Florence is my favorite city in Italy. Rome may have more famous ancient landmarks, but Florence feels like one enormous Renaissance masterpiece. Everywhere you turn, you find another beautiful church, sculpture, palace, or piazza—and most of the historic center is easy to explore on foot.
We visited Florence as part of a 10-day family trip through Italy, and it was the city all of us loved most. We saw Michelangelo’s David, wandered through the Uffizi Gallery, crossed the Ponte Vecchio, explored the Boboli Gardens, and ate entirely too much gelato. I would return tomorrow.
If this is your first visit, these are the best things to do in Florence, along with the experiences I would prioritize when you only have two or three days.
Florence at a Glance
Best first stop: The Duomo and Piazza del Duomo
Best museum: The Uffizi Gallery
One thing you shouldn’t miss: Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery
Best free experience: Piazza della Signoria and the Loggia dei Lanzi
Best view: Piazzale Michelangelo
Best place to slow down: Boboli Gardens
Best treat: Hot chocolate at Rivoire or gelato from Gelateria dei Neri
How long to stay: Two days for the highlights; three or four days for museums and a slower pace
My verdict: Florence is one of the easiest major Italian cities to explore on foot and an excellent choice for a first trip to Italy.
The Best Things to Do in Florence
1. The Duomo in Florence
Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew
The Duomo is the heart of the city of Florence. Any pictures you see of Florence will almost invariably feature the terra-cotta roof of the Duomo.
The cathedral’s full name is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The exterior is made of different colors of marble and is extensively decorated with friezes, statues, and stained-glass windows. It is truly awe-inspiring.
Construction began in 1296, although the cathedral took generations to complete. Its famous dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, was completed in 1436. The elaborate marble façade that you see today was added in the late 1800s.
Plan on 30 minutes to an hour to explore the outside and more time if you want to visit the interior.
Tips for visiting the Duomo:
The interior is not nearly as elaborate as the outside, although it is free to enter. Personally, I found the interior of the Duomo in Siena more impressive.
The line to enter the cathedral can be long, and you must cover your shoulders and knees.
Make sure you walk around the entire building. Some of the best details are easy to miss if you only look at the front.
If you want to see Florence from above, you can climb Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower. The dome climb has 463 steps, while the bell tower has 414, and neither has an elevator.
The dome climb takes you close to the enormous fresco of The Last Judgment before leading to panoramic views over Florence. From the bell tower, you get a beautiful view of the dome itself.
If you want to climb the dome, make sure to book your ticket in advance. You must reserve a specific time, and tickets can sell out.
Plan on about 45 minutes for either climb.
3. Palazzo Vecchio
Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew
Translated into English, Palazzo Vecchio means “old palace.” It was Florence’s government building and later became the home of the Medici family before they moved across the Arno River to Pitti Palace.
Michelangelo’s original David stood outside the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio for centuries before it was moved to the Accademia Gallery to protect it from damage. Today, a replica stands in its original location.
Palazzo Vecchio is open for tours, and there are some beautiful works of art inside. Many of its rooms are decorated with sculptures and frescoes created by some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance. You can also climb the Arnolfo Tower for another wonderful view over Florence.
Plan on one to two hours.
4. Piazza Della Signoria
Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew
Piazza della Signoria is the square directly outside Palazzo Vecchio and has been the political heart of Florence for centuries.
It is also home to the Loggia dei Lanzi, a covered outdoor gallery filled with famous sculptures. These include Giambologna’s The Rape of the Sabine Women and Cellini’s statue of Perseus. You will also find the Fountain of Neptune and the replica of Michelangelo’s David in the square.
It is amazing to see so many spectacular works of art sitting out in a public square—and you can see them for free. My kids especially liked the statue of Perseus because they are big Percy Jackson fans.
Plan on about an hour to explore the square, see the sculptures, and take pictures.
5. Walk Across Ponte Vecchio
Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew
Just down from Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria is another famous Florentine landmark. Ponte Vecchio is a historic bridge crossing the Arno River and one of the most recognizable sights in Florence.
Shops have lined the bridge for centuries. Today, most of them sell gold and jewelry, although the bridge was once occupied by butchers, tanners, and other merchants.
Immortalized in the Puccini aria “O Mio Babbino Caro” and in countless books and movies, Ponte Vecchio will probably look familiar even if this is your first visit to Florence.
The bridge gets extremely crowded during the day. Visit early in the morning if you want a quieter walk and better pictures.
