Florence itinerary in 3 days

Florence is a real open-air museum and, certainly, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy . Walking through its streets means immersing yourself in the history of the city, among marvelous churches, elegant buildings and some of the most famous museums in the world, such as the Uffizi, an unmissable stop on an itinerary in the city. Not to mention its long culinary tradition , which allows you to take a journey within a journey!
Here are all our tips for a perfect Florence itinerary in 3 days !

Day 1

• Distance covered : 2.6 km
• Places visited : Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (free / terraces € 20.00) Brunelleschi’s Dome (priority ticket € 31.50), Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio (ticket with audio guide € 22.00), Ponte Vecchio, Garden delle Rose and Piazzale Michelangelo
• Where to eat: Lunch at Antico Vinaio (Get directions), Dinner at Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolo (Get directions)

First time in Florence
Start with a panoramic tour : for a first approach, a good option is that of the hop-on hop-off panoramic bus ride. or a walking tour with a local guide. In both ways you will be able to familiarize yourself with the city and identify the landmarks and then move better independently.

1 – Florence Cathedral: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi’s Dome
An itinerary in Florence can only start from one of the symbols of the city: the wonderful Duomo complex. The whole complex is made up of several parts: the Cathedral with Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni. To visit the whole complex, between queues and the actual time of the visit, it would take more than half a day. We therefore recommend that you focus on the Cathedral and climb the dome.
The Duomo is the fourth largest church in Europe (every day 10: 15-16: 00; free admission). As soon as you cross the large central door you will be truly speechless: the interior is decorated with a large cycle of monumental frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari and numerous works. Then visit the wonderful Brunelleschi’s Dome, one of the most important beauties of the Duomo: it is the largest masonry dome ever built, richly decorated (8: 15-19: 30). But watch out for the queues, they are endless! Here the purchase of the priority ticket is absolutely essential ).

SEE ALSO : Visit to the Duomo of Florence: how to get there, prices and advice

Start the day at Caffe Gilli : the Cathedral opens at 10:15, so up to half an hour before you will have some time available. Have breakfast at Caffe Gilli, one of the historic places in Florence and an ancient literary café frequented by artists at the time. A real step back in time. Get directions

2 – Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio
At least a couple of hours will have passed, but before lunch you have time to reach Piazza della Signoria, one of the historic squares of Florence , 400 meters on foot from the Duomo along Via dei Calzaiuoli.
Here, take a few minutes to admire the Loggia dei Lanzi, which houses several Renaissance statues: a small museum open to all. Then reach the nearby Fontana del Porcellino , located behind the square: according to the legend, you must first rub your nose, then put a coin in your mouth and drop it, if it falls into the water through the grate it will bring good luck!
Finally, after having lunch at Antico Vinaio or Prosciutteria, visit Palazzo Vecchio, a wonderful example of fourteenth-century civil architecture. Here today some of the municipal buildings are housed, in addition to the residence of the First Citizen of Florence, while a part is used as a museum, open to the public, with the possibility of climbing to the top of the Arnolfo Tower (from April to September every day 9: 00-23: 00, from October to March every day 9: 00-19: 00, Thursday always 9: 00-14: 00; ticket with audio guide recommended).

SEE ALSO : Visit to Palazzo Vecchio: opening hours, prices and advice

Lunch All’Antico Vinaio only if you have time: it is true, it is an institution in Florence, and its crushes are like an attraction of the city. But you will only understand the stress of waiting when you see the line for a dunk! If you want to wait, it’s worth it, otherwise the Prosciutteria almost opposite has little to envy! Get directions

3 – Ponte Vecchio
From Piazza della Signoria reach the Ponte Vecchio on foot crossing the Piazzale degli Uffizi, where the famous museum is located (300 m, 4 min).
Considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world , the Ponte Vecchio crosses the Arno river and connects the historic center with the “Diladdarno”, which is the eastern part of the city. In the past it was the site of butchers and shops, today it houses numerous goldsmith shops, where numerous jewels are sold, many displayed in small shop windows. The central part of the bridge has been opened and from here you can admire a splendid view of the city.

