Whilst it is almost impossible to narrow down Florence's many attractions to a list of just ten, here are some suggestions to get you started:
The Statue of David
Michelangelo's Statue of David stands at over 5 metres high, its white marble gently lit by natural light at the Galleria Academia. A visit to see this masterpiece of sculpture cannot fail to give you goose bumps.
The Uffizi Gallery
Commissioned by Cosimo I De' Medici, the Uffizi gallery is a showcase for Renaissance artists and beyond. Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, Botticelli, Titian and Da Vinci sit alongside Giotto and Piero della Francesca. Take a guided tour and allow time to wander the galleries at leisure.
The Piazza Duomo
The vast Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore dominates the Piazza, with its marble facades in striking green, pink and white. Climb up to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome made with over 4 million orange coloured bricks. Don't miss the Baptistery across the square with its famous bronzed doors or Giotto's Bell Tower.
The Ponte Vecchio
This medieval bridge over the River Arno is famous for its row of old shops that today house goldsmiths and jewellery shops with their dazzling displays of precious goods. The bridge that stands today dates from 1300, and is one of the only Florentine bridges not destroyed by the Germans during World War II.
The Pitti Palace
Originally the main residence of the Medici family, this palace is now home to some of their private art collection. Works on display include Raphael and Rubens, as well as more modern art, porcelain, costumes, ceramics, and even some carriages.
Taste a Florentine Steak (Bistecca Fiorentina)
This local dish brings a whole new meaning to cooking your steak 'rare'. If you are not adverse to a little 'sangue' on your plate, then a Florentine steak is the perfect accompaniment to a local Tuscan red wine.
The Boboli Gardens
The formal 16th century gardens built for the wife of Cosimo 1 de' Medici. Spend an afternoon wandering amongst the terraces, enjoying the statues, water features and the amphitheatre, complete with its own Egyptian obelisk. Climb up to the top of the gardens for a panoramic view of Florence.
The Birth of Venus, Botticelli
Found in the Uffizi Gallery, this Renaissance masterpiece by Botticelli depicts the Goddess Venus emerging from the sea. Take some time to marvel at the colours and details within this painting.
The Piazza della Signoria
Spend time looking at the many statues including Cosimo dei Medici on his horse, the Neptune Fountain and a replica of Michelangelo's David before enjoying an expensive coffee and indulging in a spot of people watching.
The Piazzale Michelangelo
Experience a panoramic view of the city of Florence. Just across the river, near the Ponte Vecchio, access the piazza via a set of steep narrow streets and quite a lot of steps. The faint hearted can take the number 12 or 13 bus.
(written by Samantha Collins | translated by Anna Li Volsi)
