Planning a trip to Florence? Delve into our comprehensive guide on how to make the most of 3 days in Florence, Italy. From climbing the Duomo to marveling at Michelangelo’s The David sculpture, this Florence itinerary covers everything you’ll want to see on your first visit.
As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is like a living, breathing museum. A city where history, art, and culture seamlessly blend to create a deliciously unforgettable experience.
With 3 days in Florence, you can begin to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history, culture, and food that this Tuscan capital has to offer.
I’ve spent more time in Florence than any other city in Italy (months collectively), and each visit feels like I uncover something new.
In this ultimate Florence itinerary we’ll guide you through the must-see landmarks, hidden gems, and culinary experiences that will make your visit to Florence one for the books.
Florence Itinerary Contents
- How many days in Florence; Is 3 enough?
- Plan around closures in Florence
- 3 days in Florence itinerary overview
- Florence itinerary map
- Extra time in Florence?
- First-Timer’s guide to Florence
- How to get to Florence from Rome
- Complete Italy Itinerary
- More Italy travel resources
How many days in Florence is enough?
Some people try to fit in Florence as a day trip, but I recommend 3 days as the minimum time to spend in Florence.
There are so many fun things to do in Florence and it makes a great hub for exploring more of surrounding Tuscany. My recommendation is always to spend the most time in Florence as a “base” than anywhere else.
Spending 3 days in Florence gives you enough time to see the highlights, but this is just a start. If you give yourself even longer, you can do some day trips around Tuscany. Plus you will have time to be more thorough and relaxed in your sightseeing.
Be careful to plan around closures in Florence
When planning to spend 3 days in Florence, it’s important to take note that some museums and cathedrals are closed on certain days of the week.
Il duomo, the Florence Cathedral, is closed on Sundays for worship and you will not be able to enter the main floor. The dome does not open until 12:45 p.m. on Sundays.
All state-run museums in Florence are closed on Mondays, including the Galleria Uffizi and the Galleria dell’Accademia, two of the most-famous museums we’ve included on this itinerary. Also the San Lorenzo Market and Mercato Centrale, both on this itinerary, are closed Mondays.
The Medici Chapels are closed on Tuesday. And on the first Tuesday of each month, the Opera del Duomo Museum is also closed.
The Palazzo Vecchio closes early on Thursdays, at 2 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.
Day 1: The David, Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo
Welcome to Florence!
Our advice: Get as much of an early start as possible today. You’ll have a lot to fit in.
Here’s an overview of today’s schedule:
- 9:00 a.m. Explore Florence at your leisure
- Lunch at Mercato Centrale
- 4:00 p.m. Boboli Gardens
- An hour before sunset: Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset
- Dinner at a Tuscan restaurant
~9:00 a.m. Explore Florence at your leisure
If you arrive the night before and are starting this itinerary already in Florence, you’ll maximize your time to explore. If you must arrive this morning, try to plan your arrival as early as possible.
Psst! Don’t worry if you aren’t able to see all of the sights on this list on your first morning, you’ll have other opportunities to get back there over your 3 days in Florence.
Here are some things we recommend checking out:
Galleria dell’Accademia
The Galleria dell’Accademia is one of Florence’s must-see museums, renowned for housing Michelangelo’s iconic statue of David, along with an impressive collection of Renaissance art and sculptures.
Carved from a single block of white marble, the colossal masterpiece, known casually as The David, is a testament to Michelangelo’s unparalleled talent and skill. Looking up at David, towering over 17 ft in height, you can take in the statue’s impeccable anatomical detail and the lifelike expression captured in his face.
Book a time slot as early as possible on Day 1 to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia. You can book regular timed entrance tickets on the official booking website for €17, or to avoid the outrageous lines, arrive with a timed, skip the line ticket.
Optional: Do a free walking tour
If you’re interested in learning a bit more of the history from a local guide, you may want to check out a free walking tour on your first morning.
