Florence in a Day: How to Spend One Day in Florence

Visiting Florence in a day is not only possible, but I can almost guarantee you’ll have a fantastic time exploring the city.

While I think anyone could easily spend a week here and not run out of things to do in Florence, sometimes we just don’t have much time. That doesn’t mean we can’t make the best of it.

Florence is known as the “cradle of the Renaissance” for its architecture, cathedrals, and monuments. It’s also known as the place to find some of the best food and wine in the world.

If that’s not enough for you, Florence is home to many of the most famous artworks to have ever been created, from Michelangelo’s David to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.

There’s something special about Florence. No matter what brings you here, it will remain in your heart long after you leave. 

Florence is the kind of place you can visit for days on end and not get bored. Whether you’ll be in town for a few days, or maybe just passing through, this post is for you. 

Read on for the top things to see and do in Florence in a Day.

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Florence in a Day Itinerary

While you can certainly visit the items listed in my Florence in a day itinerary in any order you choose, I begin the itinerary with the Florence Cathedral and surrounding sights so you can visit these before the crowds arrive.

The closer you arrive to sunrise, the better your chances of having the area to yourself for a while.

Also, the major museums do not open until after 8:00 a.m., so I encourage you to take advantage of the time beforehand.

Whether you’re in Florence on a day trip or simply moving on to explore the best towns in Tuscany, you can see most of the major sights by following this Florence in a Day itinerary.

How to get to Florence

Florence is located in the center of Italy and is the capital of the county’s infamous Tuscany region.

Getting to Florence by Train

The most popular way to get to Florence is to take the train from either Rome, Venice, or Milan. Tickets for the trains in Italy can be purchased at the local train stations the day of, but I recommend purchasing in advance if you already know your travel schedule.

You can view train schedules, routes, and purchase your tickets with Trenitalia. When traveling to Florence you will book your ticket to the Santa Maria Novella train station.

Here are the distances from the most popular nearby destinations:

• Rome to Florence: 90 minutes
• Milan to Florence: 2 hours
• Venice to Florence: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Bologna to Florence: 40 minutes
• Pisa to Florence: 1 hour 20 minutes

Getting to Florence by Air

If you prefer to fly direct, you can fly into the Florence Airport. The Pisa International Airport is also located about 90 minutes by train from Florence.

Getting to Florence by Car

If you prefer to drive you can rent a car from any of the surrounding airports. However, please be advised that you cannot drive into the historic center of Florence.

There are many pedestrian only streets and restrictions on which vehicles can travel on the city’s streets. Those violating these rules will be heavily fined. If you park in a residential area with parking restrictions, your vehicle will also be towed and you will be fined.

Traveling by car to Florence is not impossible, it will just take some additional research on how to do this without being fined or towed.

During my visit we rented a car on the outskirts of Florence to drive to Siena and explore Tuscany. We only rented the car for a day so we were able to avoid parking issues or having to drive near the city center.

One Day in Florence Tips

12 Places to Visit in Florence in 1 Day

While this one day Florence itinerary is ambitious, it is definitely doable if you’re motivated to see all the major sights in a single day.

Follow the tips I included above and keep an open mind. As with any travel day, sometimes things don’t always go according to plan especially when you have a busy schedule.

My best advice is to enjoy as much of Florence as you can. If you don’t get to see it all, you can always come back again.

Honestly though, Florence is one of the most magical cities in the world, I’m confident you’re going to love it here.

I’ve identified each of the attractions listed below in this Florence one day itinerary on the map above.

As you can see from the map, each of these attractions is located within a 10 to 15 minute walk from one another.

It is recommended that you start in the morning on the north side of the Arno River at the Florence Cathedral.

Once you’ve visited all the locations on the north side of the river you can spend the rest of the day south of the river ending at Boboli Gardens.

1. Florence Cathedral

The Florence Cathedral, formally the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, with its massive bright dome, dominates the Florence skyline.

Construction on the Gothic style cathedral began in the late 13th century, with the dome having been added in the 15th century.

The exterior of the cathedral is covered in white, pink and green colored marble. 

Admission to the Florence Cathedral is free. There is usually a long line to get in but it moves fairly quickly.

If you would like to climb to the top of the dome, you will need to purchase a ticket and reserve a time. You can purchase tickets and make reservations here. These tickets also allow you to skip the line which will save you a lot of time.

There are 463 steps to the top of the dome, so come prepared with the right shoes. The stairway is also very narrow, so if you are claustrophobic, this may not be the activity for you. 

The Florence Cathedral complex, also known as the Florence Duomo complex, is found in the Piazza Del Duomo and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The complex consists of three structures which include the Florence Cathedral, the Baptistry, and Giotto’s Campanile.

2. Giotto’s Campanile

Giotto’s Campanile is the free-standing bell tower built alongside the Florence Cathedral.

The bell tower was completed in 1359 and was designed by Italian painter and architect Giotto di Bondone. The tower stands five stories tall and holds seven bells. 

Visitors may climb to the top of the bell tower but must purchase a ticket to do so. Visitors must climb 414 steps to reach the top of the tower. Tickets can be purchased in advance here. 

3. Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence and overlooks Piazza Della Signoria. The palace itself is built like a fortress, with the tops of its walls like those of a castle.

