Planning a Florence weekend trip can feel slightly overwhelming at first glance. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, the city is absolutely packed to the brim with world-famous art, towering cathedrals, and historic cobblestone streets. However, mastering Florence travel is much easier than you might think.
Whether you are fitting this into a larger Italian interrailing route or flying in specifically for a short getaway, a Florence Italy vacation is the perfect amount of time to soak in the highlights. From marvelling at the Duomo to eating incredible Tuscan food and navigating the narrow alleys, this guide covers everything you need to know to spend the perfect two days in Florence. Let’s dive into the logistics and the itinerary!
Florence Attractions & History
By the 15th century, Florence had become a financial powerhouse. The Medici banking dynasty used its staggering wealth to fuel an unprecedented era of patronage, funding the brilliant minds of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and Botticelli. This concentration of genius sparked the Renaissance—a massive cultural, artistic, and scientific rebirth that actively pulled Europe out of the Dark Ages.
Walking these narrow cobblestone streets today, the sheer weight of that history is palpable. The skyline of terracotta domes and imposing stone palazzos has remained incredibly well-preserved for centuries. Stepping into the Piazza della Signoria feels exactly like stepping back in time. For anyone who spent their teenage years scaling these exact medieval towers and running across these terracotta roofs in a digital world (Assassin’s Creed 2), finally getting to touch the real, weathered stone and see the true scale of the architecture in person is an incredibly surreal, full-circle experience. Any Florence Travel guide must touch on the incredible history of this gorgeous city.
Florence Must-See Sights
You could spend an entire month in Florence and still not see every fresco, gallery, or hidden courtyard. However, if you are visiting for a few days, these are the absolute non-negotiable landmarks that define this Florence travel guide.
The Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore). This is the absolute beating heart of Florence. The cathedral’s striking pink, white, and green marble facade is jaw-dropping, but it is Filippo Brunelleschi’s impossibly massive terracotta dome that steals the show. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed. Booking a ticket to climb the 463 enclosed, winding steps to the top—or scaling the adjacent Giotto’s Campanile (Bell Tower)—rewards you with the ultimate panoramic view of the city stretching out toward the Tuscan hills.
The Uffizi Gallery, located adjacent to the Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi is arguably the greatest collection of Italian Renaissance art on the planet. Originally built as the offices (uffizi) for the Florentine magistrates, the long, U-shaped building now houses priceless masterpieces, including Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Primavera, as well as works by Caravaggio and Raphael. Pro Tip: You must book skip-the-line tickets online well in advance, or you will spend half your day standing in the queue.
Ponte Vecchio Spanning the Arno River, the “Old Bridge” is one of the most iconic landmarks in Italy. It was the only bridge in Florence that the retreating German army did not destroy during World War II. For centuries, the bridge has been lined with tiny, overhanging shops. While they were originally occupied by butchers, the Medici family ordered them replaced by gold and silversmiths in the 16th century to eliminate the smell, a tradition that continues to this day.
Palazzo Vecchio & Piazza della Signoria Acting as the political heart of Florence for over 700 years, the Palazzo Vecchio is a massive, fortress-like town hall complete with a towering, asymmetrical clock tower. The square outside, Piazza della Signoria, functions as a free, open-air sculpture gallery featuring a replica of Michelangelo’s David (standing in the exact spot the original occupied for centuries) and Cellini’s dramatic Perseus with the Head of Medusa.
Piazzale Michelangelo. While it requires a steep walk up the hill on the south side of the Arno River, the effort is entirely worth it. This massive, terrace-like square offers an unobstructed, sweeping view over the entire Florentine skyline. Grabbing a bottle of wine and watching the sunset cast a warm, golden glow over the Duomo and the ancient city silhouette with Roisin is easily one of the most memorable travel moments you can have in Italy.
Florence Travel Planning
Before you set foot in Tuscany, getting your travel logistics sorted is crucial to maximising a short city break and avoiding the massive tourist crowds.
Flights & Arriving in the City. While Florence does have a small airport (Peretola), one of the best budget Florence travel hacks is to fly into nearby Pisa. Budget airlines frequently run incredibly cheap flights to Pisa International Airport. From there, it is a very simple, direct train ride straight into Florence’s central station (Firenze Santa Maria Novella), which takes about an hour. Plus, it gives you the perfect excuse to squeeze in a quick Pisa trip from Florence to see the Leaning Tower!
Accommodation & Where to Stay: Florence is highly compact, so location is everything. To keep your budget intact, skip the expensive hotels near the Duomo and look for top-rated hostels just slightly outside the immediate centre. Staying near the Santa Maria Novella train station or across the river in the vibrant Oltrarno neighbourhood offers a much more authentic, relaxed vibe while keeping you within a 15-minute walk of all the major attractions.
