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How many days in Florence do you need? A 3-day itinerary

Plan the perfect 3-day Florence itinerary. Discover how many days to spend in Florence, top sights, Tuscan cuisine, and day trips in this guide.

Many dream of visiting the heart of the Italian Renaissance, Florence. This historically rich and layered city hosts masterpieces on every street corner, and if you’re wondering how many days in Florence are enough to experience it all, you’re not alone. It can be difficult to figure out the perfect balance of a well-rounded trip to Florence.

Generally, three days in Florence offers the perfect blend of sightseeing and day trips to nearby destinations. You’ll have enough time to marvel at Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, gaze at Brunelleschi’s Dome from Piazza del Duomo, and explore the Uffizi Gallery — all without feeling rushed. In fact, you can even leave room for a day trip into Tuscany’s hills. Here’s a three-day Florence itinerary, perfect for couples, families, and those on a solo trip to Italy.

In this article

Day 1: The center of Florence

Day 1 in Florence is all about exploring the city’s main treasures. If you’re wondering how many days in Florence are enough to see its main tourist attractions, you’ll be surprised at how much you can fit in one day.

Many people visit Florence to see Michelangelo’s David, one of the most iconic sculptures in the city. Source: Unsplash

Stop 1: Accademia Gallery and the city center

One thing about Italy is that you can find many famous Italian things. Located near Piazza San Marco, head towards the Accademia Gallery, home to one of the most famous sculptures in the world by one of Italy’s most renowned artists: Michelangelo’s David. Try arriving early in the morning to avoid the worst tourist crowds. Book your tickets in advance to get the best times!

The gallery is small, but even with limited time, you can enjoy Florence’s Renaissance art collection.

Stop 2: Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) and Brunelleschi’s Dome

Next, make your way towards Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as Florence Cathedral. It is the main eye-catching structure in Piazza del Duomo, along with Brunelleschi’s Dome, which can be climbed for panoramic views of the city.

Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of St. John are located next to the cathedral. Take a guided tour to learn the rich history and significance of these landmarks, or explore the area on your own for a few hours.

Stop 3: San Lorenzo

If you’re looking for a tasty bite by this point, head to San Lorenzo Market, where you can find many food stalls and famous sandwich shops serving meaty panini stacked with roast pork, salami, or truffle pecorino.

Stop 4: Uffizi Gallery and Piazza della Signoria

The late afternoon is a perfect time to explore the Uffizi Gallery, which features many timeless pieces of Renaissance art. Here, you can find masterpieces from Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael. The gallery is right beside the Piazza della Signoria, where you can also spot the Neptune Fountain and Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall.

Stop 5: Ponte Vecchio

As evening approaches, head to Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge. It spans the Arno River and is lined with jewelry shops, perfect for picking up souvenirs. Stay on the bridge until sunset for amazing photography opportunities.

Stop 6: Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is one of Florence’s most famous viewpoints. From here, you can enjoy a stunning view over rooftops, domes, and towers — a great way to end your first day in the city. Head to a nearby local restaurant after consulting trusty Google Reviews, found with data from your unlimited data Italy eSIM, and indulge in Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thickly cut T-bone steak best enjoyed medium rare.

Day 2: Florence’s hidden gems and markets

After exploring the main attractions, it’s time to explore Florence’s underrated locations and get a taste of local life. If you’re still deciding how many days you need in Florence, dedicate day two to wandering around its authentic markets and churches and trying out local delicacies.

The Boboli Gardens near the Oltrarno district are the perfect place to rest after walking through Florence’s hidden gems. Source: Unsplash

Stop 1: Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio

Start day two in this small city with a visit to Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, a quieter and more authentic alternative to the lively San Lorenzo Market. This market is located east of the historic center and offers fresh produce, meats, and cheeses.

It’s the perfect place to have a late breakfast and try out local pastries, sample some seasonal fruit, or sip a cappuccino in one of the cafes.

Stop 2: Santa Croce Basilica

Spend a few hours at the Basilica di Santa Croce, the resting place of Italian legends like Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. This grand church is the highlight of any Florence itinerary.

Stop 3: Lampredotto for lunch

Head towards San Lorenzo or any food stalls in Santa Maria Novella for some authentic Lampredotto. This slow-cooked meaty sandwich with salsa verde is one of Italy’s best foods.

