One Day in Florence: the Perfect 1-Day Itinerary

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Wondering how to spend one day in Florence? This gorgeous city is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in Italy and these are all my top tips to make the most of your time!

I loved Florence. I have visited my fair share of cities in Italy and this one always comes close to the top of my list. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is full of history, art, and culture. It’s easy to understand why it’s one of the most popular destinations in the country.

Even if you only have one day in Florence, there are so many wonderful things to do. From admiring the exquisite architecture to the stunning masterpieces housed in its world-renowned museums. If you’re visiting Italy, it would be a real shame to miss out on this gem. 

The Perfect Day in Florence Itinerary

So, without further ado, here is the best way to see Florence in a day:

9:00 – Wander Around the Piazza del Duomo Complex

Start your day with one of Florence’s most famous attractions: the Piazza del Duomo. The Piazza is the main square in the city and also one of the most famous and iconic squares in all of Italy. So, it makes sense to make it the first thing you see.

Is the centre of religious and cultural life in Florence and everything else is reachable via a short walk. So, it makes the natural starting point for your day in Florence.

The square is dominated by the Florence Cathedral, the most famous landmark in the city. But you’ll also find many other stunning buildings here (which we’ll cover later on this day itinerary).

It’s also surrounded by cafes, shops, and restaurants and is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists. Once you’ve had a wander around the square and snapped as many photographs as you’d like, head over to the famous cathedral.

✅ Book a guided walking tour of all of Florence’s top attractions

9:30 – Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

If you’ve seen photographs of Florence before, you’ll probably recognize this building. The beautiful white walls with the classic domed amber roof. After all, it’s pretty much the landmark of the city. 

The Gothic-style cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The dome – known as Brunelleschi’s dome – is what it’s most known for.

Designed by architect Filippo Brunelleschi, it’s considered a masterpiece of engineering, and the largest brick dome in the world.

The cathedral also features a bell tower and a facade that was completed in the 19th century.

Inside the cathedral, it’s almost as impressive as the outside. You’ll find stained glass windows, frescoes, and marble works, as well as the impressive organ, which is one of the largest in the world.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a symbol of the city and an absolute must-visit during a day in Florence.

Top Tip: Whilst the entrance to the cathedral itself is free, to climb the tower, climb the cathedral dome, visit the baptisery, and museums, you’ll need to purchase entrance tickets. These can be purchased online or at the door, but I highly recommend booking them online as the long queues can be brutal.

10:30 – Explore Giotto Campanile

Once you’ve explored the impressive cathedral, head over to Giotto Campanile. This is one of the buildings that make up the Cathedral complex and another of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Its elegant Gothic style and its intricate decoration, which includes relief sculptures and elaborate mouldings, make it a treat to look at.

You can also climb Giotto’s Bell Tower (and I highly recommend you do), for stunning panoramic views of the city and the Piazza del Duomo below. I will warn you though, it’s 414 steps. The climb is steep, but you’ll get the best view of the city from the top, so it’s well worth the effort.

Top Tip: You may want to allow extra time here as there can be long lines to get in.

11:30 – Visit the Baptistery of St John

Next head to the Baptistery of St John. Also located in the main Piazza, the Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in the city and is considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy.

It was finished in the 12th century, it features incredibly elaborate decoration. Looking at the intricate details that have gone into the building it’s easy to see why it took over 100 years to complete.

The interior is equally impressive, featuring a series of chapels, each dedicated to a different saint.

But one of the most impressive features of the Baptistery of St. John is its dome. Decorated in elaborate gold, it is covered in a series of frescoes by the famous Italian artist Giusto de’ Menabuoi.

It’s simply stunning and one of the best things to see during one day in Florence.

Top Tip: I recommend grabbing some lunch before you arrive at the next stop. It’s not hard to find a good cafe or sandwich shop. Maledetti Toscani and Retrobottega are both on the way and serve great sandwiches and cakes. I also highly recommend Gelateria dei Neri if you have time.

12:30 – Explore the Basilica of Santa Croce

Next, head south to the Basilica of Santa Croce and be sure to stop for a little lunch detour on the way.

Located around an 11-minute walk away from the main Piazza, this Franciscan church was built in the 13th century. It’s considered a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture.

