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Ready to explore the heart of the Italian Renaissance? Welcome to our ultimate 3-day Florence itinerary!
Florence is a city brimming with history, art, and mouthwatering cuisine. From admiring Michelangelo’s David to sipping espresso in front of the Duomo, every corner of this enchanting city has something special to offer. But with only three days, how do you make the most of it?
That’s where we come in! After several visits to Florence, we’ve crafted this itinerary for you, taking care to include the city’s must-see landmarks, best local eats, and most unique experiences. Ready to plan a magical trip? Let’s go, or as the Italians say: “andiamo!”
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE Florence activity was this small-group walking tour. It covered the city’s top sights, including the Duomo, Uffizi, and Accademia. Skipping the long lines was a huge bonus, and the guide’s stories made Florence’s art and history feel even more alive.
We highly recommend it, especially for first-time visitors.
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Where to Stay in Florence, Italy
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Day 1
Breakfast – Caffè Scudieri Firenze
What better way to kick off a trip to Florence than breakfast with views of the Duomo? Now look, this café doesn’t have the best reviews ever, but it more than makes up for that with its top-notch location. Besides, the coffee and pastries are pretty good, so just enjoy an Italian-style breakfast while soaking up the lovely views.
Morning – Visit the Piazza del Duomo
The Duomo and Brunelleschi’s Dome Climb
In every picture of the Florence skyline, there is always one structure that stands out from the rest, and that’s Brunelleschi’s Dome. So this morning, you’re going to climb up to the top on this VIP tour! The view here is known as “the greatest view in Florence,” and once you get up here, you’ll see why. Don’t forget your camera!
Book this tour for 9 am, and be sure to do so in advance because it’s really popular. It’s not available on Sundays, so if your first day in Florence falls on a Sunday, you can always swap days 1 and 2 around.
We love the fact that this tour includes skip-the-line tickets to the Duomo (the Cathedral that Brunelleschi’s Dome is part of) so that you don’t waste any precious time in line. You will have an expert guide with you the entire time as you tour the Duomo Museum and Brunelleschi’s Dome.
What makes this tour truly VIP is that you get to visit one of the Cathedral’s private terraces, which are normally closed to the public! No wonder it has almost 900 5-star reviews.
It’s important to note that the climb up to the top of the dome is 463 steps, so only those with good mobility will be able to climb up. The Cathedral also has a dress code, so make sure your shoulders and knees are covered during your visit.
Book this VIP tour here and enjoy FREE cancellation!
Giotto’s Campanile
Ready for even more amazing views? Good, because Gitto’s Campanile, the striking bell tower next to the Duomo, offers one of the best panoramic views of Florence!
Now, I won’t lie to you, climbing the tower’s 414 steps is a pretty intense workout. So if you’re not in the mood for even more climbing, or suffer from heart or respiratory issues, then you can just admire the bell tower’s beautiful exterior.
If you do want to go up, tickets cost €20 per person. It’s best to reserve tickets online rather than chancing it on the day. We suggest booking entry for 12 pm so that you can visit after the morning tour ends, with a little breathing room just in case. Your visit should take around 45 minutes in total.
St. John’s Baptistry
St. John’s Baptistry is one of Florence’s oldest and most important religious sites. It’s a distinctive octagonal building that’s clad in green and white marble, while the interior boasts a gorgeous golden ceiling. It’s a must-visit while in Florence, and entry is included with tickets to Gitto’s Campanile, so there’s no reason not to go and check it out!
We recommend spending about 30 minutes here. That should be enough time to admire the breathtaking mosaics and beautiful architecture that have been inspiring artists for centuries.
Lunch – Semel Street Food
About a 15-minute walk from the baptistry is Semel Street Food. It’s a tiny, rustic gem that serves up some of the best sandwiches in Florence! I had the cheese, pear, and truffle sandwich, and it was absolutely incredible. Best of all, you can wash your lunch down with a glass of their €1 house wine. It would be rude not to, really!
Afternoon – Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio and more piazzas
Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio
Right around the corner from Semel Street Food, you’ll find the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. We love this market because it has an authentic, local feel, and there are usually way fewer tourists here than at Mercato Centrale.
