The Perfect 2-Day Florence Itinerary: What to See, Do & Eat

Florence is one of those cities that grabs your heart the moment you arrive. With Renaissance art around every corner, dreamy architecture, and meals you’ll be thinking about for years, it’s the perfect place for an unforgettable Italian escape.

Florence has a completely different vibe compared to Rome. It’s relaxed and slower paced, quieter, and easy to navigate.

We stayed for 3 nights at the cozy and perfectly located Martelli 6 Suite & Apartments, which gave us 2 solid days of exploring. 

We packed a ton in, but this just goes to show how much you can see in such a short amount of time!  

Here’s how to spend 2 full days and 3 nights soaking up the magic of Florence.

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Day 1: Welcome to Florence — First Impressions & Sunset Views

🕐 Arrival

You’ll likely arrive midday or early afternoon if you’re arriving from Rome or Venice. We loved that the train station is incredibly walkable to the main hubbub of Florence – just a 10 minute walk to the Duomo!

Check in to your accommodation (or at least drop your luggage if you can’t check in quite yet)!  You’ll want to hit the ground running, but don’t worry — everything is easily walkable and full of charm.

🍝 Lunch in the City

Start with a relaxed Florentine lunch near your hotel or somewhere central — you’re in Italy, so even the casual trattorias are delicious. Check out one of my recommended places to eat in Florence, or wander and visit a spot that looks interesting to you!

⛪️ Duomo & Centro Storico Walk

Begin your sightseeing with a gentle stroll through the historic centre and surrounding streets. Marvel at the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) — one of the most breathtaking buildings in the world! You’ll be seeing a lot of this while you’re in Florence!

🧠 Leonardo da Vinci Museum

Pop into the Leonardo da Vinci Museum nearby to explore working models of his incredible inventions and get a feel for Florence’s intellectual legacy.

The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum was definitely a highlight on our visit to Florence. It’s such a fun spot to tour around and explore some of Da Vinci’s inventions.

He must’ve been a busy man who never turned his brain off – there were endless displays of what he created and designed and the museum is full of ingenious inventions.

The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum is a great spot to bring kids too, as there are a number of interactive displays and inventions to play with.

If you’re looking for a way to fill an hour, the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum is open daily from 9:30-7:30 and costs 7.50 euros if you book online ahead of time (or 15 euros at the door).

🌉 Ponte Vecchio & Sunset

Head toward the Ponte Vecchio, the iconic bridge lined with jewellery shops. As golden hour hits, grab a spot to watch the sunset over the Arno River.

Translating to “Old Bridge”  walking across Ponte Vecchio is like a step back in time. It’s a must while visiting Florence! It’s the last bridge of its kind and is easily one of the most picturesque spots in the city.

The bridge first appeared in 996, and after being swept away by floods several times, it was rebuilt in 1345. Ponte Vecchio is unique because it contains buildings on the bridge which has always contained merchants, including jewelry, art, and leather goods. 

If you happen to time it right, you can catch a beautiful sunset over the Arno River from the Ponte Vecchio bridge.

🥩 Dinner: Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Enjoy a traditional Tuscan dinner — if you’re up for it, try the famous Florentine steak. It’s a local specialty that’s cooked rare and packed with flavour.

We absolutely loved La Buchetta, but I recommend checking out some restaurants online beforehand and making a reservation so you’re guaranteed to get in!

🍨 Gelato & Evening Stroll

End your night with gelato (because you’re in Florence — it’s mandatory) and a visit to the lively Piazza della Repubblica, where music and street performers add to the magic.

Day 2: Renaissance Art, Palaces & Garden Walks

☕️ Breakfast at the Central Market (Mercato Centrale)

Start your morning like a local with an espresso and a fresh croissant at the Central Market. Cafe Bambi was our regular go-to for amazing pistachio croissants. 

While you’re there, take a quick walk around the gourmet food stalls — it’s a foodie’s dream. We visited quite a few times and discovered something new every time.

🏛 Piazza della Signoria & the Uffizi Gallery

Next, explore Piazza della Signoria, home to statues, fountains, and a replica of Michelangelo’s David. 

