A 3 Days in Florence Itinerary You'll Want to Steal

Last Updated on 4th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Italy, then no doubt that Florence is close to the top of your bucket list. Known as Firenze in Italian, this dreamy destination boasts Brunelleschi’s dome, a sea of terracotta rooftops, and is often touted to be one of the most important cities when it comes to Renaissance culture and art. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to spend the perfect 3 days in Florence itinerary.

I first visited Florence over ten years ago and swiftly fell in love with its gorgeous weather, wealth of museums, friendly locals, delectable foodie scene (even for veggies, vegans, and those who eat gluten-free), and unforgettable surroundings.

It’s the kind of city you can never get tired of and the sort of destination you could easily return to year on year. At times, strolling around Florence can feel like wandering around an open-air museum thanks to its illustrious piazzas and tantalising architecture.

Having now visited a handful of times, I’m so happy to be able to share some of my favourite hidden gems, must-eat foodie spots, and can’t miss museums. If you’ve only got a short time in the city, be sure to check out our suggestions for one day in Florence.

How long do you need in Florence?

Florence is pretty small and compact, meaning that all of the major attractions are grouped pretty close together and can easily be seen on foot. Three days is more than sufficient to get a feel for this beautiful city, as well as taste the local food, and even discover some hidden gems.

If you only have a short time in the Tuscany city, then be sure to check out our suggestions for how to spend one day in Florence. If you’re the kind of traveller who prefers to visit at a slower pace, then you can base yourself in Florence for four or five days.

Suggested 3 days in Florence itinerary

Day 1 in Florence itinerary

Coffee Mantra 

Start your stay in Florence the right way by heading out for an early morning coffee and pastry. We particularly enjoyed our visit to Coffee Mantra, which is in a more residential area of the city close to Chiesa di Sant’Ambrogio.

You can grab a coffee to go (they do speciality coffees and have alternative milks such as oat milk) and also purchase an Italian delicacy: a cornetto (a kind of croissant with a filling such as pistachio or chocolate).

Basilica Santa Croce 

A beautiful church that serves as the final resting place for many famous Italians including Michelangelo, Vittorio Alfieri, Leonardo Bruni, Gioachino Rossini, and Galileo, the Santa Croce church was consecrated in the latter half of the 15th-century.

You’ll have to pay but the entrance fee is more than worth the chance to wander around the church, see the tombs of some of Italian’s greatest citizens, and admire the Renaissance artworks.

Afterwards be sure to wander around the Piazza di Santa Croce which is filled with bars, restaurants, and people watching opportunities. Purchase your Santa Croce ticket here in advance.

Wine window 

On a road directly next to the Piazza Santa Croce, you’ll find one of the first of many wine windows of Florence which are scattered across the city. These were first introduced some 400 years ago as a way for wealthy Florentines to sell their wine directly to the public and avoid city taxes in the process.

They were particularly useful during the Bubonic Plague when citizens of Florence didn’t want to to come into contact with one another. More recently, some wine windows have been used during the 2020 pandemic. Around 150 wine windows remain so be sure to keep an eye out when wandering around town.

Cappella di San Luca 

Walk north from Basilica Santa Croce to reach the northern fringes of Florence’s centro storico. You’ll soon come across Piazza della Santissima Annunziata. This square is home to one of the best-kept secrets of Florence, the Cappella di San Luca, which also happens to be free to visit.

Piazza San Marco 

Head back out and into Florence. Just a couple of streets along, you’ll come across the Piazza San Marco, which is easily one of the prettiest piazzas in Florence.

Home to the likes of the Church of Saint Marco and the Museo di San Marco (a 15th-century convent turned art museum), this square is a quiet place where you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas of Florence.

Mercato Centrale

Feeling hungry yet? Florence’s central covered market is known as Mercato Centrale and dates back to the latter half of the 19th-century. The market is actually based on French designs and so you may feel like it feels familiar if you’ve ever checked out a Parisian covered market.

Wander inside and you’ll find dozens of stalls selling everything from locally grown fruits and vegetables to cold cuts and Italian cheeses. If you head upstairs to the second level then you’ll find a huge food court where you can enjoy food and drinks from the vendors dotted around the outskirts of the upper space.

Cappelle Medicee 

After lunch, head to one of the most impressive chapels in Firenze. The Cappelle Medicee comprises of two structures within the Basilica of San Lorenzo, with the most breathtaking being that of the Chapel of the Princes.

This mausoleum of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany is enrobed in marble and features larger than life tombs surrounded by impossibly perfect proportions and unforgettable sculptures.

The entire room is just breathtaking and you’ll soon find that your neck begins to ache from craning upwards to admire the ceiling! Book your reserved entrance ticket to the Medici Chapel here in advance.

Piazza della Republica

A grandiose square that you won’t forget in a hurry, this rectangular piazza is overlooked by the Palazzo dell’Arcone di Piazza, a palace for which several historic areas of the city were demolished. Today the square is home to a carrousel, several luxury shops, and there are always events taking place there throughout the year.

Venchi Gelato 

If you’re looking for an authentic Italian gelato, then you’re in the right place. While the historic city centre of Florence is full of tourist traps (do be sure to avoid the brightly coloured gelato and the ones which are formed in mounds), there are a few mouthwatering gelato shops you can check out.

