18 fun and unique things to do in Florence

Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is the center of art, high culture, and history. It’s also a whole lot of fun as a place to visit. Whether you’re looking for outdoor summer activities, romantic date ideas for you and your partner, or family-friendly experiences with the kids, Tuscany's capital is abuzz with things to do.

Foodies, history buffs, or Renaissance aficionados will find a lot to love on this list of unique activities. Enjoy a relaxed aperitivo on a terrace, learn to make wine, ride a horse through Tuscany's countryside, or listen to opera in a 15th-century church. Whatever your idea of fun is, Florence won’t disappoint.

Fun things to do in Florence as a couple

1. Soar high above the ground in a hot air balloon

One of the ultimate fun things to do in Florence as a couple is going on nature adventures and seeing the city from a completely new perspective. With a balloon flight over Tuscany, clamber into the basket, and you’re up, up, and away on a date you’ll never forget.

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Upon landing, you have options to enjoy a local Tuscan breakfast, washed down with a glass of champagne.

2. Have fun in the sun with a Vespa ride

Why walk when you can ride a Vespa? Scooters are synonymous in Italy with romance and carefree fun. Discover the beautiful Chianti Hills, scoot past stunning villages and cypress groves, and feel the wind blowing through your hair on a Vespa tour through Chianti.

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Ride through the gorgeous countryside and enjoy an authentic Tuscan meal afterward.

3. Make your own wine

”When the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine, that’s amore…” Italy is a country famous for romance and wine: combine the two with a wine making experience, a unique thing to do on your Florence vacation. Learn how to create your own blend of wine in a wine lab deep in the Tuscan countryside.

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Become an expert in local wines with a tasting and a trip to the winery’s cellars.

4. Ride off into the sunset on a Tuscan horse

If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, head out into the Florentine hills for an unforgettable horseback experience. Ride through the countryside on horseback, maybe find hidden gems, ride through an olive grove, and sample the produce of its olive oil presses.

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Rejuvenate in the countryside of Florence, away from crowds and city noises.

Fun things to do in Florence with kids

5. Make art history fun with a kids’ tour of the Uffizi Gallery

Waiting in long lines and traipsing around art galleries can be tiring for kids. You don't want to miss one of the best places to visit in Florence though. Make the Uffizi experience a fun and engaging one with a special museum tour designed for kids and families. Your guide will select the most entertaining and interesting artworks and use games, devices, and scorecards to keep the kids engaged.

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Learn fun stories and history behind world-famous artworks like Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.

6. Begin a lifelong love of Italian cooking

For a unique thing to do with your kids, why not try a cooking class? Learn how to create an authentic woodfired pizza and creamy Italian gelato. Get the kids started on their cooking habits early — maybe they'll prepare delicious Italian meals for you back home.

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At the end of the class, enjoy eating what you’ve created together — buon appetito.

7. Learn through interactive play at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum

Who says learning can’t be fun? Visit the Leonardo Interactive Museum to discover this very special and engaging museum dedicated to one of humankind’s greatest thinkers. Da Vinci’s work spans art, anatomy, physics, and engineering and is sure to spark interest among kids and adults of all ages.

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The museum is designed in a fun and interactive way: play with machines designed 500 years ago, and take part in engaging workshops.

8. Get lost in the woods at the Boboli Gardens

With twisting paths, fountains, grottoes, statues, and rich vegetation, the Boboli Gardens are straight out of a fairytale and a wonderland for children to explore. Take a tour of the Boboli Gardens to discover the secrets behind the gardens’ beautiful statues.

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This is a fun thing to do for the whole family: pack a picnic and enjoy a relaxing day out.

9. Take to the streets with a kid-friendly walking tour

Discover Florence’s history and landmarks through games, activities, and scavenger hunts in a fun tour of Florence with gelato. Get to know the city in a new and interactive way suitable for kids of all ages.

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As the name suggests, this type of tour includes a tasty ice cream treat: discover the best gelaterias in the city.

Fun things to do in Florence on your own

10. Explore the city’s nightlife

Head out on a bar crawl and meet like-minded travelers while discovering the best bars in Florence. For a more adrenaline-filled experience, try a dark history walking tour, which is a unique introduction to Florence, its history, and its vibrant nightlife.

