Florence and Surroundings: What to See in 2, 3, 4 and 5 Days

Florence and its surroundings offer to the public numerous opportunities for recreation, discovery and knowledge. The area offers different and always captivating destinations, able to conquer all kinds of tourists and surprise people of any age.

The credit goes to the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the city and beyond, with destinations that allow you to go back in time and learn about the life and rituals that were practised many centuries ago.

Moving within the province we are able to admire breathtaking views and picture perfect landscapes.

Moving from village to village we will immerse ourselves in the traditions of the past, still alive and present in many communities.

Florence and surroundings: what to see

One of the most fascinating cities in Italy and definitely full of points of interest. We can easily visit Florence on foot and quickly reach the most not-to-be-missed places.

On our tour we cannot fail to start from the heart of the city, from its historic centre:

Florence Cathedral: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the symbols of the city. It is one of the largest churches in Europe. It boasts monumental frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari and the extraordinary exterior façades in white and green marble;
Brunelleschi’s Dome: one of the most striking features of Florence Cathedral is its dome, the largest masonry dome ever built. It was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, it is divided into eight segments with the cross and the lantern placed on top, surmounted by the golden ball;
Giotto’s Bell Tower: we stay in the Duomo complex to admire what is considered the most beautiful bell tower in Italy. Designed by the greatest artist of the time, it is 84.7 metres high and offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. A perfect symbol of fourteenth-century Gothic architecture, it is covered with white, red and green marble. To get to the top you have to climb 413 steps;
Baptistery of San Giovanni: also in Piazza del Duomo we find one of the oldest churches in the city. It has an octagonal plan with the exteriors covered with the same tiles as the Bell Tower and the Cathedral.

Florence and surroundings to visit

After exploring the Cathedral area, we continue to move in the historic centre of Florence and its immediate vicinity to visit museums, palaces and complexes full of surprises:

Piazza della Signoria: it is one of the oldest and most famous squares in the city, a short distance from the Cathedral. It is the beating heart of the city’s fabric. It is overlooked by Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia della Signoria, Tribunale della Mercanzia, Palazzo Uguccioni, Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali;
Palazzo Vecchio: it is the symbol of Florentine political power and today the seat of the municipality. A perfect example of fourteenth-century civil architecture, it boasts rooms that house masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello. The building is completed by the Arnolfo Tower, 94 metres high and a place to observe the entire city;
Ponte Vecchio: connects the historic centre with the east side of Florence. It is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. It once housed fruit and vegetable shops and butchers, today it is the home of goldsmith shops. The Vasari Corridor, which joins Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti, passes over it;
Uffizi Gallery: it is one of the most visited museums in the world. It is located inside a building designed by Vasari. It houses masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, Titian’s Venus of Urbino, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera. But also works by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Giotto;
Bargello National Museum: spread over three levels, it is one of the most important museums in Italy dedicated to medieval and Renaissance art. The Michelangelo Room and the Donatello Room are among the most evocative rooms;
Basilica of Santa Croce: in the easternmost part of the historic centre we find one of the oldest and largest Franciscan basilicas in Italy. Inside there is a collection of works and Michelangelo’s tomb, Dante’s Cenotaph, the monument to Vittorio Alfieri;
Boboli Gardens: a park in the heart of the city that is at the same time a true open-air museum. Inside there are sculptures, fountains, holm oaks, amphitheatre, lane, knight’s meadow, kaffeehouse, Buontalenti’s grotto;
Piazzale Michelangelo: it is the quintessential observation point of the city. It houses copies of David and the four allegories of the Medici Chapels of San Lorenzo.