SEE ALSO : Visit to the Ponte Vecchio: how to get there, prices and advice

Aperitif with a view : when you arrive at the Ponte Vecchio it will be late afternoon. Then stop for a coffee or an aperitif on the wonderful terrace of the Rooftop Bar la Terrazza, overlooking the bridge and the river, but also on the Palazzo della Signoria. A show! Get directions

4 – Giardino delle Rose and Piazzale Michelangelo
Finally, after a day of churches and museums, end the afternoon and reach the most beautiful viewpoint in Florence: Piazzale Michelangelo. From the Ponte Vecchio you can reach it on foot (1.3 km, 18 min): wear comfortable shoes that the last stretch is all uphill.
A tip: to reach the square do not follow the road, but go up through the Rose Garden . It is a garden not very well known, but of rare beauty: inside there are 400 varieties of roses and about 1,200 plants. In spring it gives its best.
Once you have crossed the garden, you will find yourself in Piazzale Michelangelo, to admire the most beautiful view of Florence . The name is due to the fact that copies of some of Michelangelo’s most important works are found here, such as the famous David.

The most beautiful view at sunset: enjoy what will probably be one of the most beautiful sunsets you will see! The show is truly unique, and also free, with the sun setting on the horizon and the city lights slowly turning on.

Day 2

• Distance traveled : 2.3 km
• Places visited : Uffizi Gallery (scheduled admission from € 19.00), Basilica of Santa Croce (€ 8.00), Accademia Gallery (admission with timetable € 18.50), Central Market
• Where to eat: Lunch at Lo Schiacciavino (Get directions), Dinner at the Central Market (Get directions)

1 – Uffizi Gallery
Start this second day at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most beautiful museum complexes in Italy and in the world . It is a very extensive museum, which will require the whole morning to visit (Tue-Sun 8: 30-18: 30; full admission € 20.00, reduced € 2.00, booking costs + € 4.00 ). Moreover, it is easily accessible as it occupies a central position, near Piazza della Signoria.
The Uffizi Gallery is located in the building built to a design by Giorgio Vasari and inside it houses works from the Middle Ages to the modern age. But above all here are preserved some of the best known works in the world, those present in all art history books: Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Spring, Titian’s Venus of Urbino, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, just to name a few.

SEE ALSO : What to see at the Uffizi Galleries: timetables, prices and advice Skip-the

-line ticket or guided tour : one of the two options is essential, because the queues are exaggerated. Our advice is to choose the 2-hour guided tour, in this way you will know, optimize the times and you will know stories and anecdotes of the most important works. Alternatively, at least opt ​​for the priority ticket with a scheduled time, so that you have to show up directly at the entrance at the chosen time.

2 – Basilica of Santa Croce
After spending the morning at the Uffizi and having lunch, walk (700 m, 9 min) to the Basilica of Santa Croce (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat 11: 00-17: 00, Sun and religious holidays 13 : 00-17: 00; full € 8.00, reduced € 6.00). It is one of the oldest and most impressive Franciscan basilicas ever built in Italy , truly unmissable.
The Basilica of Santa Croce can be classified as a real museum: inside, in fact, there is a vast collection of works of art and Michelangelo’s tomb , surrounded by three statues representing Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Inside the basilica also rest other illustrious characters, such as Galileo Galilei.

SEE ALSO: Visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce: how to get there, prices and advice

Visit the Pazzi Chapel : inside the Basilica, in the first cloister, you can admire this chapel built by Filippo Brunelleschi, a real Renaissance wonder. Admission is included in the ticket.

3 – Galleria dell’Accademia
In the middle of the afternoon, we recommend that you dedicate yourself to a visit to the Galleria dell’Accademia, also known as the Michelangelo Museum (Tue-Sun 8: 15-18: 50; full € 12.00, reduced € 6, 00, booking fee € 3.00). From the Basilica of Santa Croce you can reach it on foot (1.3 km, 17 min).
The Gallery is best known for hosting Michelangelo’s David, a true masterpiece of sculpture created by the genius Michelangelo. 502 cm high, today it is one of the emblems of the Renaissance and also one of the symbols of Florence!

SEE ALSO : What to see at the Accademia Gallery: timetables, prices and advice

Organize your visit : the Accademia Gallery is now one of the most visited museums in Florence. Also in this case, as for the Uffizi, our advice is to choose a guided tour, even just 1 hour, to get to know the history, details and curiosities of David and other works. Alternatively, opt for the timed ticket, ideal for skipping the lines and entering directly at your chosen time.

