Florence is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, and for good reason. With its abundance of art and historical landmarks, there’s something for everyone to see and do in this beautiful city. You will see some of the top sights in the city, including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Michelangelo’s David. This itinerary also gives you a chance to experience some of the local flavors with a stop at a rooftop bar with a one-of-a-kind view, as well as a highly recommended Florentine trattoria. You only have one day to spend in Florence, Italy here is a suggested itinerary that will help you make the most of your time.
Table of Contents
Arrival and How to Get Around
If you’ve flown to Rome, a day trip to Florence is completely doable. The high-speed train can get you to Santa Maria Novella Train Station in just over an hour. No need to rent a car unless you plan to drive the Tuscan countryside and explore further north.
Florence is a compact city and that is what allows you to enjoy so much of it in just one day. You can walk everywhere. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to walk from the train station to the major sites of the historic center. It’s less than a mile from the Piazza del Duomo to the Arno River.
This walk described here gets you from the train station to your first major site and gives you a preview of the city sites all in less than 20 minutes. Think of this as an appetizer for your eyes, as you walk from the train station up Via Nazionale. Turn right onto Via Dell Ariento toward Mercato Centrale.
Get Your Travel Goals Newsletter & BONUS Workbook
Walk straight on toward Medici Chapels past Piazza di San Lorenzo. You’ll see Medici Riccardi Palace to your left (see more about visiting Medici sites in our “Extend Your Trip” section). Turn right on Martelli.
The Baptistry is on your right, the Duomo and Campanile di Giotto on your left. Walk to Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio to your left and the Uffizi Gallery is straight ahead. You’ve arrived at your first stop, the….
Uffizi Gallery
Cross the Piazza della Signoria toward Palazzo Vecchio. Walk past the statue of David. This one is just a copy. While the original used to be positioned here, weathering and a riot or two caused it to be moved to the Accademia. You’ll see the original later today.
The Uffizi is a U-shaped building. If you purchased your ticket ahead of time online (you smart cookie!) head to Door 3 with your confirmation to pick up your entry ticket before heading to Door 1. Or if you have the Firenze Card just go straight to Door 1. Door 2 is probably where you see the long, snaking line of people waiting to purchase a ticket. If you are visiting in high season the line is achingly long, so save yourself that headache and the wasted hours by purchasing ahead of time online or grabbing the Firenze Card.
Get Your Travel Goals Newsletter & BONUS Workbook
Enjoy amazing artwork including Botticelli’s Venus. If you did not buy the extra ticket for the Vasari Corridor (rumored to be open in the Fall of 2022, or it’s not available for purchase due to restoration) be sure to enjoy the perk in the Sculpture Hall by taking a peek out the windows at the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
Galileo Museum
Tired of all the art, let science take the lead as you dive into the scientific mind of Galileo. We entered the museum with a local school group when we came upon it in the winter months. But rest assured it is not only for academics. It houses a fascinating collection of scientific instruments, some used by Galileo himself, dating back to the 13th century.
With a passion for mathematics and physics, Galileo was a man ahead of his time. He stood against inquisitors for his radical notion that the Earth rotated around the Sun. The true story of how his inquisition unfolded credits Galileo for his ability to stay alive in a time when that claim was enough to die by torture. And his final signal to those who stood against him can be found in the middle finger forever held preserved in defiance in a glass jar. This well-deserved symbolism will not be lost on any teenage guests you bring along on your travels.
