One day in Florence Itinerary | A guide of Florence in 24 hours, main attractions and how to skip the line.

See Florence’s iconic sites and hidden gems in just 24 hours with this complete 1 day Florence itinerary. Beat the crowds at the Uffizi and Accademia and see Florence’s top attractions.

Florence explodes with art, history, culture and mouthwatering food. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, it’s easy to spend days getting lost in Florence’s beauty and charm. But even with limited time, you can see Florence’s highlights in a single day if you plan ahead.

This complete one day in Florence itinerary shows you exactly how to see the best of Florence in 24 hours. We’ll visit Florence’s top sites like the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery, as well as lesser-known gems.

With pre-booking and early starts, you’ll dodge the lengthy lines and hordes of tourists. Our Florence in a Day guide has you covered with the best things to do in Florence in one day, where to eat, and how to get around.

What you will see in one day in Florence

Overall Florence One day itinerary

Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is a beautiful city filled with art, culture, and history. With just one day to explore this magnificent city, you must make the most of every minute.

In this article, we have curated a comprehensive one-day Florence itinerary that covers all the must-see attractions and hidden gems the city offers.

Morning in Florence

Start your day with a visit to the magnificent Duomo di Firenze, also known as the Florence Cathedral. The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and its dome is the largest brick dome ever constructed. Climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome for a stunning view of the city.

After admiring the Duomo, head to the nearby Baptistery of St. John. The Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence and is famous for its bronze doors, which depict scenes from the Bible.

Florence itinerary | Mid-Morning

Next, take a short walk to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important art museums in the world. The gallery houses an impressive Renaissance art collection, including works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli. Again, we recommend booking your tickets in advance to avoid long queues.

Lunch in Florence

After all that art, it’s time for some delicious Tuscan cuisine. Head to the Mercato Centrale, a large indoor food market, for authentic Italian food. The market offers various food options, from pizza and pasta to seafood and meat dishes. Remember to try the Schiaccia, the Antico Vinaio is one of the popular places.

Places to visit in the afternoon in Florence

After lunch, make your way to the Palazzo Pitti. This grand Renaissance palace was once the residence of the powerful Medici family. The palace now houses several museums, including the Palatine Gallery, which has an impressive Renaissance art collection.

Next, head to the Boboli Gardens, located behind the Palazzo Pitti. The gardens are one of the most beautiful in Italy and offer stunning views of the city. Finally, take advantage of the Grotta del Buontalenti, a spectacular cave adorned with intricate sculptures and frescoes.

Evening

As the day draws closer, and your Florence one day itinerary is almost over, stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, a historic bridge that spans the Arno River. The bridge is famous for its gold and jewellery shops, which have operated since the 16th century.

Finally, end your day with a visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce, the final resting place of many famous Italians, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. The church is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture filled with beautiful frescoes and sculptures.

Florence One Day MAP

Start early, and have Italian breakfast style

The key to exploring a place quickly is to wake up early and boost your day with a proper breakfast. Well, Florence is not the exception. Doesn’t matter if your ideal breakfast is savoury or sweet; it will give you a meaning to wake up and start your day exploring the city with the right motivation.

Florence is a vibrant city from sunrise, and there is no better way to experience the first lights from the riverside. Walk over Florence and discover the beautiful view you have of Ponte Vecchio and the Vasari Corridor; pass under the arches of the Uffizi Gallery to reach your breakfast bar.

The alternative is to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia. The door of the beautiful gallery opens at 8.15 am, and you will get fewer people queuing. Book your ticket in advance to gain 15/30 minutes on your morning routine.
The galleria dell’ Accademia also offers a timed entrance, which costs only €18 booking in advance; a guided tour for €30 (Reserve it here!) and if you are late, a skip-the-line ticket for €25 (Likely to sell out, Book early as you can)

If you are going for the timed entrance and skip the line ticket, you might have time to stop by a typical Italian café. The coffee shops in Italy are quick, with pastries on show behind the glass from where you can choose. The Italian breakfast is simple with a cappuccino, drinking standing up at the counter, eating a cornetto (croissant) and fresh orange juice.

