Things to do in Florence in 2 days (Best guide in 2024)

We have crafted the perfect Florence itinerary, which includes all the main attractions and optimized efficient time and directions. Within our 2-day Florence itinerary, you will have enough time to visit the highlights of one of the most visited cities in Italy.

With tips and tricks we learned in years of travelling, we will give you the best we know on how to optimize time and money on a short visit to Florence. As Italians, we know a lot about this topic, and surely following our footsteps, you will enjoy the best vacation in Tuscany.

From walking across the Arno River on Ponte Vecchio to enjoying Michelangelo’s David, an early morning Uffizi Gallery tour and climbing the Duomo of Florence. Well, it’s not everything; we will help you plan the best itinerary of Florence, filled with cultural stuff but also fun activities. Within the suggestions,, you will also get where to watch the best sunset and where to unwind between rooftop bars and speakeasy in Florence.

Are 2 days enough in Florence?

Yes, Florence in 2 days is possible and gives you enough time to explore the old town and pay a visit to the main sights. With perfect planning, you can get around the historic city centre, visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Cathedral, watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo and even take part in a cooking class.

How many days do you need in Florence?

Two days is the least amount of time you must plan to explore Florence. Spending two days in Florence allows you to explore the compact old town on foot. If you organize your itinerary in detail, it is perfect for enjoying the cultural side of Florence and mixing it with some fun activities.

At night, stick around Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral to enjoy a nice dinner with proper Florentino recipes. After dinner, walk into a rooftop bar for a drink and enjoy the charming view of Florence at night.

If you have more than two days, it helps you to embrace the slow pace and enjoy some hidden gems of Florence. If you get about 4 days in Florence, you can also plan a day trip in Tuscany, through the Chianti Valley, the beautiful Val D’Orcia, or even a day trip to Bologna (away just 35 minutes by fast train).

Best things to do in Florence in 2 days at a glance

To fullfill your wander, this is a list of places to note down and explore in Florence. Well, this is mostly a first-timer guide to Florence, and if you are interested in more, check out our guide to Why Florence is worth visiting.

Planning the perfect itinerary is always hard, anywhere in the world. With the right directions, It is maybe possible, to allow you to enjoy the city without stressing yourself. In the beginning, we thought that we would spend only one day in Florence but then, we decided to extend our stay, enjoying the city a bit more. Let’s see what to do in Florence in 2 days.

Florence 2 days guide – Map

Day 1 – Morning in Florence

On your first day in Florence, you will have the opportunity to explore the historic city centre and visit the main attractions. You can gaze over the city from the Florence Cathedral dome and the Giotto Tower, walk through Ponte Vecchio, and admire a smaller-scale replica of Michelangelo’s David.

Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral

The famous Florence Cathedral is one of the most iconic monuments of the city of Dante. The magnificent building is located in Piazza Duomo, getting its name from the presence of the Cathedral, Duomo in Italian. 

After St. Peter in Rome and St. Paul in London, this one is considered the third-largest church in the world. The beautiful architecture will make your 2 days in Florence unremarkable. It is absolutely a stunning monument to don’t miss in your visit, that’s why we have placed it at the very top of our tips.

It’s very easy to reach the Cathedral as it’s located in the heart of the city centre, where your tour around Florence will start. Yes, there are many free tours in Florence that will kickstart your visit and be confident with it. Check availability and reserve your free spot.

After visiting the Florence Cathedral, you should dedicate your morning to the monument complex of Santa Maria del Fiore. Within this area, many suggestive places are impossible to skip.

Explore the complex, which includes the Giotto Bells Tower, the Baptistery, Santa Reparata and, of course, the Dome Rooftop. These are all located on Piazza del Duomo.

Around the Dome, there are bars and restaurants where you can refresh and enjoy the beautiful view. Exploring the area means dedicating at least 3 to 4 hours to it; plan accordingly. We recommend purchasing the Brunelleschi Pass, which includes access to the main attractions within the Duomo complex, for just €42 (£36 | $46).

