Florence for Free

Sights and experiences that are admission-free in Florence, Italy

Precious little in Florence is free. They even charge admission to three of the four main churches now. At least wandering the medieval streets is still free...for now.

Free the first Sunday of the month

As of 2014, all state-run museums and cultural sites are now free the first Sunday of every month. In Florence that includes most of the biggies (and some smallies):

Sights that are always free in Florence

The cathedral of FlorenceDuomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) ★★★—Renaissance frescoes, della Robbia sculptures, Uccello frescoes, and the chance to climb between the onion-like layers of Brunelleschi's Dome, an ingenious feat of engineering that rewards the effort with a city panorama from the top (though there is a charge to do this)... » more
Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise" on the Florence baptistryBaptistery ★★★—Yes, you have to pay to enter the Baptistry itself to see the glittering mosaics inside, but the star attractions are actually outside and free: The three sets of giant bronze doors, two of which—designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti—are held by many art historians to be the first true works of the Renaissance and which were so beautifully sculpted they were nicknamed "The Gates of Paradise" by none of than Michelangelo himself... » more
The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) in FlorenceThe Ponte Vecchio ★★★ - Hanging off either side of this ancient bridge over the Arno are strings of teensy shops selling gold and jewelry, some of them dating back to the Renaissance... » more
Some of Piazza della Signoria's statues on the Loggia dei Lanzi and in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. (Photo by Arnaud 25)Piazza della Signoria ★★★ - A lively, statue-studded square lined with cafés and home to the Gothically imposing, fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio, off which stretches the "U" of the Uffizi Galleries, Florence's great art museum, next to the open-air Loggia dei Lanzi, crowded with ancient Roman and late Renaissance statues... » more
The San Lorenzo leather market in FlorenceThe San Lorenzo leather market ★★★ - The streets around the Medici family church are now filled with a daily outdoor market of leather goods, T-shirts, and other excellent Florentine souvenirs. I get much of my holiday shopping done here (who doesn't appreciate a leather wallet or belt straight from Florence?). Of course, it's only free if you manage not to buy anything... » more

Tips & links

Florence tourist info

tel. +39-055-290-832
www.firenzeturismo.it

How long does Florence take?

Planning your day: Florence would well be worth a week, but you can still fit a lot into just a day or three.

To help you get the most out of your limited time in the Cradle of the Renaissance, here are some perfect itineraries, whether you have one, two, or three days to spend in Florence.

» Florence itineraries

Florence tours

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Florence tourist info
tel. +39-055-290-832
www.firenzeturismo.it


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