Book your tickets in advance

Booking in advance is the best practice of expert travellers. Planning your trip in advance might get you a couple of steps ahead and avoid waiting in line. Think about summer in Florence with temperatures over 30°C, and you are in line to access the most exciting landmarks. It is annoying, isn’t it?

Also, considering you have only one day in Florence, already having the tickets becomes extremely important.

The major attractions you have to look for advanced tickets are:

• Galleria dell’Accademia
• Giotto Tower
• Florence Duomo
• Uffizi Gallery

Make your Florence one day itinerary smoother as possible by taking advantage of purchasing tickets online. We love suggesting our fellow travellers Get your guide, reliable and providing e-tickets in minutes.

Go for skip the queue tickets

One day in Florence is a short time, and you have to make the best of it. Avoid queuing for long and go for skip-the-line tickets. Planning one location in the morning with a jump-the-queue ticket and one in the afternoon, you will cover the best of Florence in just 24 hours or less. The difference between regular tickets and special no queue ones is very minimal but will give you more freedom to explore the city in a shorter time.

Our favourite Skip-the-line tickets in Florence:

• Uffizi Gallery Skip the line and timed entrance | €18
• Florence: Accademia Gallery | €27
• Florence Cathedral Priority Entrance | €19
• Leonardo da Vinci interactive Museum | €8 
• Medici Chapel Reserved Entrance | €12

Chose in advance where to eat in Florence

Italian food is crazy, and in Florence, you will definitely have the best meals. Your one day Florence itinerary should absolutely include where to eat in Florence. As you will have a short time in the city, planning a few snacks, street food or quick bites for lunch and a great Italian restaurant for dinner is better.

At lunchtime, the place to go is Antico Vinaio. This is the most popular spot. The small shop is right in the centre of Florence and prepares tasty “focaccia”. These sandwiches are filled with local products and are called “schiaccia” thanks to the flatbread used to create this tasty sandwich. You can fill the schiaccia with prosciutto, cheese and many other products. We also suggest booking a cooking class in Florence to enhance your skills. Also, check out our dedicated blog post.

Suggested tour for foodies | Try a Florence food experience

How to get around Florence in one day?

Florence is a small city with a walkable old town. While exploring Florence in one day, you should concentrate on the visit to the city centre. You can walk everywhere past the station of Santa Maria Novella, and spend about 30/40 minutes walking from one end of the old town to the other, straight from the station to the Arno river banks.

To reach Michelangelo Square on top of the hill, you can walk the steep staircase or take public transport. The ATAF buses are regular, and you can purchase a ticket at the local “Tabacchi”.

In your one day Florence itinerary, you will discover mostly the city centre of the city. The historic centre of Florence is built on an ancient Etruscan Settlement, which was enhanced in beauty during the Renaissance and the government of the Medici Family. The Renaissance was the period when Florence reached the highest point in the cultural and economic aspects. Since 1982 the historic quarter has been part of the Unesco world heritage site.

In our Florence one day itinerary, we will walk you through the most significant landmarks of Florence in the easiest way possible. Your perfect day in Florence starts here. We suggest also planning to stay at least one night in Florence to fully enjoy the beautiful sunrise on the Arno river.

Basilica Santa Maria Novella

Arriving in Florence by train, the first sighting of the city is the Basilica Santa Maria Novella. This fabulous church is often skipped because tourists arriving in Florence for one day are rushing out of the central station. However, Santa Maria Novella is the perfect welcome to the artistic Florence.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella has been the main “Chiesa Domenicana” in Florence. The interior is very colourful, calling out similarities to the architecture of Venice.

For us, Santa Maria and Santa Croce are the most charming churches in Florence, and we definitely recommend visiting them. The charm of this place at night is incomparable; this is going straight on the list of top things to do in Florence in one day.

Visit the David of Michelangelo at the Galleria dell’Accademia

After refuelling and marvelling around the Basilica, it is now time to head to one of the masterpieces of Florence, Galleria dell’Accademia. The wonderful gallery is home to Michelangelo’s masterpieces and is unmissable on a one day itinerary of Florence. We recommend pre-booking the ticket entrance in advance, and if you can afford the skip-the-line ticket even better.

