Florence in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary

In short: day 1, the Duomo and its dome, the David at the Accademia and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo; day 2, the Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio and the Oltrarno; day 3, Santa Croce, San Lorenzo and San Miniato. Book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome climb.

Before you go: what to book

• The Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery (the David): book a time slot.
• The Duomo dome: ticket with a slot for the climb; depending on the pass, it also covers the bell tower and baptistery.
• Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens: tickets online or on site.

Always check opening days and times on the official websites: they can change.

Day 1: the Duomo, the David and Piazzale Michelangelo

Morning: the Duomo. Climb Brunelleschi’s dome early, then see the baptistery and its bronze doors.

Midday: the central market. Have lunch at the central market, near San Lorenzo, where stalls serve Tuscan specialities.

Afternoon: the David. See Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, with your booked slot.

Evening: Piazzale Michelangelo. Head up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset over the city.

Day 2: the Uffizi, the Signoria and the Oltrarno

Morning: the Uffizi. Arrive at opening time at the Uffizi, one of the world’s great art museums: Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael. Allow half a day.

Midday: Piazza della Signoria. Walk to Piazza della Signoria, its statues and the Palazzo Vecchio.

Afternoon: the Ponte Vecchio and the Oltrarno. Cross the Ponte Vecchio and its jewellers to the Oltrarno, for Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.

Evening: dinner in the Oltrarno. Stay in the more local Oltrarno, around Santo Spirito, for dinner.

Day 3: Santa Croce, San Lorenzo and San Miniato

Morning: Santa Croce. Visit the basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried.

Midday: a Tuscan lunch. Try the specialities: ribollita, pappa al pomodoro or bistecca alla fiorentina.

Afternoon: San Lorenzo. Discover the basilica of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels.

Evening: San Miniato. Climb to San Miniato al Monte, above Piazzale Michelangelo, quieter for the evening view.

A fourth day? Day trips

• Siena and its Piazza del Campo.
• San Gimignano and its towers, in the heart of Tuscany.
• Pisa and its leaning tower, by train.
• Chianti, its villages and vineyards.

Our tips to make the most of 3 days

1. Book the museums: without a slot, the wait can be very long.
2. Walk: the centre is compact and largely pedestrian.
3. No car: the historic centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL).
4. Some state museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, but packed.
5. Cover up for churches.

Where to stay for these 3 days

The historic centre, around the Duomo, is ideal for this itinerary, the Oltrarno for a more local feel. Every area is detailed in our guide Where to stay in Florence. To go further, see Things to do in Florence.