Is one day enough for Florence?
You can hit the Duomo exterior and one museum in a day, but two to three days is far more rewarding.
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Florence Travel Guide
Things to do in Florence — Renaissance art in a walkable historic centre
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti · CC BY 4.0
Why visit Florence
Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance — the Duomo, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio sit inside a compact centro storico best explored on foot between gelato stops.
Florence is a stop in Italy, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Uffizi Gallery, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) and dome climb, Ponte Vecchio instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 105–230 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: April–June and September–October. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
April–June and September–October
Weather
Hot summers, mild winters; humid in midsummer
Airport
Florence Airport (FLR); Pisa (PSA) is a common alternate with train links
Getting around
Walk everything inside the historic centre; trains for day trips to Siena or Pisa
Experiences
Things to do in Florence
1
Uffizi Gallery
2
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) and dome climb
3
Ponte Vecchio
4
Accademia Gallery (David)
5
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
6
Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint
7
Oltrarno artisan streets
8
Day trip to Pisa or Cinque Terre
Budget travel
Free things to do in Florence
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) and dome climb
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint
Rose Garden below Piazzale Michelangelo
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Florence itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Uffizi Gallery
- Visit Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) and dome climb
- Visit Ponte Vecchio
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Accademia Gallery (David)
- Visit Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
- Visit Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Oltrarno artisan streets
- Visit Day trip to Pisa or Cinque Terre
Prefer a full 12-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Florence itinerary guide.
Budget
Florence trip cost
Budget
USD 45–80
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 105–230
per person / day
Luxury
USD 265–435+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Florence, Italy. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Florence
Estimated total (USD)
$2,915
≈ $1,458 per person · $416 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $165/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Florence mid-range ground costs (budget 45–80 · mid 105–230 · luxury 265–435+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
All'Antico Vinaio
Schiacciata · The sandwich queue every local knows
- $
Trattoria Mario
Tuscan · No-frills lunch institution near the market
- $$$
Osteria dell'Enoteca
Tuscan · Wine-focused Tuscan favourite
- $
Gelateria della Passera
Gelato · Locals' gelato pick in Oltrarno
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Hotel Savoy Florence
Piazza della Repubblica · Rocco Forte landmark on the main square
- $$$$
Portrait Firenze
Ponte Vecchio · Ferragamo riverside suites
- $$$
Hotel Continentale
Ponte Vecchio · Rooftop terrace favourite
Shopping
- Ponte Vecchio
- San Lorenzo Market
- Via de' Tornabuoni
Nightlife
- Oltrarno
- Santa Croce
- Santo Spirito
Museums & culture
- Uffizi Gallery
- Accademia Gallery
- Pitti Palace
Local foods to try
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina
- Lampredotto
- Ribollita
- Gelato
Hidden gems
- San Miniato al Monte
- Rose Garden below Piazzale Michelangelo
- Orsanmichele
Travel tips
- Pre-book Uffizi and Accademia timed tickets
- Climb the Duomo cupola early or late to avoid queues
- Cross to Oltrarno for quieter evenings and artisan workshops
In pictures
Florence gallery
Good to know
Florence travel FAQs
What are the best things to do in Florence?
Top picks in Florence include Uffizi Gallery, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) and dome climb, Ponte Vecchio, Accademia Gallery (David). See the full list and itinerary on this Florence travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Florence?
April–June and September–October.
How many days do I need in Florence?
Plan at least 3 days in Florence for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Florence?
Popular stays in Florence include Hotel Savoy Florence, Portrait Firenze, Hotel Continentale. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Florence cost?
On the ground in Florence (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 45–80 per person per day, mid-range about 105–230, and luxury about 265–435+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Florence, Italy. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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