So, you’ve arrived in Florence. The birthplace of the Renaissance, the land of Michelangelo and home to more art than your Year 9 textbook could dream of. You’ve taken the obligatory photo of the Duomo, had your life changed by a scoop of pistachio gelato and said “ciao” to a statue of David that, frankly, has seen more than you ever will.
But what if we told you Florence isn’t just for art nerds and history buffs? What if the city of Dante and da Vinci also had a wild side? A side that doesn’t involve queuing for hours to look at ceiling frescoes or pretending to know what “chiaroscuro” means?
Yes, dear traveller, Florence is secretly a thrill-seeker’s paradise. You just need to know where to look. So, pack your walking shoes, stretch your legs and prepare to experience the Renaissance capital like a slightly sweaty, slightly breathless explorer with an eye for adventure.
1. Climb the Duomo and Question Your Fitness and Life Decisions
🧗 Let’s start with the big one. The Duomo is Florence’s most iconic building and a certified quad workout.
To reach the top of Brunelleschi’s dome, you’ll climb 463 narrow, winding, thigh-burning steps, occasionally whispering “why?” between gasps. But the view? Bellissimo. The selfie? Epic. The regret? Gone.
Pro tip: Don’t do it right after a large plate of carbonara. Trust us.
2. Hike Up to Piazzale Michelangelo with Your Pride Intact (Barely)
🥾 This one is for those who believe in scenic rewards.
The walk from the city centre up to Piazzale Michelangelo is a steady uphill climb, but it’s worth it for the panoramic view of Florence with the Arno River sweeping through. Bonus points if you arrive just before sunset with a bottle of Chianti and a smug look on your face.
Pro tip: Skip the taxi. Earn your view. You’ll feel heroic.
3. Go Paddleboarding on the Arno and Try Not to Fall Off in Front of Locals
🏄♀️ Florence isn’t Venice, but it’s still got a river you can splash around in.
Join a paddleboarding or kayaking tour on the Arno for a unique view of the city. Glide past the Ponte Vecchio while simultaneously trying not to belly-flop into the brownish water in front of amused tourists.
Pro tip: Bring dry clothes. The Arno is not your friend.
4. Cycle Through the Tuscan Hills Like a Lycra-Wearing Wine Seeker
🚴♂️ Florence is your gateway to the Tuscan countryside.
Rent a bike and escape into a postcard world of rolling hills, olive groves and charming little villages where wine is practically mandatory. Whether you’re doing a full-day tour or a breezy half-day jaunt, it’s cardio with a view.
Pro tip: Don’t drink too much wine at lunch. You still have to cycle back, remember.
5. Go Hot Air Ballooning and Gasp Loudly Over Vineyards
🎈 If you’re not afraid of heights and fancy being gently lifted into the sky like a majestic breakfast croissant, a hot air balloon ride over Florence and the surrounding countryside is the way to go.
Float above medieval towns, sun-kissed vineyards and sleepy villas while pretending you’re in a very romantic Italian film montage.
Pro tip: Morning flights are calmest and come with less chance of an emergency crash-landing. Which is always nice.
6. Join a Vespa Tour and Fulfil Your “Roman Holiday” Fantasy (Helmet Included)
🛵 Want to feel like Audrey Hepburn without the skirt-in-the-wind situation? Hop on a Vespa.
You’ll zip along winding roads just outside the city, stopping for wine tastings, photo ops and the occasional break to yell “WHEEEE!” at full volume. A guide leads the way, so you won’t end up in Bologna by mistake.
Pro tip: If you can’t ride a Vespa solo, no shame in being the fabulous backseat passenger.
7. Go Horseback Riding Through Vineyards Like a Very Classy Cowboy
🐎 In Florence, even horseback riding involves wine.
Book a countryside horse trek and trot your way through Chianti’s rolling fields. You’ll feel like a noble Florentine from the 1500s, except with more sunscreen and fewer duels.
Pro tip: Say yes to the wine and olive oil tasting at the end. You earned it.
8. Explore Boboli Gardens Like You’re on a Royal Jungle Expedition
🌿 Boboli Gardens is where Florence lets its hair down and gets green.
The gardens behind the Pitti Palace are a labyrinth of fountains, grottos, statues and suspiciously steep paths. It’s part art museum, part forest, part secret garden where you can get gloriously lost and mildly sunburnt.
Pro tip: Wear comfy shoes. Florence does not do flat.
9. Take a Cooking Class That Turns Into a Flouring War
🍝 Want to make pasta like a Tuscan nonna? Sign up for a cooking class and get elbow-deep in flour.
Many classes start with a trip to the market, then move into a rustic kitchen where you’ll learn to knead, roll, stuff and sauce your way to glory. It’s hands-on, hilarious and ends with you eating your own delicious homework.
Pro tip: Don’t wear black. You will come out looking like a friendly ghost.
10. Go on a Scavenger Hunt Through the City with a Very Competitive Spirit
🗺️ Florence is compact, historic and packed with odd little nooks and mysterious symbols.
Join a guided scavenger hunt or download an app that takes you through secret doors, forgotten alleys and trivia challenges. It’s like being in The Da Vinci Code, but with more gelato and less conspiracy.
Pro tip: Split into teams. Loser buys the Aperol Spritz.
Final Thoughts from the Adrenaline-Fuelled Heart of the Renaissance
Florence may be known for art, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend your whole trip quietly nodding in galleries. This city is just as much for the adventurers as it is for the aesthetes. Whether you’re climbing domes, falling off paddleboards or cycling towards your next glass of wine, there’s a thrill for everyone in this marble-kissed, terracotta-topped paradise.
So, throw on your most flexible trousers, embrace the hills and get ready to experience Florence in full Renaissance action mode. Just remember to shout “mamma mia” occasionally for dramatic effect.
