Choose from 88 Fun Things to Do in Tuscany
ShowingFilter 81-88 of 88 listings.
The Mall
One of the many things Italy is known for is fashion, so it's no surprise that shopping is a popular activity for visitors. The Mall is a luxury outlet shopping mall in Tuscany where you can find dozens of high fashion names at discounted prices. Some of the brands there include Armani, Burberry, Coach, Stella McCartney, Fendi, Versace, Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Balenciaga, and many more. You can shop here for women's, men's, and children's fashions, accessories, shoes, perfumes, jewelry, watches, and sunglasses.
Non-European residents can claim a refund on the taxes at the airport, which means you'll get an even lower price on your purchases. When you need a break from shopping, a restaurant and cafe is available on the property. The restaurant uses local ingredients to make Italian and Tuscan dishes, so you can enjoy a meal as part of your shopping experience. There is also a selection of local wines. The Mall also has free WiFi, ATMs, a tourist info point, and information in multiple languages.
Practical Info
The Mall is located at Via Europa 8, 50066 Leccio Reggello, about a half hour from Florence. You can reach The Mall using the A1 highway, or by taking The Mall's bus from Via Santa Caterina da Siena 17 near the main train station in Florence for 7 euros one way or 13 euros round trip. Opening hours are 10am to 8pm daily during June, July, and August, and 10am to 7pm daily the rest of the year.
Address: Via Europa 8, Leccio Reggello, Tuscany 50066, Italy
Hours: 10am to 8pm daily during June, July, and August, and 10am to 7pm daily the rest of the year
From $ 107
Siena Cathedral (Il Duomo)
Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) is one Tuscany’s most beautiful churches, second perhaps only to Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore. The magnificent Gothic and Romanesque structure is hard to miss thanks to its tall spires, bold white-and-green stripes, and ornate facade. Inside, the cathedral is equally impressive with works of art by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo.
The Basics
Appreciate Siena Cathedral’s wealth of art and architecture on a guided tour. Skip-the-line entrance tickets grant access to the church, crypt, and baptistry (Battistero di San Giovanni), along with the adjacent Piccolomini Library—frescoed by Pinturicchio—and the Museo dell'Opera. Explore the cathedral complex as part of a city walking tour or on a day trip from Florence to Siena, Pisa, and San Gimignano. Inside the cathedral, highlights include the marble pulpit and floor, numerous statues, and the Chigi and Saint John the Baptist chapels.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Modest attire is required to enter the church, so be sure to cover your shoulders and knees.
- Walking tours of the cathedral complex and city of Siena cover quite a bit of ground; comfortable shoes are recommended.
- While the cathedral is accessible via a secondary entrance to the left of the main staircase, the museum, crypt, and baptistry are not.
- Photography isn’t allowed inside the complex.
How to Get There
The Cathedral of Siena is on Piazza Duomo in Siena’s pedestrian-only historic center. It can only be reached on foot.
When to Get There
Siena's cathedral has a breathtaking graffito floor, one of the most impressive in Italy. There are 56 marble panels of biblical and historical scenes, most hidden behind a protective covering and revealed for just a few weeks each summer. Try to time your visit for this period to view this masterpiece.
Siena Cathedral History and the Museo dell'Opera
The cathedral’s construction began in the early 1200s, and after almost a century, Giovanni Pisano, whose style was heavily influenced by his father, Nicola, completed the beautiful facade. Despite an impressive cathedral, Siena's ambitious ruling families decided in the 14th century to double the size of the existing structure into the New Cathedral (Duomo Nuovo). The plague stopped the plan, and today Museo dell'Opera occupies the only nave that was completed. Museo dell'Opera holds many of the cathedral's most important works of art, including Giovanni Pisano’s statues of prophets and philosophers that once adorned the facade and Duccio di Buoninsegna's Maesta. Duccio di Buoninsegna designed the huge rose window, and the gable’s glittering Venetian mosaics were added in the 19th century.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, Siena, Tuscany 53100, Italy
Admission: Varies
From $ 14
Torre del Mangia
Rising high above the Piazza del Campo is the bell tower, Torre del Mangia, built in the early 1300s. It reaches nearly 90 metres above the Palazzo Pubblico and was intended to be exactly the same height at the bell tower of the Duomo to indicate equality between church and state. These are the two structures that still soar high above the historic center of Siena.
If you have the stomach for heights and no fear of tight spaces, climb the 500 steps for a great view down onto the square and across the city beyond. The irony is, of course, that the tower is named after its first watchman, an overweight glutton, hence the name Tower of the Eater. It’s not sure he would ever have made it up the top to see the view.
