What I would not miss in Florence 

Work in progress article

The downtown area is a great place to get lost in and wander around. It can be very, very crowded, so be ready for that. However it is relativelly small and once you have gotten your bearings you will feel comfortable moving around.

The most famous  Museums must be booked in advance and they need no introduction:

• Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) — One of the world’s great Renaissance museums, with masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio and Titian. Don’t miss Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera. Map location

• Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) — Best known as the home of Michelangelo’s original David, the 17-foot/5.17-meter marble masterpiece, together with his unfinished Prisoners/Slaves. This is where you see the original David, not the replica in Piazza della Signoria. Map location

Here are the places that you can simply stroll to and get a good sense of Florence:

• Piazza del Duomo — The heart of monumental Florence. See the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni. Map location

• Piazza della Repubblica — The center of Florence since Roman times, built over the ancient Roman Forum. Today it is known for its grand arch, historic cafés and its charming antique-style carousel, especially beautiful when illuminated in the evening and a favorite photo spot. Map location 

• Piazza della Signoria — Florence’s great civic square, with Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi and the Fountain of Neptune. At Palazzo Vecchio stands a full-size marble replica of Michelangelo’s David in the position occupied by the original from 1504 until 1873. Map location

• Ponte Vecchio — Florence’s iconic medieval bridge over the Arno, famous for the jewelry and goldsmith shops built along it. Beautiful and extremely popular, so expect it to be very crowded, especially during the day. Map location

• Mercato del Porcellino — The historic Mercato Nuovo, famous for leather goods and the bronze Porcellino fountain. Tradition says rubbing the boar’s nose and dropping a coin brings good luck and a return to Florence. Map location

• Basilica di Santa Croce — Florence’s “Temple of the Italian Glories,” with the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini and Foscolo. Open Mon–Sat 9:30–17:30, Sun/religious holidays 14:00–17:30; last admission 17:00. Map location

• Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella — One of the world’s oldest historic pharmacies, originating with the Dominican friars of Santa Maria Novella; its public pharmacy dates to 1612. The beautiful historic interiors are worth seeing even if you buy nothing. Map location

Dinner 

I suggest at least trying one very good Florence style restaurant, one that I like to visit and has great food at the right price is located really close to Officina profumo Pharmacy, it is Osteria dei Centopoveri (map location).