My time in Florence is quickly coming to a close. With less than 30 days left in this beautiful city, I'm still having the time of my life eating at some fabulous restaurants, drinking delicious Italian wines, hanging out with my friends and roommates, there's just one problem: I've been a terrible tourist.
Every study abroad student enters the city where they study, takes a look at the major attractions and says, "Oh I'll worry about that later!" Guess what? It's later. And these are all the things you probably should start doing.
1. Climb the Duomo
I know it'll be hard. I know you don't want to do it. But we all have to, so do it soon! It's only getting more tourist-y by the day so the lines are getting longer. Bring some friends and tough it out together!
2. Take a picture on the Ponte Vecchio
You're gonna look like such an American but you'll regret it later if you don't. Also, then you can take some time and right your name on the bridge like the other 10,000 tourists have that came before you.
3. Visit (and actually spend time in) The Uffizi
You might have gone in with a class or two, but does that really count? The Uffizi is a mountain of a museum; give yourself a few hours and take your time. Enjoy it! It's the most important museum in Italy and you might never be back there.
4. Go see The David
I've actually done this one, but I still know many people who have not. Seriously guys? The Academia is pretty much ONLY The David. It'll take twenty minutes, tops. Book your tickets ahead of time, walk in, take some pics with him, call it a day!
5. Walk around the Boboli Gardens
Apparently they're magnificent and I feel embarrassed that I haven't gone yet. Yes it's a lot of walking, so save it for a day when you have nothing else major planned and spend the afternoon leisurely walking the gardens (with an excellent view of the city).
6. Hike the Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset (with a bottle of wine)![]()
Sources say that at sunset, Piazzale Michelangelo is the place to be! Lots of locals are up there so it's a great time to practice your Italian, make friends, have a fun picnic, and take in the awesome view of Florence before you go home.
7. Tour Palazzo Pitti
This is like the most important palace in all of Tuscany I'm pretty sure so even though it sounds lame it'll be 100% worth it when you go inside and see how lavish it is. You may not learn as much, but you'll get some really beautiful photos.
8. ...And Palazzo Vecchio
We're living in the birthplace of the Renaissance; PLEASE go see a Renaissance Palace!
9. Go inside Santa Croce
I know I walk past this church every single day and have not been inside once, which I'm certainly embarrassed about. Santa Croce is probably the second most-important church in Florence and has the tombs of some of the most important Renaissance thinkers (Michelangelo and Galileo anyone?)
10. Go to the Bardini Gardens, too
While less populated, I've been told the Bardini Gardens are actually more beautiful than the Boboli Gardens, and they're in full bloom right now!
11. Find the secret bakery?!
I absolutely have not done this because it requires me to stay up late and I'm a child, but somewhere out there in Florence there's a bakery giving out fresh pastries. What about that doesn't sound amazing?
12. Go inside the Baptistry
Pro-tip: Your ticket to the top of the Duomo will also get you into the Baptistry, so you can knock them both out at once! The Baptistry is even older than the Duomo, so take advantage and see an even more important piece of history.
13. See the Medici Chapel inside San Lorenzo Cathedral
I have not gone one day in Florence without hearing about the Medicis. Go see the chapel named after them! And San Lorenzo, which is apparently very beautiful, too!
14. Buy the stereotypical "Firenze" clothing to remember this amazing experience
Nothing says "tourist" like those "ITALIA" sweatshirts, but we all know at the end of the day we definitely want one to remember our time here. Don't forget and then leave without one!
