1. Uffizi Art Gallery
If you love art or at least have an appreciation for it, this is one of the most important museums for Renaissance art. Located in a building that was constructed in the 1500s, over 100,000 paintings, antiques and sculptures are on display. It can be found just off of the Piazza della Signoria and is in a horse shoe shape. Originally, only a few rooms on the third floor were reserved for precious artwork and over time, the Medici family built on the collection of masterpieces. The Uffizi (offices) were expanded in 2007 and in 2011 more European artists work was put on display.

2. Piazza Della Signoria
Time to relax, have a coffee and some gelato! This is one of the main squares in Florence with lots of open-air restaurants, shops and gelato shops. Piazza della Signoria has been the political center of Florence and is the perfect place to relax during your day of touring. It is also conveniently located near the Uffizi Art Gallery, the Duomo and many other museums. The Via dei Calzaiuoli is one of the main shopping streets and the leather markets are also worth a visit.

3. Duomo Square and Giotto's Bell Tower
Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio and later by Filippo Brunelleschi, the Duomo or cathedral in Florence is colorful on the exterior with pink, green and white marble tiles and an ornate landmark that is a must on your "to see" list. It took two centuries to complete construction, with the famous dome added last. Opposite the dome, on the other side of the cathedral, is Giotto's Campanile (bell tower). It's 280 feet tall and well worth a climb to see a spectacular view of Florence.

4. Ponte Vecchio (old bridge)
This is the oldest of the six bridges in Florence with stone pillars that most likely date back to the Roman period, although the construction was modified since then due to flooding and widening of the bridge. Houses were built along the bridge in the 14th century and initially used for workshops. Today, they are used as shops to sell jewelry and souvenirs to tourists and some of the houses extend over the bridge and are supported by wood to keep it from falling into the river.

5. View from Piazzale Michelangelo and Palazzo Pitti/Boboli Gardens
On the opposite side of the river from the Duomo,you can start by getting a postcard-worthy picture of you and Florence at the Piazzale Michelangelo. Then work your way over to the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. This palace used to be intended for the Pitti family and was originally designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built onto by other architects through the centuries. Today, it contains some of the most important museums in Florence: Silver Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, Paletine Gallery and many more. The Boboli Gardens extend behind the Pitti Palace and were implemented in the 16th century and is now the largest Italian style green landscape with an amphitheater and many statues and fountains.