Take a look at this 3 days in Florence itinerary and see what the main things to do on your trip are. We’ve put together the perfect itinerary for you to really enjoy this Italian city.
What to do on your first day in Florence?
In the morning:
To begin this 3 days in Florence itinerary, we always recommend that you start the day very early. This is because you’ll be able to visit all the sights calmly and leisurely, enjoying the city to the full.
So, the first tourist attraction we recommend you visit in Florence is the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the city’s main church and attraction. Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore began construction in 1296 and was inaugurated almost 200 years later.
The building is also considered to be one of the most important works of Gothic architecture ever built. Contrary to what many people think, the beautiful basilica is free to enter, and you only have to pay to go up to the observation deck.
In front of the basilica, stroll through Piazza del Duomo, another of the city’s postcards. Also known as Cathedral Square, it is one of the most visited squares in the country and has other interesting sights. Take the opportunity to take lots of photos there and make the most of your stroll, as there are many beautiful details in the surrounding buildings, which add to the square’s charm.
Next, walk for a few minutes until you reach the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. This is the museum that houses one of the most famous and enchanting works of art in the world: Michelangelo’s David. The original sculpture is right inside the museum, but the city has two other replicas, one just outside the Accademia Gallery and the other in the Pizzale Michelangelo.
Founded in 1784, the museum of the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence also has works by other great names in art, such as Botticelli, Bronzino and Bernardo Daddi. There are also special rooms with works on specific themes, such as the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Hall of the Colossus, which houses paintings dating back to the 15th century.
Afterwards, how about replenishing your energy by having lunch in a delicious restaurant in Florence? There are many options in the historic center and, without a doubt, the experience of tasting delicious Italian food in one of the country’s most classic cities is unique.
In the afternoon:
Continuing your tour of Florence’s historic center, head to the incredible Basilica of San Lorenzo. This beautiful church is also one of the richest in all of Florence. Its interior was designed by the great artist Michelangelo and its external structure is surrounded by bronze pulpits created by Donatello.
To enter the church and have access to all these riches, you need to buy a ticket. But at the end of this article we’ll give you an incredible tip for buying tickets for this and other attractions in Florence.
Then walk a few meters until you reach the classic and beautiful Santa Maria Novella Church. It was built in the 13th century, in 1279, and was Florence’s first great basilica. One of the most incredible features of this place is its wealth of artistic treasures, which is present both outside and inside the temple.
In the evening:
You may already be quite tired and not want to go out at night in Florence. But even so, you should know that some of the city’s nightlife attractions are worth checking out.
So, if you still have some breath left, we recommend ending the evening by going to the magnificent Teatro Niccolini. Opened in 1658, it is the oldest theater in all of Florence and one of the first modern theaters on the European continent. When you enter this theater, it’s impossible not to feel like you’re in another era. The structure, which underwent restoration in 2016, is full of eye-catching details.
Our tip is that you arrive well in advance of your performance so that you can wander around the place and admire its beauty. And, of course, buy your tickets online directly on the Teatro Niccolini website to save money on tickets and avoid queues at the box office.
What to do on your second day in Florence?
In the morning:
On this second day in the city, we recommend you visit the classic and beautiful Santa Maria Novella Church. It was built in the 13th century, in 1279, and was Florence’s first great basilica. One of the most incredible features of this place is its wealth of artistic treasures, which is present both outside and inside the temple.
Next, walk for 10 minutes until you reach Piazza della Repubblica, which is considered the heart of the city. The site has been present in Florence since the first century, when the land was owned by the Roman Empire. But it wasn’t until the 19th century, in 1888, that the city government decided to build a square in the area, which had become a Jewish quarter at the time.
There are a variety of old cafés there, which are perfect for stopping for a snack. But if you want to stop for lunch, you can also find restaurants in Via dei Brunelleschi, Via dei Pecori and around the square.
In the afternoon:
After lunch, we recommend you visit the Galileo Museum, which houses gems of Italian and world history. This science-oriented museum was founded in 1930 by the University of Florence and occupies 3 floors of Palazzo Castellani.
Its structure boasts an incredible collection of optical, astronomical, mathematical, navigational and surgical artifacts. Among them is the telescope that was used by Galileo in 1609 to discover Jupiter’s satellites and the lunar mountains.
In the evening:
To end this second day of your trip, have dinner in a charming restaurant or go to a pub in the city. We recommend that you invest in the Sostanza Restaurant, which offers tasty dishes with meat, pasta, desserts and many others, the highlight of which is the artichoke omelette.
What to do on your third day in Florence?
In the morning:
To start this last day in Florence, visit the Palazzo Vecchio, which was the official residence of the former Medici family. There you’ll find enchanting works of art, interesting secret rooms and passages, as well as rooms that were used by members of the family, not to mention a private chapel and a hall that houses precious works.
There is a very interesting tour of the secret passages of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. On it, you’ll learn more about the history of this important family that ruled the city for centuries.
If you’re curious about this tour, we recommend you visit this Florence ticket website, which we often use and save a lot on tickets.
In the afternoon:
Cross the Ponte Vecchio, which is one of the most famous on the continent. It is a living part of the city’s history, as it preserves surrounding buildings dating back to the 16th century. This is one of those places that can’t be left out of your city trip itinerary and don’t forget to take lots of photos when you go there.
Next, visit another of the city’s enchanting palaces: Palazzo Pitti and the incredible Bóboli Gardens.
Palazzo Pitti began construction in 1446 and was the residence of three royal dynasties. Today, it has become a great museum that delights locals and tourists from all over the world who also take the opportunity to visit the Bóboli Gardens, one of the most famous in the country. Our tip is to buy tickets for this attraction in advance to get a guided tour of the complex.
Next, take a drive or walk to Piazzale Michelangelo. This is another square in the city that has become an important tourist attraction, because it is located high up in the city and therefore offers incredible views of the city.
Finally, end your trip with an incredible view of the city by resting in the Rose Garden. It is located on a hillside near Piazzale Michelangelo and is a meeting point for many locals and tourists who relax on the flowery lawns. It’s well worth a look.
How to save on tickets for paid attractions in Florence?
The city of Florence has some incredible tourist attractions. And to see some of them, you’ll need to have your ticket in hand. So, to save a lot on your ticket purchase, our tip is to buy in advance and online, preferably all on one site.
We’ve traveled all over the world and, on our last trips, we found a great company. Well, it was precisely this Florence Tickets website that we used. As well as being one of the biggest ticket sellers in the world, it’s very secure.
And you can buy all your tickets in one place. It’s worth noting that it’s always cheaper to buy in advance and online, to avoid queues and to avoid wasting your travel time.
Save money on your trip to Florence:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Florence cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Florence. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
