One Day in Florence itinerary – How to Spend a Perfect Day in Florence, Italy

Florence, or Firenze as the Italians call it. What is there to say about a city that has it all? At first glimpse, Florence may seem overwhelming with its density of must-dos, but that’s just the thing: you can never see it all, be it in a day, a week or a month. So a perfect stay in Florence includes only as much as you need to fall in love with the city and start dreaming of coming back time and again – and a day in Florence is more than enough for that.

One day in Florence Itinerary

GUEST POST BY MARIA
BLOG: The Giramondo

What’s the best time to visit Florence?

Let’s face it, there is no time without tourists in Florence. Millions of people come to visit the city each year, and at times it can really feel swamped with tourists who are said to actually outnumber the locals during summer. Next to the crowds, another reason not to plan your visit in summer is the climate. Although Tuscany isn’t as hot as it gets in Italy, Florence is located in a valley between six surrounding hills. While that’s all beautiful and picturesque, it also means there’s no mild breeze to occasionally cool you off.

If you’re really into historical celebrations and/or bare-chested men wrestling each other, you might still want to plan your visit around 24th June, when the annual finals of the Calcio storico take place. This very physical competition between four teams from different parts of Florence has been held since the 16th century and is one of the city’s major events.

Apart from that, the best time to visit is autumn, preferably in October. There will still be crowds, but less than in summer. You will usually still be able to drink your Chianti outside in the piazza – plus, you can feast on castagnaccio (chestnut cake) and oglio nuovo, an oil made from freshly harvested olives, which in itself is a reason to visit.

A few facts about Florence

Florence is the capital of the Toscana region, which you probably know of because of its world-famous wine and beautiful landscapes. Despite its huge impact on the Italian (tourism) industry, Florence is rather small: with its population of around 380.000, Florence is only the eighth biggest city in Italy.

The city is widely referred to as the “cradle of Renaissance” because of its architectural and cultural heritage. Impressive signs of thatcan be found pretty much wherever you look. With Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery), it holds one of the most important art collections in Italy, if not worldwide.

Florence Cathedral
Florence Cathedral, Author: Aleksander Miler, Source: Flickr, Source: Flickr

In fact, the city itself is so abundantly lined with art it can easily come across as one big, stunning open-air museum, but it’s so much more than that. A fashion hot spot, home to glorious food, site of a turbulent history and along with that, of course, the Medici – a family dynasty so rich, so influential and so dramatic you would think they will be turned into a TV show soon (until you find out they already have).

One day in Florence itinerary

Store your luggage: LuggageHero allows you to store your luggage for as long as you want to. If you are there only for a day, or waiting for a check-in, this sounds like a perfect option!

Follow this guide and make the most of your trip even if you’re short on time. These are the top sights and things to do during your one day in Florence.

 

Discover why Italians go to the bar for breakfast

Starting your day off at a bar might sound strange in English, but it sure is the way to go in Italy. The Italian bar is an omnipresent concept of a social gathering point appropriate for just about any time of the day (every village that has but two streets will have a bar for sure). If you’re interested in the historic bars of Florence, go check out Caffè Gilli or Caffè Paszkowski in Piazza della Republica, where poets and writers have savoured the coffee before you.

Other than that, any bar will do for your real Italian breakfast because that is in a very literal sense short and sweet. Order yourself some coffee and a sweet pastry that resembles a croissant. If you’ve been to southern parts of Italy before, you might know this as cornetto, but in North Italy it’s called brioche. As for coffee, if you like milk in it, make sure to get yourself a cappuccino NOW! Anytime after 11 am Italians disapprove of milk-induced coffee because apparently, that’s breakfast stuff. To minimize the options of being frowned upon, stick to caffè for the rest of the day, especially after lunch or dinner!

Pro tip: Make sure to actually call it caffè instead of espresso. You see, caffè is espresso and there’s no such thing as filter coffee.

Piazza del Duomo

If you don’t see the Duomo, why bother to go to Florence at all? This magnificent cathedral is the city’s most iconic building for sure. With its dazzling white, green and pink facade, the outside is marvelous, but the inside is surprisingly plain.