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Hear scandalous stories about Florence’s colorful past from your entertaining tour guide. This is the city as you’ve never seen it before.

11. Immerse yourself in Italian culture with a night at the opera

For a truly Italian cultural experience, a visit to the Santa Monaca Church Opera house is a must in Florence. Thrill to the sounds of classical arias from Italy’s best-loved composers, performed by professionals in wonderful acoustic surroundings.

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The Santa Monaca Church is worth a visit in its own right: this 15th-century building boasts beautiful frescoes.

12. Drift down the River Arno on a rafting cruise

Discover Florence’s historical center while floating down the Arno River with a rafting cruise. See the city’s iconic sights, like the Pontevecchio Bridge, while listening to entertaining facts from your guide. For adrenaline lovers, this is one of the most fun things to do in Florence.

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For an adrenaline kick, descend down the San Niccolò water slide: hold on tight.

13. See a Banksy exhibition

Get close to one of the most enigmatic artists of the 21st century with a visit to the Inside Banksy Unauthorized Exhibition. Head to the Cattedrale dell’Immagine and experience an interactive journey through Banksy’s work.

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The exhibition creates a virtual reality immersive experience, allowing you to experience Banksy’s work in a whole new way.

14. Take a day trip to Pisa and Cinque Terre

For an unforgettable activity near Florence, escape the city with a tour of Pisa and Cinque Terre. Pose with the leaning tower before taking a train to the coast. Lie on the beaches and enjoy the beauty of the Cinque Terre’s pastel-colored coastal fishing villages.

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Explore the cobbled streets and artisan shops of Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza. Don’t forget to try the local pesto sauce.

Fun things to do in Florence if you like food and drink

15. Hunt for truffles in the woods

This local Tuscan delicacy is widely used in gourmet cooking, and exported worldwide. Learn from a local expert how to hunt for the delicious foodstuff with a truffle hunt, followed by lunch in Florence's countryside, and take some back home with you as a souvenir.

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After hunting, enjoy a sumptuous gourmet lunch accompanied by the finest regional wines.

16. Become a student at Florence’s oldest ice cream academy

For a very special time in Florence, try a gelato-making course at one of Florence’s oldest gelato academies. You read that right — it’s an ice cream school. It doesn’t get much cooler than this.

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Learn how to make this deliciously creamy Italian ice cream, and enjoy tasting the rewards of your hard work.

17. Discover Florence’s tasty street eats

Food is a rich and important part of Florentine culture, particularly street food. With a street food tour, discover the best and tastiest treats, and what schiacciata, cantucci, and pappa al pomodoro are — and more importantly, how they taste.

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Visit a local market and learn how to shop for the freshest produce Florence has to offer.

18. Take a food pilgrimage to Emilia-Romagna

Food lovers ahoy — visiting Emilia-Romagna is a compulsory thing to do for anyone serious about food. Take a tour of the region to discover why the area is world-famous for its food.

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Learn about production techniques and indulge in tastings led by regional food experts.

FAQs

What are some fun things to do in Florence at night?

Florence is a city that buzzes with life after dark. Drink an aperitif on a lively terrace in a piazza, stroll down the banks of the River Arno, admire the lights of the Ponte Vecchio, or head to the San Frediano neighborhood to dance the night away.

Are there any fun day trips from Florence that I should consider?

When in Tuscany, don’t miss the chance to see the stunning Cinque Terre coast. Other must-visits are the medieval town of San Gimignano and Arezzo, a lovely Estruscan-Roman town. The cities of Siena and Pisa are easily accessible day trips from Florence and well worth a visit.

What are some popular festivals or events in Florence?

The Feast Day of St John takes place on 24th June: this celebrates Florence’s patron saint and is marked with costumes and fireworks. There are a number of festivals throughout the year, including the Dance Festival Estate Fiesolana and the art and music MusArt festival.

What are some family-friendly fun activities to do in Florence?

Kids will love exploring Florence’s many gardens and parks: check out the Bardini Gardens and the Giardino delle Rose. There are plenty of kid-friendly walking tours, both of the city and its museums. Afterward, grab a gelato as a treat.

What are some fun outdoor activities to do in Florence?

Take a cruise down the River Arno, ride on horseback through the Tuscan hills, or hop on a bicycle for a tour of the city’s best attractions: there is no end of cool things to do outdoors in Florence.