All Articles 2 perfect days in Florence

2 perfect days in Florence

By Maria Kirsten Adelmann and Mark Sullivan12 Feb 2023 7 minutes read
The entrance to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) in Florence, Italy, with its intricate marble façade featuring green, pink, and white patterns in true Gothic Revival style. A group of visitors is gathered near the entrance, highlighting the popularity of this iconic landmark.
The entrance to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) in Florence, Italy
Image: Getty Images

Updated August 22, 2024

It can feel overwhelming planning a trip to Florence. It’s so packed with masterpieces—all those Michelangelos and Botticellis for starters—that two days doesn’t seem like nearly enough. I had to take a deep breath and realize that although I wanted to spend weeks looking at Medieval towers, Gothic wonders, and Renaissance artwork, I could see plenty in a couple of well-planned days. Hopefully my itinerary helps you do the same.

To minimize your trekking time, I’ve organized this two-day itinerary by location. I’ve also built in stops along the way to rest (hanging out in one or two of the ancient piazzas) and refuel (gelato, pasta, and plenty of wine) so that you have enough stamina for busy days and fun nights. Even better, my picks are based on Tripadvisor ratings and reviews to make sure you see and taste the very best of Tuscany’s capital.

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Top attractions in Florence

Table of contents


Is two days in Florence enough?

Florence feels like a city that could take a lifetime to explore. And sure, you could spend years here, but you can also walk across the entire city center in 15 minutes. (Well, unless you’re wearing heels—thanks, cobblestones!) All this means it’s easy and doable to cover Florence’s hit list in just two days.

Places to visit

With just two days, you're going to want to focus on Florence's must-see attractions: Piazza del Duomo, Florence Cathedral, Campanile di Giotto, and Ponte Vecchio give the city its wow factor. And the Uffizi Gallery makes it an art treasure trove.

Book a tour in Florence

Where to stay in Florence for two days

City Center (Duomo and Uffizi)

As they say in real estate: Location, location, location. And the historic city center is walking distance to pretty much every main attraction in Florence, including the spots around the Duomo and Uffizi. The Hotel Torre Guelfa, situated in a Medieval palace, gives very Tuscan vibes. Rooms are simple (though half as expensive as the fancier Florence hotels), but you’re likely to spend most of your time atop the medieval tower, sipping chianti and taking in the exceptional view.

Oltrarno

Literally “beyond the Arno,” this section of Florence holds everything along the Arno River opposite the city center. It’s known for its restaurants, shops, and bars, so it makes a solid base camp. Hotel Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio sits on the bustling cobblestone street of Borgo San Jacopo, right next to the famed Ponte Vecchio bridge. The hotel decor is sleek and modern, and the city views are excellent, especially from the breakfast room where a free buffet is served daily. Plus, you can walk to the Uffizi Gallery in less than five minutes and the Duomo in under 10.

San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo, along with the section of Santa Maria Novella close to the train station, is hardly off the beaten path. Abutting the historic center, these neighborhoods have the full Florence vibes and are still in walking distance to attractions. Room Mate Luca, a 10-minute walk from Duomo, gets strong ratings on Tripadvisor for its bright, boutique decor and attentive staff.

DAY ONE

Pastries and freshly baked breads from Mercato Centrale
Person perched on a ledge looking out onto Florence cityscape from Piazzale Michelangelo
From left: Food from Mercato Centrale. Views of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Image: From left: PassionperViaggio/Tripadvisor; Investigator64/Tripadvisor

MORNING: An architectural icon with city views

Make the most of your two days in Florence by arriving 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 the Café de la Paix is ideal as it’s perfectly positioned next to the bright marble exterior of 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 Brunellesch, 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 strolling around 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.

AFTERNOON: Michelangelo’s masterpiece and medieval streets

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, a Renaissance church where the Medicis are buried, on your way.) The open-air market is brimming with Italian dishes: pizza, pasta, panini, gnocchi, lasagna. Pasta Fresca is a favorite for delicious fresh pasta plates at an incredible price.

From here, it’s just a seven-minute walk to the Galleria dell’Accademia. Prebook a ticket to avoid lines, then make a beeline to the star of the show: Michelangelo’s David. If you’re short on time, feel free to see the famous statue and leave, but why not spend an hour taking in the Florentine paintings here?

Finish the afternoon with a 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 well-preserved architecture.

The main artery is the shop-lined, pedestrian-only Via dei Calzaiuoli. Consider passing through the Piazza della Repubblica, a cafe-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. If you think you’re seeing double, you’re not wrong: This copy of Michelangelo’s David stands in the statue’s original spot.

Tours and experiences in Florence

EVENING: Drinks and a sunset over Florence

When the sun starts to dip low, walk across 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 shop.) From here, 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—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 views across the entire terracotta-roofed city. Time it right, and you’ll be able to grab a drink or a gelato before taking in a specular sunset.

Return to the Oltrarno neighborhood and head straight for Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco, which serves up classic Tuscan dishes like pappardelle wild boar ragu. If you still have energy, it’s just a five-minute walk to MAD Souls & Spirits, a trendy cocktail bar where you can grab a Negroni, which was invented in Florence in 1919. (Feel free to raise a glass to Count Negroni himself.)

Travelers say: “[The Duomo] is an absolute must if you are visiting Florence. Even from the outside, it is STUNNING. It’s beautiful, and it’s even nicer to sit and have some food and drink in one of the restaurants around it and be able to just really admire the building. With the dome you get to climb all the way up and have the time to look at all of the detail. This was my favorite part of our trip, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again!” —yasmineyvonne

DAY TWO

Tourists walk through hallway of art and windows at Gallerie Degli Uffizi
Tourists outside of the Basilica of Santa Croce on a sunny, blue sky day.
From Left: Gallerie Degli Uffizi and Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence.
Image: From left: MichTI/Tripadvisor; Hermsdorf/Getty Images

MORNING: Renaissance icons at Uffizi

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.

Museums in Florence

AFTERNOON: Tuscan trattoria and famous tombs

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.

Right down the street is the Basilica of Santa Croce, a Medieval church famous for its frescoes by Giotto as well as its “residents”: Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are all entombed 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 your daily gelato? Tripadvisor reviewers rave that Gelateria La Carraia in Santa Croce serves up the best gelato they’ve ever eaten. Might as well weigh in with your own taste-test!

EVENING: Buon appetito

Wander the less crowded Santa Croce neighborhood to take in the local vibes, then stop in a bar to chill out with an aperitivo, Italy’s answer to Happy Hour. 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 the seasonal and regional. Extend the night at Buca 10, a friendly neighborhood bar where you can say “cin cin” before you say “ciao.”

Travelers say: “The Uffizi is wonderful and almost overwhelming! Getting to view so much of what the Medici's sponsored and collected and encouraged is a thrill. The Uffizi is a beautiful building, and the Renaissance art collection is unrivaled. I highly recommend taking a break when you reach the cafe. Sitting outside with a Bellini, a snack, and coffee, with the Duomo in view gave us time to reflect on what we'd just seen and take a breath before going in for more.” —@nkdp

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Maria Kirsten Adelmann
Maria Kirsten Adelmann has lived in the US and Europe and once traveled around the world on a ship, visiting ports in Asia, Africa, and beyond. She has written hundreds of reviews of hotels, cruise ships, and travel products.
Mark Sullivan
Mark Sullivan is a longtime travel and lifestyle corespondent. He has written dozens of articles and has contributed to more than 200 travel guides.