{"id":21704,"date":"2022-03-31T16:06:01","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T16:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"\/?p=21704"},"modified":"2025-03-24T11:19:25","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T11:19:25","slug":"florence-hidden-gems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/florence-hidden-gems\/","title":{"rendered":"18 Florence Hidden Gems You Won\u2019t Want to Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"
Florence has been a popular tourist destination not just for decades, but for centuries. The Renaissance jewel is positively packed with world-class attractions<\/strong>, drawing countless visitors from all over the world. It was a required stop on any <\/span>Grand Tour<\/span>, and it’s the city where <\/span>Stendhal syndrome<\/span> (that overwhelming feeling from almost unbearable beauty) was born.<\/span> <\/span> The trouble is that being so full of bucket list-worthy sights also means the Tuscan capital is generally also full of tourists.<\/strong> <\/span>It’s important to note that this list of hidden gems in Florence<\/strong> isn’t even <\/span>close<\/span><\/i> to exhaustive. Even besides the attractions and experiences included on this list, there are dozens more that are routinely overshadowed by the city’s top sights<\/strong>—especially when travelers only have a few days to explore.<\/span> <\/span><\/p> Let this list serve as your gateway to even more exploration. Uncover<\/span> Florence’s<\/span> secrets<\/span> with<\/span> our<\/span> guide <\/span>to<\/span> 18 <\/span>hidden<\/span> gems. <\/span>From<\/span> quiet<\/span> gardens<\/span> to<\/span> unique<\/span> local <\/span>eateries<\/span>, <\/span>discover<\/span> spots <\/span>only<\/span> the<\/span> savviest<\/span> travelers<\/span> know<\/span><\/strong><\/span>.<\/strong> Florence’s famous Duomo is by no means hidden, but some visitors don’t realize that the works of art that were once inside the cathedral are now on display in the <\/strong><\/span>Museo dell’Opera del Duomo<\/strong> behind the church. It was completely renovated in 2015<\/strong> and the new layout is full of light, giving each work of art the space it deserves. <\/span> <\/span><\/p> Among the treasures you can see in the Duomo’s museum are Ghiberti’s original bronze panels<\/strong> from the Baptistery’s doors (the ones exposed to the elements today are copies), a lesser-known Pieta sculpture by Michelangelo,<\/strong> and a truly stunning wooden sculpture by Donatello<\/strong> called “Penitent Magdalene.”<\/span> <\/span><\/p> The Uffizi and Accademia Galleries (rightly) get most of the museum attention<\/strong> in the Tuscan capital, but if you like sculpture you’ll want to make sure the Bargello is also on your list.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p> Housed in a former jail,<\/strong> the <\/span>Bargello Museum<\/span> is home to several Michelangelo sculptures, including some of his earliest carvings as well as a woozy-looking Bacchus. There’s also an entire room dedicated to Donatello’s sculptures.<\/span> <\/span><\/p> While you won’t find typical pharmaceuticals for sale in this, the world’s oldest pharmacy<\/strong> in continuous operation, you may still want to put it on your must-see list. The <\/span>Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy<\/strong> was founded by Dominican friars in 1221<\/strong>. Over the years, the areas of expertise expanded to include not just herbal remedies but also perfumes.<\/span> <\/span><\/p> The gorgeous shop is still in its original location, a chapel right next to the church that shares its name. If you’re looking for scented souvenirs<\/strong> (like soap, lotion, perfume, etc.), it’s an excellent place to shop.<\/span> <\/span><\/p> As you walk from the Palazzo Vecchio across the Ponte Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti, look up. Every now and then, between buildings, you’ll see the most exposed portions of the enclosed walkway<\/strong> the Medici commissioned for an easier commute between home and the office.<\/strong> The walls are lined with works of art,<\/strong> and windows offer occasional glimpses of the city below.<\/span> <\/span><\/p> The <\/span>Vasari Corridor<\/span><\/a> gets its name from the architect who designed it, and it’s usually only accessible via guided tours.<\/strong><\/span><\/p> If you’re browsing postcard racks and wondering where that stunning view overlooking Florence<\/strong> is, it’s probably the Piazzale Michelangelo.<\/strong> <\/span> <\/span><\/p> The space itself is unremarkable—it’s basically a parking lot, though there’s a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s “David”<\/strong> in the middle of it. But the view is a good enough reason to hang out for a while—especially at sunset.<\/strong> It’s a hike uphill to get there, but there are also local buses that make the journey easier.<\/span> <\/span><\/p> Just a bit further uphill from Piazzale Michelangelo is a beautiful church<\/strong> that (largely due to its location) is often overlooked by visitors. The complex at <\/span>San Miniato al Monte<\/span>, which dates from the early 11th century CE, includes both the basilica and an abbey encircled by high walls.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p> There’s a glittering mosaic <\/strong>dedicated to Saint Minias (Miniato) inside the church, and other noteworthy sights are the floor’s detailed mosaics and Michelozzo’s Chapel of the Crucifix.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>
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Discover Florence’s best hidden gems<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>
Visit the Duomo’s spectacular museum<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>

Check out Florence’s sculpture museum<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>

Browse the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>

Walk in Medici footsteps in the Vasari Corridor<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>

Take in the view from Piazzale Michelangelo<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>

Get the best views of Florence from San Miniato al Monte<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>

Sample some famous Florentine fare<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>