If you have the stomach for heights and no fear of tight spaces, climb the 500 steps for a great view down onto the square and across the city beyond. The irony is, of course, that the tower is named after its first watchman, an overweight glutton, hence the name Tower of the Eater. It’s not sure he would ever have made it up the top to see the view.
Address: Piazza del Campo, Siena, Tuscany 53100, Italy
Hours: Oct 16-end of Feb: every day 10am-4pm; Mar 1-Oct 15: every day 10am-7pm
Admission: €7 / €12 with visit to the Civic Museum
From $ 139
Hard Rock Cafe Florence
A rock music temple if there ever was one, the Hard Rock brand doesn't require an introduction; not with 170 establishments worldwide! Both a restaurant, a bar and a museum, this peculiar Florence attraction draws in rock music aficionados thanks to an impressive collection of authentic memorabilia and mouth-watering American-themed menu (something seldom found in all of Italy). Loud rock music, a relaxed atmosphere, original cocktails and humongous quantities of food await at Florence's most American institution.
Golden records, guitars, costumes and other iconic memorabilia can be found at the restaurant's two-floor museum. Some of the most popular items include Jimmy Hendrix's hippie shirt, Diana Ross' Supremes-era doll, an old Cavern Club membership card (signed by all of the Far Four), a handwritten draft of Prince's "The Glamorous Life," Michael Jackson's rhinestone-bedecked pants, one of Elvis Presley's red shirts, a bass that belonged to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Runaways' Lita Ford's red teddy.
The brand's most loyal fans will certainly want to stop at the restaurant's gift shop, where they will be able to extend their pin collection"”a popular tradition for Hard Rock fans is to get a guitar-shaped pin every time they visit a new location"”with one from Florence.
Practical Info
Hard Rock Cafe Florence is located the Duomo neighborhood at Via Dè Brunelleschi, 1, within walking distance from most historical attractions in the old town center. The restaurant is open from 12AM to 12PM from Sunday to Thursday, and from 12AM to 1AM on Friday and Saturday, while the bar is open from 8:30AM to 1AM from Sunday to Thursday, and from 8:30AM to 2AM on Friday and Saturday. The rock shop and coffee shop are open from 8:30AM to 2AM.
Address: Via Dè Brunelleschi, 1, Firenze 50123, Italy
Hours: Sun-Thus 12pm-1am, Fri-Sat 8:30am-2am
From $ 22
Sant'Ambrogio Market (Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio)
Italy is known for its vibrant outdoor markets, and one of Florence’s liveliest is the Sant’Ambrogio Market (Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio). Here you can enjoy the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Italian food market and make some purchases from the stalls piled high with fresh produce and local specialties.
The Basics
This bustling market is packed with stalls that sell many of the same sorts of items seen at the Florence’s larger and more famous Central Market (Mercato Centrale)—fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, cheese, fish, cured and fresh meats, spices, and household items—but with fewer tourists. It’s a charming spot to stroll through, especially as part of a Florence street food walking tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A tour of the Sant’Ambrogio Market can be fun for kids who may need a break from the more sedated cultural treasures of Florence.
- If you are visiting as part of a walking tour, be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- The market is in a level square, so it’s easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.
- As in all crowded markets, it’s a good idea to be aware of pickpockets.
How to Get There
The Sant’Ambrogio Market is located on the corner of Piazza Ghiberti, just opposite the Trattoria da Rocco in the Santa Croce neighborhood, about a 10-minute walk from the train station. Florence is a rail hub in central Italy, with high-speed routes connecting from Rome, Venice, and Milan.
When to Get There
The Sant’Ambrogio Market is open Monday through Saturday from 7am until 2pm, and the earlier you visit, the better. Like all Italian markets, Sant’Ambrogio specializes in seasonal produce and the offerings change from week to week.
Visiting the Nearby San Lorenzo Market
Another well-known Florentine shopping venue is the San Lorenzo Market, where travelers come to purchase Tuscany’s famous leather.
Address: Piazza Ghiberti, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.
From $ 33
Terrazza Mascagni
Travelers who want to take in stunning views, revel in salt water breezes and enjoy plenty of open space for walking will love the Terrazza Mascagni, tucked along the Italian coast. Its checkerboard promenade is a local landmark as many visitors as locals gather here to watch ferries sail in and out of the port from this terrace on the sea.
