It’s European summer time for the girlies. And I’m here with the ultimate one day itinerary for Florence, Italy! Learn exactly how to spend one day in Florence. Day trips to Florence are easy to plan because of this enchanting city’s central location in the exquisite Tuscany region. I’ve done this exact day trip twice and here’s what I learned from those!
This may read as an overzealous declaration, I’m aware, but the moment the sole of my shoe touched Italian soil for the first time — no, the moment I saw the Tuscan countryside through the badly scratched airplane window from my uncomfortable af economy seat — I knew I was about to become obsessed.
Yep, I’m that girly that visited a foreign country and immediately thought, “Should I move here?” My brain chemistry is forever altered. And now, let’s talk about how to spend one day in Florence, Italy. You’ll find otherworldly art, visually delicious architecture and enticing shopping in this itinerary.
GETTING TO FLORENCE
If you’re wondering how to get to Florence, don’t fret! Finding transportation to Florence is easy because it’s so centrally located. It’s an hour and 26 minutes from Rome, two hours and 13 minutes from Venice, one hour and 55 minutes from Milan. Train tickets with Italo Treno go for as low as 20 euros one way. Both times I visited Florence, I bought my tickets a month in advance and chose one of the earliest trains. This helps you maximize your time spent there! Don’t forget to check if you need to get your ticket stamped before boarding at the train station.
MOVING AROUND FLORENCE
So many of the main cultural and historical hotspots in Florence are super close to each other. Plus, most of the historic center is closed off to car traffic. Therefore, the easiest and best way to get around Florence is by foot. Google Maps is my go-to for getting around the city as it gives you detailed directions for using buses or metro systems. That might require looking into your cellphone’s plan or buying a data day-pass depending on your carrier.
MERCATO CENTRALE
You’ll most likely arrive at Santa Maria Novella di Firenze, the main train station in Florence. From there, it’s easy to walk to most sights. Depending on how early you arrive, walk up Via Nazionale, and then, down Via dell’Ariento to arrive at il Mercato Centrale. Start the day with freshly made pasta, artisanal breads, legit pizza (duh!), international foods and an Aperol Spritz (or perhaps coffee). I bought a big piece of 12-month-aged parmigiano reggiano in the lower level of the market (A MUST) for about 17 euros. It was my most treasured possession that was devoured in mere weeks after I got back.
CATTEDRALE DI SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE (IL DUOMO)
The Duomo in Florence is one of my absolute favorite sights of life! This needs to be part of how to spend one day in Florence. I consider myself lucky to have been able to walk up the 463 steps up to the Brunelleschi’s dome. The climb is definitely long and can feel claustrophobic if you let your thoughts take over. Luckily, there are small windows every 30 steps or so through which you can feel a slight breeze and peek out as you climb.
There are two balconies on the way up where you can appreciate the sprawling fresco painting that adorns the entirety of the ceiling of the dome This is where you catch your breath. “The Last Judgment” is simply astonishing and a little bit scary. The apocalyptic themes and graphic depictions of the layers of hell and the cardinal sins being the first sight to grace your eyes after climbing hundreds of stairs with the closed-in walls at your sides is just *chef’s kiss.*
This is how to spend one day in Florence: You’re out of breath, trying to steer your brain away from the oncoming anxiety attack induced by claustrophobia, while simultaneously attempting to keep count of the number of steps you’ve climbed so you can pretend you’ll be able to do the math in your head to figure out how close you are to 463. BUT I PROMISE IT’S WORTH IT.
After endless climbing, you come out to the balcony at the top of the dome and the most incredible view of Florence. Walk around the circumference of the dome and wonder if this is real life — I daydream about this view constantly. I’m a sucker for panoramic views of just about any city, but this one really is breathtaking and unforgettable.