Since you have only one day in Florence and might miss a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, which needs more time, the Galleria dell’Accademia is a good compromise. The most famous work of Michelangelo is exposed; check out the original David in all its glory.

Location | Via Ricasoli
Opening Hours | Tues-Sat 8.15 am – 6.50 pm

Like a local in Mercato Centrale

After walking a lot through the exhibitions in the Galleria dell’ academia is time to dive into local traditional moments. Aperitif is not only in the afternoon, but it is the time between breakfast and lunch in Italy. Every time of the day is the perfect excuse to stay with friends and take some free time from work. We suggest you visit the market between 10.30 and 12, that is when locals visit it, after that time it’s just too busy.

The best way to experience Florence like a local is in the Mercato Centrale, just 7 minutes away from the Accademia. Sit at one of the outdoor bars, sip a quick espresso, or eat some snacks. Wander around Mercato centrale and sniff the fresh products sold at the market. The market is on two floors, with alleys specialised for different kinds of food. The bustling market is one of our favourites in the city, and you can’t miss it.

LOCATION | Via dell’ariento
OPENING HOURS | Mon-Sun 7am to 6pm

Book your ticket to Florence Dome:

• Florence Cathedral
• Climb up Brunelleschi Dome
• See the city from above from Giotto’s bell tower
• Admire St. John’s Baptistery
• Snap photos at the gates of Paradise

Brunelleschi Dome | The most recognizable sight of Florence

The city’s symbol, Brunelleschi Dome is a must see in Florence, Italy, in a day. The Dome, which covers Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, is known as Brunelleschi Dome. It is the most iconic attraction in Florence.

Did you know that you can climb up to the Dome and have a wonderful view over Florence?

Now you know. There is a ticket which you can buy and skip the queue. This is a top attraction in Florence, so it will be worth buying the ticket in advance. Our best travel tips are always regarding planning your journey in advance, skipping the queue if you have just one day in Florence, and taking the best from the city.

Giotto’s Bell Tower

Giotto’s bell tower is a magnificent example of Florentine Gothic architecture and, for sure, is one of the four main monuments in Piazza del Duomo. Making your way up to the top of Giotto’s Campanile will be one of your life’s best moments. Once you reach the top, you will have a stunning view of the city surrounded by hills. Don’t forget you will have a unique perspective where you can admire Brunelleschi Cupola and the Cathedral.

Climbing the top is not easy; there are 414 steps and no lift. There is also a ticket to purchase in advance; for a low price, check your ticket here. If you only have one day in Florence, we highly suggest you purchase a combo ticket for the Piazza del Duomo attractions.

Book your ticket to climb up Giotto’s Bell Tower now!

Gates of Paradise | An underrated masterpiece of Florence

The Gates of Paradise, the main gate of St. John’s Baptistery, is in front of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. This is an unmissable sight of Florence and, for us, a perfect photo spot in Piazza Duomo. Each wing of the Gate of Paradise contains five rectangular reliefs of scenes from the Old Testament.

Michelangelo called the Baptistry door Gates of Paradise for its impressive beauty. However, tourists often skip this sightseeing, so we suggest hiring a local guide to explore Florence when you are short on time. 

Here you will find all the best guides Tours of Florence that we suggest. 

Also Read: Reasons why visit Florence, Italy

Wander around the wonderful Piazza della Repubblica

Piazza della Repubblica is your last stop in Florence before lunch. It has already been a hectic morning, and sure you are starving. However, Florence is so beautiful that you will not think about food until you enter traditional Italian eateries.

It’s time to quickly explore Piazza della Repubblica, another square in Florence’s old town. The piazza is surrounded by several popular coffee shops, like Giubbe Rosse, one of the most frequented by many famous artists and writers.

Piazza Della Repubblica creates an exciting contrast with its historical surroundings, narrow alleys, and centuries-old buildings. It is one of the main reasons we fall in love with Pizza Della Repubblica and because it is a perfect spot to take pictures as well.

