Florence is my very favorite city in Italy. Everywhere you turn, there is an architectural or sculptural masterpiece. It was the home of the Italian Renaissance and as such really celebrates art and culture. In this city alone you can see some of the most famous works by Michelangelo, DaVinci, Donatello, Botticelli, Raphael, Brunelleschi, and Titian.

If you are planning a trip to Italy, Florence should be on the list for sure! We visited Florence as part of a 1o day trip to Italy and we stayed for 2 days. 2 days is enough to see most of the highlights of the city but you will need more time if you plan to visit every gallery.

Day 1: Florence’s Iconic Landmarks

The Duomo in Florence

The Duomo is the heart of the city of Florence. Any pictures you see of Florence will invariably feature the terra-cotta roof of the Duomo.

This cathedral is called the Duomo, which means the house of the bishop. However, the entire name of the church is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore. The exterior is made of different colors of marble, and is extensively decorated with friezes, statuary and stained glass windows. It is truly awe-inspiring.

 

It is a masterpiece of Renaissance Florence although it was begun in the late 1200’s. Its famous dome was built in 1417. Statuary and colored marble was added to the exterior up until the late 1800’s.

Plan on 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore the outside and more to visit the interior or climb the dome.

Tips for visiting the Duomo:

• The interior is not particularly impressive. Save the 5 euros and visit the interior of the duomo in Siena or climb the tower of the Duomo in Florence.
• If you want to climb the dome make sure to book your ticket in advance!

Palazzo Vecchio

Translated into English, Palazzo Vecchio means “old palace.”  This was the principal palace in Florence before the building of the Pitti Palace across the Arno River. The original David sat on one side of the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio for hundreds of years.

Today the Palazzo is open for tours, and there are some beautiful works of art in the palace. Most of the sculptures and frescoes were created by some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance.

Plan on 1 hour.

Piazza Della Signoria

Also called Piazza Vecchio, this square is outside of the Palazzo Vecchio and is the home to the Loggia dei Lanzi which is a covered area with iconic statues such as “Rape of the Sabines” by Giambologna and the statue of Perseus by Cellini. Also on the square is the fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati. Restoration of the fountain was just finished last year.

It is amazing to see so many spectacular works of art just out in a public square! My kids especially like the statue of Perseus as they are big Percy Jackson fans.

This square was the site of ancient Florence’s trade and a gathering place for politicians.

Plan on an hour to explore.

Ponte Vecchio

Just down from the Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza Della Signoria is another famous Florentine landmark. Ponte Vecchio is a historic bridge of the Arno River. For centuries it was the only bridge across the Arno. Shops line both sides of the bridge as they did in the 13th century.

Immortalized in the Puccini aria, “O Mio Babbino Caro” and countless books and movies you will definitely recognize this bridge.

Plan on 30 minutes to walk it and take pictures.

Rivoire

Do yourself a favor and head to this restaurant located in the Piazza della Signoria and get some hot chocolate! Even if you aren’t usually a fan of hot chocolate, you will love this one.

Bitter, a little sweet, thick and decadent! Apparently, this secret recipe has been passed down for over 100 years. I don’t have enough exclamation points for how good it is. We also had a piece of their chocolate cake, and it was just as special.

This won’t be a cheap treat (the hot chocolate 7 euros), but it will be a special one.

Gelateria dei Neri

If you love gelato in Italy, you will love Gelateria Dei Neri! You can easily spot it because of the line out the door! The Gelateria is very popular among the locals, and word has gotten out! Now you must wait 10-15 minutes to taste some of the best gelato you will ever have.

I recommend the Amarena gelato or the Caramel one, you won’t be disappointed.

If you spend one day or a week in Florence, you are sure to fall in love with this beautiful city and find dozens of things to do and see. If you are traveling with your kids, you can introduce them to many historically important works of art, which will help them know more and want to learn more.

Day 2: Florence’s Renaissance Masterpieces

The David

After the Mona Lisa, The David might be the most famous work of art in the world. Sculpted by Michelangelo in the early 1500s, The David was meant to be a depiction of biblical King David in his youth. This statue stood in the Palazzo Vecchio for centuries and was moved into the Accademia Gallery in 1873 to protect it from damage.

Today you can visit The David at the Accademia Gallery or visit a replica in The David’s original home in the Palazzo Vecchio.

Plan on 1-2 hours to get into the museum and visit.

