Florence 3-Day Itinerary

Morning

Visit the Piazza del Duomo and climb the Giotto's bell tower for stunning views of the city. The Duomo (which is the Italian word for Cathedral, sits in the center of the city. There is a law that no building can be built higher than the cupola of the duomo, so it can be viewed from all around! The city sits within a valley, so the views from the surrounding mountains are a must! It is FREE to visit inside the duomo, but make sure to line up early as tour groups start to line up early as well. You can buy tickets to go up the cupola and the bell tower. I would recommend one or the other or doing them on separate days, as they are a lot of steps!

Afternoon

Explore the Piazza della Signoria and see the David statue at the Galleria dell'Accademia. Piazza della Signoria is the main square in Florence, Italy. It is located in the heart of the city, near the Arno River and the Uffizi Gallery. The square has been the center of political and social life in Florence for centuries. The square is dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio (meaning Old Palace in Italian), the seat of the Florentine government for centuries. The palace is a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture and it houses a lot of important works of art. Outside you will see a plaster statue of Michelangelo's David. If you would like to see the real, marble David, you will need to visit Galleria dell'Accademia. This is a few blocks away from the Piazza Della Signoria so schedule time in for the walk. The Square is a great meeting place - and you will notice lots of crowds. It is also a great place to enjoy all the different outdoor sculptures and many great restaurants and bars allow you to sit outside and enjoy the buzz of activity.

Evening

Take a stroll along the Arno River and enjoy a leisurely dinner at a traditional Florentine restaurant. I love Florence at night! Taking a stroll over the Ponte Vecchio (the old bridge). Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River in Florence, Italy. It is the oldest bridge in Florence and the only bridge that survived the destruction of the city during World War II. It now houses lots of jewelry shops and great photo ops in the center. I recommend returning to the Duomo after the night falls. There is always live music in the distance, fewer crowds and cool air. I find a good seat at an outdoor bar and don’t mind paying the extra price for a drink right in front of the magnificent building. It's a great way to end a long first day!

Morning

Visit the Uffizi Gallery and see some of the world's most famous works of art, including Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and da Vinci's "The Annunciation". Uffizi means “The Offices” in Italian. This helps you make sense of the Gallery’s long hallways with lots of rooms or offices, off to the side. There is a flow to the art and you will wind your way from medieval art all the way through the renaissance.

Afternoon

Take a walking tour of the city and learn about its history and culture. Florence is famous for their leather market and their indoor market, Mercato Centrale, where you will find amazing food vendors and shops.

Evening

Enjoy a performance at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, one of Italy's leading opera houses. If you are visiting Florence, be sure to visit the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiore.

Morning

Visit the Boboli Gardens, a beautiful Renaissance garden located behind the Pitti Palace. The gardens were built over a period of 200 years, and they were expanded several times. They are home to over 1,000 statues, fountains and other features. You can spend hours exploring all the features of these gardens. Be sure to bring some water! You will also find beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside from the top of the gardens.

Afternoon

Take a day trip to Pisa and see the Leaning Tower. A day trip to Pisa is easy from Florence, as it is a short train ride away, and you can walk from the train station to the tower. You can buy tickets for just the tower, or additional tickets for the Church as well. Both are beautiful.

Evening

Enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant with views of the Ponte Vecchio. This is just a suggestion, of course, and can help you tailor it to your own interests and preferences. There are many other things to see and do in Florence, so you could easily fill three days (or more) with exploring.

Here are some additional tips:

• Book your tickets in advance for the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, as they can get very crowded.

• If you are interested in art, consider buying a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry to many museums and attractions.

• Florence is a very walkable city, so you can easily get around on foot. However, there are also busses and trams if you need them.

• The best time to visit Florence is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild.

• Florence is also a great place to enjoy Italian food and wine. There are many restaurants in the city serving traditional Tuscan cuisine, and the surrounding countryside is home to some of the best vineyards in Italy.

If you are interested in art, history or culture, Florence is a city that you should definitely visit. It is a beautiful and fascinating place with something to offer everyone.