Things to do in Florence

For many, Florence is synonymous with art: The city’s churches, palaces and palazzos are full of celebrated paintings, sculptures and architecture that demonstrate its Renaissance heritage. But Florence is also the capital of Tuscany, renowned for delicious wines and hearty cuisine to delight even the most discerning of foodies. 

“I have a passionate love for Florence,” says content creator and Florence native Laura Masi. “The little things make Florence the greatest city: the warm colors, all the architecture, the cobblestones, the food, the wine.”

Here, she shares her favorite spots for delicious gelato and culinary treats, as well as hotels dripping with history, thoughtful modernity and details to make you want to linger longer. 

What you’ll learn:

• Florentine cuisine embraces tradition and innovation, with street-food favorites like panino al lampredotto and elevated Tuscan classics like wild boar ragu. 

• Visitors can check out the Duomo, take a hands-on cooking class, or go wine tasting in the Tuscan countryside.

• Boutique stays span riverside elegance at Hotel Lungarno, townhouse charm at The Place Firenze and heritage at Palazzo Vecchietti. 

• Eligible cardholders can earn elevated rewards when they use Capital One Travel to book their trip.

In Florence, meals are rooted in centuries of tradition but are full of contemporary creativity. You’ll find simple street fare and elevated fine dining side by side—trattorias buzzing with locals, cafes carrying the scent of freshly baked goods, and restaurants that turn Tuscan ingredients into edible art.  

“Your very first food experience in Florence must be the street food—and panino al lampredotto is the king of Florentine street food,” Masi says about the epic grilled sandwich with lampredotto, a type of tripe. Small shops serve this along most of the city’s streets, but Masi’s favorite is Bambi, a family-run deli that has been perfecting the tripe-making craft and its signature sauce for more than 100 years.

When you visit Bambi, you could budget time to shop the Mercato Centrale that it calls home. You can source your own ingredients in this bustling San Lorenzo marketplace, where vendors and fishmongers hawk their freshest wares to visitors and locals alike. “You’ll feel like you’re living a day of an important chef or typical Florentine,” Masi says.

Bambi: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 50123 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-2381765

Masi says Trattoria Mario is “the perfect place to eat all the dishes of our food traditions: pappa al pomodoro, ribollita, peposo, the steak.” The steak here is considered by many foodies to be the best in the city, and the ragu is another specialty to try. “It’s impossible for me to recommend a dish because all the dishes are fantastic,” she says. (Only steps away from the Mercato Centrale and Piazza di San Lorenzo, this beloved spot can get crowded, Masi warns, so plan ahead with a reservation.)

Trattoria Mario: Via Rosina, 2R, 50123 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-218550

“I really recommend Nugolo,” Masi says. “You can find modern cuisine strictly connected to tradition.” Michelin-trained chefs celebrate the humble tomato, among other ingredients. On Masi’s must-try list are the pasta radiatore with gizzard ragu, portobello mushrooms, mushroom jus and tarragon pesto, and the duck breast with fruit jus, chard, bao and shredded duck leg. “I’m a big fan of mushrooms and really enjoy duck dishes.” 

Nugolo: Via della Mattonaia, 27R, 50121 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-0944712

A landmark of Florentine gastronomy, Cibreo offers an experience that feels as much theater as dinner. “Cibreo is another one of my favorites,” Masi says. “I love the red furniture, the design, and the bartenders mixing and preparing you the best cocktails in town. They also have incredible food.” She recommends the menu item “un insieme di cose buone” (“a bunch of good things”). The kitchen presents deeply local Tuscan dishes—think elevated takes on seafood, house pastas and rich seasonal ingredients—served in a marvelous dining room with giant chandeliers, tiled floors, marble columns and an inviting backlit bar.

Cibreo Ristorante & Cocktail Bar: Via dei Vecchietti, 5, 50123 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-2341100

Cibreo Trattoria: Via dei Macci, 122R, 50122 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-2341100

Cibreo Caffe: Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 5R, 50122 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-2341100

Tucked inside a 14th-century tower along Borgo San Jacopo, Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco has been a Florentine favorite for more than 40 years. “Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco is a family affair passed from generation to generation,” Masi says. “It’s an amazing restaurant, famous in the city for its pappardelle al ragu di cinghiale.” The restaurant’s two candlelit dining rooms—one with medieval stone walls, the other vaulted and romantic—set the stage for classic Tuscan cooking at its most heartfelt. From rich truffle flan to baked piglet, every dish feels rooted in the region’s history and served with the warmth of a family that’s made hospitality its art form.

Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco: Borgo San Jacopo, 43R, 50125 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-215706

Finally, make sure to save room for dessert at Vivoli, one of Florence’s oldest gelaterias. It uses fresh ingredients mainly from Tuscany, some even grown directly on the owner’s family farm. Masi particularly recommends their classic affogato: “It’s simple, traditional and perfectly Florentine.” You could also indulge in the zuccotto, one of Florence’s most famous and ancient sweets, which at Vivoli is a cake made with a cream and dark chocolate semifreddo, candied citrus peel and red cherries.

Vivoli: Via dell’Isola delle Stinche, 7R, 50122 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-292334

Exploring Florence is akin to stepping into a living gallery: Its streets, piazzas and museums overflow with art, architecture and craft. If you’re mapping out things to do in Florence, these attractions offer a rich cross section of the city’s past and present.

