Florence in One Day: Detailed Itinerary for First Visit (+Map & Tips)

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Visiting Florence for just one day and wondering how to see the top sights in a short time? This guide shares a step-by-step Florence 1-day itinerary, practical ticket tips, and a sightseeing map, so you can cover the must-see landmarks and walk between attractions in a logical, time-efficient order.

Florence is one of Italy’s most important art cities, with an exceptional concentration of world-class museums, churches, and historic landmarks. Even with limited time, it’s still possible to see the main highlights if you plan well.

Based on our multiple visits, we created this one-day Florence itinerary especially for first-time visitors. Our experience-based recommendations will help you focus on what’s really worth your time, avoid unnecessary backtracking, and make the most of your first visit to the city. The route covers Florence’s main attractions (see the full list of top sights here) and also includes restaurant tips and a few personal suggestions to make your day in Firenze truly memorable.

Wondering where to stay? For such a short visit, it’s best to choose a hotel between the main railway station and the Duomo. Hotel Santa Maria Novella (luxury) or Hotel Rosso23 (mid-range) are great options in this area, within a 5-minute walk of both the station and the cathedral.

PRO TIP: Book tickets in advance. All the main sights in Florence use timed entry and often sell out days ahead, especially in high season. Booking ahead is the only way to follow this one-day itinerary without wasting time in lines or missing key sights. For this itinerary, you’ll need to pre-book the following tickets:

• Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David).
• Uffizi Gallery.
• Duomo & Dome Climb.
• Palazzo Vecchio & Arnolfo Tower (optional).
• Medici Chapels (optional).
• Sunset e-bike tour (optional).

You’ll find practical information for all these places and activities further below.

Short on planning time? If you prefer everything arranged for you, this highly rated Florence in a Day guided tour covers David, the Duomo, the Uffizi, and the historic center in the most efficient order.

Good to know: If you visit Florence on a Monday, when the Accademia and Uffizi are closed, you’ll need a slightly different plan. We included an alternative Monday itinerary at the end of this guide.

Florence 1 Day Itinerary & Map

Here’s what a well-planned day in Florence looks like if you follow this itinerary:

• 9 am – Accademia Gallery. Michelangelo’s David (book timed tickets well in advance!).

• 10 am – Duomo Complex. Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome (timed entry, e.g. 10:25 am) to see the cathedral interior and enjoy panoramic views. All-in Duomo ticket covers all main sites.

• Morning alternative (guided): We opted for this highly rated VIP tour that combines David and the Duomo. If you prefer no dome climb, this highlights tour is another good option.

• 12 pm – Lunch at Mercato Centrale (San Lorenzo Market).

• Optional (before or after lunch): Medici Chapels (short visit, timed entry recommended).

• Early afternoon – Gelato & City Walk. (You should always make time for gelato when visiting Italy!).

• 2 pm – Piazza della Signoria Area. Fontana del Porcellino, leather market, and Piazza della Signoria. Optional: Palazzo Vecchio & Arnolfo Tower (timed tickets advised).

• 4 pm – Uffizi Gallery. Pre-book tickets. We took this small-group tour and highly recommend it.

• 6 pm – Ponte Vecchio. Walk across the bridge and view the Vasari Corridor from the outside.

• 6:30 pm – Sunset Drinks / Viewpoint. Rooftop bar in the historic center or e-bike ride / walk to Piazzale Michelangelo.

• 8:30 pm – Dinner. Traditional trattoria in the historic center (see restaurant recommendations in our full guide below).

Here’s a map showing all stops on this itinerary. The walking route between sights is very straightforward and follows a logical way through the historic center.

How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Here’s what your day in Florence could look like:

Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David)

9 – 10 AM.

We recommend starting your day in Florence with a visit to the Accademia Gallery. This small museum is best known for Michelangelo’s David.

No matter how many pictures you have seen, this marble sculpture will take your breath away. It’s a real Renaissance masterpiece that you have to see with your own eyes! In addition, you can see some of Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures that give an incredible insight into his working process.

The gallery also features several early-Renaissance paintings, and many other sculptures, including the plaster cast of the famous Giambologna’s ‘Rape of the Sabines’ (the original can be found on Piazza della Signoria, near Palazzo Vecchio). This sculpture is unique in the way it was carved and the first in its kind. When you walk around and see all the details, it’s difficult to believe it was carved from a single block of marble.

