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What to see in Florence in three days is a question with a difficult answer. The capital of Tuscany, in fact, offers so many things to see. In this post, therefore, I describe what to see in Florence in two days, with the option of a third (I would say necessary) and many various options for later days.
The post, then, begins with the best of Florence. Following that, I leave a map with places not to miss in Florence, where to eat, where to drink and where to sleep. At the end of the post you will find various itineraries to best visit Florence and some useful tips.
What to see in Florence: the Brunelleschi Pass for Duomo, Baptistery, Bell Tower and Dome
The Brunelleschi Pass, which can be purchased directly from the official website (a large advance payment of at least one month is required), encompasses visits to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata (and the Duomo), Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Campanile. The cost of the Brunelleschi Pass is 30 euros but, in my opinion, it is well spent. I strongly advise against climbing both the Dome and the Campanile for those who suffer from vertigo and claustrophobia: there are more than 400 steps! All up-to-date information can be found on the official website reported above: the full visit with the Brunelleschi Pass takes at least half a day, and is definitely tiring but rewarding!
Brunelleschi’s Dome is the symbol of the Italian Renaissance. It is an architectural work of historical importance, as it was built without any supporting material and as it is still the largest masonry dome in the world. This all took place 600 years ago; admiring the beauty and engineering leaves you speechless.
Admission to the Cathedral alone is free: the queue can be over an hour long. Many people criticize the interior of the Cathedral as being bare: I do not agree at all and really appreciate the Gothic style and the paintings on the inside of the dome.
What to see in Florence: Bargello Museum, Medici Chapels and Orsanmichele
Staying in the field of ‘combo’ tickets: the Bargello Museum is a real must-see in Florence! Again, there is the option of opting for a possible combination of entrances: Bargello Museum, Medici Chapels, Orsanmichele Museum and Church, Davanzati Palace and Martelli House. Here I tell you my opinion immediately: Bargello, the chapels and Orsanmichele are, in my opinion, not to be missed!
The Bargello Museum houses, among other works, Donatello’s David, Michelangelo’s Bacchus, and Giambologna’s Flying Mercury: it is a beautiful visit, to which I devoted more than an hour. The Medici Chapels, which are located near the Church of San Lorenzo, house the tombs of the Medici family: I devoted about 30 minutes to the visit, and was amazed by their beauty. Orsanmichele totally surprised me: this church, now a triumph of Gothic, was in medieval times a granary. A visit to the church and museum is worth at least 45 minutes. Palazzo Davanzati is also worth a visit, with its historic rooms originally dating back to the 14th century.
Here you can book admission to the Bargello Museum., with the various options.
What to see in Florence: Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Arnolfo Tower
Piazza della Signoria is the center of Florence’s political life. Here, in fact, you can appreciate the beauty of the Palazzo Vecchio, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in the late 13th century. Palazzo Vecchio (also called Palazzo della Signoria, as this is where the Medici court lived before moving to Palazzo Pitti) is still the seat of the City of Florence: in front of the entrance you can admire a copy of Michelangelo’s David. In Piazza della Signoria it is also possible to appreciate the Loggia della Signoria, full of copies of statues representing legendary figures such as Perseus with the Head of Medusa and the Rape of the Sabine Women, the equestrian statue of Cosimo I, and the Fountain of Neptune.
It is possible to visit the Old Palace (here the tickets) which houses the magnificent Salone dei Cinquecento. Also, with a different ticket (same site as the Palazzo Vecchio museum) it is possible to climb the Arnolfo Tower, which offers sensational views of the city.
What to see in Florence: Uffizi museum
A stone’s throw from Piazza della Signoria is one of the world’s most famous museums. The Uffizi is a true wonder and deserves at least a four-hour visit. I love the Uffizi itinerary as it follows a chronological order: so we go from the works of Lippi, Giotto and Cimabue to Botticelli, and then on to Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo…not forgetting Caravaggio!
I absolutely recommend a guided tour, such as this one: it is necessary to book well in advance. This is a list, very personal, of must-see works at the Uffizi: Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Michelangelo’s Tondo Doni, Piero della Francesca’s The Dukes of Urbino, Leonardo’s Adoration of the Magi, Caravaggio’s Sacrifice of Isaac, Gentileschi’s Judith Beheading Holofernes.
The Uffizi deserves time. If the guided tour lasts an hour and a half, I recommend that you stay and visit for at least another couple of hours.
