Built in 1299 by the same architects that designed the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio is Florence’s most important administrative building. It has been a sign of the state’s civic condition for centuries. Today, you can take a guided tour inside and find Roman ruins, some secret passages, Renaissance art, as well as the city’s town hall – a merge of history, art and politics beautifully preserved within its walls. If you’re brave enough, you can climb up the Arnolfo’s Tower to enjoy a stunning view of the city.

Formerly the official residence of the Italian royalties and influential families, such as the Medici family and the Savoy House, the Pitti Palace is the largest museum complex in the region. It was then donated to the state in 1919. Presently, it houses fine artifacts such as silver and jewelry from the Grand Dukes, several outstanding Renaissance art museums, as well as rooms to recreate the extravagant life of the House of Savoy. You will find exquisite works of art inside such as the Veiled Lady by Raphael.

The Accademia Gallery is the second most visited museum in Florence, the Uffizi Palace and the Gallery. Formerly a hospital and an old convent, the museum was restored at the end of the 18th century to house Florentine works of art. Today, the gallery houses a wide collection of paintings and sculptures from the 15th and 16th centuries, including the glorious sculpture of Michelangelo's David. Explore the various halls inside and discover other magnificent works of art by artists such as Botticelli and Giambologna.

Standing gloriously at 17ft tall, found in the Hall of Prisoners at the Galleria Dell’Accademia, is the marbled masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. Originally commissioned to be put outside the Cathedral of Florence in 1501, it instead became a powerful emblem of Florentine strength, civic independence and pride. Purchase a skip-the-line ticket for faster entry. The queuing is well worth it once you stand in front of David and appreciate the artist’s attention to intricate details – the veins, leg muscles, change in expression at various angles – it’s mesmerizing.

Located in front of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence is the Piazza della Signoria, an L-shaped square that has been the main meeting point for Florentines and tourists for centuries. Prominent buildings and museums can be found here, such as the Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza del Duomo, as well as Renaissance sculptures like the impressive Fountain of Neptune, Hercules and Cacus, and a replica of Michelangelo’s David.

Perhaps one of the world’s largest Franciscan churches, the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence was built between 1294 and 1385. Since the 14th century, it has been and still continues to be a site for public gatherings. With its neo-Gothic marble facade and an interior adorned with exquisite frescoes by Giotto, most visitors today come to see the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Ghiberti, to name a few.

Built by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany in Florence, the Medici family, you can find the lavishing Boboli Gardens. Right behind the Pitti Palace, the garden, with its 16th century theme, is an open-air museum that converges nature and architecture. Apart from the excellent, well-maintained landscaping, Renaissance statues, sanctuary gardens, fountains, and the famous grotto of Bernardo Buontalenti, the overlooking view of Florence and the distant Tuscan mountains are nothing short of wonderful. Purchase a ticket online for faster entry and discounts.