Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is often referred to as the 'Athens of the Middle Ages'. The city is credited as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is home to countless masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. To make the most of your time in beautiful Florence, you need a well-planned itinerary which covers all that the city has to offer. Our 3-day itinerary guide has the best places to visit in the city, travel tips and everything you need to plan a trip to Florence and more!
3 Days In Florence - How To Spend Your Days
3 Days In Florence - Detailed Itinerary
A Beautiful Florentine Day
Piazza del Duomo
Florence Duomo
Mercato Centrale
Piazza del Duomo
Located in the heart of Florence, Piazza del Duomo is one of the most visited places in Europe. The square houses important historical landmarks, including the iconic Florence Cathedral, Giotto's Bell Tower, Baptistry of St. John, Opera del Duomo Museum, Loggia del Bigallo and more. Explore the beautiful square in the early hours of the day when it's not as crowded for the best experience. There are dozens of eateries in the area like Panini Toscani, the Braceria dei tre amici or VETRERIA Ristorante Boutique.
Florence Duomo
Arguably Florence's most well-known landmark, the Duomo Florence, also known as Florence Cathedral, is an integral part of Piazza del Duomo. The immense cathedral features a stunning pink, white and green facade and a charming campanile which towers over the Florence cityscape. You can get to the dome of the cathedral by paying €18 and climbing 463 steps. Incredible panoramic views of Florence await you at the top of the dome! Explore your Duomo Florence ticket options here.
- This attraction is very busy, and therefore you cannot avoid ticketing queues. However, there are some hacks to avoid these lines. Read up on how to skip the lines at Duomo Florence here.
- The Cathedral stands on Piazza del Duomo which has a number of other monuments and places to visit like the Florence Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Opera del Duomo Museum and Canonici’s Palace.
- You can buy a cumulative ticket to visit Brunelleschi Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery and the Crypt if you're interested in visiting them all.
- Once you’re done exploring the cathedral, you can take quick tours of these other attractions and roam around the Piazza itself.
Next, head to the Porcellino Fountain which is located next to the arches of the Mercato Nuovo. According to local legend, putting a coin in the pig's mouth and rubbing its nose ensures good luck! Apart from this quirky bit of superstition, the fountain is located to the south of the former goods exchange building. You can shop for silk, brocades and woolen clothes at the market adjacent to the fountain. If you're looking to spoil yourself with some self-care, the Aquaflor Firenze shop houses hundreds of exquisite perfumes,soaps, candles and more.
Located between via dell'Ariento, via Sant'Antonino, via Panicale and Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Mercato Centrale is another Florentine highlight. Created when Florence was the capital of Italy, the market is renowned for primarily selling various ingredients of Tuscan cuisine. You can also purchase fresh fish and shellfish or go for something that's been imported in the northern corner of the market.
- Apart from delicious food, Mercato Centrale also offers visitors a chance to indulge in some Italian shopping!
- Explore the shops selling clothes, souvenirs and leather goods. The central market is an absolute haven for shopaholics.
- It is not uncommon for Italian restaurants and shops to close down for a couple of hours during the late afternoons and early evenings, so make sure that you reach here on time to fully enjoy the market.
End your first day in Florence on a memorable note by visiting Piazzale Michelangelo. While you'll be greeted with stunning views of Florence no matter when you visit Piazzale Michelangelo, the best time to go for this experience is at the end of the day as the sun is setting. Apart from stupendous views of the city, the piazza is home to a bronze replica of Michelangelo's David.
- It is best to visit Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset.
- The Piazza can be reached both by foot and by car. For those who want to walk and enjoy the views while doing so, can walk along the south side of the river upstream towards the Torre San Niccolo.
- For those looking to save energy, you can take the local bus from the centre (no. 12 or 13), and that will bring you straight to the Piazza.
Where Culture Meets Art
Piazza della Signoria
Uffizi Gallery
Accademia Gallery
Santa Maria Novella Church
Begin your second day in Florence with a visit to the legendary Piazza della Signoria. An L-shaped square situated in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria was the original point of focus of the Florentine Republic and still represents the political focus of the city. The majestic square is flanked by Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza del Duomo and the gateway to Uffizi Gallery, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florence.
- Piazza della Signoria is perfect for those who want to admire the artistic beauty of Florence without having to pay their way to enter a museum or gallery.
- Along with the statues and sculptures, the buildings in the square themselves are beautifully and intricately designed, with most of them following the Renaissance style of architecture.
Located in close proximity to Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery is one of the most illustrious art museums in Italy. The museum holds a massive collection of priceless artwork, specifically from the Italian Renaissance period. Being one of the most visited museums in the world, Uffizi Gallery waiting times can be as high as five hours. By your tickets online to avoid standing in the queue and also visit the gallery during non-peak hours. Book yourself Uffizi Gallery Tickets online to avoid ticketing queues at the attraction.
- Given the gallery’s immense popularity, it will serve you good to purchase a skip-the-line ticket to Uffizi as the the lines to get in can get very long with an average waiting time of about 2 hours!
- Also, we recommend a guided tour of the gallery as it can get pretty overwhelming going on your own. Your professional guide will not only help you navigate through the museum but he will also provide some great insights about the various pieces of art.