Practical info: Accademia Gallery is open daily except on Mondays, from 9 am. This is one of the places where you really should reserve your tickets in advance, especially if your time in the city is limited and you want to see as much of Florence in a day as possible. If you can, get the tickets for the earliest time slot and visit here first thing in the morning.

Good to know: Accademia Gallery is not big, and you can see the main highlights in about half an hour. If you want to learn more about all the stunning art at this museum, you could opt for a guided tour. However, with just a day in Florence and if you aren’t keen on doing too many tours, visit David on your own and take a tour of the Uffizi gallery in the afternoon – that museum is huge and overwhelming, and there, it really pays to go with a guide. Or take a guided tour that visits both of these museums.

Duomo Complex

10 AM – NOON.

Next, head to the Duomo complex, which is just 5-6 minutes walk from Galleria dell’Accademia. Best known for the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), this site actually has a lot more to offer than it looks at first sight.

There is a lot to see and do at the Duomo complex. Some of the main highlights include a visit to the Cathedral itself, climbing Brunelleschi’s dome and/ or Giotto’s bell tower, and visiting the Baptistery of Saint John.

How much you can actually see and do here depends so much on when you visit and how busy it is. Each of the sites has a separate entrance and often long queues. You can either simply admire the beautiful buildings from the outside, visit one or two of them inside, or climb the dome or the bell tower.

With just a day in Florence, I recommend the Dome climb plus a quick visit to the Baptistery/Santa Reparata.

Good to know: You can visit the Cathedral itself free of charge, but be prepared to queue. In all honesty, apart from the dome, the interior is not that impressive on the inside, and you may find that it’s not worth the time to queue just for that… But if you climb the dome, the entrance/exit is inside the cathedral, so you can see the interior at the same time. And since you have to book timed tickets for the dome, you don’t waste time, and it’s much easier to plan your day.

Alternatively, you can choose to climb Giotto’s Bell Tower. It requires a ticket as well, but is usually not as busy here as at the dome. From the top, you get an amazing view of the exterior Duomo.

And if you don’t want to do any climbing, visit the Baptistery of St. John and Santa Reparata archaeological site under the cathedral. The latter has a separate entrance and hardly any queue, so you get to see the interior of the Duomo at the same time as well. These two sites also require a ticket.

TIP: The best option is the all-in ticket, which includes Giotto’s Bell Tower, Opera del Duomo Museum, Santa Reparata, the Baptistery, and the timed entry for the Brunelleschi Dome climb.

Good to know: On Sundays, the Cathedral is closed for visits, and the dome climb is only possible in the afternoon. If you visit on a Sunday, you can either opt for Giotto’s Bell Tower and other sights indicated above or rearrange the itinerary and do the dome climb later. You can see all the opening times here.

Our experience: We visited Florence Duomo (including the Dome climb) and Michelangelo’s David on this VIP tour. It offers access to the terraces of the Duomo, which are not accessible to the general public. While not a must, this made our trip more special. In addition, we got a separate ticket for Giotto’s tower and the Baptistery, which was well worth it as well.

Lunch at San Lorenzo Market

NOON – 1 PM.

Just a short walk from the Duomo complex is the bustling neighborhood of San Lorenzo. Here, you’ll find Mercato Centrale (aka Mercato San Lorenzo) one of the biggest markets in Florence. The historic food market is located in a covered hall, but the surrounding streets are lined with market stands as well. These usually sell clothing and leather goods.

Make your way between all the market stands on the street and walk to the market itself. Here, you’ll find many small cafes and various places selling food. On the top floor, there’s also a food hall where you can try all kinds of Italian specialties from various regions.

I don’t think there’s a bad place to eat here. We had lunch at the market a few times and everything was delicious. One day we had Tuscan meat specialties at one of the enoteca‘s (wine shops) on the ground floor, and another time – we ordered pasta at one of the places in the food court upstairs and the wine from another enoteca nearby. Everything was excellent.

