Best Free Things to Do in Florence
THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Florence
Best Free Things to Do in Florence
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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371 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Flea & Street Markets
San Lorenzo
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Uffizi
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Open now
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Piazzale Michelangelo
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
San Marco
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Duomo
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Santo Spirito / San Frediano
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Santa Croce
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Santa Maria Novella
Bodies of Water
Florence Historic Center
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Piazzale Michelangelo
Factory Outlets
Duomo
Flea & Street Markets
Santa Maria Novella
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Showing results 1-30 of 371
What travellers are saying
- DarrinAuckland, New Zealand10 contributionsBest view of the city, wouldn’t bother about Boboli gardens as the view from the Michel Angelo plaza is crazy good. Didn’t get there for the sunrise or sunset but put it on your list.Written September 6, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Henry M13 contributionsLocated in the midst of the flea market, the entrance was tucked away behind the facade of stores selling leather goods and jewellery. The market was less than crowded and it was not a challenge to settle down. We tried the beef brisket and the roasted chicken from different vendors, both with a side of potatoes and salad. The brisket was mouthwatering, with a nice char to it. The chicken was juicy and tender. We finished the meal with gelato, an italian staple. Overall the food was delectable and appetising.Written August 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- futtock21London, UK17,103 contributionsThe Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fuore in Florence is said according to the Florentine guide books to be the third largest cathedral in the world. This is a distinction it shares according to the Milanese guide books with Milan’s Duomo.Written August 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EyekaytooLeverkusen, Germany3,116 contributionsWe more or less stumbled on this beautiful square on our private, family discovery tour of Florence. We spent most of the day just following our noses around - no guide books, tour operators or anything fancy. Just Google maps and my good nose for directioning :-)
But I digress. The Piazza della Signoria is a wonderful place featuring a host of world class marble statues, including a convenient replica of Michelangelo's David and some rather gruesome images of Perseus and Hercules inflicting some mythical savagery. There is also a statue depicting the Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna. Hmm...
Neptune is also here in a rather aptly constructed fountain to make him feel at home. The surrounding architecture is stunning as well.
There are also plenty of bars, gelaterias and restaurants here making it a really wonderful place to spend quality time. Oh, and all the artwork is free of charge to marvel at.
It's a popular place, certainly on the hot August day when we were there. I found that the best way to navigate through all the people was to just keep your head down and walk slowly but with purpose. No entrance fees or long queues here, by the way!Written September 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PatchWellingMarlow, UK1,678 contributionsWe were very lucky that our hotel was close to the bridge. It was about ten minutes and it was a lovely walk. But, the bridge was very busy.
It was full of jewellery vendors on the bridge. I was unsure what to expect but not just that!
We were too busy dodging passer by to notice what else was around!
It was very busy stretch of about 300 yards but the structure was impressive and beautiful.
The buildings on the bridge were as I have seen in movies.
It was incredible seeing it in person but it was ashamed that we didn’t really had the opportunity to fully appreciate its architecture..Written September 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ryan Otto Ulrich317 contributionsEvery time I'm in Firenze, I come here, often for a solitary stroll to the top of the monte to take the morning air. From here, you can see eternity.Written July 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BradHong Kong, China174,411 contributionsThe Historic Centre of Florence is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1982). It straddles the Arno River and includes numerous public squares and cobblestone streets lined with historic palaces, churches, museums, loggias filled with sculptures as well as hotels, retail shops and endless places to have a coffee, cornetto, gelato, panini or enjoyable sit down meal. Visitors can spend several days enjoying the beautiful Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings and architecture as well as the world class art and sculpture viewing opportunities along with great food and wine in Florence.
Of Europes many popular sightseeing cities, Florence has to be up there with the very best when it comes to beauty and volume of things to do, see and taste. Given it's proximity to Rome and other Italian gems, makes it particularly convenient to include for holiday making in Italy. While some just pass through for a night or two, it would be best to allow 3-4 nights if at all possible. By then, most will have had their fill and be ready to move on. Yet, Florence and Renaissance enthusiasts will easily find stays of up to a week or more reasonable as well. We have been fortunate to have been able to make a handful of 4 night stays in the city over the years and have never managed to complete our sightseeing or dining bucket lists during these visits, always leaving quite a few places for future trips.Written April 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - EyekaytooLeverkusen, Germany3,116 contributionsWhat an interesting, free outdoor exhibition area showing some remarkable sculptures, many dating back to the 16th century. I didn't study each statue, but there was more than enough violence depicted in the ones I did spend some time studying - decapitation & rape for example. You have Perseus finishing off Medusa and the rape of the Sabine women, for example.
