panoramic terrace where tour buses stop, and souvenir stalls offer mementos to tourists who venture up to take the best pictures of the city. Among Florence’s tourist attractions, this is one of the best.

Pitti Palace & Boboli Garden

Pitti Palace is a vast and mysterious-looking palace that hosts various galleries. It is near the Ponte Vecchio, on the Oltrarno. Among the highlights of this museum is the Palatine Gallery with its collection of Renaissance paintings, the 14 rooms of the Royal Apartments, and the Costume and Silverware galleries.

Santa Maria Novella Church

There is no doubt that Santa Maria Novella is one of the most beloved churches in Florence. 

The marble facade introduced significant Renaissance elements. Highlights include magnificent medieval and Renaissance frescoes, Giotto’s large painted crucifix and Brunelleschi’s carved crucifix, and Masaccio’s perspective painting of the Holy Trinity. Its architecture and art will appeal to even non-religious visitors.

Accademia: The Statue of David

A world-famous statue, the David, is displayed in the Accademia Gallery. There is no doubt that the 4-meter-tall masterpiece by Michelangelo is the star of the show, which amazed the Florentine public upon its unveiling in 1504. Among Michelangelo’s other works are the unfinished statues of the “Prigioni” (slaves), as well as Gothic and mannerist paintings.

Medici Chapels

Michelangelo and the Medici family fans won’t want to miss the Medici Chapels. As a celebration of the Medici family’s patronage of art and rulership of Florence, the chapels were built with funds supplied by the Medici and designed by great names such as Michelangelo and Bernardo Buontalenti.