Brunelleschi’s Dome

It’s an incredible experience to do while in the city as it won’t happen every day. The Dome of Florence is a first sight you will spot while on Piazzale Michelangelo viewing the city panorama. But, about that, we will speak later.

Battistero di San Giovanni

St. John’s Baptistery wasn’t originally in our Florence itinerary, but we stood in front of it. The Battistero of San Giovanni, as it’s called in Italian, is one of the best buildings within Piazza del Duomo. Built between 1059 and 1128, it is older than the facing Cathedral. Most predominant people of Florence’s Renaissance time were baptized here, including Dante Alighieri.

You will be amazed by the stunning building. Our favourite, are of course the bronze door “the Gate to Heaven”. Some of the door are just a replica. The original bronze doors are today exhibited in the Opera del Duomo Museum. While is a minor sight of Florence we highly suggest you to spend a few minutes, even just having a round.

Giotto Bell’s Tower

Located in Piazza del Duomo, this beautiful example of Florentine Gothic architecture is today considered one of the most magnificent examples in the city. You can visit Giotto’s Campanile (As Italian will call it) and climb up to enjoy the enchanting landscape of Florence surrounded by hills. 

Remember that once you will be up you will have a unique view. In fact, you will have a clear view of the magnificent Cupola of Brunelleschi and the Cathedral. 

Giotto Bell’s Tower Details

Things to know about the Florence Duomo Complex

Although it is one area and you can access it with a single-day pass, each site has different opening and closing times. For updated information, visit the official website before your two days in Florence.

• Florence Cathedral: Opens at 10:15 am Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays
• Cathedral’s Dome: Opens at 8:15 am Monday to Saturday; On Sunday, it opens at 12:45 pm.
• Opera del Duomo Museum: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 7.30 pm. Closed on Tuesday.
• St. John’s Baptistery: Open every day from 8:30 am to 10.15 and reopens after the function at 11.45 until 6.30 pm. It is closed on public holidays and for private functions.
• Santa Reparata Crypt: Open every day from 10:15 am to 4 pm.
• Giotto’s Bell Tower: Open every day from 8:15am – 7:45pm.

Many travellers do the Cathedral Complex in the following order:

• Opera del Duomo Museum
• Duomo Floor
• Brunelleschi’s Dome rooftop
• St. Johns Baptistery
• Santa Reparata Crypt
• Giotto’s Bell Tower

Following the above, you can tackle some crowds, visiting the most popular early in the morning. Remember that people start to queue around 9 am to get access to the Cathedral Floor; if you book a skip-the-line ticket (like this), you can get there later and enjoy breakfast beforehand.

Regarding the Dome rooftop, you must book your time slot for the climb so that you can tailor the itinerary around it. Of course, to optimize the time, it is easy to purchase your Dome Complex Pass a few weeks before your visit.

Lunch in Florence

It’s almost time for lunch, and it has already been a very busy morning. We suggest getting a quick bite, relaxing a bit watching people walking around. One of the best things about Florence is that, like everywhere in Italy, street food is delicious.

Walk into a local taverna and sit down for a proper lunch over traditional products, or get a takeaway panini. Florence is renowned for Schiaccia. This delicious focaccia is filled with salumi, meat and cheese. It is also cheap and perfect for on budget travellers.

The busiest and most popular place is “Antico Vinaio“, but we suggest also checking less popular but very tasty alternatives. Enjoy a proper Florence sandwich at Maledetti Toscani, Retrobottega or Panino Mondiale.

Piazza della Signoria

After lunch walk to Piazza Della Signoria. this awesome square is considered the symbol of the Florentine Republic. The main attractions are: Neptune Fountain (In photo above), Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi sculptures.

Three of the best masterpieces in the city, all in one place. Once you reach this stunning square, it’s easy to realize that you can’t find a place on earth surrounded by a number of sculptures and architecture of this importance and priceless value. The best thing is that is free to visit.