Grab some lunch and relax before the last leg of your one day in Florence

After a quick stop to admire Piazza della Repubblica, just 3 minutes away walking, there is the Pig statue, a place of myths and legends of Florence.

This area is called Mercato Nuovo, and you can find a lot of shops to grab a quick bite. You know we love markets, and around Mercato Nuovo you can find everything to chill a bit and rest. Check out for a focacceria, for some local products. This basic street food is a bread base filled with prosciutto, cheese or other ingredients you can choose from. The most famous focacceria in Florence is the “Antico Vinaio” which always has a huge queue outside at lunch time and is not ideal when you are tight on time, exploring Florence in one day.

Wander over to the Piazza della Signoria

In your itinerary of what to do in Florence in one day, you must visit Piazza Della Signoria. It’s the symbol of the Florentine Republic and also the main square in the old town. For us, Piazza della Signoria is the place that shows off Florence in all its beauty; I mean, it is an open-air gallery. Unmissable to walk around for at least half an hour or even one hour.

Enjoy the Neptune Fountain, the stunning Palazzo Vecchio and the collection of sculptures in the Loggia dei Lanzi. As you can see, wherever you look, you find masterpieces. This is the real Florence, the ones that stand out for charming, and it amazes you with every corner.

Neptune Fountain | Florence in a day

Located in Piazza Della Signoria in front of Palazzo Vecchio, Neptune Fountain was built by Bartolomeo Ammannati and Guambologna to inaugurate the new aqueduct. It’s an impressive fountain where the surrounding statue only highlights the central figure, Neptune, who stands predominant over the other statues.

The complex of this square is just stunning, with many masterpieces of the golden age of Florence. This is a must-see in Florence in one day. We headed here early in the morning to be able to snap the best of this fountain.

Loggia dei Lanzi

The statue of Perseo holding Medusa’s head reminds me of what happened to those who crossed the Medici. The graceful Loggia dei Lanzi sits to the right of Palazzo Vecchio, an open-air sculpture considered one of the most beautiful and historical, which you can find under the arches of Loggia dei Lanzi. The sculptures attract tourists here, but they are still here for the shades. But we are honest, and this makes one day in Florence worth it.

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio is right in the square’s centre and is home to the local council. This has been the symbol of the power of the families ruling Florence and Tuscany for centuries. At the entrance is a copy of the David on the side of Neptune’s fountain. You can walk through the entrance and admire the lions sculptures but also turn inside, getting to the top to admire Florence from above. Palazzo Vecchio was the residence of the Medici family, and you can visit it while on a day tour of Florence, purchasing the ticket in advance.

Your tour of Florence in one day needs to lead to the Uffizi Gallery. Believe us, and it is impossible to visit the Uffizi Gallery while on a single day in Florence. The beautiful exhibition needs only a half-day minimum if you purchase the skip-the-line ticket. The queue to enter the museum is huge since early in the morning.

However, even just walking through the entrances and checking the statues of people who made great Florence is an experience.

If you want to avoid all our Florence Itinerary from the beginning and get just into the Uffizi Gallery, feel free to do that; however, we suggest planning at least two days in Florence to not leave with sour.

The main attraction in Florence, Uffizi Gallery, must be on your bucket list when planning a one day in Florence itinerary. The perfect place to admire some of the most renowned works by Giotto, Botticelli, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and many others. All the tourists who arrive in Florence and want to visit the Uffizi Gallery know that there are long queues to wait.

One of the main reasons is that only small groups of visitors can enter, but if you don’t want to wait a lot, you can pre-buy the tickets in advance, paying only a small fee.

Planning to visit the Uffizi Gallery? Buy here your Uffizi Fast Track Entrance.

Walk across the Ponte Vecchio Bridge

We are almost to the end of our Florence itinerary in one day, and Ponte Vecchio is unmissable. Better arriving for the sunset to admire the lights on the Arno River. We have to be honest; been to Florence many times, and we were able to experience a walk across Ponte Vecchio also early in the morning for the sunrise with all the shops closed, which was fantastic.