Plan on about 30 minutes to walk across the bridge, look in the shop windows, and take pictures of the Arno.
6. Rivoire
Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew
Do yourself a favor and head to Rivoire in Piazza della Signoria for a cup of hot chocolate. Even if you aren’t usually a fan of hot chocolate, you may love this one.
It is bitter, a little sweet, thick, and completely decadent. Rivoire has been serving chocolate in Florence since the 1800s, and its location overlooking the piazza makes it an especially memorable place to stop.
We also had a piece of chocolate cake, and it was just as special. This won’t be a cheap treat, especially if you sit outside in the piazza, but it will be a memorable one.
You only need about 30 minutes, although you may want to stay longer and enjoy the view.
7. Eat Gelato at Gelateria dei Neri
Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew
If you love gelato in Italy, you will love Gelateria dei Neri. It is a popular gelateria in the historic center, and you can often spot it by the line outside.
You may have to wait 10–15 minutes, but it is worth it for some of the best gelato we had in Italy. I recommend the amarena or caramel flavors—you won’t be disappointed.
Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to one gelato stop while you are in Florence. Trying different flavors as you explore the city is half the fun.
8. See Michelangelo’s The David
Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew
After the Mona Lisa, Michelangelo’s David might be the most famous work of art in the world. Sculpted by Michelangelo in the early 1500s, David depicts the biblical King David just before his battle with Goliath.
The statue stood outside Palazzo Vecchio for centuries before it was moved to the Accademia Gallery in 1873 to protect it from damage. Today, you can see the original David at the Accademia Gallery and a replica in its former location outside Palazzo Vecchio.
Seeing the original up close is much more impressive than I expected. You can see the veins in David’s hands, the muscles in his legs, and the incredible amount of detail Michelangelo carved into the marble.
The Accademia is smaller than the Uffizi, but the entrance lines can be very long. Reserve a timed ticket in advance rather than planning to buy one when you arrive.
Plan on one to two hours for your visit.
Tip for families: If you are traveling with small children who won’t appreciate waiting or visiting another art museum, show them the replica in Piazza della Signoria instead. It beats standing in a long entrance line with unhappy kids.
9. Uffizi Gallery
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world’s best-known art museums. It houses Leonardo da Vinci’s Adoration of the Magi, Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch, and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, along with hundreds of other famous works of art.
While it is fascinating for art and history lovers, it may not be your kids’ favorite destination. The museum is enormous, so don’t feel as though you have to see every room. Choose the works you most want to see and leave before everyone is completely exhausted.
If you are visiting Florence during a busy time of year, book your ticket in advance. The entrance lines can be extremely long, and tickets sometimes sell out.
Plan on at least two hours to see the highlights. Serious art lovers could easily spend three or four hours here.
Tip for families: Show your kids a few of the museum’s most famous paintings before your trip. Recognizing The Birth of Venus or another work they have already seen can make the museum much more interesting for them.
10. Tour Pitti Palace
The large palace across the Arno River is Pitti Palace. It became the principal residence of the Medici family after they moved from Palazzo Vecchio and was later used by other ruling families of Tuscany.
Today, Pitti Palace contains several museums and galleries filled with paintings, sculptures, royal apartments, clothing, and treasures collected by the Medici family. The rooms themselves are also beautiful, with elaborate ceilings, frescoes, and decorations.
Pitti Palace is enormous, so decide which galleries interest you most rather than trying to see everything.
Plan on one to three hours.
11. Wander Through Boboli Gardens
Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew
The Boboli Gardens were the extensive gardens of Pitti Palace. The gardens are Italian in style and feature statues, fountains, tree-lined paths, and hidden grottos.
The gardens are a wonderful place to explore on a sunny day, especially after spending several hours inside Florence’s museums. There are also beautiful views over Florence from some of the higher parts of the gardens.
Wear comfortable shoes because the gardens are much larger and hillier than they first appear.
Plan on one to two hours for the gardens alone. If you also visit Pitti Palace, allow at least half a day for both.
12. See the View From Piazzale Michelangelo
For one of the best views in Florence, head to Piazzale Michelangelo. From this large terrace above the city, you can see the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, the Arno River, and the hills surrounding Florence.
The view is especially beautiful around sunset, but that is also when the piazza is most crowded. Go early in the morning if you want a quieter experience and clearer photographs.
