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Guide to Firenze
FIRENZE · ITINERARY

Florence in 3 days – Complete itinerary

3 days / 2 nights · Renaissance, art, architecture, historic districts

The route is organized by area: the first day is devoted to the monumental and political heart of the city, the second to Oltrarno and its gardens, and the third to the San Lorenzo district and nearby museums. The main stops are within walking distance, but visits to museums and monumental complexes take time and often require reservations. Climbing Brunelleschi's dome must be booked in advance and is not guaranteed: the itinerary also includes alternatives for admiring the Duomo without going up. The costs shown are rough estimates in euros and may vary depending on tickets, exhibitions, and access conditions.

Stops
6 · 6 with location
Mode
Walking
Route
Not available
Source
Mapbox · walking

Stops on the map

Duomo, historic squares and the Uffizi
Foto: sailko · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 1

Duomo, historic squares and the Uffizi

09:00–21:00 Intense, with breaks

Discover the monumental city center and the iconic works of the Renaissance without straying from the historic heart.

09:00

Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral

Start in the square to take in the cathedral façade and the whole monumental complex; allow about 60–90 minutes for the interior visit and any waits. Entry to the cathedral may be free, while any monuments and passes have indicative costs from about €15 to €30, depending on the option and availability. The climb to Brunelleschi's dome requires booking and is not guaranteed: check the official channels in advance.

If you can't get a spot for the dome, spend more time on the exterior and the cathedral visit.

10:45

Baptistery of San Giovanni

Head to the baptistery in the same square and focus especially on the interior mosaics and the bronze doors, which can be seen from outside. Allow about 30–45 minutes; admission may be included in a complex pass or have an indicative cost of about €5–15, to be checked before visiting.

To see the doors at leisure, also pause on the outside side facing the Duomo.

11:45

Walk to Piazza della Signoria

Reach Piazza della Signoria on foot in about 10 minutes, passing through the streets of the city center. Spend 30–45 minutes in the square and admiring the sculptures of the Loggia dei Lanzi, which can be visited from the outside without a ticket; take in Palazzo Vecchio and the layout of the buildings that tell the story of Florence’s political past.

The stone surfaces are uneven: wear comfortable shoes.

12:45

Lunch in the historic center

Stop at a trattoria or a place between Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi so you don’t stray from the route. A simple meal costs roughly 15–30 € per person; for something quicker, you can opt for sandwiches and deli food for about 6–12 €.

In the most central streets, prices and wait times may be higher.

14:00

Uffizi Gallery

Dedicate at least 2–3 hours to the collection, focusing on the Renaissance rooms and planning a break if you want to visit more sections. Tickets are typically priced at around 20–35 € or more in high season and with surcharges; check availability, rates, and booking options on the official website.

Advance booking is strongly recommended; also check the entry rules and current exhibitions.

17:15

Ponte Vecchio

From the Uffizi, reach the bridge in about 5–10 minutes on foot. Cross it at a leisurely pace and admire the shops and the Vasari Corridor from the outside; walking across the bridge is free and takes about 20–30 minutes, longer if you want to stop for photos.

In the late afternoon it can be crowded: for wider views, you can also admire it from the riverfront streets.

19:00

Dinner between the city center and the riverfront

Stay in the city center area for dinner without making any extra trips. Budget around 20–40 € per person for a restaurant meal, with variations depending on the menu and venue; make a reservation if you’re traveling on a weekend or in high season.

Getting back to accommodations in the center is usually done on foot; for places farther away, consider the bus or a taxi.

Oltrarno, gardens and panoramic views
Foto: Almaak · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 2

Oltrarno, gardens and panoramic views

09:00–21:00 Walks and moderate uphill sections

Explore the south bank of the Arno among historic residences, gardens, and scenic viewpoints.

09:00

Palazzo Pitti

From the city center, cross the Arno on foot: from Ponte Vecchio it takes about 5–10 minutes. Allow 1.5–2.5 hours for the spaces and collections you’re interested in; the ticket can cost approximately 10–25 € or more depending on the museums included and any exhibitions, so check official prices and opening hours.

Choose the sections you want to visit in advance so you don’t overload the day.

11:30

Boboli Gardens

Enter the garden from the Palazzo Pitti complex and allow at least 1.5–2 hours for the paths, fountains, and viewpoints. The grounds are large and partly sloped; admission may be included in combined tickets or cost approximately 10–20 €, with prices and access to be checked on official channels.

Bring water and check for any sector closures or weather-related restrictions.

13:30

Lunch in Oltrarno

Head back toward Piazza Pitti and choose a local spot in the neighborhood, staying close to the next stops. For an informal lunch, budget around 12–25 € per person; sitting down at a restaurant can bring the estimated cost to 20–40 €.

Leave some extra time for breaks: visiting Boboli involves quite a bit of walking.

15:00

Basilica of Santo Spirito

Reach the basilica on foot in about 10–15 minutes and spend 30–45 minutes admiring the restrained facade and Renaissance interior. Entry to the church may be free or may involve specific conditions and contributions; check worship times and visiting arrangements before you go.