Here you can buy a ticket to visit the Uffizi without a guide.
It also recently reopened the Vasarian Corridor, which connects Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti: admission can be purchased here.
What to see in Florence: Accademia Gallery
Florence is home to a second world-famous museum: the Accademia Gallery. To describe the Accademia Gallery I begin with a subjective fact: the crowdedness and high ticket price (this is the official website, but it is difficult to find availability; this is a second purchase option) make the Accademia Gallery a less pleasant visit than the Uffizi.
The Accademia Gallery houses at the entrance Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women (a copy of which is in the Loggia della Signoria) and works by Lippi and Perugino. Next, you can appreciate the Prigioni, giant sculptures by Michelangelo: they would have been used for the tomb of Julius II at St. Peter’s, but Michelangelo interrupted the work due to lack of funds. Near the Prisons is the Tribuna, which houses the jewel of the Gallery: Michelangelo’s David, towering more than four meters high.
Completing the Gallery are rooms devoted to Bartolini’s gipsoteca (plaster models), the museum of musical instruments, a room devoted to late Gothic Florentine artists, and the Hall of the Fourteenth Century, with frescoes by Giotto and his school. A visit to the Accademia Gallery takes about an hour.
What to see in Florence: Basilica of Santa Croce
The Basilica of Santa Croce is, in my opinion, the most beautiful to visit after the Duomo. I could also mention the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and that of San Lorenzo, but Santa Croce is a true example of Italian Gothic excellence. Moreover, Santa Croce is the place that has hosted various important personalities over the centuries, as recalled by Ugo Foscolo. The Basilica of Santa Croce is part, therefore, of not only Florentine but also Italian history. During the 1966 flood, Santa Croce was also brought to its knees: the images of the rescue of the works are part of the history of our country.
Inside the Basilica of Santa Croce you can appreciate Michelangelo’s tomb, Donatello’s Annunciation, Dante’s Cenotaph, Giotto’s Ascension of St. John and Death of St. Francis, Galileo’s tomb and Cimabue’s Crucifix. A visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce (admission ten euros, no reservation required) requires at least 45 minutes.
What to see in Florence: Ponte Vecchio
Florence’s riverfront is dotted with various bridges. One, however, stands out in importance: the Ponte Vecchio. The 95-meter span across the Arno River was inaugurated in 1345. Again, the bridge is part of Florentine history. Here, in fact, passed the Vasarian corridor, which connected Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti. This corridor was built in the 16th century: until that time the Ponte Vecchio was used for the activities of butchers. The Vasarian corridor had noble motives: the butchers, therefore, gave way to the jewelers.
The Ponte Vecchio was spared from World War II: it was one of the very few Tuscan bridges that survived the bombings of 1943-45.
Personally, I don’t love the Ponte Vecchio so much during the day: it is often crowded with people. At night, however, it becomes a jewel. Also, it is spectacular to admire the bridge either from the Lungo Arno or from the Arnolfo Tower.
What to see in Florence: Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens and Villa Bardini
The time has come for another entry combo: the Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens and Villa Bardini. Admission is quite expensive (25 euros, this is the official website), but it allows you to see three beautiful Florentine places.
Palazzo Pitti has been the symbol of the Medici family and houses the Palatine Gallery (with the Medici painting collections), the treasure of the Grand Dukes, the royal apartments, the museum of Russian icons, and the Museum of Fashion and Costume.
The immense Boboli Garden is famous for its fountains, ancient and Renaissance statues and is thus a magnificent example of an Italian garden.
Villa Bardini, which is about ten minutes away from the Boboli Gardens and the Pitti Palace, is also home to a beautiful garden: from here it is possible to admire a splendid view of Florence. Visiting these three places requires at least three hours.
What to see in Florence: Piazzale Michelangelo
One of the most beautiful views of Florence, however, is from Piazzale Michelangelo. It is possible to reach Piazzale Michelangelo by walking (even uphill) for 25 minutes from Ponte Vecchio. There is also a very convenient bus: the 12, in fact, connects Piazzale Michelangelo with Santa Maria Novella station. The best time to appreciate the view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo is at sunset: do not expect, however, a solitary experience, as there are a large number of people.
Near Piazzale Michelangelo (a ten-minute walk) you can admire another valuable church: San Miniato.
