Florence in a Day: The Perfect One-Day Florence Itinerary

Experience Florence in a day with this one-day Florence itinerary

Just thinking about Florence makes me yearn to go back there. In Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, history and the art combine to make a beautiful city with a cozy vibe and an historic city center that is supremely easy to tour on foot.

If you have the time, you can do Florence really well in about three or four days, but it’s also possible to see the best of Florence in one day if that’s all you have. If you want to know more about what to do in Florence in one day keep reading!

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Duomo cathedral and dome in Florence, Italy, with a cloudy, grey sky.
When seeing Florence in a day, you can’t miss the Duomo. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go

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Perfect itinerary to see Florence in a day

Galleria dell’Accademia

We’re going to start with the Accademia Gallery (at Via Ricasoli, 58) as soon as it opens in the morning so book your tickets well in advance.

For the ultimate in a guided experience in Florence, you might want to check out this small-group tour of the Accademia, Uffizi and more.

Even if you’re not an art aficionado, you’re going to want to make this museum a priority on your one day in Florence, Italy. Michelangelo’s David is its most famous resident.

And as impressive as he is in photos, they don’t really do justice to the incredible detail the artist was able to carve into the marble.

View of Michelangelo's David down the main gallery of the Accademia.
I recommend that your one-day Florence itinerary include a stop to see Michelangelo’s David. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go

This is a small museum, so it’s easy to get in, experience the best it has to offer, and then get out before the crowd is too large.

And you’ll definitely want to take a few minutes to enjoy Michelangelo’s David and Prisoners with lower crowds if you can. Plan to spend about an hour here. I don’t think more is necessary at all.

After you leave the Accademia, head to San Marco for some amazing frescoes. It’s just a five-minute walk.

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San Marco

The Dominican monastery of San Marco was home to monk/artist Fra Angelico. The cells he decorated with his work (while he was prior here in the mid-15th century) are preserved for you to see.

History buffs will also be interested to know that Savonarola—the monk famous for his pious reforms that led to bonfires of the vanities in Piazza della Signoria—also lived at this monastery (though his time there did no overlap with Fra Angelico, who died just a few years after Savonarola was born).

Savonarola’s rooms are preserved for you to walk through and have some of his personal items on display.

Read More → Don’t Miss These Florence Hidden Gems

No need to buy tickets ahead of time for San Marco. Entrance is just 8 euros and it’s unlikely you’ll find a line to get in here.

You will want to check ahead of time to make sure it is open, because it’s closed a few Sundays and Mondays each month.

Read More → Florence to Rome Day Trip

Italian fresco of an angel greeting Mary the Mother of Jesus
Fra Angelico’s frescoes make a great addition to your Florence one-day itinerary. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go

Lunch recommendation: Mercato Centrale

By now it’s probably getting to be close to lunch time. We’re going to walk about 10 or 12 minutes to Mercato Centrale.

Mercato Centrale is a great place to eat in Florence. It occupies a large 19th century iron and glass building on Via dell’Ariento.

You’ll find an incredible variety of food vendors and quick service prepared meals here.

If you’re not quite ready for lunch yet, you can purchase supplies for a picnic to eat later.

Just keep in mind that Italy is starting to crack down on tourists eating (and leaving messes) at major historical sites, so be mindful of local regulations to avoid hefty fines…and be respectful of the residents of the town you’re fortunate to be able to visit.

Now we’re going to walk about 6 minutes to Piazza del Duomo.

The Duomo cathedral and dome is an important stop as you see Florence in one day.
If you only have one day in Florence, a visit to the Duomo is a must. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go

The Duomo

The red tile dome of the great Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) dominates the Florence skyline. It’s the cultural, historical and geographical heart of this great city.

Visitors can climb up into the dome of the cathedral, but you are required to have a reservation, so make sure you book this ahead of time.

If you don’t relish the climb of 463 steps without an elevator, you might book a ticket for the Duomo terraces instead (only 150 stairs to climb).

Entrance to the cathedral itself is always free, so you cannot make a reservation to get in there. The line is usually rather lengthy, and while the interior of the Duomo is nice, it’s the exterior that is far more impressive.

Florence's red-tiled Duomo dome up close, showing missing marble and tiles.
Photo: Plan, Ready, Go

If time is getting away from you (and you have a reservation go up into the dome), I’d prioritize the dome then stop in at the museum. I think it’s one of the most underrated sites in Florence.

This museum preserves and protects the sculptures and artwork that were made for the Duomo and the other buildings including the famous baptistery doors designed by Ghiberti.

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Gelato recommendation: Gelateria Edoardo

If you’re ready for some Florentine gelato, stop in at Edoardo. It will be to your left as you exit the museum. Edoardo is my favorite gelateria in Florence. Their flavors taste amazingly authentic and their sorbettos are some of the best I’ve ever tried.

From Piazza del Duomo it’s only a 5-minute walk to our next stop, the Piazza della Signoria.