After your visit to the museum, cross the Arno River at Ponte alle Grazie bridge. From this bridge built in the 50s, you can enjoy a view of the more famous Ponte Vecchio as you approach Torrigiani Palace. The significance of this view is increased when you know that Ponte Vecchio stands today only because a sympathetic Nazi official, Gerhard Wolf, and Hitler himself determined the city too significant to be bombed to complete ash during World War II. (You can see a plaque to Gerhard Wolf just above eye level on the Ponte Vecchio bridge’s ledge)
Walk to Lunch
After a walk across the Ponte alle Grazie bridge, turn left onto Via di S. Niccolo and walk to a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant named Come Dio Comanda for what will be the best sandwich you’ve ever eaten. I got the Caprese Special, a 5-euro sandwich that I would have been happy to pay double that amount for. If you don’t believe me just take a look at the reviews (it’s a 4.7-star spot). Amazingly friendly service and even the customers got up from their counter stools to step outside so I could order – I told you this place was small.
Get Your Travel Goals Newsletter & BONUS Workbook
Take your sandwiches and a drink to go and walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for a picnic lunch with fantastic city views.
Duomo or Giotti’s Tower
If you’ve purchased a timed entry ticket in advance you can climb architect Brunelleschi’s Dome. Or even better yet, tackle Giotto’s tower. Started in 1334 and finally completed by Talenti in 1359 after the Black Death, you can climb over 400 steps for amazing views of the city and the Dome of the Duomo! Still plan to buy your tickets in advance to reserve a climbing time. You’ll get a 45-minute window to climb. Thirty euros will get you the Brunelleschi Pass good for all the monuments in Piazza del Duomo with a single ticket. This is valid within 3 days from the date you select.
The Firenze Card is 85 euros. Go to the Firenze Card website to see if that’s the better deal for you.
The Baptistry
Explore the Baptistry, the oldest religious site in Florence. The famous bronze doors are copies of the original doors on display in the Duomo Museum. The interior is equally special with beautiful mosaics which unfortunately were under restoration when we were there.
Take a break in the afternoon to enjoy happy hour at the rooftop bar and cafe Tosca & Nino in the La Rinascente department store. We went off-season so did not have to deal with crowds. If here during high season plan to make a reservation in advance.
Accademia
Wrap up your one day in Florence, Italy with a visit to one of the most amazing museums in Europe. Your afternoon is spent in the Accademia. One could spend an hour just ogling David, circling and staring at what an artist like Michelangelo could do with a once-rejected block of marble. I’ve only felt this way standing in front of a piece of art one other time, and that was when I was staring at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. My mind was racing with something along the lines of “I can’t believe I’m actually witnessing this!” David is not just a page in a book but an actual three-dimensional piece that looks like it could walk forward whenever he chooses to. You expect his chest to rise and fall with each contemplation of how he will attack Goliath. No one walks away from this experience thinking it was smaller than expected!
Dinner Plans
Plan for dinner after this. Enjoy a lovely Florentine steak if that’s your preference or eat at Mercato Centrale. You might enjoy the highly rated Trattoria Marione al Trebbio, on Via delle Belle Donne just across from the Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Or if you still have the energy for a bit more of a walk, you can get to Trattoria Sostanza at Via del Porcellana. This 150-year-old restaurant only holds six tables so book ahead. They are famous for their butter chicken. Still, only a ten-minute walk from the restaurant to the train station for your fast train back to Rome.
Extend Your Trip
One day in Florence may not be enough for you! Can you extend your Florence stay to include another day? If so then be sure to check out the Medici family legacy by visiting the…
- Medici-Riccardi Palace where a young Michelangelo once worked and lived with the famously influential family. Here you can see the private rooms and Medici Chapels
- Palazzo Vecchio was a medieval fortress and is now a museum. The 2nd floor hosts the Medici family’s private rooms. Then plan to take the Vasari Corridor from the Uffizi Gallery to connect to…
- The Pitti Palace across the Arno River in the Oltrarno area was originally built by a rival but the build bankrupt him. The Medici family scooped it up and tripled its size. Be sure to check out the Boboli Gardens area which is a separate ticket
If you’re looking to experience all that Florence has to offer, be sure to follow this itinerary. You’ll see some of the most famous sights in the city and get a taste of local life too. Don’t forget to check out our Travel Goals Newsletter for more information on destinations across Europe!