MUSEUMS
Bargello Museum
It is one among the first museums of Italy and was established in the year 1865. It is a premier sculpture gallery. The busts and statues, which are exhibited at this museum, are the works of the popular renaissance artists like Giambologna, Verrochio, Donatello and Michelangelo. The 13th century building, which houses the museum, now was the city hall and the prison and then converted to police headquarters.
Museo dell’Opera Del Duomo
It is the museum, which houses so many original works, and blueprints of arts and the architecture related to the Florence’s Duomo complex that has cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Campanile and Baptistery. The museum displays original statues and carvings from the three buildings that include Lorenzo Ghiberti’s panels for Baptistery doors. It is possible for finding exhibits from Duomo architect Brunelleschi’s plans and the Renaissance era tools, which are meant for building Duomo.
Museo di San Macro
Musuem of the San Macro Monastery features work of Fra Angelico who is the early renaissance painter and the monk. Fra Angelico lived at San Macro, the monastery where his paintings are there for the best-known frescoes on the walls and in the cells. San Macro is the monastery where firebrand monk Savonarola lived. Museum has many of the personal assets of Fra Angelico and the popular portrait painted by the fellow monk Fra Bartolomeo.
La Specola
La Specola or the Musuem for the natural history houses the collection of medici family. One can find this museum near to the Pitti Palace. This museum has 34 zoological themed rooms and 10 rooms, which are meant for exhibiting anatomic waxes.
The Palazzo Vecchio
It is the great symbol of the Florentine civic power and constructed in the end of 13th century. This has gone through many restorations. This museum stands near to Piazza della Signoria and it houses so many frescoed rooms and courtyards that are rich with statues and artworks.
Salvatore Ferragamo Museum
One should visit this museum if the person is passionate about fashion. It is located in Palazzo Spini Feroni. The talent of popular designers are showcased here through gigantic shoe collection, impressive photos, sketches and drawings.
MARKETS
San Lorenzo Market of Florence
It is one among the popular markets in Florence. One can find stalls that sell leather souvenirs, clothing and goods here. This market is open between 9 am to 7 pm. It is a very lively market that is visited by both the locals and tourists. This market is very close to the Basilica of San Lorenzo. It provides one with great opportunity to shop around.
Sant’Ambrogio Market
It is a smaller market but a popular one. It is among those markets where more locals can be found. It is the place where one can get household items, food and clothes. It is open from morning till early afternoon. It is also a good place for finding the local food items in Florence.
Mercato Nuovo
This is the market which is popular for leather goods, scarves and also for its location. It is a newer version of original leather market which is located at San Lorenzo. This market is nestled under the beautiful kind of medieval styled arches. The market also has a bronze statue of wild boar, giving it the name of Mercato Porcellino. This statue is considered to bring luck if one rubs its nose when a coin gets dropped from its mouth.
Mercato Centrale
This is the market located in heart of the San Lorenzo neighborhood. It is the indoor market hall which is constructed out of glass and iron and is dated back to 19th century. This market sells fish and many local ingredients. Quality ingredients to prepare food can be bought from here and the restaurants nearby are the major customers of this market. Second level of the market has a food court. It is a gourmet food court that has everything including fancy hamburgers to the best wines of the region.
Florence Market
This is a permanent market which is located temporarily to the Largo Annigoni square which is next to Sant’Ambrogio market. This popular antique market has so many chosen treasures which resold by the collectors. These items are not at all cheap but they are indeed worth the money you are spending on them.
PARKS
Rose Garden, Giardino delle Rose
Along the way to Piazzale Michelangelo, one of the best panoramic views in the city, there lies a small rose garden. With over 800 species of roses and an amazing view, this garden, though small, is a place of tranquility and relaxation. Many tourists stop for photos if they happen to come across it, and the best time of year to go is in May when the roses are in full bloom. Best of all, it’s free. Open daily 8am-8pm.
Boboli Garden
The largest garden in all of Florence, Boboli Garden belonged to the Medici family, and lies behind Palazzo Pitti. Although not so much as a garden than a sprawling outdoor museum, you can find sculptures, statues, fountains, and even small museums inside standalone buildings around the property. It’s a gorgeous escape from the concrete streets of Florence if you’re in the mood for something closer to nature, yet you still can experience some Florentine history. Open everyday from 8.15 a.m. to 4:30pm (Nov-Feb), to 5:30pm (March), to 6:30pm (April-May, Sept-Oct) and to 7:30pm (June-August). Last entrance is 1 hour before closing time. Full price for entry is €10.
Bardini Gardens
Equally beautiful, but much less crowded are the Bardini Gardens. Only recently has the garden been open the public (since 2005). It underwent years of restoration after being abandoned for many generations from the last of the historic Mozzi family. Twelve million euros later, the beautiful green garden overlooks Florence and is full of giant ancient trees, stone terraces, and seating areas. They also host a number of outdoor events in the spring and summer months.
Torrigiani Gardens, Giardino Torrigiani
Who knew Florence was the home to the largest private garden in all of Europe? You’d never even know by walking by since the tall walls are deceiving, inside, however, they hold beautiful secrets, tranquil spaces and dozens of species of plants that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. The garden is private, and still owned by the descendants of the family, so in order to go inside, you need to book a private tour. They also boast having the world’s oldest botanical garden (according to them), but surely a gem to find behind the cold stone walls. Visits are by reservation only so be sure to schedule in advance.
Cascine Park
Although this park is off the tourist path, it’s definitely accessible. Over 118 hectares of green space that runs along the Arno river, this park is popular with runners, dogs, children, and even some markets and summer events. This park can be a bit rough around the edges, and it’s not recommended to go at night, but during the day, it’s a great spot for a quiet picnic, or nature walk. Historically it was a hunting reserve for the Medici family, and centuries later it was said to have been Queen Victoria’s favourite part of Florence. If it’s good enough for a Queen, it’s good enough for us.
Gherardesca Gardens at the Four Seasons in Florence
Although this is a private garden is owned by the famous Four Seasons Hotel, you still have a chance at having a peek. Before being part of the hotel, this garden had been hidden from the public for hundreds of years and had been planted originally as a Renaissance garden in the 15th century. Now, however, even if you’re not a guest of the hotel, you can see it during one of the ‘open days’ throughout the year for the public.
Villa Strozzi Garden, Giardino di Villa Strozzi
Known to the locals as Il Boschetto (the little woods), this place is well known and loved by those who live nearby. It has one of the best closed dog parks in the centre, picnic tables, a playground for kids, and you can even enjoy drinks and pizza in the summer months. The historic green space is near Polimoda University and just a 20 minute walk near the San Freudiano neighbourhood.
Horticulture Garden, Giardino dell’Orticoltura
This is another green space in the city closer to Piazza della Libertà, just outside of the common tourist area. It’s a 19th century garden which transforms into an event space for the summer months where you can find anything from a street food festival, to a plant fair.