What to see in Florence and surroundings in 3 days

Many locations of great interest are located within walking distance of the city and can be reached in an extremely short time:

Fiesole: for Florentines and tourists staying in Florence, Fiesole is the great classic of the out-of-town trip. It is only two kilometres from the city centre and was born on one of the hills surrounding the cradle of the Renaissance. In Fiesole we admire numerous noble villas, private parks, the Bosco di Fontelucente, Villa Peyron, the terraced forest of Villa Medici;
Bagno a Ripoli: the village is within the “belt of Florence” and is only 8 kilometres from the centre. It rises in a hilly area with vineyards and olive groves. Here we can admire historic buildings, rural houses, Renaissance villas. Unmissable destinations include Villa Medicea di Lilliano, Antico Spedale del Bigallo, Gualchiere di Remole;
Scandicci: just 10 kilometres from the centre of Florence rises this village with the Acciaiolo Castle, the churches of Santa Maria a Greve and San Bartolo in Tuto, Villa Passerini, Church of San Giusto a Signano.

Florence and surroundings: what to visit

Traditions and history offer many ideas for activities to do in the area, able to allow you to relax, be entertained, discover:

Wine tastings in Chianti: a few kilometres of distance separates Florence from one of the locations with the greatest winemaking traditions in our country. Chianti is the ideal place to taste some of the best wines made in Italy, paired with delicious typical products;
Discovering the Tuscan hills: let’s relax with a trip out of town to get to know one of the symbols of Tuscany, to admire breathtaking landscapes and postcard views, to find the perfect backdrop for a souvenir photo;
Visit the archaeological area of Fiesole: just a few minutes from the centre of Florence we find the most important archaeological area of the region. An opportunity not to be missed and which allows you to discover the Etruscan and Roman remains bordered by excellently preserved walls. Here we observe the Etruscan-Roman temple, the theatre, the Roman baths, the traces of the Lombard necropolis of the seventh century.

What to see in Florence and surroundings in 4 days

In the immediate vicinity of the city there are small villages of great charm that can be reached in less than an hour’s drive:

Montelupo Fiorentino: the village of Etruscan origin is the protagonist with the Renaissance ceramics that today we find in the most important museums in the world. Also worth visiting is Villa Medicea dell’Ambrogiana;
Mugello: breathtaking landscapes, plains, hills and mountains define one of the most beautiful locations in the region, with Renaissance villas and medieval villages. These include Scarperia, Barberino di Mugello, Dicomano, Marradi, Palazzuolo sul Senio, Borgo San Lorenzo;
Montefioralle: located in the hills of the Florentine Chianti, it enchants for its retro appearance, the walls that surround it, the Castle of Montefioralle, the house of Amerigo Vespucci and the church of Santo Stefano;
Barberino Val d’Elsa: this is where Chianti Classico DOCG Barberino is born. Admire the two ancient gates, Porta Senese and Porta Fiorentina, Palazzo del Cardinale, Palazzo Pretorio, the Church of San Bartolomeo;
Sammezzano Castle: located in the hamlet of Leccio di Reggello and built in Moorish style, it amazes with its oriental architecture, walls and defence towers.

What to see in Florence and surroundings in 5 days

During our holiday in Florence, we can combine a visit to the city with the discovery of more distant villages but absolutely worth getting to know:

Vinci: a beautiful historic centre for the village where the greatest genius in the history of humanity was born. Here we visit the Leonardo Museum, the Castle of the Guidi Counts, the Church of Santa Croce;
San Miniato: of Etruscan-Roman origin, it is famous for its medieval monuments and for its white truffle. We admire the Rocca Federiciana, the Tower of San Miniato, the Convent of San Francesco, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Genesio;
Certaldo: Boccaccio’s birthplace, it is divided into a medieval part and a more modern one. Among the destinations we point out Palazzo Pretorio, the Church of Saints Jacopo and Filippo and the Canonica Park;
Collodi: a small village that owes its fame to “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by Carlo Lorenzini, better known as Collodi. Here we visit the Pinocchio Park, the Butterfly House, the Parish Church of San Bartolomeo, Villa Garzoni.

Florence and surroundings: what to do

Holidays also means experience, discovery through fun and knowledge through practical activities.

