Florence is a beautiful city that must be on your Italy travel itinerary. Located in the famous Tuscany region, this city was the heart of the Renaissance movement in Europe in the 16th century. Art and culture can be seen spilling out from ancient buildings with elaborate facades onto the streets in the form of fountains, sculptures, and columns. Remnants of the old fortified city from the 13th century can be seen in many parts. Thus, all of this makes Florence a fantastic travel destination. In this post, you will find a complete guide to spending 24, 48 or 72 hours in Florence.
Reasons to visit Florence
If you are on this page, you likely already know that you want to visit this city. However, if you are still thinking about whether to add it to your Italy itinerary, read on to learn about what makes it such an attractive tourist destination, and if you should spend 24, 48 or 72 hours in Florence.
Thinking about visiting Rome during your Italy trip? Check out these 26 reasons you must visit the Eternal City that will help you decide!
The art
This should not be a surprise to anyone, but the main reason is the ASTOUNDING ART. Especially noteworthy if you are a Renaissance art enthusiast, Florence will completely floor you with all the artwork it has to offer. Even if you are not an art lover, you will definitely enjoy Florence as there is much to see sculpture and architecture-wise.
The museums
Speaking of art, of course, I need to mention the museums. The museums in Florence are of international repute, and the art they house is world-renowned. You can see Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Vasari’s The Last Judgment, and Michaelangelo’s David statue – all within the same hour!
Food and wine
The food and wine you will get in Florence are unparalleled. Enough said.
Walkability
The city can be covered entirely on foot from end to end in a day. This means that you can locate yourself anywhere in the historic center, and the spots you want to visit are never too far away to walk to.
Dan Brown
Fans of the author Dan Brown must absolutely go here (Inferno, anyone?) You just need to trust me, a fellow Dan Brown fan on this.
When to visit Florence
As is typical in most parts of Italy, Florence has great weather from May through October. Expect long, sunny days with little to no rainfall. However, note that from the end of June through August, Florence experiences peak tourist footfall. So, prices shoot up. July and August are also the hottest months and it can be sweltering.
Therefore, the best time to visit Florence is early to mid-May or late September through October. During these times, the temperatures are still pleasant, but the crowds are less. You will get better deals on hotels and flight prices. September in particular still has plenty of sunshine and the Tuscan region boasts amazing views of vineyards brimming with grapes and golden grassy fields.
How I covered Florence
You can easily cover 24, 48, or 72 hours in Florence using this information from my travel experience.
Split the city into sections
I stayed in Florence for three and a half days. I decided to cover the entire area of the city by grouping places and spots I wanted to visit each morning, afternoon, and evening.
Purchased a Firenze Card
The Firenze Card is a fantastic way to explore the city of Florence, provided you want to visit the top attractions the city has to offer. Be sure to do the math of the spots you want to visit, and the cost associated with entering those places. The Firenze Card will save you time and money, as long as you visit a certain number of the attractions that allow entry with it.
Additionally, keep in mind that you can skip the line with a Firenze Card for a lot of attractions. So, even if the cost does not make up for the entry fees, not having to wait in a long line could be worthwhile if you are short on time!
Planned for day trips keeping in mind the Firenze Card
If you do purchase the Firenze Card, keep in mind that it works for 72 hours only. So, plan your Florence highlights within those 72 hours (which is plenty of time) and other trips around that constraint. Visit the attractions not covered by the Firenze Card either before you start the card or after the completion of the 72 hours.
As for me, I knew what I wanted to do, and planned my daily trips around the attractions covered under the Firenze Card. I wanted to take a day trip to Pisa and decided to keep that for Day 4 after the 72 hours expired.
Did not overextend myself
It can be overwhelming to think of how many spots you want to visit vs how much time you have. In the limited amount of time you have in Florence, keep your itinerary realistic. Don’t stuff too many things in a day and make sure to pace yourself. Sometimes, I struggle with this myself while building my itinerary, but once I reach my destination, I play it by ear. In my opinion, it is more important that you enjoy the less number of places you do go to, instead of stressing out about the number of spots you want to visit.
Made lunches to go
Making my lunches to go helped me in 2 ways. First, it was cheaper, as most restaurants charge an extra amount for the same food if you choose to sit in and eat. Second, I saved time as I mostly grabbed paninis for lunch and walked toward my next destination as I ate.
Interacted with locals
One of my favorite memories of traveling in Italy was the opportunity to interact with the local people and other travelers. To me, that is the most enriching part of any trip. In Florence, I talked to some residents at a local watering hole one evening and decided to meet up at a jazz club later. It was awesome to see tourists and local people at that club, with incredible music from a live band.