You can walk up from the historic center, but it is a steep climb with plenty of stairs. Taking a bus or taxi to the top and walking back downhill is a much easier option—especially after a full day of sightseeing.
The piazza itself is free to visit. Plan on about an hour, plus transportation time.
13. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce
The Basilica of Santa Croce is another of Florence’s beautiful churches, but it is especially famous as the burial place of some of Italy’s best-known artists, scientists, and writers. Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini are all buried here.
Inside, you will also find frescoes by Giotto, chapels decorated by wealthy Florentine families, and an enormous collection of paintings and sculptures. The church’s white, green, and pink marble façade also makes the piazza outside worth visiting even if you don’t have time to go inside.
Santa Croce is usually less overwhelming than the Duomo complex or the Uffizi, making it a good choice if you want to see more Florentine art without dealing with the city’s biggest crowds.
Cross the Arno River and spend some time exploring Oltrarno, which literally means “the other side of the Arno.” This part of Florence includes Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, but it is also worth visiting simply to wander.
Oltrarno feels quieter and more residential than the area surrounding the Duomo. You will find narrow streets, small piazzas, artisan workshops, antique shops, and plenty of restaurants and gelaterias.
Make your way toward Piazza Santo Spirito, one of the neighborhood’s main gathering places. It is a lovely area to slow down, eat lunch, and see a slightly less polished side of Florence.
Plan on one to two hours, not including Pitti Palace or Boboli Gardens.
15. Browse Mercato Centrale
Mercato Centrale is a fun place to experience Florence through its food. The ground floor has traditional market stalls selling meat, cheese, bread, produce, pasta, olive oil, and other Tuscan specialties.
Upstairs, you will find a large food hall with different vendors serving prepared dishes. This makes it an easy lunch stop when everyone in your family wants something different.
The surrounding San Lorenzo Market is filled with leather bags, jackets, belts, scarves, and souvenirs. However, not everything sold here is locally made, so check the labels and quality carefully before buying expensive leather goods.
Plan on about an hour to browse the market and longer if you stay for lunch.
16. Rub Il Porcellino’s Nose
Near the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, you will find a bronze wild boar fountain known as Il Porcellino, or “the little pig.”
According to tradition, rubbing the boar’s nose will bring you good luck and ensure that you return to Florence. You can also place a coin in its mouth and let it fall into the grate below. If the coin drops through, your wish is supposed to come true.
The statue you see in the market is a replica; the original is kept in the Bardini Museum. Its nose has become shiny from generations of visitors rubbing it.
It only takes a few minutes to stop, and it makes a fun picture—especially if you are visiting Florence with kids.
17. Try Traditional Florentine Food
Florence isn’t just about Renaissance art. It is also one of the best places in Italy to try traditional Tuscan food.
The city’s most famous dish is bistecca alla Fiorentina, an enormous bone-in steak that is usually served quite rare and priced by weight. Make sure you understand how large it is before ordering because one steak can easily feed several people.
Other Florentine foods to look for include ribollita, a thick vegetable and bread soup; pappa al pomodoro, made with tomatoes and bread; and lampredotto, a traditional tripe sandwich sold at market stalls throughout the city. I made my kids try lampredotto and I don’t think they have fogiven me yet!
Even if some of those sound a little adventurous, take time for at least one leisurely Florentine meal. Some of our best memories from Italy happened around the table.
2 Days in Florence Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Florence’s Iconic Landmarks
Start at the Duomo and admire Brunelleschi’s famous dome.
Walk to Piazza della Signoria to see Renaissance sculptures in the open air.
Tour Palazzo Vecchio or admire the replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Enjoy lunch in the historic center.
Stroll across Ponte Vecchio and browse the jewelry shops.
End the day with gelato from Gelateria dei Neri.
Day 2: Florence’s Masterpieces
Visit Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery (reserve tickets in advance).
Explore the Uffizi Gallery and see works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael.
Cross the Arno River to Pitti Palace.
Relax in the beautiful Boboli Gardens.
Finish your trip with the famous hot chocolate at Rivoire in Piazza della Signoria.
My Tip: If this is your first visit to Florence, two days is enough to experience the city’s biggest highlights. Art lovers could easily spend three or four days exploring every museum, but this itinerary covers the best of Florence without feeling rushed.
How Many Days Do You Need in Florence?
You need at least two days to see the main attractions in Florence. That gives you enough time to visit the Duomo, see Michelangelo’s David, explore the Uffizi Gallery, cross Ponte Vecchio, and spend some time simply walking through the historic center.
