Ponte Vecchio, or The Old Bridge, first appeared in written records all the way back in 996. Of the six bridges that span the Arno River in Florence, it’s the only one that survived World War II intact-spared by retreating German forces. Today, this medieval stone arch structure stands as a powerful reminder of how a ruler’s vision can shape a city’s legacy.

As in the Middle Ages, the bridge is still lined with shops-but what’s sold here has changed quite a bit over time. Originally, it was occupied by butchers, who were know for tossing animal waste directly into the river-hardly ideal for anyone strolling by. That all changed in the 16th century, when Grand Duke Ferdinando de’ Medici had the meat merchants removed and replaced with goldsmiths. Not only did this improve the smell, but it also turned the bridge into one of the most glittering, upscale corners of Florence.

Take a look from a distance, and you might spot something unusual-a raised corridor running above the shops. This hidden passage is part of the Vasari Corridor, a nearly kilometer-long tunnel that connects the Pitti Palace with the Old Palace. It was built so that the Grand Duke could move between his residence and government offices without mingling with the crowds. Although closed since 2016 for safety reasons, there are plans to reopen it for visitors.

There’s even a bit of financial folklore tied to this spot, which is said to be the birthplace of the term “bankruptcy.” When a moneylender couldn’t pay his debts, soldiers smashed his trading bench-called a banco-to pieces, a symbolic act that left him unable to operate. Hence the term “bancorotto”, or “broken bench”, was born.

These days, the Old Bridge is a lovely place for a walk-especially at sunset, when the light casts a golden glow over the Arno. Early mornings are just as magical, with soft reflections on the water and, if you’re lucky, the bridge nearly all to yourself.

When it comes to gelato, Florence is often regarded as the place where this much-loved treat was first developed. One gelateria in particular is widely recognized as the city’s oldest, having opened in 1929. It offers a selection of more than twenty flavors, with small servings starting at around €3 and larger portions reaching €6, depending on size. What distinguishes this gelateria is its commitment to producing artisanal gelato entirely from scratch, made in small batches each morning.

The result is a gelato that is smooth, dense, and deeply flavored, clearly reflecting the use of fresh ingredients, especially fruit, without additives or artificial preservatives. Its most iconic flavor is Riso, meaning rice-a sweet, creamy gelato containing small pieces of cooked rice and dating back to the 1930s. In keeping with tradition, gelato here is served only in cups, never in cones. Another highlight is the affogato, made by pouring hot espresso over vanilla gelato in a pre-chilled cup, creating a balanced contrast of temperatures and flavors.

Inside the gelateria, a small seating area with tables and chairs at the back allows visitors to sit and enjoy their dessert at a relaxed pace. In the morning, the space also functions as a café, serving well-prepared cappuccinos alongside pastries and freshly baked cakes made on site. Even those who usually avoid coffee are often persuaded by the affogato, which works as much as a dessert as it does a drink.

Santa Croce is one of the most celebrated Franciscan churches in the world and a jewel of Gothic architecture in Florence. Built over the 13th and 14th centuries, it’s often called the “Temple of Italian Glories”-and for good reason. This is where some of Italy’s greatest minds and artists are buried-among them Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, the poet Foscolo, and the composer Rossini.

Michelangelo’s journey back to Florence after death is itself the stuff of legend. Though he died in Rome, Cosimo de’ Medici made sure his remains returned home. The Medici ruler, unable to properly honor the artist in life, vowed to do so in death-and, to this end, commissioned an elaborate tomb. Designed by Giorgio Vasari, the tomb took 14 years to complete and features symbols tied to Michelangelo’s creative legacy. Three laurel wreaths represent his mastery of painting, sculpture, and architecture, each mourned by a figure carved in deep sorrow below his bust.

Galileo’s story follows a similarly complicated path. Though he died in 1642, his tomb wasn’t built until nearly a century later, in 1737, now facing Michelangelo’s across the nave. It’s adorned with allegorical figures representing Astronomy and Geometry, and quietly also includes the tomb of his daughter, Maria Celeste-though her presence often goes unnoticed.

