Top Attractions in Florence: A 3-Day Itinerary

One of my favorite cities in the world—the place where my husband and I want to spend the rest of our life when I retire from academia is Florence, Italy. It is a magnificent, almost magical, city filled with art and history around every corner. With so many treasures packed into one city, there are many people who descend upon it every year which is why getting tickets to some of its most famed attractions can be a nightmare.

Florence is an open-air museum and much of its art and culture can wow you just from walking around, but to really take in all that Firenze (as it’s called in Italy) has to offer, you will want to check out Florence’s hot spots.

I hear from a lot of travelers and many have about three days in Florence. Even though they don’t have a lot of time, they still want to see a lot, so I’ve prepared an itinerary for my readers of Florence’s best attractions. I’ve clustered sites in areas of the city, so you save steps by not crisscrossing the city—although it’s not too big.

I’m the type of person who sees a pass offering admission to 60 attractions in 72 hours and think—challenge accepted! If you’re similarly pazza (crazy), this itinerary is for you. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, or plan to return to Florence again, adjust as needed.

There is also an ala carte menu of other attractions I enjoy in case you want to tailor to your needs or are one of the lucky travelers who have more than three days in Florence.

Buona vacanza!

Day One—today will be a day of fine art at the Medici family’s former offices followed by a walk over Florence’s famous bridge (topped by a corridor where the Medici used to walk) and then an afternoon at a former palace of the Medici and frolicking in their gardens. The side of the river is lively and filled with great food, so enjoy an aperitivo and some of Florence’s finest pasta.

Day One Morning

Uffizi Gallery—Some of the finest art in the world is found here from Botticelli to Giotto to Roman statues to Da Vinci and much, much more.
Have lunch near the Uffizi. Florence is known for its sandwiches. There is the popular schiacciata sandwich (the popular Al Antico Vinaio is nearby) or you could try the Florentine speciality of lampredotto. There are lots of good sandwich stands near the Uffizi.
Ponte Vecchio—This bridge will be unlike many you’ve ever seen, as it’s covered in jewelry shops. It is a pedestrian-only bridge and the only one that didn’t get blown up by Nazis in WWII. Look up to see the Vasari Corridor running from the Pitti Palace to the Palazzo Vecchio—it was a way for the Medici to travel without worrying about assassination.

Day One Afternoon

Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens—The Pitti Palace is not to be missed—not only will you see how the Medici lived, but you also get to take in art rivaling the amazing pieces found in the Uffizi. Then, take a stroll through the fabulous Boboli Gardens out back. Bring a snack and a water bottle—you will need it.
Since you’re on the Oltrarno side (other side of the Arno River from the historic center), I suggest wandering over to Piazza Santo Spirito to take in the evening crowds and have an aperitivo (and maybe explore the church of the same name).
Have dinner on the Oltrarno side or this would be a great time to take a food tour and you’re already in a perfect place for it.

Day Two—start of today with Florence’s most famous landmark—its duomo capped by Brunelleschi’s famous cupola. If you have the energy, give it a climb. Then, check out other Duomo complex sites like Santa Reparata crypt inside the church, the Duomo museum, and the Baptistery.

Day Two Morning

Duomo, Baptistery, Duomo Museum—The Duomo complex is amazing—you can climb Brunelleschi’s dome for fantastic views (or climb the Campanile). If that view wasn’t spectacular enough, the Baptistery has some of the finest mosaics I’ve seen. The church itself isn’t that amazing, but Santa Reparata Crypt inside is quite neat. The museum is filled with treasures but still a manageable size.
Lunch—if your second day falls on a weekday, you’re in luck as there are some great places in the area of the Duomo that serve only lunch to accommodate local workers.

