When I started planning my first visit to Florence, I really wasn’t sure how long to spend there – some people told me that it was sort of over-hyped and too touristy, while others said there was so much to see that I could easily spend a week! I ended up going for two nights, with about two and a half full days – I arrived in the morning, then left after noon on the third day. So technically a bit more than 48 hours, but especially if I had been able to get tickets for timed entry attractions at the perfect times, I think a weekend in Florence could be the perfect amount of time.
I’ve included a section at the end of the itinerary with some tips for planning a weekend in Florence, but I’ll say it up here as well – book tickets in advance! You need timed entry tickets to the Duomo, the Uffizi, and the Academia (where you see the David statue) – as well as probably many other places as well.
Also, if you’re concerned about crowds, think carefully about the time of year that you plan your visit. I was there in late April 2023 and it was certainly busy, but not too crazy – I think shoulder season is definitely a good idea to avoid crowds and also heat!
Day 1 – Duomo and Uffizi
9am – Arrive at the Santa Maria Novella train station; store your luggage if you like (6 euros for 4 hours in 2023), but everything in the main part of Florence is really pretty close, so you might be fine dropping your luggage wherever you’re staying as well. Plenty of places to grab a coffee and cornetto if you need breakfast!
10am – Head to the Duomo aka Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. With your timed entry ticket to climb the cathedral dome you’ll still need to wait in line; be sure to ask to make sure that you’re in the correct line. The “exit time” on the ticket is when they will tell you to leave the top; allow about an hour total for the climb and to take pictures from the dome.
11:30am – Head to the famous All’Antico Vinaio and get ready to wait in another line – this time for one of the best sandwiches you’ll have in Italy. The line is part of the scene; try to look at the menu online ahead of time though, because once you get to the front it can be a bit of a free-for-all and you’ll need to be ready to shout out your order. Enjoy your sandwich in the plaza across the street, where you might be able to get a little wine cup to go from one of the little corner stores.
1pm – Visit the iconic Uffizi Gallery. You could easily spend all afternoon here, but if you use a guide to cruise through the highlights you can make it in a couple of hours.
4pm – Maybe grab a gelato or espresso to keep you going, then head across the river and walk (or take the bus or a rideshare) up to the Chiesa di San Salvatore al Monte. Enjoy the view, and then if you like you can join Mass to hear the celebrations in Gregorian chant (6pm on weekdays and Saturdays).
7pm – Sunset timing will of course vary, but if you find yourself leaving San Salvatore al Monte around golden hour, you might enjoy the sunset views from Piazzale Michaelangelo. (Lots of people bring picnics up to both the San Salvatore steps and to Piazzale Michaelangelo – if you feel like coming prepared.)
8pm – If you didn’t end up bringing a picnic dinner – or if you’re still looking for a snack – the Le Volpi e l’Uva wine bar nearby where you’ll come down the hill has pretty substantial appetizers, or there are plenty of restaurants in the Oltrarno area just south of Ponte Vecchio.
Day 2 – David, more Duomo, and Pitti Palace
9am – Time to take that timed entry ticket and go visit David! Note that assuming you bought your ticket online, you’ll need to go pick up a paper ticket in person just across the street from the entrance to the Academia (as of 2023). Plan to arrive a bit earlier than your entrance time. An hour should be plenty of time once you’re inside to say hello to David and to check out some of the other interesting art at the Academia.
10am – Time to return to the Duomo, this time to go inside the cathedral. No ticket is required to enter the cathedral itself (as of 2023) but – you guessed it – there will likely be a considerable line. If you purchased the Brunelleschi pass to do the dome climb, you can also access to Santa Reparta site of the former cathedral – underneath the current cathedral – you may be able to book a timed entry slot and go from there to the main cathedral floor.
12pm – Take a bit of a break from the tourist crowds and head to the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio for lunch. In addition to plenty of stalls selling fresh produce, cheese, etc., you’ll find a quick-service restaurant or two. Grab a spot at a communal table and order a simple 3-course lunch while making friends with your new table neighbors.
1:30pm – Stopping by the Basilica of Santa Croce on the way if you like, cross the Arno and visit the Palazzo Pitti (using your Uffizi combo ticket). There’s plenty of incredible art inside, but don’t skip the Boboli Gardens behind the palace either.
5pm – Time for your last visit to the Duomo! Aim to climb the bell tower about 2 hours before sunset to enjoy the best golden light with your views of the city and the dome. Timed entry tickets aren’t required (as of 2023) for the bell tower, which is included in your Brunelleschi Pass. And, going towards the end of the day means there shouldn’t be particularly long lines (at least in shoulder season).
7pm – Enjoy a sunset view along the Arno, then find dinner back in Oltrarno. Be sure to check out the famous “wine windows” as you wander! Try Via Santo Spirito, generally between the Ponte alla Carraia and the Ponte Santa Trinità.
Florence Essentials
Orientation to Florence: First of all, you might have an easier time researching ahead of time and looking things up while you’re there if you search for “Firenze”! The core part of the city is very walkable and feels fairly small; I don’t think I used public transportation once while I was there, although there is a bus system. The Arno river divides the city and is spanned by the famous Ponte Vecchio (and other less famous bridges). Many of the main tourist sights are north of the river, and south of the river is the Oltrarno neighborhood, the Pitti Palace, Boboli and Bardini gardens, and some great viewpoints.
Tickets for key attractions in Florence: Be sure to book ahead – months in advance – for tickets to climb the Duomo dome, to visit the Uffizi gallery, and to see David at the Academia. If there are other key sights you want to see, double check whether advanced and/or timed entry tickets are needed for those as well. I booked the Brunelleschi Pass for the Duomo, which allows you to climb both the cathedral dome and the bell tower, and was glad to do both – the views of the dome itself from the bell tower and incredible, and from the dome you of course get the best views of the city. I got the combination ticket to see the Uffizi, Pitti Palace, and Boboli Gardens and thought that was worth it as well – note, you just have to go to the Uffizi first.
Where to stay in Florence: The city is fairly compact so you won’t have trouble accessing key sites from wherever you stay; I stayed in the Oltrarno neighborhood on the south side of the Arno river and really enjoyed it. My Airbnb was on Via dei Serragli basically across from Giardino Corsi, and it felt pretty much like a typical neighborhood outside of the more touristy areas.
Great photo spots in Florence: The views from the Duomo dome and bell tower are incredible; other great spots for expansive views of the city are the Bardini Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo, and the San Salvatore al Monte steps. I loved the views of Ponte Vecchio from Ponte Santa Trinità, and views of the Duomo from the narrow side streets nearby – especially to the southeast near Gelateria Edoardo.
