Final Up to date on August 27, 2025
Florence is a metropolis that grabs you and doesn’t let go. I do not forget that overwhelming sensation after I arrived in Florence after strolling the Path of Gods from Bologna, wandering its cobblestone streets, fully mesmerized. It felt much less like a metropolis and extra like an open-air museum, the place each nook revealed one other masterpiece.
Because the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is filled with an virtually overwhelming quantity of artwork and historical past. However past the world-famous galleries and iconic landmarks, there’s a vibrant, beating coronary heart to Florence. It’s within the vigorous chatter of the native markets, the clinking of glasses in a hidden trattoria, and the straightforward pleasure of consuming an ideal scoop of gelato on a sun-drenched piazza.
I’ve designed this 3-day Florence itinerary to offer you a style of all of it – the monumental artwork, the unbelievable Italian meals, and the plain appeal that makes this metropolis so particular. This information is ideal for first-timers, mixing well-known must-sees with native experiences that can assist you fall in love with Florence, simply as I did.
Day 1: The Coronary heart of the Renaissance
Discover the Duomo Complicated
Your first morning is all about diving headfirst into Florence’s most iconic sight: the Piazza del Duomo. The centerpiece, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral), is just breathtaking. Its sheer scale and the intricate pink, inexperienced, and white marble façade are a spectacle in themselves.
I strongly suggest pre-booking a non-public Florence Duomo tour with Dome climb, which provides you a timed slot to climb the 463 steps of Brunelleschi’s Dome and features a guided metropolis tour with a neighborhood professional. The climb is an expertise, taking you alongside slim, centuries-old passageways, however the reward is the one greatest panoramic view of Florence.
You probably have time, try the opposite monuments within the sq.: Giotto’s Bell Tower (one other implausible climb for a special perspective), the Baptistery of St. John with its gleaming reproduction of the “Gates of Paradise,” and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Don’t skip the museum; it homes the unique masterpieces made for the Duomo, together with Ghiberti’s precise Gates of Paradise, that are mind-blowing up shut.
Admire Michelangelo’s David
This afternoon is devoted to assembly a real icon: Michelangelo’s David. The statue is housed within the Galleria dell’Accademia, and I can not stress this sufficient: e-book your Galleria dell’Accademia tickets properly prematurely. Seeing the 17-foot marble sculpture in particular person is a second that can stick with you endlessly; the element and sheer presence are awe-inspiring. You possibly can
After your time on the Accademia, take a leisurely stroll to Piazza della Signoria, town’s political coronary heart for hundreds of years. This gorgeous sq. is an out of doors sculpture gallery in its personal proper, that includes the grand Palazzo Vecchio (the city corridor), a duplicate of David in its unique location, and the flowery Fountain of Neptune.
Watch Sundown over the Arno and Oltrarno Appeal
Because the afternoon mild softens, head in the direction of the river and the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge, well-known for the glittering jewellery outlets constructed alongside it. Cross the bridge to the Oltrarno district, often called Florence’s artisan quarter.
Finish the day at Piazzale Michelangelo, a big terrace providing that picture-postcard view of Florence. Watching the sundown from right here, because the sky turns orange and pink behind the Duomo and town lights start to glitter, is the right, unforgettable finish to your first day.
Day 2: Medici Energy, Markets & Masterpieces
Browse the Uffizi Gallery
Put together for an artwork overload at one of many world’s biggest artwork museums, the Uffizi Gallery. Housed within the former workplaces of the Medici household, its assortment is a roll-call of Renaissance masters. You’ll see Botticelli’s “The Start of Venus” and “Primavera,” alongside unbelievable works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
Once more, reserving skip-the-line tickets on-line is important to keep away from spending hours in a queue. Give your self a minimum of three hours to do it justice.
Get pleasure from a Meals Market Feast
After a morning of excessive artwork, it’s time for a feast for the senses on the Mercato Centrale (Central Market). The bottom flooring is a standard meals market buzzing with locals shopping for recent produce, meats, and cheeses. Head upstairs to the colourful, trendy meals corridor, the place you possibly can select from dozens of high-quality meals stalls serving lampredotto (a Florentine tripe sandwich) and connoisseur burgers.
From the market, you’re simply steps away from the sprawling outside San Lorenzo Market, well-known for its countless stalls of leather-based items. It’s the spot to browse for luggage, belts, and jackets, however be ready to haggle for a superb worth.
Discover Santa Croce
Tonight, discover the Santa Croce neighborhood. It’s a vigorous space with a extra native really feel than the Duomo district. The principle sq. is dominated by the gorgeous Basilica di Santa Croce, the ultimate resting place of many illustrious Italians, together with Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. The piazza is a superb spot to chill out at a café. For dinner, the realm is filled with implausible trattorias.
