2-Day Florence Itinerary: What to See, Do, and Eat

Florence grabs you from the first step. The streets feel carved from history. In just two days, you’ll see art that changed the world, taste dishes rooted in centuries of tradition, and walk paths once shaped by emperors and artists. This is where the Renaissance began—and it still feels alive. Here’s your 2-day Florence Itinerary, curated by experts.

---

Pro tips:

• Bookmark this in your browser, you’ll want to circle back later. Trust me.
• Planning a trip to Florence? Check out our recommendations on where to stay by neighborhood!

All Florence Itineraries

Day One Florence’s Greatest Hits: Art, Architecture, and Aperitivo 

☕ 8:00 AM – Coffee at Ditta Artigianale 

📍 Via dei Neri, 32R 

Start your day at Florence’s top craft coffee shop with a perfect espresso or cold brew. 

🕐 9:00 AM – Accademia’s David and the Uffizi Gallery

👉 Florence in a Day Combo Tour with David and Uffizi

See it all without wasting time. Skip the lines at Accademia to marvel at Michelangelo’s David, then head to the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio with a passionate guide. 

Michelangelo said he didn’t sculpt David—he freed him from the marble. 

INTERESSANTE FACT: Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge spared from destruction during WWII in Florence. 

🍽️ 12:30 PM – Lunch at Trattoria ZaZa 

📍 Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26R (San Lorenzo District) 

A local favorite for Tuscan comfort food like truffle pasta and ribollita soup. 

👉 More places to eat near the Uffizi Gallery 

🕐 2:30 PM – Visit Florence Cathedral (Exterior) 

Stand in awe before Brunelleschi’s Dome—the architectural gamble that paid off and changed the world. 

🍽️ 3:00 PM – Gelato Break at Perché No! 

📍 Via dei Tavolini, 19r 

Small-batch gelato since 1939, with seasonal flavors like fig and ricotta. 

👉 More places to eat near the Duomo

🕐 3:30 PM – Stroll Across Ponte Vecchio 

Florence’s oldest bridge, still bustling with gold shops and crowds since the 1300s. 

🍸 5:30 PM – Aperitivo at SE·STO on Arno 

📍 Piazza Ognissanti, 3 (Westin Excelsior) 

Toast your first sunset in Florence with a Negroni overlooking the Arno River. 

🍽️ 7:30 PM – Dinner at Osteria Cinghiale Bianco 

📍 Borgo San Jacopo, 43 (Santo Spirito District) 

Rustic, hearty Tuscan dishes like wild boar pappardelle in a historic building. 

👉 More places to eat in Santo Spirito

Day Two: Gardens, Domes, and Dinner Like a Local 

☕ 8:00 AM – Coffee at Caffè Gilli 

📍 Via Roma, 1R 

An old-world café that’s been a local meeting spot since 1733. 

🕐 8:45 AM – Visit Brancacci Chapel 

Walk through the chapel where Masaccio’s frescoes ignited the early Renaissance. 

Masaccio’s realistic human emotions set a new standard for art in Europe. 

🕐 10:00 AM – Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome 

Book early for a timed entry and tackle the 463 steps up to Florence’s best viewpoint. 

INTERESSANTE FACT: The Dome’s construction technique remained a secret for over 400 years. 

👉 Learn how to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome

🍽️ 12:30 PM – Lunch at Da Nerbone in Mercato Centrale 

📍 Mercato Centrale, Ground Floor (San Lorenzo District) 

Florentine street food legends: slow-cooked beef and lampredotto sandwiches. 

👉 More places to eat near the Santa Maria Novella Train Station

🕐 1:30 PM – Leisurely Walk or Hotel Break 

Recharge for an evening of gardens, rooftops, and Florentine steak. 

🕐 3:30 PM – Visit Boboli Gardens at Pitti Palace 

Roam through vast gardens filled with statues, fountains, and panoramic viewpoints once reserved for the Medici. 

🍽️ 5:30 PM – Local Food Splurge with Florentine Steak

👉Book the Florence Evening Food Tour with Florentine Steak

Spend your final night eating like a true Florentine: steaks, wine, and hidden trattorias led by a local guide. 

Best Time to Visit Florence 

Visit between April and June or September and October for the best weather.

Summer gets brutally hot, but evenings can still be beautiful if you plan your day right. 

How Much Does Two Days in Florence Cost? 

• Budget traveler: €130–€180 total 
  

• Mid-range traveler: €220–€320 total 
  

• Luxury traveler: €450+ total 

💡 Keep a few euros handy for spontaneous gelato, spritz stops, or irresistible leather goods. 

What You’ll Leave With 

• Memories of seeing the Renaissance up close 

• A newfound respect for simple Tuscan food done right 

• The sense that Florence isn’t just beautiful—it’s alive
  

INTERESSANTE FACT: Florence’s impact during the Renaissance was so deep that scholars call it “the cradle of modern civilization.”