We visited Florence recently and we fit so much into 24 hours. From Il Duomo to the Statue of David, here’s our detailed one-day itinerary for Florence.
Often considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is home to iconic landmarks such as Il Duomo, known for its impressive dome designed by Brunelleschi, and the Uffizi Gallery, which houses masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci.
And so, as you can imagine, Florence is a very popular tourist destination (5 million tourists visit here every year!) That’s an outstanding number of visitors but actually, its appeal is obvious when you visit for yourself. And I’d go so far as to say Florence is one of our favorite cities in Europe.
Now, I will add that we recommend spending more than a day in Florence (two days in Florence is good) – but, we know that time may not be on your side. **Ahem, that’s why you’re here, reading my guide to 24 hours in Florence**
Anyway, let’s get down to business – how to make the most of your one day in Florence.
How did we spend one day in Florence?
As I said, we recently spent 24 hours in Florence after our wedding in the Cinque Terre. It was our second visit to the city so we weren’t majorly fussed about squeezing all the sights in. But, luckily for us we visited on a weekday in September so the city was quieter than expected and so we got to complete our Florence wishlist.
Here’s how our day in Florence went …
After a delicious breakfast at Ala Grande Caffè on Via S. Gallo. we headed straight for Il Duomo at 9 am. Then, we spent a short 30 minutes at the Basilica of Santa Croce before making our way to Piiti Palace & the Statue of David. I will add, that the Statue of David was the longest line we encountered during our day in Florence (it was around a 30-45 minute queue).
In the early evening, we strolled along the Ponte Vecchio before heading to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset, and then after dark, we ventured to Piazza Della Repubblica, where we had a late dinner at La Bistecca.
Morning – Il Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
After breakfast, make a beeline straight for Il Duomo (aka the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore). This is one of the most iconic sights in the city and you’ll likely instantly recognize its eye-catching dome (which was designed by none other than Filippo Brunelleschi, mind you!)
Try to get here for opening time, which is 8:15 am on Monday through Saturday (it opens later on Sundays, at 12:25 pm).
Step inside, and you’ll be greeted by magnificent frescoes painted by the talented Giorgio Vasari, adding to the cathedral’s grandeur. If you’re feeling adventurous, climbing to the top of the dome is a must! The view of Florence from up there is simply spectacular and gives you a whole new perspective of this beautiful city. However, it’s a steep and narrow climb up 463 steps to the top!
There are a couple of different ticket types for Il Duomo, and you view them all here! We went with the Brunelleschi Pass as it gave us access to everything (dome, baptistery, bell tower, museum). We were lucky because we were here at 9 am on a weekday so the line was maybe only 20 minutes long – but it can be triple this or more at peak times!
If you don’t fancy waiting in the long lines – then consider a ticket like this one which costs €69 but gives you a reserved time to see Brunelleschi’s Dome and fast-track entry to the interior of the Cathedral. It’s a 72-hour anytime pass so you can explore the cathedral at your own pace.
One other thing you shouldn’t miss here is Giotto’s Bell Tower. This wow-worthy building is right next to the Duomo and is known as the most beautiful bell tower in Italy.
Late Morning – Basilica of Santa Croce
A short 10-minute walk from Il Duomo is our next suggested stop this morning – and it’s more of a speedier stop-off, I recommend spending around 30 minutes here (as you’ve still got plenty to pack in today).
Known affectionately as the Temple of the Italian Glories, this stunning church serves as the final resting place for some of Italy’s most celebrated figures, like Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
As you step inside, you’ll be awed by the basilica’s beautiful Gothic architecture. Don’t miss the breathtaking frescoes by Giotto and his students.
Admission to Santa Croce costs from €8, slightly more if you want a guided tour.
On the way to your next attraction make a pitstop in Piazza del Signoria (around a 5-minute walk from Santa Croce). This L-shaped square is often called the world’s most beautiful city squares.
You could have an early lunch here if you’re hungry enough, we loved La Tenda Rossa. It is one of the best restaurants in the city.
Afternoon – Pitti Palace
Originally built in the 15th century for wealthy banker Luca Pitti, Pitti Palace was later acquired by the Medici family, who expanded it into a magnificent royal residence.
Although it’s not as eye-catching a building as say, Il Duomo or the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – it’s still well-worth visiting today as it’s home to several important museums, including the Palatine Gallery, which showcases works by renowned artists such as Raphael, Titian, and Rubens.
I say, spend between 1-2 hours here wandering around the lavish royal apartments, the stunning Boboli Gardens, and the Silver Museum, which displays exquisite pieces of jewelry and decorative arts.
A combo ticket for Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens costs €22. Or you can book a skip-the-line ticket for both Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens for €42. Please note, that Pitti Palace is closed on Mondays.