What to see in Florence: San Frediano
San Frediano is one of Florence’s most authentic neighborhoods. Although it is only ten minutes away from the Ponte Vecchio, San Frediano is characterized by restaurants, bars and cafes where you can appreciate the local and less touristy Florence. In this neighborhood I really appreciated Il Rinforzino (now closed, too bad), where it was possible to eat typical Florentine specialties, and Chianti Brew Fighters Pub: this is one of my favorite breweries!
What to see in Florence: Central Market
Staying in the culinary realm, Florence’s central market is not to be missed. It is located a few steps away from the Church of San Lorenzo. The central market was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni, the same architect as the Galleria di Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan: it is a pure example of Risorgimento construction, inspired by the Parisian Halles.
The central market has two floors. In the first one you can find the real market: meat, fish, vegetables…you can find everything! On the second floor, however, there are small restaurants where you can try ribollita, fiorentina, lampredotto: you can eat well at decent prices!
The central market replaces the old market, which is located near today’s Republic Square: here you can see the famous piggy fountain: touching the nose and putting a coin in the mouth (which will fall into the grate below) brings good luck and money.
What to see in Florence: Gardens of Parnassus
I complete the list of what to see in Florence with another view, not far from Santa Maria Station (20 minutes, using the T2 streetcar that goes to Piazza della Libertร ). The Orti del Parnaso, in fact, host a beautiful small park from which it is possible to appreciate a valuable view of Florence.
The Gardens of Parnassus are dedicated to the Righteous Ones, and in particular to Gino Bartali, that is, people who went out of their way to save Jews during the persecution of World War II.
In this small park there is also a statue of a giant snake, which actually looks like a dragon: it is meant to commemorate Apollo, who killed the serpent Python on Mount Parnassus.
Map of what to see in Florence
Before describing some sightseeing itinerary and before useful information, here is the map with all the places mentioned. There is no shortage of places to eat and drink!
ITINERARY OF TWO OR THREE DAYS IN FLORENCE
Itinerary of what to see in Florence in one day.
Admire the Duomo and Baptistery from the outside, stroll through Piazza della Signoria, eat at the central market, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Itinerary of what to see in Florence in two days.
Day 1. Use Brunelleschi Pass in the morning, Piazza della Signoria and Accademia Gallery in the afternoon.
Day 2. Uffizi in the morning. Santa Croce and Piazzale Michelangelo in the afternoon.
Itinerary of what to see in Florence in three days.
Follow the same two-day itinerary and add the Bargello Museum and Pitti Palace. With more days there is an opportunity to appreciate more authentic places such as San Frediano and the Orti del Parnaso.
IN ADDITION TO WHAT TO SEE IN FLORENCE, YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN …
Lake Orta, a Piedmontese wonder!
INFORMATION ON WHAT TO SEE IN FLORENCE
- Florence is a beautiful city, but expensive. Or rather, to appreciate the culture of Florence you have to pay. The Brunelleschi pass costs 30 euros, the Accademia Gallery costs at least 16, the Pitti Palace and Boboli 25, the Uffizi 25 euros, churches in general 10 euros. Almost everything has a cost in Florence! What to see for free in Florence? The Parnassus Gardens, walking around the historic center, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo is free, but the line is usually an hour long), Piazzale Michelangelo, the Ponte Vecchio. Even without spending a euro Florence is beautiful anyway!
- I recommend visiting Florence in the off-season, that is, between November and February, excluding Christmas and New Year. The queues can be endless. Also, in summer, temperatures could be decidedly high; Florence is often one of the hottest cities in Italy.
- Where to eat well in Florence? I recommend eating an excellent Florentine steak at Perseus, Fonticine or Baracca. Mercato Centrale is a great choice for lunch-I love the lampredotto sandwich, which is the innards of the cow.
- Where to drink beer in Florence? In the San Lorenzo area I really appreciate Alibi; in the San Frediano area Chianti Brew Fighters; Braumeister in the Piazza della Libertร area. Florence is the capital of the Negroni, as it was invented here: I recommend PanicAle in San Lorenzo and Beer Spot Craft Pub in Santa Croce: in both places you can find a good list of beers. One neighborhood with a lot of life in Florence is Sant’Ambrogio, where there is no shortage of places to go dancing.
- What are the most beautiful places in Florence? The list is really long: every time I see Brunelleschi’s dome, however, I am speechless at its beauty and engineering work.
- Where to sleep in Florence? I recommend Galileo and Nuova Italia, in the San Lorenzo area, not far from Santa Maria Novella station.
