Florence is SO FUN and has so many things to do for FREE! If you are a study abroad student, solo traveler, or just need to know what you can do on a budget while in Florence, this post is for you. This post will share all of the best free places to visit Florence.
Free Things to Do in Florence
Walk the Ponte Vecchio
One of the best free things to do in Florence is to walk across the Ponte Vecchio and see all of the local jewelry shops with some of the finest jewelry in Italy. Here you’ll find real gold jewelry. There are many great photo ops on the Ponte Vecchio and you’ll see some great sights all for free! Click below to open walking directions to:
Walk Around the Duomo
Surrounding the Duomo are so many shops and fun things to see, as well as restaurants you may want to eat at while visiting Florence! Walking around the Duomo gives you the chance to see it in full, and to understand just how huge it really is! It takes some time to walk around it and to see it in its entirety. Take the time to walk around it, and photograph it from all different angles! Don’t forget to take a selfie in front of it as well. Be that cheesy tourist π
Click HERE for directions to get to the duomo!
Climb the Steps di Michelangelo
One of the BEST freebies in Florence ever is climbing the steps! This gets you one of the BEST views in the city, and also gives you the chance to see a sunset and see the entirety of Florence during the day and at night! I recommending going more than once to get both views. Truly a great photo spot, and an unforgettable experience! Go early in the evening for the sunset, it can get really busy. You may have to wait in line for a bit to get your photos and videos!
Click HERE to get directions to the steps π It is a workout, but not so bad to get up to the top.
See the Palazzo Pitti
When you cross the Ponte Vecchio, you’re not far from the Palazzo Pitti depending on which side of the bridge you end up on. This is another great sight to see in Florence while walking around during the day! It is free to see from the outside, but is a great spot to take a break and hang out at! I went to a school for study abroad just across from this palace.
Click HERE for directions.
Basilica Santa Croce
Go see the Basilica di Santa Croce! If you want to see it even more in its entirety, you HAVE to check out the leather school and shop hidden behind the church. It is a unique spot to see and will give you a special view of the basilica from all around! BEST part about it is that it is all FREE!
Click HERE for directions to the basilica.
Click HERE for directions to the leather school from the basilica.
Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
Near the train station, Santa Maria Novella, there is a church that you can see and go inside! It is SO pretty and the gardens on the outside in the Piazza are so beautiful to see as well. This is another great freebie option to see in Florence.
Click HERE for directions.
Palazzo Vecchio
Another fun free experience in Florence is the Palazzo Vecchio. You can even go inside this one for free as well! It is located close to the Uffizi Gallery, as well as some great works of art and an iconic collection of sculptures. These are all located in Palazzo della Signoria!
Click HERE for directions!
Mercato Centrale
Visit Mercato Centrale. Do it. It is free to walk in the door but you’ll likely want to spend a little here for some lunch or snacks. This is Florence’s central market, complete with fresh produce, meals, and drinks to try. This is one of my favorite places in Florence! So many great foods to choose from and a unique place to visit for sure!
Click HERE for directions to the market.
Piazzo della Signoria
This is where the Palazzo Vecchio is located! Next to the palace are a collection of statues to look through that are just outside near the Uffizi gallery. These are free to walk up to and look at and admire. There is also a fountain on the other side of the Palazzo Vecchio to see, as well as a copy of the David statue in the Piazzo. This is a great place to check out if you are on a budget and is certainly worth your time! You may also stumble across small local markets while you are here.
Click HERE for directions!
BONUS TIP: Look for wine windows!
See how many you can find throughout the city. These are windows used to sell wine through, however, throughout COVID this practice resurfaced so you may be lucky enough to find a window that you can still buy wine through.
This post was all about free things to do in Florence. I hope this gives you some idea of what you are able to for free or on a budget while spending time in Florence! Most of all, the best things you can do are just to walk around and explore the city. There is SO much history just in walking through Florence that you’ll see, and you may not even notice them at first!
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this post all about free things to do in Florence!