Travel tips for 24, 48 or 72 hours in Florence
Here are some tips on how to cover 24, 48, or 72 hours in Florence as a tourist.
You can walk around in the city, but the miles will add up
Florence might be the city where I walked the most – like a staggering number of miles – everyday! My Health app told me that I covered 8-10 miles each day! So, make sure to wear comfortable shoes. If walking long distances is a chore for you, you can avail the bus, but they can be slow, and not every part of the city is connected.
One other thing to note here is that there is little to no Uber or Lyft service in the main city of Florence. There are, however, local taxis.
I wrote a post about Uber’s service and coverage in Florence, Italy here. It also includes other transit options you can avail of in the city.
Use the bus system
Speaking of the bus system, when you go across the Arno river to the west part of the city, consider taking the bus if climbing up the hill sounds unappealing. If walking is not an option for you, check out the option to add transportation to your Firenze Card (The FirenzeCard+) for a small add-on fee. This will allow you to avail of the transit system for the entire 72 hours.
Is Venice on your bucket list? Read this post on how to spend 36 incredible hours in Venice!
Go to popular locations early in the morning
An important lesson I learned early on in my travels, is to visit the key (read: busy) locations earlier in the day. The reason for this is, most people do not start their day until they have had breakfast. By the time they are done and arrive at the first spot, it is already about 10 am. If you can arrive earlier than that (I recommend a few minutes before opening time), you will experience a much more relaxed atmosphere. Hence, to beat the crowds, embrace the mornings.
Climb to the top of at least one tower
While in Florence, you absolutely must visit the Duomo (The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore). You know, the cathedral with the distinctive red-tiled dome with a tall tower next to it that adorns every photo of Florence? It is centrally located and you should go to the top of either the Brunelleschi Dome or the Giotto Tower. You will need a ticket to do both of these. But, the Firenze Card covers it. I chose to go to the top of the Duomo, and was rewarded with up-close visuals of Vasari’s Last Judgement and stunning panoramic views of the city from the top!
Speaking of views, if you want to check out the best views in Florence and Italy, read my post on the best viewpoints here!
Art is everywhere
Another really cool thing I cherished about Florence was the presence of art everywhere. It is literally on every street corner. Every piazza and every other building has historical importance of some sort. It is to this day, my favorite city to go to because of this reason. You don’t really need to seek out museums to see Renaissance art. Just walk around and you will immerse yourself and be transported to another time.
Eating in a restaurant is more expensive, so take the food to go
As I alluded to above, sitting in a restaurant and eating in is more expensive than taking the same food to go. If you are on a budget, opt for to-go and enjoy it in a piazza where there are plenty of spots to sit. There will also be many other people doing the same thing, so you’ll have company. Not to mention the beautiful surroundings you will have while eating.
As for me, I had most lunches on the go and opted for nice sit-down dinners.
Affordable cafes and bars are available
Florence has a lot of students, thanks to the renowned universities that it houses. Therefore, it is very easy to find affordable food and drinks. My breakfast/lunch rarely came to over 6 euros. As with any other city, avoid places right next to or close to tourist attractions as they are overpriced and often disappointing.
24 hours in Florence: Day one in Florence
If you have only 24 hours in Florence, spend it exploring the major highlights the city has to offer. Just know that you won’t be able to see all the major highlights of Florence in a day. Actually, who am I kidding? Even 3 days won’t allow you to see everything, but you will be much closer to seeing all the main highlights by the end of 3 days.
I have shortlisted my main 1-day in Florence recommendations below, but make sure to review the full article including the spots mentioned in day 2 and day 3 below. That way, you can optimize your itinerary to include all the locations and spots that you are interested in visiting in Florence.
We will explore the heart of the city and do some shopping on this day.
8 am - Galleria dell'Accademia, Duomo (The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), Brunelleschi Dome or Giotto Tower
Start your Florence sojourn by meeting with Michaelangelo’s David at Galleria dell’Accademia. It is best to visit this museum when the crowds are less in the morning. Additionally, the morning is the only time when you won’t have a hundred people in the same frame as the famed statue. And you can bet that every traveler will go here to see this statue as they should!
I found it surprising to see how tall this statue is – 17 feet! It overpowers the rest of the sculpture work contained in the museum and is easily the highlight.
