4-Day Florence Itinerary: Art, Food, Wine, and Hidden Gems
Brandon Shaw
Florence doesn’t just ask you to visit—it dares you to slow down. On this 4-dayy Florence itinerary, you’ll have time to see the Renaissance’s greatest masterpieces, get lost in market stalls thick with the scent of truffles, and slip into quiet piazzas where the crowds fall away. Between marble saints and handmade leather, from wine country to rooftop sunsets, this is the Florence that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Pro tips:
Bookmark this in your browser, you’ll want to circle back later. Trust me.
Step into Belle Époque Florence at this chandeliered café that’s been serving espresso and pastries since 1733. Still a favorite meeting spot for locals.
🕐9:00 AM – Morning Stroll Through Mercato Centrale
Start your trip with a sensory overload: fresh pasta stands, pecorino wheels, and the rich smell of truffles floating through the air. Grab a snack or just soak up the energy.
🕐2:00 PM – Shopping Along Via Roma and Via Calzaiuoli
Window shop (or splurge) your way down these famous streets between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. From designer boutiques to classic leather goods, it’s Florence’s beating commercial heart.
Spend your first evening eating your way through Florence. A local guide leads you through lively neighborhoods, sharing lampredotto, artisan cheeses, Chianti, and finally a proper bistecca alla Fiorentina.
One stop on this tour has been family-run for over a century, with recipes passed down by word of mouth.
INTERESSANTE FACT: The famous bistecca alla Fiorentina isn’t just a steak—it’s a protected tradition. To qualify, the beef must come from a specific breed (Chianina) raised in Tuscany.
Day 2 – Masterpieces, Bridges, and the Heart of Florence
Join a local expert to hit Florence’s essentials without wasting time. See Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, step into the grandeur of the Duomo, admire masterpieces at the Uffizi Gallery, and walk across the Ponte Vecchio.
One Renaissance writer said crossing the Ponte Vecchio was like walking through the jewelry box of a queen.
INTERESSANTE FACT: Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence that survived World War II intact—supposedly because Hitler himself ordered it spared.
Tiny but mighty—known for serving Florence’s best panini, packed with local salumi, pecorino, and seasonal toppings.
🕐2:00 PM – Leisurely Stroll Through Piazza della Signoria
After the intensity of the museums, slow down. Piazza della Signoria isn’t just beautiful—it’s Florence’s outdoor art gallery, with sculptures older than most countries.
🕐4:00 PM – Shopping in the San Lorenzo Leather Markets
Haggle (gently) for handmade belts, wallets, and jackets. San Lorenzo’s market may be busy, but you can still find real craftsmanship if you look carefully.
Climb the 463 steps up Brunelleschi’s masterpiece for jaw-dropping views of Florence. Along the way, walk inside the dome itself and see Vasari’s frescoes up close—a perspective few visitors ever forget.
Legend says Brunelleschi cracked the secret of the dome’s design by solving a simple egg-standing trick in front of skeptical judges.
INTERESSANTE FACT: At its completion in 1436, the Duomo’s dome was the largest in the world—and it’s still the largest brick dome ever built.
🍽️12:00 PM – Lunch at Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori
One of Florence’s best-kept secrets. A tiny osteria with handwritten menus, no pizza, no cappuccino, and dishes that taste like a Tuscan grandmother’s kitchen.
Wander through Florence’s coolest neighborhood for handbound notebooks, bespoke sandals, handmade jewelry, and leather goods crafted in tiny workshops.
🕐4:00 PM – Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Step inside this stunning Dominican church to see early Renaissance frescoes and one of the most beautiful cloisters in Florence—often overlooked by tourists.
Spend the day wandering medieval hill towns, sipping world-class Chianti, and tasting olive oils and cheeses straight from the source. Explore Siena’s shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, marvel at San Gimignano’s ancient towers, and unwind at a family-run winery.
In San Gimignano, rival families once raced to build taller and taller towers—status symbols made of stone.
INTERESSANTE FACT: Siena’s famous Piazza del Campo was designed in the 13th century to resemble a seashell, symbolizing a cloak of protection offered by the Virgin Mary.
🍽️1:00 PM – Lunch at a Local Winery (Included)
Enjoy a long, slow lunch under the Tuscan sun. Expect homemade pasta, rustic meats, plenty of local olive oil, and free-poured Chianti Classico.
🕐5:00 PM – Return to Florence + Hotel Refresh
After a full countryside adventure, freshen up before your final Florentine night.
A classic Florentine trattoria near Ponte Vecchio serving old-school Tuscan fare with heart. Their handmade ravioli and veal dishes are the stuff of legend.
The best months are April to June and September to October, when Florence basks in golden light and the evenings are cool enough for long walks along the Arno. July and August can feel like walking through an oven—best avoided unless you love the heat and don’t mind siestas.
How Much Does 4 Days in Florence Cost?
Budget traveler: €240–€350 total
Mid-range traveler: €450–€650 total
Luxury traveler: €850+ total
💡 Plan for a few extra euros here and there—you’ll want that extra glass of Chianti, a second gelato, or maybe that leather jacket you promised yourself you wouldn’t buy.
What You’ll Leave With
A sharper eye for beauty—and the ability to spot real craftsmanship in a single glance
A deeper craving for simple food done perfectly, without fuss or flash
The kind of memories you can’t manufacture: a sunset over rooftops, the hush of a church cloister, the first sip of wine in a hillside vineyard
INTERESSANTE FACT: Florence gave birth not only to the Renaissance, but also to modern museums, modern banking, and the modern way we think about art itself. Walk its streets, and you’re tracing the blueprint for the world we live in today.
Find the best places to stay
Where To Stay in Florence
Florence has a small historical center packed with iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the best neighborhoods in this beautiful city.
Brandon is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He left the States to travel the world at 18 and never looked back! As an official Tour Guide of Rome and Certified Sommelier, he loves to travel the world and share these experiences with his readers.
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