In this video, we'll cover the top 10 things to do in Florence.
The birthplace of European renaissance, medieval trade, and finance center
and home to world's first gelato, Florence is a paradise for history buffs.
We want to thank Ceptics, a number one choice for travel adapters on Amazon,
for sponsoring this video.
Here are our top 10 picks.
NUMBER 10: Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio, a bridge featuring an entire medieval street, stretches over the Arno river,
and it's the oldest stone bridge in Europe built in 1333.
At first, the bridge was used by farmers, butchers, and tanners,
who occupied the shops along the bridge.
Today you will mainly find jewelers, and souvenir sellers.
Ponte Vecchio is a romantic spot for both locals and tourists.
On the top of Ponte Vecchio runs the Vasari Corridor,
a secret passageway connecting town hall to the Palazzo Pitti.
The corridor was built by the Medici Family, the famous family who ruled Florence
and supported many of the artists who were active in the city.
NUMBER 9: Piazza della Signoria
One of the most prominent squares in Florence, Piazza della Signoria, is located at what
was considered the political heart of Florence.
The square was the site of many historical events
and houses several prominent buildings and sculptures.
Many events take place on Piazza della Signoria.
Here's what you shouldn't miss when you're there:
Palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio, the city's historic seat of the city government.
During its long history, the palace was also known under several different names,
like Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo Ducale, and Palazzo dei Priori.
Fontana del Nettuno: a fountain with the statue of Duke Cosimo I at its center.
The fountain was created to celebrate the maritime ambitions of the Medici family.
Loggia dei Lanzi: an open-air gallery that features several prominent sculptures.
NUMBER 8: San Lorenzo Market & Mercato Centrale
Here you’ll find everything, from a variety of authentic Italian and Florentine food,
souvenirs, pottery, clothing, and other products.
Florence is known for its leather production since ancient times.
At San Lorenzo Market, you'll find leather bags, belts, wallets, jackets, and other leather products.
The outdoor part of the San Lorenzo Market surrounding the Mercato Centrale building
contains hundreds of stalls that run along several streets.
To get a better deal, you can even try bargaining.
Mercato centrale is the indoor part of the market opened in 2014.
It is set in a beautiful iron and glass architecture from 1874.
Explore all of its levels that offer everything from local specialties to pizzerias.
NUMBER 7: Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi Gallery is one of the most important and most visited art museums in the world.
The gallery is open to the public since the 16th century.
What started as a place for legal and administrative offices
now houses a vast collection of works of art.
Before the museum, the works of art came from private collections of the Medici
and were only shown to select guests.
Uffizi offers the world's most extensive renaissance art collection.
The gallery is known for its collection of sculptures and paintings,
ranging from the Middle Ages to the present.
However, you can also admire art displays of architecture,
prints, and drawings, books, and archives.
At Uffizi, you'll be able to admire the works of Botticelli
and his famous painting The Birth of Venus,
paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, etc.
There are many other important and interesting museums in Florence worth exploring.
Check our travel guide for more suggestions.
By the way, our travel guide is a mobile-friendly .pdf document that covers the top 20 things
to do in Florence, including maps, links, opening hours, and other information.
NUMBER 6: Gelato
was invented during the Italian Renaissance in Florence.
At the court of Catherine de' Medici in Florence, an alchemist working for the Medici family
was supposed to be the first person who created a gelato with "fior di latte" flavor.
There are many famous historic gelato places where you can taste this delicious dessert,
such as Vivoli. Check our travel guide for more suggestions.
By the way, you will need to buy an Italian travel adapter
to charge your phone and other devices.
We recommend purchasing a travel adapter before traveling to Florence.
In fact, it is worth buying a universal adapter so you can use it in other countries too.
This video is sponsored by Ceptics, the number one brand for travel adapters on Amazon.
Did you know that different adapters charge your phone and other devices at different speeds?
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NUMBER 5: Hospital of Innocents
A children's orphanage built in the 14th century,
The Hospital of Innocents it's an example of early Italian Renaissance architecture
and is considered an architectural wonder and is Europe's oldest foundling hospital.
Hospital of the Innocents is Italy's oldest public institution used as a shelter for orphaned
children and continues to offer services to protect children today.
The hospital houses a museum displaying the history of the building
and the lives of the children who lived there.
You can even explore the records of all the children who lived there
in the museum's historical archive.
Don't miss beautiful Piazza della Santissima Annunziata in front of the museum.
NUMBER 4: Walls of Florence & gates to the city
The impressive city walls of Florence, which protected the city from intrusions,
have been rebuilt several times throughout history.
Only a few parts of the wall remain intact today,
and some of those that survived are the gates of the city.
The San Niccolò Gate is the only gate that maintained its original height
from when it was built in 1324.
Walk along the walls of Florence and imagine what life was like in the old days.
Much of these structures hold a lot of history, as they are sites of historical events
In the 16th century, fortifications became necessary for the defense of the city.
One of the most beautiful ones is the Fortress of Belvedere.
NUMBER 3: Basilica di San Lorenzo
The city's cathedral for 300 years and the oldest church in the city,
was consecrated in the year 393.
Basilica di San Lorenzo is located at the city's main market district
belonging to the San Lorenzo complex.
The complex includes a museum and an underground crypt where you'll find the tomb of Cosimo di Medici
and artist Donatello. Don’t miss the Medici Chapel and the Laurentian Medici Library.
NUMBER 2: Boboli Gardens
Florence if full of breathtaking gardens.
One of the most beautiful ones is the Boboli Gardens.
The garden is located behind the Pitti Palace, the chief residence of the rulers of Florence.
This famous garden was owned by the Medici family
and heralded as an example of "green architecture."
Its structural design had a significant influence on other courts.
Walk around the gardens and explore greenery, beautiful fountains,
impressive statues and much more.
The gardens are a part of the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites
and usually get over one million visitors per year.
Don't miss the Buontalenti Grotto – a fairytale like cave.
There are many other impressive gardens in Florence.
Check our travel guide for more suggestions.
NUMBER 1: Piazza del Duomo
Considered to be the religious center of the city, Piazza del Duomo is one of the sights
that you just can't miss when you're in Florence.
The square houses the city's cathedral,
the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore completed in 1436, known as Duomo.
It features a beautiful marble exterior
and an impressive and the largest masonry dome in the world.
Giotto's Campanile offers a panoramic view of the city.
Below the cathedral is the Crypt of Santa Reparata,
and across the cathedral is the Baptistery of St. John
with a Byzantine mosaic depicting the Last Judgement.
There are tons of other amazing things to do in Florence.
Check out our travel guide for more great suggestions.