Florence is one of the most popular travel cities in Italy, a beautiful Renaissance city in the heart of Tuscany.
In Florence, one can find some of Italy's best museums, beautiful cathedrals and churches, charming streets and squares with elegant buildings and shops.
While in Florence, here are some of the top places which are a must see. Most of the sites lie in Florence's compact historic center (centro storico), which was awarded UNESCO world heritage status in 1982.

• Il Duomo: :: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
  Florence's most popular site is its Duomo (cathedral), the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.
• The Baptistry
  The Baptistry of John the Baptist, from the 11th century, is one of Florence's oldest buildings.
• The Bell Tower
  The Campanile, bell tower, is in Piazza del Duomo. The first story was designed by Giotto and it is commonly called Giotto's Campanile.
• Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio
  Florence's most famous square is Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the historic center and a free open-air sculpture exhibit.
• Galleria degli Uffizi
  The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) holds the world's most important collection of Renaissance art but it's also Italy's most crowded museum. You can buy tickets ahead to avoid long lines.
• Galleria dell'Accademia
  Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia holds important paintings and sculptures from the 13th-16th centuries. Michelangelo's David, probably the most famous sculpture in the world, is in the Galleria dell'Accademia.
• Ponte Vecchio
  The Ponte Vecchio (old bridge), built in 1345, was Florence's first bridge across the Arno River and is the only surviving bridge from Florence's medieval days (others were destroyed in World War II).
• Boboli Garden
  Cross the Ponte Vecchio to the Boboli Garden, a huge park on a hillside in the middle of Florence behind the Pitti Palace. Here you'll find beautiful gardens and fountains and a great view of Florence from the Forte Belvedere.
• Pitti Palace
  The Pitti Palace, Florence's largest palazzo, was once the seat of the Medici family. You can visit 8 different galleries, including art, costumes, jewelry, and apartments.
• Santa Croce
  Santa Croce, in Piazza Santa Croce, is the largest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tombs of several important Florentines including Michelangelo and Dante.
• Shopping
  Florence has some of the finest shopping in Europe. In Florence you'll find leather goods, paper goods, and jewellry as well as nice souvenirs and art productions. Florence has a number of open air markets selling food, clothing, and antiques. The most famous is around Piazza San Lorenzo where you'll find leather goods, too. Another good place is Mercato Nuovo (Porcellino) on Via Porta Rossa. Mercato Centrale is a great place for food shopping or just looking.