Florence itinerary — 3 days
Day 1 — Florence
9 stops · ≈ 6 h 23 minThe octagonal baptistery of white and green marble facing Florence cathedral, one of the city's oldest buildings. Dante and the Medici were baptised here. Ghiberti's gilded bronze 'Gates of Paradise' — which Michelangelo called the gates of heaven — are copies, with originals kept in the Opera del Duomo museum. Inside, a 13th-century mosaic ceiling blazes with a giant figure of Christ.
The 84-metre campanile beside Florence cathedral, begun by Giotto in 1334 and finished by Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti. Its white, pink and green marble echoes the baptistery and the Duomo, with relief panels and statues of prophets in the niches — originals in the Opera del Duomo museum. No lift: 414 steps lead to an open-air terrace with close-up views of Brunelleschi's dome and the terracotta rooftops.
Florence's iconic cathedral is a pinnacle of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, clad in patterned white, green, and pink marble. Its crowning glory is Filippo Brunelleschi's immense brick dome, engineered in the 15th century without wooden scaffolding. Admission to the church nave is free, though climbing the dome and Giotto's Campanile requires paid tickets.
Dominating the Florence skyline, Brunelleschi's Dome crowns the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore as a triumph of Renaissance engineering. Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built without temporary wooden scaffolding between 1420 and 1436, it remains the largest masonry dome ever erected. Climbing the 463 narrow stone steps rewards visitors with close-up views of the Last Judgment frescoes and a breathless panorama of the city.
The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo houses the original artistic masterpieces commissioned over centuries for Florence Cathedral, Giotto's Campanile, and the Baptistery. Highlights include Lorenzo Ghiberti's gilded bronze 'Gates of Paradise', Donatello's deeply moving wooden Mary Magdalene, and Michelangelo's poignant Florentine Pietà. The central hall features a breathtaking full-scale reconstruction of the cathedral's original 14th-century facade.
If you're seeking a serene escape from the bustling streets of Florence, look no further than the Biblioteca delle Oblate. Nestled on Via Oriuolo, this charming library is housed in a historic 14th-century convent and offers an enchanting rooftop café with stunning views of the iconic Duomo. Here, you can savor delicious food and drinks—both alcoholic and non—while enjoying a peaceful atmosphere away from tourist crowds.
The national sculpture museum inside a stern medieval palace of 1255 that once housed the podestà and a prison. It gathers the world's finest collection of Florentine sculpture: Donatello's two Davids, Michelangelo's Bacchus and Brutus, works by Cellini and Giambologna. The former chapel keeps frescoes from Giotto's school, including the earliest profile portrait of Dante. Quieter than the Uffizi; book online.
The largest Franciscan basilica in the world, founded in 1294 to Arnolfo di Cambio's design on Piazza Santa Croce in Florence. Known as the "Temple of Italian Glories", it serves as the final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Gioachino Rossini. Inside, side chapels display masterwork frescoes by Giotto, while its peaceful cloisters frame Filippo Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel.
Florence's quintessential viewpoint, set on a hilltop above the south bank of the Arno River. Designed in 1869 by Giuseppe Poggi, it delivers an unobstructed panorama of the city skyline: Brunelleschi's dome, Giotto's Campanile, Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio. A bronze replica of Michelangelo's David anchors the terrace, where crowds gather to watch the sunset.
Reserve
5If you have time left — worth it too.
One of the best things to do in Florence is a guided tour. We took two tours while we were in the city, and it was the perfect way to learn about Florentine history and see the sights. A walking tour is a good way to explore the city center, while a driver with a local guide allows you to see more in a short amount of time. Discover Florence through the eyes of experienced guides who will take you through the city's hidden treasures. Joining a guided tour or a free tour will let you experience the true essence of Florence. Private tour of Florence
For most of the year, on the first Sunday of the month, admission to the state museums is free, including the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia, the Pitti Palace and gardens, as well as the Bargello. Free days are actually bad news — they attract even bigger crowds, especially at the Uffizi and the Accademia, and on free days it is impossible to reserve an entry time. Try to avoid these days. The Pitti Palace is a huge and imposing palace housing various galleries. You'll find it in the Oltrarno, a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio. Here you can admire a large collection of Renaissance paintings in the Palatine Gallery, visit the 14 rooms of the majestic Royal Apartments, or wander through the Costume Gallery or the Silver Museum.
The Bardini Garden on the left bank of the Arno is a quiet alternative to the crowded Boboli Gardens. A terraced Renaissance garden with a baroque stairway, it is famous for its seventy-metre wisteria arcade in spring, and the upper terraces look at the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore. An English park with a pond and the exhibition-bearing Villa Bardini complete the scene. One ticket also covers the Boboli Gardens.
A basilica of the 11th-13th centuries on the hill above Piazzale Michelangelo, among the purest examples of Florentine Romanesque with a marble facade in white and green. Inside waits a 13th-century apse mosaic, a marble altar from Michelozzo's workshop and a 12th-century crypt. Legend holds that Florence's first martyr, St Minias, was executed on this spot; Benedictine monks still sing vespers in Gregorian chant.
A monumental open-air museum and quintessential Renaissance park rising behind Florence's Pitti Palace. Commissioned in the 16th century for the Medici dynasty, the gardens showcase terraced gravel pathways, ancient Roman and Renaissance marble sculptures, the Neptune fountain, and Bernardo Buontalenti's fantastical grotto. The highest terraces offer sweeping panoramas overlooking Florence's iconic skyline and Tuscan hills.
- Book tickets for popular attractions in advance to avoid long lines.
- Try to learn a few basic Italian phrases; locals appreciate the effort.
- Check opening hours for museums, as they may vary.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the streets are mostly cobblestone.
- Take time to explore lesser-known neighborhoods for a more authentic experience.