- December 18, 2020
- in Cultural, Historic, Italy, Romantic, Southern Europe
- We earn affiliate commission from qualifying links in this post.
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Overview
Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is one of the most cultured and artistic cities in the world. Enchanting and captivating, this is a place to revel in history, art and cuisine. Packed with remarkable art and architecture, we’ll show you Florence’s wonderful tangle of narrow streets, lined with elegant, historic palazzi, medieval churches and world-class art museums, with our one day Florence itinerary.
When
Whenever you go to Florence, it will always be an amazing experience. If you want to skip the huge crowds during the high season, then you should definitely plan your trip in the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn, although don’t expect the city to be empty. Like Rome, Florence tends to have a very pleasant climate almost all of the year and even during the Italian winter there will be plenty of sun.
However, if you want to get the most from your one day in Florence, consider going in March, April, May, September and October. Those are the perfect months to enjoy the weather and avoid the huge crowds that flock to Florence during the summer months.
Are you traveling to Italy for the first time?
Get the low-down on visiting Italy, with tips about packing, travel, money, staying safe and lots of great city itineraries for your trip.
Travel
Tuscany has two international airports, the Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa and Amerigo Vespucci Airport, also known as Peretola, in Florence. Located only 80 km apart, the Pisa airport is the larger of the two airports and offers the best international flights and connections.
You have several options to get into Florence city centre from Pisa airport;
- Transfer – the quickest and most convenient option, you can book in advance with Intui Travel.
- Taxi – grab a cab, which will cost you around €170 and take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Bus – The Autostradale Airport Bus Express leaves every 40 minutes between 4.45am and 00.40am daily, for Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station. The journey takes 1 hour 10 minutes and costs €7.50 one way.
- Train – From the airport, take the 5 minute PisaMover train to Pisa Centrale train station. Then take a Trenitalia train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station, a 50 to 80 minute journey depending on the train’s speed and number of stops. Tickets cost €8.70 on the cheapest fare.
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Stay
If you love the hustle and bustle of a really central location, then book the cool and classy Hotel Spadai, literally a minutes walk to the Duomo (and five to the train station) and known for generous upgrades when they’re not full. With stylish bedrooms and modern bathrooms, a HUGE breakfast buffet and friendly service, this is our top pick of Florence hotels.
On the opposite side of the Arno river, but no lesser for it, the Soprarno Suites are on the doorstep of Pitti Palace in the trendy Oltrarno district. More guesthouse than hotel, the vintage design and vibe of this residenza d’Epoca (historic residence), coupled with personalised service from the Florentine owners make this a perfect stay for one night in Florence.
See & Do
If you only have 1 day in Florence, it is vital that you organise your trip well in advance. Because it is one of the most visited cities in the world and there are quite a few must see things to do in Florence in one day, getting tickets on the day is impossible. If you want to organise a Florence one day itinerary with tight time slots so you can visit everything you want to see, then booking online at least two months in advance is advisable.
If organising yourself is not your bag, or you’re paying a last minute visit, a Florence walking tour is a great idea to get a snapshot of the UNESCO World Heritage site that is Florence. You’ll see all the important stuff (from the outside) and get a real flavour of the city.
Morning
Explore Piazza del Duomo and Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
Piazza del Duomo is the most visited spot in Florence and is home to Florence’s finest architectural and historical marvels. It is an absolute must see if you are seeing Florence in a day. Despite the inevitable crowds, the essence and rich history of the city can still be seen and felt all around.
Santa Maria del Fiore is one of those marvels, which require your attention. It was completed in the beginning of the 15th century by Filippo Brunelleschi, who also designed its famous dome. The cathedral is built in the Gothic architectural style and is entirely covered in white, green and pink marble panels. Inside the cathedral you will find a couple of art works of the noble men of Florence who financed the building of the cathedral. Along with that, there is a crypt, which houses the tomb of Brunelleschi and the ruins of the former ancient cathedral of Santa Reparata.
