Florence is often considered the most beautiful city in Italy, not to say the entire world. As the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, Firenze is full of monuments, churches, museums, and sights waiting to be explored. And, of course, let’s not forget the amazing Tuscan cuisine.
If you’re planning your trip and wondering what to do in Florence, Italy, this is the perfect travel itinerary for you! Find out the best things to see in Florence in just one day, along with the best restaurants to go to.
Quick Facts
The power and influence of Florence remain globally famous even to this day. Back in medieval times, the city thrived as a center for commerce and banking, setting the stage for the emergence of the Medici family. By the 15th century, this banking dynasty had not only become Europe’s preeminent financial institution but also distinguished patrons of the arts, drawing in luminaries like Michelangelo, Botticelli, and the legendary Leonardo da Vinci to the city. Florence became the birthplace of the Renaissance – an amazing legacy we can still see today. The city’s immeasurable value was once again confirmed with the distinction of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Florence is nestled in the heart of Tuscany, a region renowned for its natural beauty and its precious wine production. If you want to explore the countryside and discover the best wineries in Tuscany, check out our guide here.
Don’t even get me started on the Tuscan cuisine! Its famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a massive beef steak, is the luxury of many food connoisseurs. Also, the schiacciata, a type of focaccia, makes the dreams of tourists come true!
In 2010, Forbes recognized Florence as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s time for you to discover why.
Itinerary
With its rich history, housing influential families, and standing as a hub of art, literature, and power, exploring every secret of Florence would take more than a lifetime.
Since we’re condensing the sights in Firenze to just one day, our focus will be on immersing into the city’s vibe, visiting a standout monument and one museum, savoring delicious meals at great restaurants and cafes, and enjoying the most incredible panoramic view of the entire city.
Let’s dive into our one-day itinerary in Florence!
1. Breakfast at Scudieri
After an 8-minute walk from the train station, our day starts with breakfast looking at the Duomo. With more than 85 years of activity, Scudieri serves freshly baked products all day long. Feel free to opt for the classic Italian pairing of a croissant and an espresso, or be bold and choose one of the other amazing pastries. Either way, you will start this Florence tour with a smile on your face!
Opening hours: Every day from 7.00am to 11.00pm
2. Florence Duomo
Italian: Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore
The Florence Cathedral, or Duomo in Italian, needs no introductions. It’s construction started in the 13th century and was concluded in the 15th century, with the iconic Brunelleschi dome. What really stands out about the Duomo is its colossal size and the opulent facade in the Gothic revival style, crafted from polychrome marble in the 19th century.
Given its fame, the line to enter the Firenze Cathedral is consistently at least an hour, often more. Since entry is free, the only way to skip the long line is to buy tickets for the Bell Tower, Baptistery, or the Dome. These tickets granted access to the inside of the church, with a much faster line.
If you’re short on time, my recommendation is to skip the interior visit of the Florence Duomo. The reason is, after marveling at such a rich facade, the interior might seem a bit underwhelming, since it is rather simple than the exterior structure.
Opening hours: Cathedral opens every day from 10.15am to 3.45pm. The Bell Tower, Baptistery, and Dome have different schedules.
Ticket price: The Cathedral is free. Tickets for the Bell Tower, Baptistery, and Dome range from 15€ to 30€ for adults.
Buy your tickets here.
3. Medici Chapel
Italian: Cappelle Medicee
A lot in Florence is tied to the Medici family, and this monument is no exception. Only 5 minutes away from the Duomo, the Medici Chapel is in fact two distinct chapels, with one being designed by no other than Michelangelo. The first room, the Chapel of the Princes, is an octagonal space that’s so high, that its scale is impossible to be reflected in images. Yet, the 16th and 17th-century structures don’t just impress with their architecture; they house priceless treasures such as the Madonna and Child and other sculptures by Michelangelo.