A popular place for Tuscan food at Mercato Centrale is Da Nerbone. Their specialty is the traditional Florentine lampredotto sandwich (made with tripe/cow stomach), but if that’s not for you, you’ll find plenty of other good options as well.

TIP: Try to arrive at the market early, ideally just a bit before noon. Most Italians eat lunch at around 1-2 pm and the market gets really busy at that time.

Medici Chapel (optional)

AROUND NOON – EARLY AFTERNOON.

There are a few other interesting places to see in the San Lorenzo area, just near the market. One of them is the Basilica di San Lorenzo, and you’ll see it when passing by anyway. It’s nice to visit inside, but with just one day in Florence, I’d skip that.

However, there is another place just behind the church that is well worth a visit if you can squeeze it into your itinerary. That’s Cappelle Medicee, a small burial chapel of the Medici family. It’s one of the most impressive places to see in Florence!

Good to know: The good thing is that a visit here doesn’t require much time (15 minutes inside should be enough to quickly see the chapel). The problem is that the opening times are somewhat special and so it requires a bit more planning. On weekends, it’s open in the morning and on weekdays – in the afternoon. And some days it’s closed completely.

TIP: If you want to visit the chapel, see if you can get a timed-entrance ticket in advance. If it’s open in the morning, book a visit at noon, before you go for lunch. And if it’s open in the afternoon, book the first available visit (usually at around 2 pm). Alternatively, you can also just pass by here and see if it’s open (and if the queue is not too long) and decide at that moment.

Gelato

In the afternoon, take some time to walk around the city center of Florence. You could also get gelato and enjoy it while you explore. Be sure to skip all those gelaterias that have ‘mountains’ of colorful ice cream – these are really not the best places for a good gelato. Instead, look for a more local, quality place.

And while you are at it, be sure to try the traditional Florentine ice cream flavor ‘buontalenti’. It’s named after Bernardo Buontalenti, a 16th-century Florence designer and artist, who is often credited as an inventor of Italian ice cream, gelato.

One of the better gelaterias (recommended to us by locals) in the area where you’ll be passing by is ‘Perché no!’. We indicated it on our map below.

Fontana del Porcellino & Leather Market

EARLY AFTERNOON.

As you walk towards the river, be sure to stop by Fontana del Porcellino on Piazza del Mercato Nuovo.

This is an iconic bronze sculpture/ fountain of a boar. They say that rubbing its nose will bring you luck. And if you put some money into its mouth, it will guarantee that you will return to Florence one day…

At this same location, you can also find a small market – Mercato del Porcellino. Here, you can buy all kinds of things made of leather – colorful handbags, wallets, gloves, etc. It’s somewhat similar to what you see in the streets next to Mercato Centrale.

Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio

2.30 – 3.30 PM.

Just a short walk further, be sure to visit Piazza della Signoria, one of the most beautiful squares in Florence. Here, you can see Palazzo Vecchio and the Arnolfo Tower, the Fountain of Neptune, the incredible sculptures at Loggia dei Lanzi, and many other highlights. This square is like an open-air art gallery. Michelangelo’s David was originally supposed to stand here, and you can now see its replica.

If you plan your itinerary really well, you could pay a visit to Palazzo Vecchio and potentially also climb the Arnolfo Tower. With just one day in Florence, this is not an absolute must, but if you can, I find that a visit here is well worth it. Especially to the palace.

Keep in mind that the Palace closes in the afternoon on Thursdays, so if that’s when you visit, you may not be able to go inside unless you rearrange this itinerary.

Our experience: We climbed the tower and quickly visited the palace, and it took us about 1 hour. But if you want to be sure you can visit without wasting time queueing, you have to book timed-entry tickets in advance. For this itinerary, you could book a visit at around 2.30 pm.

Uffizi Gallery

4 – 6 PM.

In the late afternoon, visit the Uffizi Gallery, just next to Palazzo Vecchio. This is one of the most famous museums in Italy. Established in the 16th century, it’s also one of the oldest museums in the world. This ‘galleria’ gave name to all the art galleries.

Here, you can see an incredible collection of ancient sculptures and paintings, including some masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Raffaello, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other famous painters.

PRO TIP: One of the largest museums in the world, a visit to the Uffizi can be overwhelming. If you don’t want to miss any of the most important works, we highly recommend visiting with a guide.

