By Liam Florence is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy and it is unbelievably beautiful. Travelers checking out Florence’s most famous attractions will see that the costs add up quickly, though. While I definitely recommend heading to places like the Uffizi, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Galleria dell’Accademia to see the statue of David, these activities are not cheap. Thankfully, there are plenty of other things to do in the city and today I’ll share the 12 best free things to do in Florence.
You won’t get bored in Florence whether you’re only staying three days or a full month. The famous Renaissance city is like a living museum and a great place to get lost. It’s also nice and compact, so it is great to explore on foot.
All of the following ideas are easily accessible by walking and some are very close to one another. Here’s our list of the 12 best free things to do in Florence, in no particular order:
12 Best Free Things to do in Florence – #1 Piazzale Michelangelo
For one of the best views in the entire city, head to Piazzale Michelangelo. This is an incredibly popular sunset spot and you can clearly see landmarks like Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and Santa Croce from here.
There is also a nearby food truck that sells Lampredotto, which is a Florentine specialty. For the uninitiated, lampredotto is tripe made from the fourth stomach of a cow. While it doesn’t sound the most appetizing, it’s pretty good in a sandwich.
Crowds congregate to see the view at Piazzale Michelangelo but it is located on the calmer, south side of the Arno River. It would be a mistake to only walk across the river to go to Piazzale Michelangelo.
There are plenty of things to do on the south side of the city like walking around the San Niccolo neighborhood and the next item on our list.
12 Best Free Things to do in Florence – #2 Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is right next to Piazzale Michelangelo and is one of the best free things to do in Florence. This tranquil spot has another superb view of Florence and is one of the nicest green spaces in the city.
The best time to go is between April and mid May when the roses are in full bloom. Even if you go out of season, like I did in the picture above, you’ll still get to see a great view, some sculptures and ponds teeming with fish.
It is a steep walk to get up to the Rose Garden from San Niccolo but it is good exercise and definitely worth it. On your way down from the Rose Garden you can head to the next place on our list.
#3 Forte di Belvedere
Forte di Belvedere is one of the biggest hidden gems in Florence. To get here from the Rose Garden, simply walk around the curve on Via dei Bastoni, which turns into Via di Belvedere. Walk up the hill along the city walls until you reach the fort.
While not free, you also have the option to stop and get a schiacciata at Come dio Comanda, which is in the heart of San Niccolo. Other options are a Michelin star lunch at Zeb first and delicious gelato at Il Gelato di Filo.
I lived on Via di Belvedere for a few months during COVID and walking up the hill along the city walls became a daily routine. It is a beautiful walk and I am genuinely shocked the fort is free.
The Forte di Belvedere is usually open during the Summer months and has rotating art exhibits. It has another spectacular view of the city and the surrounding countryside. It used to be the Medici’s safe and Kim Kardashian and Kanye West also got married at the fort.
The Forte di Belvedere is easily one of the best free things to do in Florence.
#4 Churches
The Duomo, or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is the most iconic building in Florence. It’s also free to enter but you would have to pay to go into the baptistery, bell tower or dome. While it’s incredibly ornate on the outside, the inside is comparatively sparse.
Yes, you have to pay to enter famous churches like Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce and San Lorenzo. Still, checking out Florence’s free churches, of which there are many, is one of the best activities in the city.
Along with the Duomo, I’d highly recommend heading to the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. It isn’t far from Piazzale Michelangelo and if you look further up hill from there you can’t miss it. It is from the 11th century and certainly feels like it, in the best way possible.
The ornate SS. Annunizata has plenty of gold and frescoes and is near the Galleria dell’Accademia. Two other churches worth heading into are the Basilica of Santa Trinita and San Salvatore in Ognissanti.
#5 Walk Along the Arno
When Florence is crowded, it can start to feel a bit claustrophobic. Walking along the Arno is a great way to get some exercise and get some breathing room from the crowds.