Let’s see what to do in Florence and its surroundings:

Climb the Dome of the Duomo: we walk 463 steps to get to the top and to make a journey that allows us to admire the extraordinary frescoes by Giorgio Vasari up close. Finally we reach the lantern, right on the top of the dome. This is one of the best spots in the city to admire the whole of Florence from above. Ascent and descent take place along narrow corridors and rooms that were initially designed to allow workers to carry out maintenance activities;
Hop on hop off bus visit: a great classic of the tourist visit of every city is represented by travelling a large part of the territory on an open-top, double-decker bus, in perfect British style. A perfect way to get to know the city thanks to the audio guide and a real must for photography enthusiasts. In case of a prolonged stopover, it is always possible to take another bus to continue the tour;
Food tour: to discover the authentic taste of Florence, we must necessarily start from the Central Market, the most important in the city, active since the nineteenth century. Here we can buy products of all kinds, from cured meats to cheeses, fruit, vegetables, oil, wine, bread. On the second floor we find the artisans’ shops that allow you to have lunch, dinner or a snack with many local specialties. We then move to the different districts of Florence to appreciate typical dishes such as Florentine steak, schiacciata, ribollita, lampredotto, tripe, pappa al pomodoro, zuccotto, cantucci;
Climb the Torre Grossa in San Gimignano: the medieval UNESCO World Heritage village is the ideal location for a trip out of town. Here one of the things to do is to climb the Torre Grossa, the tallest tower in the village, from here we can admire the panorama of the Tuscan hills. We reach the top of the tower by climbing along 214 steps and arriving at a height of 54 metres;
Boat trip on the Arno: in spring, summer and early autumn it is possible to admire the city from a different point of view by taking real boat tours, aboard the characteristic barchetto, a sort of gondola in a Florentine version. We sail on the calm waters of the Arno for a romantic ride that will take us under Ponte Vecchio and skirt numerous iconic locations, observe the characteristic Florentine Lungarni and discover all the beauty of the stately palaces and historic residences;
Rafting: the San Niccolò slide is the ideal place to experience adrenaline in the middle of the city. We descend the slide, listen to the stories of our guide and observe the spectacle of Ponte Vecchio. We will pass by the Uffizi Gallery, the Santa Trinita Bridge, the National Library.

Florence and surroundings in 3 days: what to see

Those who want to spend a weekend in Florence know that they must carefully plan every moment of the day to avoid wasting precious time and to be able to visit as many locations as possible.

During a Florentine weekend or a 3-day visit it is possible to discover some charming villages around the city:

San Gimignano: the medieval village can be reached in an hour’s drive and is one of the most beautiful medieval locations in Tuscany. It enchants with its 13 towers (originally there were 72) that uniquely characterise the skyline of the place. Here we visit the Cathedral, the Chapel of Santa Fina, Piazza del Duomo, the Civic Museums, Piazza della Cisterna, the Museum of Torture, the Church of Sant’Agostino, the Rocca di Montestaffoli;
Colle Val d’Elsa: a short distance from San Gimignano there is another medieval village, famous for its production of crystals. Here we visit Piazza Arnolfo di Cambio, the Crystal Museum, the Church of Sant’Agostino, the Cathedral, the museum complex of San Pietro, Porta Nuova;
Monteriggioni: we always stay in the same area to discover one of the most evocative small villages in the region, strong in centuries-old traditions and with an imposing appearance, protagonist with numerous historical re-enactments and a stop on the Via Francigena. Here we visit the historic centre, the Museum of Arms and Armour, the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Lago;
Volterra: the hilltop village that has also become famous for having hosted the filming of the Twilight saga gives us emotions with Piazza dei Priori, with the imposing Etruscan walls, with Palazzo dei Priori, with the Cathedral and the Baptistery, with the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, with the Etruscan Acropolis, with the Medici Fortress and Porta a Selci, with the Roman amphitheatre and the archaeological area, with the Picture Gallery, with the Alabaster Ecomuseum.