A Perfect Florence in One Day Itinerary

Ah, Florence. This beautiful Tuscan city on the river Arno is a popular destination on many people’s Italy bucket lists. There’s great food, impressive architecture, art, history and shopping.

For many people taking a holiday in Tuscany, seeing Florence in one day might be all you have time for since there are so many beautiful Tuscan hilltop towns!

If you only have 1 day in Florence, the list below covers some of the best things to do in Florence, Italy. Truly one of the best things you can do is turn that GPS off and wander the streets it’s the best free thing to do in Florence for sure!

I’ve been fortunate to visit Florence several times with family and always find something new which makes me appreciate the city even more.

Read more: Check out this ultimate 7-day Tuscany itinerary

Check out the following places to see in Florence and add some to your Florence in one day itinerary!

About Florence, Italy

Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region. It’s a beautiful city with centuries of history and is home to masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. This includes the famous Florence Duomo, the Galleria dell’Accademia which houses Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture and the Uffizi Gallery.

Whether you’re short on time and are trying to see Florence in a day or have longer to spend in this beautiful city, you won’t be short on things to do. It’s one of my favourite Tuscan cities and there’s always something new to discover!

Where is Florence?

Florence is in Italy’s Tuscany region which is in central Italy. It’s just over 3 hours north of Rome and about 1.5 hours east of Pisa making it easy to plan a day trip from Florence to Pisa.

Travelling to Rome? Check out my things to do in Rome in 3 days itinerary!

How Many days in Florence?

It can be tough to know how many days to spend in Florence. While this Florence itinerary focuses on one day in Florence with some suggestions of the top sights to see in Florence, you could easily spend 3 days in Florence.

If you’re planning to spend time going into museums then definitely plan for more than one day. The museums are vast and interesting and some of the top places to visit in Florence.

If you’re just taking a whirlwind tour you can visit the markets and top sights in just a day in Florence.

Getting to and around Florence

Whether you’re coming from the UK or elsewhere getting to Florence is pretty easy.

Flying to Florence

Getting to Florence from the UK is super easy (and usually pretty cheap!)

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

Alternatively, if you’ve yet to choose your dates then take a look at Dollar Flight Club, once signed up you can set your home airport(s) and then they’ll let you know when they find amazing deals on flights. The savings they find every day AMAZE me.

Once you’ve arrived at either Florence airport, or nearby Pisa, either pick up a rental car or catch a train to Florence city centre.

Omio is a great platform for booking European and UK travel on. You can check train and bus prices and schedules and book super easily!

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Driving to Florence

If you’re staying in Rome, or somewhere else in Italy, you can take a Rome day trip to Florence by car.

It’s a long drive, around 3 hours, but it can be done in a day if you leave early and plan to spend the whole day in Florence.

How to get around Florence

One of my favourite things about Florence is how walkable it is. You can get pretty much everywhere just on foot (so pack comfortable shoes!).

If you do need a day off from walking you could get a bus around town. It’s pretty easy to work out how to use it even with low skills in Italian. Just look up the routes beforehand on the Autoline Toscance site.

You can also get tickets to the Hop on, hop off bus that will take you to the main Florence attractions. These are usually a good way to get some more information about what you’re going through as well as not get lost on public transport!

Where to stay in Florence

I always book my accommodation through Airbnb or Booking.com. Below are some of the best hotels in Florence, Italy

• Pietrapiana: A beautiful apartment right in the centre of Florence
• Firenze Duomo Suite: Gorgeous apartment super close to the Duomo.
• Hotel Milù: Super close to the Uffizi Gallery & Ponte Vecchio making it one of the best places to stay in Florence, Italy

Florence in One Day Itinerary – Best things to do in Florence

If you only have 1 day in Florence

If you only have one day and are wondering what to see in Florence in 1 day then you’ll be pleased to know you can fit in quite a bit. The majority of the things that are a must-do in Florence are pretty close to each other.

