Florence was the city that made me fall in love with Italy before Rome ever could. There’s something about stepping into a place where every street corner feels like a painting, where the air smells like fresh leather and espresso, and where the skyline is still dominated by a dome that was considered impossible to build over 600 years ago 🇮🇹🎨.

I arrived in Florence by train from Milan, pulling into Firenze Santa Maria Novella station on a golden September afternoon. The station sits right in the heart of the city, so within ten minutes of stepping off the platform, I was already standing in front of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, jaw dropped. That’s the thing about Florence — it doesn’t make you wait. The beauty hits you immediately and never stops 🏛️.

Getting There & First Impressions

My first full day started at the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and I genuinely wasn’t ready for it. Photos don’t come close. The facade is this incredible mosaic of pink, white, and green marble that glows differently depending on the time of day. But it’s Brunelleschi’s dome that steals the show — built between 1420 and 1436 without any scaffolding from the ground, it remains the largest brick dome ever constructed. I climbed all 463 steps to the top, and the panoramic view of Florence with the Tuscan hills rolling in every direction was worth every burning calf muscle 😅.

From there I wandered to the Uffizi Gallery, home to one of the most important art collections in the entire world. I booked tickets weeks in advance, and I’d recommend you do the same — walk-up lines can stretch for hours. Standing in front of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera felt surreal, like seeing something you’ve known your whole life suddenly become real. The gallery also houses works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael. I easily spent three hours inside and still felt like I rushed 🎨.

Top Highlights & Must-See Spots

The Ponte Vecchio was next, and it’s unlike any bridge I’ve ever crossed. Lined with gold and jewelry shops that have been there since the 1500s, it feels more like walking through a medieval marketplace than crossing a river. The views of the Arno River from here at sunset were absolutely magical — the water turns gold and the whole city seems to glow ✨. Pro tip: the best photos of the Ponte Vecchio itself are actually from the Ponte Santa Trinita, one bridge over.

One of my favorite unexpected moments was exploring the San Lorenzo Market area. The outdoor leather market is a sensory overload in the best way — jackets, bags, belts, all handmade by local artisans. I picked up a leather journal that I still write in today. Inside the Mercato Centrale, the food hall upstairs is incredible: fresh pasta made in front of you, truffle everything, lampredotto sandwiches (a Florentine street food staple), and some of the best gelato I’ve ever had 🍦.

I also made time for the Accademia Gallery, primarily to see Michelangelo’s David. Nothing prepares you for the scale of it — standing at over 17 feet tall, carved from a single block of marble that two other sculptors had already given up on, it’s one of those works that genuinely takes your breath away. The detail in the hands, the veins, the expression — Michelangelo finished it in just two years when he was only 29 years old 😮.

More Things to See & Do

As evening fell, I crossed the river to the Oltrarno neighborhood, Florence’s more bohemian side. The Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens were stunning, but honestly, the best part was just wandering the quieter streets, discovering tiny artisan workshops, and stumbling into a trattoria where a grandmother was hand-rolling pappardelle. I had a plate of pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar sauce) with a glass of Chianti that cost almost nothing and tasted like heaven 🍷.

My last morning, I hiked up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunrise. It’s a 20-minute uphill walk from the city center, but watching the sun rise over the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the terracotta rooftops of Florence with the Tuscan hills behind them was genuinely one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I sat there for over an hour, coffee in hand, not wanting to leave 🌅.

Final Thoughts

Florence taught me that a city doesn’t need to be big to be extraordinary. It’s compact enough to walk everywhere, yet so dense with beauty and history that every single day felt full. If Rome is Italy’s heart, Florence is its soul — quieter, more intimate, and endlessly inspiring ❤️.

Planning a trip to Florence? 👉 Check out my full Florence travel page for all the details, tips, and recommendations!