How to Have your Best 3 Days in Florence

What makes Florence such a popular destination in Italy? After all, Italy is full of sights worth seeing, from the mountains in the north to the coastal towns of the Amalfi Coast. Florence is nestled right in the middle of the country, in the rolling hills and valleys of Tuscany. Its location makes it a great spot for trips to the surrounding areas, and its compact size makes it easy to explore the city on foot. Everyone likes delicious food and wine, and the art and history that make up the city are irresistible. Even if you only have a short time to spare, even 3 days in Florence will give you a great feel for the area!

If you are looking for additional information on Italy, check out these posts:

3 Perfect Days in Rome

Should you Visit Cinque Terre as a Day Trip from Florence?

Day 1: North of the Arno River

Duomo Complex, incl. Brunelleschi’s Dome

The start of your trip to Italy should begin with the most recognizable feature – the Duomo complex, which includes Brunelleschi’s Dome, Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Baptistry, the Duomo museums, and Giotto’s Bell Tower. Before you go, make sure you have good walking shoes, and a ticket purchased ahead. Here is a great tour that will help you skip the lines, which often wind around the buildings! You can climb to the top of the dome, and/or the top of the Bell Tower. While the cathedral has free admission, you will need a ticket to access the other parts of the complex.

After thoroughly exploring the area, head over to La Menagere for a coffee and pastry if you need a break! Yes, it’s a French bistro in Florence, but it’s 5 minutes away, delicious and the decor is beautiful.

Accademia

After the Duomo or La Menagere, take the short 5-6 minute walk to Accademia Gallery. You should definitely book a timed ticket for this art museum before coming to Florence! Here are some good options that include extra items, or you can buy directly from their website. This is the home of the famous David by Michelangelo, so it is extremely popular. It’s not a large museum otherwise and can be visited in about an hour. The “Prisoners” statues by Michelangelo (showing figures breaking out of marble) are a highlight as well and are alongside the hall with David at the end.

Mercado Centrale – lunch

After the Accademia, it’s time for lunch! You are a 7 minute walk from Mercado Centrale, a busy indoor food and goods market surrounded by the San Lorenzo leather market. There are leather goods of all kinds available here, and the price is negotiable. If you are looking for the highest quality leather goods, I would recommend choosing a stall that also has a storefront.

The first floor of Mercado Centrale is primarily specialty goods, butchers, produce, etc. it’s a good place to snag some olive oil or vinegar to take home, and many vendors will let you sample their products. The upstairs level is where you will find most of the prepared foods (and the restroom)! My husband had to try the local “delicacy”, lampredotto. The dish is specific to Florence, and is the 4th and final stomach of the cow, slow cooked with seasonings (I took a pass on that). If that’s not your thing, there’s pizza, gorgeous pastries, pasta, steak, and much more!

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

When coming up with an itinerary, it’s important to allow for flexibility. I’m happiest when I find a balance between seeing and doing interesting things and making sure I’m going at a slow enough pace to actually enjoy what I’m doing. To do this, I always identify a couple of things each day that are on a “time permitting” basis.

This 15th century Dominican church is well worth the 6 minute walk from Mercato Centrale to admire the frescoes by Renaissance artists. However, if you are getting short on time, it’s fine to go on to the next location!

Piazza della Signoria

A 13 minute walk from either Santa Maria Novella or Mercato Centrale, Piazza della Signoria can be described as an open air museum. This was one of my favorite places in Florence. The spectacular statue of Neptune (considered ostentatious at the time by the Florentinians) hides a sparkling drinking water fountain behind it. The town hall of Florence, Palozzo Vecchio, is on one side and is worth a look around to see the frescoes (save climbing to the top for sunset if the timing works out). There are many other statues surrounding the piazza perimeter. This list of works by famous artists of the time include Perseus (holding Medusa’s head) and a reproduction of David (you already saw the original in Accademia Gallery)! The original David used to reside at Piazza della Signoria, but the decision was made to move it indoors to protect the precious statue from the elements.

Basilica di Santa Croce

After visiting the Piazza della Signoria, make the 5 minute walk to Basilica di Santa Croce. This cathedral is famous for its Giotto frescoes and tombs. Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini, and Machiavelli are all interred there, among others. There is also a memorial to Dante (buried in Ravenna because he was exiled at the time of his death).

Once you have visited Santa Croce, head back to Palozzo Vecchio to catch a sunset, or find a spot for an aperitivo (the brilliant Italian tradition of “opening” the palate with light drinks and small plates prior to dinner). You can choose a spot around one of the picturesque piazzas, although those areas tend to be more touristy. While I would rather avoid the touristy spots for a meal, I don’t mind paying extra for a aperol spritz or negroni with a cool view! Piazza della Repubblica has a rooftop cafe/bar called View on Art Rooftop with a view of the Duomo.

After aperitivo it’s time for the best part of the day in Florence: dinner time! I can recommend all of these restaurants from personal experience: for Florentine Steak, try Lo Scudo (it’s near the Duomo but is an exception to the rule that you don’t eat near tourist centers). For pasta tossed in a cheese wheel (I’m sure you’ve seen the videos) – try Osteria Pastella (everything here is good). And for a wonderful, cozy environment and the best gnocchi around, check out La Buchetta! IMPORTANT: To avoid disappointment, be sure to make reservations in advance of your visit!

Day 2: Uffizi Gallery and South of the Arno River

Time for your second day in beautiful Florence! You also have the option of flipping days 2 and 3 so you have a day trip in the middle of the two intensive days touring Florence. Lets get started!