With only one day, concentrate on the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and either the Accademia or the Uffizi. Trying to visit both museums in one day would leave very little time to enjoy the city itself.
Three days would be even better. You could explore Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens at a slower pace, visit Santa Croce, spend more time in Oltrarno, or add another museum without feeling rushed.
We stayed for two days, and it was enough to see most of Florence’s highlights. Art lovers could easily spend three or four days here, but two days is a good amount of time for a first visit.
How to See the Best of Florence in Two Days
Two days is enough to see Florence’s biggest highlights, but you will need to reserve your museum tickets and dome climb in advance. Florence is extremely walkable, so you can see quite a bit without spending your entire visit rushing between attractions.
Day 1: Florence’s Iconic Landmarks
Start at the Duomo before the biggest crowds arrive.
Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower if you have reserved a ticket.
Walk to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David.
Stop at Mercato Centrale for lunch.
Explore Piazza della Signoria and the sculptures in the Loggia dei Lanzi.
Tour Palazzo Vecchio or admire it from the piazza.
Have hot chocolate at Rivoire.
Walk across Ponte Vecchio and explore Oltrarno.
Finish at Piazzale Michelangelo for the view over Florence.
Day 2: Florence’s Art and Gardens
Begin at the Uffizi Gallery with a timed ticket.
Walk to the Basilica of Santa Croce.
Stop for lunch in the historic center.
Rub Il Porcellino’s nose as you make your way back toward the Arno.
Cross the river to Pitti Palace.
Spend the afternoon exploring Boboli Gardens.
Finish your trip with gelato from Gelateria dei Neri.
My tip: This itinerary includes both the Accademia and the Uffizi. If your family isn’t especially interested in art, choose one museum and leave more time to wander through Florence’s piazzas and side streets. Some of our favorite moments happened when we weren’t following a schedule.
Is Florence Worth Visiting?
Florence is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you are interested in art, architecture, history, or food. It is my favorite city in Italy because it feels as though the entire historic center is one enormous Renaissance museum.
Unlike Rome, Florence is compact and easy to explore on foot. You can walk from the Duomo to Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio without spending half your day getting from one attraction to another.
Florence also worked surprisingly well for our family. My kids enjoyed seeing sculptures they recognized, looking for mythological figures in Piazza della Signoria, eating gelato, and exploring the outdoor spaces between museums.
If you only have time for one day, Florence is still worth visiting. However, I recommend staying for at least two days so you can see the major attractions without rushing through everything.
For our family, Florence was the favorite city of our 10-day trip through Italy—and it is the Italian city I would most happily return to.
Is Florence Good for Families?
Florence is a wonderful city to visit with kids, but I would not plan every day around art museums. Even children who enjoy art and history can only look at so many Renaissance paintings before they have had enough.
Choose one major museum at a time and balance it with outdoor attractions. Piazza della Signoria is especially good for families because kids can see enormous sculptures and mythological figures without having to enter a museum. My kids particularly liked the statue of Perseus because they are big Percy Jackson fans.
Other family-friendly activities include walking across Ponte Vecchio, rubbing Il Porcellino’s nose, eating gelato, exploring Boboli Gardens, and seeing Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo.
The historic center is compact and walkable, although the cobblestones can make strollers difficult. The dome and bell tower climbs also have hundreds of steps, narrow passages, and no elevators, so they may not work for every family.
Florence gave our kids a chance to see famous works of art they had learned about—and gave us plenty to do when they needed a break from museums.
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.
How to Get to Florence and Get Around
Florence is easy to reach by train from many of Italy’s major cities. High-speed trains connect Florence with Rome, Venice, Milan, Bologna, and Naples.
The city’s main station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella. It is located close to the historic center, about a 10-minute walk from the Duomo. If you are staying centrally, you may be able to walk from the station to your hotel.
Once you arrive, the best way to get around Florence is on foot. Most of the major attractions are located close together, and we rarely needed transportation while exploring the historic center.
If you are staying in the Tuscan countryside, you can drive to Florence, but be very careful about the ZTL. This restricted traffic zone covers much of the historic center, and cameras automatically record unauthorized license plates.
Choose a parking garage outside the ZTL and walk into the center. If your hotel offers parking, ask for exact driving instructions
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
Photo Credit: Travels With The crew
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.
There may be affiliate links in this post. Read my disclosure policy to learn more.
Leave a Comment