Don’t be deceived by the opulent Renaissance palaces, the gold jewelry shining from Ponte Vecchio’s storefronts and the high-end brands lined up on Via Tornabuoni – Florence doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
The art-filled capital of Tuscany may be brimming with treasures from the past but, contrary to what your wallet might fear, there is no shortage of experiences that come without a price tag.
From meandering through Renaissance architecture to seeking the best viewpoints to admire Brunelleschi’s Duomo from above, there are many opportunities to prove wrong the maxim “you get what you pay for.” What’s more, the free things to do in Florence are often the most neglected by short-term visitors, who tend to gather in and around the major attractions.
Here are some of the riches in Florence that won't cost you a cent.
One of Florence’s best-known landmarks, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo, can be visited without a ticket, at least in part. Queue up in Piazza del Duomo to access the cathedral’s sparsely decorated main nave from the portal carved into its 19th-century neo-Gothic facade.
Entering without a ticket will only allow you to explore the ground floor of the cathedral. If you want to climb the cupola and get a close look at Giudizio Universale, the fresco by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari, you’ll need to purchase one of the three passes available from the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore’s official website.
Florence's must-see museums: from the sublime to the Renaissance
Medieval master Giotto is perhaps the biggest name in Florentine pre-Renaissance art. Most of the Gothic artworks still found in Florence are exhibited in the Galleria degli Uffizi, the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Basilica di Santa Croce (all ticketed museums) but it is possible to admire one of Giotto’s gilded crucifixes for free in the Chiesa di Ognissanti.
Believed to have been produced around 1315, Crocifisso di Ognissanti is over 4.5m (14.8ft) tall and hangs in the left wing of the church, near the altar. Chiesa di Ognissanti is also home to the painting Sant'Agostino nello Studio (St Augustine in His Study) by Sandro Botticelli, who chose to be buried in the church near his muse Simonetta Vespucci.
Offering one of the most spectacular views of the city, the open terrace known as Piazzale Michelangelo was built as part of Florence’s redevelopment in the late 19th century, shortly after Italy was unified. In charge of the project was architect Giuseppe Poggi, who designed a set of monumental ramps adorned with grottoes and waterfalls that lead to Piazzale Michelangelo from the San Niccolò neighborhood.
The uphill walk starts around Porta San Niccolò, one of the few medieval remnants of this
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Kickstart your summer with a free trip from one of these travel-themed contests and sweepstakes to exciting destinations like tropical islands or the Paris Summer Olympics. None has a cost to enter, and for just a few minutes of your time, you could be off on an all-expenses-paid getaway with friends or family with airline tickets, concert tickets and even some spending money.
Qatar Airways has a membership program exclusively for students. Dubbed Student Club, the program offers students many benefits, ranging from special fares to excess baggage allowance, greater ticket flexibility, complimentary high-speed inflight Wi-Fi, free elite status as a graduation gift and more.
Inexpensive lodging and affordable street food mean Oaxaca delivers plenty of bang for your buck – add a plethora of free attractions to the mix and the colorful city is about as budget-friendly as they come.
Steamy natural thermal water simmers beneath the surface throughout almost the whole Italian peninsula. It bubbles up above the ground in the form of hot springs across the country, creating heavenly hot pools and balmy baths.
Renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture, Florence is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. From Michelangelo’s David and the Duomo, one of the largest churches in the world with its famous Brunelleschi-designed dome, to fashion museums from Gucci and Ferragamo and fabulous Tuscan food (including gelato), Florence offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
It’s not uncommon for many folks to start their vacation with a celebratory cocktail or glass of wine: at the airport lounge, on board the flight, or as a welcome nip at the hotel check-in counter. This ritual can also flow throughout the day with meals and as a night cap before bed. Many sober-curious travelers are thinking about holidays in a newfangled way, eschewing alcohol for a “dry tripping” experience, which enables them to revel on a getaway without the inevitable dreaded hangover, fully lucid for the next day’s activities.
Saudi Arabia’s spare-no-expense cruise brand Aroya is set to launch this December, promising cigar lounges, jacuzzis, 28 dining options, 20 venues for entertainment, a retail area, and wellness and spa facilities.