It all begins with history. “You can’t discover Florence if you don’t first visit all of the places that make the city the most beautiful in the world,” Masi says. She’s referring to the iconic Renaissance examples that serve as the city’s textured backdrop, such as: 

• Il Duomo di Firenze (Brunelleschi’s dome). A structural and aesthetic marvel, the cathedral’s dome dominates the skyline and rewards climbers with sweeping city views.

• Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. This early Renaissance church houses masterpieces of fresco and design and offers a quieter, less crowded, art-filled experience.

• Masterworks in sculpture and painting. Pieces by Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci are sprinkled across museum halls and church chapels.

Florence has modern history too. Once you’ve checked off those must-sees, Masi recommends “grabbing a Vespa and riding through the streets of Florence—you’ll feel like you’re in a movie.” Glide over to the less touristy neighborhoods to see how Florentines really live. Masi’s favorite districts are Sant’Ambrogio and Oltrarno, where you can experience the original workshops of Florentine artisans. When you’re ready to refuel like a true Florentine, Masi has just the thing: “Have a cup of coffee with something sweet, or have an ice cream the old way: with espresso. It’s called an affogato, and there are no words to describe it.”

Continuing along the less trodden path, you could take a cooking class with Cesarine. This service puts you right at the kitchen table of a bona fide Italian home cook with the goal of preserving time-honored culinary traditions (like sustainably using all the parts of the animal when cooking). You can learn how to twist and press gnocchi and tagliolini for the best kind of souvenir—one you can take back to your kitchen. “There is nothing better than to learn with someone who cooks every day,” Masi says. “All the food is fantastic.”

Cesarine: 011-39-340-1564661

After you’ve meandered through Florentine alleys and piazzas, consider checking out other things to do in Tuscany. Masi suggests an escape to the open fields and rolling hills of the idyllic countryside. “Our food culture is tightly connected with our country origins,” she notes. And what better way to explore the countryside than spending a day at Colle Bereto Azienda Agricola, a wine estate with gorgeous, undulating vineyards? 

After a tour of the grounds and the wine cellars, you can luxuriate in a wine tasting while taking in picturesque views of the nearby village. “You have to try the Chianti—and Colle Bereto is my recommendation for the perfect wine tasting experience.” In addition to the world-class pours of Chianti you’ll find here, the vineyard’s tasting menu also includes superb pinot noirs and merlots.

Colle Bereto Azienda Agricola: Localita Colle Bereto, 53017 Radda in Chianti SI, Italy; 011-39-057-7738083

A trip to Florence deserves a stay that reflects both the city’s rich heritage and its stylish modernity. 

When you’re planning your perfect trip to Florence, consider choosing one of the handpicked premium hotels, resorts or vacation rentals of the Premier Collection or Lifestyle Collection featured here. Booking through Capital One Travel gives eligible cardholders enjoy premium benefits with every visit, including an experience credit to use toward activities unique to each stay; room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available; and complimentary Wi-Fi. Plus, you’ll earn elevated rewards. 

For a contemporary vibe, try The Place Firenze: a townhouse hotel that cultivates a sophisticated but homelike atmosphere. “The Place is one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Florence,” Masi says. “It’s located next to Piazza Santa Maria Novella. It’s in the center of the town. They only have 20 rooms, and it’s the perfect place to sit down and relax with an amazing cocktail.” Masi specifically mentions the beautifully prepared negroni—“you have to taste it,” she says. 

The Place Firenze: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 7, 50123 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-2645181. Book through Capital One Travel.

Palazzo Vecchietti is a converted 16th-century palace with only 12 rooms, allowing for an intimate experience and customized service. “It’s one of the most historical buildings in Florence,” Masi says. “It’s not like staying in a hotel room—it’s like you’re staying in an apartment. That is what makes the Palazzo Vecchietti unique.”

Palazzo Vecchietti: Via degli Strozzi, 4, 50123 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-2302802. Book through Capital One Travel.

If you love a good view of the water, check out Hotel Lungarno near the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge. “Hotel Lungarno is the only boutique hotel on the river Arno,” Masi says. Most rooms offer stunning river views from private terraces; some even include pieces from the hotel’s stunning 20th-century art collection.

Hotel Lungarno: Borgo San Jacopo, 14, 50125 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-3961. Book through Capital One Travel.

A more recent addition to the city’s hotel scene, The Hoxton, Florence is divided between two buildings: a 16th-century late Renaissance palazzo (which retains its original facade and grand vaulted arcade) and a modernist “hip” building built in the 1980s. It’s an interesting juxtaposition and means there’s something for every kind of traveler. Guests can unwind in the leafy courtyard, sip espresso in the open lobby cafe, or dine at Alassio, the hotel’s laid-back restaurant serving seasonal Italian fare. It’s a stylish, community-driven stay that feels both local and effortlessly cool.

The Hoxton, Florence: Via delle Mantellate, 2, 50129 Florence, Italy; 011-39-055-0986070. Book through Capital One Travel.

Florence offers inventive cuisine, world-class art and boutique accommodations, all within walkable historic lanes and vibrant neighborhoods. Book your stay, reserve your meal and explore boldly. 

If you’re planning a trip to Florence, you might want to consider taking a travel rewards credit card:

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