3 perfect days in Florence

Florence does travelers a lot of favors: It’s compact, flat, and easy to navigate, plus the entire city center is an attraction in its own right. In three days, you can see the major architectural wonders, marvel at masterpieces of Western art, wander the cobblestone streets, and chill out with a cheeseboard and chianti.

This itinerary is designed to balance the highlights (hello, Michelangelo) with a taste of la dolce vita (hello, gelato), which is why we’ve factored in leisurely breaks for resting your feet, tasting the cuisine, and taking in the atmosphere. Plus, every stop is based on Tripadvisor reviews and ratings from travelers like you, so you won’t waste time on duds.

Arrive early at the Piazza del Duomo, a famed square stuffed with architectural wonders. Grab a croissant and cappuccino early before the area is overrun. Any place will do, but Café de la Paix is ideal as it’s perfectly positioned next to the bright marble exterior of one of the world’s largest churches: Florence Cathedral, aka Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, aka Duomo, aka your first stop of the day.

If the caffeine doesn’t increase your heart rate, the 450+ steps to the top of the Florence Cathedral’s dome, Cupola del Brunelleschi, will. But the climb is worth it, not just to see the incredible dome itself, but for a city view that will take your breath away (if the stairs haven’t already). Hot tip: Entry into the dome and cathedral are separate affairs. The latter is free, but lines get monstrously long. If you don’t have the patience or church-appropriate attire, just pre-book a timed ticket to see the dome, which is the real attraction here and more impressive than the cathedral’s interior.

As of this writing, the ticket to the dome gives you access to all of the Piazza del Duomo monuments for three days, like the Campanile di Giotto bell tower. If you don’t want to walk up another 400 stairs, just view this 14th-century Gothic wonder from the outside and hit the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (OPA) instead, where you’ll spend at least an hour ambling among the 750 works of art related to the Duomo. “The Gates of Paradise,” dazzling paneled doors of gilded bronze, are the showstopper here, along with sculptures by Michelangelo and Donatello.

You deserve a snack after that rigorous morning climb. Walk around the corner to La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Artigianale - Firenze Duomo, which opens at noon, and treat yourself to a genuinely exceptional gelato. It’s hard to go wrong flavor-wise, but pistachio is a favorite if you can’t choose.

Treat time done, take the five-minute jaunt to Mercato Centrale. (Pass by the Basilica di San Lorenzo on your way, a Renaissance church where the Medicis are buried.) The open-air market is brimming with Italian food: pizza, pasta, panini, gnocchi, lasagna. Pasta Fresca is a favorite for delicious fresh pasta plates at an incredible price.

Those carbs will give you the energy for an afternoon stroll south down cobblestone streets toward the Arno River. This is Florence’s historic city center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right thanks to its Medieval and Renaissance roots and preserved architecture.

The main artery is the shop-lined, pedestrian-only Via dei Calzaiuoli. Consider passing through the Piazza della Repubblica, a café-lined square with its own carousel. But definitely don’t miss the Piazza della Signoria, a main square with the Fountain of Neptune, the outdoor sculptures of Loggia dei Lanzi, and the imposing medieval town hall Palazzo Vecchio, where a copy of Michelangelo’s David stands in its original spot. If you have the time, it’s worth it to go inside to see the massive frescos and paneled ceiling, not to mention the view back to the Duomo, but you may want to book a ticket ahead.

HISTORIC CITY CENTER TOUR OPTIONS

When the sun starts to dip low, head to the Piazzale Michelangelo. No two ways about it, compared to the quick walks through the city center, this is a bit of a hike. Depending on where you’ve ended up, it’ll be about a 20-minute walk with an uphill climb at the end. (If you’re wiped out just reading that, the number 12 bus drops you at the very top.) You’ll be rewarded with epic views across the entire terracotta-roofed city. Time it right, and you can grab a drink or a gelato before taking in the specular sunset, then enjoy the nighttime view over pizza at the perfectly located Terrazze Michelangelo.