Tip: If you are traveling with small kids, skip the Accademia gallery and show them the replica. It beats standing in the long entrance line.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world’s best known museums. It houses Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Adoration of the Magi”, Raphael’s “Madonna of the Goldfinch”, and Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” among hundreds of other famous works of art. While it is fascinating for art lovers and history lovers, it may not be your kids’ favorite destination.

So if you plan on being in Florence for a few days, book the Best of Florence for 3 days and you can do 30 minutes a day in the Uffizi and still see the highlights. Plus the 3 day pass gives you access to Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Check our what the Uffizi has to offer with this guide.

Plan on 1-2 hours

Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace

The newer palace across the Arno River is Pitti Palace. Pitti Palace is now a museum that contains paintings from the 16th century, treasures of the Medici family, costume gallery and the Porcelain museum. The Boboli gardens were the extensive gardens of the Pitti Palace. The gardens are Italian in style and feature statuary, fountains, and grottos. The gardens are a wonderful place to explore on sunny day.

Plan on 1-3 hours.

 

Florence Travel Tips

Book Popular Attractions in Advance

If there’s one thing I wish everyone knew before visiting Florence, it’s that the city’s most famous attractions sell out. If you want to climb the Duomo or see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, book your tickets before your trip. You’ll save yourself hours of waiting in line and guarantee you don’t miss out.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Florence is a wonderfully walkable city, but you’ll be covering a lot of ground on cobblestone streets. Leave the brand-new shoes at home and pack a comfortable pair that you can happily wear all day. Your feet will thank you by the end of your second day.

Start Your Days Early

Florence is one of Italy’s most popular cities, and the crowds build quickly—especially around the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria. We found that getting an early start made a huge difference. The streets were quieter, the temperatures were cooler, and it was much easier to take photos without hundreds of people in the background.

Don’t Try to See Every Museum

Florence is packed with world-class museums, but trying to visit them all in two days can leave you exhausted. Pick the attractions that interest you most and leave plenty of time to simply wander. Some of our favorite moments came from strolling through side streets, discovering small piazzas, and stopping for gelato without a schedule.

Bring a Refillable Water Bottle

Public drinking fountains are scattered throughout Florence, making it easy to refill your bottle throughout the day. It’s a simple way to stay hydrated while saving money, especially during the warmer months.

Save Room for the Food

Florence isn’t just about Renaissance art—it’s also one of Italy’s best food cities. Take time to enjoy a leisurely meal, stop for gelato more than once (I certainly did!), and don’t skip the famous hot chocolate at Rivoire. Sometimes the best travel memories happen around the table.

Where to Stay in Florence

One of the great things about visiting Florence is that you have two excellent options: stay right in the heart of the city or base yourself in the Tuscan countryside and drive in for the day.

Stay in Florence for a First Visit

If this is your first time in Florence, I recommend staying in the historic center. Almost all of the city’s major attractions—including the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery—are within walking distance of one another. You’ll be able to wander the charming streets in the evening, stop for gelato whenever the mood strikes, and enjoy Florence after many of the day-trippers have gone home.

Stay in Tuscany for a Slower Pace

If you have a rental car and are planning to explore Tuscany, staying outside the city can be a wonderful option. That’s exactly what we did. We stayed in the Tuscan countryside and drove into Florence for the day, which gave us the best of both worlds. We spent our mornings exploring one of the world’s most beautiful cities and our evenings relaxing among vineyards, olive groves, and rolling hills.

The drive into Florence was much easier than I expected, and there are several parking garages just outside the historic center where you can leave your car and walk into the city. If you’re planning to visit hill towns like Siena, San Gimignano, or Pisa, using Tuscany as your home base can save you from changing hotels every couple of days.

My Recommendation

If you only have two days in Florence and don’t plan to explore the rest of Tuscany, stay in the city so you can make the most of your limited time. However, if you’re spending a week or more in the region, I highly recommend staying in Tuscany and taking day trips into Florence. Waking up to the Tuscan countryside each morning while still being less than an hour from Florence was one of my favorite parts of our Italy trip.

Traveling to more of Italy

Florence is a beautiful city and if you combine visiting with nearby Tuscany you could easily spend a week here. However, if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, you may want to consider visiting other parts of Italy.

You can hit the highlights of Italy in a 7-10 day trip and see spots like Venice, Rome, Pompeii, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. Either way, you are sure to fall in love with the beautiful sights and gorgeous food in Italy. For those considering their next adventure, exploring the best cities for firsttime travelers can help you make unforgettable memories. Each destination offers unique experiences, from breathtaking landmarks to rich cultural diversity. Whether you choose iconic locations or hidden gems, every city has something special to offer.

 

 

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