Entrance to the cathedral is free of charge, but in the summer you can queue for a long time to get in. The cathedral opens from 10am to 4.30pm daily. As an active consecrated Cathedral, visiting hours on Sundays are very limited so we suggest going on a weekday and getting there around 8am in the summer months so you don’t have to queue for hours.
For the other Duomo attractions (the Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Crypt, San Giovanni’s Baptistery and the Piazza del Duomo Museum) you will need a timed ticket which can be bought on the official Duomo website, where you’ll also find all sorts of information about the complex.
Inside the cathedral you can observe the famous and awe-inspiring Brunelleschi’s Dome from below. The Dome was painted by Giorgio Vasari and depicts the Last Judgement. The artwork is a true masterpiece and will leave you speechless the first time you see it. To get up close to the artwork and the interior of the world’s biggest dome you can climb the 463 steps along narrow staircases through the structure, admiring the incredible architectural design and ingenuity as you go.
It is essential that you book tickets in advance for a dome tour – often they are sold out three to four weeks ahead, and longer for popular time-slots.
Visit San Giovanni’s Baptistery
In the Piazza del Duomo is also the Baptistery of San Giovanni, famous for its unusual octagonal shape. It was built in the 11th century and is the place where many of Florentine notable figures, as well as the Medici, were baptised. The baptistery is well-known for its incredible golden ceiling and the Gates of Paradise, created by Michelangelo. These can be observed on the outside as you stand in front of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Afternoon
Learn at Piazza del Duomo’s Museum
Visiting the Opera Duomo Museum will only make your experience better as you learn about historic Florence. In the museum of Piazza del Duomo are housed all of the original artefacts of all the architectural wonders, as well as the golden Gates of Paradise. There is also a religious library, a museum showing the creation of Brunelleschi’s Dome and lots of statues and busts that were found in the architectural marvels of Florence. On the top floor of the museum, you can observe Brunelleschi’s Dome from a closer distance and enjoy an Italian espresso.
Cross the Ponte Vecchio
Head south through the atmospheric streets, passing stunning historic buildings and beautiful piazzas until crossing the river Arno, using one of the most famous bridges in the world, the Ponte Vecchio. This bridge, the foundations of which are Roman, is lined with shops selling souvenirs, but blur your eyes for a minute and image this as a bustling shopping place for Florentines to buy their daily wares.
Visit Pitti Palace
Probably a slightly lesser known landmark, Pitti Palace does not attract quite as many crowds as the Duomo complex does. However, the palace houses some of the world’s best masterpieces and artefacts from the Roman and Medieval periods.
The palace was built in the 15th century and was later sold to the Medici family, who made it their family residence. The prominent Medici family were the most important dynasty in Florence. Famous bankers, they controlled almost all of the wealth in the city. From 1513 to 1630, the family produced four Popes and two Queens of France, before being elevated to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1569. They enjoyed great wealth and position until the Duchy became bankrupt in 1723. For this reason, Florence is often called the ‘city of the Medici’ - everywhere you go in Florence you will end up either in their palace, library, church or garden!
Nowadays, the palace has a couple of levels to be explored. On the first floor is the lavish Palatine Gallery, which houses many artworks from the 16th & 17th century, including those of Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto, Caravaggio and Rubens. There can also be found the Royal Apartments, which depict the way and style of living of the Medici family.
Then, on the ground floor is the treasury of the Dukes, displaying the family’s riches. Along with that, you can explore the Porcelain and Costume Museums, which depict the fashions of the Renaissance period.
Stroll the Boboli Gardens
Head for the Boboli Gardens, which make up the largest green area in the city and provide welcome respite after a day in Florence. While exploring the gardens near the palace you will first see the the Amphitheater with the Roman basin and the Egyptian obelisk at the centre. The story behind the basin is unclear and many believe that it was brought there to show off the wealth of the family. Other notable spots in the gardens are Buontalenti’s Grotto, the Grand Duke’s Casino, the Cavalier’s Garden and Neptune’s Fishpond.