Uffizi Gallery

You should have already gotten your timed ticket for the Uffizi Gallery prior to your visit since the lines can get insane. Opt for the earliest timed entry that you can (for me, that wouldn’t be before 9:30 am – we are not known for being early risers!). Plan for a couple of hours to view the artwork – this is one of the most important collections of Renaissance art in the world (many of the works are inherited from the Medici family’s personal collection). Botticelli (the famous Birth of Venus), Caravaggio, Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo (he painted, too!) are all housed here.

Once you have taken in all the artwork you can handle, go next door to All’Antico Vinaio for an early lunch. There are now 4 fronts for the shop (you walk up and order the BEST SANDWICHES ever), then go find a place to sit and enjoy (maybe back to Piazza della Signoria)!

Ponte Vecchio

Now it’s time to head south of the Arno river via the famous Ponte Vecchio, a bridge completed in 1345 with shops clinging to both sides (mainly jewelry). It also houses the Vasari Corridor, which was the private pathway created for the Medici rulers who moved from the Palozzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace. The Corridor, dating back to the 1500s, has been closed for renovations. If it is open when you visit, definitely check it out!

Pitti Palace

After you cross the bridge, you will find yourself in the Oltrarno section of Florence, and Pitti Palace is its swankiest address. The Medici’s lived here from 1549 on, and amassed great treasures – artwork, jewels, and other luxuries. Napoleon used the palace as a base in the 18th century, and it was given over to the Italian people in the early 19th century. It is now the largest museum complex in Florence. You can get tickets ahead of time here (which includes Boboli Gardens)!

Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are located directly behind the Pitti Palace. It’s full of “green architecture” and sculptures, and served as inspiration for the gardens of many European courts. If the weather is not great, I would pass on the gardens. To fully explore the palace and the gardens, you would need the entire afternoon.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Strap on your good walking shoes to head to this spectacular spot. It is arguably the best place to see a city view of Florence, and is especially impressive at sunset. To get that vantage point, you will be walking uphill, so be prepared! There is a spot to have an aperitivo at the top while you enjoy the view, but get there early, it gets crowded around sunset. You will also find another reproduction of David here!

Once you’ve taken in the view to the fullest, head back down the hill to Oltrarno, and Le Volpi e l’Uva for an aperitivo. The wine list is fantastic, and the snacks pair with the wine perfectly. it’s in a quiet alley with outdoor table seating.

When you’re ready, don’t miss Gustapizza for dinner (5 minutes from Le Volpi e l’Uva) – the best pizza we had in Italy. They don’t take reservations, so you will be waiting in line – but if you shared a bottle of wine with your traveling companion as an aperitivo, you won’t care!

Day 3: Pick a Day Trip

I’m a big fan of day trips – it’s like having a bonus destination as part of your trip, but you don’t have to go to the trouble of moving into new accommodations. There are so many wonderful day trips easily accessible from Florence! They are grouped here according to distance from the city, so you can choose where to go based on your interests and the amount of time you have. Some of the shorter ones can even be half day trips if you want to keep half a day to wander around Florence!

Between 2 and 3 hours

• Cinque Terre – I’ve already done a post about doing a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence. It’s very doable if you don’t mind a long day! There are several tours leaving from Florence, and I consider that the easiest option to get there.
• Saturnia – OK, this one pushes the boundaries of “day trip” since it clocks in right at 3 hours, but it’s such a cool spot I had to mention it. There are natural hot springs cascading down a series of pools, and it’s free to enter. There’s no public transportation to get there, so you would need to either book a private driver, rent a car, or book a tour.
• Ravenna – Ravenna, an 2 hour 15 minute train ride from Florence, is known for architecture including colorful mosaics, including 6th century Basilica di San Vitale. It is also the location of Dante’s tomb. Be sure to try their delicious piadina sandwich for lunch!

Between 1 and 2 hours

• Siena – just over an hour away, and accessible by direct bus as well, there are many things to see in Siena. The Gothic cathedral and Piazza del Campo are the centerpieces of this beautiful medieval brick city.
• Pisa/Lucca – a visit to Lucca is often included with a visit to Pisa (like with this tour), as they are only about a half hour apart, and both between 1 and 1.5 hours from Florence. Lucca is known for Renaissance walls, olive oil. and lovely piazzas. And you know what Pisa is known for!
• Montepulciano/Montalcino Wine Region – This regions boasts some of the tastiest wines and the most beautiful countryside in the region. Many tours are available, making the (under 2 hours) drive from Florence. Montalcino in particular is thought by some to have the best wine in Tuscany – it was my favorite!
• Perugia – Perugia will give you a look at a different part of Italy (it is the capital of the Umbria region), and has a 1.5 hour direct train link from Florence. Don’t miss the chocolate they are famous for!

Under 1 hour

• San Gimignano – only an hour away by car, this walled medieval town set in a magical rural landscape is well worth a visit. This tour offers a ride there as well as a vineyard lunch!
• Bologna – Bologna has the distinction of being known for some of the very best food in Italy. Nestled in the Emilia-Romagno region, it is the perfect foodie destination. And you can’t beat the 38 minute direct train ride from Florence!
• Chianti Region – you can get here in under an hour by car or bus, or you can take this tour to explore wineries. There are multiple options for day trips or half day trips utilizing a guide to area wineries! In my opinion, that’s a must-do when you are in Florence – if you have less time, Chianti is the closest.

Planning a trip to Florence is only bested by actually going to Florence and experiencing all the city has to offer first hand. I hope this gives you an idea of how to spend your time and enjoy your trip to the fullest! Arrivaderci!