One day in Florence: The Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Amanda standing in front of the Duomo of Florence

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Heading to Italy but only have one day in Florence? Don’t worry, this one-day Florence Itinerary will help you make the most of your short visit to one of Italy’s most special cities. Florence is my absolute favorite city in the world! If you know me, you know that I can’t stop talking about Florence! The magic, the food, the sunsets, the list goes on. I spent 4 months studying in Florence in college and have taken trips back since. I even got engaged in Florence! That’s how special Florence is to me!

My engagement at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Italy!

While to me, Florence is so much more than just a day trip, it is possible to experience most of the major highlights with a well-planned itinerary. Thanks to its walkability, Florence is very easy to navigate and explore.

Where is Florence located?

Florence is located in Northern Italy in the Tuscany region. It is easily accessible by high-speed trains from the major cities of North Italy making it an easy day trip. The most popular starting destinations are:

Rome: trip takes about 1 hour 30 minutes
Milan: trip takes about 1 hour 40 minutes
Verona: trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes
Venice: trip takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes
Bologna: trip takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes

Arrival in Florence

You will arrive in Florence at Santa Maria Novella Train Station. I recommend arriving in Florence around 9 o’clock so you have the entire day to explore.

Start off by heading to Piazza Del Duomo, home to Florence’s most iconic landmark, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo). Standing in front of the Duomo and looking up at it’s beauty is truly breathtaking. If you are not afraid of heights and up for a challenge, climb the Duomo for panoramic views of the city! The climb is 463 steep steps to the top but the view is one of my favorites.

If you are ready for a bite to eat, I recommend stopping into Don Nino. Here can you find coffee, delicious pastries, gelato and more. The reason I always go here though is the Sicilian Cannoli. These cannoli’s are stuffed right in front of you to ensure freshness and you can choose what toppings you want! My go to? One side with chocolate chips and one side with chopped pistachios. Don’t eat too much here as there is still so much other food you must try in Florence!

Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze

Next up, it is time to go see Michelangelo’s famous David statue. The David is housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. This museum is not very large and can be done in about 1 hour. I recommend taking a guided tour with skip the line access. This tour is about 1 hour long and will help you gain a deeper understanding than just looking at the statues!

Lunch and Santa Croce

Walk over to Pino’s Sandwiches- Salumeria Verdi for the best paninis. This family owned panini shop is run by Pino, his wife and his daughter, and is not to be missed. You are greeted with the friendliest welcome when you walk in. My go-to panini is the springtime but you truly can’t go wrong with any Panini! There is seating inside and outside but my favorite way to eat these paninis is to walk over to Piazza di Santa Croce (about 5 minute walk) and enjoy your panini on a bench in the Piazza.

Since you are already in the piazza, I recommend heading into Basilica di Santa Croce. This church is gorgeous inside and houses the tombs of many famous Italians like Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo. There is also a statue to the famous Dante Alighieri in front of the church.

Uffizzi Gallery or Palazzo Vecchio

If you love art, I recommend visiting the world-famous Uffizi Gallery. It is home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo and da Vinci. I will tell you that this museum is huge, very crowded and can be hot so if you are not into art, it may not be for you. I personally did it one time and I’m happy I got to experience it, but will likely not go again. This museum can take a few hours to walk through. Consider a small group tour of the Uffizi to streamline your visit!

If you are not into art, I recommend heading over to Piazza della Signoria. This is right next to the Uffizi, so you can see the Uffizi from outside. This square is home to Palazzo Vecchio, the old palace for the Medici family as well as the town hall of Florence. This is a cool museum to enter as you can see the old private rooms of the Medici family, the Salone di Cinquecento (hall of 500) and some famous paintings. I recommend a guided tour so you can learn about the building and history!

If you just want to explore the square, that works too! The Piazza is home to some famous outdoor art. Here you will find the replica of the David, Loggia di Stanzi (a public sculpture gallery home to some famous statues like ‘Cosimo I on horseback’), and many cafes you can pop into for a quick bite if you are hungry.

Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River

Next up is the famous Ponte Vecchio. This bridge was one of the first built in Florence connecting the two sides of the Arno river. It is also the only bridge in Florence spared from destruction in World War II. This bridge with enclosed shops used to house butchers, farmers, and tanners but today is mostly jewelers and art dealers. Head over to the bridge, pop into some jewelers and take in the views of the river from the middle of the bridge.

Stop into Edoardo Gelato Biologico Ponte Vecchio right on the far side of the bridge. This is my personal favorite gelato in Florence! Try the Canella (cinnamon) flavor!

Piazzale Michelangelo

This is my favorite view of Florence, Piazzale Michelangelo at Sunset. Once you have crossed Ponte Vecchio, you are going to head left along the river. Enjoy the walk along the river until you reach Piazza Giuseppe Poggi. From here you will take the walking path up to Piazzale Michelangelo. It is a bit of a hike as it uphill and stairs but it is so worth it! (you can put Piazzale Michelangelo into your iphone maps and follow the walking directions). There will be many other people walking up with you. If the walk is not doable for you, you can take a taxi to the top.

At the top, you can buy a bottle of wine or a beer from the little stand and find a place to sit and take in the view of the whole city of Florence. Sitting up here at Sunset is truly my favorite place to be in the world. It is pure magic!

Dinner

The time of sunset and the time of your train back to where you are staying will affect my dinner recommendations.

My preferred plan would be to head to Osteria Santo Spirito (their truffle Gnocchi is a must try!) after the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
If you have to catch a train back at an earlier time, I would recommend grabbing dinner before you head up to Piazzale Michelangelo. Gustapizza is a delicious pizza choice not too far from where you will be when you cross Ponte Vecchio. You can ask for your pizza in a heart shape and enjoy it at the restaurant (not a ton of seating) or in Piazza Santo Santo Spirito.

While Florence is a city I personally think everyone should spend at least a night or two in, it is possible to hit most of the major sights in one day. If you plan to spend more than one day in Florence, I recommend staying at Grand Hotel Minerva or FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli (and I can get you added perks at both of these hotels as your travel advisor!)

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Florence in One Day

Can you see Florence in one day?

Yes! While spending more time in Florence is ideal, one day is enough to experience many of the cities most iconic sights! With careful planning you can visit the Duomo, Michelangelo’s David, Ponte Vecchio, and even catch the most amazing sunset.

What’s the best way to get around Florence?

Florence is an incredibly walkable city. Most major sights are within a 10-20 minute walk of each other. I highly recommend comfortable walking shoes. If needed, taxi’s are also available.

Is Florence a good day trip from Rome?

Absolutely! Florence is just 1.5 hours away from Rome by high-speed train. Trains run frequently throughout the day, but be sure to book tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

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Have you been to Florence? What are your must do things if you were heading to Florence for just one day?