Florence is an amazing city full of wonderful things to see and do from visiting museums to shopping in historic stores and designer flagships, from enjoying coffee in famous cafes to dining in authentic family-run eateries, and from sipping glasses of wine while enjoying the view from rooftop bars to going on guided tours of the city. All of these things, however, start to add up pretty quickly. If you have booked one of our villas in Florence and you’re looking for a way to stretch your budget so you can really splash out on the things you really care most about (whether this is chic Italian clothes to be brought home, fine-dining, good wine, or anything else), why not add some free attractions and things to see and do to your itinerary? Here is our round-up of the best things to do for free on a holiday in Florence:
1. Visit the Duomo
An iconic part of the skyline of the city and one of its most glorious buildings, the cathedral of Florence is definitely a must-see and, luckily, you can do so for free! Just enter without a ticket through the door on the left-hand side of the facade and come inside to admire the soaring architectural gem, Vasari frescoes from a distance, and more. To go upstairs for clearer views of the frescoes and to access the roof and the amazing views over the city, however, you will need to buy a ticket.
2. Admire City Views At The Piazzale Michelangelo
Don’t fear if you’re not going up to the roof of the Duomo as you can still take in incredible views over the city while on vacation in Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo and you can do so for free! Sunsets here are very popular so it will get busy but, oh my, it is stunning!
3. Explore Other Churches
There are several other gorgeous churches in the city, in addition to the Duomo, that can be visited for free and which are art galleries in their own right as they are so full of works by famous names. The Church of Ognissanti, for example, is not only the resting place of Botticelli but is where you can find his fresco of Saint Augustine in his study, as well as frescoes by Ghirlandaio and a wooden crucifix by Giotto.
4. Discover more famous names at the Loggia Dei Lanzi
If you’re after more famous names from the history of art for free, then a trip to the open-air museum that is the Loggia Dei Lanzi is a must. Located right in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, this gem houses sculptures and copies of famous works by the likes of Michelangelo, Giambologna, and Cellini. For more information, you can see our full guide to the square here.
5. Stroll in the city’s rose garden
Another great spot for views over the city and usually far less crowded than the Piazzale Michelangelo, the stunning Rose Garden of Florence also features hundreds of types of roses, other plants, a Japanese garden, and sculptures by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. For flower-lovers, or anyone looking to take a moment to pause in peaceful surroundings, admire the city, and maybe sit with a book for a while, it is a perfect spot!
Florence is absolutely full of attractions but, as you can see, not all of them have to cost an arm and a leg. And, in fact, simply wandering around the city is a wonderful activity in its own right. So, if you’re booking a vacation rental in Florence or a holiday rental in Tuscany and coming to enjoy the city for the day, then pencil in a few of these free (but excellent) activities!