Unravel the Renaissance: Your 3 Days in Florence Itinerary

Florence holds a special place in my heart as one of Italy’s most beloved cities, boasting a wealth of art, cuisine, history, and of course, shopping! Having spent three years living in Florence, I’ve crafted an itinerary encompassing the city’s essence into three days, highlighting its key landmarks and best restaurants. These recommendations aim to ensure you fully immerse yourself in all this remarkable city has to offer. Scroll to the bottom for the listed recommendations.

Visiting hours to be aware of:
Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery of Florence (Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze) Tuesday – Sunday from 8:15a.m.- 6:50 p.m, with the last entrance being at 4:50 p.m. The Uffizi – Tuesday through Sunday, 8:15 a.m. – 6:50 p.m. Ticket office closes at 6:05 p.m., and the museum starts closing down at 6:35 p.m. This means they are both closed on Monday. Access to the Duomo changes seasonally, but generally, the church is open Monday through Saturday from 10:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and Sunday from 12:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. It is closed every first Tuesday of the month for maintenance.

Day 1:

Morning:
What better way to kick off your Italian vacation than with Sophia Loren? The restaurant inspired by her is a great spot in the center, serving pastries, lunch and dinner. I recommend taking a pastry to go on your way to the iconic Florence Cathedral (Duomo) before the crazy line starts! After, visit the Baptistry and if choosing between climbing the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower, I vote the Bell Tower so you can fully appreciate the view of the Duomo and Florence’s beautiful city. Buy tickets in advance, the earlier in the day you go the better, and look to second party apps such as “Get Your Guide” for guided tours and to purchase tickets that may have already sold out.
Note this will cost more than buying tickets directly on site that are self guided.
Before leaving, head to the back of the Duomo for a hidden history landmark. You will find a circular white marble plate that marks the spot where the golden ball on the top of the dome was struck down by lightning just days before the death of the ‘Magnificent’, Lorenzo dei Medici.

Closeby is Osteria Belle Donne, another one of my all-time favorite restaurants, famous for its wine window. Now you’re within my old stomping grounds and old apartment street “Via delle belle donne” or “Street of the Beautiful Women”, which ABSOLUTELY went to my head.

As a student I worked at the Irish pub next door, Daunbailo open Tuesday-Sunday 5:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.. Stop in to see Beckham for a drink and see if you can find my old pictures and ID on the wall.

Other great spots I recommend for aperitivo are Gili in Piazza della Repubblica where there are often street performers, and the carousel and view on Art Rooftop Bar, which is an absolute must for its incredible views.

Day 2: The Davids – (Any day, but a Monday)

Morning:
I recommend starting your day with a pastry from Vecchio Forno with a great coffee shop across the street Simbiosi. From here you walk to see the statue of Michelangelo’s David at theAccademia Gallery of Florence (Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze) open Tuesday – Sunday from 8:15 a.m.-to 6:50 p.m. with the last entrance being at 4:50 p.m. I recommend purchasing tickets ahead. The David is definitely worth the visit, but anticipate being in line longer than you will be in the museum.

Evening:
Depending on the day and your exhaustion levels, I recommend walking from Santa Croce up to Piazzale Michelangelo: preferably at sunset. It offers one of, if not the best view of the city. Often people are dancing and drinking wine up above. I recommend packing a picnic or bringing a pizza to eat at the top, though there are other dining options available on site. If you don’t feel like carrying the food up yourself, you can download the app deliveroo to have food delivered to you from anywhere in the city! Taxis will transport you to the top as well if there are any in your party that might struggle with this amount of walking. I promise the view is worth it.
My two favorite memories there are the picnic I had with friends my first week in Florence and watching the sunrise there with a friend my last week living there. There is also a very cool club named Flo, open in the spring/summer months above Piazzale Michelangelo for those looking for nightlife, but difficult to get into without buying a table.

DAY 3:

Morning:
Melaleuca. They may be Australian owned, but sinfully they are some of the best pastries I have ever had (don’t tell the Italians)! Get there early because they sell out fast which is good if you’re going to make it to the Uffizi before a line forms or consider booking tickets ahead. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world; home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and more.
During one of the wars with the Italian Mafia, there was an explosion behind the Uffizi, sent as a warning. Today a tree sculpture stands there in the memory of the two people that lost their lives as a result.

Afternoon:
When exiting the Uffizi you can follow its windows across the Ponte Vecchio for jewelry shopping. (Mussolini had two large windows put in the center of Ponte Vecchio for Hitler’s visit, before he blew up the surrounding bridges.) For more uplifting art history, head to Piazza della Signoria featured in the movie Hannibal, where you can admire the famous sculptures including Perseus holding the head of Medusa!

(Okay, now for the uplifting part!) Also, see the famous Fountain of Neptune nicknamed the “White Giant” which the locals used to wash their clothes in! There’s also another replica of Michelangelo’s David for any of those who didn’t feel like waiting in line. David stands out front of Palazzo Vecchio that Cosimo I de Medici had painted to resemble Austria so his daughter in law, Joanna would feel less homesick.

Evening:
Enjoy a traditional Florentine meal at one of the trattorias nearby, Piazza della Signoria or use this time to cross the Ponte Vecchio and visit Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens during the spring, home to a vast collection of art and stunning landscapes. From there walk to Santo Spirito or Piazzale Michelangelo for any activities you might have missed during your week.