25 of the Best Things to Do in Florence

"Pallabazzer recommends seeing the historic center of Florence at different times of the day. In the early morning, you'll get to experience it "without noise and the pressing pace of crowds." Midday brings droves of visitors, but the destination is "bathed in sunshine." In the evening, "the lights of the street lamps stretch out over the Lungarni [the streets along the Arno River], creating a truly magical effect.""

"Massimiliano (Max) Musto, general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, describes the bistecca alla Fiorentina as a "mouthwatering T-bone steak cooked over an open flame, seasoned with just a touch of olive oil, salt, and pepper." The dish was recommended by several of our experts; Pallabazzer suggests making a restaurant reservation in advance if you're dreaming of eating a massive Florentine steak."

Florence functions as an open-air museum filled with Renaissance masterpieces, frescoed chapels, magnificent palazzi, cobblestone piazzas, and lush gardens. The city preserves works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci, making art and history central to the experience. Visitors benefit from exploring the historic center at different times—quiet mornings, sunlit middays, and lamp-lit evenings along the Lungarni. Culinary traditions include the bistecca alla Fiorentina, a simply seasoned T-bone grilled over an open flame; reservations are recommended and authentic steaks are often found in nearby countryside towns. Unique viewpoints, such as seeing the Ponte Vecchio from the water, enhance the visit.

Read at Travel + Leisure