Day Two Afternoon

Explore the city center. Walk over to Mercato Nuovo and rub Porcellino’s nose for good luck (Porcellino is the bronze boar fountain with the very shiny nose outside the market). Walk past Orsanmichele church, take in Piazza della Repubblica, and roam around taking in all the Renaissance architecture.
Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria—This is Florence’s city hall and public square. The palace is gorgeous; you can see the Hall of 500 and other civic spaces, as well as former Medici apartments. Climb the Arnolfo tower for a great view and cool history on the way up. In Piazza della Signoria out front, there are many fabulous statues and fountains, including a replica David. It’s a great place to be part of the merriment of Florence. Make sure you check out the Loggia dei Lanzi with its famous statues (it’s free!).
After all this sightseeing, you deserve a good meal. Tonight, might be a great night to enjoy bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florence t-bone). There are many good restaurants across the city.

Day Three—a symbol of Florence is Michelangelo’s David statue; see it in person at the Accademia. Nearby is a former monastery filled with amazing frescoes. Walk through the gauntlet of the leather market and have lunch at the Mercato Centrale. After lunch, you might want to check out a more modest Medici palace with a fabulous chapel by Gozzoli.

Day Three Morning

Accademia and David—This art museum features Michelangelo’s David statue. This alone is worth a visit but there are many other fine works within. Plus, it is a manageable size and won’t wear you out.
Museo San Marco—This monastery has fabulous frescoes by Fra Angelico. You can see where Savonarola lived and visit the peaceful cloister within. The art is fabulous and there is a nice library—although if you’re into libraries, I highly recommend the Laurentian Library at San Lorenzo (pretty much on your way to Mercato Centrale).

Day Three Afternoon

San Lorenzo Market/Mercato Centrale—walk through the stalls of the San Lorenzo leather market to see one of the products the city is famous for (although I recommend buying leather products at Scuola del Cuoio aka the Leather School or another reputable dealer). Then head to the central market (Mercato Centrale). If it’s open, the lower level has local food for takeaway while the upstairs is filled with restaurants.
Palazzo Medici-Riccardi—This is another Medici palace and a more modest one than the Pitti. Gozzoli’s “Chapel of the Magi” is a fabulous little room, but the whole palace is filled with interesting treasures. It’s much more manageable than the Pitti/Boboli, if you have limited time but want to see a palace and it’s in the vicinity of Mercato Centrale.

Visit a church. I love many more than listed but if you’re short on time, I would suggest: Orsanmichele, Santa Maria Novella, Basilica of Santa Croce, Brancacci Chapel, San Salvatore in Ognissanti, Santissima Annunziata, or San Miniato al Monte, which are all fabulous Italian churches that feature some of history’s greatest art in situ—the place they were designed for. You can see some fabulous Last Supper (Cenacolo) paintings in Florence, as well as gorgeously designed chapels by Renaissance greats.
If you still have pep in your step, or if decided to make San Miniato al Monte the church you visited, check out Piazzale Michelangelo for a great view of the city. San Miniato is a fabulous old church set atop a big hill in Florence. You can climb the hill for a workout or take a bus up. Atop check out San Miniato and enjoy in the constant revelry of Piazzale Michelangelo—a great place to see the sun set. On the way down, check out the gardens that might be in bloom.
For dinner, you might want to try some pasta al cinghiale (pasta with boar sauce) for a true Tuscan treasure. There are great eateries all over the city featuring classic Florentine and Tuscan dishes. If you’re coming from Piazza Michelangelo, check out something in the San Niccolo area. If you decided to skip the climb and went to Basilica Santa Croce (an amazing church), there are lots of great restaurants in the Santa Croce/Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood.

Other Top Florence Attractions—here are some additional ideas if you want to swap out something or have more time.

Medici Chapels—where many famous Medici are buried, these chapels are ornate and filled with treasures, including work by Michelangelo. This is very close to the San Lorenzo Market.
Bargello—another fine art museum, the Bargello occupies the space of a former jail. The art is splendid but so is the building it’s housed in. It also frequently has fewer people than the Uffizi/Accademia. Check out work by della Robbia, Michelangelo, Donatello, and much more. Between Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Croce church.
Galileo Museum—this science museum has amazing innovations, as well as some wackier exhibits—Galileo’s finger anyone? This isn’t far from the Uffizi.
Museo Horne—this mansion shows the traditions and lifestyle of a wealthy Florentine in the 15/16th century. It is filled with period furniture, art, and design. I have never seen it busy. Between Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Croce church.
Casa di Buonnaroti—a house that belonged to Michelangelo’s family gives insight into the artist’s life and Florentine history. This is near Santa Croce church.
Archaeology Museum—a museum with some great ancient artifacts. This isn’t too far from the Duomo or Museo San Marco.