Here are a few places to visit in Florence in 1 day:

• The Duomo
• The Piazza Della Signoria
• The Uffizi Gallery (if you’ve reserved priority tickets)
• Mercato Centrale – leather goods and food!
• Stroll the Ponte Vecchio
• and eat ice cream

Climb the Florence Duomo

Florence’s Duomo, the Florence cathedral, is without a doubt one of the main things to see in Florence, Italy. In fact, you almost can’t miss it!

You can climb to the top of it if you feel like taking on 476 stairs. From here you’ll get views of the entire city and that’s a magnificent site to see. A ticket to climb the Duomo in Florence will cost about 8Euros.

Save time visiting the Florence Duomo with these skip-the-queue tours!

• Florence Dome climb priority entrance tour
• Skip the queue guided tour
• Cathedral ticket & dome reservation

Or the Bello Tower

Alternatively, you could climb the Bell Tower just next to the Duomo. From up here, you’ll get a good view of the Duomo and it’s slightly cheaper too, at just 6Euros.

Find funny street art

One of the more quirky and fun things to do in Florence is to check out this humorous street art.

As the Renaissance capital of the world, Florence also has a less well known contemporary art scene. Street artists such as Clet Abraham have been changing street art signs into pretty funny artwork. You’ll see them all around the city and they’re bound to put a smile on your face.

Cycle the city

One of the best things to do in Florence is to hit the bike paths. Luckily for cyclists, these paths actually go straight through some of the city’s most scenic neighbourhoods.

There are bike rental stands just outside the Santa Maria Novella station and it’ll cost you roughly 10Eurso a day. Grab a map and hit the trails!

• Florence 2-hour cycling tour
• Florence by bike photography tour
• i-Bike Florence – gets loads of great reviews!

Get Coffee at Chiaroscuro

One of Italy’s most sacred rituals is sipping espresso at the bar. They’re practically obsessed with the quality of the espresso and not in a beard-wielding-hipster way either.

At Chiaroscuro’s espresso bar you’ll get to sample a variety of beans from over 15 countries. It’s the place to go for the real Italian coffee experience.

Eat as much ice cream as you can

One of my Florence highlights is feasting on ice cream. It’s believed that Florence is the birthplace of Italian ice cream. Perche’ No is known for its seasonal flavours such as rose and lavender or, my favourite, salted caramel. It’s been open since 1939 and also has plenty of traditional flavours.

Another great gelateria option is La Carraia. This is just across the river and is tasty, fresh and surprisingly cheap. You can get a scoop for only one euro!

Picnic at Giardino delle Rose

Between Piazzale Michelangelo and San Niccolo is a little garden which is a nice place to relax from Florence’s hustle and bustle.

Inside Giardino Delle Rose you’ll find over 350 varieties of roses, lemon groves a Japanese garden and great views of the city too.

Pack some snacks (and a bottle of red!), and head here in the afternoon for a relaxing picnic.

Visit Mercato Centrale

Everyone knows that Italian food is delicious (and especially Tuscan food!) Some of the best food in Tuscany is on offer at the covered Mercato San Lorenzo (Mercato Centrale) and you should definitely head here hungry! There’s fish, meat, bread, the best olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, truffles and more.

Once in the market, make sure to get a “panino con lampredotto” (tripe sandwich). This typically Florentine sandwich might sound strange but it’s a local delicacy so you’ve got to try it!

Top tip: the stalls with lots of signs in English will probably have inflated their prices for tourists, so either be prepared to haggle or steer clear.

There’s also an upstairs area now with food stalls serving up charcuterie boards and more.

Find even more food at Mercato Sant’Ambrogio

This market is less well known than Mercato San Lorenzo. It’s a bit smaller but you’ll find the same high-quality, delicious Tuscan produce and is another great addition to your Florence sightseeing list.

Learn about leather

During your trip to Florence, you’ll quickly learn that Florence has a long tradition of leather making. There are leather bags, wallets, belts and shoes on sale pretty much everywhere.