Getting Around: Do not even think about renting a car for a Florence weekend trip. The city centre is a designated ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone), and driving there is a nightmare of fines and narrow, pedestrian-filled streets. Florence is one of the most walkable cities in Europe. Pack a highly comfortable pair of walking shoes, as you will be covering thousands of steps a day on hard, uneven cobblestones.
Italian City Break Essentials
Day 1 – Florence
Florence Arrival
The first step was to drag the suitcase through the streets and over bridges to our Airbnb for the next few days. We stayed on the south side of the river with a 20min walk back to the central attractions. The studio flat had everything we needed for a base camp, and before long, we were ready to explore the wonderful city. It was 25 degrees, so to help cool off, we headed to Gelateria dei Neri for delicious ice cream, but not quite as good as San Gimignano!
We booked an afternoon walking tour starting next to the Basilica di San Lorenzo to learn about the history of Florence. But first, I was desperate to see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The grand and imposing Cathedral with its famous Duomo and Tower is an absolute must-see. Tip– Be aware of pickpockets, particularly around the Cathedral! With lots of groups of tourists taking photos, it’s a prime location for theft
Walking Tour
I enjoy free walking tours to learn about the history and to pick up tips from a local guide. This tour, booked via GuruWalk, started next to Basilica di San Lorenzo and explained the origins of Florence with its connections to Rome and the influence of the Medici family. Next, at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, we learnt about the construction of the ground-breaking Duomo, Cupola, and Bell Tower.
The tour showed local restaurants and medieval buildings to visit. The walking tour finished at the Piazza della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio and the replica of the Statue of David outside. We learnt about the art history of the city and the secret tunnels connecting the city to Palazzo Piti via Ponte Vecchio. After the tour, we headed back to the apartment to cook leftover pasta with homemade bruschetta and tried to finish off the Limoncello.
Day 2 – Florence
Florence Morning Run
A new concept we tried was a running tour of Florence for the places we hadn’t seen on Day 6. Starting off along the river, then chose to walk up the steep steps to Piazza Michelangelo for an incredible panoramic view of the city skyline and very quiet compared to later in the day (stay tuned). Next, we crossed the river and headed towards the Basilica of Santa Croce for a photo stop.
Then ran through Piazza della Signoria and up to the Cathedral, which was quiet at 7:30. Next, we ran to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella before continuing up to Lidl to pick up some stuff and finished with a nice finish back over the river for a complete 10K.
Basilica of Santa Croce
After the run, we went to Wild Buns Bakery, which serves mouth-watering Scandinavian pastries and breads. Plus, it was opposite the apartment, which helped keep the coffee warm for breakfast too. The plan for the day was to visit the Basilica of Santa Croce in the morning, and then we had Duomo & Bell Tower tickets booked in the afternoon before dinner. First, we walked over the crowded Ponte Vecchio to the Basilica and weren’t turned away.
There is a dress code to make sure you’re properly covered up, which saw many tourists not get entry, which was only 8 Euros. The Basilica is home to famous Tombs & Monuments such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Alfieri, Rossini and Foscolo alongside Brunelleschi’s Pazzi Chapel and Donatello’s sculptures, a real gem of history. The Cloister and chapels are beautiful and worthy of a visit.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Afterwards, we went in search of lunch and avoided the hyped-up All’Antico Vinaio; instead, we went to La Schiacciata next door, which had a much shorter queue, huge sizes and arguably better Schiacciata! We roamed the city until we collected the Duomo climb tickets. The Cathedral itself is free, but to climb the Duomo or Bell Tower requires tickets. I would recommend the Brunelleschi Pass (30 Euros or £25), which includes access to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata.
Tip– Book the Cathedral tickets from the official website and a few weeks in advance, as it books up fast! We were late, so we paid more via a 3rd company but still got to experience the unbelievable Cupola and city views.
The climb up the Dome (Cupola) is time-limited, whereas the rest of the Piazza del Duomo attractions are valid for up to 3 days later. It is 453 steps and is only for physically capable people. However, the exercise to reach the viewing platform is the 2nd best view of Florence. The obvious viewpoints are the Bell Tower and the reverse view of the Cupola from the Tower, which puts the engineering masterpiece into scale.
It’s a narrow walkway, and even with limited visitors, it’s crowded at the top, as seen above. Why stop climbing there after the Cupola climb when Giotti’s Bell Tower has 414 steps to scale next? Afterwards, we deserved a well-earned drink, so we stopped at La Petite near Piazza della Repubblica. We had a delicious meal at La Bussola close by, where I had the best Italian Pizza along with a lovely bottle of Montepulciano red wine.
Piazza Michelangelo
Instead of dessert, as tempting as the Tiramisu was, we spontaneously decided to rush over to Piazza Michelangelo in the hope of seeing the sunset over the city. We caught the sun setting over the river on the Ponte Vecchio before a fast hike up the hill to join the crowds. We managed to squeeze into a viewpoint and watched the pastel-coloured sky in the background of the landmarks- the best view in Florence!
