Hidden Churches of Florence You Shouldn't Miss

Everyone goes to the Duomo (and you should — it's extraordinary). But Florence has over 200 churches, and some of the most beautiful ones are the ones tourists walk right past. Here are my favorites:

1. San Miniato al Monte

Up the hill past Piazzale Michelangelo. The Romanesque marble façade is stunning, the interior has an incredible geometric marble floor, and if you time it right (5:30pm in winter, 6pm in summer), you can hear the Benedictine monks sing Gregorian chant. Free entry.

2. Santa Maria Novella

Most tourists photograph the façade and keep walking. Go inside (€7.50). The Spanish Chapel frescoes are jaw-dropping, and Masaccio's "Holy Trinity" is one of the first paintings to use linear perspective. There's also a gorgeous cloister garden that's incredibly peaceful.

3. Orsanmichele

This one looks like a regular building from outside — it was actually a grain market converted to a church. The exterior niches hold statues by Donatello, Ghiberti, and Verrocchio. The interior has a stunning Gothic tabernacle by Orcagna. Completely free, rarely crowded.

4. Brancacci Chapel (inside Santa Maria del Carmine)

The Masaccio frescoes here are considered the foundation of Renaissance painting. Michelangelo studied these as a young artist. Visits are limited to 30 minutes with a max of 30 people — book online. €10 but worth every cent.

5. Basilica di Santo Spirito

Plain façade hides a beautiful Brunelleschi interior. The piazza outside is one of the best people-watching spots in Florence. Check if there's an evening concert — the acoustics are special.

The beauty of visiting these churches is that you're often alone or nearly alone. No crowds, no selfie sticks — just you and 600 years of art and devotion.