Top 10 Things to Do in Florence

Brunelleschi's extraordinary brick dome still dominates the Florentine skyline five centuries after its completion, and you can climb inside for a vertiginous close-up view.

The oldest bridge in Florence spans the Arno on three stone arches, its shops — historically occupied by goldsmiths and jewellers — jutting out over the river on wooden brackets.

The hilltop terrace south of the Arno offers the classic panorama of Florence: the Duomo, the towers, the red rooftops, and the Tuscan hills fading into the distance.

Florence is the spiritual home of artisan gelato, and a scoop from one of the city's serious gelaterie — Gelateria dei Neri or Buonarroti — is a non-negotiable part of any visit.

Michelangelo's David stands in triumphant perfection in this purpose-built hall, surrounded by the unfinished Prisoners that seem to strain to escape from their marble.

The vast Medici palace houses multiple museums of extraordinary quality, while the terraced Boboli Gardens climbing behind it are among Italy's finest formal gardens.

The Franciscan basilica is the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Dante — making it the most illustrious pantheon in Italy.

Cross the Arno to Florence's artisan quarter, where leather workshops, family trattorias, and enotecas have been serving locals and in-the-know visitors for generations.

The finest collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture outside the Accademia, including Donatello's bronze David and works by Verrocchio and Luca della Robbia.

Brunelleschi's extraordinary brick dome still dominates the Florentine skyline five centuries after its completion, and you can climb inside for a vertiginous close-up view.

The oldest bridge in Florence spans the Arno on three stone arches, its shops — historically occupied by goldsmiths and jewellers — jutting out over the river on wooden brackets.

The hilltop terrace south of the Arno offers the classic panorama of Florence: the Duomo, the towers, the red rooftops, and the Tuscan hills fading into the distance.

Florence is the spiritual home of artisan gelato, and a scoop from one of the city's serious gelaterie — Gelateria dei Neri or Buonarroti — is a non-negotiable part of any visit.

Michelangelo's David stands in triumphant perfection in this purpose-built hall, surrounded by the unfinished Prisoners that seem to strain to escape from their marble.

The vast Medici palace houses multiple museums of extraordinary quality, while the terraced Boboli Gardens climbing behind it are among Italy's finest formal gardens.

The Franciscan basilica is the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Dante — making it the most illustrious pantheon in Italy.

Cross the Arno to Florence's artisan quarter, where leather workshops, family trattorias, and enotecas have been serving locals and in-the-know visitors for generations.

The finest collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture outside the Accademia, including Donatello's bronze David and works by Verrocchio and Luca della Robbia.