It’s impressive both inside and out. Inside, you’ll find frescoes, sculptures, and stained glass windows on both the walls and ceilings.

The church is also famous for its numerous chapels, each of which is dedicated to a different saint and features its own unique works of art.

13:30 – Climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo and St David’s Statue

After you’ve taken in the gorgeous church, cross the river via the Ponte alle Grazie, and head further south to the Piazzale Michelangelo.

Named after the famous artist Michelangelo, this square offers a stunning panoramic view of the city. It’s likely the spot where many of the famous photographs of the Cathedral from afar are taken. 

Nonetheless, due to its position above the city, prepare for a pretty steep climb to reach it! Definitely bring water if you’re spending your one day in Florence in the heat of the summer months.

Once you’ve admired the beauty of Florence from above, I recommend exploring the square itself. You’ll find food trucks selling paninis, hot dogs, and fresh smoothies, stalls selling homemade textiles and trinkets, and one of the most famous landmarks in Florence.

On a high pedestal in the centre of the square, is a bronze replica of the Statue of David. It’s a symbol of the city and is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Renaissance sculpture. It’s also one of the top sights in Florence.

15:00 – Walk along the River to Ponte Vecchio

Next, head back down the hill and walk along the riverfront for about 20 minutes until you reach Ponte Vecchio. This ancient bridge is the most famous in the city and, when you get there, you’ll see that it’s more than just a bridge. 

The Ponte Vecchio was built in medieval times and is one of the oldest bridges in Europe. You’ll notice its unique design almost immediately.

Instead of being open like most medieval bridges, the entire structure is enclosed and there’s a collection of shops and buildings built along its length. These shops have changed over time, but have historically been occupied by goldsmiths and jewellery merchants.

This makes the bridge a great place to do a bit of shopping. You could browse the shops for souvenirs or jewellery, or head to one of the cafes along the bridge for a cup of coffee.

It also has a pretty interesting history. Having survived floods, and wars, and with several legends surrounding it, there’s a lot to learn about this historic bridge. It’s considered a symbol of the resilience and strength of the city.

Bear in mind, however, that the bridge does get pretty crowded, especially in peak season. Nonetheless, it’s still a must-see during one day in Florence.

15:30 – Palazzo Vecchio

Once you’ve explored the famous bridge, head back across the river to Palazzo Vecchio. Located in the Piazza della Signoria, this palace was built in the 13th century. It served as the seat of the city’s government for several centuries, but today, it is the city’s town hall.

It’s also, in my opinion, one of the most curious buildings in the city. Featuring arched windows, imposing towers, and ornate decorations it combines the Gothic and Renaissance styles to create something truly beautiful.

Inside, you’ll find richly decorated halls and chambers, as well as numerous works of art on display, including sculptures, paintings, frescoes, and tapestries. Palazzo Vecchio is a great way to get a glimpse into the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.

16:30 – Piazza della Signoria

Once you’ve taken in the gorgeous palace, head back outside into the square. Surrounded by a number of historic buildings, including the Palazzo Vecchio, the square is bustling with life.

Also, home to a replica of Michelangelo’s David statue, Piazza della Signoria is a popular place for both tourists and locals.

You could grab a snack or sit down for a meal, and take in the sights and sounds of the city or simply find a bench and people-watch.

17:30 – Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

Last but not least, head northwest, past the cathedral, (around a 15-minute walk) to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. This incredibly impressive church is one of the city’s oldest and largest churches and features stunning Gothic architecture.

The outside is decorated with Florence’s signature colours of white, red, and green, and the interior of the church is richly decorated with frescoes, sculptures, and works of art. It was built in the 13th century but it is considered the original basilica in the city.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is the perfect place to end your day. It’s located opposite the main train station. So, if you took the train to Florence, you’ll be just a short distance away from the station.

Top Tip: If you have time before you have to leave Florence, you could go for a further 5-minute walk to Mercato Centrale. This is the central market and a good place to experience local life and cuisine.

How to get to Florence

If you’re a first-time visitor to Italy, you might be planning to explore many of the sights in the country. This is what we did and Florence was just one stop of many – hence why we only stayed one day there.