Your best bet is to buy Duomo tickets in advance so you can have your preferred choice of time slots. I recommend choosing the slot closest to sunset OR the earliest time slot available depending on the rest of your itinerary. The time you visit the Duomo is all about what vibe you’re going for and your schedule. The early-morning light is soft and nice for photos, but you can imagine how iconic a catching a sunset is. For 30 euros, you get access to Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s bell tower, the baptistery, the Duomo museum, and the Santa Reparata archeological site found underneath the Duomo.
GALLERIA DELL’ACCADEMIA DI FIRENZE
I recommend you hit Galleria dell’Accademia next (or even right after getting off the train). This is home to Michelangelo’s mystical and mind-blowing “David” sculpture. The small art museum gets very crowded because thousands of people flock here daily. You’ll also find other marble works by Michelangelo and art by other Florentine artists. Get your Accademia Gallery tickets ahead of time because tickets sell out. I don’t recommend you try to buy tickets for the same day.
The museum isn’t huge. The main attraction really is “David.” I remember hurrying through the halls only quickly glancing at the other works of art, mostly religious paintings, on the walls with the brewing anticipation of finally setting eyes on David’s magnificent height and features. And seeing it for the first time took my breath away a little bit. Although slightly cross-eyed, its anatomical accuracy is that of mythical fantasies (except for the missing muscle on David’s back). I marveled at how an actual human being created such a detailed 17-feet-high sculpture with his hands and some tools. Anyway, it’s definitely worth seeing it for 16 euros a ticket and won’t take too much time off your day if you’re mainly interested in the “David” statue.
PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA
The beautiful Piazza della Signoria is a good next stop as it’s considered the actual center of the city. Here, you’ll find some wonderful statues, a replica of the David and the Neptune fountain, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Loggia dei Lanzi. The inside of Palazzo Vecchio is very beautiful with its sculptures and statues. However, it’s not free and there are often really long lines to get inside. Alternatively, entrance to the Loggia dei Lanzi is free. You can also see some really good replicas of statues here. The piazza is a beautiful spot for photos or for taking a break to people watch!
UFFIZI GALLERY
Uffizi Gallery is one of the most-renowned museums in the world and most important museums for works of the Renaissance. It stands a few steps from Piazza della Signoria. A must-see in Firenze, the gallery houses world-famous artworks and otherworldly sculptures by Italian artists like Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello and more in its 45 museum halls. If you have to pick only one museum to visit during your day trip to Firenze, make it the Uffizi Gallery. Definitely buy Uffizi tickets online in advance for 26 euros. The top 7 things to see in Uffizi Gallery are the “Birth of Venus,” the “Ognissanti Madonna,” “Medusa,” “Medici Venus,” “La Primavera,” “Venus of Urbino” and “Bacchus.” As you start to figure out how to spend one day in Florence, allow at least a couple of hours to enjoy the Uffizi Gallery.
STREET ART IN FLORENCE
Art is in the veins of Florence — the birthplace of the Renaissance. Not only does this art live inside the museums and palazzos of Firenze, but it also pulsates through its walls and cobblestone streets. The two times I visited Florence, I constantly found myself stopping as we walked to take photos of every piece of art I saw on the street. The street art in Florence exudes a beautiful clash between the old and the modern that gives it a unique twist. Blub‘s reinterpretation of the “Girl With the Pearl Earring” from his series “L’Arte Sa Nuotare” was my favorite. The series features famous art works whose subjects are portrayed underwater (see above). You’ll spot these pieces on the walls all around the streets in the historic center So technically, it counts as one of the free things to do in Florence.
PIAZZA DELLA REPUBBLICA
Piazza della Repubblica in Florence used to be the heart of the city. It has gone through many changes since its founding. Nowadays, you can enjoy artists, musicians, the beautiful antique carousel, a few historical cafés, fine-dining restaurants and more. Walk south down Via Calimala from Piazza della Repubblica toward Ponte Vecchio and you’ll eventually find a lively area with stalls where you can buy Florentine leather goods and other souvenirs. The market stalls are very colorful. You’ll find anything from belts and wallets to scarfs and purses at decent prices and of decent quality. If looking for pricier/higher-quality items, it’s better to shop at one of the many boutiques throughout the Florence historical center.