Plus, you’ll be able to see some beautiful bridges, like Santa Trinita. If you happen to have a bike, there is a nice path that runs along the river as well.
Some of Florence’s biggest parks are also along the river, like Cascine and Albereta. However, the biggest attraction along the river is Ponte Vecchio, which is next on our list.
#6 Ponte Vecchio
On their way out of Florence, the Nazis bombed every bridge in the city except for one, Ponte Vecchio. A popular theory is that Hitler found it too beautiful to be bombed.
Whatever the truth is, Ponte Vecchio is another iconic symbol of Florence and a must-visit place in the city. On the actual bridge, there are jewelry and souvenir shops and it can get crowded.
However, you can get great views of Ponte Vecchio in all of its glory from nearby bridges like Ponte Santa Trinita and Ponte alla Grazie.
#7 Santo Spirito
If you walk from north to south across Ponte Santa Trinita, you will arrive in Florence’s Santo Spirito neighborhood. This lively neighborhood is a great alternative to the more crowded areas around the center of Florence.
I lived in Santo Spirito for a few months during COVID and the first day restrictions loosened, the Piazza Santo Spirito was packed to the brim full of people seeing their friends for the first time in two months.
The piazza is full of energy, with plenty of bars and restaurants and a great spot to people watch. If it’s open, which is rare, you could also head into the Basilica of Santo Spirito.
The Pitti Palace is also in Santo Spirito and it has a massive art collection. While you’d have to pay to go in, it’s worth seeing the massive building from outside as well.
#8 Giardino del Bobolino
It is easy to confuse the Giardino del Bobolino with the Giardino di Boboli. While you have to pay €10 to get into the Boboli Gardens, Bobolino is completely free and a beautiful park about a 10 minute walk from the Porta Romana.
This park is much less busy than the riverside Cascine, which doesn’t have the greatest reputation in the first place. Full of trees and green spaces, Bobolino is a great place for a picnic away from the crowds of Florence.
#9 Piazza della Signoria
Filled with renaissance statues and buildings, Piazza della Signoria is one of the biggest attractions in Florence and it is free.
You can even check out the lower level of Palazzo Vecchio without paying. Granted, there is an amazing view from the Torre di Arnolfo that I think is worth paying for.
In any case, there is a lot to admire in Florence’s biggest square. Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most iconic buildings in Florence inside and out.
There is the open air sculpture gallery called the Loggia dei Lanzi and a reproduction of the Sculpture of David. Plus, there is the Fountain of Neptune and a massive equestrian statue.
#10 Walk to Fiesole
One of the best free things to do in Florence is taking an hour walk to the nearby Tuscan hill town of Fiesole. The views at Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato and Forte di Belvedere are all great. However, the view looking down from Fiesole might just be the best of them all.
Once in Fiesole, take the steep walk up to the Monastery of San Francesco, which is free. There, you can also access a chapel and free museum. There are some nice parks in the area as well, like Monte Ceceri, which has caves and more superb views of Florence.
12 Best Free Things to do in Florence – #11 Officina Profumo
The former pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella was one of the oldest in the world. Dominican Friars founded it in the year 1221. Now, it is a cosmetics store but it draws plenty of tourists.
Even if you aren’t interested in purchasing anything, which would be understandable given the high prices, Officina Profumo is like a museum. There are a few different rooms to check out in the store and they are all ornate.
12 Best Free Things to do in Florence – #12 Scuola del Cuoio
Leather production is massive in Florence but it can be hard to find authentic products. For that, you can visit Florence’s School of Leather, Scuola del Cuoio, but of course you don’t have to buy anything.
Scuola del Cuoio is near the Basilica of Santa Croce and you’ll be able to see the artisans at work while you visit. You can also browse some of the highly quality leather products they have on offer. My wallet was a gift from Scuola del Cuoio and it has lasted years.
For more on Italy, check out our list of 11 underrated places to visit in the country.