I was just fascinated that this is all in just one corner of the Piazza della Signoria adjoining the world famous Uffizi Gallery.
And you cam enjoy tis fabulous Renaissance artwork without paying any entrance fees or waiting in any queues. Wonderful!Written September 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - josephgZ1031MTNew Castle1 contributionI purchased a leather belt at another store where they did not have the ability to properly fit it. I needed 3 additional holes added to the belt. My husband and I stopped in to look at the beautiful shoes and leather goods at Leonardo's. While we were shopping, I asked if they could possibly help me add holes to the belt from another store. They could not have been kinder and immediately agreed. He took such care in adding the holes and refused to charge me or accept a tip! My belt looks great and the products in their store are beautiful - but, most of all - their staff was incredibly kind and very knowledgeable about leathergoods. Shop here!!!!Written August 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- David CCorbridge, UK70 contributionsThis was another part of the Bargello Museum and is a church inserted into a 14th century granary. It’s a very tall building despite being only three main storeys, although each was about as high as 4 storeys of our house. It has big gothic windows, arcaded ceilings and sculptures of saints on the outside. The ground floor is the church with a stunning floor to ceiling tabernacle housing a painting of the Madonna, all from the mid-14th century. Frescoes on the ceiling and some of the walls, and a marble statue of the Madonna and child sitting in St Anne’s lap. All stunning and more interesting than the inside of the Duomo. To get to the upper floors you cross the alley outside and go up the stairs in the building opposite. Four large flights take you to a bridge across to the main building. The bridge is open with good views, and the room above the church is the full floor of the building, light and airy with the original sculptures from the outside of the building. The views are good, but then you notice a modern sinuous stair winding up to the floor above. There is then another large light-filled room above with only a few small statues, but with huge windows above the level of the buildings on all sides. There are great views of the Duomo, the Palazzio Vecchio and even of the Palazzio Pitti. You have to be prepared to climb but the combination of the church and the views is unmissable, and hardly any of the people in the crowds passing bother to have a look.Written June 17, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EyekaytooLeverkusen, Germany3,116 contributionsOn walking around Florence I was really impressed with much of the artwork that is on public display. Seeing this bronze statue of Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini was an example of what I mean. And to think that this was created back in the 16th century!
I was simply impressed by the casual, but powerful statue of Perseus standing over the slain body of Medusa with a mighty sword in his right hand and the grisly decapitated head of Medusa in his other hand. Violence and power somehow intertwined.
The statue is located in the Loggia dei Lanzi in the Piazza della Signoria along with another statue which are all free to the public - no entrance fees nor long queues. Superb!Written September 3, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Melanie TNew York City, NY6,937 contributionsThis market is not in the city centre and it's a bit further, but still walking distance. We came by just after 9:30 on a Friday. There are fewer crowds here, probably because of its location, which makes it a prime spot for food tours. We didn't do one but we just wandered around ourselves. There are fewer options here than Mercato Centrale but the trade off is that you don't have to deal with all the people. They sell a lot of the same stuff - fresh produce, meats, and some vendors selling food. We tried the tripe sandwich here, which wasn't as good as the other market, but still delicious. We also bought some strawberries outside, which might have been some of the best strawberries I've ever eaten in my life, so definitely don't sleep on those.
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is worth the trek!Written June 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - M V2 contributionsThis church is a hidden gem in Florence and admission is free. It’s easy to overlook this basilica because of its ordinary facade and the plainness of the piazza where it is located. The Baroque interior is simply spectacular, especially the temple, the numerous side chapels, the altar / Rotonda, and the ceiling throughout. My daughter, who was studying abroad, wants to get married here. We can’t wait to return to this truly special place.Written August 13, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LostInTimePittsburgh, PA22,164 contributionsThis is a big square. It’s near the big church. It has a very cool arch. And I went through three or four times and each time it was crowded and full of life.Written May 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Filipe QPinhal Novo, Portugal25 contributionsNot so special. It's just a iron wildhog in a part of a plaza in Firenze. Not deserve a special move to see it. We found it by casuality and we saw that people scratch his nose (don't know why).Written August 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
