7 Reasons To Visit Florence, Italy’s Spectacular Renaissance City

The capital of Tuscany, Florence is one of those cities you can’t quite believe is real. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, it's essentially an open-air museum where your breath will be taken away by the architectural marvels and exquisite art on show. Even if you don’t know much about art and history, you can’t help but be moved by the beauty of the city. In between all the sightseeing, you’ll be pleased to know that Florence is a fantastic destination for foodies and wine enthusiasts, so be sure to pack something with a stretchy waistband. Want to know more about the city before booking your holiday? Have a read of the top reasons to visit Florence, put together by our travel experts here at Plum Guide.

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Thanks to its Renaissance past, Florence is one of the most revered cities for art lovers. Art reigns supreme in Florence, so it's no surprise that you'll find numerous world-class art museums and galleries housing masterpieces from some of the city's most famous artists – Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli are among the favourites.

The Uffizi Gallery is considered one of the best museums in Europe, and shouldn't be left off your itinerary. It's home to a jaw-dropping collection of artwork, including Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and Primavera, Da Vinci's Annunciation, as well as classical sculptures from Ancient Rome.

Another stop worth adding to your itinerary is the Palazzo Pitti which is home to four different museums and the marvellous Boboli Gardens. You could easily spend the whole day here, admiring the extravagant interiors of the Imperial and Royal Apartments and marvelling at the wonderfully preserved Renaissance garments in the Museum of Costume and Fashion. From here, it's just a short walk over the Arno River to the Galleria dell'Accademia, where you can view Michelangelo's David in all its glory.

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Whether you're an architect or simply enjoy looking at pretty buildings, Florence is one of the best places in the world for it. Showcasing a blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, you'll be treated to dazzling views everywhere you look. One of the city's most iconic buildings is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its intricate facade and frescoes. Also known as the Duomo, this landmark dates back to 1436 – its red-tiled dome provides extraordinary views of the city and is pretty hard to miss.

Another notable building is the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's old town hall. Built as a fortress and palace, its size and bell tower were a statement of the Florentine Republic's strength and power. Inside, you'll find the Hall of the Five Hundred, thought to be the largest room in Italy at 54 metres long and 23 metres wide. Its panelled ceilings, intricate frescoes and imposing sculptures will have you speechless.

For more architectural delights, don't miss Palazzo Pitti's grand symmetry, the black and white marble facade at Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, or the Basilica of Santa Croce – it's home to funerary monuments of Renaissance icons like Michelangelo and Galileo.

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One of our favourite reasons to visit Florence is the range of festivals and events throughout the year. Starting things off in January is Epiphany, which celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings in Bethlehem. A Cavalcade of the Three Kings takes place where people parade through the city dressed up in Renaissance costumes, ending with a live nativity in Piazza Duomo. There's also Carnevale to look forward to, a grand parade of floats, musicians, dancers and people in costumes.

If you're visiting around Easter, there are plenty of events, including the historical reenactment of Holy Friday in Grassina, a town just a short drive from Florence. There's also the Scoppio del Carro or the 'Explosion of the Cart' fireworks display which dates back almost 400 years.

The summer months are a great time to visit the city as you can attend events like the Maggio Musicale or May Music Festival, as well as the Calcio Storico. This is a historic match played in the Piazza Santa Croce. Teams of four Florence neighbourhoods play a game which can only be described as a combination of football, rugby and wrestling. With the players all wearing 16th-century costumes, it's certainly one of the more unique events on the calendar.

Towards the end of the year are events like La Festa delle Rificolone ('the Festival of the Paper Lanterns'), as well as various Christmas markets and holiday activities. Whenever you decide to visit Florence, there's bound to be a lively event happening somewhere in the city.

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One of the best ways to get to know a city is to sit back and soak up the atmosphere. The best place to do this is at one of Florence’s many piazzas or public squares, where locals and tourists alike come to relax, socialise and grab a drink at the alfresco cafes. Piazza della Signoria is one of the most famous spots and has long been a site for political rallies and festivals. You’ll find the Palazzo Vecchio here, as well as impressive Renaissance sculptures and a replica of Michelangelo’s David.

To take in some of Florence’s most iconic sights, head to Piazza del Duomo to take photographs of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile. A few blocks from the Duomo is the Piazza ​della Repubblica, a large square surrounded by cafes. Grab a drink and sit back for a spot of people-watching, taking in the striking architecture with its grand archways. There’s even a carousel for little ones to enjoy.

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For shoppers, one of the best reasons to visit Florence is its sheer range of boutiques, artisan workshops and markets. While Milan may be known as Italy’s fashion capital, many designer brands such as Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo and Gucci are actually based here. Via Roma and Via dei Calzaiuoli are the two most famous shopping streets for luxury brands and high street labels, as well as the pedestrianised Via de’ Tornabuoni.

For unique finds, head to the Oltrarno neighbourhood. Many artisan workshops are set up here, and you can buy handmade goods like leather, ceramics, gold jewellery and perfumes. If you prefer to avoid splashing the cash, there are several markets where you can browse the stalls for bargains. Held on the second Sunday of every month (except July and August), the Mercato di Santo Spirito is a flea market selling everything from antiques and vintage clothing to books and home decor. Meanwhile, the San Lorenzo Market has souvenirs, clothing and accessories, as well as a food hall where you can sample local delicacies should you get peckish.

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It wouldn't be a list of reasons to visit Florence without a mention of its fantastic culinary scene. Tuscan dishes are known to be simple but flavourful, making the most of local ingredients like olive oil, cured meats and cheeses. The most famous Tuscan cuisine would have to be bistecca alla Fiorentina, a grilled T-bone steak, cooked rare and seasoned with salt and pepper. More adventurous eaters should try lampredotto, a sandwich made from tripe that's been boiled in broth and served with your choice of a spicy or herby sauce.

Prefer something a little tamer? There are plenty of other options such as schiacciata (Florentine flatbread), pappardelle al cinghiale (pappardelle pasta with wild boar ragu), and tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo (tagliatelle pasta with porcini mushrooms and truffles). Finish it off with a scoop or two (or three) of gelato. A local flavour that's a must-try is Buontalenti, named after the man who invented the dish and made from sugar, milk, cream, eggs and other secret ingredients.

Tuscany also happens to be one of Italy's finest wine regions, home to famous wines like Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which – if you're an oenophile – you'll know are on every serious collector's list. A stay in Florence means you're well-positioned for day trips to Tuscany's wineries. While there are approximately 100 of them in the region (more than one for each day of your holiday), some of our favourites include Azienda Agricola Malenchini, Camigliano Castle and Azienda Agricola Villanoviana.

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To complete our list of reasons to visit Florence, we simply had to include the beautiful countryside surrounding the city. There’s no doubt you’ve seen photos of its rolling green hills, cheerful fields of sunflowers, rows and rows of grapevines, acres of olive groves and medieval hilltop towns rising dramatically above the land.

We recommend hiring a Vespa or a classic Fiat 500 (or even a Ferrari if you’re looking to impress) and taking a drive down the country lanes, bordered on either side by tall cypress trees. The countryside is dotted with little villages and towns worth visiting – we recommend San Gimignano for its historic towers, Greve in Chianti for its wine museum, and Montepulciano for its famous Vino Nobile red wine. You could even drive to the seaside town of Viareggio, or swing by other Tuscan cities like Pisa, Siena and Lucca. Wherever you choose to visit, you’re never too far of a drive from Florence.

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