While many tours can be monotonous and repetitive, this one takes you to the most popular attractions, as well as off the beaten path locations you won’t find strolling around by yourself.
The English version of the tour runs daily from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. You’ll hit some of the highlights on this morning’s list, so you can easily fit it into the rest of your day.
Florence Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (known as Il Duomo of the city of Florence) is one of the most recognized and iconic cathedrals in the world. You cannot walk through Florence without stopping to marvel at the intricate decoration and immaculate detail on the outside.
Don’t worry about going inside yet… we’re saving that for day 2 of this itinerary.
Ponte Vecchio
As the centerpiece of the city, and the oldest bridge in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio has lived through many eras of history since it was first documented in 996 AC.
The iconic bridge is characterized by the shops built right into the foundation and is open to foot traffic only.
Though it draws quite a crowd today, strolling across this bridge is part of the experience of Florence. You can enjoy views over the Arno River as you browse wares from the finest gold and silversmiths in Florence.
Insider tip: The best views of the Ponte Vecchio are actually from the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge, just further down the river (as shown above).
San Lorenzo Market
Lining several streets near the Mercato Centrale, the San Lorenzo Market has hundreds of stalls with anything and everything you can imagine.
Shop for high-quality leather goods, pottery, clothing, rings, notebooks, and various types of souvenirs and gifts.
Good to know: The vendors restock the stalls each night from nearby shops and warehouses. So they may offer to bring you there to give you more options when browsing.
Tip: Take your time looking around and don’t buy the first thing you see. If you’re firm, you can bargain for a good deal as most products are marked up for sale.
Lunch at Mercato Centrale
Once you’ve worked up an appetite outside, head inside the Mercato Centrale to grab a bite at this two-level food hall.
On the first floor, you’ll find fishmongers and butchers among fruit and veggie vendors. This is more of a typical market where locals stock up on goods. You can also find cured meats, cheeses, olive oil, mushrooms, and even sundried tomatoes.
The second floor has a number of different restaurant concepts, in a more typical food hall with shared central seating. It’s a one stop shop for all sorts of Italian and international favorites—from pizza and pasta to BBQ and poke.
Tip: This is a great place to pick up some small bites for a picnic if you choose to stay at Piazzale Michelangelo instead of going to dinner later tonight.
Arnolfo Tower
This massive stone facade soaring into Florence’s skyline is one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city.
At the top are impressive, 360-degree views of the cityscape. Known as one of the best views in the city because it includes the Florence Cathedral. And unlike climbing Il Duomo or Giotto’s Bell Tower, there wasn’t even a line here when I visited in high season.
If you’re worried about just showing up, you can book tickets online on the official site. Just be sure to book the Arnolfo Tower (separate from the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio).
~5:00 p.m. Boboli Gardens
A line of wealthy families living in the Palazzo Pitti designed and decorated the backyard Boboli Gardens over centuries, with sculptures, fountains, and ancient trees.
It acts as an open air museum that is a peaceful space to take a breather from the city bustle, admire masterful works, or enjoy a picnic.
There is a small cafe onsite that serves coffees and alcoholic beverages. It’s a great place to grab an aperitivo and enjoy the views (plus free snacks!).
The gardens close at 6:30 p.m. so if you are visiting in the peak of summer when the sun sets much later, you’ll want to plan your visit for around 5 p.m or earlier*.
You can grab your tickets on the official booking site.
*Since the gardens are right next to Piazzale Michelangelo, we recommend getting here about 2.5 – 3 hours before sunset time. That way you can spend a leisurely 1.5 hours exploring the gardens and enjoying aperitivo before heading to the piazza to get there at least 1 hour before sunset time.
Tip: Grab yourself a scoop at Cantina del Gelato on the way over (or on the way back!) if you are walking from central Florence.
Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
As the day in Florence winds down, you can watch the city and its backdrop of Tuscan hills get painted with orange, yellow, and red hues at the Piazzale Michelangelo.