After you’ve had your fill looking at Michelangelo’s astounding artwork and marveling at his genius, head to the Duomo. The Duomo is just a few hundred steps away and equally breathtaking. The main church is free to enter, but the best part of it is the Brunelleschi Dome, in my humble opinion. The climb to the top is a staggering 463 steps (not for the faint of heart), but very rewarding. On the way, pause to look at the disconcerting Last Judgement by Giorgio Vasari. From the top, you will see a bird’s eye view of Florence with its distinguished red-tiled roofs.
12 noon - Lunch, Uffizi Gallery and Piazzale degli Uffizi
By now, you are likely hungry and ready for lunch. Grab a panini from to-go and head towards Florence’s best museum (second best? The jury is out). The Uffizi houses one of the best collections of Renaissance art. The highlights include Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci and his master, Verrocchio, The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino, Medusa by Caravaggio, and many others.
Be sure to check out the spellbinding sculpture corridor housing artwork such as the Laocoön and his Sons by Baccio Bandinelli. Prepare to spend at least 2-3 hours here.
Step outside and walk outside to the open-air museum Piazzale degli Uffizi. This museum is free and you will observe statues of Italian icons such as Lorenzo Medici, Dante Alighieri, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo etc. It is really cool! You can also do this on Day 3 (see below), if you stay in Florence for 3 days.
3 pm - Piazza della Repubblica, Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
By now, your legs must be killing you. Make your way over to the Piazza della Repubblica, sit in a cafe, and grab some gelato. People-watch for a bit and rest your feet. If you’ve been itching to get some luxury shopping done, this is your spot. Via degli Strozzi houses world-renowned designer stores.
Afterward, head over to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. It has a beautiful facade and contains elaborate frescoes that are worth checking out. Note that this church closes at 5 pm.
6 pm - Central Market (Mercato Centrale)
In the evening, check out Mercato Centrale, if you have just 24 hours to spend in Florence. However, if you have more time, do this another day instead. The Central Market is essentially a food court where local produce is sold as well (think LA’s “Grand Central Market”). This is a perfect end to your 24 hours in Florence as you can dig into hearty Italian fare in an authentic market setting.
Outside the building, you will find many leather shops boasting “authentic Florentine leather goods”. While Florentine leather is beautiful, be careful of vendors selling fake goods. I did some research on Yelp and was able to find a little leather shop called Massimo’s where I scored this amazing leather jacket that I still wear today. And yes, it still looks good as new!
Additional places to go on day one
Basilica of Santa Croce
It is described under Day 3 below, but if you are staying for only a day or two, consider adding this church museum to your itinerary.
Riccardi Medici Palace
I stumbled across this place as I was making my way toward the Duomo. I was (still am) quite obsessed with the Medici family and was immediately drawn inside. You will see some resemblance of the facade with that of Pitti Palace (that you will visit on Day 2) There is a beautiful courtyard, and rooms with impressive frescos and other artwork. The chapel inside with frescoes by Benozzo Gozzolil is noteworthy.
Strozzi Palace
This was the palace or house of the Strozzi family, rivals to the Medicis in medieval Florence. The exterior facade is beautiful and a great representation of Renaissance architecture. Today, it is an art museum and boasts a variety of art pieces, including classical and modern art.
House of Dante
The birthplace of Dante Alighieri is an interesting spot to check out. While the building is not from Dante’s time (13th century), it was erected at the site of his birth. The interactive museum contains his works of art and his life in Florence before he was banished from the city. It also contains letters from his exile when he went to multiple cities such Forli, Verona, and Bologna which are described as “painful” for him to be away from his beloved Firenze.
48 hours in Florence: Day two in Florence
If you have 48 hours in Florence, you will be able to explore more of the city, including heading over to the other side of the Arno river. This area has some of the best spots to explore and offers panoramic views of the city from afar. Be ready to do some serious walking/climbing, and make sure to wear comfortable shoes. If you are unable to climb uphill, you can also take a bus up the San Miniato hill.
8 am - Ponte Vecchio, Ponte alle Grazie, Arno River
Start your day early by heading towards the Arno river in the morning. Stroll over the old bridge Ponte Vecchio that divides Florence into its east and west sections. While crossing the bridge, browse the many souvenirs, jewelry and art shops that are a part of the bridge! Grab a sandwich if you feel peckish.
Note: If you have some extra time, walk over to Ponte alle Grazie first for better views of Ponte Vecchio, the Arno river and Florence. Don’t wait to do this in the evening, as you will spend the sunset atop the hill. Don’t worry – the views will be even more stunning from up there.
