The local take
Climb to a hilltop church or garden for a view back over the domes and rooftops, or time a visit for one of the city's historic festivals and costumed games. This list also reaches well into the Tuscan countryside, and day trips make up a large share of it. Expect wine villages among cypress-lined hills, remote abbeys standing alone in open country, natural hot springs and medieval hill towns around Siena, plus walking routes over the Apennines or along the sea.
Our local guides added a note to every stop, and the chips sort it by museums, religious landmarks, parks, day trips, hikes or viewpoints.
MuseumsGalleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
No trip to Florence is complete without a stop at this art museum, the home of Michelangelo’s David sculpture.
Florence & Countryside, City CenterRecommended by Fedor S.
Religious LandmarksAbbazia del Santissimo Salvatore
Spend a couple of hours exploring the ins and outs of the Abbazia del Santissimo Salvatore, as well as its Museum of Sacred Art, and the various treasures still kept on-site.
Florence & Countryside, BeneventoRecommended by Tuscan Experiences (Federica Z.)
Religious LandmarksDay TripsAbbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Between low-hanging clouds (especially in the cooler months) and thickets of cypress trees lies the stunning Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore.
Florence & Countryside, SienaRecommended by Tuscan Experiences (Federica Z.)
Religious LandmarksDay TripsAbbazia di San Galgano
Feel as tiny as an ant when standing in what remains of the giant walls of Abbazia di San Galgano.
Florence & Countryside, SienaRecommended by Tuscan Experiences (Federica Z.)
Religious LandmarksAbbazia di Sant'Antimo
At Abbazia di Sant'Antimo, join a miniature painting course or a Gregorian chant course, and explore the Abbey Herbarium (forming part of the Garden of Saint Hildegard grounds).
Florence & Countryside, SienaRecommended by Tuscan Experiences (Federica Z.)
Day TripsArezzo
Hop on a quick 30-minute train ride from Florence to reach the quieter, less touristy Arezzo.
Florence & Countryside, ArezzoRecommended by Elena F.
Live EventsARTiglieria
ARTiglieria is an event venue in Porta al Prato that's only open a few times a month.
Florence & Countryside, Porta al PratoRecommended by Fedor S.
On the WaterDay TripsBagni San Filippo
Bagni San Filippo feels unreal at times, as cascades of sulfuric waters create white, almost “sticky” looking ripples over limestone rock formations.
Florence & Countryside, SienaRecommended by Tuscan Experiences (Federica Z.)
Day TripsBagno Vignoni
Restaurants, cafes, stone buildings, and general life all center around Bagno Vignoni’s main attraction: its thermal pool.
Florence & Countryside, SienaRecommended by Tuscan Experiences (Federica Z.)
Historic LandmarkReligious LandmarksBasilica di San Lorenzo
The foundations of this church, one of the biggest in Florence, can be traced back to 393 AD.
Florence & Countryside, San LorenzoRecommended by Fedor S.
ViewpointsReligious LandmarksBasilica di San Miniato al Monte
This church sits on a hilltop that’s the highest point in Florence.
Florence & Countryside, OltrarnoRecommended by Elena F.
Day TripsBolgheri
It’s the best of both worlds in Bolgheri: classic Tuscan topography — cue the vineyards and wineries, cypress trees, farms, and medieval-esque towns — AND the Tuscan Coast just…
Florence & CountrysideRecommended by Veronica R.
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