You will be amazed by every corner of this wonderful city. The square is really in the historic heart of Florence and can’t be missed within your 2 days in Florence. We suggested this location also in our guide “one day in Florence”.

Palazzo Vecchio

The core of this piazza is Palazzo Vecchio, which means “Florence’s Old Palace”. This building is one of the most important of Florence even nowadays as it is the seat of the local government and Florence townhall. At the main entrance, you can see a copy of the David of Michelangelo, exposed in the Uffizi Gallery. Through the centuries, this place has been named differently, as Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori, and Palazzo Ducale, today is well known as Palazzo Vecchio.

The Palace entrance is made of 3 courtyards embellished with works by Florentine artists. The third one is the most important because it is the entrance to the paradise of the “Salone dei Cinquecento” of Vasari.

Loggia dei Lanzi sculptures

Loggia dei Lanzi is an arcade full of sculptures and masterpieces, free to visit, on the side of Piazza della Signoria. Even though the entrance is free the number of visitors is regulated to give the best experience. The Lanzi Gallery is often recognized as an open-air sculpture gallery of antique and Renaissance art.

One of the most remarkable pieces of art in Loggia dei Lanzi is the bronze statue of Perseus with the head of Medusa in the left hand of Benvenuto Cellini. You can also find the rape of Sabine Woman in white marble by Giambologna.

Piazza Della Repubblica

It’s a busy day in Florence, but before you head to the next sight, spend a few minutes enjoying the stunning Piazza della Repubblica. Not many know that Firenze was once the Capital of Italy, and this square vividly recalls that time.

Republic Square is the largest piazza in Florence Old Town. Crowded, especially in winter, when there is one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe.

This place has been the centre of Florence’s life since Roman times, and its remains are still visible by the Roman Arch. You can enjoy a beautiful view of this huge square from Via degli Speziali, or if you fancy a drink, stay at one of the restaurants in the square. At sunset, even on normal days, you will find many street artists performing in the square; this is a lively place in Florence that can’t be missed.

Porcellino Statue | Pig Statue

You are making your way to Florence Central Market, but for today, you are sorted with lunch. Keep in mind this place for day two of our 2 days Florence Itinerary. One of the main attractions of this area of Florence is the Porcellino Statue.

Known as the Pig Statue, this is one of the stops that you can’t miss in Florence. We found this statue by mistake, as we didn’t know where it was located. Below, we have placed the link to the location, which is easy to reach through Google Maps.

The Pig Statue is a well-detailed bronze carved boar. The original marble statue (in ancient Roman style) is today in the Uffizi Gallery. Cosimo de’ Medici then ordered a bronze copy to Pietro Tacca, which was displayed to the public before as a fountain in the merchant square of the city. It’s today another symbol of Florence. Despite that many other copies are around the world. One of the most famous copies of the Pig Statue is today in Sydney, others also are in Munich and overseas in Canada, outside the University of Waterloo (Ontario).

Myths and legends of Pig Statue

Like in Rome at the Trevi Fountain, also Florence has its own piece of tradition and popular beliefs. Put a coin into his mouth and make a wish. If the coin falls through the gate the wish will become true. 

Not just moneywise. The most important tradition is about its nose. While making the wish, you need to rub his nose, and if you do so, you will return to Florence one day.

Accademia Gallery Florence

You made it through the last sight of the day. It is intense walking around Florence in two days, so take plenty of stops along the way. The Accademia Gallery is all around Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, the David, another symbol of Florence. The visit to the Art Gallery takes about 45 minutes to 1-hour. During the visit, you will enjoy many other art pieces, mostly from the Florence Renaissance period.

Florence two days – Day two itinerary

As day one is ended, we are going through the second day in Florence. Usually, the second day in our guides is the most relaxing one. You will be roaming around, without running from one point to another, rushing.

Your Florence 2 days itinerary will end up with full insights into the city, and today the must-see is the visit of the Uffizi Gallery, ending with a delightful sunset on the top of the hill of Piazzale Michelangelo.