While it might not be one of the most famous things to do in Florence, a visit to the Medici Chapel is an extraordinary experience for the senses, offering you a moment away from the tourist crowd.
Opening hours: Every day from 8.15am to 6.50pm. Closes on Tuesday.
Ticket price: 9€ for adults, 2€ for visitors under 25 years, and free for visitors under 18 years old.
Buy your tickets here.
4. Central Market
Italian: Mercato Centrale
There’s truly nothing like a visit to the local market to feel the vibrant energy of the city. Just a few steps away from the Medici Chapel, you’ll find artisanal local products, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to the authentic delicacies of Tuscany. The top floor is a food court with a diverse array of options, some of them curated by Chefs! It’s a great option for lunch, although I have something else (better) in mind.
Opening hours: Every day from 9.00am to 12.00am.
Did You Know? The market’s iron and glass structure was designed by the same architect responsible for the Vittorio Emanuelle Galleries in Milan.
If you’re planning a trip to the fashion capital, check out our guide with the best things to do in one day in Milan here.
5. Lunch: the True Tuscan Schiacciata
On the way to our next destination, we stop at a hidden gem right in the heart of the city. Il Cernacchio offers authentic Tuscan food at an amazing price point. In this small, but very central, establishment you can order the traditional Schiacciata, a type of focaccia, filled with cold meats, cheese, vegetables and more. When it comes to the menu, there’s truly no wrong choice – every sandwich I’ve sampled (and trust me, there were quite a few!) was absolutely delicious. The portions are generous, so ordering a Schiacciata per person is more than enough.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10.30am to 10.00pm. Price range: 10€ – 20€ per person
6. Della Signoria Square
Italian: Piazza della Signoria
At the end of the street, we reach the heart of Florence – Della Signoria Square. Dominating the square is the Palazzo Vecchio, once the hub of the political life of the Florence Republic now transformed into a museum.
In the square’s center, you can admire the beautiful Neptune fountain, accompanied by a prominent statue of Cosimo di Medici, one of the most influential men of Firenze.
As you wander through the square, it might feel like you are in an open-air gallery, with numerous statues displayed in the front of the Palace and under the arches. In fact, these are all replicas, but you can admire some of the masterpieces at one of the next stops of our itinerary.
7. New Market
Italian: Mercato Nuovo
Right next to the Della Signora Square is the New Market. Beneath the arches, several vendors showcase their leather goods, including a variety of bag designs inspired by famous Italian luxury brands. Although the authenticity of the leather goods can be questionable, this is a great spot to pick up unique souvenirs to bring back home.
Did You Know? Right by the market stands the famous boar fountain, known as the Porcellino in Italian. According to the 18th-century legend, if you give the boar’s snout a good scrub, you’re destined to return to Florence!
8. Special Coffee: Vivoli
This historic gelateria has gone viral all over the internet, and with good reason! Vivoli offers an unparalleled caffè affogato that stands among the best. It consists of a coffee cup covered in creamy gelato, revealing a perfect square in the center, ready to be filled with an espresso straight from the coffee machine.
Despite its fame, you won’t find yourself waiting in line for this exquisite pleasure, so don’t miss the chance to try it!
Opening hours: Every day from 8.00am to 9.00pm. Closed on Monday
9. Uffizi Gallery
Italian: Galleria degli Uffizi
Even if you’re not an art enthusiast, a visit to the Uffizi Gallery is a must on any bucket list. Specializing in Renaissance art due to Florence’s history, it stands out as one of the most famous museums worldwide. Thanks to the Medici family’s contribution, who left their art collection to the Republic of Florence, visitors can now admire masterpieces from Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio, and many other iconic artists.
As the second most-visited museum in Italy, you can imagine the long waiting lines. I highly (highly) recommend buying your tickets online to pass the queue. Also, given the extensiveness of the exhibition, save at least 3 hours for your visit.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am to 6.30pm. Closes on Monday.
Ticket price: High season: 25€ for adults, 2€ for visitors under 25 years, and free for visitors under 18 years old.