Day 3: Palaces, Gardens & A Last Deal with
Wander round Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens
Cross the river again into the Oltrarno this morning to discover the lavish Pitti Palace, the big former residence of the Medici dukes. The palace is now divided into a number of museums, together with the Palatine Gallery, which is crammed with an unbelievable assortment of works by artists like Raphael and Titian.
Behind the palace lie the magnificent Boboli Gardens, an ideal instance of Italian Renaissance backyard design. Spend the remainder of the morning wandering by means of its cypress-lined avenues, discovering hidden fountains, sculptures, and grottoes. Your ticket additionally grants you entry to the close by Bardini Gardens, a less-crowded gem with gorgeous wisteria within the spring and spectacular metropolis views.
Study Tuscan Delicacies
On your closing afternoon, immerse your self in Florence’s world-renowned meals tradition. I extremely suggest a hands-on Tuscan cooking class. Many lessons begin with a visit to a neighborhood market to pick recent components earlier than you be taught to arrange traditional regional dishes like recent pasta and tiramisu, all adopted by a scrumptious meal of your personal making, paired with native wine. It’s a enjoyable, scrumptious, and memorable option to expertise a cornerstone of Tuscan life. You possibly can seek for Florence cooking lessons right here.
An Oltrarno Farewell
On your final night, benefit from the bohemian environment of the Oltrarno, which actually comes alive at evening. The neighborhood of Santo Spirito, particularly, is a neighborhood favourite, with a vigorous piazza crammed with implausible bars and eating places. Discover a cozy trattoria for a closing Florentine dinner, maybe at Osteria Santo Spirito or Trattoria La Casalinga, and lift a glass of Chianti for an exquisite journey.
Florence Journey Information
How you can Get to Florence
By Airplane
Florence’s airport is Amerigo Vespucci (FLR), situated only a few kilometers from town heart. A taxi has a hard and fast price to the middle, or you possibly can take the environment friendly T2 tram line immediately from the airport to the principle prepare station. Alternatively, many guests fly into Pisa Worldwide Airport (PSA), which is about an hour away and related to Florence by a daily prepare and bus service. Seek for flights right here.
By Prepare
Florence is a serious hub on Italy’s high-speed rail community, making it extremely simple to reach from different cities like Rome (round 1.5 hours) or Milan (round 2 hours). The principle station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN), is conveniently situated on the sting of the historic heart, inside strolling distance of many accommodations and sights.
Finest Time to Journey to Florence
The perfect occasions to go to Florence are in the course of the shoulder seasons: spring (April-Could) and autumn (September-October). Throughout these months, the climate is pleasantly gentle, making it excellent for strolling round, and town is fantastically adorned with spring blossoms or autumnal colors. Whereas nonetheless common, the crowds are typically smaller than within the peak summer season months of June and July, when the warmth might be intense.
How you can Get Round Florence
By Foot
Florence is a splendidly compact metropolis, and the best possible option to discover the historic heart is on foot. Most main sights are inside a 15-20 minute stroll of one another. Pack snug sneakers, as you’ll be strolling on uneven cobblestone streets.
By Public Transport
For longer distances, like attending to Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence has an environment friendly system of buses and trams (Tramvia) run by Autolinee Toscane. The tram is trendy, quick, and the simplest option to journey between the airport, the prepare station, and the outskirts.
Buses cowl the whole metropolis, with helpful strains for vacationers being the #12 or #13 to Piazzale Michelangelo. You should buy tickets (€1.70 for 90 minutes) at tobacco outlets (Tabacchi), newsstands, or through the app. You too can faucet a contactless card immediately on board the trams and a few buses. All the time bear in mind to validate your paper ticket within the machine once you board to keep away from a high-quality. For a extra versatile option to discover, you may additionally take into account a hop-on hop-off tour, with passes out there for 1 to three days.
By Taxi
Taxis are white and might be discovered at official taxi ranks all through town (e.g., on the prepare station, Piazza della Repubblica). You can’t hail a taxi on the road; you need to go to a rank or e-book one by cellphone or textual content. Word that Uber doesn’t function in Florence.
The place to Keep in Florence
The Finest Areas to Keep in Florence
- Centro Storico (Duomo/Uffizi): That is the most effective space for first-time guests who wish to be within the coronary heart of the motion. You’ll be steps away from all the main sights. The draw back is that it’s probably the most crowded and usually the most costly space.
- Oltrarno (Santo Spirito/San Frediano): Positioned throughout the river, this neighborhood provides a extra genuine, bohemian vibe. It’s my private favourite, identified for its artisan workshops, implausible eating places, and vigorous native environment, whereas nonetheless being only a quick stroll from the middle.
- Santa Croce: An ideal mixture of vacationer sights and native life. The world is vigorous, particularly within the evenings, with loads of eating places and bars. It provides a barely extra native really feel than the Duomo space.
- Santa Maria Novella: Handy for these arriving by prepare or planning many day journeys, this space provides extra budget-friendly lodging. The streets instantly across the station can really feel a bit chaotic, however the space across the Piazza Santa Maria Novella itself is sort of charming.