Basilica Santa Maria Novella

If you arrive in Florence by train, chances are that you stop walking, amazed by the architecture of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. It is not one of the most popular sights of Florence, but definitely unmissable. Your second day in Florence must start with a slow morning and a quick visit to this stunning beauty.

Your impact on Florence will start with the beautiful and stunning architecture of Santa Maria Novella. This church is a Basilica, as important as the Duomo.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella has been the main “Chiesa Domenicana” in the city. It is a fine example of the Florentine Renaissance, which, after many renovations and decorations over the centuries, now presents a mixed style in harmonious symbiosis with the surrounding monuments.

The interior of this Basilica is remarkable, with the chapels of Strozzi as the first sight to note on your list. Lovely is the masterpiece of Giuliano Bugiardini, made on the drawings of Michelangelo. Also, the crucifix of Brunelleschi is the only wood piece made by the Italian artist.

The Basilica is lovely by day, but at night, it becomes incomparable. Make sure you don’t forget Santa Maria Novella in your itinerary of things to do in Florence in 2 days.

LOCATION | Piazza di Santa Maria Novella

Uffizi Gallery

One of the best places that you can’t miss in your Florence itinerary is the Uffizi Gallery. We agree that the Uffizi Gallery needs at least half-day of the visit itself, and many will argue for a full day. To optimize time within your 48 hours in Florence, you must get up early and book the ticket to the Uffizi Gallery in advance.

The Uffizi Gallery opens at 8:15 AM, so you can start your day early. Florence’s most popular museum is worth exploring because of the works of Giotto, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Vasari, and Botticelli, among others. It is often referred to as one of the most priceless collections of art in the world.

Many tourists arriving in Florence just to visit Uffizi Gallery. If you are among them, it is suggested to pre-book your ticket in advance. Expect long queue, since early hours in the morning. If you don’t have a pre-booked ticket, you must queue twice, to get your ticket and then entrance slot.

When we woke up at sunrise to take pictures around the city, we found already people queuing and waiting for the gallery to open. This was before 7 AM so make sure you got your ticket in advance.

Ponte Vecchio

During your Florence itinerary 2 days, you can’t miss the lovely walk through Ponte Vecchio. 

For us, there was nothing better than waking up for sunrise and enjoying Florence with no one around. It’s a really romantic spot perfect for taking some cute photos of Florence as well.

What is Ponte Vecchio?

When the Medici moved from Palazzo Vecchio to Pitti Palace, they decided that they needed a connection between Uffizi and Pitti Palace. So they requested a corridor, well known today as the Vasari corridor, by the name of the architect.

You can recognize this story by the movie and book of Dan Brown, “Inferno”. The Vasari Corridor runs on top of the existing bridge, over the little goldsmiths’ shops on Ponte Vecchio. 

While walking through Ponte Vecchio you will see that all the shops sell jewellery. Why? Because Ferdinand I imposed that only goldsmiths and jewellers would be entitled to have their shops on the bridge in order to improve the well-being of all. This is still in place today, becoming one of the most touristic spots in Florence.

LOCATIONS | Ponte Vecchio
TOUR | Dan Brown’s film locations “Inferno” in Florence by local guide – Dan Brown’s Inferno for small group

Lunch at Mercato Centrale

It’s maybe your last day in Florence, we promised you to get this day more relaxing. After a rushing morning and early afternoon, it’s time to relax a bit and enjoy the lovely Italian lifestyle. Why don’t get in the mood in a local market, acting like a local and sipping an aperitif?

As we have introduced on day one, Mercato Centrale is within Florence Old Town. The area is very well known as San Lorenzo Market and features shopping stalls, a food court and a regular grocery market. It is centrally within the main sights of Florence and just a 6-minute walk from the Cathedral of Florence.

We placed it on day two as the Market is closed on Sunday and Monday, so make sure you visit it from Tuesday to Saturday. However, if you are here for lunch, still roam around San Lorenzo, as there are many eateries and restaurants open even on those days.

The Mercato Centrale is where all the food tours of Florence and our suggested cooking classes start. Check our guide to the best cooking classes in Florence.