Il Duomo, Florence Cathedral
Il Duomo, Florence Cathedral, Author: Max, Source: Flickr

You might still want to consider paying a couple of euros to enter (prices vary over the seasons). This will give you a chance to climb up over 450 steps to the actual dome and get a fantastic view of the city – the same goes for the neighbouring campanile, the bell tower.

Make sure to check out the Battistero with its green and white exterior right in front of the cathedral. Here, people as famous as Dante Alighieri were baptized.

Battistero, Florence
Battistero, Florence, Author: Erik Cleves Kristensen, Source: Flickr

Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Galeria degli Uffizi

Next, take a stroll through the bustling streets and narrow alleys. You will arrive at the next piazza along your way – and what a piazza it is. The amount of history aligned in Piazza della Signoria will knock you off your feet.

Piazza della Signoria, Florence
Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Author: Francisco Anzola, Source: Flickr

There’s Palazzo Vecchio, or literally the Old Palace, which was built in the 13th century to host the Florentine government – and still does today. In front of it, don’t get too excited to see the David statue that everyone is snapping pictures of – it’s a copy of Michelangelo’s famous original naked man.

Replica of Michelagelo's David, Florence
Replica of Michelagelo’s David, Florence, Author: Eusebius@Commons, Source: Flickr

Speaking of originals, there’s definitely more of them to see around here because this is where the Uffizi Gallery joins the fray. If you feel like diving into Renaissance art and discovering works from all the other guys you know from the Ninja Turtles, THIS is your place.

Pre-booking your tickets is crucial, so make sure to do so online or check with your hotel. Depending on your love for arts, you can spend two hours, a full day or a whole lifetime in there. For the sake of your Florence trip, though, stay until you get hungry – and make it really hungry…

Ufizzi Gallery, Florence
Ufizzi Gallery, Florence, Author: Francisco Anzola, Source: Flickr

Lunch at All’Antico Vinaio

When you’ve filled up on Renaissance art and begin starving for food, the perfect place for you is just around the corner. Make your way to Via de Neri, where you will probably see a bunch to a mass of people waiting in line. Don’t let the queue scare you off or you will miss out on once-in-a-lifetime food experience.

All’Antico Vinaio is the smallest, simplest shop you can imagine. Actually, it’s two of them just across the street from each other. Now, this place sure is no exquisite insider tip: it is much more a mandatory visit for just about everyone who loves food. In fact, Antico Vinaio is so famously known for its amazing food that it was the most reviewed restaurant on Tripadvisor in 2014 – in the world (or at least that’s what they claim).

For the lack of better word in English, let’s call this divine experience a sandwich. It’s a typical Tuscan schiacciata bread fresh from the oven, stuffed with the freshest, tastiest ingredients only: imagine your favourite combination of prosciutto, salsiccia, salame, mortadella, pecorino, gorgonzola, mortadella, cremes made from truffles, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, fresh rocket salad, basil and what not.

Do it like the locals and get a plastic cup of red wine with your mouth-watering, gigantic schiacciata. Then sit down on the sidewalk right outside where you line up with everyone else enjoying their glorious 7-euro lunch (5 for the food, 2 for the wine, no kidding).

Santa Croce

Turn another few corners and you’ll find yourself faced with another jaw-dropping church, Basilica di Santa Croce. You can get inside for a few euros to discover the graves of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli along with other important men – or just keep on strolling and eventually turn your steps south until you see water glistening ahead.

Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence
Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence, Author: Paul VanDerWerf, Source: Flickr

Arno River and Ponte Vecchio

With an enjoyable view, make your way along the riverside until you hit Ponte Vecchio, the “old bridge” – another of Florence’s most well-known sights. Along with the crowds (that are always there), peer into the shop windows of the jewelers while crossing. Above the bridge’s shops, you can see Corridoio Vasariano, a passageway built in the 16th century to allow members of the elaborate Medici family to cross from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti on the other side in privacy and without having to encounter any real-life poor people.

