The beautiful city of Florence is every traveler’s dream – beautiful sights, delicious food and rich history. However, it can be a bit overwhelming to know what to do in order to make the most out of your time there. Of course you want to see all of the beautiful art and historical monuments. But there is more to the city and the culture than meets the eye. I’ve consolidated 8 things you must know before visiting Florence.

1. Climbing the Duomo

Majestically dominating the city skyline, the dome of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is easily Florence’s most iconic attraction. The detail and time that went into building it are impressive. And the climb up to the top is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Florence.

When you climb up the Duomo, you get a behind the scenes view of the innovative construction and engineering utilized in the 1400’s. Still today, this is the largest brick and mortar dome in existence with a height of about 300 feet for just the cupola alone. After the 463 steps, the view of the city and the Tuscany region is absolutely breathtaking.

Purchasing Tickets

To enter, there is a single ticket that costs ‎€15 and includes entry to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Opera Museum. The ticket is valid for 48 hours after visiting the first monument and you can visit each monument one time with each ticket.

The easiest way to buy tickets is online but you can also go to the ticket office in piazza San Giovanni right across the street from the baptistery entrance, the Bell Tower entrance, the entrance to the Crypt of Santa Reparata in the cathedral or the Works of the Duomo Museum entrance.

The tricky part is that a reservation is mandatory in order to climb the Duomo so be sure to reserve your time slot ahead of time! Once you have your ticket, book your time online or visit any of the ticket offices. My recommendation would be to reserve it at least a day in advanced as it does book up pretty quickly.

Tours

The other option is to skip the entrance lines and climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome with an expert guide! We chose to do a tour with Italy With Us and had a great experience. The tour guide handed each of us headphones and we learned so much about the history of the cathedral and the duomo as we made our way up to the duomo.

After explaining the history of the Renaissance dome your guide will lead the way straight up its impressive 463-step staircase. Taking roughly 45 minutes, the walk up the steps is not for the faint of heart! The climb is steep and narrow – hard work but most definitely worth it.

Dress code

To enter the cathedral they require visitors to wear suitable clothing. You will be forbidden entry with shorts, bare shoulders, sandals, hats and sunglasses.

2. Florentines Love Their Steak!

Beef is the specialty and Florentines don’t waste any bit of it. One of the specialties is Lampredotto, a typical way of serving tripe in Florence. Be sure to try it from street vendors or in the public markets of central Florence. Bistecca alla Florentine is a powerhouse cut beef, cooked to perfection and usually sold by the kilo. These T-bone steaks are cooked on the grill (traditionally, using chestnut embers).

3. Dessert is Cantuccini with Sweet Wine

If you still have room for something sweet after dinner, you might like finishing off your hearty meal with some cantuccini (almond biscuits). I strongly recommend doing as the Florentines and dipping them in a glass of vin Santo, a typical sweet wine! So yummy!

4. Where to Stay in Florence

If you are planning to visit historical part of Florence, your best bet is staying inside of the city. Florence is extremely walkable and is best viewed by foot. In fact, you can walk from one end of the historical city of Florence to the other end in about 30 minutes. If this is what you have in mind, any area within the yellow border or ring above is a good option. Another great option is staying in the Tuscany region.

Parking

Keep in mind that if you’re driving you will most likely have to pay to park your vehicle. The historical center of Florence is a Limited Traffic Zone and requires a special permit to drive inside and the fines for driving through the city without a permit are hefty. Your hotel can generally help you get a permit to load and unload your luggage so be sure to communicate this with them prior to your visit. (check out more tips on driving through Italy in this post). While you can find some street parking, the color of the spaces differs from other countries so this can be a tad confusing. (Tourists can park in the blue spaces as white are for residents and yellow are for handicapped).

For overnight stays, the best bet is parking lots or parking garages. The least expensive parking garage is Parcheggio Parterre in the north side near the Duomo.

5. City Views at Piazzale Michelangelo

For an absolutely unforgettable experience, make sure to visit the Piazzale Michelangelo during sunrise, sunset or both! It is completely free and it is an experience you will not soon forget! You will get panoramic views of the city, including the duomo.

6. Buying Leather Goods

If you’re in the market for a new leather jacket or a cross body, Firenze is definitely the place! The San Lorenzo market offers quite an array of jackets, handbags and other leather goods. But be sure to purchase goods made in Italy with Italian leather! Another great option is Pierotucci, a leather factory located between the historic city center of Florence and the famous vineyards of Chianti. Be sure to book a free tour of the factory for a first-hand look at the leather artisans at work!

7. Sant’Ambrogio Market

Built in the 1870’s, this covered food market features local cheeses, meats and typical Florentine eats. You can expect friendly service, communal tables and fresh and delicious food! This market closes at 2pm so be sure to come early. You’ll get a feel for true Florence.

8. Street Entertainment

If there is one thing you are sure to see in Florence, it’s live music in the streets. And the talent and passion are unlike anywhere else. You’ll hear anything from classical music to current songs. If you see street performers, grab a gelato and enjoy the live show!

Are you planning a trip to Florence? Let me know what you’re most excited to see! Florence was a stop during our northern Italy road trip, check out our full itinerary here!