Historic Centre of Florence Travel Guide

Florence

Historic Centre of Florence
Historic Centre of Florence
Historic Centre of Florence
Historic Centre of Florence
Historic Centre of Florence

Lose yourself in the Renaissance charm of Florence’s old town, where masterpieces by Brunelleschi and Giotto line up alongside cafés, gelato shops and trattorias. 

Decorated with Renaissance and Florentine Gothic landmarks, the UNESCO-protected Historic Center of Florence is one of the world’s most charming old quarters. It’s where great masters left their mark on the city that gave birth to the Renaissance era in the 14th century. Explore their work at the galleries, museums and monumental buildings when you visit the Historic Center. Discover boutiques, markets and time-honored cafés while wandering atmospheric streets.

Piazza del Duomo is the heart of the area and the site of some of the city’s finest gothic structures. Among them are the ornate marble Baptistery of St. John, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Giotto’s Campanile. Relish the panoramic views from Brunelleschi’s cathedral dome and the campanile. Sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo amaze visitors at the Museum of Opera of Saint Maria of Fiore.

Stroll north to the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the city’s first Renaissance building and former residence of the noble Medici family. The tombs of the Medici sit in nearby San Lorenzo Church. See Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery and frescoes by Fra Angelico at the Museum of San Marcos. Browse ingenious inventions at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum.

Head to the riverfront, where the Uffizi Gallery boasts Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera among its exhibition of masterpieces. Adjacent to here, the Galileo Museum introduces visitors to astronomy and science via over 1,000 instruments. Don’t miss the fortified Palazzo Vecchio and Basilica of Santa Croce, the final resting place of Galileo and Michelangelo.

Tucked beneath the impressive cityscape are boutiques, high-end clothing stores and jewelers that showcase Italian passion for fashion. Snack on typical Tuscan fare such as almond gelato, lampredotto (tripe sandwich) and prosciutto ham.

Florence’s Historic Center is the perfect place to tour on foot. Cross the emblematic Ponte Vecchio to the left bank of the River Arno and browse the artisan stores of the Oltrarno neighborhood. Appreciate the old quarter in all its Renaissance glory from Fort Belvedere and Piazzale Michelangelo.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Historic Centre of Florence

c-hotels Ambasciatori

c-hotels Ambasciatori

4 out of 5
Via Luigi Alamanni 3, Florence, FI
The price is Rp2.006.850 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
Rp2.006.850
Rp2.470.560 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Florence. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"It was very safe and convenient."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

c-hotels Ambasciatori
Bernini Palace

Bernini Palace

5 out of 5
Piazza San Firenze 29, Florence, FI
The price is Rp4.196.278 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
Rp4.196.278
Rp4.916.507 total
21 Aug - 22 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Florence. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,004 reviews)
"The Hotel was perfect. All the staff were polite, friendly and went out of their way to be helpful and accommodating. The Consierge, Lorenzo, particularly so. The hotel accommodation was spotless. The location was great and within walking distance of the museums, Duomo and galleries. help be he"

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

Bernini Palace
IQ Hotel Firenze

IQ Hotel Firenze

4 out of 5
Via Camillo Cavour, 88, Florence, FI
The price is Rp2.220.345 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
Rp2.220.345
Rp2.705.405 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Florence. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (909 reviews)
"Great place nice friendly staff"

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

IQ Hotel Firenze
The Hoxton Florence

The Hoxton Florence

4 out of 5
Via delle Mantellate, 2, Florence, FI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp3.389.903 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp3.389.903
Rp3.991.919 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Florence. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Uffizi ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (42 reviews)
"This was a beautiful property and the staff was very helpful with dining suggestions and with traveling recommendations."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

The Hoxton Florence
Grand Hotel Cavour

Grand Hotel Cavour

4 out of 5
Via del Proconsolo 3, Florence, FI
The price is Rp4.002.298 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
Rp4.002.298
Rp4.665.553 total
19 Aug - 20 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Florence. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Good location. Decor modern. Spacious rooms."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Grand Hotel Cavour
 Hotel Calimala Florence

Hotel Calimala Florence

4 out of 5
Via Lamberti 5, Florence, FI
The price is Rp3.228.704 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
Rp3.228.704
Rp4.094.972 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Florence. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (816 reviews)
"Great location. Hotel has a gorgeous roof top. Wish we had more time to enjoy it."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Hotel Calimala Florence
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Historic Centre of Florence

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Duomo

4.5/5(418 area reviews)

Visitors to Duomo rave about its fascinating museums, stunning cathedral and popular shops. You might also want to make some time to see Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or Uffizi Gallery while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Duomo
Uffizi Gallery which includes street scenes as well as a large group of people

San Giovanni

If you're spending some time in San Giovanni, Uffizi Gallery and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore are top sights worth seeing.

San Giovanni
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Oltrarno

4.5/5(165 area reviews)

Oltrarno is a destination visitors seek out for its fascinating museums, picturesque gardens and beautiful river views. You might also want to check out attractions like Pitti Palace or Pitti Vintage while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Oltrarno
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San Frediano

San Frediano is known for its stunning river views, and you can plan a trip to Piazza Santo Spirito and Santo Spirito Basilica while you're in town.

San Frediano
Pisa which includes a river or creek and heritage architecture

San Niccolò

If you're spending some time in San Niccolò, Arno River and Piazzale Michelangelo are top sights worth seeing.

San Niccolò
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Sant' Ambrogio

If you're spending some time in Sant' Ambrogio, Great Synagogue of Florence and Piazza Massimo D'Azeglio are top sights worth seeing.

Sant' Ambrogio

Historic Centre of Florence Travel Guide