Tucked into the corner of Piazza della Signoria, the Loggia dei Lanzi is a free open-air museum where some of Florence’s most dramatic sculptures are frozen mid-scene – like Perseus with the head of Medusa. 

Next, dive into the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s most renowned art museums! Dating back to the 1580s, it’s known for its famous collections and ancient sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the Modern period. You’ll find paintings here by Rafaello, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and many more famous artists.

You can expect to spend a solid few hours (or even longer) looking at everything. We spent three hours and still didn’t see every single piece there was. Wear some good footwear and plan to rest along the way – there is a TON to see!

Uffizi Gallery tickets are timed entry, and I recommend booking as early in the day (at 8:15-8:30 entry) like we did to maximize our time spent there (and before it gets TOO busy).

If you’re spending more than a day in Florence, I would highly recommend purchasing the Passepartout as a way to see the very best of Florence’s museums. This was a huge money (and time) saver for us.  It’s a ticket granting entry to the Uffizi Gallery (booked time), Pitti Palace, and Boboli Gardens for 40 euros and is valid for 5 consecutive days. 

🥪 Lunch at All’Antico Vinaio

You’ve probably heard of it — and yes, it’s worth the hype. Grab a legendary panini from All’Antico Vinaio and enjoy it picnic-style on a nearby bench or piazza. It’s so popular there are 4 locations on the same street and 2 other locations in Florence. 

The lineups, while appearing crazy, move quickly and is well worth the wait! It’s an inexpensive way to fuel yourself up before moving onto some more sightseeing!

🏰 Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens

Cross the river and head to the Pitti Palace, a stunning former royal residence. Now separated into 5 museums, each room is more spectacular than the last; the definition of opulence and luxury.  Started in the mid-1400s, it passed through the hands of wealthy families and royalty, including the Medici family. 

From stunning art, lavishly adorned rooms, costumes and fashion, and incredible painted ceilings, the Pitti Palace is well worth a visit. There are lots of places to sit along the way, allowing you to fully appreciate the space!

Take a stroll through the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace – they’re vast, green, and full of photo ops (and peacocks!). Flanked by fountains and sculptures, it’s the perfect spot to relax and soak in the views.

Both of these places are included in the Passepartout – and the Pitti Palace was one of my top favourite places to visit in Florence.

🛍 Leather & Silk Shopping at Mercato del Porcellino

Wander back toward the city centre with a stop at the Mercato del Porcellino. Tucked under a charming 16th-century loggia in the heart of Florence, this is a great place for picking up leather goods, scarves, and other keepsakes.

The loggia where the market sits has been around since the 1540s! Artists, vendors, and even nobles once gathered here to sell luxury goods like silks and gold.

We passed through here so many times and picked up a bunch of silk ties (for a steal of a deal), leather goods – like my orange cat keychain! – and a gorgeous soft leather purse for my mother-in-law. And don’t feel bad about haggling – that’s all part of it.

🍽 Dinner & Gelato (Again!)

Wrap up the day with another delicious dinner — like dishes including boar or truffles — and, of course, another scoop of gelato as you soak up the city’s evening glow!

Day 3: Climbing the Duomo, Piazzale Michelangelo & A Farewell Spritz

🥐 Early Breakfast & Duomo Complex

Rise early and fuel up before heading to the Duomo complex at 8:15 AM. I recommend booking the earliest time possible as it can get busy (and hot) while climbing!

If Florence had a royal crown, Brunelleschi’s Dome would be the sparkling centrepiece. Towering over the city,  this red-tiled masterpiece is an engineering marvel. 

Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) was built in the 1400s without scaffolding or modern tools. 

Climb the 463 steps to the top and you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views of Florence and a close-up look at Giorgio Vasari’s frescoes of the Last Judgment. 

Right next door to the Duomo stands the fabulous Giotto’s Bell Tower. Tall, elegant, and made up of pink, green, and white marble, Giotto’s Bell Tower was designed in the 1300s and stands nearly 280 feet. It takes 414 steps up to the top for sweeping city views from every level as you climb!