The good news is that Italy is very well-connected when it comes to train travel and you can reach Florence from a load of different cities like Rome, Pisa, and Milan. We came from exploring the city of Bologna, and the train ride was only around 40 minutes.

Here are a few of the best ways to get to Florence.

• By air: The city has an airport, Florence Airport (FLR). You can find flights here from across Europe as well as plenty of internal flights from other destinations in Italy. From the airport, you can book a taxi or a shuttle bus to reach the city centre.
• By train: As mentioned, Florence is well connected to other cities in Italy and Europe by train. The main station in the city is Santa Maria Novella Train Station (SMN). Train travel is very good in Italy – it’s fast, reliable and not too expensive. We booked our ticket via Omio, which is the easiest way to find cheap train travel in Europe.
• By bus: You could also take the bus to reach Florence depending on where in Italy you are travelling from. Although being one of the major cities, it’s pretty well connected. Nonetheless, bus travel is usually much longer than the train, so, if you can afford it, I’d use the train, especially if you only have one day in Florence. We use Flixbus for all our bus travel in Europe.
• By car: Of course, if you’re on an Italian road trip, then driving to Florence is the obvious option. You can rent a car easily with Discovercars. However, once again, due to the time it’ll take and the added struggle of finding inter-city parking, I would recommend the train over driving to Florence.

✅ Book train travel to Florence, here.

Where to stay in Florence

Where to base yourself is a pretty important choice, especially if you only have one day in Florence. You won’t want to stay too far from the main attractions, yet, staying in the very centre of the city can get quite expensive.

Nevertheless, Florence offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets. Here are some of my favourite hotels in Florence:

1. Palazza Galetti – a great value hotel with decor that combines the modern style with traditional Florence. This 1930s hotel has just 11 rooms, some with wonderful views.
2. Plaza Hotel Lucchesi – Featuring a rooftop pool, and stunning views across Florence, this hotel is perfect for those who want to stay right in the centre of the city. It’s as good inside as it is out.
3. Aqa Palace – Located in the Santa Croce area, this hotel is central, affordable, and spacious. Ideal for families, it has both rooms and apartments, ideal for those who like their own space.
4. Hotel La Scaletta – Located near the Arno River, this hotel is within walking distance of Florence Cathedral but not quite as central. With peaceful riverside views, it’s close to plenty of restaurants and also has a rooftop one of its own!
5. Brunelleschi Hotel – This incredibly chic hotel is right in the very centre of everything – the Duomo District. Expertly decorated and a little fancy, this is ideal for couples who want to splurge or for special occasions.

Regardless of where you choose to stay, it is advisable to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak tourist season as good hotels can get booked up pretty quickly.

✅ Discover more of the best places to stay in Florence, here.

Is one day in Florence enough?

If I’m perfectly honest, it wasn’t enough time for us. There were more things we would’ve liked to have seen such as the Uffizi Gallery, Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. However, this also depends on your interests.

What do you want to do in the city? How fast do you travel? How in-depth of a feel do you want to get for Florence? Also, if you aren’t a fan of museums, you could probably see a lot of Florence in one day.

In my opinion, a day in Florence can give you a glimpse of the city’s rich history, culture, and art. But it is not enough to truly experience everything it has to offer. With only one day, you would have to prioritize and make the most of your time, instead of being able to see everything.

If you have more time in Florence, it’ll give you a chance to go on a few day trips like a fantastic wineries food tour. You could even do a day trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Of course, even if you only have one day in Florence, it’s still worth visiting the city. There’s plenty you can see in just a single day. But you’ll certainly have to plan ahead to make the most of your time.

Final Thoughts on Spending a Day in Florence

Florence is an incredible city. The architecture is simply beautiful and I haven’t seen anywhere like it in all the places I’ve travelled to in Italy.

It’s perfect for history buffs, photographers will adore it (trust me!), and even those who simply want to experience Italian culture will love this city. 

So, even if you only have one day in Florence – perhaps you’re travelling around Italy by train or simply stopping over before moving on to your final destination – don’t skip Florence. It has so much to offer.

P.S. If you are exploring more of Italy, I recommend Venice, Verona, Cinque Terre, and Rome.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. But, I only recommend products and companies that I use and love.