At Santa Croce’s leather school you’ll be taken through the leather making process step by step. You’ll learn about how it’s sourced, sewn and dyed. You can take a one hour tour for 14euros if you’re interested in learning all about leather.

Check out the Uffizi

The Uffizi museum is one of the reasons so many people visit Florence. Leave yourself plenty of time to explore this Florence museum and the classics housed inside such as Venus de’ Medici; The Birth of Venus; Bacchus and Ognissanti Madonna. 

Also, make sure to walk along the Vasari Corridor where you can walk from the Uffizi to the Palazzo Pizzi on the other side of the river. Make sure you book tickets in advance to avoid waiting in very, very long lines.

Skip the queues at this Florence tourist attraction with these tickets!

• priority tickets
• 2-hour priority tour at the Uffizi Gallery
• Reserved tickets for timed entry

Explore the Bargello Museum

If you’re not museum-d out after visiting Florence’s Uffizi and the Accademia then take a look around some of the smaller museums in Florence, Italy. The Bargello Museum is one of these.

It’s the national sculpture museum and is home to Donatello’s sculpture of David in bronze. There are also ancient artifacts from Europe and the Middle East.

Visit Villa Bardini

Villa Bardini dates back to the 14th century and sits on top of a hill looking down on Florence. The villa has two small galleries and some beautiful gardens. It’s a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing in Florence.

Head up to the Belvedere Terrace, from where you can see Brunelleschi’s dome, the Piazzale Michelangelo, and the tower of Palazzo Vecchio.

Eat bistecca Fiorentina

If you’re wondering what to do in Florence, Italy with regards to food then here’s a top suggestion…

You might see hoards of people scrambling to get into the restaurant, il Latini. It’s a famous Florentine restaurant known for its super thick bistecca Fiorentina. AKA a huge steak.

If you don’t want to wait then head on over to Ristorante del Fagioli. This restaurant has been open since 1966 and serves up delicious bistecca Fiorentina too. Maybe even better…

Visit Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti is the largest palazzo (palace) in Florence. It was once owned by the Medici family who you’ve probably heard of before. Inside you can visit a whole eight different galleries!

Go people-watching at Piazza Della Signoria

Another thing to add to your ‘what to see in Florence’ list is the Piazza Della Signoria. This Piazza is the historic and political centre of Florence. and is right next to the Uffizi Gallery.

It’s a good place to rest after taking a look at all the art in the museum and do some people watching too!

La Basilica di Santa Croce

The Basilica Santa Croce was built for more common citizens of Florence. It’s just 15 minutes walk from the Duomo so you can easily combine the two in one morning.

It houses the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini and many more well-known Italians. For this reason, Santa Croce is also known as the Temple of the Italian Glories.

The piazza right in front of it is beautiful too and there are plenty of bars and cafes.

Palazzo Strozzi

At Palazzo Strozzi, you’ll find a different exhibit with pretty much every visit. The exhibits are also in English as well as Italian so you’ll be able to fully understand what you’re seeing.

Grab a bottle from an enoteca

You can’t come to Florence without sampling some (or a lot of) Italian wine! Head into one of the countless wine shops (enotecas) and pick up a bottle. It’s bound to be good.

Watch the rowers on the Arno River

Walking along the Arno River is a great way to take in Florence. From river level, you’ll also get a great view of the architecture (and escape the crowds).

You’ll undoubtedly see some rowers on the river at some point during your stay in Florence as their club is right next to the Ponte Vecchio. As a former rower myself I’m pretty jealous of their training ground!

Eat at La Cucina del Garga

If you visit La Cucina del Garga make sure to call ahead (+39 055 475286) and make a reservation as it’s one of the best places in Florence. Then, ask to sit in the painted room. They serve some of the best food in the city and it’s not that well known amongst visitors. Get some burrata and enjoy a variety of authentic Tuscan dishes.