Late Afternoon – See the Statue of David
Michelangelo’s David is an absolute must-see while in Florence. The world-famous 17-foot statue is located inside the Accademia Gallery of Florence (Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze).
What’s most interesting about this masterpiece is that Michelangelo carved it out of a piece of marble that was put to the side by other master sculptors because it was too hard to work with. But, Michelangelo said he always believed David was inside the marble and he didn’t need to carve David instead he freed him from the marble.
Try to get here at lunchtime as it will be a little quieter, as most of the tour groups will be off eating a delicious lunch between 1-2 pm.
Entry to the Accademia costs €16. Or you could book a guided tour of the Accademia Gallery to get a fascinating insight into the history of the statue from a local guide. This tour ticket (which costs €48) also lets you skip the line so, you won’t have to queue to get in! Which is worth the extra money, in my opinion, as the queues can be horrendous!
Please keep in mind, it’s closed on Mondays.
Evening – Ponte Vecchio
Just a 5-minute walk away from Pitti Palace is easily one of the most photogenic sights in the city – the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. Built over the Arno River, it’s remarkable to think that this bridge has been around since the year 1345 – and has survived wars and countless floods.
As you’ll see this evening, the Ponte Vecchio isn’t just any old bridge, it’s lined on either side with a myriad of quaint jewelry shops, art dealers, and souvenir sellers. And I will point out, that it can get very crowded here – which is why, evening (around 6 pm) is a good time to visit as it’s typically a tad quieter (because the day-trippers have headed home).
On your way to your next stop, be sure to take some time exploring Oltrarno – a charming, local neighborhood on the south side of the river. Snap some photos in front of the Basilica di Santo Spirito, a stunning piece of Renaissance architecture also designed by Brunelleschi. If you’re into unique finds be sure to explore the artisan workshops and boutique shops dotted around the area, too.
Sunset – Piazzale Michelangelo
This evening, for sunset, we recommend heading to one of the best viewpoints in Florence – Piazzale Michelangelo.
Perched on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, this famous square provides stunning vistas of Florence’s iconic landmarks, including the majestic Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the sprawling expanse of the city itself.
When we visited, there was a beer cart where you could buy drinks.
After dark – Piazza Della Repubblica
Later this evening why not stop by the iconic carousel in the Piazza Della Repubblica This merry-go-round has been in the city since 1871 and as you can imagine, it’s very popular with families. A ride costs between €2 – €3, from what I remember.
We recommend having a late dinner here – we ate at La Bistecca and loved it.
Afterwards, why not stop into La Petite – a cool, cocktail bar for a nightcap?
Our tips for spending one day in Florence:
- You may not get to see everything: We know, you want to tick off everything on this list but unfortunately, it may not be possible. Especially if you’re visiting in the peak tourist months of July and August. The lines will be long! So, we say, prioritize the places you really want to see and skip the others.
- Get up early: On that note, to have the best chance of seeing everything you will need to be out and about early. Some attractions open as early as 8:15 am.
- Try not to visit on a Monday: As many attractions are closed in Florence on Mondays.
Where to stay in Florence:
We got incredibly lucky when we spent 3 days in Florence recently as we were upgraded to a gigantic suite in our hotel – The NH Collection Porta Rossa. It was seriously ah-mazing.
In the past, we also stayed at ArtHotel on Campo di Marte and loved our stay. It’s a small, quirky, art-filled hotel and our room was really comfortable and spacious.
Getting to Florence:
If you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe, flying into Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport is a handy option. It’s a cozy little airport, so there’s not a ton of international flights! But, you can fly to here from cities like Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, London Heathrow, etc. We tend to use Cheapoair to book our cheap flights, and if you’re flexible with your dates you can nab some pretty great deals.
From the airport, we booked a welcome pickup into the city instead of getting a cab. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
Alternatively, you could fly into Pisa or Bologna airports, both of which have great train and bus connections to Florence.
If you’re already exploring Italy, hopping on a train will be the way to reach Florence. High-speed trains like the Frecciarossa or Italo zip between Florence and major cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice. The train station in Florence is called Florence Santa Maria Novella Station, and it’s around a 10-minute walk from downtown.
If you have a rental car, you can also drive into Florence via the A1 motorway, but, you’ll need to keep in mind that Florence is a ZTL area (limited traffic allowed) and thus, you can only drive through the center if you have a permit or have booked a hotel in the ZTL.
Thanks for Reading!
As I said earlier, 24 hours in Florence really isn’t long enough to get a true feel for this gorgeous city. But, we understand that time isn’t always on your side – so, if you only have 24 hours in Florence, that’s okay (it’s better than no time at all!)
You can also read my other Italy blog posts, here –
Best Cities to Visit in Europe if You’re a Foodie
These are the best cities to visit in Europe if you’re a coffee lover
Day Trip from Milan to Lake Como (Perfect One Day Itinerary)
Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by snaphappytravel