Things to Do While Enjoying Florence Attractions

While you’re enjoying every bit of the art and history that Florence has to offer, don’t forget to delight in some of its other tantalizing offerings.

Do some shopping. I love the ancient pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella and the leather school (Scuola del Cuoio). There are also many high-end fashion shops on via Tuornabuoni and boutique perfumers in the city. A visit to Mercato Centrale or Mercato Sant’Ambrogio will delight foodies. Besides fashion, beauty, and leather-working, the city is also known for its marbled paper, jewelry, and mosaici. Wander around and visit the street vendors and artisan shops located throughout the city.
Eat gelato. Florence has some of the best gelato in the world.
Hang out in piazzas. I love wandering around and people-watching in various squares around the city. Some of my Florentine favorites are: Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Santo Spirito, Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria, and Piazza del Duomo.
Check out the street art. There is art everywhere in Florence—you can even see it on the street signs (Clet Abram has been altering Florence street signs for years and you can visit his studio in the San Niccolo neighborhood). Also, check out the art by Blub as you walk around.
Take a food tour or a cooking class. Tuscany has some of the most delicious food in the world in my opinion.
Have a cappuccino in a historic café. Or, try the decadently rich hot chocolate at Café Rivoire (you need a spoon to eat it!).

What you need to reserve in advance

–do this before you arrive unless you are there a long time and can wait a week or more for an open entry. I see too many people wasting hours in line because they didn’t reserve in advance. If you’re only in Florence for a few days and/or it’s a first time visiting, you might just want to book a tour to see these sites since they will handle skip-the-line access and make everything easy for you.

Uffizi
Duomo dome climb
Accademia
Cooking classes/food tours
Any special tours and/or day trips

I hope you find this itinerary for “three days in Florence” helpful and that my recommendations assist you in having the Tuscan trip of your dreams. It is a magical city and makes me swoon every time I step foot on its stone paths. Let me know what you love about Florence in the comments.

Happy travels!

Tours I recommend

These are just a smattering of the tours that I’ve tried or looked good to me. There are also several cool day trips to Chianti, Pisa, Siena, and elsewhere. Use my links below to check out specific tours or Florence tours in general.

From LivTours Florence, who generally do tours of six people or fewer or private. https://livtours.com/destinations/florence-tours?af_code=E1DDN61 (see about boat tour and others)

From the Tour Guy Florence, who specialize in smaller group tours, but might have larger—check the number listed: http://shrsl.com/4qj4o (get full on Florence)

From Viator Florence Tours: https://www.viator.com/Florence/d519-ttd?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector

I recommend checking out Viator to see a huge array of cooking classes, skip-the-line tickets, and other experiences. Always check the reviews though, since Viator is an aggregator and not a tour company like LivTours and Tour Guy. Here are a few that I’ve found that have good recommendations and seem like a good value.

Medici Riccardi Palace Florence Italy Michelozzo’s Courtyard Hall of Maps Hall of 500 Tulio Bondi Florence gelato Clet Abraham, Florence, Italy, Florence street art Clet Abraham’s Work
Blub, Florence Italy, Florence Street Art Blub’s Work Sandro Botticelli, Annunciation, Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy, Renaissance art Laurentian Library, Florence, Italy Desks on side of aisle used to hold books and have cards at end telling what was there. Porcellino statue in Florence Italy Museo Horne, Florence, Italy Last Supper by Ghirlandaio in Ognissanti church, Florence, Italy

Going somewhere? You will love our tour partners at LivTours, Tour Guy, and Viator. Check them out:

LivTours (semi-private/private tours): https://livtours.com?af_code=E1DDN61

TourGuy (small group/private tours): https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1362329&u=4109975&m=89095&urllink=&afftrack=

Viator (small to medium size groups/private): https://www.viator.com/Italy/d57-ttd?sortType=external&pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector

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