15 Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Florence, Italy
When I visited Italy, Florence ended up being one of my favorite cities. It has a very homey feel, the people are friendly and helpful, the food was delicious and comforting, and the sights were beautiful. It is also a city that has really good accessibility. Here’s a list of 15 wheelchair accessible things to do in Florence, Italy to help you plan your trip.
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Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Florence, Italy
1. Academia Galleria
Florence is considered an artist’s dream destination as it contains many famous sculptures and paintings. One of them being, Michelangelo’s “David”. This statue is very realistic and looks as if he will come to life at any moment. It is also incredibly beautiful.
To see the original David, it will require a visit to the Academia Gallery. This museum is fully wheelchair accessible by using a ramp at the exit door. Accessible restrooms are available and elevators and stair lifts allow you to tour every floor.
In addition to the famous David, the museum also features sculptures and paintings from the Renaissance era. Admission for the disabled and one companion is free of charge.
2. Uffizi museum
The other famous art gallery in Florence is the Uffizi, which is home to the famous painting “The Birth of Venus”. Other notable works can be viewed throughout from the famous artists Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci.
Wheelchair users should enter door 1 on via della Nina where there is an access ramp and staff available to assist you. There are lifts and elevators allowing access to the various floors and the terrace bar. Service dogs are also allowed in the museum.
For people who are visually impaired, a special itinerary is offered, Uffizi by Touch, to allow you to experience some of the pieces in the museum.
This museum is huge, so depending on how much time you admire a work of art, a visit here can be a couple of hours to all day. It really depends on the person and your interests. Admission is free for the disabled and one companion.
3. Duomo
The duomo, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is the main church in Florence and is home to Brunelleschi’s Dome. This dome is covered in a painting depicting judgement day with Jesus on the throne and souls either ascending to Heaven or being damned for eternity to Hell. It is quite a magnificent piece of work.
The accessible entrance to the Duomo is on the right side of the church, and if it’s closed, contact staff to open it for you. Once inside, the surfaces are flat and easy to maneuver. For the brave and more able-bodied, a climb up the 463 steps to the top of the dome offers incredible views of the city. Unfortunately, there is no elevator for people with mobility problems.
The exterior of the church is also very lovely and consists of white marble with green and pink accents. There are some cobblestones surrounding the church, so be aware of that when visiting. All in all, it’s a great place to visit in the heart of Florence.
4. Piazza Michelangelo
This historic square offers an incredible view of the city, as it’s located on a hill on the other side of the Arno River. In addition, there is a replica of Michelangelo’s David here (hence the name of the square) and many artists come to paint or sell their pieces of art. Once at the square, it’s a pretty level and flat paved surface.
There are a couple of ways you can get here. First, many accessible tours make a stop here to give you panoramic views. Second, you could hire a taxi if you’re able to transfer from a manual wheelchair. Lastly, you could take the accessible buses that depart from the train station. Most of the driver’s do not speak English, so I advise using a translator app or if you know some Italian, ask him where the stop to get off is.
5. Ponte Vecchio
This bridge, which translated means “Old Bridge” is said to be so beautiful that Hitler decided not to bomb it in WW2. Of course, he bombed every other bridge in the city instead. Today it is lined with jewelry and other shops and is a major pedestrian bridge passing over the Arno River.
On top of the shops, there is a covered walkway which is what the Medici family used to use when crossing the bridge so they wouldn’t have to associate with the common folks. Although the covered walkway is not accessible, the bridge itself is. Enjoy a nice stroll/roll along it and get a different perspective of the river and city.
6. Santa Croce Church
This church can often be overlooked in comparison to the Duomo, but is true gem in and of itself. It is home to the burial sites of some of Italy’s most famous citizens including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
There is also an empty tomb here for Dante Alighieri, the famous poet who wrote Dante’s Inferno. Although a citizen of Florence, he had been banished from the city and died in Ravenna. Florence realized their mistake and wanted his body back to be buried in the city, but the town of Ravenna refused and hid the body. Nonetheless, a tomb was erected in the Santa Croce Church in his honor.
Aside from its famous graves, Santa Croce Church is known for being the largest Franciscan church in the world. Inside, there are sixteen chapels and numerous frescos depicting stories from the Bible. It is really a neat and lovely place to visit.
Wheelchair users can access the church and its museum from two ramped entrances. One is by the entrance to the church and the other is by the Monumental Complex. Once inside, the church is almost fully accessible (three of the chapels are inaccessible).
7. Shop in a Local Market
Who doesn’t love to do a bit of shopping!? The San Lorenzo market is an outdoor area where people can shop for souvenirs and other local goods. I know when I was here, I loaded up on some gorgeous scarves (it’s kind of an addiction). Florence is also known for its leather goods, ceramics and gold.
If you want more of a local shopping experience, make sure to go to the Central Market or Mercato Centrale. Here you can shop for fresh produce and other products as well as get an authentic Italian meal. This indoor market is fully accessible with an elevator to take you in between floors and accessible restrooms.
