Florence: What to See & Do: Overview

In Florence, it’s difficult to narrow down the immense number of cultural offerings into a concise to-do list. As most of the main sights are concentrated in the center, you’re likely to pass monuments such as the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio every time you leave your hotel. For a fresh look at the more overwhelming art troves like the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Strozzi, Galleria dell’Accademia and Pitti Palace, it’s worth hiring a specialized guide to take you around or to focus your tour on just one aspect of the museums.

Considering that, in 2006, 1.5 million people visited the Uffizi, it pays to join Friends of Florence, a nonprofit organization that can get you into many of Florence’s major sights, including the Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia, when they are closed for a private visit.

In addition to the cultural giants, however, there are also small museums that provide a lesser-known view of the city and its cultural history, including La Specola and Museo Horne.