Itineraries for Your Trip to Florence
1 Day in Florence for First Timers
Florence packs a hefty punch when it comes to art and architecture. This small city is known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance” and its museums and churches hold some of the most famous masterpieces by artists from Leonardo da Vinci to Michelangelo. Like many first-time visitors, I attempted to cover the city’s treasures on my own during my initial foray and was overwhelmed by the endless palaces stuffed with A-list paintings and sculptures.
When I circled back around to Florence, it was with a “less-is-more” approach that focused on the cultural highlights interspersed with breaks to browse the markets and refuel with filling Tuscan fare. If you want to check off Florence’s heavy hitters without sacrificing shopping and dining, here’s a tried-and-true 1-day itinerary.
With the Arno River running through its heart and hilltops all around, Florence is very humid—making the city feel hotter or colder than the real temperatures, depending on the season.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a stroll over Ponte Vecchio to marvel at the goldsmith shops and admire the city from the middle of the Arno.
Three of Italy’s premier cultural attractions are clustered in the historic center of Florence: the Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi), the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia), and the Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria dei Fiori). You won’t be able to cover all three in a single morning, but with a guided city tour that includes entrance to just one of these treasures, you can check off the old town highlights and its artistic gems in just a few hours. Opt for a tour with timed entry to the museum or church complex to optimize your time, and choose a walking, bike, or hop-on hop-off itinerary.
After an artsy morning, dedicate the afternoon to Florence’s masterpieces in the kitchen. Explore the city’s cuisine with a food and wine tour that includes stops at local outdoor markets, street food stands, and traditional eateries and wine bars. Alternatively, learn how to prepare Florentine fare at home with an interactive cooking class. Roll up your sleeves and get to work creating delights like fresh pasta, pizza, and gelato with a professional chef or home cook. End with a sit-down meal to sample the specialties you’ve made during the class.
Florence is particularly romantic at dusk, when the city glows in the golden light of the setting sun and the reflection of the street lamps along the Arno twinkle on the surface of the river. The best spot to admire Florence during its finest hour is Piazzale Michelangelo, a panoramic square set on the hillside above the city. Join a tour at the end of the day to catch the sunset over Brunelleschi’s Dome (Cupola del Brunelleschi) or a sunset Arno River cruise for a photogenic finish to your day in Florence.
- I’m in Florence for one day. What are the must-see attractions that I should visit?
Your first stop should be a visit to the Florence Duomo, whether you admire the ornate facade from the piazza or head inside to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome. Also in the historic center, head to the must-see Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria. Fit in at least one museum; the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David, and Uffizi Galleries have tons of Renaissance masterpieces worth seeing.
- What are the top foods and drinks to try in Florence?
The most characteristic of Florence street food is a panino con lampredotto, or cow stomach sandwich with a zippy parsley sauce. If you’re not into offal, focus on the city’s famous T-bone steak (typically served rare), pasta dishes such as pappardelle with cinghiale (wild boar), and a bread-and-tomato stew called pappa al pomodoro. Wine lovers should taste plenty of Chianti, ideally paired with Tuscan salumi and pecorino.
- Which Florence neighborhoods should I visit if I’m only in town for one day?
Conveniently, most of Florence’s highlights—from the Ponte Vecchio to the Accademia Gallery—are concentrated near the Florence Duomo in the historic center. San Lorenzo, home to the namesake basilica and food-filled Florence Central Market, is a short walk away. Once you’ve explored the center, head to the Oltrarno (the “other” side of the Arno River) to see the Pitti Palace in Santo Spirito and Piazzale Michelangelo in San Niccolò.
- What’s the easiest way for a first timer to get around Florence?
Florence, especially its historic center, is easiest to explore on foot; you can walk between most attractions in half an hour or less. If you’ve had a long day on your feet and want to get uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo, for example, buses, taxis, and e-bike rentals are widely available. It’s best not to rent a car when visiting Florence as a first-time visitor, as the historic center is part of a ZTL, or limited traffic zone.