Low season: 12€ for adults, 2€ for visitors under 25 years, and free for visitors under 18 years old.
Buy your tickets here.
10. Ponte Vecchio
From the windows of the Uffizi Gallery, you can already catch a glimpse of the iconic Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, a symbol of Firenze. With Roman origins, the structure was made of wood and used to have butchers and merchant shops in medieval times, quite different from the exquisite jewelry and artisan shops that it houses today.
Just outside the Uffizi Gallery, take a good look (and some photos!) at Ponte Vecchio because, once you find yourself on it, you won’t realize it is a bridge anymore.
Did You Know? Ponte Vecchio is a popular location for engagement proposals. Can you spot any?
11. Michelangelo Square
Italian: Piazzale Michelangelo
The next destination may not be at the heart of the city, but it’s an absolute must-visit while you’re in Florence. Piazzale Michelangelo is a square located up on the hill, with expansive stairs, offering a panoramic view of the entire city. You can reach it with a 20-minute walk from Ponte Vecchio, or hop on the bus that drops you right in the square.
The perfect way to experience the view is to grab some snacks, maybe a bottle of Tuscan wine, find a spot on the stairs, and take in the breathtaking views of medieval Florence. Can life get any better than this?
Pro Tip: The best time to visit Michelangelo Square is right before sunset. This way, you can enjoy the daylight view of Florence, catch the sunset, and witness the city lights as night falls.
12. Dinner: Trattoria La Casalinga
The final destination brings us back to the city center, to the cozy Trattoria La Casalinga Restaurant. Where traditional Tuscan cuisine is a religion! Obviously, we could not recommend anything else than the iconic Florentine Steak, known as Bistecca alla Fiorentina in Italian – a huge, rare beef served on the bone.
The restaurant also offers numerous traditional pasta dishes, such as wild boar with pappardelle, equally amazing to the steak dishes. The meal could not be complete without a glass of local Chianti wine. And to finish on a high note, treat yourself to the smoothest Tiramisù you will ever try.
If you want to find out all the traditional local dishes you should try while you’re in Tuscany, make sure to check out this guide.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 12.00am to 2.30pm and from 7.00pm to 10.00pm. Price range: 20€ – 30€ per person
Given its popularity among both tourists and locals, be sure to make your reservation here.
Transport and Moving Around
The historic center of Florence is very compact, putting all attractions in this itinerary within walking distance from each other. If you arrive in Firenze by train, you can make your way into the city within a 5-minute walk.
To reach Piazzale Michelangelo hop on bus 13. Expect it to be crowded, and be sure to purchase your tickets through the app AT BUS, as transport inspectors will be checking them.
The Florence train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella.
From other cities you can reach Florence by train:
- Rome – around 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Milan – around 2 hours
- Bologna – around 40 minutes
Tips
Florence is a very touristic destination, so anticipate some crowds during your visit. It’s recommended to purchase tickets in advance, and book restaurants to make sure your vacation goes as smoothly as possible.
Summary
In this first-day itinerary, we have explored some of the most iconic things to see in Firenze. From the bustling and famous Florence Duomo, to hidden gems like the breathtaking Medici Chapel. We’ve also suggested some fantastic restaurants and cafes where you can experience authentic Tuscan cuisine and feel the city’s atmosphere.
Yet, with just one day, we’ve only scratched the surface of all that the famous Florence has to offer. If you want to find out what to do on a second day and what other Tuscan restaurants you should try, be sure to check out this guide for a second day in Firenze.
Happy travels!
If you're visiting Florence make sure to save one day for a trip to the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
Check our travel guide about the best wineries in the region
Tuscany is undeniably one of the most renowned regions in Italy, and its fame is well-deserved. It captivates with its breathtaking landscapes, rich historical legacy, artistic heritage, and, notably, its world-class wines. The iconic Tuscany landscape, adorned with rolling