And bonus: the bell tower is separate from the dome, so if you climb both, you get two amazing perspectives of the city—and of each other. I actually preferred the views from the Bell Tower but it’s so worth seeing the frescoes at the Duomo up close.

If you plan to see all of the main spots at Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, it’s worth purchasing the Brunelleschi Pass for 30 euros. You can only climb the Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower with the pass, so you may as well purchase it! 

The Brunelleschi Pass will also grant you access to the Baptistery – Florence’s oldest and most historic churches (which was more beautiful than I expected!) Santa Reparata (the crypt below the church with the remains of the original church), and the Opera del Duomo – the museum with the original doors and sculptures from the cathedral.

If you’re spending more than a day in Florence, the Brunelleschi Pass is valid for 3 full days, so you can take your time and not feel rushed passing through these attractions. This can be especially handy for climbing up Brunellechi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower. We could’ve easily split the pass up and done things separately throughout our two days, but we found this the best use of our time (although two back to back climbs was a bit challenging, I’m glad we did it)!

If climbing Giotto’s Bell Tower or Brunschelli’s Dome isn’t your cup of tea (it can be quite busy unless you book first thing in the morning), the Arnfolo Tower at Palazzo Vecchio will also give you sweeping views of Florence from a different perspective.

You have a choice of purchasing tickets with access to the museum – which for over seven centuries has been the seat of Florence’s government – or simply just to climb the tower. There is also a replica of Michaelangelo’s David at the front entrance of the museum.

🥪 Try a Lampredotto Sandwich

After your climb, reward yourself with a light lunch and refreshing Aperol spritz. Or maybe try a traditional lampredotto sandwich, Florence’s beloved tripe street food.

If you didn’t know what it was, you probably couldn’t tell. For the price, it’s worth a try! There are a few market stalls you’ll find around Florence that serve this up for less than 5 euros.

Grab a refreshing Aperol Spritz and enjoy a stroll through the cobblestone streets. Pop into boutiques, soak in the architecture, and maybe snag any last-minute souvenirs. If lampredotto isn’t your thing, opt for a light lunch at a local café or enoteca. You’ve earned a little downtime!

🚕 Taxi to Piazzale Michelangelo

In the late afternoon, take a taxi up to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views of Florence. This is one of the best spots for photos — you’ll see the whole city laid out beneath you. 

While we weren’t up here for sunset, it would be one of the best views of Florence you could get. Keep in mind it’s also the most popular spot, so arrive early to get a good spot! 

There are also public washrooms up there and a few other cafes with seats. Plan to spend some time up here enjoying a cool breeze and beautiful views.

Tip: It’s quite a steep climb – even in mid-October it was mid 20s and I couldn’t imagine doing the trek up during the summer. It’s well-worth taking a cab for about 10 euros from near the train station up to Piazzale Michelangelo and walking back.

🌹 Walk Down Through the Rose Garden

As you make your way down from Piazzale Michelangelo, stop at the Rose Garden — it’s peaceful and filled with blooms. The walk back was peaceful and quiet as it meandered through gardens, cafes, gelaterias, shops, and beautiful buildings. There’s a cafe part way down where you can get Aperol Spritz for 5 euros.

It’s roughly a 15 minute walk down from the top and we both said it would be awesome to stay on this side of the Arno River if we visit this area again. You’ll cross at a bridge that was destroyed by Nazis during World War 2, as well as getting great views of Ponte Vecchio.

🍹 Final Aperitivo & Market Snack

Cap off your sightseeing with another spritz or snack at the Central Market. It’s the perfect casual spot to people-watch and soak up those final Florence vibes.

🍽 Last Dinner & Sweet Goodbye

 Enjoy your final dinner in Florence — maybe a favourite repeat or try something new. While there are plenty of options, I always recommend taking a look in advance and making a reservation so you can get into where you want to be. 

And yes… one last gelato before you head in for the night. We enjoyed ours while walking around Republic Square – where you’ll find live music, a carousel, and people coming together to enjoy the ambience.

Final Tip: Florence is compact, walkable, and full of surprises. Leave a little room in your schedule for spontaneous moments — those might end up being your favourite memories. 

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