Our experience: After lots of research, we chose this highly-rated tour, and it was absolutely excellent. Our group had just seven people, and since we opted for a 4 pm tour, most tourists were leaving as we entered. This gave us a unique chance to visit the Uffizi Gallery without the biggest crowds. And our excellent guide made the visit very smooth and really interesting, pointing out all the most important works, telling stories behind them, etc.

Good to know: If you visit on your own, book timed entrance tickets well in advance. The late afternoon (around 3–4 pm) is often a bit quieter, also for security lines. Focus on the upper floor for the main masterpieces, then see Caravaggio on the lower level on your way out. If the Vasari Corridor is on your wish list, note that access is only possible with a timed reservation starting from inside the Uffizi (in that case, you need to allow an extra hour and reserve it together with the museum tickets).

TIP: Uffizi Gallery has a nice café with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Palazzo Vecchio. It’s a good place to sit down for a drink and rest your legs after all the sightseeing.

Ponte Vecchio & Vasari Corridor

6 – 6.30 PM.

Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s most iconic bridge and one of the city’s absolute must-sees. Located right next to the Uffizi Gallery, it connects the historic center with the Oltrarno district across the Arno River.

The bridge is lined with small gold and jewelry shops and is usually very lively. Besides walking across it, take a moment to view it from the riverbanks as well – from the side, you can really appreciate its unique structure and medieval character.

Looking up from the eastern side, you’ll notice a covered passageway running above the shops. This is the Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano), a secret elevated walkway built in 1565 for the Medici family to move privately between the Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti.

After a long restoration, the corridor has recently reopened to visitors. With a reservation, you can enter it from the Uffizi Gallery and walk above Ponte Vecchio all the way to the Boboli Gardens. With just one day in Florence, fitting this in is quite ambitious, but it’s a fascinating option if you want a truly unique experience. In that case, skip the Palazzo Vecchio and be sure to make reservations for the Vasari Corridor well in advance.

Sunset Views

End your day in Florence with beautiful city views. There are several great options that fit perfectly into a one-day itinerary.

A nice option is to have a drink at one of Florence’s best rooftop bars. La Terrazza Rooftop Bar at Hotel Continentale, right next to Ponte Vecchio, is perfectly located for this itinerary and offers fantastic views over the river and the old town. Try to reserve a table in advance, especially in the high season.

Another popular way to end a day in Florence is to head to Piazzale Michelangelo, the city’s most famous viewpoint. It’s about a 20–30 minute uphill walk from the historic center, or you can take a taxi. The panoramic views over the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Arno are always impressive, even outside sunset hour.

We visited Piazzale Michelangelo as part of this e-bike tour, which is a great option if you prefer to avoid the uphill walk and want to see more of the city. Just check the starting time (which depends on the season). With just one day, this may mean skipping the interior of Palazzo Vecchio and visiting the Uffizi a bit earlier (around 3 pm), which can actually make the day feel more relaxed and less rushed.

Dinner

End your day in Florence with a nice dinner. I don’t recommend having dinner at hotel restaurants or rooftop bars; instead, opt for a simple traditional trattoria. The food is usually much better and the prices – much more affordable.

A very popular choice for a traditional Florentine steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina) is Trattoria Dall’Oste. They have a few restaurants in town; the one close to the Duomo (see our map) is the most popular one. You absolutely have to reserve a table in advance if you want to dine here!

My personal favorite of all the restaurants we tried in Florence is La Buchetta, close to Ponte alle Grazie (on the way back from Piazzale Michelangelo to the center). This is a small trattoria with very friendly service and the best gnocchi I ever had. They also serve Bistecca alla Fiorentina (and many other traditional local dishes from the Tuscany region).

READ ALSO: Traditional Italian Food by Region

Florence on Monday – Alternative Day Trip Itinerary

As mentioned before, the two main museums – the Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Gallery – are both closed on Mondays. So if you visit on a Monday and have just that one day in Florence, you’ll need a somewhat different itinerary.

