As one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy, Florence is filled with an array of fantastic tourist attractions. Situated in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is home to some of Italy’s best museums, cathedrals and churches; as well as many character-filled streets and squares which are home to exquisite buildings and both modern and traditional shops and cafes.

There is so much to see and experience in Florence that you can’t fit it all in during one trip. If you are planning a vacation in Tuscany here are our suggestions for 5 ‘must see’ site while you are in Florence.

Piazza Della Signoria is the most famous square in Florence, situated in the heart of the city. Here, tourists will find themselves standing in a place of history as the piazza has been the political centre of Florence since the middles ages. The Palazzo Vecchin town hall is situated within the middle of the piazza and is one of the many medieval buildings you can find within Florence. The Palazzo boasts many decorated public rooms and private apartments and there is an array of cafes and eateries which are dotted around this area.

When visiting Florence, it is doubtful you will not hear about Il Duomo, which is one of Florence’s most popular sites. The cathedral is a great chance to experience some of the many pieces of gothic architecture which are found within Florence and is a true piece of beauty on both its interior and exterior. Consecrated in 1436 and with the ability to hold up to 20,000 people, the cathedral’s exterior is made up of green, pink and white marble and includes many elaborate doors and statues. The dome of the cathedral is a piece of art in itself of which tourists can purchase a ticket to climb the 436 steps which lead to its top.

The Baptistery of John the Baptist is one of the oldest buildings in Florence having been originally built during the 11th century. Its exterior constitutes of green and white marble and also boasts three sets of astounding bronze doors. Inside the Baptistery, visitors will view many mosaics and marbles pavements which illustrate the zodiac- a truly stunning sight.

Art lovers will flock to visit the Galleria degli Uffizi which holds the world’s most important collection of Renaissance art. As Italy’s most popular art museum, this can often be extremely crowded, but tickets can be purchased in order to avoid queuing up for entry. The gallery holds many historical paintings from medieval artworks to modern art and an array of antique sculptures and tapestries. Some of the art works visitors can hope to see include Botticelli, Leonardo di Vinci and Raphael.

One of the largest Franciscan churches within Italy is the Santa Croce. This church is home to the tombs of many important Florentines such as Michelangelo and Dante and its stunning interiors include beautiful pieces of stained glass windows and frescoes. Those who love historical artworks will also enjoy the Cappella dei Pazzi by Brunelleschi which can also be found within the Santa Croce.

When it comes to visiting Florence, there is plenty to be seen and inspired by, no matter what types of historical sites you normally enjoy. Whether you love viewing historical art, architecture or places of worship; Florence is sure to provide all this and more and is sure to see you return again in the future in order to take all of its brilliance in once again.

Author Bio: Mark Scriven is an online marketing expert and has written many articles on business, travel and the internet. For a wide selection of luxury villas in Tuscany visit Cottages to Castles, specialists in luxury holiday accommodation in Tuscany.

Category: Travel
Keywords: florence, florence, sites, visiting florence, il duomo