What to see in Florence in three days: travel guide
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is a perfect destination for history and art lovers. The Renaissance legacy is still present in its medieval streets, and the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most photographed in the world.
The beauty of the city and the great offer of things to do in Florence are part of the charm of this Italian jewel. It is easy to fall in love with its nooks and crannies and get lost in its cobblestone neighborhoods, while marveling at the art galleries and marveling at the impossible design of the hanging houses on the Ponte Vecchio.
If you are thinking of a getaway, this is your perfect destination. Discover what to see in Florence in three days and dare to visit this cradle of art!
On the first day you will arrive wanting to see everything: so why not start with the most iconic sights in Florence? Spending the morning in Santa Maria del Fiore is the first step. When you arrive in Piazza del Duomo, its magnificent façade will welcome you: decorated with white, green and pink marble, the perfectly symmetrical distribution of its details impresses all visitors. Considered a symbol of Florentine wealth, the cathedral is crowned by a magnificent dome known worldwide.
Visiting the nave of the cathedral is free, but it is advisable to arrive early because there is usually a queue. If, in addition to the nave, you want to tour the Duomo in its entirety, you will have to buy tickets. The Duomo complex includes Brunelleschi's dome, Giotto's Campanile, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Museo dell'Opera. You will have to come prepared if you want to see everything! You can check opening hours and prices, as well as buy tickets at the official website of the Duomo.
After a morning exploring the cathedral there is no better plan than getting lost in the streets around it. You can head to Piazza della Repubblica, two minutes away from the Duomo, to see what was once the Roman Forum of the city. Since at this point you will probably need a short break, the best option is to go to Piazza della Signoria. This magnificent square is decorated with sculptures and has the Palazzo della Signoria as a backdrop , which makes it a real open-air museum.
If you want to make sure that one day you will return to Florence - and you will want to - you can't miss the Fontana del Porcellino. Here you will find the statue of the wild boar that you must rub the snout of to bring you luck and return to the city.
To end the first day there is no better plan than to spend the afternoon strolling along Via Tornabuoni, the street of Florence known for the luxury stores found there. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere and treat yourself!
The second day was dedicated to art and sights: a treat for the eyes. So, we started the morning visiting the Galleria degli Uffizi, known worldwide for its impressive collection of paintings and sculptures. This gallery is one of the most beautiful places in Florence, so it is worth spending a few hours there.
This is where you can admire works by famous artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo and Caravaggio, as well as paintings by El Greco, Goya and Rubens. This impressive and ancient collection has earned the Galleria degli Uffizi a worldwide reputation, and is today the most visited art gallery in Italy.
After enjoying this walk among works of art, the best thing to do is to go to the Ponte Vecchio: the view of the city on the banks of the Arno River is one of the most iconic in Florence. When you have crossed the bridge and taken the necessary photos, you can head to the Pitti Palace, a Renaissance building that was built in the fifteenth century and served as a residence for the dukes of Tuscany. It now houses several museums and art galleries that can be visited, and another attraction is the Giardino di Boboli.
This beautiful garden was built in 1549 by Cosimo I de Medici as a gift to his wife Leonor Alvarez de Toledo, and today is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In addition to the beautiful green spaces, in these gardens you can see numerous sculptures and beautiful fountains in Renaissance style. Admission is not free, but you can buy a joint ticket to visit the Pitti Palace and the Giardino di Boboli.
The best plan to relax in the afternoon is to enjoy the views in Piazzale Michelangelo. Considered one of the best viewpoints in Florence, this area is located half an hour walk from the Pitti Palace, and is a favorite among locals to admire the sunset. Thanks to its elevated position it offers panoramic views of the city, where the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore stands out from the rest of the copper roofs. As it is an open-air park you can enjoy a relaxing picnic - you will feel like you are in a postcard!
If you've been left wanting to see more works of art, you should spend the morning at the Galleria dell' Accademia. This gallery, although not as popular as the Degli Uffizi, houses Michelangelo's David and various works by Italian painters such as Botticelli and Orcagna. Florence is said to be the cradle of art for a reason!