Ponte vecchio, Florence
Ponte vecchio, Florence, Author: Javier Delgado, Source: Flickr

You can see Palazzo Pitti on your left as you come from Ponte Vecchio onto the other side of Florence, the Oltrarno. If it’s still early, make sure to check out the palace’s beautiful garden Giardino di Boboli that is right behind.

Giardino di Boboli, Florence
Giardino di Boboli, Florence, Author: Ed Webster, Source: Flickr

Enjoy the street art

Not only on the way to your next destination, but rather all day long, enjoy the amazing street art Florence has to offer. The most famous artist without a doubt is the Frenchman Clet Abrahams (better known as CLET), who famously, critically, funnily and memorably alters the city’s traffic signs to turn them into pieces of art.

Clet Street Art, Florence
Clet Street Art, Florence, Author: Project-128, Source: Flickr

There’s also Blub, who puts some of the most famous paintings in the world in an underwater setting, and the small but heartwarming stick figures of Exit Enter (to name just a few). Florence has a very rich street art scene, and you are sure to see lots of it in one day if you keep your eyes open for it.

Piazzale Michelangelo

If you’ve enjoyed the street art you’ve seen so far, you can pass Clet’s studio in Via dell’Olmo 8, as it’s just on the way to your next destination: Piazzale Michelangelo.

Be prepared to take quite a steep walk – but lucky you, the view is absolutely worth it. Up in Piazzale Michelangelo, there is not only the second copy of the David (‘s butt). More importantly, you can see the whole city stretching out in front of you from up there. Make your way down again only after enjoying a dramatic sunset over Florence.

Piazzale Michelangelo View, Florence
Piazzale Michelangelo View, Florence, Author: Naval S, Source: Flickr

Eat your budget

Start your night in Piazza Santo Spirito with an aperitivo. This is another Italian concept of food-and-beverage-intake that is not familiar to most other cultures. The aperitivo is a sort of pre-dinner drink served sometime between 6 and 9 pm and is much more about the drink than the snack that comes with it. Great aperitivo places in Santo Spirito include PopCafé and Volume, but there are many more right on the piazza.

Santo Spirito, Florence
Santo Spirito, Florence, Author: Maria, The Giramondo

If you’re travelling on a tight budget, you can easily turn that aperitivo into an aperi-cena. Be warned – many Italians wouldn’t ever do the same. But as many bars offer a buffet of appetizers for aperitivo, it is technically possible to eat your fill there instead of heaving a pricey dinner afterwards. Be aware that this means missing out on even more amazing food though.

If your budget allows you to go a little further, leave some space for the actual cena (dinner). No need to go far, as Piazza Santo Spirito offers great options. There’s Tamerò with its fabulous homemade pasta, Trattoria Casalinga or the one with the simplest name of all, Osteria Santo Spirito.

All of these serve great Italian food in a reasonable price range. Make sure to try Florentine specialties like ribollita or pappa al pomodoro, both of which are stews rather than soups that include old bread that gets cooked up again with black cabbage and beans or tomatoes.

If you’re really not on a budget, make that a bistecca alla fiorentina – a T-boke steak simply seasoned with salt, pepper and some olive oil. If you like meat at all, this is your cena right there.

Nightlife in Florence

As you’ve already experienced all day long, everything in Florence is about your piazza – and so is nightlife. While there are some clubs around, it’s much more fun to buy a bottle of wine and mingle with the locals, for example in Piazza Santo Spirito.

If you’d rather enjoy your drinks in a bar, head to Via de Benci. Walking up this busy street, you will encounter many drunk Italians/internationals pouring from the bars along your way. Still walking straight by the time you reach Piazza Santa Croce? Hit Via San Giuseppe, then Via dei Macci. In a nice little passeggiata (stroll), you will reach Piazza Sant’Ambrogio. It’s mostly locals drinking in the piazza again, but there’s great bars around, too, like Sant’Ambrogio Caffè and Monkey Bar.

End your day at Kitsch, Florence’s favourite bar. The place lives up to its name with its corny interior, but makes up for that by serving good reasonably priced drinks.