Dante, however, remains absent. While Florence tried for years to reclaim his remains, the poet still lies in Ravenna, the city that welcomed him after exile. Here in Santa Croce, an empty sarcophagus stands in his honor, and a grand statue was erected outside the church in 1865 for his 600th birth anniversary.

The interior is filled with masterpieces by Giotto, Donatello, Vasari, Canova, and others too numerous to list in one breath. Outside, the tranquil cloisters and green courtyard offer a quiet space to pause or sketch, while the square hosts everything from live concerts to raucous games of Florentine “rugby.”

Tip: Be sure to stop by the Leather School just behind the church. You can watch apprentices at work and maybe find a unique handmade piece to take home. Just remember: modest attire is required-no bare shoulders or short shorts, especially for women, as the dress code is firmly enforced.

Tucked beside Florence’s Academy of Fine Arts, this gallery is smaller and more focused than the Uffizi-but no less impressive. Despite the name, it’s not formally tied to the Academy itself. What you’ll find here is a rich concentration of Florentine paintings, primarily from the 14th to 16th centuries, by artists like Uccello, Ghirlandaio, or Botticelli. There’s also a striking collection of plaster sculptures by Bartolini, Pampaloni, and Giambologna.

But the true magnet is Michelangelo’s original “David”, a striking masterpiece that anchors the entire visit. Leading up to it is a series of unfinished works by Michelangelo that are beautiful in their own right-among them the four “Prisoners” and a dramatic “Compassion”. These partial figures reveal the raw, emotional intensity of his process: you can still see the grooves left by mallet and chisel. And “David”, of course, has transcended the gallery, replicated endlessly-from beachfront resorts to casino lobbies-yet none compare to the sheer impact of seeing the original in person.

Elsewhere in the gallery, a dedicated room displays gleaming gold-ground polyptychs, rescued from churches around the region. Upstairs, you’ll discover a fascinating textile exhibit featuring fabrics and tapestries from the 13th and 14th centuries. Don’t skip the musical instrument section-it’s a treasure. Highlights include stringed instruments by Casini, Amati, and Stradivari, along with rare harpsichords. Each display comes with a detailed description, and some offer audio commentary at the push of a button.

Tip: During peak travel seasons, try visiting on a Tuesday or Thursday evening-the gallery stays open late, and the lines tend to be shorter. If you pre-book your ticket online, just remember to head across the street to the designated doorway to exchange your confirmation for an actual ticket. The guards outside will point you in the right direction.

Florence's 19th-century Central Market, dating back to the 19th century, is divided into two distinct areas. The covered section is dedicated to all things food, while the outdoor area extends onto the surrounding streets, offering a variety of leather goods, clothing, and affordable souvenirs, including leather coats, jackets, and purses at great prices.

For those seeking Tuscan cuisine, the indoor area is the place to be. On the ground floor, you'll find a vibrant assortment of butchers, fishmongers, fruits, vegetables, and specialty shops. These specialty shops offer an array of local products such as olive oils, truffle honey, cured meats, cheeses, and sauces. Many of them even provide free samples, allowing visitors to taste before purchasing.

Upstairs, the food court awaits, featuring a host of delicious local culinary delights. Here, you not only have the opportunity to savor delicious food but also to observe the skilled artisans in action through glass windows. Watch as bread is freshly baked, bufala cheese is carefully crafted, and artisanal gelato is made from scratch. To fully enjoy your dining experience, it is recommended to visit outside of peak dining hours when the crowds are less overwhelming.

Some of the highlights include:
~ Il Pane e la Pasticceria: Witness the expertise of French baker and Bakery World Cup champion David Bedu as he creates a variety of bread, from baguettes to traditional loaves, and exquisite French pastries like choux and éclairs.
~ Martino Bellincampi's Shop: Indulge in buffalo mozzarella served in a classic Roman-style salad or enjoy the ultimate guilty pleasure of a Neapolitan "mozzarella in carrozza," a fried mozzarella sandwich.
~ ARÀ: Delight in Sicilian delicacies such as arancini (deep-fried rice balls with various fillings), cannoli, cassatini, and refreshing granita.
~ Il Tartufo: Experience the excellence of seasonal black & white truffles in dishes such as pasta, salads, sandwiches, spreads... even beer.
~ La Pizzeria: Savor Marco Fierro's perfectly crispy, fresh, wood oven-baked pizzas made with the finest Italian ingredients.
~ Pasta Fresca: Sample both classic and creative pasta dishes while attending cooking shows.
~ Il Vegeteriano e il Vegano: A haven for vegetarians and vegans, offering a wide selection of delectable options.