This is THE spot for sunset in Florence. I always suggest going on your first day in Florence because you never know what the weather will be, and you might want to return night after night (it’s that good!).
The piazza is open to the public and will get VERY crowded. I suggest arriving a minimum of 30 minutes before sunset time – 1 hour if you want to try and get seats on the stairs.
Tip: If the sunset is super late, or you just prefer a picnic, you can pick up ingredients and wine at Mercato Centrale earlier in the day and bring your picnic to watch the sunset. You’ll definitely want to arrive at least 1 hour before sunset to get a spot to sit on the stairs if you are planning on eating.
Optional: Dinner at a Tuscan restaurant
If you prefer a sit-down dinner to a picnic on the stairs, Boccadarno* is a quaint, no-frills restaurant at the base of the hill Piazzale Michelangelo sits atop. I can tell you from personal experience the food is delicious and you can get there in 10 min on foot.
*Make a reservation online for at least 30 minutes past sunset time to give yourself time to soak up the colors at dusk and walk down the hill.
If you want to go high end, Osteria dell’Enoteca** serves upscale Tuscan fare with a rotating seasonal menu and excellent wine pairings. They are a 10 min cab drive or a 30 minute walk from the piazza, depending on your preference.
**Make a reservation online for at least 45 minutes past sunset time to give yourself time to soak up the colors at dusk and make your way to the restaurant.
Day 2: Galleria de Uffizi, food tour, Il Duomo
Here’s an overview of today’s schedule:
- 9:00 a.m. Galleria de Uffizi
- 11:00 a.m. Food tour of Florence
- 2:30 p.m. Climb Il Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and tour the Baptistry
- 5:00 p.m. Aperitivo at ART Rooftop
- 7:30 p.m. Dinner at La Gistora
9:00 a.m. Galleria de Uffizi
Crowned as the best art gallery in the world and the most visited museum in Italy, it’s a no-brainer that the Uffizi Gallery is on our Florence itinerary.
Curated across two floors, you could easily spend hours inside and barely scratch the surface of the “must-see” works, paintings, sculptures, and altarpieces.
For the purposes of this itinerary, we suggest booking a 9:00 a.m. entrance (or earlier if you’re an early-riser!). You can book regular timed entrance tickets on the official booking website, or, to avoid the outrageous lines, arrive with a timed skip the line ticket.
11:00 a.m. Street food tour
This Florence Street Food Tour will have you eating like a local as you make your way through the city’s lively piazza’s and historical streets.
You’ll visit a local market to sample olive oil and many different kinds of truffles, discover an 1860’s trattoria to taste local Florentine food, and try local specialties like coccole and schiacciata.
I actually did this exact tour with my mom when we visited Florence and she said it was one of the highlights of her trip!
The tour lasts 2.5 hours, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and you should definitely come hungry (and pace yourself!) because there is a lot of food included in the tour.
2:30 p.m. Florence Cathedral: Il Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistry
The entrance to the Florence Cathedral itself is free, however you will need a ticket if you want to climb the dome to get up close and personal with Brunelleschi’s masterpiece and take in the views of Florence from the top.
Climbing il duomo is a must-do when visiting Florence, but many say the views from Giotto’s Bell Tower are even more impressive. I say, definitely climb both and see for yourself! (Plus the stairs will help work off all the food you just consumed on the food tour!)
The climb to the top of il duomo involves navigating a lot of tight and narrow spaces and many, many stairs. This may present an accessibility challenge for some, so keep this in mind as you look into it further.
Read the below directions carefully to purchase your pass:
In order to have access to both, plus the Baptistry (and museum if you’re interested), you’ll need to purchase the Brunelleschi Pass.
When you go to purchase, you’ll select your date and dome climb time*. Aim for the 2:30 p.m. time slot if available. There will still be a line at the Dome entrance, but everyone will be allowed in at once during the time slot on your ticket, so there is no need to arrive super early to queue.
