Of all the places I’ve gone, Italy was by far the most beautiful, felt the most authentic, and had the most to offer an American stumbling her way through Italian 101.

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Florence was the highlight of my summer tour of Europe.

Since Florentine roads and alleyways are so narrow and only suited to European vespas and foot traffic, Firenze has remained seemingly untouched by time.

Picturesque is slightly underselling it. Breathtaking isn’t even close.

Florence is what got me hooked on the Italian language, food, and culture. Not to mention the men, but I digress.

During my visit, we had two incredible tour guides who were deeply knowledgeable about the city’s history and its folklore.

I would have to recommend seeing Florence through the eyes of a guide, but if that’s not in your budget or if you get nervous holding up the group, I have created a self-guided walking tour itinerary for you to try!

I can only hope to return sooner rather than later, but I can confidently say that the Florence I knew will be waiting for me.

These are my must-see spots, via self-guided historical walking tour through the heart of Florence.

1. The Duomo di Firenze

The Duomo is at Florence’s heart, making it a perfect start to your tour. If you’re meeting up with friends or just want to orient yourself to new surroundings, you couldn’t pick a better spot. Walk around the outside of the cathedral admiring the intricate architecture, Red, White, and Green symbolistic coloring, and its iconic unfinished dome.

2. Museo Casa Di Dante

The next stop on our tour is the Museo Casa Di Dante or The House of Dante Museum. Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in the 1200s, in this very house. If you have time, stop in the museum and spend the day learning more about the father of the Italian language and the namesake of Dantes’s inferno.

3. Piazzo della Signoria + Uffizi Gallery

Making your way through the cobblestone alleyways of Florence, we arrive at the Piazzo della Signoria and the adjacent Uffizi Gallery. The Piazzo della Signoria holds iconic marble statues of Greek Myth Heroes like Achilles and Perseus and is also home to a replica of Michelangelo’s Statue of David. Heading over to the Uffizi Gallery will reveal Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Cristofano Allori’s Judith, holding the Head of Holofernes, and many more Florentine, religious-inspired works of art.

4. Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio or “Old Bridge” is an enormous architectural and engineering feat achieved by Florence in its Middle Ages, which crosses the Arno River. Cross the bridge and admire the incredible view, but be sure to pop in and around some of Florence’s world-renowned gold, silver, and leather market booths for a souvenir meant to last for generations.

5. Fontana del Nettuno

Our last stop on our tour is the Fontana del Nettuno or the Fountain of Neptune. It’s a little bit of backtracking back to the Piazzo del Signoria, but this is a great place to grab lunch, buy cheap watercolor postcards, and admire the centuries-old views of this incredible city. Eat too much gelato while admiring Neptune as he sits atop his shell-shaped chariot, judging everyone.

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That’s all folks! I hope you enjoyed my take on a tour of Florence. This definitely isn’t the extent of all there is to see and do in this incredible city, but it is where I would start.

Let yourself get lost in a work of art, in translation, or actually lost via taking a “wrong turn.”

Itineraries are bogus anyway.

-Allison