Ten minutes from the gallery is the Central Market of Florence, a must-see for food lovers. In this commercial space you can buy fresh local products, such as wines, pasta and cheeses of all kinds. Florentines do their shopping here, so why not join in the experience?
To spend the afternoon you can visit the colorful Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and end your Florence getaway enjoying a gelato while strolling through the streets surrounding the Duomo. You'll find it hard to say goodbye!
To experience the city with all your senses, don't forget to try its typical dishes. Tasting the excellent Florentine gastronomy for a small price is possible.
The historic center is the best area to try typical food as it presents a wide variety of options. The most common and cheapest are the osteriaa tavern with a rustic atmosphere, or the trattoriaa typical traditional family restaurant. In these places, which you can find anywhere in Italy, they serve delicious dishes from the Tuscan region.
I especially recommend the following restaurants:
Osteria di Giovanni
Address: Via Del Moro, 22.
The dish par excellence of this place is the bistecca alla fiorentinaa juicy high loin veal steak that has become one of the most popular dishes of Tuscan gastronomy. It is grilled or broiled and is usually eaten "rare".
Source: Wikimedia - mike packard [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]
Trattoria Antico Fattore
Address: Via Lambertesca, 1.
You can't leave Florence without tasting the ribollitaa delicious bread and vegetable soup in the pure Tuscan style.
Ristorante Pepò
Address: Via Rosina 4/6r.
Pappa al pomodoro is a Florentine classic made mainly with Tuscan bread, garlic, basil and olive oil.
Also, if you are a fan of gastronomic tourism and you want to delve into the Florentine culinary tradition, you can opt for this guided tour of the Florence Foodie Club where you can taste cheeses, balsamic vinegars, gelato winewine, savory donuts, Italian cured meats and much more.
If you've been left wanting to know more about this beautiful city, check out the activities that can be booked on our platform. Buon viaggio!
The beauty of the city and the great offer of things to do in Florence are part of the charm of this Italian jewel. It is easy to fall in love with its nooks and crannies and get lost in its cobblestone neighborhoods, while marveling at the art galleries and marveling at the impossible design of the hanging houses on the Ponte Vecchio.
If you are thinking of a getaway, this is your perfect destination. Discover what to see in Florence in three days and dare to visit this cradle of art!
Visit the Duomo of Florence
On the first day you will arrive wanting to see everything: so why not start with the most iconic sights in Florence? Spending the morning in Santa Maria del Fiore is the first step. When you arrive in Piazza del Duomo, its magnificent façade will welcome you: decorated with white, green and pink marble, the perfectly symmetrical distribution of its details impresses all visitors. Considered a symbol of Florentine wealth, the cathedral is crowned by a magnificent dome known worldwide.
Visiting the nave of the cathedral is free, but it is advisable to arrive early because there is usually a queue. If, in addition to the nave, you want to tour the Duomo in its entirety, you will have to buy tickets. The Duomo complex includes Brunelleschi's dome, Giotto's Campanile, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Museo dell'Opera. You will have to come prepared if you want to see everything! You can check opening hours and prices, as well as buy tickets at the official website of the Duomo.
After a morning exploring the cathedral there is no better plan than getting lost in the streets around it. You can head to Piazza della Repubblica, two minutes away from the Duomo, to see what was once the Roman Forum of the city. Since at this point you will probably need a short break, the best option is to go to Piazza della Signoria. This magnificent square is decorated with sculptures and has the Palazzo della Signoria as a backdrop , which makes it a real open-air museum.
If you want to make sure that one day you will return to Florence - and you will want to - you can't miss the Fontana del Porcellino. Here you will find the statue of the wild boar that you must rub the snout of to bring you luck and return to the city.
To end the first day there is no better plan than to spend the afternoon strolling along Via Tornabuoni, the street of Florence known for the luxury stores found there. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere and treat yourself!