While the outdoor market closes in the afternoon, the food court stays open until midnight, offering an ideal spot for late-night cravings.

Towering over the city of Florence, the Florence Cathedral is a true Renaissance masterpiece-best known for its massive masonry dome, the largest of its kind in the world. Completed in 1465, this remarkable double-shell structure is entirely self-supporting and remains one of the greatest engineering marvels of its time.

The cathedral’s story begins in 1296, when construction of its Gothic design first got underway. The real breakthrough, however, came nearly 150 years later, when architect Filippo Brunelleschi stepped in to solve what many thought was an impossible challenge-building the dome. Inspired by the ancient Pantheon in Rome, Brunelleschi ran countless experiments using large-scale models and even invented custom machinery to get the job done.

Among his most remarkable inventions were lifting devices and pulley systems capable of raising over 37,000 tons of materials-including more than four million bricks. His work impressed a young apprentice named Leonardo da Vinci, who sketched the machines-drawings that were later mistakenly credited to him. But history has remembered the true innovator. Today, Brunelleschi’s statue stands in the piazza outside the Cathedral as a tribute to his genius.

Step inside, and you’ll find more treasures-like the fresco “Dante and the Divine Comedy” by Domenico di Michelino, painted in 1465. It shows the poet holding his famous book, surrounded by vivid imagery of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, along with a detailed view of Florence as it looked in the 15th century-ironically, a version of the city Dante himself never saw. To see it up close, be prepared to climb about 450 steps up a narrow staircase that spirals inside the dome.

And then there's the exterior-a stunning patchwork of colorful marbles so intricate it almost looks painted. The craftsmanship is nothing short of extraordinary.

Tip: When booking online, you’ll get free access to the top of the dome-but you’ll need to reserve a time slot separately. The reward is a 360-degree view of Florence, the Tuscan countryside, and the mountains beyond. Totally worth the climb.

The beautiful Florence Baptistery, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist-patron saint of the city-stands prominently on Cathedral Square, opposite the Duomo. Raised in the 7th century over an ancient Roman structure thought to be a temple honoring Mars, the building features a distinctive octagonal shape. Early Christians frequently chose this eight-sided design for baptisteries, symbolizing renewal-the six days of creation, one day of rest, and the day of rebirth through baptism.

During its renovation in 1059, artisans covered the baptistery in alternating bands of white and dark green marble, giving the exterior its striking striped appearance. Yet, the baptistery is perhaps most famous for the three remarkable sets of bronze doors. The south doors depict moments from Saint John's life, combined with beautiful representations of the eight Christian virtues. The north doors, crafted by Lorenzo Ghiberti over 21 long years, illustrate scenes from the life of Christ. Ghiberti later devoted another 27 years to the spectacular east doors, famously described by Michelangelo as the “Gates of Paradise.” This extraordinary artwork features ten elaborate panels portraying the story of Joseph.

Inside, visitors can gaze upward at magnificent mosaics decorating the ceiling and view the baptismal font, in use since 1576. Francesco de’ Medici, Florence’s powerful ruler, had his son baptized here-just one among numerous notable figures who have shared this honor, including generations of the influential Medici family. Indeed, nearly every Catholic Florentine, up until the 19th century, received baptism within these very walls, making the Baptistery a core component of the city's religious heritage.

Florence's beloved poet Dante references this cherished building in his masterpiece, the “Divine Comedy.” Born in May 1265, the poet was originally named Durante, meaning “enduring,” after his maternal grandfather-though eventually, his family shortened the name to Dante.

Tip: Your standard ticket for the Duomo attractions includes access to the Baptistery, valid for 72 hours. Note that there's a strict dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women, so please dress appropriately. To attend the daily mass, arrive around 10:30 AM at the door opposite the main entrance and mention “mass” or “messa” to the attendant.