This is where locals shop for fresh produce, meats, and cheeses, so it’s worth taking the time to wander around and see what’s on offer. In fact, you could always grab lunch here instead of Semel Street food if you prefer, or just grab some extra treats and snacks for later on!
Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is one of Florence’s most iconic squares, so we recommend spending a few hours exploring its rich history and lively atmosphere. We love coming here to marvel at the impressive Palazzo Vecchio and the stunning Fountain of Neptune, which is a true Renaissance masterpiece.
The square is also home to the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air gallery filled with incredible statues, including Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa. It’s definitely worth checking out!
Other sights to check out for the afternoon
Honestly, visiting Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio and Piazza della Signoria could easily take up your whole afternoon. However, if you move at a fast pace and end up with some extra time on your hands, then we recommend checking out one or two of the following:
- Piazza della Repubblica: Another lively square with a rich history, known for its grand arch, elegant cafés, and street performers. It’s a great place to relax, shop, or enjoy a gelato – yum!
- Basilica di Santa Croce: This stunning Gothic church is the final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. The frescoes and cloisters are definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re someone who appreciates art and architecture.
- Cappelle Medicee: The Medici Chapels are part of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, and they house the lavish tombs of the powerful Medici family. The New Sacristy mausoleum here was designed by Michelangelo and it features some of his most striking sculptures.
Evening – Take a Cooking class or Food Tour
Cooking Class
I know a large percentage of people come to Italy to try all of the delicious food (I don’t blame you!), but why not learn to make it so you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine once you’ve returned home?
This 3-hour pasta cooking class led by a professional chef will have you cooking pasta like a pro in no time. Plus, it’s just a 5-minute walk from the Piazza della Signoria, so it’s super easy to get to.
We had such a great time during this class. Chef Lorenzo was hilarious and taught us everything step by step, so even if you’re new to cooking, you will be able to follow along.
Set in a medieval tower from the 1200s, you will prepare 3 types of pasta from scratch, plus the sauces to go with them. And if that isn’t enough, the class also includes unlimited wine throughout, so you know everyone will be having a great time!
At the end of the class, you will get to eat your creations, so make sure to come hungry. My favorite was the ravioli with butter and sage (which I actually still make when I want to impress my friends at dinner parties!).
Book this class for 6:30 pm and choose the “Cooking Art Brunelleschi” option. It costs €64, which we think is amazing value for money considering all of the food and wine you get, not to mention the unique and memorable experience! And we’re not the only ones who feel this way, because this class boasts over 1,800 5-star reviews!
Book this top-rated cooking class here and get FREE 24-hour cancellation!
Food tour
If you’d rather let someone else take care of the cooking tonight, then book this sunset food tour instead! We came across this tour the first time we ever visited Florence, because we were so overwhelmed by how many options there were when deciding where to eat. So to make sure that we got the best of the best, we booked this tour. It was the perfect lesson on where to dine in the city!
Book this tour for 6:30 pm so that you don’t have to rush your afternoon exploration. It begins in Piazza Santo Spirito in the artsy Oltrarno neighborhood. In fact, during this experience, you will taste your way through several of Florence’s trendiest neighborhoods as you sample over 14 different dishes.
From wild boar to Tuscan soup and amazing gelato, everything we tasted was authentic and absolutely delicious. I also really enjoyed learning about “cucina povera”, the Tuscan practice of zero waste cooking. And good news for Negroni fans, because we learned how to make our own during a fun demo and tasting session!
The best part of this tour is that you get to wash down your food with some delicious wine! Along the way, we stopped at many of Florence’s iconic “wine windows” to sample some of the region’s best wines, such as Chianti Classico and Super Tuscan. Ringing the bell and being served through the tiny holes in the walls was such a fun and unique experience.
We would do this tour again in a heartbeat if we could, and we’re not the only ones. Check out THOUSANDS of 5-star reviews here!
Check prices and secure your spot on this food tour here!
Related Read: Ready to keep the adventure going? Our 3-day Venice itinerary has everything you need to map out your next stop!
