Florence itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: The Duomo, San Lorenzo & the David
The Duomo and the Baptistery, Giotto's bell tower, the Mercato Centrale and San Lorenzo, the Accademia, and Piazza della Repubblica in the evening.
- 1
Morning
The Duomo & the Baptistery
The cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, clad in white, green and pink marble under Brunelleschi's great dome, facing the Baptistery and its gilded Gates of Paradise.
- Baptistery
- Gates of Paradise
- Inside the Duomo
Climbing the dome needs a timed ticket; book it in advance.
Walk round the side of the cathedral, about 2 min.
- 2
Late morning
Giotto's bell tower
The slender marble bell tower beside the cathedral; the climb has no lift, but the top terrace looks straight across at the dome.
- Bell tower climb
- View of the dome
- Rooftops of Florence
Walk north past San Lorenzo, about 10 min.
- 3
Early afternoon
San Lorenzo & the Mercato Centrale
The covered food market in an iron-and-glass hall, surrounded by the leather and souvenir stalls of the San Lorenzo street market, next to the Medici family church.
- Mercato Centrale
- San Lorenzo market
- San Lorenzo church
Walk east along Via degli Alfani, about 10 min.
- 4
Afternoon
The Accademia
The gallery that holds Michelangelo's David, the original marble statue, moved here from Piazza della Signoria in 1873.
- Accademia Gallery
- Michelangelo's David
- Via Ricasoli
Book a time slot online; the walk-up queue can take hours in summer.
Walk south past the Duomo, about 10 min.
- 5
Evening
Piazza della Repubblica
A wide 19th-century square on the site of the Roman forum, with an old carousel and grand cafés under the arcades.
- Piazza della Repubblica
- Carousel
- Triumphal arch
Day 2: The Signoria, the Uffizi & the Ponte Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio, and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
- 1
Morning
Piazza della Signoria & the Palazzo Vecchio
The political heart of Florence, an open-air gallery of statues around the Neptune Fountain, overlooked by the fortress-like town hall of the Palazzo Vecchio.
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Loggia dei Lanzi
- Copy of David
Walk into the Uffizi courtyard, about 2 min.
- 2
Late morning
The Uffizi
One of the world's great art museums, in a long U-shaped building between the Signoria and the river, with Botticelli's Birth of Venus among its paintings.
- Uffizi courtyard
- Botticelli
- Arno view
Allow at least half a day inside, and book a time slot to skip the ticket queue.
Walk along the river, about 5 min.
- 3
Afternoon
The Ponte Vecchio
The medieval bridge lined with goldsmiths' shops hanging over the Arno, with the Vasari Corridor running along the top.
- Ponte Vecchio
- Goldsmiths' shops
- Arno views
Cross the river and walk up through the gardens, about 30 min, or take a bus.
- 4
Sunset
Piazzale Michelangelo
The terrace on the hill south of the river with the classic view of Florence: the dome, the Palazzo Vecchio tower and the bridges in one frame.
- Panoramic view
- Bronze David
- Sunset over the Arno
Walk up through the gardens and stairs from the river, or take a bus; arrive half an hour before sunset.
Day 3: The Oltrarno
The Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, Piazza Santo Spirito, and the Ponte Santa Trinita at night.
- 1
Morning
The Pitti Palace
The vast stone palace of the Medici grand dukes on the Oltrarno side, now home to several museums.
- Pitti Palace
- Palatine Gallery
- Piazza Pitti
Walk in behind the palace, about 5 min.
- 2
Late morning
The Boboli Gardens
The Medici's formal gardens behind the Pitti Palace, climbing the hill with statues, fountains and grottoes, and views back over the city.
- Boboli Gardens
- Statues and fountains
- City views
Walk down through the Oltrarno streets, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Santo Spirito
A tree-shaded square in the Oltrarno, in front of the plain facade of Brunelleschi's Santo Spirito church, with cafés and a neighbourhood feel.
- Piazza Santo Spirito
- Santo Spirito church
- Oltrarno workshops
Walk north to the river, about 10 min.
- 4
Evening
The Ponte Santa Trinita
The elegant Renaissance bridge one crossing west of the Ponte Vecchio, and the best place to see the Ponte Vecchio itself lit up at night.
- Ponte Santa Trinita
- Ponte Vecchio at night
- Arno embankments
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Florence plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Florence
How many days?
Three days covers the Duomo and San Lorenzo, the Signoria with the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio, and the Oltrarno. Two days is enough for the highlights if you book the museums ahead.
Where to stay
The area around the Duomo and the Signoria puts you next to everything; Santa Croce is lively; the Oltrarno is calmer and full of workshops; Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo are handy for the station. Compare areas →
Getting around
Walk. The centre is compact and largely closed to traffic; buses help only for the climb to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Florence's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is small enough to cross on foot in twenty minutes. On the north bank of the Arno sit the Duomo with Brunelleschi's dome, the Medici church of San Lorenzo, the Accademia with Michelangelo's David, and Piazza della Signoria next to the Uffizi. The Ponte Vecchio crosses to the Oltrarno, with the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens and the hill of Piazzale Michelangelo.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the squares, the bridges and the cathedral before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Florence itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Florence?
Three days is a good first visit: one for the Duomo, San Lorenzo and the David, one for the Signoria, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio, and one for the Oltrarno. Two days covers the highlights if you book the museums ahead.
Do you need to book the museums in advance?
For the Uffizi, the Accademia and the Duomo climbs, yes, especially from spring to autumn. Timed tickets bought online save hours of queuing.
Is Florence a walkable city?
Very. The historic centre is small and mostly closed to cars, and every stop on this plan is a short walk from the next. The only climb is up to Piazzale Michelangelo and the Boboli Gardens.
When is the best time to visit Florence?
April to June and September to October are the most pleasant. July and August are hot and crowded; winter is quiet, with shorter queues at the museums.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in Florence
5 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →Keep exploring Florence
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Florence city guide →