But let’s jump in some fun facts about Ponte Vecchio. When the Medici moved from Palazzo Vecchio to Pitti Palace, they decided they needed a connection between Uffizi and Pitti Palace. They built Vasari Corridor, which runs above the little goldsmith shops on the Ponte Vecchio. All the shops on Ponte Vecchio today are jewellery shops. As Ferdinand, I decreed that only goldsmiths and jewellers would be allowed to have their shops on the bridge in order to improve the wellbeing of all.

Now, if you need to propose to your partner and are in Florence, you know where to go.

Enjoy the sunset from the Piazzale Michelangelo

Last stop on our guide to Florence in one day is Piazzale Michelangelo. The huge square is one of the most incredible panoramic spots in Florence. The well-known viewpoint of Florence is chosen to admire the sunset and the city’s skyline. Piazzale Michelangelo is just 20 minutes walking from Ponte Vecchio, with steep stairs to climb.

Grab some snacks and a drink to enjoy the romantic view of Florence (It is one of the most romantic cities in Italy, after all). From Piazzale Michelangelo, you can easily spot some of the most recognizable sightseeing of Florence, the Brunelleschi Dome, the Giotto’s tower and many others.

After Piazzale Michelangelo, you can enjoy a tasty dinner in a proper Tuscan restaurant. The most popular dish is meat, with a juicy steak called Fiorentina.

Basilica di Santa Croce

Situated in Piazza di Santa Croce another sightseeing attraction is Basilica di Santa Croce. The statue of Dante Alighieri will welcome you into the square, just on the side of the Basilica. The thing that we love to underline is the lateral part of the building. It is nude, not gorgeous like the facade, but curious. The Altare Maggiore,  the high altar, is a unique piece of baroque art. Are you still thinking about what to do in Florence, Italy? Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, or just go around with a certified guide that will show you the best in a short time.

Gardens of Florence

The city’s green side is the Boboli Gardens, where you can enjoy a fancy picnic or just grab a quick sandwich. At sunset, it is time to hike up to the Piazzale Michelangelo; from there, you will have the best view of Florence.

If you like it, you might also like:

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More Time in Florence?

Florence is not the only place to visit in the fantastic Italian Region of Tuscany. This part of Italy is gorgeous, you can check for cities like Pisa, Livorno or Siena. If you are landing in one of the main airports of the Italian Capital, Rome, you can dedicate one day to Florence and Pisa. From Rome to Florence by Train will take you just 2 hours.

Staying in Florence will help you to see more of the city. So many places are uncovered in this guide as in one day in Florence it is possible to see just the main attractions. Two of the main things we love suggesting to you to see and are way underrated are the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.

Many private transfers will take you all around the Tuscany Countryside, which is a fabulous experience to do, hiking vineyards and drinking great wine. If you are arriving in Livorno by cruise, you can enjoy the seaside of Tuscany or visit Pisa, just half an hour away. An alternative route is to go by train one day to Florence from a cruise ship. We also suggest all time to get one day exploring Florence and then taking a group tour to the beautiful valleys of Tuscany.

Florence to Milan day trip

Florence is well connected to Milan as well. Many trains pass by Florence and arrive in Milan in less than 2 hours. That’s the main reason why many travellers organise a whole trip starting in Rome, travelling to Florence and ending in Milan, all done by train. Also, check the best Italian road trip itineraries, to the fantastic routes by car.

After spending one day in Florence, you can plan a Florence to Milan day trip and discover the Fashion Capital of Italy.

Plan your one-day itinerary in Milan and check our guide.

Day trip to Florence from Rome

Planning an Italian Itinerary? Florence needs to be on your list of places to visit in Italy. Medici’s city is just 2 hours away by train from Rome. The city is also reachable by bus; cheap routes are available with 4 trips a day. From the main train station of Rome – Termini – you can choose between Trenitalia and Italo; both have fast trains. Check the best offers for your train tickets.

Trenitalia has also got a cheap trip with a Regional Train that will take longer, about 3 hours for the same route. The last option is not the best if you plan 24 hours in Florence. Usually, flight tickets to Rome are cheaper than landing at the Firenze Airport.