8. Pitti Palace
Once home to the Medici family, this impressive palace is now Florence’s largest museum. On a tour, you can enjoy some beautiful art and get an idea of how the rich once lived by visiting the royal apartments and seeing how they dressed in the museum of costume and fashion. So why not take a step back in time and pretend to be royal for a day?
There is an incline to reach the step-free entrance, which manual wheelchair users will need assistance with and once inside, lifts are available to take you to the various floors.
9. Galileo Museum
This museum contains 1000 important scientific instruments known not only for their function but their beauty as well. Learn more about Galileo and his life as he pursued various scientific discoveries. You can even see two of the telescopes and lenses that he personally owned and used.
Wheelchair users can enter the museum by contacting staff via an intercom at the entrance to the Lungarno Anna Maria Luisa de ‘Medici n. 2. A stairlift inside makes the museum fully accessible.
10. Day trip to Surrounding Towns
While in Florence, consider taking a day trip out to the legendary town of Pisa to see its leaning tower (and everything else that this town has to offer). Located just about 2 hours away (with traffic), Pisa is an easy side trip from Florence. Accessible tour operators can arrange all of the details and make sure you get the most out of your brief stay.
Other options quick trips from the city include the towns of Lucca, San Gimignano and Sienna. If you do not have a vehicle while in Florence (which really isn’t needed as the city is easy to navigate), you can book an accessible day trip through a variety of accessible tour operators.
Just be aware that some of these towns may be more challenging than others (for example, Sienna is very hilly). Speak with whichever tour operator you choose about what to expect and what your options are for a seamless visit.
11. Baptistry of St. John and the Gates of Paradise
This octagonal building which sits in front of the Duomo is hard to miss. There are often crowds outside gazing on the bronze exterior doors known as the “Gates of Paradise”. These three sets of doors are unique and depict stories from the Bible.
It would be very easy to stop and admire the doors and move on, but then you’d be missing out on all that this great place has to offer. Inside, you can see the dome, which was modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, that is covered in an intricate mosaic design. It was also here that Dante Alighieri was baptized.
In fact, this building is the oldest religious monument in Florence. It would be a shame not to fully appreciate this historic treasure. The interior is accessible by ramp and staff can assist as needed.
12. Palazzo Vecchio
For seven centuries, this palace was the seat of government for the city of Florence. Learn about the history of the city and see various works of art on this interesting tour. You can also tour some of the apartments and rooms used to house dignitaries and other important influential people.
Enter from the side on Via dei Gondi. Inside, the palace is partially accessible. The two main floors are fully accessible, however, the mezzanine floor, the Camminamento di Ronda and the Tower are not accessible.
13. Piazza della Signoria
Located just outside of the Palazzo Vecchio, this L-shaped square is full of art and is akin to an open-air sculpture gallery. It was also where the original David statue was on display until it was moved to the Academia Gallery in 1910 to prevent further exposure to the elements. Today, you can still see various works of art including the Fountain of Neptune.
Back in the day it was also home to many festivals and important events due to its location next to the Palazzo Vecchio and was considered a part of the seat of the city’s government.
It is a great place to grab a bit to eat, as plenty of outdoor cafes and restaurants are in the area. Visiting will be a treat for your senses, as you can easily roll around seeing great art while eating a gelato or other Italian delicacy.
14. Da Vinci Museum
Leonardo Da Vinci is almost synonymous with the Renaissance era. He was a thinker, artist, inventor and so much more. To see some of his creations and get an idea of just how innovative he was for his time, make sure to visit the museum dedicated to him near the Duomo.
This small but interesting place houses machines that were created according to his specifications and reproductions of his most famous pieces of art. An interaction component allows you to get an up-close look at how these machines work. Workshops are available to test your own skills in engineering.
Descriptions of each piece are available on signs in various languages. For a more in-depth experience, guided tours are also available for an extra fee. The museum is also fully accessible.
To get your skip-the-line ticket click here.
15. Take an accessible cooking class
Let’s be honest, I love pretty much all Italian food, but the food in Florence just felt like a warm hug. It was quintessential comfort food. From pasta, gnocchi and let’s not forget gelato, it was spectacular.
I can’t think of a better “souvenir” than to take an authentic cooking class so I can recreate these masterpiece dishes at home. During this class, you’ll learn how to make fresh pasta, two different sauces and even gelato while enjoying delicious drinks. Afterwards, you’ll get copies of the recipes to take home with you.
Oh, did I mention you get to eat what you made! What a delicious and great way to spend an afternoon.
Recap on Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Florence
I hope that after reading this, you are inspired to visit Florence and can see why it was one of my favorite towns in Italy. My list of 15 wheelchair accessible things to do in Florence, Italy will surely help you plan what will no doubt be an incredible stay in this great city.
