Itinerary
Florence in 2 days
A realistic plan for 48 hours in Florence: the big museums, the Dome, the best viewpoint, Oltrarno, and where to spend both evenings. Everything is walkable.
Before you go: book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the Dome climb in advance. They sell out in high season, and the Dome only admits visitors with a timed slot. The Uffizi, Accademia and Palazzo Pitti are closed on Mondays, so avoid starting a Monday with them.
Day 1: Duomo, David and the Uffizi
Morning: the Accademia and the David
Start early at the Galleria dell'Accademia, when the rooms are quietest. The visit takes about an hour and the David is the reason to come: seeing it in person, at over five metres tall, is very different from the photos. Michelangelo's unfinished Prisoners along the hall are worth a slow look on the way.
Skip-the-line Accademia tickets →
Late morning: Piazza del Duomo and the Dome climb
Five minutes' walk south is the cathedral. Entry to the church itself is free, but the Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery need a ticket. The Dome climb is 463 steps, passing between the two shells of the dome and right under the Last Judgment frescoes, and ends with the best close-up view of the city's rooftops. Wear comfortable shoes and skip it if you don't like narrow spaces.
Dome climb tickets with a time slot →
Lunch: Mercato Centrale
Walk ten minutes to the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo. The ground floor is a working food market; upstairs there are food counters with fresh pasta, pizza and the classic lampredotto sandwich. It's quick, cheap and good.
Afternoon: the Uffizi
Give the Uffizi at least two and a half hours. The essentials are Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo's Annunciation, and the Caravaggio rooms. A guided tour helps a lot here: the museum is huge and a guide takes you straight to the masterpieces.
Uffizi tickets and guided tours →
Evening: Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio
Leaving the Uffizi you're already in Piazza della Signoria, with Palazzo Vecchio and the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi. Walk to Ponte Vecchio as the light drops. For dinner, cross into Santa Croce, where trattorias serve bistecca alla fiorentina by weight, made to share.
Day 2: Oltrarno, gardens and the sunset view
Morning: Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens
Cross Ponte Vecchio to the Oltrarno, the "other side" of the river. Palazzo Pitti was the Medici residence and holds the Palatine Gallery. Behind it, the Boboli Gardens climb the hill with fountains, statues and views back over the city. If you only choose one, choose the gardens on a sunny day.
Lunch: Santo Spirito
Walk to Piazza Santo Spirito, the heart of Oltrarno. It's a real neighbourhood square, with artisans' workshops in the streets around it and simple places for lunch.
Afternoon: choose one
- Basilica of Santa Croce: the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, and Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel.
- A fresh pasta class: three hours with a chef, then you eat what you made. A good choice on a rainy day.
- Chianti half-day: the hills, a winery and a tasting of wine and olive oil, back in time for dinner.
Chianti tours from Florence → Pasta classes →
Sunset: Piazzale Michelangelo
From San Niccolò, walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo in about 15 minutes. This is the postcard view: the Dome, Palazzo Vecchio and the bridges over the Arno, with the hills behind. If you have energy left, continue up to the church of San Miniato al Monte, which is quieter and just as beautiful.
Evening: aperitivo and a night out
Walk back down to San Niccolò for an aperitivo in one of the wine bars below the hill, then return to Santo Spirito, where the square fills up after dark. If you're travelling solo and want to meet people, an organized pub crawl is the easiest way. Read our nightlife guide for more.
Where to stay for 2 nights
With only two days, stay central so you never lose time on transport. The Duomo area is the most convenient; Santa Maria Novella is cheaper and right by the station; Oltrarno is best if you want evenings out.
Staying safe
Florence is a safe city for visitors, but like every major destination it has pickpockets and the occasional scam, and it pays to travel smart.
- Watch your belongings in crowds: Ponte Vecchio, Piazza del Duomo, the queues outside museums, buses and Santa Maria Novella station are where pickpockets work. Keep your bag closed and in front of you, and your phone and wallet in an inside pocket.
- Don't leave things on the table: a phone on an outdoor café table is an easy target.
- At night, stick to busy, well-lit streets: the center and Oltrarno stay lively until late. Avoid parks and empty side streets after dark, including the Cascine park, and if a place doesn't feel right, trust your instinct and leave.
- Going home late: use licensed white taxis from a taxi rank or booked by phone or app, not rides offered on the street.
- Ignore pushy "helpers": people offering bracelets, petitions or help with ticket machines are often a distraction.
- Emergencies: call 112, the European emergency number. It works from any phone.
Practical tips
- Getting around: the historic center is compact and largely closed to traffic. You won't need a car or taxis.
- Dress code: churches ask for covered shoulders and knees.
- Tourist tax: hotels charge a city tax per person per night, paid on arrival.
- Opening hours change: always check the official site of each museum before your visit.
Still choosing where to stay? Read our guide to where to stay in Florence.