2 days in Florence itinerary
This 2 days in Florence itinerary will help you visit all the must-sees, like Michelangelo David statue and the Duomo di Firenze, as well as the lesser-known but not to be missed spots in the birthplace of the Renaissance.
The itinerary includes approximately 6h of activities on each day, but it’s a very good balance between museums fuzz, and chill moments on the Florentine natural landscapes.
Day 1
1. Accademia Gallery
The sooner you start your day, the better chances you have of beating the crowds and be one of the first to set your eyes on Michelangelo’s David statue. This marble statue is a worldwide known symbol of Florence that you just can’t miss!
The rest of the Accademia Gallery has plenty of impressive works of Renaissance to offer as well, including the most expensive Stradivarius violin in the world.
In order to have a relaxed trip, make sure to buy your tickets in advance as the tours run out very fast! You can choose between going at your own pace with the skip the line ticket (which you can upgrade with an audio-guide or live guide), or have more details about the masterpieces over a 1h guided tour. For a tiny difference of 1€ you can have a 1h15 guided tour in the morning, right after the opening of the Gallery, which is a very good way to avoid the big crowds.
2. Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze)
The Duomo, or Florence Cathedral, is a mark in the Florentine landscape, one of the biggest christian churches, and was a construction challenge for its time (1359).
The entrance to the cathedral is free. However, if you want to access the Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Giotto Bell tower, and experience the remarkable panoramic view over Florence from the top, we advise you to book the audioguide tour below. And be aware that these tickets run out very fast, as there are very few slots available.
There are other guided tours with a shorter duration, that may be a good alternative in case you don’t want to access the Dome, or in case the tickets above ran out of stock. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Opera del Duomo Museum, which was where Michelangelo built the famous David statue!
3. Lunch at Mercato Centrale
It’s time for a break of the intensive cultural morning, and to get some energy back after all the 463 stairs you climbed to visit the Dome. Even though it has “market” on the name, there are dedicated spots for lunch, where you can sit like in a normal restaurant – it’s a bit similar to Mercado da Ribeira in Lisbon (in case you visited already).
In case you want to have a longer lunch break, and experience more of the gastronomic variety that Florence has to offer, you can book a Food Tour that takes around 2h30.
4 & 5. Fontana del Porcellino & Piazza della Signoria
Before heading to the next historical building, we advise you to enjoy the free art in the outdoors of this city. Between Mercado Centrale and Fontana del Porcellino, have a stopover at the oldest pharmacy of Europe, Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella founded in 1221, where now you can buy perfumes and soaps with recipes that date back hundreds of years.
The next suggestion, Fontana del Porcellino, is part of a legend that says that if you rub its nose, you will be lucky! Everyone does this, and that is why his nose is the only golden part. On top of that, if you make a wish and put a coin inside its mouth, and the coin drops inside the grid that collects the water, your wish will come true!
At last, head towards Piazza della Signoria, one of the most iconic squares in Florence, where Palazzo Vecchio is located. This is basically a free-to-enter open-air museum where you can find some of the most famous statues in the world carved out in marble, like Neptune Fountain, Loggia dei Lanzi, Medici lions and the heroes Menelaus and Hercules.
If you want to know more of these hidden treasures, check here for city tours that will allow you to know Florence on foot. If you feel like giving your legs a break, try the Hop on Hop off Bus ticket:
6. Palazzo Vecchio
This landmark located at Piazza della Signoria was built between 1299 and 1314, and was one of the official houses of Medici family from 1540 to 1565.
Although much of the Palazzo Vecchio is now a museum, holding artworks from Michelangelo and Giorgio Vasari, it still stands as a symbol of local government, being in fact the seat of the Commune of Florence and the Communal Council.
You can choose from skip the line tickets with an explanatory videoguide, to the ones that include the visit to Arnolfo Tower, which is a very good option in case you couldn’t access the Dome at Florence Cathedral, so you can enjoy the panoramic view over the city.
Take the remaining hours available on this day to have dinner on the city and recover your energies for the second day, where you will have museum visits, and nice sunset outdoor spots to enjoy your gelato!
Day 2
1. Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, is one of the oldest and most famous museums in the world. It displays works from the 12th to the 18th century, and its rooms are arranged by styles in chronological order. This is where you can find the best collection of Renaissance artworks in the world!
To better immerse yourself in the history of the famous works of Rembrandt, Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci, you can go for a guided tour. If you want to explore on your own while listening to the explanations of the audioguide, buy your priority entrance tickets here.
Get organized in advance as the Uffizi Gallery books out super fast!
2. Ponte Santa Trinita
It’s time to clear out your eyes from all the beautiful details from Renaissance artworks by heading for some outdoor views!
Ponte Santa Trinita is 500 years old, and you should visit this second-most famous bridge in Florence to have a great angle at the most famous one: Ponte Vecchio!
Take the chance that you are crossing the Arno River to have lunch at the Piazza Santo Spirito — a closeby square with a lively atmosphere and some of the best food in Florence.
3 & 4. Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens
Palazzo Pitti was the former residence of the Medici family, that bought it in 1549, and asked Vasari to expand the building. The size of the building increased considerably, and an elevated walkway was built to connect the former royal residence, Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti, across the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. This walkway is the famous Corridor Vasariano, that we can see on top of the Ponte Vecchio. This corridor allowed the Grand Duke (Medici) and his family to move easily and safely between their official residence and the Palazzo Pitti, in a time where the family was not totally well accepted by the public.
The Corridor Vasariano route ends at the Boboli Gardens, which is the largest green area in Florence, with caves, fountains, pergolas, marble statues, a small lake and so many wonders you cannot miss! We suggest you combine the Palazzo Pitti entrance with a sunny afternoon losing yourself within these gardens by purchasing the combo ticket ahead.
If you want to keep things separate, we suggest below the Palazzo Pitti guided tour and the skip the line entrance tickets for the Boboli gardens.
5. Ponte Vecchio
You’ve seen it from Ponte Santa Trinita before lunch, and now it’s time to step on it and see Florence from its perspective. Before Medici family intervened, this bridge was a market occupied by butchers, tanners, and farmers, but as that type of commerce was “smelly”, the Medici’s turned it into a luxurious market that remains until the present days, being Ponte Vecchio home to jewelry shops and art dealers. You can also find here a sweet treasure: gelato. This dessert was invented in Florence, so if you haven’t tried one yet, now’s the time!
6 & 7. Piazzale Michelangelo & Basilica di San Miniato
It’s time to digest all the amazing history you’ve been learning for the past two days and just wonder over this beautiful city.
One of the favorite spots for sunset in Florence is the Piazzale Michelangelo, but it can get a little overcrowded. If that is the case once you get there, walk 500m more to reach the staircase of Basilica di San Miniato, and you won’t regret. Elevated above the city, here you’ll find the very best views of Florence! You can reach the basilica both on foot or via bus lines 12 or 13.
When you still have any questions please feel free to check our F.A.Q. here.