12 noon - Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, Porta Romana
After you’ve had your fill of bridges, head over to the other big palace in Florence, Palazzo Pitti. The external facade of the building is minimalist, but you will see the striking resemblance with the residence of the Medicis – Riccardi Medici Palace.
This palace was the Medici’s residence once the family became Grand Duke of the state of Florence. Inside the palace, admire the extensive collections of the Italian masters of Renaissance art. In particular, the Royal apartments are striking, showcasing intricate work in all dimensions.
Next, head outside to my favorite spot in the city – the Boboli Gardens. The Boboli Gardens deserve to be called out as its own separate attraction because they are simply stunning! Situated right behind the Pitti Palace, they are grand, layered, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The gardensalso contain sculptures, ponds, and pavilions. In short, you must go there! Oh, and have your camera ready. While you are there, stop for a pic at the Fontana del Nettuno.
Be sure to check out the Museo delle porcellane (Knight’s Building and Rampart) inside the Boboli Gardens. It contains 2000 striking porcelain pieces and is one of the oddities worth checking out.
After you have clicked all the photos you want, walk out of the Boboli Gardens to Porto Romano – the brick fortifications that still stand today. This gate was built in the 13th century as part of the original city walls of Florence. It is very cool to see the gate still preserved well.
3 pm - Bardini Gardens, Coffee or Lunch
At this point, you might think that you’ve had enough of gardens, but hold on. A few steps from the Boboli is another garden that deserves your visit – the Bardini Gardens. They are less popular than Boboli which means less people. When I was there in the month of October, there was hardly anyone visiting in the afternoon.
Similar to Boboli, the Bardini Gardens are also landscaped with hills, so expect to climb a few flights of stairs as you make your way around. When you’re there, be sure to check out the baroque style flight of stairs that are very picturesque. If you’re traveling during spring, the gardens also have wisteria tunnels that are popular with visitors.
In the end, climb to the very top to get sweeping views of the city of Florence (something Boboli does not have)! In addition, there’s even a restaurant at the top, La Loggetta di Villa Bardini! Talk about eating with a view! Grab a late lunch here or do as I did, and get a cappuccino.
6 pm - Piazzale Michelangelo, Porta San Niccolò, Jazz music Club
If you have some time before the sun sets, walk over to Porta San Niccolò. It is a stone gate tower also from the 13ths century when Florence city’s fortifications were built. During summer, you can climb to the top of the tower for a small fee. Observe the building styles of the walls from centuries ago. At the top, you can see panoramic views of the Arno with Florence as the backdrop. This is an excellent alternative to the view from Piazzale Michelangelo.
As sunset approaches, climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo – another crowd-favorite spot in Florence. Dedicated to the renowned artist in the 19th century, this spot has one of the best viewpoints of the city. At the center of the piazza lies a bronze version of the famed statue of David. This peaceful spot is perfect for watching the sunset and marvel at the beauty in front of you. Note that it can get crowded here during this time.
After you have had your fill of all the photos in the perfect light, head down and get some light dinner at one of the cafes before making your way back.
Additional places to go on day two
Villa Bardini
If you find yourself with some extra time after exploring Bardini gardens, check out Villa Bardini. This villa houses artwork created by globally renowned artists and you may discover a gem or two.
Stefano Bardini Museum
The Stefano Bardini Museum is just a few steps away from the Ponte alle Grazie. This museum contains the artwork collected by the art connoisseur Stefano Bardini. Composed of eclectic pieces, there are antiques and artifacts from different time periods you can see here. Among the noteworthy pieces are two examples attributed to Donatello.
House of Galileo Galilei
Located steps away from Villa Bardini is the ancient house of Galileo, believed to be his birthplace. The science nerd in me was fascinated to see the location of the birth of this brilliant mind. While you cannot go inside (it is invitation only), you can certainly admire it from the street and be awed.
72 hours in Florence: Day three in Florence
Spending 72 hours in Florence is my ideal recommended amount of time to explore the city. If you have more days to spare, that is definitely better. However, 3 days in Florence is a good amount of time to see the best that the city offers.
8 am - Piazza di Santa Croce, Basilica of Santa Croce
Today, we start early at the Basilica of Santa Croce. The church opens only at 9:30 am, so take your time exploring the piazza in front of it before. The Piazza di Santa Croce is sprawling, and the crowds are fewer in the morning. On the left corner of the Basilica is a marble statue of a celebrated Florence resident, Dante Alighieri.