Two statues stand in the front, one a replica of Michelangelo’s David, the other is called Hercules and Cacus. The building was initially used as a residence and the place of business for the local government, though over the years its uses have varied.

Tickets to visit Palazzo Vecchio include an audio guided tour and can be purchased here.

4. Basilica Di Santa Croce

The Basilica Di Santa Croce is a Roman Catholic Church completed in about 1385.

It sits just 800 meters from the Duomo and is the final resting place for many famous Italians including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo, to name just a few.

The Basilica Di Santa Croce is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 and closed on Sundays to visitors.

Tickets for admission to Basilica Di Santa Croce can be purchased here.

5. Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is the iconic and colorful bridge crossing the Arno river and is a must-see site even with just one day in Florence.

It was built in 1345 and was one of the only bridges in Florence not to be destroyed by the Germans during World War II.

The bridge is known for having shops built into it with merchants selling jewelry, art, and souvenirs. 

You can visit the bridge at any time, though the merchants close in the early evening. Sunrise and sunset are good times to get pictures if you’re in the area. 

6. Basilica di Santo Spirito

Across the Arno River in the Oltrarno Quarter, you’ll find the Basilica di Santo Spirito.

The interior of the basilica is considered a preeminent example of Renaissance architecture. The church was completed in 1487 and took about 40 years to build.

Basilica di Santo Spirito is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Hours may vary on holidays and weekends. Be sure to visit their website for updated visiting hours.

7. Pitti Palace

The Palazzo Pitti, or Pitti Palace, is situated on the south side of the Arno River near the Santo Spirito.

Pitti Palace was the former residence of Florentine banker Luca Pitti. In 1549 the palace was bought by the famous Medici family and became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

In the late 18th Century, it was also used by Napoleon.

Today, Palazzo Pitti is the largest museum complex in the city of Florence and is divided into several museums and galleries.

Palazzo Pitti is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 6:50 p.m.

Pitti Palace tickets can be purchased here.

8. Uffizi Gallery

No Florence itinerary would be complete without a stop at the Uffizi Gallery, also known as the Galleria Degli Uffizi.

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous museums in the world, and home to masterpieces from artists such as Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, and Caravaggio, just to name a few. 

You can purchase tickets for Uffizi Gallery here. This is a skip the line ticket with timed entry.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. It is closed every Monday.

9. Galleria dell Accademia

The Galleria dell Accademia is best known for its many sculptures by Renaissance artist Michelangelo, especially his statue of David.

In addition to Michelangelo, you will also see works from Botticelli, Pontormo, Allori, and others. 

Even if you can only visit for a short time while completing this Florence in a day itinerary, I encourage you to stop in, even if just for an hour or two.

The art and sculptures you’ll see on display here are what the city is known for, you won’t want to miss it.

You can purchase tickets for Accademia Gallery here.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. They are closed on Mondays.

10. Santa Maria Novella

Santa Maria Novella is a beautiful church found across the street from the main train station in Florence, Italy. The building of the church began in the 13th Century and lasted approximately 80 years.

The interior of the church contains many frescoes and other works by famous Italian Renaissance artists such as Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli, and Filippino Lippi.

Tickets to visit the Santa Maria Novella complex are 10 Euro per person. Hours vary depending on the time of year and day of the week. Visit their website for information prior to your visit.

11. San Lorenzo Market

The San Lorenzo Market is one of the most lively attractions in the city.

It consists of two separate markets, an outdoor market with vendors selling leather, clothing, and souvenirs, and the indoor Mercato Centrale, where vendors sell fresh food and produce.

Both markets are worth at least a quick self-guided walking tour, even if you’re not interested in purchasing anything.

The indoor market is housed in a beautiful building made from iron and glass. It was designed by the architect who created the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.

If you are planning to purchase any clothing or souvenirs from the market, be prepared to negotiate the price with the vendors.

Shoppers are expected to negotiate prices with vendors and you may get better deals by saving your purchases for the end of the day.

The vendors will be trying to make a few last-minute sales and will be more likely to accept a lower price.

The San Lorenzo Market is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

12. Piazzale Michelangelo

The Piazzale Michelangelo is the perfect end to your Florence in a day itinerary. The piazza sits upon a hill overlooking the city of Florence and provides the most incredible view.

This is an especially good place to be at sunset or sunrise if you’d like to get some great photos.

You can get to Piazzale Michelangelo by crossing the Arno River. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio or a 30-minute walk from the Duomo.

If you plan on heading north to continue your time in Italy, be sure to check out my Venice in a Day itinerary to make sure you don’t miss any sights even if you’re short on time.

If you end up having extra time in Florence, consider taking some day trips outside the city. I highly recommend a road trip to Siena or a food tour in Bologna.

13. Boboli Gardens

Boboli Gardens is located directly behind Pitti Palace and makes the perfect end to this one day in Florence itinerary.

The gardens opened to the public in 1766 and were originally designed for the Medici. Boboli Gardens represents one of the first, and most important, Italian gardens. These gardens served as inspiration all across Europe.

You can purchase tickets for Boboli Gardens here.

Boboli Gardens is open daily from 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Florence Italy Travel Guide and that I’ve inspired you to plan a visit of your own. As always, thanks for reading.

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