The photographs were incredible, and most people felt they had left too soon once the sun had dipped behind the hills. There were some live musicians on some nearby steps, so we enjoyed the music, the sunset and the atmosphere of all the people gathered at the Piazza. On the way back to the apartment, we searched for a Hole in the Wall bar; however, we were too late, unfortunately.
Day 8 – Florence
Our last day in Florence was a relaxing one, which started with a long morning walk exploring the outer areas of Florence. For the second day, we dropped by the Wild Bun Bakery to try some different pastries from Day 7. Breakfast involved finishing off as much as possible before we packed the suitcase and bags before Check-Out. To not be weighed down, we dropped off the suitcase at a luggage store near the Train Station.
Then we walked over to il Mercato Centrale Firenze to see the market and went in search of souvenir magnets. We scouted out the lunchtime restaurant before finishing off the souvenir shopping. To save on buying food at the airport, we bought Foccacia at L’Officina degli Antellesi, which was only second to La Schiacciata. We had some spare time to kill, so we visited a park to read our books in the sun.
Trattoria Za Za was the last restaurant before leaving, and we were glad we had reserved as there was a long queue otherwise. I ordered a linguine mushroom dish with white wine, and Roisin had a Ragu & Pici pasta with an Aperol Spritz. The flavours backed up the top ratings online, and I would highly recommend it for Pasta!
Afterwards, we fancied one last gelato to finish the trip, so we found Gelateria Artigianale La Sorbettiera. The best ice cream in Florence is silky smooth and delicious, with reasonable prices and a good selection! It was then that time of the trip to collect the suitcase from the storage, jump on a tram and head to the airport. Our 8 days in Tuscany were full of memories and a place I will be returning to for sure!
Want to explore Tuscany further?
After finishing your Florence city break, rent a car and head south into the iconic rolling hills. Discover our complete guide to the ultimate Val d’Orcia road trip.
Read the Val d’Orcia Guide
Food & Drink in Florence (and Tuscany)
It wouldn’t be an Italian travel guide without mentioning the cuisine. I’d travelled to Venice and the Dolomites before, where I enjoyed the food, but in comparison, the Tuscan culinary scene is streets ahead. The quality of the local produce and the rich simplicity of the dishes were a refreshing contrast. Even the groceries from local supermarkets were incredibly affordable and made for great homemade meals at our accommodation. Because we were in the heart of one of the world’s most famous wine regions, we rightfully had to try a few bottles, which successfully helped convert Roisin to liking red wine! Here is a quick summary of my absolute favourite food and drink spots from the trip:
- Best Pizza: La Bussola (Florence)
- Best Focaccia: La Schiacciata (Tip: Go here to avoid the massive queues at the famous All’Antico Vinaio!)
- Best Pasta: Trattoria Zà Zà (Florence)
- Best Gelato: Gelateria Dondoli (Located in San Gimignano, but an absolute must-visit on a Tuscan trip)
- Best Coffee: Brewed fresh in a classic Bialetti Moka Pot
- Best Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Best Pastry: Wild Buns Bakery
Final Thoughts
Experiencing Florence travel firsthand solidifies exactly why it is undeniably one of my favourite cities I have ever visited. The sheer concentration of incredible history, stunning Renaissance architecture, and vibrant street culture makes every single moment of a Florence Italy vacation feel truly cinematic.
Whether you are planning a dedicated Florence weekend trip, spending a rapid two days in Florence before exploring the wider Tuscan countryside, or using the city as a base for a quick Pisa trip from Florence, the Tuscan capital leaves a lasting impression that begs for a return visit.
Have you been to Florence? Let me know your favourite hidden gems or pasta spots in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to The Journal for our monthly travel guides!
FAQs
How many days do you need in Florence?
While you can rush the main sights in a weekend, 3 to 4 full days is the sweet spot. This gives you enough time to explore the Uffizi Gallery, climb the Duomo, and enjoy long, unhurried dinners without feeling burnt out by the crowds.
Is Florence a walkable city?
Absolutely. The historic centre (Centro Storico) is relatively compact and mostly pedestrianised. You will rarely need public transport to see the main sights, but be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes for the uneven cobblestone streets!
Do I need to book attraction tickets in advance?
Yes! If you want to climb the Duomo, visit the Uffizi Gallery, or see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, you must book your tickets online weeks (or even months) in advance, especially during the peak summer season.
Can you do a Pisa trip from Florence?
Absolutely. Taking a Pisa trip from Florence is one of the easiest and most popular day trips in Italy. Direct regional trains leave from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station frequently, taking just under an hour to reach Pisa. You can easily go, see the Leaning Tower, and be back in Florence by lunchtime.
What is the best way to handle Florence travel logistics?
The golden rule of Florence travel is to rely entirely on walking and trains. The city centre is mostly pedestrianised and flat, making walking the fastest and cheapest way to get around. For longer trips across Italy, the high-speed trains departing from the main station connect you directly to Rome, Venice, and Milan in just a few hours.