*Note: The Brunelleschi Pass includes entrance to the dome, bell tower, baptistry, museum and Santa Reparata. However, the time slot chosen is just for the dome climb. Everything else can be visited at your leisure for the 3 calendar days of your pass validity.
~5:00 p.m. Aperitivo at ART Rooftop
View on ART is THE best rooftop view in Florence with up close views of the Duomo and Giotto’s Bell Tower.
The lounge bar has limited outdoor seating (see photo above), some in the shade and some with full sun. They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and do not take reservations, so you may need to wait patiently to snap that coveted duomo photo.
You can always do what I did, which was to show up and take a table inside (we still had great views behind a window) and hope an outdoor table becomes available.
7:30 p.m. Dinner at La Gistora
La Gistora is an unassuming eatery offering a delightful fusion of traditional Tuscan cuisine and contemporary flavors. Try the pear ravioli if it’s on the menu (this was one of my favorite meals in Florence!).
I highly recommend making a reservation as early as possible as they book out for dinner months in advance!
If you cannot get a reservation there, or prefer other options for dinner, here are a few of my favorite recommendations:
- Trattoria Zà Zà: Authentic Tuscan food with generous portions.
- Il Teatro: Coal-fired pizza and a quality menu of local fare.
- Trattoria Mario: 1953 trattoria with regional wine, and Tuscan soup, plates, and pasta.
- Ristorante Quinoa: An entirely gluten-free restaurant in Italy?! And with good food at that!
- Rosalia Salad Gourmet: If you’re feeling the carb overload, this is a great spot to make your own salad bowl.
Tip: My favorite gelato place in Florence was RivaReno, which is just a short walk from La Gistora.
Day 3: Wine tasting or cooking class
Today is really a day to choose your own adventure! You have the option to do a Tuscan wine tasting tour that’ll let you experience some of the areas surrounding Florence, or a market tour and cooking class in the heart of the city.
Depending on which option you choose will determine your schedule for the day…
Option 1: Tuscan wine tasting tour
If you want to participate in a wine tasting tour while spending 3 days in Florence, we highly encourage it! Afterall, Italy is one of the top wine regions in the world!
Here’s an overview of today’s schedule:
- 9:00 a.m. Medici Chapels
- 10:30 a.m. Free time
- 12:30 p.m. Lunch
- 2:30 p.m. Wine tour
- 7:15 p.m. Pizza dinner
9:00 a.m. Medici Chapels
You can’t visit Florence without hearing about the power and prestige of the Medici Family—the dynasty that brought wealth, art, riches, and an everlasting legacy to the city.
They erected a massive and opulent tomb to enshrine their remains and carry on their legacy, but interestingly enough the family lineage died out before the tomb was completed.
The brown brick exterior gives no hint of the lavishness within, including many sculptures by Michelangelo himself, commissioned by the family. Even though the project was not completed, it is still quite the sight.
The series of chapels creates a museum where you’ll learn about how the Medici family sculpted the city, and get a deeper appreciation and understanding of the famous sites that give Florence its trademark.
Book your tickets on the official site, in advance to skip the line. Or you can bring the legends, betrayals, treasures, and poisonings of the family to life on a Medici Chapels Guided Tour (book the 9:15 a.m. tour).
10:30 a.m. Free time
After visiting the Medici Chapels (whether you go on your own or with a tour), you’ll have some free time. Use this time to see any outstanding things in Florence you still want to check off your list.
12:30 p.m. Lunch
You’ll want to have a proper lunch to prepare your stomach for wine tasting later on. Here are a few of my favorite lunch options:
- Rooster Cafe: The best place to find an American-style brunch with all your favorites.
- Le Vespe Cafè: Canadian-style breakfast and lunch with a healthy twist.
- ToscaNino: A rooftop cafe atop the Rinascente department store on Piazza della Repubblica. They have a fresh take on Tuscan cuisine.
- Rosalia Salad Gourmet: If you’re feeling the carb overload, this is a great spot to make your own salad bowl.
