Florence is one of those cities that leaves an immediate impression on travelers. The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, it packs an impressive number of palaces, churches, and museums into a relatively compact historic center, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During our motorhome road trip through Tuscany, we spent a full day exploring the Tuscan capital. Between the lively lanes, architectural masterpieces, history-steeped squares, and panoramic views over the city’s rooftops, Florence won us over with its elegance and unique atmosphere.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the must-see sights of Florence: the monuments you shouldn’t miss, the most beautiful squares, some practical tips, plus our own itinerary to make the most of the city, even when traveling by motorhome.
Why visit Florence?
It’s impossible to imagine a road trip through Tuscany without stopping in Florence. As the region’s capital, the city is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, an artistic and cultural movement that profoundly shaped Europe between the 14th and 16th centuries. At every street corner, you’ll discover an exceptional heritage where palaces, churches, historic squares, and architectural masterpieces sit side by side.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, Florence’s historic center is easy to explore on foot. Despite its immense cultural wealth, the city remains fairly compact, which makes it possible to see the main highlights in one well-organized day. That’s exactly what we chose to do during our motorhome road trip across Tuscany.
Florence is also a city meant to be experienced, not just visited. Beyond its iconic monuments, what won us over was the atmosphere: cobbled lanes lined with colorful facades, street artists, lively terraces, small artisan shops, and the smell of Italian cooking drifting out of the trattorias. You only need to step a few streets away from the main tourist sites to find a much more authentic vibe.
Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply curious to discover one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, Florence offers a unique experience. Between the majestic Duomo, the famous Ponte Vecchio, the Boboli Gardens, and the many historic squares, every visit holds its own share of discoveries.
If you’re traveling by motorhome like us, don’t worry: despite sometimes heavy traffic and the limited traffic zones (ZTL), it’s entirely possible to visit Florence with ease by leaving your vehicle at a campsite or car park on the outskirts and taking public transport into the historic center.
We decided to spend just one day in Florence, since we wanted to spend several days in Rome afterward. Let’s be honest, one day is nowhere near enough to admire all the wonders Florence has to offer, and we still had to pick up the pace to hit all our targets. If you can, two days is really the minimum!
If you’d like to extend your stay in the region, check out our selection of the top villages in Tuscany to visit.
The must-see sights in Florence
The Pitti Palace
You can’t miss the Pitti Palace, one of the most imposing palaces in Florence. Located on the south bank of the Arno, it was bought in the 16th century by the powerful Medici family, who made it their main residence. Behind its austere facade lie several prestigious museums today, including the Palatine Gallery, which houses works by Raphael, Titian, and Rubens, among others. Even if you don’t want to visit the collections, the building alone is worth a detour, as it stands as a testament to Florence’s wealth and power during the Renaissance.
The Boboli Gardens
Right behind the Pitti Palace lie the magnificent Boboli Gardens, considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy. A true open-air museum, they combine ancient statues, fountains, artificial grottoes, and long cypress-lined avenues. Climbing a little higher, several viewpoints offer a stunning panorama over Florence’s rooftops and the Duomo’s massive dome. If you enjoy green spaces or want to take a break away from the bustle of the historic center, this is a place we highly recommend.
We decided to end our day at these gardens, and what a good idea that was! After the crowds of the city center, it’s really nice to get some height and find some calm and cool air. We had our snack there and let the kids run around while we admired the many incredible views over Florence.
The Ponte Vecchio
An unmissable symbol of Florence, the Ponte Vecchio is arguably Italy’s most famous bridge. Built in the 14th century, it’s recognizable by its small shops perched above the Arno. Once occupied by butchers, they were replaced in the 16th century by jewelers and goldsmiths to offer a more pleasant setting for the Medici, who used the famous Vasari Corridor connecting the Pitti Palace to the Palazzo Vecchio. Despite the heavy tourist crowds, crossing the Ponte Vecchio remains a must during a visit to Florence.
We chose to visit the bridge last, since the daytime crowds are so intense that it’s almost impossible to appreciate its beauty, or even just to see anything at all!
The Piazza della Signoria
The true historic and political heart of Florence, the Piazza della Signoria is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Surrounded by historic buildings, it’s home to numerous monumental sculptures, including a copy of Michelangelo’s famous David and the spectacular Fountain of Neptune. On the side of the square, the Loggia dei Lanzi displays several remarkable statues free of charge, making you feel like you’re strolling through an open-air museum. It’s the perfect spot to soak up Florence’s history while taking in the city’s constant buzz.
The square is stunning! It’s a true open-air museum. Take the time to look up, look left, look right… Everything is magnificent: the buildings, the statues, the fountain, the columns! Sure, you won’t be alone, but the square is spacious enough to take your time appreciating every corner without being bothered by the crowds.
The Palazzo Vecchio
Towering over the Piazza della Signoria with its impressive tower standing nearly 95 meters tall, the Palazzo Vecchio was once the seat of the Florentine government. Built in the early 14th century, it remains one of the city’s most iconic monuments today. Inside, the richly decorated halls, monumental frescoes, and the Medici apartments bear witness to Florence’s past grandeur. The most adventurous can also climb the tower for an exceptional view over the city’s rooftops.
We got the audio guide for the kids, available in French, which let them enjoy the visit too without getting bored. One tip: check the differences between the ticket options on the palace’s official website before booking, as some areas aren’t accessible without the right ticket!
The Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
You can’t visit Florence without looking up at the impressive Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, more commonly known as the Duomo. With its massive dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, a true architectural feat of the 15th century, it towers over the entire city. Its white, green, and pink marble facade immediately catches the eye and ranks among the most beautiful in Italy. The complex also includes Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of St. John, famous for its magnificent bronze doors nicknamed the “Gates of Paradise.” If you want to climb to the top of the dome or the bell tower, remember to book your tickets several weeks in advance.
When we arrived at the square, we were completely blown away by the cathedral’s sheer scale. What a wonder! You feel so small in front of such a monument. Here again, the architectural work is absolutely incredible. Take the time to look at the details on the doors, the statues adorning the facade, the mosaics… The visit really starts from the outside!
As for the inside, you’d better have a ticket! Without a reservation, you risk spending a good chunk of the day waiting in line, and under the full sun!
The Mercato Centrale
To discover another side of Florence, stop by the Mercato Centrale. On the ground floor, the stalls are packed with Tuscan specialties: cured meats, cheeses, olive oils, fresh pasta, and local products. Upstairs, a large food court lets you sample plenty of Italian specialties in a friendly atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for a lunch break while enjoying excellent value for money.
We loved it! We went there for lunch, and the kids loved being able to pick their own meal from the different stalls, from starter to dessert. Don’t hesitate to mix it up by grabbing a dish from several stalls to try as many specialties as possible!
Special mention for the pizzas: they were the best we ate during this entire road trip!
Strolling through the streets of Florence
Beyond its monuments, Florence is also a city to discover by wandering its lanes at random. Between the Piazza della Repubblica, the elegant shops of Via dei Calzaiuoli, the small lively squares, and countless gelaterias, every walk holds its own surprises. Don’t hesitate to step away from the main tourist routes for a while: it’s often in the quieter streets that you find Florence’s true charm, with its colorful facades, artisan workshops, and typically Italian cafes.
Like we said, Florence is an open-air museum! You don’t need to visit the museums to appreciate its full beauty, especially if you’re on a tight budget. You’ll also find plenty of craft shops, particularly ones specializing in leatherwork. If you want to treat yourself to a nice leather piece, this is the place to do it! Just watch out for scams, and stick to artisans or shops recognized for their craftsmanship.
The Uffizi Gallery
Considered one of the greatest art museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery is a must for any painting enthusiast. Built in the 16th century at the request of the Medici, it houses an outstanding collection of Italian Renaissance masterpieces. Highlights include works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Titian.
During our time in Florence, we chose to dedicate our one day to exploring the city’s main monuments rather than visiting the museums. If you’re an art lover, though, plan on spending several hours exploring the Uffizi, and be sure to book your tickets well in advance, as the lines can get very long, especially in high season.
The Galleria dell’Accademia
Another must-see in Florence, the Galleria dell’Accademia is world-famous for housing the original David by Michelangelo. Standing over five meters tall, this sculpture, created between 1501 and 1504, is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance.
Beyond the David, the museum also features several of Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures, nicknamed the “Prisoners,” which let you observe the artist’s technique up close. As with the Uffizi, we chose to skip this museum for lack of time, but if you have two days in Florence, it definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary. Again, booking ahead is highly recommended.
Our tips for visiting Florence by motorhome
Visiting Florence by motorhome is entirely possible, as long as you plan your arrival a little in advance. The historic center is completely surrounded by limited traffic zones (ZTL), reserved for authorized vehicles. If you accidentally drive into one, you risk a fine that will arrive weeks, or even months, after you get home. We strongly recommend never attempting to approach the city center with your motorhome.
Where to sleep and park with a motorhome?
For our visit, we chose to spend the night at a motorhome area just a few minutes by bus from the historic center. Its main advantage is clearly its location: in just a few minutes, you reach Florence’s main tourist sites without having to worry about traffic or parking.
On the other hand, keep in mind that this area has no services. You won’t be able to fill up on water or empty your wastewater or cassette toilet there. We recommend arriving with your supplies already stocked up if you plan to spend the night.
Be sure to check out our YouTube video about our visit to Florence to see this area for yourself!
Getting into the city center
From the motorhome area, you just need to hop on the bus to quickly reach the historic center. It’s a simple, budget-friendly, and, in our opinion, the most practical way to explore Florence. This way, you’ll avoid the stress of driving in a big city while making the most of your day.
Watch out for the ZTL
This is probably the most important tip in this article: never drive into the historic center with your motorhome. Access points are monitored by cameras that automatically record license plates.
Even if your GPS routes you that way, always double-check your route and follow the signs indicating the ZTL so you can avoid them.
To avoid other classic pitfalls, also take a look at our article on 10 beginner’s mistakes to avoid when motorhoming.
How much time should you plan for?
We spent a full day in Florence. That let us see the main highlights, but the pace was intense and we had to make some choices, including skipping the big museums.
If you can, we recommend planning for two full days. You’ll be able to enjoy the city’s atmosphere more, visit one or two of the iconic museums like the Uffizi Gallery or the Galleria dell’Accademia, and still have time to wander the lanes and savor Florentine cuisine.
Our little tip
Try to plan your itinerary so you save the Ponte Vecchio for the end of the day, when the crowds start to thin out. That’s what we did too, and we found the atmosphere much more pleasant. Then head to the Boboli Gardens to enjoy the last views over Florence before sunset: a lovely way to end a day in one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.
If your road trip continues on toward the Italian coast, head over to our complete guide on visiting the Cinque Terre by motorhome.