4 – Central Market
Photo by Sailko. Finally, in the late afternoon we recommend that you reach the Central Market of Florence, the ideal place to stop for dinner (every day 10: 00-00: 00; free admission). It is located a few steps from the Accademia (600 m, 7 min on foot).
The Central Market of Florence, dating back to the 19th century, is a real meeting point for locals and tourists . Arranged on two floors, in addition to being able to buy local products, here you can find several places that serve many traditional dishes , from lampredotto to ribollita, up to Florentine too!

SEE ALSO : What to eat in Florence

Good food but not only: the Central Market is a real meeting place. Here, in fact, workshops and workshops are also organized, even for the little ones, events, entertainment and football matches are also shown. The ideal place to mingle among the locals. Info and events on the official website

Day 3

• Distance traveled : 1.8 km
• Places visited : Medici Chapels (admission ticket € 14.00), Basilica Santa Maria Novella (ticket with audio guide € 15.50), Palazzo Pitti (admission ticket € 15.00), Boboli Gardens (admission ticket € 12.00) , Santo Spirito district
• Where to eat: Lunch at Panino Mondiale – Lampredotto Specialties (Get directions), Dinner at Trattoria La Casalinga (Get directions)

It is necessary to make sacrifices : unfortunately in 3 days it is physiological to make sacrifices. While running, fitting schedules is not easy and some attractions, albeit important, must be excluded. Evaluate the alternatives proposed and choose according to your preferences.

1 – Cappelle Medicee
Photo by Rufus46. Start this last day by visiting the marvelous Medici Chapels, linked to the history of the Medici , the ancient and powerful Florentine family (generally every day 8: 15-14: 00; full admission € 9.00, reduced € 2.00, buy the ticket online to avoid the queues).
The Medici Chapels are the dome that houses the tombs of the family members. Today they are open to the public, a truly unique opportunity! Here you can admire, in addition to the beauty of the place, also the New Sacristy of Michelangelo, on which I have been working since 1520. This place is part of the largest complex of the Church of San Lorenzo, which was once the Church of the family.

Interested in the history of the Medici If you are particularly interested in the history of one of the most powerful families in Florence, book the tour in the history of the Medici (duration 1 h 30 min).

2 – Santa Maria Novella or Bargello
After the visit to the Medici Chapels, reach Santa Maria Novella (Mon, Thu, Fri and Sat 10: 00-17: 00, Sun and religious holidays 13: 00-17: 00; full admission € 7.50, reduced € 5.00 ). Easily reachable on foot from the previous attraction (400 m, 5 min).
99 m long and divided into three different naves surmounted by arches and decorated vaults, inside it houses works of inestimable value , such as the Crucifix by Giotto and La Trinita by Masaccio. Its exterior is already a real work of art, with the facade designed by Leon Battista Alberti, using white and green marble.

Option B National Museum of the Bargello. As an alternative to the church, you can opt for a visit to the Bargello Museum, the first Italian museum dedicated to medieval and Renaissance art. Inside it houses wonderful rooms such as the Michelangelo’s Room, the Donatello’s Room, the Avori Room, the Mary Magdalene Chapel and the Verrocchio Room. However, the museum closes at 2pm . If you want to visit it, insert it immediately after the Medici Chapels, and you will probably have to give up the Basilica Santa Maria Novella.

Buy tickets in advance : whether you decide to visit Santa Maria Novella or the Bargello, times are very tight. Then buy online the ticket with audio guide for Santa Maria Novella, to go straight to the entrance, or the skip-the-line entrance to the Bargello.

3 – Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Spend the afternoon visiting the Pitti Palace, one of the most important museums in Florence (Tue-Sun 8: 30-18: 30; buy your ticket online to avoid the long queues). It is located on the opposite bank of the river, you can easily reach it on foot by crossing the Santa Trinita Bridge (1.2 km, 15 min).
Palazzo Pitti is a very large building, with numerous rooms and various exhibitions, but inside it exhibits works of immense value . In addition to visiting the Palatine Gallery and the Royal Apartments where the De Medici family lived, among the collections you will find the Gallery of Modern Art, the Silver Museum and the Museum of Fashion and Costume.
Then enjoy a walk in the Boboli Gardens, or the historical park of Florence (8: 30-16: 30/18: 30 depending on the season; full admission € 10.00, reduced € 2.00). Built at the behest of Cosimo I de ‘Medici and with an extension of 45,000 square meters, inside there are numerous attractions to discover, such as the Fountain of Neptune or the small Porcelain Museum.

