Florence is a city meant for walking—some of the best finds happen when you least expect it. That being said, we have some ideas listed below if you need some direction!

Florence Cathedral (Duomo) -Entry to visit inside requires advance reservations

Ponte Vecchio – A picturesque medieval bridge lined with shops

Piazza della Signoria – Open-air sculpture gallery

Florence is world-famous as the premier repository of Italian Renaissance art, housing unrivaled masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Giotto, Donatello, and Caravaggio, all sponsored by the infamous Medici family. Definitely check out the two museums below if you can!

Uffizi Gallery - Features Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera , Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo (his only finished panel), Titian’s Venus of Urbino, Caravaggio’s Medusa, many other famous pieces

—Tickets booked in advance through official channels strongly recommended!! Early morning (8:15–9:30 am) or late afternoon (after 5 pm) are best to avoid the heaviest crowds.

Galleria dell'Accademia - Home of Michelagelo's David and other sculptures

— Tickets booked in advance through official channels strongly recommended!! Early morning (8:15–9:30 am) or late afternoon (after 5 pm) are best to avoid the heaviest crowds.

Florence is famous for its high-quality leather—perfect for gifts or a keepsake.

Where to browse

San Lorenzo Market – Outdoor stalls with bags, jackets, and souvenirs

Scuola del Cuoio – Artisan leather school with handcrafted goods

Via de' Tornabuoni – Luxury boutiques and beautiful window shopping

Note: Quality varies—take your time browsing before purchasing.

One of Florence’s most delightful traditions! These tiny historic windows were once used to sell wine directly to locals, and are perfect for a spontaneous sip while exploring—no reservations needed

How to Experience a Wine Window:

They are scattered throughout the city center, particularly in the Santo Spirito and Santa Croce neighborhoods. Look for a small wood or stone door (roughly 12x8 inches) set into a wall.

Ordering: Ring the bell or knock on the window. If open, you can purchase a drink (usually €5–€10 per glass), often served in a disposable cup for a "sip and stroll".

Timing: These windows are typically active in the afternoon, often around 4-7 PM, but it is not a strict schedule.

Locations:

Babae (Via di Santo Spirito, 21R)

Osteria delle Brache (Via delle Belle Donne, 16R)

Cantina de' Pucci (Via dei Pucci, 5A)

Vivoli (Via dell'Isola delle Stinche, 7R)

Gelateria dei Neri – A favorite for classic gelato

Stop at any sunny piazza café for an espresso or pastry—no planning required

Note: Authentic (and the best) gelato will be inside silver canisters, not out for everyone to see!

Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

A historic perfume and apothecary shop dating back to the 1200s. In 1533 the fragrance house created the Aqua Della Regina perfume for Queen Catherine de' Medici as a bridal gift, and it is still sold today!

AquaFlor Firenze

A boutique perfume house where you can smell rare fragrances or even create your own scent

Giulio Giannini e Figlio

Historic bookbinding workshop with leather-bound journals and hand-marbled paper

(These types of shops are part of Florence’s long-standing artisan tradition and are still often family-run.)

Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio

A more local market with food stalls, vintage finds, and everyday Florentine life (less touristy than central markets)

Mercato Centrale

A local food market with Italian ingredients/goods. Also has an international food court upstairs too if you're sick of Italian food and need a burger

Oltrarno

The best neighborhood for artisan shopping - ceramics, leather workshops, and small studios

Via dei Neri

This area (near Uffizi) is known for independent workshops, including woodworking and craft studios where you can sometimes watch artisans at work