The 10 things to see by bike in Florence
Florence has always been one of the most loved and visited cities in the world, rich in museums, open-air monuments, squares, churches, bridges, and its beautiful Florentine views. It is also famous for its good food and its gentle hills.
Our Florence bike tour will take you to discover the 10 most beautiful attractions in the historic center, allowing you to experience a unique journey through Florentine art, history, and tradition.
The historic center of Florence is unique in the world, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Most tourist attractions are located in a limited traffic zone, and the ideal way to move comfortably and quickly through the streets of Florence is by bike.
If you stay in Florence for a period, or study in our city, discover our rental service BIKE 4 YOU available for men's bikes and women's bikes.
We offer you some suggestions on what you absolutely cannot miss in Florence.
1. Florence Cathedral - First stop of the bike tour
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly known as the Florence Cathedral, is one of the most visited sites in the world. In size, it is the fourth largest Christian church and the main Florentine church, symbol of the city. Don’t miss the visit to Brunelleschi’s dome, a masterpiece of engineering.
Piazza del Duomo is the city center where you can admire the main monuments of the historic center. The main religious festivals take place in the square, such as the Scoppio del Carro celebrated at Easter.
💡 Tip: Our vintage bikes are perfect for souvenir photos in front of the Duomo!
2. Piazza della Signoria - Cultural bike stop
Piazza della Signoria is the center of political power and one of the most famous squares in Florence, where you can admire numerous open-air monuments and statues such as the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Marzocco, Michelangelo’s David (today replaced by a copy), the Fountain of Neptune (also called the Biancone by Florentines). The central element of the square is the 14th-century Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall, characterized by a 94-meter-high tower. Inside the palace is the famous Hall of the Five Hundred, where you can admire monumental frescoes and the remarkable coffered ceiling.
3. Ponte Vecchio - Scenic cycling route
Cross the Arno River pedaling towards the famous Ponte Vecchio. This part of our itinerary offers breathtaking views of the river and the historic goldsmith shops.
Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous bridges in the world and the oldest bridge in Florence crossing the Arno River. Above the bridge is the famous and evocative Vasari Corridor that connects Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti passing through the Uffizi.
⏰ Travel time: 5 minutes from the Duomo
4. Uffizi
The Uffizi are one of the most famous museums in the world. The museum houses an invaluable collection of Renaissance artworks, such as Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, the Doni Tondo, and the Head of Medusa.
5. Boboli Gardens
Behind Palazzo Pitti lies the wonderful Boboli Gardens, one of the most important examples of 16th-century Italian gardens and a true open-air museum rich in sculptures and fountains.
6. Basilica of Santa Croce
It is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Inside are countless tombs, including those of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo Galilei. Among the many artworks contained, you can admire Donatello’s Crucifix. Another architectural masterpiece to visit is undoubtedly the Pazzi Chapel, a work by Brunelleschi and a jewel of Renaissance architecture.
7. Santo Spirito
The Basilica of Santo Spirito is one of the most evocative places in Florence, located in the San Frediano district, named by Lonely Planet as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, characterized by artisan workshops and trendy, fashionable venues.
8. Galleria dell'Accademia
The Galleria dell'Accademia is one of the most famous museums in the world. The gallery houses Michelangelo’s David, one of the most representative works of the Italian Renaissance. Among other masterpieces, you can admire the collection of models and plaster casts by Lorenzo Bartolini, one of the statues, along with many other pictorial and sculptural masterpieces.
9. Piazzale Michelangelo
From Piazzale Michelangelo, you can admire the most famous panorama of Florence, breathtaking and easily reachable by bike thanks to its gentle 3 km climb. To make the trip to the piazzale easier, we recommend bikes with gears.
10. Parco delle Cascine - Relax in the green
The Parco delle Cascine, commonly called the Cascine, is the largest green lung of Florence, just a stone’s throw from the center. It is the park where Florentines learn to ride a bike from a young age here. The park covers 160 hectares with various routes suitable for different types of bicycles; from city bikes and children’s bikes to city bikes and mountain bikes ideal for reaching the Parco dei Renai along the Arno River trail.
End your tour in Florence’s green lung. The Parco delle Cascine is perfect for relaxing after cycling through the beauties of the historic center.
Hoping to have been helpful, we wish you happy cycling (for advice and suggestions you can write to us at info@ciclisergiobianchi.it).