What to do in Florence on Sunday

Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance and with its monuments is a veritable open-air museum.

Sunday can be a good opportunity to walk through the alleys of Florence, enjoy traditional dishes and discover small hidden treasures.

Whether on foot or by bicycle, Florence is all to be discovered at the right pace without any hurry.

Take advantage of this opportunity to stay at Brunelleschi Hotel in one of our comfort suites in Florence Italy.

Walking in the historic center of Florence

If you are an art lover, you can start your day from Piazza del Duomo, where you can admire the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

The Cathedral cannot be visited on Sundays for religious reasons, but there is no shortage of opportunities to visit Brunelleschi’s majestic dome with its vaults.

For those who are out of breath, we recommend climbing its 463 steps, as this is the best way to admire the dome. The route takes you through the interior of the dome and allows you to see Giorgio Vasari‘s beautiful frescoes up close.

At the end, for the more daring, we recommend climbing Giotto’s Bell Tower, which, with its 398 steps, offers an entire view of the Piazza del Duomo.

The walk among the art treasures of the historic center of Florence cannot but continue along Via Dei Calzaiuoli, which leads us directly to the beautiful Piazza della Signoria.

Here you can admire a copy of Michelangelo’s statue of David (the original is in the Accademia Gallery), the Loggia dei Lanzi and the Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of the city government. The square is also surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious Sunday lunch outside.

The walk through the narrow streets of the historic center takes us along the Arno River, where you can admire the famous Ponte Vecchio, with its characteristic jewelry stores.

Museums open on Sundays in Florence

Of course, passing from Piazza della Signoria to the Arno River, we cross the Uffizi Museum, which is open on Sundays. The museum houses a vast collection of artworks, including masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

In addition, every first Sunday of the month there is a renewed appointment with #domenicalmuseo, the Ministry of Culture’s initiative that allows free admission to state museums.

For those who have already visited the Uffizi Museum, we recommend crossing the Ponte Vecchio and visiting Palazzo Pitti imposing Renaissance palace that houses numerous museums and galleries inside.

Do not miss the opportunity to also visit Palazzo Strozzi during your Sunday in Florence, it will be an experience that will leave you breathless.

Palazzo Strozzi offers a vast collection of artworks, including paintings, sculptures and contemporary installations. You can admire masterpieces by famous artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Pontormo. In addition, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that explore different themes and art movements.

Outdoor activities in Florence

Sunday in Florence also offers many outdoor activities.

In addition to the classic walking tour of Florence, we recommend renting a bike to ride through the alleys of the Renaissance city and take a tour along the city walls, or ride to the Boboli Gardens, located just behind the Pitti Palace. Here you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the Italian-style gardens, with their fountains and statues. These beautiful Italian gardens offer an oasis of peace and tranquility, with their fountains, statues and flower beds.

For those looking for a public park much larger than the Gardens, we recommend the Cascine Park, which, at 160 hectares, is the largest public park in Florence.

The park is shaped like a strip of land nearly 3.5 kilometers long and more than 600 meters wide, running along the right bank of the Arno River.

Where to do Sunday shopping in Florence

If, on the other hand, you are a shopaholic, Sunday in Florence is the perfect time to visit the San Lorenzo Market with clothing, accessories and souvenirs.

Here you will find a wide selection of local products, such as leather and other textiles.

Similar to the Mercatino di San Lorenzo, is the Mercato del Porcellino located in a 16th-century Loggia, originally a covered market for luxury goods, with statues and a famous fountain.

There are many other markets in Florence, including the Mercato delle Pulci (of small antiques), moved to Piazza Annigoni, also open on the last Sunday of the month.

On the third Sunday of the month, not to be missed are the Fierucole rural markets held between Piazza Santo Spirito and Santissima Annunziata.

If, on the other hand, you are interested in more traditional shopping, you can head to Piazza della Repubblica. Here you will find fashion stores, luxury boutiques and historic cafes, open even on Sundays, where you can take a break and enjoy a good Italian coffee.

Where to eat in Florence

After a morning immersed in art and Florentine alleyways, you can choose from a number of traditional restaurants, where you can enjoy typical dishes such as ribollita and bistecca alla fiorentina. The latter is the signature dish of Tuscan cuisine: it is a real treat for carnivores, with its succulent and flavorful meat. Accompany it with a good glass of Chianti wine to complete the dining experience.

When it comes to food, the San Lorenzo district is one of the first places to visit. Here you will find the Mercato Centrale, located along the San Lorenzo Market, a true paradise for lovers of local and international food.