- Return to Mercato Centrale and try something different in the giant food hall.
2:30 p.m. Wine tour
Florence sits beautifully among Tuscany’s most treasured wineries, and while you can sample endless varieties during aperitivo or at a wine bar, nothing compares to a sip directly from the source.
On this Wine tasting tour of Tuscany, you’ll visit 2 wineries in the heart of the acclaimed Chianti region and pair your tastings with local cheese, salami, bruschetta, and cold cuts.
I took this exact tour with my mom and we both really enjoyed ourselves.
7:15 p.m. Pizza dinner
After wine tasting all afternoon, you’ll be returned to Florence at about 7 p.m. probably a bit tipsy and craving a quick, carb-filled dinner. I have just the thing for you…
L’antica pizzeria da Michele is tied* as my favorite pizza restaurant in Naples! They are widely known for their wood-fired pies and people stand in line for hours to get a taste.
However, their location in Florence is just as delicious (can confirm!) without the long lines. Especially if you arrive as close to 7 p.m. as possible, when they open. Grab yourself a pie to help soak up the wine and make it an early bedtime, or have a night out on the town.
*In case you were wondering, they are tied with Gino Sorbillo’s in Naples.
Option 2: Tuscan cooking class
If wine tasting isn’t your thing, that’s okay too! We think participating in a cooking class is one of the best things to add to your Florence itinerary.
Here’s an overview of today’s schedule:
- 9:00 a.m. Market tour & cooking class
- 2:30 p.m. Free time & Medici Chapels
- 7:30 p.m. Dinner
9:00 a.m. Market tour and cooking class
Perfect the art of Tuscan-style cooking on this Italian Food Market & Cooking Experience.
You’ll join two famous local chefs at the market where they’ll teach you how to shop like a true Italian. With their expert tips, you’ll choose the highest-quality ingredients and bring everything back to their kitchens to cook up a feast.
Learn how to make bruschetta, fresh homemade pasta, and a seasonal main course paired with local Chianti wine. The entire experience will last 5-5.5 hours and you’ll leave with a full belly and recipes to take home.
2:30 p.m. Free time and Medici Chapels
After your cooking experience, you’ll have plenty of free time to digest before dinner. Use this time to see any outstanding things in Florence you still want to check off your list.
Be sure to check out the Medici Chapels as described above.
7:30 p.m. Dinner
It’s your last dinner in Florence and you’ve got plenty of dinner options to choose from. Depending on how much you ate during your cooking experience, you may want to eat even later than 7:30 p.m.
Here’s a recap of all the dinner options we’ve mentioned:
- Boccadarno: A quaint, no-frills restaurant at the base of the hill Piazzale Michelangelo sits atop. I can tell you from personal experience the food is delicious!
- Osteria dell’Enoteca*: Upscale Tuscan cuisine with a rotating, seasonal menu.
- La Gistora*: a delightful fusion of traditional Tuscan cuisine and contemporary flavors.
- Trattoria Zà Zà*: Authentic Tuscan food with generous portions.
- Il Teatro: Coal-fired pizza and a quality menu of local fare.
- Trattoria Mario: 1953 trattoria with regional wine, and Tuscan soup, plates, and pasta.
- Ristorante Quinoa: An entirely gluten-free restaurant in Italy?! And with good food at that!
- Rosalia Salad Gourmet: If you’re feeling the carb overload, this is a great spot to make your own salad bowl.
- L’antica pizzeria da Michele Firenze: This ultra famous pizzeria from Naples has a location in Florence and it lives up to the hype, but without the lines! This is the best Neapolitan-style pizza in Florence (in my humble opinion). Get there as close to when they open at 7 p.m. so you won’t have a wait.
*Reservation necessary!
Florence itinerary map
Click on the map above to be taken to the interactive version in Google Maps and have this 3 days in Florence itinerary at your fingertips.
Have more than 3 days in Florence?