Avoid visiting during services and respect the guidance for places of worship.

16:00

Stroll through the Oltrarno district

Spend an hour wandering the streets around Santo Spirito, among artisan workshops, squares, and studios. This is mainly a stop for strolling and observing: step into shops only if they’re open, and keep in mind that opening hours may vary.

On Sundays and public holidays, some workshops may be closed.

17:15

Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo

From the center of Oltrarno, you can walk uphill in about 30–45 minutes along sloping streets and stairways; the elevation gain is approximately 80–100 meters. Alternatively, take a direct or connecting city bus, depending on the active route, for about 15–25 minutes: check the route and ticket on the local transport operator’s website.

If it’s pouring rain or you’re tired, reach the viewpoint by bus or swap the climb for a flat walk along the Arno.

18:00

Viewpoint and return

At Piazzale Michelangelo, stop to take in the views over the rooftops and major monuments; the stop is free and lasts as long as you wish. To head back to the center, you can walk down in about 25–35 minutes or take a city bus, checking service frequency and evening departures.

The viewpoint can get crowded at sunset; bring an extra layer in cooler seasons.

20:00

Dinner in Oltrarno

End the day in the neighborhood or head back toward the center on foot, crossing the Arno. Dinner at a restaurant typically costs around €20–40 per person; check for any surcharges and book ahead at the most popular places.

If you return by bus, check the evening schedules before sitting down to eat.

San Lorenzo and the Great Masters
Foto: Sailko · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 3

San Lorenzo and the Great Masters

09:00–18:30 Museum visits and short walks

Take a deeper look at the San Lorenzo district and get a close-up view of some of the city’s most famous works.

09:00

Mercato Centrale

From the historic center, it’s about a 10–15 minute walk to the market; allow 45–60 minutes for the stalls and the covered building. Shopping and breakfast options vary in price: budget roughly €3–10 for a snack and €10–25 for a meal, checking opening days and hours.

Stall availability may vary depending on the day and the season.

10:00

Basilica of San Lorenzo

From the market, it’s just a few minutes on foot to reach the basilica, one of the places tied to the history of the Medici family. Allow 45–75 minutes for the visit; admission and access conditions may depend on which areas are open and on religious services, so check the official information.

Wear respectful clothing and check for any interruptions due to religious services.

11:15

Medici Chapels

The chapels are next to the basilica: plan on about 60–90 minutes to explore the monumental spaces and Michelangelo’s sculptures. Tickets typically cost around €10–20, with possible variations for discounts and exhibitions; check availability and booking options on the official channels.

Make sure the ticket you choose includes the sections you want to see.

13:00

Lunch in the San Lorenzo neighborhood

Stay in the market and basilica area to avoid unnecessary transfers. For a casual lunch, budget around 10–25 € per person; a table-service restaurant can cost roughly 20–40 €.

If you have a museum visit booked, leave enough time to reach the entrance and stick to your time slot.

14:30

Accademia Gallery

Reach the gallery on foot in about 10–15 minutes. Plan on 1.5–2 hours for the visit, including Michelangelo's David and the other collections; the ticket can cost roughly 15–30 € or more with booking and surcharges, to be checked on official channels.

Book in advance whenever possible: availability without a reservation is not guaranteed.

16:45

Break and stroll in the area

After the museum, stop for a break in the nearby streets or head back toward the center on foot in about 10–20 minutes. Coffee and drinks typically cost around 2–6 €, depending on the venue and table service.

Use the time to make up for any delays from earlier visits.

18:00

End of the itinerary

From San Lorenzo you can reach Firenze Santa Maria Novella station on foot in about 10–15 minutes, or head back toward the historic center. For a longer transfer, consider bus or taxi, checking in advance for any roadworks, detours, and travel times.

If you have a train, leave a suitable buffer for the journey and access to the station.

Estimated budget

Accommodation for 2 nights, double room€180–500 per room
Meals and drinks for 3 days€90–210 per person
Tickets for museums and monuments, depending on your selection€50–120 per person
Urban transport€5–20 per person
Additional entrances and activities€0–40 per person

Indicative amounts in euros (€), local currency in Italy; these are not verified prices and may change depending on season, availability, bookings, accommodation category, and personal choices. Before visiting, check costs, opening hours, accessibility, and reservations on the official websites of the museums, monuments, and public transport.

Practical tips

  • Book the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery in advance; check the official website for time slots, rates, and access rules.
  • Brunelleschi's Dome requires a reservation and availability is not guaranteed: check official channels and consider, as an alternative, visiting the cathedral and the accessible areas of the complex.
  • Wear comfortable shoes: the city center has stone paving and the climb to Piazzale Michelangelo is steep; in case of bad weather or fatigue, you can use the local bus.
  • Check opening hours, closures, religious services, any shutdowns, and prices before each visit: they may vary depending on the season and operating conditions.