Art in Florence
The second day was dedicated to art and sights: a treat for the eyes. So, we started the morning visiting the Galleria degli Uffizi, known worldwide for its impressive collection of paintings and sculptures. This gallery is one of the most beautiful places in Florence, so it is worth spending a few hours there.
This is where you can admire works by famous artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo and Caravaggio, as well as paintings by El Greco, Goya and Rubens. This impressive and ancient collection has earned the Galleria degli Uffizi a worldwide reputation, and is today the most visited art gallery in Italy.
After enjoying this walk among works of art, the best thing to do is to go to the Ponte Vecchio: the view of the city on the banks of the Arno River is one of the most iconic in Florence. When you have crossed the bridge and taken the necessary photos, you can head to the Pitti Palace, a Renaissance building that was built in the fifteenth century and served as a residence for the dukes of Tuscany. It now houses several museums and art galleries that can be visited, and another attraction is the Giardino di Boboli.
This beautiful garden was built in 1549 by Cosimo I de Medici as a gift to his wife Leonor Alvarez de Toledo, and today is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In addition to the beautiful green spaces, in these gardens you can see numerous sculptures and beautiful fountains in Renaissance style. Admission is not free, but you can buy a joint ticket to visit the Pitti Palace and the Giardino di Boboli.
The best plan to relax in the afternoon is to enjoy the views in Piazzale Michelangelo. Considered one of the best viewpoints in Florence, this area is located half an hour walk from the Pitti Palace, and is a favorite among locals to admire the sunset. Thanks to its elevated position it offers panoramic views of the city, where the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore stands out from the rest of the copper roofs. As it is an open-air park you can enjoy a relaxing picnic - you will feel like you are in a postcard!
Florence like a local
If you've been left wanting to see more works of art, you should spend the morning at the Galleria dell' Accademia. This gallery, although not as popular as the Degli Uffizi, houses Michelangelo's David and various works by Italian painters such as Botticelli and Orcagna. Florence is said to be the cradle of art for a reason!
Ten minutes from the gallery is the Central Market of Florence, a must-see for food lovers. In this commercial space you can buy fresh local products, such as wines, pasta and cheeses of all kinds. Florentines do their shopping here, so why not join in the experience?
To spend the afternoon you can visit the colorful Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and end your Florence getaway enjoying a gelato while strolling through the streets surrounding the Duomo. You'll find it hard to say goodbye!
Where to eat in Florence
To experience the city with all your senses, don't forget to try its typical dishes. Tasting the excellent Florentine gastronomy for a small price is possible.
The historic center is the best area to try typical food as it presents a wide variety of options. The most common and cheapest are the osteriaa tavern with a rustic atmosphere, or the trattoriaa typical traditional family restaurant. In these places, which you can find anywhere in Italy, they serve delicious dishes from the Tuscan region.
I especially recommend the following restaurants:
Osteria di Giovanni
Address: Via Del Moro, 22.
The dish par excellence of this place is the bistecca alla fiorentinaa juicy high loin veal steak that has become one of the most popular dishes of Tuscan gastronomy. It is grilled or broiled and is usually eaten "rare".
Source: Wikimedia - mike packard [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]
Trattoria Antico Fattore
Address: Via Lambertesca, 1.
You can't leave Florence without tasting the ribollitaa delicious bread and vegetable soup in the pure Tuscan style.
Ristorante Pepò
Address: Via Rosina 4/6r.
Pappa al pomodoro is a Florentine classic made mainly with Tuscan bread, garlic, basil and olive oil.
Also, if you are a fan of gastronomic tourism and you want to delve into the Florentine culinary tradition, you can opt for this guided tour of the Florence Foodie Club where you can taste cheeses, balsamic vinegars, gelato winewine, savory donuts, Italian cured meats and much more.
If you've been left wanting to know more about this beautiful city, check out the activities that can be booked on our platform. Buon viaggio!
Irene Lara and Georgina Blasco
18
June,
2020
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