Your guide to a quick tour of Florence

FLORENCE, Italy — Florence is one of those cities you could spend a month exploring and still not see everything.

That said if you only have a few days to see the city, there are a few places to hit that will give a great sense of the city and its grand history.

Click here for a complete travel guide to the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Three Must-See Sights

1. Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore: Better known as the Duomo, this is one of the most stunning churches in all of Italy. Filippo Brunelleschi designed the church’s huge dome, which rises 375 feet above the street below.
2. Galleria degli Uffizi: This art museum dating to 1581 is one of the top art museums in the world and home to some of the most famous works of art, including works by Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
3. Galleria dell’Accademia: This museum is not large, but its centerpiece is larger than life. The famed David sculpture indeed monopolizes the attention of most visitors. Oh yeah, it is also home to paintings by Florentine artists, many from 1300-1600.

Four Quick Hits

1. Ponte Vecchio: Today, it is home to shops catering to tourists, but the famed Ponte Vecchio is one of those iconic sites worth exploring. But, don’t just cross the bridge; be sure to walk along the River Arno and take a few scenic photos of the bridge, particularly at twilight.
2. Piazzale Michelangelo: It’s a bit of a hike from the historic city center, but this small piazza offers some of the best views of the city. Local artists also frequent the piazza and sell one-of-a-kind watercolors of the city, the perfect souvenir.
3. Loggia dei Lanzi: This outdoor (and free!) collection of sculptures is on par with anything in the Uffizi. They could charge admission, and it would still be worth seeing.
4. Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella: Dominican friars founded Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in 1221, but it’s only been open to the public since 1612. Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica is part-museum, part-store selling traditional perfumes and elixirs and worth the visit.

Four Places to Eat

1. Osteria de’ Benci: Two words: Steak Florentine. Order it, and eat the whole thing. Just be sure to bring a friend. No one should eat a two-and-a-half pound steak by themselves.
2. Acqua Al 2: This is a personal favorite offering the full range of traditional Italian dishes.
3. Il Latini: It may be a bit touristy, but the menu is legit, and the wine is cheap and tasty. It seems they won’t let you leave without at least a taste of limoncello.
4. Mercato Centrale: The perfect place for a quick bite to eat at lunch. Lots of options at reasonable prices.