There are so many things to do and see in Florence and here’s our list of Ten Places to Visit in Florence.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Florence by Zestbienbeautouza
1. Santa Maria del Fiore - This place is also known as the Duomo di Firenze and it is the city's beautiful cathedral, and is considered as the symbol of the city. The Brunelleschi has a huge dome that was an engineering feat at that time. There is also a statue of Brunelleschi that is located in the piazza. It is possible to climb the Dome but it’ll cost you €8 entrance fee.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Santa Maria del Fiore by KatJaTo
2. Giotto's Tower - The tower is adjacent to the Duomo, and you can climb the tower and it offers a magnificent 360-degree view of the Duomo, and the surrounding area the fee to the tower is €6.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Giotto's Tower by robin.elaine
3. Santa Croce – This church contains the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante, and many other famous people in the renaissance. The church also has some great artworks that you can marvel at. The church is very beautiful and very charming. It’s definitely a must see in Florence.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Galileo's Tomb at Santa Croce by GOC53
4. Ponte Vecchio – It is the oldest and most famous bridge over the Arno and the only Florentine bridge to survive World War 2. Ponte Vecchio literally means "old bridge" is lined with shops, traditionally that was there since the days of the Medici.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Ponte Vecchio by pracucci
5. Boboli Gardens – The place is elaborately landscaped and has many interesting sculptures, behind the Pitti Palace. Wonderful city views. The entrance fee to that is included in the combination of the ticket price for the Boboli, and it's a short walk from the Boboli Gardens. A single ticket will cost you €7.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Boboli Gardens by interbeat
6. Santa Maria del Carmine – The place has some famous frescoes, the notable once are Masaccio’s Adam and Eve Banished From the Garden and others by Lippi and Masolino that are located in the Brancacci Chapel.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Santa Maria del Carmine by col.hou
7. San Miniato al Monte – This place contains some frescoes by Spinello Aretino. The cemetery near the church there are graves of famous people of Florence that includes Carlo Lorenzi the author of the famous Pinocchio.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): San Miniato al Monte by KatJaTo
8. Santa Felicita – The place is located on the Oltrarno, or south side of the Ponte Vecchio, the place houses some frescoes of the Annunciation and a painting of the Deposition of Christ by the brilliant and weird mannerist painter, Pontormo.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Santa Felicita by PAVDW
9. Accademia Gallery - The highlights in the gallery are Michelangelo's David and the unfinished Slaves. The place allows no photography once you’re inside. The waiting lines in the gallery takes about an hour and the entrance fee to the place costs €11.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): David by jay8085
10. Pitti Palace - The place is located on the quieter south bank of the Arno and it is the former Medici family palace that contains galleries of their art and treasures. You can also go to the Boboli gardens behind the palazzo; it offers wonderful walks and majestic views of the city and the countryside south of the city.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Pitti Palace by HarshLight
These are just some of the places to visit in Florence. Spend a day or two more and discover more places to visit.
Have you been to Florence? Feel free to share your tips and recommendations.