The Basilica of Santa Croce is a landmark of Florence and is famed for being the eternal resting place of a large number of celebrated Italian and Florentine icons. Start by marveling at the beautiful marble facade of the church. Inside, you will find the tombs of Michelangelo (designed by Vasari who also painted the dome of the Duomo), Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini, and many other famous figures. Be sure to also look at the chapels inside the church which were commissioned and decorated with intricate gold relics and frescoes by powerful Florentine families.
Outside the Basilica, stroll over to Scuola del Cuoio S.r.l. This longtime leather shop/school has leather goods for sale. The cool thing is that you can see your item being made.
12 pm - Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria
Grab lunch and start walking towards Palazzo Vecchio (0.5 mile or 750 m away). This palace was the seat of the government until the Medici grand duke moved it to Palazzo Pitti. The famous Vasari Corridor connects this palace through the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio, all the way to the Pitti Palace.
Inside the palace, marvel at the Hall of Five Hundred with its massive frescoes. Furthermore, the stunning Apartments of the Elements, Priori, and Eleonora of Toledo are housed here. Take your time viewing one opulent room after the other.
Be sure to climb up the 233 steps to the top of the Arnolfo Tower, for a stunning view of the historic center of Florence. The stairs are steep and the last couple of flights are cramped, but the view is totally worth it!
Read this post about everything you should know before going to Arnolfo’s Tower and the type of ticket you should get.
Next, head outside the Palace to the Piazza della Signoria, the open square housing a ton of restaurants, cafes, and an open-air museum! Grab lunch and enjoy the views of the square. Before moving to your next stop, check out the open air museum Loggia dei Lanzi. It is free to enter and contains the elaborate Fountain of Neptune, a reproduction statue of David (the 3rd one!), and the Hercules and Cacus statue among others.
3 pm - Museo Galileo, Fontana del Porcellino
Next, head to a curated museum of scientific artifacts in Museo Galileo. It houses a collection of Galileo’s as well as other scientists’ instruments. The amount of astrophysics and science known since the 13th century is astonishing and this is a great place for science lovers.
Afterward, walk toward Fontana del Porcellino, a legendary boar statue. Legend has it that if you rub its snout, you are bound to return to Florence! What better day to do it than in the last few hours of your 72 hours in Florence?
6 pm - Dinner
On your final night in Florence, you need a nice dinner – you’ve earned it! Start your dinner with an aperitivo and then enjoy pasta with a second course of lean meats.
Additional places to go on day three
Leonardo Da Vinci Museum
Fans of Leonardo da Vinci (aka me) will find this a cool spot to check out. It contains exhibitions of instruments and machines made from the fascinating drawings of da Vinci. Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci was a scientist in addition to being an artist? Fascinating stuff!
Basilica di San Lorenzo
A Renaissance church with burial sites for the famous Medicis, it is worth checking out if you have some extra time. The library inside was designed by Michelangelo.
What to wear in Florence
Depending on the time you visit, Florence will require slightly different clothing. However, no matter when you visit, use this short list to build your full packing list for Florence.
- Light, airy dresses in breathable (for summer and early fall)
- A scarf (an absolute must if you visit churches)
- Cotton or linen shirts for men
- Khaki long pants for women and men
- Dark jeans
- Comfortable walking shoes (but not sneakers, if you want to blend in)
- A crossbody bag for easy navigation or a backpack
- Raincoat or umbrella (if traveling in late summer/fall/winter)
- Camera
- Camera stand (particularly useful if traveling solo)
- Long skirts (one of my favorite travel fashion accessories)
- Firenze Pass confirmation print out (if planning on using it)
Are you interested in traveling solo in Italy? Read all about my experience and lessons learned when I traveled alone in Italy here.
Where to stay in Florence
As mentioned above, Florence is a small city. Therefore, as long as you stay in the historic center, you can walk almost anywhere, no matter where you base yourself, and whether you stay for 24, 48 or 72 hours in Florence. As such, here are some hotel options depending on your budget.
Budget Hotel Options
- La Torre dei Salterelli, Uffizi
- Borgo Oblate, San Marco
Moderate Budget Hotel Options
- Hotel Berchielli, Tornabuoni
- Hotel Croce Di Malta, Santa Maria Novella
Luxury Hotel Options
- Rocco Forte Hotel Savo, Duomo
- IL Tornabuoni The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Tornabuoni
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If you are also planning to go to Venice on your Italy trip, make sure to read my post on how to spend an unforgettable 36 hours in Venice here!
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