Itineraries for Your Trip to Florence
3 Days in Florence for First Timers
Cradle of the Renaissance and home to countless treasures of art and architecture, Florence packs in a lot of culture. My first visit was years ago on a school trip—and it was a relentless and rather dry march through palaces and museums. It wasn’t until I visited later that I realized how much more there is to this vibrant city.
Over the years, I’ve explored Florence’s food scene, browsed its boutiques and markets, and strolled through its squares and gardens. When I visit today, I still pop into the landmark galleries to marvel at works by Michelangelo, but I also put aside time to savor the city’s many other delights. Here’s how you can strike the perfect balance in just three days.
Ringed by hills, Florence is muggy in the summer and damp in the winter. Pack your coolest or warmest clothes, depending on when you visit.
If you only have time for one thing, make it sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo. It’s worth the uphill climb.
You can’t visit Florence without standing in wonder beneath Michelangelo’s David. Check this off your list first thing in the morning—book skip-the-line tickets or a tour with fast-track entry to avoid spending most of your morning waiting.
Just a short walk away stands Florence’s other famous marble masterpiece: the Duomo. Make a quick stop or dedicate a few hours to touring the larger cathedral complex, visiting the baptistery, bell tower, dome, and museum.
Spend the rest of the day in Florence’s compact historic center. You can cover the greatest hits from Ponte Vecchio to Piazza della Signoria in just a few hours (with plenty of gelato stops along the way).
Dedicate a few hours this morning to the city’s gastronomic delights. Join a tour to sample local food and wine at outdoor markets, stands, restaurants, and wine bars—or learn how to prepare classic Florentine dishes from a local before sitting down to enjoy them over lunch.
Walk off your indulgent morning in one of Florence’s fabulous gardens or parks. The Boboli Garden behind Pitti Palace is the most famous, but there are several others that are worth a visit, including the Bardini Garden, Rose Garden, and Iris Garden.
Spend the morning at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most popular museums in Italy, admiring masterpieces from Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. A timed-entry ticket or guided tour is a must. After you’ve had your fill of art, head directly across the Arno River to the historic Oltrarno district, famous for its traditional artisan workshops.
When daylight begins fading, climb the hill behind Oltrarno up to the Piazzale Michelangelo. Enjoy the sun setting behind Brunelleschi’s iconic dome—a perfectly picturesque way to end your time in Florence.
- What are the must-see attractions in Florence for a 3-day visit?
Three days in Florence will give you time to hit the historic center’s highlights without rushing. Must-sees include Michelangelo’s David statue at the Accademia Gallery, the Florence Duomo (plus the views from the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome), and the picturesque Ponte Vecchio. Browse world-famous paintings and sculptures at the Uffizi Galleries, and go to Piazzale Michelangelo for the best sunset photo-op in town.
- What are the top foods and drinks to try in Florence?
Florence’s culinary specialties include pappardelle pasta with cinghiale (wild boar), a humble bread-and-tomato stew called pappa al pomodoro, and T-bone steak: bistecca alla Fiorentina. Florence food tours typically offer tastings of all these dishes, plus gelato and Chianti wine. You can also learn how to shape different types of Tuscan pasta, such as pici, in a cooking class.
- Which Florence neighborhoods should I stay in if I’m in town for three days?
Staying in the heart of the historic center is worthwhile for your first visit—pick a place near Piazza della Signoria to be minutes from any attraction, or stay by the Santa Maria Novella train station for easy access to top day trips. For a slower pace, stay in the less crowded Oltrarno (the “other side of the Arno River”), where you’ll find artisan studios and scenic gardens.
- What’s the best way to get around Florence on my first visit?
Guided walking tours are the best way to get around Florence, which has a compact historic center and plenty of winding lanes for wandering. Florence bike tours are a fun way to explore the hills surrounding the city, and you can always book a taxi for a quick ride across town. When it’s time to go to the airport, ride the T2 tram line from Santa Maria Novella.
- Where can I go on a day trip from Florence? Guided Florence day trips typically head to the picture-perfect Chianti hills for wine tasting, plus the medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano. On your own, it’s easy to take the train to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the walled city of Lucca, and even Romeo and Juliet–famous sights in Verona.