Two flavors of gelato in a small white cup
Any Florence one-day itinerary should include a stop for gelato. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go

Piazza della Signoria

The Piazza della Signoria was once the center of Florentine politics and power. Here you will find the large Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) city hall, once the domain of the powerful Medici family.

In this square you’ll also find a bronze plaque that marks the spot where Savonarola was burned at the stake after his brief rule over Florence collapsed in 1498.

At the end of the Piazza near the Palazzo Vecchio you’ll find the Uffizi courtyard, which is lined with statues of important historical figures from Tuscany including Galileo, Dante, Machiavelli and more.

The Uffizi Gallery

Here you’ll find one of the most important collections of Italian painting in the world.

The Uffizi is home to two Leonardos, one of which is unfinished and was just recently displayed for public viewing after six years of restoration, and Michelangelo’s only known surviving easel painting.

You also don’t want to miss Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera.

Definitely get your timed-entry tickets well ahead of time for this important museum. Seriously. I’d buy my tickets at least 30 days in advance if possible.

Or try a skip-the-line guided tour experience of this amazing museum.

Plan on spending about two hours here to tour the museum well.

But you can see the best the gallery has to offer in quite a bit less if you’re pressed for time or are just tired and can’t take any more sightseeing.

You can also take a break at the Uffizi terrace café if you need it. It’s pricey, but sometimes the chance to take a breather on a long day of walking is totally worth it.

cup of cappuccino on a table
Enjoy a cappuccino break at the Uffizi. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.

After you exit the Uffizi you’re just a few minutes’ walk from the Ponte Vecchio.

Ponte Vecchio

This is the last stop on our one-day tour of Florence.

The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) was built in 1345, and it was the only bridge in Florence to survive the Nazi retreat through Italy in World War II.

The bridge was once lined with butcher shops and tanneries, but now it’s home to watch and jewelry shops that cater mainly to tourists.

View of the Arno River in Florence, Italy, from the Ponte Vecchio,
Enjoy a lovely view from the Ponte Vecchio during your Florence day trip. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.

Dinner recommendation: Coquinarius

My favorite restaurant in Florence is Coquinarius at Via delle Oche, 11R.

I’d strongly recommend making a reservation if you want to eat here, otherwise you might be able to get a table if you arrive very close to when it opens for dinner.

I recommend the gnocchi and the pear and cheese raviolini.

Gluten-free dinner recommendation: Ciro and Sons

The most extensive gluten-free menu I’ve seen in Florence is a Ciro and Sons at Via del Giglio, 28.

My husband, who has celiac disease, has declared this his favorite restaurant in Florence. I recommend the eggplant parmesan here.

Eggplant parmesan in an oval metal dish alongside a plate of potatoes and a steak
Ciro and Sons is perfect for travelers who need to avoid gluten. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.

More things to do on your Florence day trip

Here are a few other things you could do with your one day in Florence. If you have time, you try to fit one or two of these in as well.

Bargello Museum

The Bargello is housed in what was once the town hall, police station and jail. It may not be one of the main attractions in Florence, but I think it’s worth a visit if you have the time.

Art lovers will find themselves especially pulled in by the alluring sculptures of this Florence museum. Some of them are

  • Donatello’s David
  • Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child
  • Ghiberti’s and Brunelleschi’s baptistery door competition entries
  • Bust of Cosimo I Medici (featuring a self-portrait of Cellini)

Not only does the Bargello house stunning Renaissance art, but it also displays beautiful decorative arts and armor.

Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace)

Frescoed ceiling of angels with a blue sky and clouds.

The Pitti Palace sits on the other side of Florence’s Arno River from famous landmarks like the Duomo. It was once the home of the powerful Medici family.

Book your palace entrance ticket here.

Some of the most beautiful Raphael paintings can be found in The Palace’s collections–and you don’t even have to go to the Vatican! The collection of Titian works is equally as breathtaking.

After you finish visiting the Palazzo Pitti, take a stroll through the Boboli and Bardini gardens.

See the best of the palace and the gardens (and don’t miss anything important) with this guided tour.

Boboli Gardens and Bardini Gardens

Adjacent to the Pitti Palace, you’ll find the famous Boboli Gardens and the Bardini Gardens.

The Boboli Gardens are accessible from the Palace grounds, while the Bardini Gardens are a little farther out.

The rose garden was my favorite part of the Boboli gardens because of its picturesque view of the Tuscan hills. Nearby, there is also a quaint museum that I think you would enjoy exploring.

View of the Tuscan countryside around Florence, Italy, with overcast sky.
Enjoy your view of Tuscany’s rolling hills from the Boboli Gardens. Photo: Plan, Ready Go.

Piazzale Michelangelo

For spectacular panoramic views of Florence, I think most people would say you need to head over to Piazzale Michelangelo.

If you’re ever in Florence, be sure to go catch a sunset view of the historic center. It’s breathtaking and by far the best way to see the city.

You’ll also find a large bronze version of Michelangelo’s David there.

