One Day in Florence, Italy: Perfect Short Florence Itinerary (original) (raw)

This Florence itinerary for first-time visitors covers some of the best things to do plus Florence’s best eats.

About the author: Kriszti is the Travel Blogger and Content Creator behind She Wanders Abroad. Today she is joining us to share her Florence trip recommendations.

If you’re looking to take a trip to the home of the Italian Renaissance, look no further than the cultural city of Florence.

While sometimes overlooked by first-time visitors who would rather travel to Rome or Venice, Florence is truly one of the most beautiful cities in Italy.

While you may think you need to spend at least a weekend in Florence, in reality, one day in Florence is all you need!

The backdrop of countless films and novels, and the inspiration behind some of the most memorable Italy quotes, Florence is a timeless city that will enthral you with its architecture, art, cuisine, and authentic culture.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

When is the best time to visit Florence?

Florence is a fantastic city to visit at any time of year, so no matter what month you plan for, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime.

With that being said, there are parts of the year that are a lot less busy, which could, in turn, make your one day in Florence a lot more memorable.

Most tourists visit Florence during summer for the weather, while not many people visit during the winter. A good time of year that still has great weather, affordable prices and isn’t as busy as the summer is in spring or fall.

If you book in advance, you may even be able to get pretty great deals on transportation and accommodation during Florence’s low season.

Extend your trip: Use Florence as the starting point for an Italian adventure. Check out these 10-day Italy itinerary ideas for inspiration.

Where to Stay in Florence

Florence has no shortage of accommodation options for short stays. Because there are so many hotels, it’s pretty easy to find a place that fits your budget and is still located in a great part of the city.

Generally speaking, the area around Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo is one of the best areas to stay in Florence. But staying in Santa Maria Novella or Santa Croce can be a great choice as well.

For luxury accommodation, be sure to check out the 5-star Westin Excelsior, which has its own spa and breakfast buffet. It’s conveniently located right next to the Santa Maria Novella Train Station.

A great mid-priced hotel is the NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa, which is near Ponte Vecchio. The hotel’s interior is very upscale and it’s a more affordable 5-star option.

The Hotel Hermitage, also near Ponte Vecchio, has beautiful panoramic views from its terrace. This is a more budget-friendly hotel in the city. It’s a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery.

If you’d rather not stay in a hotel, you could also consider staying in one of the best Airbnbs in Florence. Airbnb can offer a level of comfort that sometimes even a luxury hotel can’t!

This Florence one day itinerary covers all of the absolute best spots in the city that you won’t want to miss out on during a short Italian city break. You’ll truly feel like you’ve covered most of the city by the end of the day.

You’ll start the morning sipping an Italian coffee and climbing the Duomo. Then, as the afternoon unfolds, you’ll head to the Galleria dell’Accademia and eat the best sandwiches in all of Florence at Osteria All’antico Vinaio.

After heading to the Piazza della Repubblica, walking across the Ponte Vecchio and strolling through Boboli Gardens, it’s time for an evening activity. You’ll finish your 24 hours in Florence by watching the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo – magic!

Morning in Florence

Start the day with an Italian coffee

There is no better way to start your day in Florence than by trying the coffee that Italy is very well known for. When visiting an Italian cafe, one thing to keep in mind is that there usually aren’t to-go cups like you’d find in the US or Australia. Instead, it’s proper etiquette to sit, relax, and sip your coffee until it’s gone directly at the cafe!

If you’re wondering where to go for the best coffee in Florence, check out Ditta Artigianale. It’s consistently among the top-rated in the city and in my experience, blows any other coffee in Florence out of the park.

Florence's city skyline viewed from the top of Duomo.

Climb to the top of the Duomo

Next, make your way to the Duomo, one of the top places to visit in Florence in one day. You can’t say you’ve visited Florence if you haven’t at least seen the Duomo from the outside, let alone had the chance to climb to the top and see all of Florence from above.

The Duomo, also known as the Duomo di Firenze, is part of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It was built in the 13th century and broke records immediately. Now it’s an iconic attraction in Florence that anyone can climb to the top of – all you have to do is master the 463 steps.

While that may seem daunting, it’s not that hard at all compared to other cathedral tower climbs in Europe. There are spots throughout where you can pause and catch your breath, and there are plenty of viewing points along the way as well.

Make sure you purchase your tickets ahead of time to reserve a specific time slot for your climb. Then, be sure to show up on time or you’ll risk not being able to climb to the top.

Afternoon in Florence

The iconic David sculpture in Florence casts a shadow on the gallery wall.

See David at the Galleria dell’Accademia

Michelangelo’s David sculpture is one of the most popular statues in the world. It also epitomises the Italian Renaissance and is a true masterpiece that you can’t miss seeing in the flesh, even if you visit the gallery just to see it and nothing else.

The Galleria dell’Accademia, David’s home, is an iconic art gallery in Florence. Like other attractions on this list, it’s best if you purchase your tickets ahead of time to avoid long queues at the front door.

Grab lunch at Osteria All’antico Vinaio

After seeing David, the next attraction on this Florence one day itinerary is Osteria All’antico Vinaio. This restaurant is known for being home to the best focaccia bread sandwiches in all of Florence. Sometimes the line is so long that you have to wait for an hour or more.

Honestly, any wait time is worth the taste of these sandwiches. When you’re done, head towards the Piazza della Repubblica.

Facades and a carousel in Florence's Piazza della Repubblica.

Explore the Piazza della Repubblica

When you’re spending the day in Florence, you have to visit at least one piazza. These are essentially huge historic squares that date back hundreds of years. They are always filled with locals, tourists, shops, restaurants and more.

The Piazza della Repubblica is well-known for the fun carousel that makes it one of the most picturesque areas of the city. Historically, the square was home to the Florence city forum.

The Ponte Vecchio covered bridge stretches across the river in Florence.

Visit the Ponte Vecchio

As the sun starts to set but the afternoon isn’t yet over, make your way to Ponte Vecchio. This is the most famous bridge in Florence and also the oldest. For a long time, it was the only bridge that crossed the famous Arno River.

Historically, the bridge was home to merchant shops, including jewellery and butchers. There are still a few shops that line the river, adding to its historic appeal.

This is a great area to find a souvenir to remember your one day in Florence by.

A woman pauses to admire a sculpture inside Florence's Boboli Gardens.

Stroll through Boboli Gardens

Now it’s time to head to Boboli Gardens. It’s best to visit right at the end of the day before they close because it’s quiet and cool.

The gardens were initially designed for Florence’s royal Medici family but opened to the public in the 18th century. Throughout the gardens, you’ll find tons of historical statues, sculptures, fountains and more. The whole grounds are lovely and well-kept throughout the entire year.

Evening in Florence

Florence's Duomo lit up at night against a blue sky.

Experience the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

Just when you thought you’d seen all of the best places to visit in Florence in one day, there’s more! Piazzale Michelangelo may as well be the highlight of this itinerary. You can either take a short hike up to the square or hop on a bus to reach it because it is located a bit higher than the rest of the city.

Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most popular spots to watch the sunset in Florence, and for good reason. From here, you can see all of the city from above. The view is even more magical than the one you saw from the Duomo because now you can see the Duomo itself in your view.

Get comfortable and prepare to watch one of the prettiest sunsets in Tuscany.

Final thoughts

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, be sure to spend at least one day in Florence. The city is genuinely marvellous and the perfect place to live out your Italian Renaissance dreams.

Hopefully this Florence itinerary will help you best prepare for your next trip!