Art lover’s dream tour of Florence

See how the master architect Brunelleschi planned and built the cathedral, as well as many sculptural masterpieces.

The museum contains the largest concentration of Florentine sculpture in the world, including medieval and Renaissance works in marble, bronze, and silver by the leading artists of the era. Most of the masterpieces on display were designed to adorn the religious monuments that still stand on the Piazza del Duomo. You'll find a number of sculptures by Donatello, a forerunner of Michelangelo, as well as a mock-up of Brunelleschi's building site, complete with broken bricks, wooden scaffolding and some of the tools that were used to build the dome. Plus there are displays of various proposals for completing parts of the dome, as well as the original wooden model of the cathedral lantern presumably made by Brunelleschi himself.

Discover these hidden-in-plain-sight gems and learn about a noble organization which has done much to alleviate the suffering of Florence's population over the centuries.

The Loggia del Bigallo is a small museum in a medieval building. It is home to several jewels of Florentine Gothic painting. It was built in the 1350s for the Compagnia della Misericordia (the Company of Mercy), a religious charitable organization founded in 1244 to aid the sick and bury the dead. It still exists today and you can see their ambulances parked just across the street at the Museo della Misericordia, which was originally an orphanage. The building was commissioned as a place to display abandoned babies in the hope they might be recognized before being given to foster parents. Today it houses a small museum which tells the history of the charity.

Stand before the "Gate of Paradise".

The Baptistery of San Giovanni (St. John) is one of the most ancient churches in Florence, sitting opposite the Duomo. It is the most conspicuous illustration of the special relationship between Florence and ancient Rome, as the Florentines believe the Baptistery is actually a converted Roman temple to Mars. The granite columns inside were probably taken from the city's old Roman Capitol. But it's the doors to the Baptistery which are the primary attraction. They took 27 years to complete and were so beautiful that they became known as the "Gate of Paradise".

Piazza del Duomo

Discover the medieval marvel of the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, with its iconic dome offering panoramic views of Florence. Founded in 1296, it aimed to be the world's largest church, showcasing unmatched Renaissance grandeur in Piazza del Duomo. While entry to the Duomo is free, dome access requires a reservation. Consider a Firenze Card for easy access to other sites.

Climb 414 steps to the top of Italy's most famous bell tower.

The campanile, or bell tower, is at 278ft/84.7m tall and approximately 49ft/15m in breadth the most eloquent example of 14th century Gothic architecture in Florence. Clad in white, red and green marble like the cathedral directly adjacent to it, the majestic square bell tower is considered to be the most beautiful campanile in Italy. There are 414 steps to climb and no elevator available.

See how the master architect Brunelleschi planned and built the cathedral, as well as many sculptural masterpieces.

The museum contains the largest concentration of Florentine sculpture in the world, including medieval and Renaissance works in marble, bronze, and silver by the leading artists of the era. Most of the masterpieces on display were designed to adorn the religious monuments that still stand on the Piazza del Duomo. You'll find a number of sculptures by Donatello, a forerunner of Michelangelo, as well as a mock-up of Brunelleschi's building site, complete with broken bricks, wooden scaffolding and some of the tools that were used to build the dome. Plus there are displays of various proposals for completing parts of the dome, as well as the original wooden model of the cathedral lantern presumably made by Brunelleschi himself.

Private Walking Tour

Enjoy a 3-hour private walking tour of Florence, the perfect introduction to the masterpieces of this city. Stroll around the historic center and take in sights such as the Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signora and end your tour at the famous Galleria dell'Accademia, where you can choose to enter to see Michelangelo's marble masterpiece, the statue of David. Please note that entry tickets to the gallery is not included and you must purchase them in advance.

Art museum and home to Michelangelo's famous David

The Gallery's prized exhibits are naturally its works by Michelangelo, including in addition to David his unfinished Slaves (or Prisoners).

Private Walking Tour

Enjoy a 3-hour private walking tour of Florence, the perfect introduction to the masterpieces of this city. Stroll around the historic center and take in sights such as the Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signora and end your tour at the famous Galleria dell'Accademia, where you can choose to enter to see Michelangelo's marble masterpiece, the statue of David. Please note that entry tickets to the gallery is not included and you must purchase them in advance.

Art museum and home to Michelangelo's famous David

The Gallery's prized exhibits are naturally its works by Michelangelo, including in addition to David his unfinished Slaves (or Prisoners).

Uffizi Gallery

As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.

Uffizi Gallery

As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.

Uffizi Gallery

As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.

Uffizi Gallery

As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.

See the villa where Tuscany's first Grand Duke spent his childhood.

Villa di Castello is a 15th century Medici villa mostly famous as the residence where Duke Cosimo I de’Medici spent his childhood. Cosimo, who was later called the Father of the Nation, was the first member of the Medici political dynasty. Not surprisingly, Villa di Castello was his favourite villa and as an adult he expanded it with an extensive garden second only to the Boboli Gardens that included footpaths, fountains and the world famous Animal Grotto. The Villa is not accessible to the public since it has been the home of the prestigious Crusca Academy since 1583, a school dedicated to the study of the Italian language. You can, however, visit the splendid gardens without paying.

Experience an amazing view of Florence as you stroll the gardens of this Medici family villa.

This fortified hilltop mansion was purchased by the Medici in the 16th century and transformed into a princely residence by Cardinal Ferdinando. The villa is richly decorated in the interior and has a beautiful Italian garden that attracts visitors from all around the world. The courtyard that is decorated with frescoes by Cosimo Daddi is probably the most impressive part of the villa, while a series of rooms you can visit present a later style. Both the structured Italian garden and the villa are open to visitors and the admission is free, with guided visits.

Country Villas

The Medicis and other powerful families of Renaissance Florence constructed magnificent country villas in the foothills surrounding the city and surrounded them with elaborate gardens populated with rose bushes, manicured hedgerows, and citrus trees. You can explore these beautiful villas which are concentrated in an area just a short bus ride from the city center of Florence. The villas served several functions, first and foremost as country palaces demonstrating power and wealth. They were also recreational resorts for the leisure and pleasure of their owners; and, more prosaically, they were the center of agricultural activities on the surrounding estates.

See the villa where Tuscany's first Grand Duke spent his childhood.

Villa di Castello is a 15th century Medici villa mostly famous as the residence where Duke Cosimo I de’Medici spent his childhood. Cosimo, who was later called the Father of the Nation, was the first member of the Medici political dynasty. Not surprisingly, Villa di Castello was his favourite villa and as an adult he expanded it with an extensive garden second only to the Boboli Gardens that included footpaths, fountains and the world famous Animal Grotto. The Villa is not accessible to the public since it has been the home of the prestigious Crusca Academy since 1583, a school dedicated to the study of the Italian language. You can, however, visit the splendid gardens without paying.