Giotto’s Bell Tower (Giotto’s Campanile)

View of Giottos' bell tower in Florence, Italy, from the base.
Some people prefer seeing Giotto’s Bell Tower from the ground only. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.

Giotto’s Bell Tower (campanile) stands adjacent to the famous Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral) in Florence.

It’s one of the most famous landmarks in Florence and the second-tallest structure (at 284 feet tall).

The campanile is known for its green, red, and white decorative marble exterior that matches the Duomo. The tower was designed by the Italian artist Giotto and built between 1334 and 1359.

You can climb this bell tower, but please keep in mind that it is 414 steep steps in a fairly narrow passage.

I do not recommend this climb for anyone with a fear of heights or anything like claustrophobia.

Piazza Della Repubblica

The Piazza della Repubblica is a large, open square in the heart of Florence, Italy. It’s long been one of the city’s most popular gathering places.

It’s worth stopping by just to get a quick glimpse of this remnant of the brief period when Florence was the capital of reunited Italy.

Basilica of Santa Croce

Santa Croce is one of the oldest and largest churches in Florence, but of course you’ll run into far more tourists at the Duomo.

Inside Santa Croce, you’ll find the final resting places of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Gioacchino Rossini (the famous Italian opera composer).

There’s also a memorial to Dante, the poet, and writer of the Divine Comedy.

marble tomb inside an Italian basilica
Santa Croce makes an excellent addition to any Florence itinerary especially if you want to avoid the Duomo crowds. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.

Where to stay in Florence 

Thinking about turning your one-day trip to Florence into an overnight or a weekend? There are many wonderful places to stay in Florence, Italy.

If you can, by all means, stay as near the center of the historic city as you can.

Florence is a very walkable city. From the Duomo, virtually everything else on your Florence itinerary will be within a 15–20 minute walk.

In addition to a good variety of boutique hotels and B&Bs, there are many apartment rental options to choose from.

Here are a few highly rated hotel and B&B options:

Hotel Brunelleschi: This lovely hotel is just a couple of blocks away from the Duomo in the heart of Florence and just a 5-minute walk from the amazing Uffizi Gallery. It has a fitness center and two restaurants. Check availability here.

Arno Boutique Hotel: This hotel is further away from the Duomo, but offers good value. All rooms offer air conditioning (not always a guarantee in Italy) and private bathrooms. Check rates and availability here.

B&B Lorenzo de’ MediciThis highly rated B&B is just a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo and offers free WiFi and air conditioning. Check availability here.

Final thoughts on seeing Florence in a day

I think your one day in Florence is going to be great! With this itinerary, you’ll get to see some of the city’s most famous landmarks and artworks.

Florence is truly a wonderful city with so many things to see and do. But don’t let that deter you from visiting if you only have one day you can devote to its splendors.

Have you ever been to Florence, Italy? What was your favorite thing there? Let us know in the comments!

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Florence in a Day: The Perfect One-Day Florence Itinerary

19 Comments

  1. What a great post! Bookmarking this for when I finally get to Florence. It looks so pretty and there’s so much to do!

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      Thank you so much! I hope you get to see Florence someday soon. It’s a beautiful city. And the gelato is amazing too!

  2. I have the luck to visit Florence several times and I love it. It is totally doable in one day and your post proves it! Thanks for the great guide!

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      Thanks so much, Andi!

  3. Florence looks gorgeous. I love it’s history and think it’s great you can do it in one day! We hope to travel Italy next year so excited to try some of your suggestions. Thanks for the information!

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      I’m so glad you found this post helpful! And I really hope you get to make it to Florence. It’s a wonderful city.

  4. I’d love to make it back to Italy one day to see Florence! It looks like such a pretty place. Thank you for the one day itinerary for Florence since we so often try to see places and keep moving with our limited time to see all the world has to offer (plus, I can’t stay in Italy for long with all the good food!).

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      Thanks so much for reading! Oh yes, the Italian food. Mmmmmm…..

  5. Wow! I didn’t even know you could do so much in Florence in just one day! Thank you! I might have to adjust my Italian roadtrip now!

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      Thanks for reading! You could easily spend more time there because it’s such an amazing city, but if you only have one day it’s fairly easy to hit the best of the best.

  6. The Duamo at sunrise is so incredibly magical! There is no one around and you can walk right up to it – the photos we got were so amazing!

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      Yes, the late day and early morning sun on the Duomo–just gorgeous!

  7. What a great post! I love Florence and reading it took me back! It is truly a wonderful city for the art, culture and of course the food. 🙂

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      Thank you so much! Writing this REALLY made me want to go back.

  8. I went to Florence earlier this year – the Duomo is fabulous isn’t it… those tiles!

    Great post.

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      Oh yes, I love the Duomo! Thanks for reading.

  9. Florence looks so pretty, I’d love to visit in the spring. There are some great tips in this post, thanks for sharing.

    1. Darcy Vierow says:

      Thank you! Yes, Florence is great in spring. The weather is beautiful but the crowds are still manageable.

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