Florence Essentials

The stops, in walking order

1. 1

   

   Stop 1: Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

   ~15 min here

   Santa Maria Novella is a Dominican basilica whose long building history joins medieval craft with Renaissance design.

2. 2

   

   Stop 2: Galleria dell'Accademia

   ~1 hr here

   The Galleria dell'Accademia is an art museum whose most famous resident is Michelangelo’s David.

3. 3

   

   Stop 3: Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

   ~15 min here

   The Duomo is Florence’s cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary of the Flower, and this vast church took shape over generations.

4. 4

   

   Stop 4: Campanile di Giotto

   ~3 min here

   Campanile di Giotto is the freestanding bell tower attached to Florence Cathedral, built in the Gothic tradition and designed by Giotto with Arnolfo di Cambio.

5. 5

   

   Stop 5: Chiesa di Orsanmichele

   ~15 min here

   Chiesa di Orsanmichele is both a church and a museum, occupying a building that once served trade as well as worship.

6. 6

   

   Stop 6: Piazza della Signoria

   ~3 min here

   Piazza della Signoria is the public square spread before Palazzo Vecchio, the fortress-like town hall that gives this place its unmistakable setting.

7. 7

   

   Stop 7: Palazzo Vecchio

   ~3 min here

   Palazzo Vecchio is the severe stone town hall facing Piazza della Signoria, and its tower gives the building a fortress-like presence.

8. 8

   

   Stop 8: Galleria degli Uffizi

   ~1 hr here

   The Uffizi Gallery is the art museum occupying this long palace beside Piazza della Signoria.

9. 9

   

   Stop 9: Ponte Vecchio

   ~3 min here

   Ponte Vecchio is the historic stone crossing carrying you over the Arno, with a remarkably unusual feature: shops form a continuous built frontage along the bridge.

10. 10

    

    Stop 10: Palazzo Pitti

    ~3 min here

    Palazzo Pitti is the vast Renaissance palace before you, now functioning as Florence’s largest museum complex.

More walks in Florence

• HighlightsFlorence Essentials: Duomo to the Arno in an Hour6 stops · ~1 hr · 1.1 kmSee the walk
• Royal HeritageIn the Footsteps of the Medici8 stops · ~4 hr 10 min · 3.0 kmSee the walk
• Local LifeOltrarno: Artisans and Hidden Gardens7 stops · ~3 hr 10 min · 2.9 kmSee the walk
• Gardens & ViewsGardens and Views above the Arno8 stops · ~1 hr 30 min · 3.8 kmSee the walk
• Food & DrinkMarkets and Historic Cafés of Florence7 stops · ~1 hr 10 min · 3.6 kmSee the walk
• Weird & UnusualCurious Florence: Devils, Boars and Wax Anatomies6 stops · ~2 hr 50 min · 2.7 kmSee the walk
• Art & MuseumsRenaissance Masterpieces North of the Duomo6 stops · ~4 hr 35 min · 1.8 kmSee the walk
• Hidden GemsSanta Croce and Florence’s Quieter Corners6 stops · ~1 hr 20 min · 3.0 kmSee the walk