Stop 4: Oltrarno

Cross the Arno River and explore the Oltrarno district, one of Florence’s more artistic and less touristy areas. You can roam the narrow streets lined with workshops and local craft stores. If you’re looking for a more underrated location, head towards the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens.

Stop 5: Enjoy Tuscan cuisine

Piazza Santo Spirito or San Lorenzo have good options if you’re looking for authentic Tuscan cuisine. Visit a trattoria offering rustic Tuscan dishes like wild boar ragu, pici pasta, or ribollita. Remember to get a glass of classic Italian aperitivo to accompany this meal!

Day 3: Day trip to Tuscany

If you’re still debating how many days in Florence are enough, day three will provide the perfect end to a well-rounded trip. After spending two full days near the city center, steer away from city life and head towards Tuscany. The rolling hills are only an hour away, making for one of the best day trips from Florence and one of the best places to travel.

Explore Tuscany’s endless greenery on a day trip from Florence. Source: Unsplash

Stop 1: Chianti or San Gimignano

Start your day trip with a half-day wine tour to Greve in Chianti or the medieval towers of San Gimignano. Both nearby towns offer unique experiences.

In Chianti, you can explore winding streets, olive groves, and vineyards with world-famous Chianti Classico wines. Going on a wine tour means visits to rustic wineries amidst views of Tuscany’s iconic rolling hills. It’s the perfect way to have a classic Tuscany experience, especially if you have limited time.

Stop 2: Lunch in the countryside before heading back

Enjoy a late lunch amongst the vineyards in Tuscany’s countryside and try some authentic Tuscan food, such as Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Cacciucco, pappa al pomodoro, and Panzanella.

Stop 3: Bargello Museum

Once you’re back in Florence, consider the Bargello Museum if you’d like to squeeze in one more museum visit. It hosts a variety of Renaissance sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo.

Stop 4: Final dinner in Florence

To commemorate your trip to Florence, treat yourself to a special dinner or even a cooking class in one of the nearby local restaurants. Go for traditional multi-course meals to experience Florence’s culture and delicacies one last time.

Planning your trip to Florence

After deciding how many days to spend in Florence, a little planning will go a long way before your visit. Read tips on how to save time and costs on your trip to Italy.

1. Stay near the city center to maximize time

Since Florence’s main attractions are near the city center, it makes more sense to book your stay in a nearby place. You’ll find it easy to walk to your destinations and even save money you’d spend on commuting if you booked a stay further away.

2. Book entrance tickets early

Book your tickets in advance for major sights like the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery, and Brunelleschi’s Dome. There’s a risk of being unable to secure a fast ticket on the same day, and lines can get pretty long, especially during peak season.

3. Begin your sightseeing early

Since Florence is a small city, it can get crowded quickly. If you want to explore the main attractions in peace and avoid big crowds, start your sightseeing early in the morning. You’ll also have much better photo opportunities.

4. Getting around Florence

Florence is a highly walkable city, and you’ll rarely need taxis or buses, especially if you stay near the historic center. Public buses are available and connect to Florence Airport and Santa Maria Novella station. Remember to add appropriate clothes and shoes to your packing list for Italy for maximum comfort.

Trains from Santa Maria Novella are convenient and budget-friendly for longer day trips to Tuscany.

Stay connected on your Florence trip with a Holafly eSIM

Reliable internet is key for navigating Florence’s streets, checking attraction times and ticket prices, booking tours, and finding the best places to eat. Instead of relying on slow public WiFi, grab an eSIM for Italy from Holafly. It instantly activates when you land, giving you unlimited data at highly affordable prices. Match your data plan to the duration of your vacation so you never have to pay extra:

2-day trip to Florence: $9.90
3-day trip to Florence: $12.90
4-day trip to Florence: $16.90

On the other hand, if you’re planning an extended trip to Italy, Holafly Connect is a better option. This is Holafly’s monthly subscription service, offering flexible data packages ideally suited for remote workers, frequent travelers, and digital nomads.

Choose from three plans (unlimited, 25 GB, and 10 GB) available in over 170 destinations.

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