LOCATION | Piazza del Mercato Centrale

After lunch walk through Boboli Gardens

Located behind Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens are one of the largest open-air museums in Florence.

The layout of this beautiful space was established by the Medici family as they wanted to create the Italian garden style that would become a model for European courts.

The gardens are adorned with many important fountains such as Neptune’s bronze and the Fountain of the Ocean. It’s one of those places worth visiting during your 2 days in Florence. 

LOCATION | Piazza de Pitti
ENTRANCE AND TICKETS | We suggest you book the tickets in advance to skip the queue.

Pitti Palace

Considered one of the largest architectural monuments, Pitti Palace is a vast Renaissance palace located on the south side of the Arno river. This gorgeous palace was bought by the Medici family and has become the residence of the Grand Duchy family of Tuscany.

Today, Pitti Palace is one of the most important sights in the world, you can’t miss visiting it during your 2 days in Florence itinerary.

Make sure you book your tickets here and explore the wonderful inside of this palace. 

On the first floor, you will find a collection of paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries and the famous Royal Apartments.

On the mezzanine and ground floor, there is the treasury of the Grand Dukes showing a vast collection of Medici treasures. On the top floor instead, you will see a collection of mainly Tuscan paintings from the 19th and 20th century. 

LOCATION | Piazza de Pitti
TICKETS | Pitti Palace Guided Tour

Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

The best view of the city is from Piazzale Michelangelo. It was the best part of our Florence itinerary and during the sunset was even more magical and charming. 

Piazzale Michelangelo is the highest point of Florence, from the top of the hill you can easily see the sights of the city from a different point of view. After discovering all the things to do in Florence in 2 days, you can easily point to the landmarks you had on your path.

The view from the top at sunset will be just an add-on to the already stunning scenario. After this magical moment, get down and eat at one of the best restaurants for a typical “Fiorentina”.

This is a big steak, from 600 grams and over. Remember that you are in Italy, and Italians eat well! While going down the hill, check out the amazing gardens to enjoy little narrow landscapes.

LOCATION | Piazzale Michelangelo

Where to eat in Florence

In our itinerary on what to see in Florence in 2 days, we can’t miss to suggest you places where to eat. This is our personal list of places, we found good for the price and absolutely tasty.

LO SCHIACCIAVINO | This place was the best for us. It’s a really typical bar/restaurant where you can try the famous Schiaccia, a common dish eaten by locals. It’s super delicious even if simple as a panini, cheap and worth a try. 

What is Schiaccia? It’s a kind of focaccia filled with different products. You can pick from tomato and mozzarella, ham and cheese and more types. You can customize it as you want, mix it up and try some local products. Sip a local Chianti wine for the best-ever food memories

MANGIAPEPE | If you want to try local food, this place is the right one. The proper Italian sandwich with delicious sides is a must-do in Florence.

BISTECCHERIA SANTA CROCE | Fancy a grilled steak? Bisteccheria Santa Crose is the perfect one. It’s one of the best places to eat in Florence and we highly recommend it. It’s in a famous location, but not overpriced as many others. Good balance between prices and taste.

Day trips from Florence

NAPLES | From Florence you can easily reach Naples within 3 hours with high-speed trains. Naples is a beautiful city and if you have the chance to stay a bit longer in Italy we suggest you visit. You can check our itineraries of Naples, for a better understanding of the location suggested. Also, you will be interested in knowing why is worth visiting Naples.

ROME | The beautiful capital can’t be missed. Who doesn’t know the beautiful ancient ruins of Rome or just dreams of a visit to the Colosseum? The train will take you to Rome’s main station in only 1 hour and a half. This stunning capital is a must-see in Italy with its lovely history, art and architecture. See our guide about how to spend 2 days in Rome.

MILAN | In less than 2 hours you can reach the famous fashion capital. Milan is an iconic city in Italy and everyone loves it. If you are planning a short trip you can easily stay for one day in Milan. 