A number of picturesque cafes and tasty restaurants prove the perfect stopping point for a drink with a view during an evening constitution, but quiet benches and peaceful bike paths offer up alternatives for those who want to unwind near the water.
Practical Info
Terrazza Mascagni is located in Livorno near the aquarium and is a short walk from the 1, A, 102, 106 and B buses.
Address: Livorno, Italy
From $ 185
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery houses one of the world’s most significant collections of art, drawing in more than a million annual visitors who wish to cast eyes upon its many masterpieces. Set in the heart of Florence, the museum contains the works of artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Botticelli, and Giotto, among others. It is the premier place to view Italian Renaissance art and is the most-visited museum in Italy.
The Basics
Due to its immense popularity, the Uffizi Gallery is prone to long lines and extensive wait times—it's best to book skip-the-line admission to maximize your time. The gallery features a number of long, winding art-filled hallways, making it near-impossible to see everything on display, so small-group guided tours and self-guided audio tours are recommended to help you see the top pieces and give some context to the works you’re viewing. A visit is often combined with a stop at the nearby Accademia Gallery, which houses the Statue of David.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The museum is considered by many to be the one must-see site in Florence.
- To avoid the lines, it is best to purchase a skip-the-line entrance ticket in advance of your visit.
- The gallery halls are numbered and organized in chronological order.
- Ticket prices vary depending on whether or not your visit coincides with a special exhibit.
- Though there is some sculpture, the museum is known most for its collection of paintings.
How to Get to the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is set between the Piazza della Signoria and Arno River in central Florence, not far from the Ponte Vecchio. The museum is best approached on foot, and is about a 15-minute walk from the Duomo.
When to Get There
The gallery’s busiest times include weekends, mornings, and Tuesdays. Crowds tend to be lighter after 4pm and from November to March. It is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month—expect the biggest crowds of all on these dates.
What Not To Miss at the Uffizi Gallery
Although art enthusiasts are bound to enjoy every piece, a few highlights include the Medici collection (gifted to the museum in the 18th century) and the Caravaggio works on the first floor. Other must-sees include Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus; da Vinci's only completed panel painting, The Annunciation; and Titian's Venus of Urbino. Together with Raphael’s portraits and Michelangelo’s Tondo Doni, these works signify the height of the Italian Renaissance.
Address: Piazza degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany 50125, Italy
Hours: Tues–Sun 8:15am–6:50pm
Admission: Varies
From $ 14
Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Repubblica is one of the most important and elegant squares in the heart of Florence, lined with porticoed 19th-century palazzi, Grand Dame hotels, high-end boutiques, bustling restaurants, and historic cafes. A stroll through this beautiful public space is a must during any Florence sightseeing tour.
The Basics
Florence's main square is located on the site of the city's ancient Roman Forum, which later became the market square dedicated to commerce while the Piazza del Duomo was the center of religious and civic affairs and Piazza della Signoria was the city's political heart. A warren of narrow lanes crowded with buildings, churches, towers, and palaces sprang up in the area surrounding the market square, a portion of which became the Jewish ghetto. Today's sweeping space was created by razing almost all of this neighborhood as part of a 19th-century urban renewal project during the brief period when Florence was capital of the newly united nation of Italy. Today the only original architectural detail that remains is the 15th-century Colonna dell'Abbondanza, marking the historic center of the square.
Piazza della Repubblica is generally included in private or small-group Florence walking tours, or Florence tours by Segway or electric bike. In addition to this landmark square, skip-the-line Florence highlights tours may include the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo's David statue in the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia), Piazzale Michelangelo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Florence Duomo, and Santa Croce (Basilica di Santa Croce).
Things to Know Before You Go
- Don't miss the square's most famous landmarks: the historic literary cafes and the Hotel Savoy.
- With its lively merry-go-round and street performers, Piazza della Repubblica is a fun stop for kids.
- Most tours of the historic center of Florence and Piazza della Repubblica are on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- The wide and flat public square is easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.
How to Get There
Piazza della Repubblica is located in the historic city center of Florence, just a short stroll down the Via Roma pedestrian thoroughfare from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo).
When to Get There
The square is a lively spot to visit year-round, but during the winter holidays many of the shops and businesses surrounding the square are decorated with abundant fairy lights, making it especially magical at night.
The Cafes of Piazza della Repubblica
At the end of the 19th century, the literary cafes lining Piazza della Repubblica became a meeting place for Florentine scholars, writers, and artists. Many of these spots are still open more than a century later; among the most famous are Giubbe Rosse and Gilli.
Address: Florence, Tuscany, Italy, Italy
From $ 3