Evening
Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower
Giotto’s Campanile is another great Renaissance marvel of Florence. It was built in the 14th century and finished by Francesco Talenti. Giotto was the designer and architect of the bell tower, but sadly did not live long enough to see it finished. The bell tower is known for the beautiful views over Florence and its staggering height of 122 meters. To reach to the top there are 414 stairs that have to be climbed. However, there are a couple of terraces from which you can overlook the other marvels of Piazza del Duomo and catch your breath. Near the entrance there are many hexagonal panels, which depict the history of mankind and the creation of the Adam and Eve.
Explore the Palazzo Vecchio
The imposing Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) is full of hidden passages, secret symbols and medieval history, perfect for an evening visit. Between April and September, the Palazzo is open till 11pm every night of the week except Thursdays. The 14th century town hall has a wonderful interior with ornate decor, intricate tapestries and fine works of art by Michelangelo and Da Vinci, amongst others. The building overlooks the Piazza della Signoria where the replica of Michelangelo’s David stands.
Take a Foodie Walking Tour
If you prefer to take the hassle out of finding somewhere for dinner, why not take a food walking tour? This highly rated dine around Florence food and wine tour is an authentic restaurant and bar hopping experience which includes three courses, plus a selection of delicious Italian wines - the perfect end to your 24 hours in Florence.
Other Italian City Guides
Eat
Mercado Centrale at San Lorenzo Market
Our top recommendation for lunch in Florence is the fabulous Marche de San Lorenzo, a five minute walk north from the Piazza del Duomo. Head upstairs for the gourmet food market, Mercato Centrale, where you’ll find stalls selling local meats, cheese and all manner of delicious lunch options.
Osteria Enoteca Vecchio Cancello
Our favourite place in Florence for dinner is Osteria Enoteca Vecchio Cancello, a typical family run trattoria serving local and Tuscan cuisine. Just ten minutes from the Duomo, this one’s worth the walk!
Matto Matto
For a simple dinner, closer to the old centre, Matto Matto is a few minutes walk from the Duomo and offers well cooked traditional Italian food with attentive service.
Top Five Florence Tips
- The absolute best time to visit Giotto’s Campanile is at sunset, so that you can get the best view of the city and Brunelleschi’s Dome in the evening light.
- If you can, squeeze in a taxi ride to Giardino delle rose and enjoy one of the most romantic (and Instagrammable) views over the city of Florence.
- Book all the things you want to do in advance, especially around the Duomo. Don’t turn up on the day expecting to queue, you won’t even be able to do that!
- Always carry cash, as the ATMs in Florence have high charges and some places in the city do not accept card payments.
- There are three (yes, three!) statues of Michelangelo’s David in Florence. The original icon is housed in the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’ Accademia), a ten minute walk north of the Duomo. The second, a superb replica, can be seen in Piazza della Signoria, a two minute detour on your route from the Duomo to Pitti Palace. The third is a bronze replica and is mounted high on a plinth overlooking the city, in Piazzale Michelangelo (close to Giardino delle rose and offering the same amazing views).
Do you have just a little longer to spend in Florence?
Do you have just a little bit longer in this fabulous city? With just an extra half a day in Florence, you could visit at least three more quintessential Florence attractions;
- The Galleria degli Uffizi houses the world’s leading collection of Renaissance paintings from artists such as Raphael, Botticelli and Da Vinci. The Uffizi Gallery is the one of the Florence must see attractions, but it’s vast and you could easily while away a whole day trip here – not ideal if you only have 24 or 36 hours in Florence. Take an Uffizi Gallery small group tour of the best bits, enough to get the essence of the place but ensure you don’t become over-immersed!
- The beautifully simple Basilica of Santa Croce is the burial place of the great and good of Florence, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. It provides a sense of peace after the frenetic activity of the Piazza del Duomo and gives time to reflect on the history and importance of this incredible city.
- Santa Maria Novella is a spectacular church near the train station, with a vibrant piazza that is always thronged with people and street vendors. Inside, the church is a treasure trove of art by Giotto, Lippi, and a series of incredible frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio that are some of the best in Italy.
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