Florence is universally recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is for everyone the city of art and architecture, the cradle of the Renaissance and a priceless artistic-historical-cultural heritage. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a simple walk is all it takes to admire the many masterpieces that have been guarded for centuries, making the city look like a large open-air museum.

This urban trek traverses the landmarks of Tuscany’s capital city, passing through its most famous streets, squares and gardens, offering a chance to see the artistic and architectural wonders that the whole world envies us.

Technical description:
The walk can only begin (and end) in the bustle of people in Cathedral Square, overlooked by authentic masterpieces: the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its facade of pink, white and green marble and Brunelleschi’s wonderful dome, flanked by the Giotto’s Bell Tower and from the Baptistery of St. John, with the famous bronze doors.

Walking south on Via del Proconsolo, one passes by the historic Palazzo del Bargello, diverting then to the “heart” of the city, Piazza della Signoria-the ‘political’ symbol of Florence-with the majestic Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi sculpture gallery, a stone’s throw from the Uffizi, one of the world’s most famous art museums.
In just a few minutes you reach another symbol of the city, Ponte Vecchio, with its characteristic jewelry stores overlooking the Arno. After crossing the river, the walk continues into the southern, and greener, part of the city, initially passing by the climb to the scenic Piazzale Michelangelo and the nearby Abbey of San Miniato, one of the most striking examples of Tuscan Romanesque architecture.
We then skirt the Bardini Garden on one of the most beautiful streets in Florence, arriving at Forte Belvedere, which overlooks the famous Boboli Gardens.
The tour in the Oltrarno continues to Piazza Felicita, Piazza Pitti (with the historic palace that houses some of Florence’s most important museums) and finally Piazza Santo Spirito, which is very ‘green’ and known for its clubs. Here a visit to the Renaissance Basilica with frescoes by Botticelli and Filippino Lippi is a must.

After crossing the Arno River again, walk to Piazza Strozzi and the pedestrian Piazza della Repubblica, the elegant hub of the city’s tourist-commercial area. Taking the very central Via dei Calzaiuoli, we then return to Piazza Duomo.

Route type: loop
Length: 7 km
Height difference in ascent: 350 m
Height difference on descent:
Highest point:
Lowest point:

Municipality of departure: Florence
Starting location: Cathedral Square
Municipality of arrival: Florence
Arrival Location: Cathedral Square

Recommended period: all year round