See our itinerary on how to spend 2 days in Rome.

Where to stay overnight in Florence

How to get to Florence

Florence is in an advantaged position in Italy. The city is centrally located and easy to reach from Milan, Venice, Rome and Bologna. So you can have the best one day in Florence just by hopping on a fast train that connects you to other fabulous cities around.

The best way to take a short trip to Florence is by train. The easiest way is also affordable and convenient if you book in advance. Check out the latest offers.

There are many trains from all the cities in Italy, leaving as early as 5 am, arriving in a couple of hours in Florence. So your trip is comfortable and can be just a midpoint to reach your final destination.

For example, for us, it was convenient to visit Florence. We started our journey through Italy from Rome, and our final destination was Bologna. Right in the middle there is Florence. The train from Rome to Florence is just 2 hours and will take you from Termini Station to Santa Maria Novella. We booked accommodation in Florence and stayed overnight, taking the best of one day in Florence. The day after, from the same station in Florence, we reached Bologna in 35 minutes. Also consider that it is easy to go from Florence to Venice for another incredible day trip in Italy.

Florence is one of our favourite cities in Italy after Naples and Rome. It’s a busy city where people from all over the world visit it for just one day.

These are the best tips for visiting Florence. If you have only one day in Florence, plan your journey in advance:

• Start your day early
• Have an Italian breakfast to motivate you to wake up so early
• Organise your day in advance and book all the tickets that you might need
• Pick up food options ahead. As in Florence, you must try the typical Schiaccia or prepare a quick sandwich if you feel lazy.
• Pre-book museums entrances
• Opt for a skip-the-line ticket in Florence
• Follow our map itinerary to have the best of a short time.
• Plan to visit Florence in the shoulder season

Book your insurance for Florence

Don’t travel anywhere without travel insurance, no matter your journey. We have learned that at our expense, while travelling from Florence to Bologna, Toti lost his baggage, well, having insurance is pace of mind.
Even though Florence is safe, the pandemic taught many people that things might go wrong everywhere in the world, and insurance is frequently the only option to mitigate any problems with the least cost or stress to you.

Hey Mondo | COVID-19 coverage, medical expenses and total travel costs. A fantastic app with 24-hour medical care and no extra charges. You can save 5% on your insurance by booking through our link.

SafetyWing | COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and insurance can be purchased while travelling for digital nomads.

Where to eat in Florence for dinner

Florence and Italy are well known for their amazing and tasty food. All around, from North to South of Italy, you will eat well. Florence has some great traditional food dishes and in one day it is impossible to try everything. We will suggest that you head to Via dei Neri. This is the main street of the wine shops, small restaurants and “focaccerie”.

Now that we have attracted your attention, we will give you another tip to try in your 24 hours in Florence. “Lo Schiacciavino” is a small restaurant just behind the Theater of Verdi. It is a place frequented by locals, with average price and super yummy. If you want to learn how to cook a proper Italian meal, sign up for a cooking class in Florence. We have the perfect guide to check which one is the most suitable for you. Look out for our guide to the best cooking classes in Florence.

Summary: One day in Florence Itinerary

We loved Florence so much even though it was full of people, at the beginning of Summer in Italy. The architecture, art and history are combined in one fantastic city, creating the best open-air museum free to visit. You will love it if you are planning even one day trip to Florence.

The city centre of Florence is small enough to be visited in one day. So take your camera with you and start to stroll around. Little spoil, you will walk a lot. We did almost 30 kilometres in a day in Florence, looking for the best things to do in the city and trying not to miss anything.

The Piazzale Michelangelo is the highest point of Florence; take it as your last place to visit in the city. Michelangelo Square is on the other side of the old town, easy to reach with public transport as well. San Lorenzo Market is another pin on your map of Florence’s things to do; it is the right place for food lovers. Finally, we can’t recommend enough to sign up for a cooking class in Florence. This is the perfect activity to understand the Italian lifestyle and get back home with new skills.

Also, check the Vegan guide to Florence, you will find an amazing spot where to eat.

One day in Florence Q&A