The Accademia Gallery is a famous art museum in Florence. Featuring a large collection of paintings by Florentine artists, particularly from the 1300-1600 period, the gallery is renowned for housing Michelangelo's masterpiece David. The Galleria dell'Accademia is the second most visited art gallery in Florence, after the Uffizi and makes for an interesting experience since the focus is much more linear. Book yourself Accademia Gallery Tickets online before heading to this very popular attraction.
- Being one of the most popular attractions in Florence, queues to get in can get very long and the crowds inside can get massive as the day passes.
- If you’re really interested in art and are curious to learn about the exhibits in detail, we recommend taking a guided tour of the gallery.
Located opposite Florence's main railway station from which it derives its name, the Santa Maria Novella is a stunning church. Santa Maria Novella is the first great basilica of Florence and also the city's primary Dominican church. Featuring striking frescoes by artists from the Gothic and early Renaissance era, the exterior facade of the church is worth the price of admission alone!
A Touch Of Renaissance Brilliance
Boboli Gardens
Ponte Vecchio
Pitti Palace
Boboli Gardens, a fine example of the 'Italian Garden', is a historical park located in Florence. Spread across an area of 45,000 square meters, the gardens doubles as an open-air museum with statues from ancient and Renaissance periods on display. Boboli Gardens also houses large fountains and caves, including the famous Buontalenti grotto. Spend some quality time with your loved ones at Boboli Gardens in the wee hours of the morning when the crowds are limited.
- The attractions at 8:15 AM, so if you're an early riser, we recommend you get an early start to the day to avoid crowds.
Wind down for the evening by taking a leisurely stroll across the Ponte Vecchio. This medieval, stone closed, segmental arch bridge is located over the Arno River. The bridge, one of the very few of its kind, is known for still having shops built along it. While butchers initially occupied these shops, they are presently occupied by jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers.
- The Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s most photographed landmarks, so be sure to stop in at one of the many viewpoints to get a picture of the city as seen from the Arno River.
- While walking and looking around the bridge, be sure to keep your valuables safe with you as this is a prime target area for pickpockets.
Home to several important museums, the Pitti Palace was built in the 15th century by Filippo Brunelleschi for Luca Pitti. Featuring clear Renaissance inspiration, the palace now functions as the largest museum complex in Florence. Some major museums and art galleries that are a part of the Pitti Palace include the Palatine Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art, Porcelain Museum, Carriages Museum and more!
- The Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s most photographed landmarks, so be sure to stop in at one of the many viewpoints to get a picture of the city as seen from the Arno River.
- While walking and looking around the bridge, be sure to keep your valuables safe with you as this is a prime target area for pickpockets.
How To Spend 3 Days In Florence under 100 Euros
Looking to budget your one day in Florence? Here's how you can do it under 100 Euros.
Day 1: Piazza del Duomo, Duomo Florence & Mercato Centrale
€18
Day 2: Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery & Santa Maria Novella Church
€40
Day 3: Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens & Ponte Vecchio
€38
Total
€96
Book your Florence Attractions tickets on Headout, and spend just €96 on your 3-day vacation in Florence! Hit up all the prime attractions in the city and save more while you explore more.
More Florence Itinerary Options?
Don't have 3 whole days to spend in Florence? Check out our 1 day in Florence itinerary for further inspiration.
Handy Tips for your Trip
- One of the best ways to explore Florence is on foot. The beautiful city is pretty compact and you can actually travel to each of the city's main attractions within 20 minutes from the city center. This makes Florence the perfect city to explore on foot. If you're not a big fan of walking, you can also rent a bike and drive around the city.
- If you're cautious about spending too much money while in Florence, don't worry. The city isn't all that expensive, esoe if you're careful about where you spend your money. For instance, avoid tourist traps like eating next to Ponte Vecchio or the Medici Chapels since restaurant this close to major Florence landmarks will be expensive.
- Learn a few essential Italian phrases before your trip. While people will understand English, your effort to learn Italian will be appreciated. Here are a few common phrases you can learn: Hello: Buongiorno Bye: Ciao Thank you: Grazie Please: Per favor You're welcome: Prego
- A lot of museums, shops and restaurants in Florence remain closed on Mondays. Don't be disheartened if you come across a closed sign. There are attractions which are open only on Mondays which you can visit instead. These include the Medici Chapels, Casa del Vino and more!
- From the iconic terracotta-tiled dome cathedral, the Duomo to the legendary Galleria dell'Accademia, the city’s storied history makes it an absolute must-visit. On the north bank of Florence is the beautiful Piazza del Signoria, one of the most visited squares for featuring the enormous Palazzo Vecchio and the renowned statue, Perseus with the head of Medusa. These are just some of the most well-known landmarks and attractions in Florence and there's a lot more for you to explore, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti and much more!
- There's no better way to get a peek at authentic Florence than by visiting the local markets. From antique goods to organic produce, there's plenty to buy at Florence's local markets. These markets are located at Cascine Park, San Lorenzo Central Market and Sant'Ambrogio.
- Since you'll be in Florence for three days, you can opt for the convenient Firenzecard. This card follows a simple 72 formula; €72, 72 hours and 72 museums! While it's difficult to explore 72 museums in three days, you can still get access to the popular attractions within buying tickets for them individually.
- If you're in Florence for your birthday, make your way to The Duomo Museum. You can get free access to the popular tourist attraction on your birthday!
- Book your tickets for museums and other attractions online. Not only can save you a lot by opting for combo deals but you also get to skip the queue at the ticket counter for these attractions.
