For those making their “Italy Bucket List,” it goes without saying that Florence is a must-see due to its architectural beauty, vast amounts of art, world-class food, and overall quaintness. It’s the perfect city to dip your toes into Italy as it’s extremely walkable and many people speak English. That being said, there are many hidden gems that you may not have time for. We’re sharing how to spend 3 days in Florence (the second-timer’s guide).
Day 0: Arrival Day
Where to stay: This goes without saying, but before heading to Florence, ensure you’ve booked a reliable place to stay. We stopped in Florence on the way to a wedding in Siena and had the pleasure of staying at 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino. You can find my full review of this hotel here.
Getting to your hotel: Florence is incredibly walkable, but depending on how you arrive in Florence, you may need to catch a cab or the train to your hotel. We took the tram from the Airport (~3 euros) which takes about 20 minutes to get to the main train station and then walked from there. If you are in a rush or have a lot of baggage, a cab may be the best option.
If you fly into Rome (many times flights are cheaper into Rome vs. Florence) and take the train to Florence, 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino is only a 7-minute walk from the station. Many other accommodations will be further away and require a short cab ride. Thankfully, Cabs wait outside the station, so it’s easy to snag one.
After settling into our hotel after a long travel day, we walked to the Mercato Centrale for dinner. This massive haul features some of Florence’s best shops and food spots. I love ordering a drink at my seat while I decide where to order dinner. Ultimately, it always comes down to the pizzeria that serves the most authentic Florentine pizza.
Day 1 of 3 Days in Florence
Sunrise at The Duomo
We kicked off our first day of exploring with Sunrise at the Duomo. If you want photos with minimal people in the background, this is the best time of day to do it!
After a quick shoot, we got breakfast at Caffè Scudieri Firenze. It’s a historic spot next to the Duomo. After a bite to eat and a necessary espresso to keep the jetlag at bay, we claimed the dome and Cathedral.
It’s free to visit the Cathedral, but in order to access the monuments of Piazza Del Duomo, it’s required to hold one of the following passes: Brunelleschi, Giotto, or Ghiberti. We opted for the Brunelleschi, which includes access to all the monuments of Piazza del Duomo with one pass. This includes the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and the ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata.
The Opera del Duomo Museum is a great hidden gem and must be visited on your tour.
After our morning of touring, we headed to Pino’s for lunch, another hidden gem and an alternative option to L’Antico Vinaio for a traditional Italian panino.
Visit Officini Profumo- Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
The Officina Profumo is considered one of the oldest pharmacies in the world and one of the hidden gems we visited on this trip. This historic pharmacy doubles as a museum and is one of my favorite places to pick up souvenirs.
- Location: Via della Scala, 16, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy (there are a couple of locations in Florence but make sure you go to the original)
- Pro tip: When picking out your goodies, be sure to ask the sales associate for the story of the Officina. They’ll happily give you information about the history.
Take photos in the Vintage Photo Booth
Taking photos in the vintage photo booth is fun to add to your list if you have extra time or happen to pass one while walking around Florence. If you’re short on time, this is a skippable attraction.
We luckily waited in a short line to take the photos but beware, the photos take around 5 minutes to print, so allow for extra time if you’re set on hopping in the photo booth. I go into more depth on this attraction in my Florence Hidden Gems blog.
Visit Giardino delle Rose
After snapping some vintage photos, we set off for Giardino delle Rose, a Rose Garden featuring 400 rose varieties. It’s a gorgeous sight right below the Piazzale Michelangelo. From here, you can see a stunning view of the historic center surrounded by roses. What could be better?
Sunset at Piazzale Michelangleo
This is arguably one of the best views in Florence. We headed up here for the breathtaking views at sunset. Everyone else had the same idea, as it was incredibly crowded this time of day.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, I suggest going at sunrise or in the middle of the day to avoid the madness.
Gelato
After sunset, we got an obligatory cup of gelato from La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Artigianale. When ordering gelato in Italy, it’s important to note that it’s in the tin containers rather than the cases showcasing mountains of gelato. While these mountains look visually appealing, the quality is not as great as the ones concealed.
Day 2 of 3 Days in Florence
Wake up and Walk the Piazzas
We started Day 3 with an early morning walk across the Ponte Vecchio and along the Arno River.
After window shopping the jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio, we headed to the large Piazza della Signoria in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, or the city’s town hall. It’s adjacent to the Uffizi Gallery, so this plaza sees a lot of foot traffic. I recommend visiting in the morning hours to get photos and avoid the large crowds.
After walking through this plaza, We checked out the Piazza della Republica, one of Florence’s main squares with the iconic merry-go-round in the center.
Our self-led walking tour led us to Nuovo Mercato delle Pulci, a small antique market worth checking out. In addition, Florence’s leather market is only a short walk from Piazza della Republica, a great spot to find leather jackets, bags, and accessories. While this is not a must-see, it’s always fun to check out if you have free time to shop. Note: depending on when you visit Florence, you may be lucky enough to catch one of their larger antique markets that occur throughout the month. Find out more here.
Visit the Academia Gallery
The Academia is most famous for its incredible sculptures by Michelangelo, and if you haven’t been to Florence, you’ve likely seen the statue of David on social media. This is another attraction to buy your ticket ahead of time as the lines grow quickly!
Sunset Yoga & Dinner
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Airbnb Experiences offers the coolest activities in foreign countries. We’ve found so many unique activities in other countries, and Florence was no different. On this trip, we booked a sunset yoga class on a rooftop overlooking the Duomo. This experience included a communal-style dinner on the rooftop after class. Mats were included, so all we did was show up ready to flow!
Day 3 of 3 Days in Florence
Gucci Garden
Day 4 started off with a visit to Gucci Garden. Within the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia, you’ll find the Gucci Garden, which formally housed the Gucci Museum. This reworked space features one-of-a-kind items, a Gucci restaurant by a three Michelin-star chef, and Galleria exhibition rooms. It’s an incredible experience for fashion lovers.
Boboli & Bardini Gardens
After looking at all the incredible Gucci pieces, we headed towards the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. These vast gardens create a stunning outdoor museum showcasing ancient and Renaissance statues and fountains and make for an incredible spot to picnic or walk around.
Entrance to the Boboli Gardens also gets you into the Bardini Gardens. This gorgeous hidden gem features picturesque gardens, flowers, and views. Keep an eye out for the entrance near the exit of the Boboli Gardens.
If you haven’t been to the Palazzo Pitti, it’s a good option to do as well. If you’re not in a hurry, get Gusta Pizza to go and sit on the slope in front of the Palazzo.
Grab a drink at a Wine Window
This age-old tradition of buying wine through a window grew in popularity amongst tourists after people discovered the windows and shared them on social media. Babae is in Florence’s Santo Spirito neighborhood and offers the perfect mid-afternoon sip after walking around the gardens.
Gusta Pizza or Osteria
All this sightseeing works up an appetite. We were beyond disappointed that Gusta Pizza was closed in August, but we ended up at Gusta Osteria for an incredibly delicious meal.
Thanks for reading how to spend 3 days in Florence!