Luxurious: 4 Seasons Resort Firenze
Tucked away in a tranquil nook of town, the 4 Seasons Resort Firenze is arguably probably the most breathtaking resort in Florence. We have been fully blown away by this property, which is housed in a Renaissance palazzo and boasts town’s largest non-public backyard. It looks like a peaceable, inexperienced oasis, but you’re only a quick stroll from the Duomo. Verify charges right here.
Luxurious: Resort Lungarno
Owned by the Ferragamo household, Resort Lungarno is the one resort located immediately on the Arno River, and its rooms provide mesmerizing, front-row views of the Ponte Vecchio. We stayed right here for a particular anniversary, and waking as much as that view felt like dwelling in a portray. The resort’s nautical-themed decor, Michelin-starred restaurant, and unique ambiance make it a very particular Florentine retreat. Verify charges right here.
Mid Vary: Resort Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio
We have been so impressed with Resort Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio for its unbelievable location and traditional appeal. It’s located proper on the foot of the Ponte Vecchio within the Oltrarno district, placing you within the coronary heart of the artisan quarter. What we beloved most was the rooftop terrace, which has two ranges providing jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Duomo and the whole metropolis skyline. Verify charges right here.
Price range: PLUS Florence
For vacationers on a price range who don’t wish to sacrifice model or facilities, PLUS Florence is an absolute standout. It’s a contemporary, upscale hostel that actually impressed us with its services, together with a rooftop pool and terrace bar with unbelievable views of the Duomo. It provides each non-public rooms and dorms, an awesome social environment, and is conveniently situated close to the prepare station and Mercato Centrale. Verify charges right here.
The place to Eat in Florence
Finest Markets and Informal Eats
- All’Antico Vinaio: The undisputed king of panini. Large sandwiches crammed with Tuscan specialties. Count on a line. Costs vary from €5-€8.
- Mercato Centrale: The upstairs meals courtroom is a must-visit for an informal lunch with countless high-quality choices, from pasta to pizza to burgers. Meals usually vary from €6-€12.
- Gusta Pizza: An area favourite within the Oltrarno for genuine, scrumptious, and low-cost Neapolitan-style pizza. Seize it to-go and eat on the steps of the Santo Spirito church. Pizzas value round €6-€9.
- Trattoria Mario: A legendary, family-run establishment close to the Mercato Centrale serving conventional Florentine meals. It’s solely open for lunch and doesn’t take reservations, so queue early. Take a look at the evaluations.
- Trattoria La Casalinga: A comfy, beloved trattoria within the Oltrarno serving traditional home-style Tuscan cooking. Take a look at the evaluations.
- La Giostra: For a extra romantic, upscale expertise, this restaurant is legendary for its pear and pecorino ravioli and scrumptious steak. Take a look at the evaluations.
- Osteria Santo Spirito: A well-liked spot in a vigorous piazza, well-known for its truffle gnocchi served in a large bowl, excellent for sharing. Take a look at the evaluations.
How you can Get an Italian SIM card
Staying related in Florence is simple. Most accommodations, cafes, and eating places provide free Wi-Fi. For information on the go, eSIMs are probably the most handy possibility. You should purchase and set up a pay as you go information plan from suppliers and get on-line the second you land. I’ve at all times used eSIMs from Airalo, and so they’ve constantly given me good charges and buyer assist.
Suggestions for Your Journey to Florence
- E-book Forward – For the Uffizi and Accademia galleries, reserving tickets on-line a minimum of a month prematurely is essential to keep away from spending hours in line. The identical goes for climbing the Duomo.
- Museum Closures – Remember that many museums in Florence, together with the Uffizi and Accademia, are closed on Mondays. Plan your itinerary accordingly.
- Firenze Card – For those who plan to go to many museums, look into the Firenze Card. It gives entry to quite a few metropolis museums with precedence entry, although it’s best to calculate if it’s cost-effective to your particular plans.
- Comfy Footwear – That is non-negotiable. You may be strolling quite a bit on exhausting, uneven cobblestones.
- Study Fundamental Italian – Whereas English is widespread in vacationer areas, studying a couple of phrases like per favore (please), grazie (thanks), and buongiorno (good day) is at all times appreciated by locals.
Additional Studying on Italy
Thanks for studying this far! I hope this weekend in Florence information has impressed you to start out planning your journey. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the right 3 days in Florence or crafting your personal 3 day Florence itinerary, I hope these concepts provide help to take advantage of your time on this gorgeous Renaissance metropolis.
Have you ever been to Florence earlier than? Which spots have been your favourite? Let me know within the feedback under—I’d love to listen to your suggestions and reply any questions you may need!
For many who are planning to discover extra of Italy, try a few of these articles for additional studying:
Disclaimer: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks i.e. when you e-book a keep by means of one in all my hyperlinks, I get a small fee at NO EXTRA COST to you. Thanks to your assist!
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