Day 2
Breakfast – Mò Sì Caffetteria Alla Vecchia Maniera
Mò Sì Caffetteria Alla Vecchia Maniera is a fantastic breakfast spot just a 10-minute walk from the meeting point for this morning’s tour. We love the fresh croissants here and the amazing bomboloni, which are big Italian doughnuts with a creamy custard filling. Make sure to say “hi” to the resident dog, Nina, as you enjoy your sweet treats and coffee.
Morning – Uffizi and Accademia Museums
Florence is known around the world for its magnificent art and Renaissance history. Some of the most famous and significant pieces from the era are housed in Florence’s Uffizi and Accademia museums.
To make the most of your time at these amazing museums, you must go with a professional guide. On this half-day small group tour, you will get just that, plus skip-the-line entrance to both the Accademia and Uffizi Galleries. The lines to these places get crazy, so this is a HUGE advantage! Then, after the tour ends, you can stay in the Uffizi Museum and continue exploring by yourself for as long as you like.
Book this tour for 9 am, and spend the morning marveling at iconic artwork and sculptures. I’m not an art buff by any means, but I was left in awe at the masterpieces within these museums and loved discovering the history behind them. I learned so much about things I normally would have walked right past if I didn’t have our expert guide, and seeing Michelangelo’s iconic “David” sculpture was a real highlight!
Booking this tour is so worth it for the skip-the-line access alone, in my opinion, as it’s such a great time-saver, and the thousands of 5-star reviews seem to agree with us! Just remember that it’s very popular, so make sure you book in advance!
Book your VIP museums tour here before it sells out!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Lunch – Trattoria Roberto
For an authentic Florentine lunch, Trattoria Roberto is the clear choice. Plus, it’s right near the Uffizi Galleries, where this morning’s tour ends, so it’s a no-brainer!
The traditional dishes here truly are outstanding. My favorite is the wild boar ragù, and if you’ve got room for dessert, then the ricotta cake is absolutely heavenly.
The Trattoria is open for lunch from 12 pm–2:30 pm, before closing again until dinner. You shouldn’t have any problems, but keep an eye on the time just in case!
Afternoon – Ponte Vecchio and Oltrarno
Ponte Vecchio
From the restaurant, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge. It dates back to the 14th century and is the only bridge in Florence that wasn’t destroyed during World War II, so it’s definitely a must-see. What makes this bridge striking is that there are little blocks of shops stacked on top of it. Once upon a time, these shops were mostly butchers, but these days they’re goldsmiths and jewelers, so enjoy some window shopping while you’re here.
Oltrarno
After crossing the Ponte Vecchio bridge, you’ll find yourself in the Oltrarno district. This area boasts a unique local charm, and we always love visiting the lively Piazza Santo Spirito to enjoy a coffee or an aperitif while soaking in the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the stately Boboli Gardens are the perfect place for a peaceful stroll. The gardens are right behind the Palazzo Pitti, a 15th-century Renaissance palace. Tickets for the Boboli Gardens cost €10, while the Palace costs €16, but you can get a combined entry for €22 if you’d like to explore them both.
Sunset – Piazzale Michelangelo
For sunset, head to Piazzale Michelangelo, as this is our favorite spot in Florence to take in panoramic city views. You can get here using either bus 12 or 13 from the city center, or by hiking up from Piazza Poggi or Porta Romana, which takes about 10 minutes.
Once you arrive, enjoy the gorgeous vistas of Florence and check out the bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David. There’s also a restaurant here, La Loggia, so we suggest enjoying a coffee or a cocktail out on the terrace as you take in the beautiful views.
Dinner – The Antico Ristoro di Cambi
Tonight’s dinner spot, Antico Ristori di Cambi, is roughly a 30-minute walk from Piazzale Michelangelo. We enjoyed ambling down from the Piazzale Michelangelo, but you can always catch a car if you’d rather not walk. This place is super homey with an authentic atmosphere, and the service was super friendly. We shared a Fiorentina steak here and it was cooked to perfection, with a side of delicious fried artichokes—yum!
Related Read: Heading to Genoa next? Don’t miss our guide to the best things to do in Genoa—we’ve picked out the top spots to help you plan your visit!