PONTE VECCHIO
Ahhh, Ponte Vecchio. You see, I have a personal, tragic story about this place. But first, let me tell you about this wonderful piece of history in Firenze. It’s the only bridge that wasn’t destroyed during World War II and its structural arches span the Arno River. It was built in the year 996 during Roman times — like whut? That thing is old.
Back in the day, you could find all kinds of shops here, including fishmongers and butcher shops. But that got a bit stinky so they decreed that only goldsmiths and jewelers could have shops on the bridge. Nowadays, that’s still most of what you can shop for on the bridge — jewelry, souvenirs and the like.
Now to my Italian tragedy. It was a beautiful spring day, clouds partly shrouded us from the sneaky, slightly humid April heat. My friend and I were walking across the bridge, looking around in awe and disbelief that we were actually there, almost 6,000 miles from home. No, of course, I was not paying attention to where I was stepping as I held up my camera and unsuspectingly captured footage for a future travel vlog. “Look! It’s a rainbow flag!” My friend said as we approached the beginning of the bridge. I looked and kept walking without putting my camera down. Then, I twisted my ankle on the cobblestones and dropped my camera. And that is how I ended up camera-less barely halfway through our 8-day trip. I’m still mourning that camera btw. RIP.
PALAZZO STROZZI
Palazzo Strozzi is a historical building that perfectly exemplifies power and wealth along with Renaissance architecture in Florence. Built between 1489 and 1538, the palazzo was home to one of Florence’s oldest and wealthiest families — the Strozzi family. You know how it goes in terms of drama when it comes to money and power. I was surprised to learn about this family’s exile from Florence at one point. The palazzo was built to compete and appear richer and more powerful than other wealthy families in Florence.
The transformed space now hosts several art exhibitions a year, a permanent exhibition on the building’s history, and other events through the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation. There’s also a café and a museum shop!
I really enjoyed their Jeff Koons exhibition in 2022. I liked that we were able to fit it into our one-day trip to Florence since the space isn’t huge. Purchase tickets online for 21 euros. Plus, if you’re in the mood for fancy shopping, you’ll find luxury stores all around Palazzo Strozzi. In my case, I merely subjected myself to heavily salivating in front of the Celine window for a few minutes. Please mark my words, I’ll be back soon.
PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO
This spot is still a must-see in Florence in 2024! From my extensive pre-tip research (AKA Florence TikTok), I found that watching the Tuscan sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo is at the top of all the lists of how to spend one day in Florence. Warning — this place gets veeery crowded. Head over to the square from the historic center by crossing Ponte alle Grazie and walking up the streets. Google Maps is a godsend as a traveler and that’s how we found our way to Piazzale Michelangelo by foot. On the way there, we stopped at a gelato shop and I lamented the loss of my camera while devouring my lemon and strawberry gelato.
The view from Piazzale Michelangelo is stunning despite the crowds that gather daily to watch the sunset. If you’re wondering how to spend one day in Florence, I’d leave this spot until the end. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to get back to the Santa Maria Novella train station by bus or 45 minutes by foot. We took a bus back and saw a bit more of the city outside the historic center. Even from the foggy bus window, you can so easily see the pure charm overflowing from Firenze’s streets. I also can imagine that the Piazzale Michelangelo sunrise is equally as magical as the sunset!
In my opinion, these are some of the top things to do in Florence if you’re short on time. Florence is small enough that you can tackle most of the major sites in one day. But I can assure you that you’ll fall in love and want to come back to spend more time in this wonderful city.
That is all from me on how to spend one day in Florence. Now, I want to hear about YOUR Florence stories! Leave a comment down below to let me know what your favorite sight is in Firenze!