Day trip to Fiesole

This is one destination you won’t find in many guidebooks or on websites, however, it is definitely not to be missed. If you have more than one day in Florence make sure to go here as it’s one of the best day trip from Florence ideas.

Fiesole is a town and commune in the Italian hills which looks down onto Florence. If you thought the views from the Duomo were good you haven’t seen anything yet.

Simply make your way to Piazza San Marco and buy a ticket for about 1 euro 20. Take the number 7 bus straight into Fiesole which leaves every 15 minutes.

Fiesole has a beautiful little monastery as well as great walks providing spectacular views of the whole of Florence. It also claims to be the place of Michaelangelo’s first flight and houses an ancient amphitheatre and Etruscan archaeological site with a great museum that is well worth the price (~7€).

It makes a truly great day trip from Florence, Italy

Options if you’d rather take an organized day tour

• Fiesole and Medici Villa half-day tour from Florence

Piazzale Michelangelo

One thing you simply must do on a visit to Florence is to watch the sunset over the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. It’s probably the most well-known view of Florence but you’ll see why when you experience it yourself.

We drove past here as we entered Florence and you get incredible views of the Duomo and the rest of the city. It’s a must-see for your 1 day in Florence!

Stroll the Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is another must see in Florence.

This famous bridge was the first built across the Arno River and is the only surviving bridge from Florence’s medieval days.

The bridge is lined with shops selling gold and silver jewellery as well as souvenirs. It’s also a very popular place from which to watch the sunset (probably one of my top things to see in Florence when the light is right!). Visit at sunrise and the bridge will be a little emptier but just as beautiful!

Wander through the Oltrarno neighbourhood

Meaning “Across the Arno”, the Oltrarno neighbourhood is home to local artisans. It’s filled with quaint streets and wonderful shops and restaurants. Many visitors to Florence miss this area entirely and that’s a shame since it’s one of the coolest places to visit in Florence.

Make sure to wander the streets here and enjoy the Piazza Santo Spirito, the trees, and a younger, more bohemian crowd. It’s more of a “locals” neighbourhood so the atmosphere you will breathe here is absolutely different.

There are good local coffee places and wine bars and some of the cheapest restaurants in town. It’s one of the more non-tourist things to do in Florence. What’s not to love?

Get pizza at Gusta pizza

The lines at Gusta pizza are often very long but the pizza here is some of the best you’ll ever have. They don’t have a website but they don’t seem to need one!

Eat authentic Tuscan

Eating Italian food is one of the top things to do in Florence (and anywhere in Italy for that matter!).

If you’re after something other than just pizza and pasta then head to La Beppa Fioraia for some authentic Tuscan food. It’s on the opposite side of the Arno to most of the things to do in Florence but it’s worth heading over for this tasty food.

Day trip Tuscany from Florence

Florence is well located for seeing other parts of Tuscany, Italy. If you are planning 2 days in Florence or more, plan to visit some of the beautiful hilltop towns in Tuscany or cities such as Pisa and Siena.

Do some luxury shopping

At Piazza Santa Trinita you’ll find Via de’ Tornabuoni which is home to Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo, Versace, and many more. Even if designer labels aren’t your thing wander down this street for some entertaining window shopping.

Final thoughts on what to see in Florence in one day

This Florence 1 day itinerary is packed full of the top things to do in Florence Italy.

I’ve spent many days in Italy, including 1 week all at once and other holidays to Florence and enjoyed putting together this Florence one day itinerary.

When it comes to what to do in Florence in one day, you’ll want to tick off the Florence highlights such as the Ponte Vecchio, the picturesque squares and the Duomo, but there’s so much more to see too.

Plan your what to do in Florence for a day itinerary carefully and you’ll be able to fit in most of these fun things to do.

Extending your trip to Tuscany? Check out this one week Tuscany itinerary.

Last Updated on June 9, 2023 by Hannah