Check out these 7 amazing free attractions in Florence and enjoy them to the full. The city is home to some fantastic sites and, in this article, we’ve listed the main ones.
1. Strolling through the squares in Florence
Piazza del Duomo: Piazza del Duomo, as its name implies, is the square where Florence Cathedral stands. It is one of the most visited in the country and has other very interesting sights, such as Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, which has works from the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore as well as works by the artist Donatello.
Piazza della Signoria: this is the most important square in the whole of Florence and holds some of the city’s history and culture. Here you’ll find incredible monuments such as the equestrian statue of Cosme I, Palazzo Vecchio and the Fountain of Neptune.
Piazzale Michelangelo: this is another square in the city that has become an important tourist attraction, because it is located high up in the city. It offers incredible views. Our tip is to go to the square in the late afternoon to catch the sunset, which will give you impressive photos.
2. Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio in Florence
Built in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous on the European continent. It is a living part of the city’s history, as it preserves surrounding buildings dating back to the 16th century. This is one of those places that shouldn’t be left out of your city trip itinerary and don’t forget to take lots of photos when you go there.
3. Visit the parks and gardens in Florence
Le Cascine Park: this first park option in Florence is a little further away from the historic city center, but it’s well worth a visit. The park, which is home to over 200 species of botanical life, is perfect for those who want to take a stroll and rest between walks.
Giardino dell’Orticoltura: this lovely garden in Florence was created in 1859 by the Società Toscana dell’Orticoltura and is now open to the public. Strolling through it, you’ll have a beautiful view of the city and you can admire the flower beds and take the children to have fun in their own areas.
Another very nice feature of this place is that at the end of April and on the first weekend in October the garden offers an exhibition/market of flowers and plants.
Jardim delle Rose: this last suggestion of a garden to visit in Florence is ideal for those who want an unforgettable view of the city. The Rose Garden is located on a hillside near Piazzale Michelangelo and is a meeting point for many locals and tourists who relax on the flowery lawns. It’s well worth a look.
4. Churches with free admission in Florence
Basilica San Miniato Al Monte: this beautiful church is located in Piazzale Michelangelo, right on top of a hill in the city. Built over the tomb of the martyr St. Minias, the church was completed in 1207 and still enchants with its romantic architecture.
Santa Maria Novella Church: another church with free admission in the city is Santa Maria Novella. It was built in the 13th century, in 1279, and was Florence’s first great basilica. One of the most incredible features of this place is its wealth of artistic treasures, which is present both outside and inside the temple.
Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore: contrary to what many people think, the beautiful basilica – also known as Florence Cathedral or the Duomo of Florence – is free to enter, and you only have to pay to go up to the observation deck. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its architecture is full of enchanting details of Gothic art.
5. Visit the free museums in Florence
Casa Martelli: this museum is located in a house where the ancient and important Martelli family lived. Located next to the Duomo, the museum preserves the old decoration and paintings by artists such as Piero de Cosimo, Luca Giordano and Salvador Rosa. It’s certainly one of the best museums to visit in the city for free.
Casa Guidi: this is another house museum that you can visit for free in Florence. Casa Guidi belonged to the former poet couple Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning and houses books, works of art, furniture that belonged to the couple and a painting by Robert and Elizabeth.
6. Admire Florence’s Cenacles
For those who don’t know, the Cenacle is, for Christians, the place where Jesus Christ held the Last Supper with his disciples, and which is located in Jerusalem. In Florence, there are many painted representations of this moment and some can be admired free of charge.
The so-called “Cenacles of Florence” are located in monasteries and convents around the city and are quite old, some dating back to the 14th century. Here’s a short list of the Cenacles in Florence that you can see without having to pay a ticket:
- Cenacolo di San Salvi – located in Andrea del Sarto’s Museum of the Last Supper.
- Cenacolo di Santa Apollonia – located in the female Benedictine Monastery of Santa Apollonia.
- Cenacolo del Carmine – located in the Carmine Convent.
7. Take free tours of Florence
This last tip is great for those who like to take guided tours and discover details and curiosities of the city that might go unnoticed without a guide along the way.
There are plenty of agencies offering free tours of the city, so you really have to do your research. Even so, we really like and always use the tours found on this website, which are a great option for those who want to explore Florence without spending too much.
Save money on your trip to Florence:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Florence cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Tickets: find out where to buy your Florence tickets in the cheapest and safest way. You can save up to 40%!
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Florence. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
