1-Day Florence Itinerary: How to See It All + Maps

• 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. 

📍 Piazza della Repubblica, 6

Start your one day in Florence the right way by grabbing a cappuccino at this historic literary café with chandeliers and tuxedoed waiters. Head to the bar for a quick drink or splurge for a seat under the arcade. 

📍Accademia Gallery & Uffizi Galleries

Now that you have your coffee fix, it’s time to 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.

For helpful planning tips, check out our guides on How to Visit the Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Galleries. Or, jump on one of our expert-guided tours below!

📍 Via Lambertesca, 1/R

You’ve seen a lot, and you’re only halfway through your Florence in a day itinerary! Take a break from the sightseeing and enjoy a peaceful lunch at this tucked-away trattoria. The gnocchi in black truffle sauce is a must.

👉 More great restaurants near the Accademia Gallery in Florence

Now, it’s time to walk off that food, and you’re already in a perfect spot to begin a history-laden walk through Florence. In this compact core, you’ll spot the Duomo’s vast dome, Giotto’s stone lattice climbing skyward, and the Baptistery whose reliefs helped launch Renaissance sculpture. Between those monuments and the Basilica of St. Lawrence, you’ll find Piazza della Signoria’s stage of republican ritual, the Mercato Nuovo with its bronze boar, and Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

For more ideas and context, check out these Top Things to See in Florence.

📍Ponte Vecchio

No 1-day Florence itinerary is complete without crossing the famous (and very busy!) Ponte Vecchio. In its earliest days, the bridge was packed with butcher stalls, but the Medici judged them too down-market for their shining city. That’s why today you’ll find jewelers and goldsmiths lining the bridge.

Above the storefronts runs the Vasari Corridor, a concealed walkway that links Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti and allowed the Medici to move from their residence to the seat of government without being seen.

📍 Piazza Santo Spirito, 9

After all the walking, you deserve a properly made cocktail. Head to the top of Hotel Palazzo Guadagni, and toast your day in Florence with a Negroni or Aperol Spritz overlooking the Arno River at sunset. 

For more ideas, check out these local-picked restaurants near Ponte Vecchio. 

If you only have one day in Florence, a food tour is the best way to sample the best local spots only a foodie knows about. Our Florence Evening Food Tour with Florentine Steak and Tuscan Wine takes you to five of Florence’s top eateries, where you’ll taste everything from traditional Tuscan fare to the city’s iconic Florentine steak and even enjoy wine from a historic wine window.

Book your spot here!

📍Piazza di S. Pancrazio, 1

You only have one day in Florence, so make it count! Finish up your evening with a final drink or two at Manifattura, a vintage-vibe cocktail bar near Palazzo Strozzi.