Organize your visit : choosing an itinerary inside the museum becomes essential. The ideal is to opt for a guided tour, ideal not to miss the most important works. Alternatively, at least consult the map at the entrance or even before the visit on the official website, in order to plan your own itinerary.

4 – Santo Spirito district
Photo by Luca Aless. End the day in the Santo Spirito district, one of the nightlife districts of Florence. From the Boboli Gardens you can easily reach it on foot.
If after visiting Palazzo Pitti you have decided not to visit the Boboli Gardens, then take the opportunity to make a stop at the Basilica of Santo Spirito (Mon-Sat 10: 00-13: 00 and 15: 00-18: 00; single entrance € 2.00). It is one of the most evocative places in Florence and inside it houses architectural works by Brunelleschi and masterpieces by Michelangelo.
After the visit, go to the banks of the Arno to admire the Ponte alla Carraia bridge, which offers a splendid view of the river and Ponte Santa Trinita. Also take the opportunity to have an ice cream in La Carraia, without a doubt one of the best ice cream parlors in Florence. Finally, also spend the evening here: there are many clubs that become the hub of the nightlife!

What to know about the Brancacci Chapel : in the neighborhood there is this chapel, which represents one of the highest examples of Renaissance painting with its wonderful frescoes. Evaluate if you can insert it in the itinerary: it is open only Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri 10: 00-17: 00, free admission but with reservation.

How much does a weekend in Florence cost
Florence, like all the great Italian art cities, is an average expensive destination, but which also allows you to have low cost alternatives.

Museums and attractions have a big impact , there are many and almost all of them for a fee.
To eat, you can save by opting for the markets or with sandwiches and focaccias like All’Antico Vinaio.
For accommodation, on the other hand, you can also find hostels and apartments , ideal for a low budget and for more independence.
Moreover Florence is well connected, there are often low cost flights but it is also easily reachable by land by train or by bus such as Flixbus. In the city you can move mainly on foot: the main attractions are close to each other and the historic center and quite collected. Alternatively, we recommend the tourist bus, ideal for settling in and enjoying a scenic ride.
Let’s see in detail the costs of a weekend in Florence :

• Costs for eating : about € 40.00 per day per person (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Costs for museums and attractions : average price € 45.00 per day per person following the itinerary suggested by us
• Transport : average price € 5.00 per day per person
• Hotels, accommodation and b & b : from € 55.00 per room – see the offers
• Leisure : from € 25.00 per day per person (including snacks, coffee, aperitifs, drinks, …)
• Total cost of a weekend in Florence : from € 405.00 per person (flights and / or transfers excluded)

Before leaving: useful tips

• Buy skip-the-line : Florence has some of the most visited attractions in Italy, so the lines can be really long. In order not to waste precious time, we recommend that you buy skip-the-line or skip-the-line tours;
• Choose the suitable neighborhood for accommodation : we have created a map (you can find it here), but in general for the nightlife choose the Santa Croce and Santo Spirito neighborhoods, if you are with your family, better San Giovanni and San Niccolo, to save money opt for Santa Maria Novella and Santo Spirito;
• Avoid renting a car : unless you have to move around, it is better to visit Florence on foot and rely on vehicles or taxis for more distant areas. The center and ZTL, therefore safe even with children, and the main attractions are close to each other;
• Taste the specialties and keep an eye on the Florentine : the musts are pappa al pomodoro, lampredotto, ribollita and the schiacciata. And of course, the Florentine Steak. But beware, be wary of the locals who offer Florentine steaks weighing 1/2 kg or a little more. The original one weighs at least 1.5 kg and is 3 fingers high. The top places are Perseus and La Giostra – find out more here.
• Opt for a quick lunch : there are so many things to see, for this reason it is better to have a quick lunch, such as the Schiacciata alla Prosciutteria, and stop calmly for dinner, sitting in a restaurant, perhaps biting into an original Florentine steak!