BOLOGNA | This city in Emilia Romagna is becoming a must-see place for travellers. The stunning architecture is easy to reach from Santa Maria Novella Train Station of Florence in just half an hour, by high-speed trains, for just about 10 euros. Bologna is the perfect scene for food lovers and is in the middle way from Florence-Milan Track. It’s the ideal escape for a day or two from the chaos, as it is a small city with all the comfort of a big Metropolitan place.

Have you got more time in Florence? 4 Suggested short itineraries

A DAY IN FLORENCE | Even if you have only one day in Florence you will still be able to see the most important sights. We wrote a detailed guide of Florence itinerary for 1 day where you can explore the city without missing anything.

TWO DAYS IN FLORENCE ITALY | As you can see with our itinerary for Florence in two days, you will have a bit more time to spend and stroll around the city. If you plan in advance what to do in Florence in 2 days, you will enjoy the best of the city. 

FLORENCE ITINERARY 3 DAYS | If you are thinking of adding an extra day to your Florence itinerary you will see how with one more day, you can discover the city without stressing yourself. Maybe adding a few more hours to an indeed visit to the Uffizi Gallery, or the surrounding area of Florence. Check our list of itineraries available for Florence

FLORENCE ITINERARY 4 DAYS | Why not plan 4 days in Florence? Exploring Florence in 4 days will give you the extra time to take short day trips from Florence. Discover the surrounding area of Florence and plan a lovely day trip to one of the cities around Tuscany and close by.

Where to stay in Florence

How to get to Florence

Florence’s central position is a vantage for the city, making it possible to travel to Florence from everywhere in Italy. The city has an international airport, but low-cost airlines land mostly in the nearby Pisa.

We suggest taking trains if approaching an itinerary in Italy, as it is the best way to arrive right in the heart of Florence. Santa Maria Novella Station is within metres from Florence Cathedral, and you can get there taking a fast train from Rome, Naples, Milan, Turin, Bologna and even Venice.

If you are renting a car in Italy, we suggest parking outside the city centre, as the old town is pedestrian only (ZTL-Area). However, booking a hotel with a parking space gives you temporary access in and out of the zone without getting in trouble. If you are not used to driving in Italy, avoid getting a car while exploring Florence.

How to get around Florence

Florence city centre is very compact, and perfect if you love walking. We have done more than 20 Km per day, but it was pleasant. Everything in our Florence itinerary is within walking distance of each other and organized to minimize time waste. Taxis are allowed in Florence city centre, so if you don’t want to walk, take one on the side of the road and explore.

Best time to visit Florence

The best time to visit Florence is Spring, when temperatures are mild, and you get mostly pleasant days. However, we suggest also looking into fall in Florence, as Italy is experiencing late summer heat, so better if you want to avoid the summer crowds. We learned to love also Florence in winter, which sees very nice and warm indoor activities, sporadic snow, and nice Christmas markets.

Winter: Florence is cold in winter, with temperatures in the range of 10°C to 15°C. Temperatures drop at night, so a winter jacket is necessary in your luggage. January and February are the rainiest months. So we suggest instead looking into December for the cosy Christmas atmosphere.

Spring: The best time is, of course spring, which is overall pleasant. Bear in mind that March is the wettest month, with April varying a lot in recent years. The temperature in spring is about 13°C to 17°C getting hotter by May.

Summer: Florence has seen an increase in tourists since June, and it is the crowded season. The temperatures in Florence in summer rise to 30°C, and once while we were there in early July it was about 35°C, feeling like 39°C. With crowds comes better planning as hotels tend to be fully booked within months in advance, and long queues for main attractions.

Autumn: Our favourite time to explore Florence without crowds. People seem to ditch this time of the year; instead, with the recent climate change, Italy is experiencing late summer. September sees temperatures very similar to August, and October is milder, which makes a walk pleasant. Expect temperatures between 25°C and 32°C, with night chill and lower temperatures as November comes.

MORE ITINERARIES ABOUT FLORENCE

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FAQ | Florence itinerary