Here’s what your Monday in Florence could look like (hours are just for your reference):

• 9 am. Duomo Complex. Climb the dome, visit the Cathedral, the Baptistery, etc. (book your tickets in advance).
• 11 am. Capelle Medicee (reserve timed-entry tickets).
• 11.30 am. Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.
• Lunch at Mercato Centrale.
• Fontana del Porcellino, leather market.
• +- 2 pm. Piazza della Signoria and visit Palazzo Vecchio. Book the tickets for the Palace and the tower in advance!
• Ponte Vecchio.
• +- 4 pm. Visit Boboli Gardens (the adjacent Palazzo Pitti is also closed on Mondays, but the gardens are usually open, but check the official site before you go). Alternatively, visit Basilica Santa Croce.
• 6 pm. E-bike tour of the city.
• 8.30 pm. Dinner.

Please note that these times are just indicated for your reference. You can easily switch things around, but be sure to double-check the opening hours. For the Duomo dome climb and potentially Capelle Medicee and Palazzo Vecchio/ Arnolfo Tower, you really should get timed tickets in advance.

READ ALSO: Best Places to See & Things to Do in Florence

Where to Stay

If Florence is one of the stops on your Italy itinerary and you want to see the main highlights in a day, it’s best to stay at least two nights. That way, you’ll have one full day for sightseeing without rushing.

For a short stay, the most convenient area is around Firenze Santa Maria Novella (the main railway station) or between the station and the Duomo. This location is perfect for walking to the main sights and easy if you arrive or leave by train.

Here are a few well-located hotel options for different budgets:

• €€€€€ Santa Maria Novella – WTB – An elegant boutique hotel right by the main square and the railway station, offering a prime central location and easy access to all major sights.

• €€€€ Hotel Croce di Malta – We stayed here once and can highly recommend it. It has a great central location near the station, a lovely rooftop terrace, and a rare bonus in Florence: a garden with an outdoor pool.

• €€€ B&B Le Stanze del Duomo – One of the best-rated affordable, family-friendly options in the historic center, with rooms and spacious apartments. Located just steps from the Duomo, it’s a bit farther from the train station but ideal for sightseeing and excellent value for such a central location.

• €€ Plus Florence – A very popular and highly rated budget hotel with modern rooms, a pool, and good transport connections. It’s about a 15-minute walk from both the train station and the Duomo.

READ ALSO: Best Rooftop Bars & Hotels in Florence

This is our recommended itinerary for seeing the best of Florence in one day. While the city easily deserves several days, this route lets you experience the main landmarks and most famous sights in a logical, time-efficient way.

Be sure to book tickets for the top attractions in advance. Timed entry is essential if you want to follow this itinerary without long lines, last-minute stress, or having to skip key places.

Wear comfortable walking shoes, and remember that all churches have a strict dress code – shoulders and knees must be covered. Also, avoid carrying large bags or backpacks, as they are not allowed in some museums and churches and can slow you down at security checks.

TIP: If Florence is part of a longer Italy trip, Bologna makes a great next stop. It’s just a short train ride away and offers a very different atmosphere, famous food, and beautiful historic sights.

LEARN MORE: Florence to Bologna: Travel Info & Itinerary & What to See & Do in Bologna

More travel inspiration for Italian cities:

• Best cities to see in Italy
• ROME:
  • 1 day in Rome
  • 2 days in Rome
  • 4 days in Rome
  • Top sights in Rome
  • Hidden gems of Rome
• VENICE:
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  • 3 days in Venice
  • Top sights in Venice
• MILAN:
  • Milan in 1 day
  • Top sights in Milan
• NAPLES:
  • Naples in 1 day
  • Best of Naples
• MORE:
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  • Best of Ravenna
  • Best of Rimini
  • Best of Siena
  • Best of Montepulciano

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Some of our favorite places in Italy:

• Best places to visit in Italy
• Capri Island
• Best day trips from Naples
• Best places in the Dolomites
• Lake Como travel tips
• Bellagio (Lake Como)
• Varenna (Lake Como)
• Como City
• Best Things to Do in Lake Como
• Lake Garda
• Cinque Terre vs. Amalfi Coast
• Most Beautiful Coastal Towns of the Italian Riviera
• Tuscany Itinerary
• Amalfi Coast travel tips
• Montepulciano (Tuscany)
• Varenna (Lake Como)
• For more inspiration, please see our Italy travel blog.