Where to stay in Florence?

Leone Blu - Residenza d'Epoca

Leone Blu – Residenza d’Epoca

Piazza Carlo Goldoni 2, Tornabuoni, 50123 Florence

Leone Blu is the exceptional Historic House of the Ricasoli Firidolfi family, located in the heart of the town, super close to the Arno. This luxurious palace combines grandeur and history with modern Italian design.

BOOK A ROOM HERE

Grand Hotel Minerva

Grand Hotel Minerva

Piazza Santa Maria Novella 16, Santa Maria Novella, 50123 Florence

Grand Hotel Minerva combines the finest tradition in hospitality with modern features, and it’s set in one of the best locations in Florence – close to the main railway station, a few minutes from all major sights. The hotel features a rooftop bar, swimming pool, gym and a relax area with a large jacuzzi.

BOOK A ROOM HERE

Plus Florence

Plus Florence

Via Santa Caterina D’Alessandria 15, 50129 Florence

Plus Florence is definitely one of the best hostels in the whole city. It features an outdoor pool, indoor pool, sauna, restaurant and a bar. It has an excellent location perfect for those interested in sightseeing. It’s the best choice for young travelers and those who are interested in meeting people on their travels.

BOOK A ROOM HERE

Extra tips for visiting Florence

– Florence doesn’t offer great public transportation, but you couldn’t care less. All the ways indicated in the itinerary can easily be traversed by walking. For an even more local experience, rent out some bikes at your hotel and ride your way through the cobblestone streets.

Scams and pick-pocketing are a thing, just like in every other touristy place. Being wary and using common sense should usually be enough to stay safe.

– In case you have more than just one day in Florence, don’t miss checking out The Crazy Tourist site and their 20 Best Things to Do in Florence.

Pin for later!

Best of Florence - What to do and where to stayA complete one day itinerary for Florence, Italy

If you have any other propositions for this One Day in Florence Itinerary feel free to share it in the comments below!

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip?

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully.
Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times.
Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

Maria The Giramondo
Maria
Travel Blogger at The Giramondo

German passport and looks, Italian heart and swearing: Maria is a cultural studies and journalism graduate who – between unpaid internships and trying to find purpose in her life – decided to do something she's truly passionate about: Enter her travel blog The Giramondo, where she writes about the perks and perils of travel and all the beautiful mess along the way. Also she is very proud to have learned how to spell “itinerary” by the end of her post.

15 comments

  1. I looove your pictures! The buildings look amazing and i really love the bike with the art behind it. Florence is like, the top of my Italy list, along with Venice.

  2. Thank you for your comment Neni, if you need any extra advice on traveling to Florence, feel free to get in touch via my blog! Cheers, Maria

  3. Thanks Megan and Danielle, I appreciate your feedback 🙂 Get in touch if you have any other FLorence questions! Enjoy your trip, Danielle!

  4. I am in Florence at the moment! Love your itinerary 🙂 I’d also add a visit to the city’s oldest pharmacy / perfumery, located close to the railway station on via della scala. The building is amazing inside and so are all the products!

  5. Dear Penelopi, Lena and Kiara,
    thanks for your comments, I’m glad you guys are liking my ideas. Also Kiara, that place sounds amazing! Can’t believe I’ve been to Florence all these months without stumbling across it! But I guess there’s always more to discover 🙂 I’ll make sure to keep that in mind for my next visit! Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂 safe travels to all of you, Maria

  6. Thanks for sharing the itinerary. I am planning a trip to Italy, so I will keep the places in mind. You have planned the places very well. Honestly speaking, I did not included Florence in the tour, but after going through your pictures Florence has become the second best place to visit after Paris in my wishlist.

  7. Great information. I need some further advice. We are visiting in August to celebrate our ruby anniversary and are thus arriving Sunday lunchtime by train from Naples and leaving Monday late afternoon by train. Planning an itinerary is proving complex due to limited opening on Sunday and Monday. Hat can you suggest including best places to eat on Sunday evening when lots of places are shut. Our hotel is close to the station.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.