The Uffizi Gallery (Gallerie Degli Uffizi) is arguably one of the world’s most famous museums with its treasure trove of Renaissance art. Your best bet to avoid lines is to arrive right when it opens with a pre-booked ticket. Hit Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” first, then spend the rest of the morning soaking in the ancient sculptures and Renaissance masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo (da Vinci), Caravaggio, Giotto, and the list goes on and on.

UFFIZI GALLERY TOUR OPTIONS

Three hours of Renaissance art calls for a leisurely lunch. Try Trattoria Alfredo, which serves up classic Tuscan dishes like fresh Tagliolini pasta with regional truffles.

After, cross the Arno via the iconic medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is lined with shops and merchants selling gold jewelry from the city’s famed goldsmiths (S. Vaggi is a favorite). Now you’re in the neighborhood of Oltrarno—literally, “the other side of Arno.”

Continue on to Palazzo Pitti, a 10-minute walk from the trattoria. Once home to the Medicis, the 15th-century palace is now a complex of five museums. The main attraction here is The Palatine Gallery which showcases the Medici’s own collection in lavish 17th-century style: Think Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens, and Raphael in over-the-top gilded frames.

When you’ve maxed out on Medici luxury, head to Volume Firenze, a cozy bar nearby with outside seating on Piazza Santo Spirito. Take part in the classic Italian tradition of aperitivo, Italy’s answer to Happy Hour, with reasonably priced drinks that include the quintessential buffet-style snacks, available from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Linger over your olives and cured meat, then take walk down the street to Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco, which serves up classic Tuscan dishes like pappardelle wild boar ragu.

End your night with drinks at MAD Souls & Spirits, a trendy cocktail bar that’s a five-minute walk from the restaurant. If you like your drinks bitter, Florence is the place for a Negroni—it was invented here in 1919. (Feel free to raise a glass to Count Negroni himself.)

Rev up for a day of sightseeing at Ala Grande Caffè, beloved for their pistachio cream-filled croissants and cappuccinos, then take the quick walk to Galleria dell’Accademia, one of Florence’s most popular museums. Prebook a ticket to avoid lines, then make a beeline to the star of the show: Michelangelo’s David. It’s not a crime to see the famous statue and leave, but why not spend an hour wandering amongst the Florentine paintings here?

While you’re in the neighborhood, walk around the corner to Museo di San Marco. Surrounded by other blockbuster sights, this 15th-century monastery with its early-Renaissance frescos is a bit of a hidden gem. Girolamo Savonarola once lived here—his dramatic story, spoiler alert, ends in execution.

Work up your appetite on the 15-minute walk down to the Santa Croce neighborhood, going south on Via Ricasoli to see more of the old city. For lunch at Trattoria Verdi Firenze consider ordering a local specialty: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a local take on beefsteak.

Next up is Basilica of Santa Croce. This Medieval church is famous for its frescoes by Giotto as well as its residents: Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are all buried here. You can spend up to an hour admiring, then make a pit stop at Scuola del Cuoio, a famed leather school tucked in a monastery behind the basilica. Here you can watch the artisans at work and shop for fairly priced leather goods.

Need a gelato fix? Tripadvisor reviewers rave that Gelateria La Carraia in Santa Croce serves up the best gelato they’ve ever tasted. Might as well weigh in with your own taste test!

Wander the less crowded Santa Croce neighborhood to take in the local vibes, then stop in a bar to chill out with your daily aperitivo. Lo Schiacciavino offers wine (chianti is a regional specialty) and a tasty tagliere (a meat and cheese board). For dinner, Adagio serves up local cuisine with a la carte options or a multi-course tasting menu highlighting seasonal and regional goods. Make the most of your last night in Florence at Buca 10, a friendly neighborhood bar where you can say “cin cin” before you say “ciao.”

FLORENCE FOOD TOUR OPTIONS