If you have more than 3 days to spend in Florence, that’s great! There’s so much to do and see in this region of Italy, you can never have too much time!
Day trips from Florence
Our first suggestion would be to get out and explore other parts of Tuscany. There are plenty of day trips from Florence to do just that. We’d recommend Pompeii, Florence or Sorrento if you’ve never been!
More things to do in Florence
If you want to spend more time exploring Florence, here are some suggestions for more things to do that aren’t on this itinerary:
- Visit the tombs of Michelangelo & Dante
- Tour tuscany on a vintage vespa
- Shop for leather goods
- Check out the Leonardo Interactive Museum
- Visit the Gucci Gardens and Museum
- Attend a Fiorentina football game
We have plenty more suggestions in our things to do in Florence guide.
First timer’s guide to Florence
If this is your first time visiting Florence, you’ll want to read our ultimate travel guide which is packed with helpful information like how to get around and where to find the best eats.
Coming from Rome?
We have a detailed guide on how to get from Rome to Florence that goes over all your different travel options—like plane, train or car. Plus we share detailed instructions on how to navigate the Italian rail system (our favorite way to travel around Italy!).
Want the whole trip planned for you?
If you want to save hours of your life spent planning, we’ve already put in more than enough for you and us combined. Trust us.
And we’re happy to share everything we learned — from digging through reviews, Youtube and all sorts of Internet rabbit holes, as well as actually living and traveling in Italy on multiple occasions.
We’ve put together the perfect classic Italy itinerary for your first visit. This itinerary includes day-by-day instructions, photos and tips that will help you plan your road trip through classic Italian destinations like Florence, Rome, Tuscany and Cinque Terre.
Highlights of our Italy itinerary
Based on the collective time we’ve spent living in and traveling around Italy, we gathered all of the classic Italian experiences to have on your first visit. Highlights of our classic italy itinerary include:
- Discover ancient wonders on a tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum
- Enjoy the best Italian street foods on a food tour
- Witness sunsets all over Italy from atop of a castle, across from the iconic Cinque Terre viewpoint, and from Piazzale Michelangelo
- Indulge in pasta at authentic Italian bistros
- Get your fill of world-famous gelato
- Conquer the most epic hike along the coast of Cinque Terre
- Climb to the top of the most famous duomo in the world
- See Renaissance art at some of the best museums in the world
- Enjoy aperitivo from a rooftop bar across from Il Duomo
- Perfect the Italian art of La Dolce Vita
- & so, SO much more!
We’ve spent hours of research putting this all together, just for you!
In full transparency, this is a paid itinerary since it has taken an incredible amount of time for us to create.
However, we keep all of our paid itineraries affordable – just $17 for an entire 10-day itinerary. We think this is an incredible value considering almost all your planning will be done for you!
Plan your trip to Italy
We have TONS of resources on travel in Italy and destinations throughout the country. Check out our Ultimate Italy Travel Guide for answers to all your questions, or read some of our favorite articles below!
- Not sure when to go? This guide to the best time to visit Italy will help you avoid crowds and make the most of your trip.
- Check out our guide to the best things to do in Tuscany—full of food, wine, and charming hill towns.
- First time visiting? Here are the best things to do in Rome so you don’t miss the highlights.
- Our 3-day Rome itinerary covers all the must-sees (and a few local secrets!).
- Our Cinque Terre National Park guide has everything you need to plan your visit.
- Don’t miss our favorite things to do in Positano—from iconic views to hidden gems.
Don’t miss your chance to grab your Italy packing list!
In this free Italy packing list PDF download, we’ve provided packing checklists for everything from clothing and toiletries (for both women and men!) to what shoes to pack and extra medicines you may want to have on-hand just in case.
Plus, we’re sharing tons of packing hacks and tips for traveling in Italy that you won’t find anywhere else!
Save this article on Pinterest for later!
We want to hear from you!
What did you think of our 3 days in Florence itinerary? Are you planning a trip to Florence and still have questions? Leave us a comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!