Day 3
Breakfast – Grab on the go!
Today’s tour departs from the meeting point at 8 am, so we suggest grabbing something close to your hotel or stopping on the way there. The tour includes a hearty lunch at a Tuscan winery, so you don’t want to fill up too much this morning anyway!
Full-day Tuscany trip: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, and a Chianti winery
Today, we’re heading out to enjoy a day full of history, art, food, and wine in Tuscany on this full-day tour. Seriously, what could be better?
The tour begins at 8 am, and we strongly suggest booking the “Full Tour and Leaning Tower tickets” option so that all of your costs are covered. We’re so glad that we did this because it allowed us to enjoy Tuscany to the fullest, with no stress involved!
This tour takes you to all of Tuscany’s top highlights, including the medieval city of Siena, the Chianti wine region, San Gimignano, and the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. I loved exploring the smaller towns within the Tuscan Region to really get a taste of authentic Italian culture.
The first stop was Sienna, where we had so much fun wandering the cobblestone streets and learning all about the history of this medieval town. But my favorite part of the day was definitely having lunch at a beautiful organic farm and winery. We sampled some amazing wine from the family-run estate and had a delicious lunch prepared fresh from food right on the farm. I’m SO glad that we opted to include lunch with our tour.
Next up we got to wander around the UNESCO site, San Gimignano. This small walled town looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale and will leave you in complete awe. Then, the day ends with a visit to Pisa, where you can take the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa photos and climb the iconic tower for yourself!
This tour is genuinely one of my favorite things I have ever done anywhere in Italy. I can’t say enough good things about it, and neither can the 15,000+ reviewers who left a 5-star rating. Read all the glowing testimonials here!
Don’t miss out—book this unforgettable Tuscany tour here!
Dinner – LiVio Pizzeria
We always like to plan a special meal for our last night in a destination, and LiVio Pizzeria fits that bill perfectly! We had an amazing pizza here and enjoyed some of the best tiramisu that we’ve ever had. This spot is located on a busy street, and we really enjoyed the lively local atmosphere, not to mention the super attentive and friendly service. We come back here every time we’re in Florence!
Related Read: If you enjoyed this itinerary, check out our 3-day Rome itinerary for a step-by-step plan for making the most of your time in the Eternal City!
Where to Stay in Florence, Italy
Now that you have your Florence itinerary all planned out, you need somewhere wonderful to stay! There are tons of options, whether you want a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay, and whether you want to be in a historic, trendy, or off-the-beaten-path area. I’ll leave a few recommendations below to narrow down your search.
Luxury – $$$
Located in the historic center of the city, the Donati Luxury Tower Suites is a stunning historic building. It’s been renovated into a 5-star hotel, and the design will have you never wanting to leave the hotel! Some rooms have views of the Duomo, and you can choose between deluxe rooms or suites – but everything will be of the highest quality!
Prices reflect this luxury, starting at €420. Check availability and reserve this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Hotel Porta Faenza is a moderately priced hotel in the old district, walkable to many local hot spots and main tourist sights. It’s also walkable to the train station, so you can get all around Florence! The rooms are quirky, cozy, and historic, making for a charming stay. You can book rooms for one to five people, ranging from €150 to €380.
Check availability and book this room on Booking.com.
Budget – $
You don’t have to sacrifice your budget to stay in the historic part of Florence. B&B Lorenzo&Lorenzo Vol.2 is a lovely, quaint hotel situated in the historic district. The rooms are simple, but comfortable and clean, and it’s a relaxed environment. Prices start at €65 and reach €180 during the busy time of year.
Reserve this stay on Booking.com.
To see even more options, check out all the hotels in Florence here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Florence is one of those cities that sticks with you—and we hope this 3-day itinerary helps you experience the best of it. We followed this plan on our most recent trip and felt like it blended the city’s iconic sights with some of our favorite local finds.
If your Italian adventure is just getting started, don’t miss our other Italy blogs for more tips and travel inspiration. Or we’ve linked a few below that might be especially helpful!
10 BEST Things to do in Florence, Italy