• Florence Cathedral (Il Duomo)
  

  
  The splendid Gothic Basilica de Santa Maria del Fiore built between 1296 and 1436, dominates the centre of Florence. Its dome - the largest brick dome ever constructed - was designed and built by goldsmith Filippo Brunelleschi; take the stairs to see it close up. For an excellent view of the cathedral, scramble up 414 steps of Giotto's Campanile (bell tower).
  
  

• Uffizi Gallery
  

  
  The 16th century Uffizi Gallery has the largest and most important collection of Renaissance art in the world. Standout works include Botticelli's "Primavera","The Adoration of the Magi" by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo's "Doni Tondo". (Have a virtual tour via Google Art Project.) Buy tickets in advance and come at lunchtime to avoid tour group crowds.
  
  

• Piazza della Signoria
  

  
  Florence's most famous square and its political centre since the middle ages, the Piazza della Signoria is an open-air sculpture museum. It is overlooked by the medieval Palazzo Vecchio you can visit its sumptuous public rooms and private apartments.
  
  

• Galleria dell'Academia
  

  
  The Galleria del'Academia has large collection of Renaissance paintings, but for most visitors the main attraction is Michelangelo's "David" Other Michelangelo works are on show here, including the Slaves - his unfinished sculptures, and the Pietà Palestrina, often attributed to him. There's also an interesting collection of musical instruments, started by the Medici family.
  
  

• Ponte Vecchio
  

  
  Spanning the narrowest point of the Arno river, Ponte Vecchio built in 1345, is Florence's only surviving medieval bridge, the rest destroyed during WWII. It's one of few of Italy's bridges that still has shops along it; the butchers' shops have now been replaced with jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers. Best admired from Ponte Santa Trinita, downstream.
  
  

• Eating out
  

  
  Between the typical family-run Tuscan trattorias, such as Del Fagioli, that specialise in simple, hearty pasta dishes, to Michelin-starred temples of gourmet dining such as the Enoteca Pinchiorri that dish up the elaborate fusion dishes, you won't go hungry. The city's special are Florentine steaks - enormous slabs of grilled meat.
  
  

• Florence Cathedral
  

  
  The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the main church of Florence, Italy. Il Duomo di Firenze, as it is ordinarily called, was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio ...
  
  

• Palazzo Vecchio
  

  
  The Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence, Italy. This massive, Romanesque, crenellated fortress-palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany.
  
  

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