1-Day Florence Itinerary: How to See It All

There’s something about Florence that doesn’t just stick with you—it rewires you. In one day, you can stand where Michelangelo carved giants from stone, sip wine steps from medieval towers, and eat gelato in the shadow of a Renaissance dome. Florence is small enough to conquer in a day, but powerful enough to stay with you for a lifetime. Here’s your 1-day Florence itinerary, crafted 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

Getting There & Around Florence 

• Airport: Florence Airport (FLR) — 15–20 minutes by taxi to the center. 

• Train: Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station (SMN) — fast train from Rome, Venice, or Milan. 

• Getting Around: Florence is best conquered on foot—no need for cars or complicated transport. 

Pro Tip: Stay near the Duomo, Santa Croce, or Piazza della Repubblica for the easiest walking routes to the city’s best sights. 

1-Day Florence Itinerary

☕ 8:00 AM – Coffee at Mercato Centrale 

📍 Piazza del Mercato Centrale 

Start your day standing at the bar with a quick espresso and pastry. This indoor market buzzes with early morning life, fueling Florence’s day the way it’s been done for decades. 

🕐 9:00 AM – Accademia Gallery and Uffizi

👉 Accademia’s David and Uffizi Half-Day Skip the Line Tour


Skip the endless lines and head straight to Florence’s masterpieces. See Michelangelo’s David up close at the Accademia, then dive into Botticelli, Leonardo, and Caravaggio at the Uffizi. 

Locals in the 1500s described Michelangelo sculpting faster and more furiously than anyone else. When asked why, he said: “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” 

INTERESSANTE FACT: The block of marble Michelangelo used for David had been abandoned outdoors for 25 years before he touched it. 

🍽️ 12:30 PM – Lunch at La Cantinetta Verrazzano 

📍 Via dei Tavolini, 18-20r (Near Piazza della Signoria) 

Rustic focaccia sandwiches, seasonal cheeses, and local prosciutto make this the perfect casual stop steps from the Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio. 

👉 More great restaurants near the Accademia Gallery in Florence

🕐 1:30 PM – Walk through Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio 

Florence’s political heart beats among fountains and statues. Look up at Palazzo Vecchio’s medieval tower while Neptune watches from his fountain. 

🕐 2:00 PM – Admire Florence Cathedral (Exterior) 

Stare up at Brunelleschi’s Dome—the crowning achievement of Renaissance engineering and a miracle of architecture. 

Brunelleschi had no formal training. Locals thought he was insane for proposing a dome with no scaffolding—and then he pulled it off. 

🍽️ 2:30 PM – Gelato Break at Gelato Edoardo 

📍 Piazza del Duomo 45r 

Grab a scoop of organic, small-batch gelato, especially their hazelnut-chocolate swirl named after the owners’ son. 

👉 More places to eat near the Duomo

🕐 3:00 PM – Cross Ponte Vecchio 

Walk Florence’s most iconic medieval bridge, lined with jewelry shops still glittering today. 

INTERESSANTE FACT: The word “bankruptcy” (banco rotto) comes from merchants on Ponte Vecchio whose sales tables were broken when they couldn’t pay their rent. 

🕐 3:30 PM – Shopping Break on Via Calzaiuoli 

This stylish pedestrian street connects Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria—perfect for leather bags, artisan paper goods, and people-watching. 

🍸 5:30 PM – Aperitivo at La Terrazza Lounge Bar 

📍 Vicolo dell’Oro 6R (inside Hotel Continentale) 

Toast your day with a Negroni or Aperol Spritz overlooking the Arno River at sunset. 

👉 More places for drinks near Ponte Vecchio » 

Optional Evening Tour: Florence Steak Dinner and Walking Food Tour 

👉 Florence Evening Food Tour with Florentine Steak and Tuscan Wine

If you still have energy, dive deeper into Florence’s culinary soul with Florentine steak, Chianti wine, and local specialties on a guided evening food walk.

🍽️ 7:30 PM – Trattoria 4 Leoni 

📍 Via de’ Vellutini, 1R (Santo Spirito District) 

A classic Florentine trattoria tucked away in Santo Spirito, famous for its pear and cheese ravioli and cozy, old-world atmosphere

👉 More places to eat in Santo Spirito

 

Best Time to Visit Florence 

Florence shines in April to June and September to October—when the light is soft, crowds thin out, and every street feels like a living Renaissance painting. 
Skip July and August if you can—the city swelters. 

How Much Does One Day in Florence Cost? 

• Budget traveler: €60–€80/day 
  

• Mid-range traveler: €100–€150/day
  

• Luxury traveler: €200+/day
  

💡 Pro Tip: Save extra euros for spontaneous joys—a third gelato, an unexpected aperitivo, or a hand-stitched leather wallet you’ll never regret. 

What You’ll Leave With 

• A real craving for authentic gelato and fresh focaccia 
  

• A habit of scanning domes and arches wherever you go 
  

• A quiet vow to come back—and stay longer next time 

INTERESSANTE FACT: Florence’s historic center fits inside a single square mile, yet it sparked the Renaissance and changed the world forever.