I particularly enjoyed the gelato at Venchi, which is just a few steps away from Mercato del Porcellino and boasts a variety of classic flavours such as chocolate, vanilla, and pistachio. You can even get your cone covered in chocolate and nut pieces for an extra fee.

Mercato del Porcellino 

Like many cities, Florence has its very own bronze statue which many claim is good luck to touch. While Paris has a bust of the singer Dalida and Edinburgh has the statue of a small dog, Florence has a bronze statue of a boar which doubles as a fountain.

This can be found in the heart of Mercato del Porcellino, which is a covered marketplace that is particularly well-known for its leather goods for sale. The fountain itself is nicknamed Porcellino (piglet) and is actually a copy of the original (now held in the Bardini Museum) which dates back to the 17th-century.

Piazza della Signoria

One of the most impressive squares in the city is Piazza della Signoria. Not only is there a copy of Michelangelo’s David on the previous spot where the original David statue once stood (the original is now safely housed within the Accademia Museum) but there is also the Loggia dei Lanzi, where you can enjoy open-air lifelike statues of some of Firenze’s greatest minds.

Ponte Vecchio 

As one of the most famous bridges in Italy, Ponte Vecchio (literally translated into English as Old Bridge) is one spot you certainly can’t miss. The bridge dates all the way back to the 14th-century and was the only bridge to escape destruction during WWII.

Best-seen at golden hour when the entire bridge is bathed in a golden glow, my favourite spot from which to spy the bridge is from Ponte Santa Trinità.

Cantine de Pucci wine window

Though you saw a wine window this morning, it’s now time to try one out for yourself. My favourite of all the wine windows in the city centre is Cantine de Pucci, where you can purchase Aperol Spritzes or glasses of wine by ringing the little bell in the window.

We loved this wine window so much that we actually ended up visiting it twice during our trip: once in the early evening prior to dinner and once in mid-afternoon. Both times it was fairly busy and so you can expect to queue for fifteen minutes or so before ordering. Cash and card are both accepted.

Dinner at Salotto Portinari Bistrot di Vito Mollica

Nestled within the hotel lobby of the five-star Palazzo Portinari Salviati, this gorgeous dining experience is one you’ll remember for years to come. I loved my pasta portions, while my husband opted for seafood based dishes. You’ll need to reserve a spot for this restaurant ahead of time and this can be done online.

Day 2 in Florence suggested itinerary

Duomo Cupola and Museum 

If there’s one attraction that you can’t miss in Florence, it’s the Duomo. The cathedral was constructed over the course of several centuries and is now considered to be one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in the world. There are a few parts to visit:

• Baptistery (currently undergoing renovation and only worth visiting if it’s a part of a wider pass)
• Cathedral (free to visit though there’s a shorter queue for ticket holders)
• Brunelleschi’s Dome (you need a timed reservation to visit)
• Giotto’s belltower (you can just queue in a line to visit if you already have a ticket- tickets cannot be purchased directly at the bell tower)
• Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

The interior of the Duomo is free to visit, though be warned that the queues are pretty long (especially during the summer). Indeed, the queues are so long that there’s actually a separate entrance for ticket holders who have a combi ticket to see multiple Duomo attractions (other than the cathedral interior).

As this is an active place of worship, be sure to go with your knees and shoulders covered. I often carry around a lightweight shirt or shawl to wear over my shoulders when visiting Places of Worship in Italy for this very reason!

I would recommend booking your ticket well in advance to the cathedral so that you can get to go up the dome. Places are severely limited and so you’ll need to book your ticket at least a few weeks in advance to get the time you want.

Individual dome tickets had actually sold out by the time we visited and so we had to book to go on a guided tour which included a Dome Climb. The pass you’ll want to buy that will allow you to see all parts of the cathedral is called the Brunelleschi Pass and you can buy it on the official website. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour of the xterior which includes a self-guided dome climb like this one.

Un Caffe lunch 

If you’re looking for a no frills lunch which is ever-so affordable, the staff are friendly, and the food is back to basics, then be sure to reserve a spot at Un Caffe. This hole in the wall eatery is located just off of Piazza della Santissima Annunziata and serves up sandwiches and pasta at some of the cheapest rates I’ve seen in Italy.

Space is pretty limited and so you’ll want to book a few days ahead of time (you can reserve on Google maps directly) in order to be guaranteed a lunch table. Alternatively, you can get a sandwich to go.

Boboli Gardens 

The Boboli Gardens are referenced in many guidebooks and things to do in Florence books thanks to the fact that their elevated position on the other side of the River Arno lends itself to a fantastic view of Florence.

Unfortunately, the gardens have certainly seen better days, though we particularly loved seeing the miniature vineyard at the very top of the garden. Entrance tickets to the Boboli Gardens also allow free entrance to the adjacent Bardini Gardens, making a ticket more worth it. Book your reserved ticket to the Boboli Gardens here in advance.

Forte di Belvedere 

Completely free to visit, the Forte di Belvedere presides over the Boboli Gardens and actually ended up being one of our favourite viewpoints of Florence. As well as the chance to walk across the top of the historic fort, the building at the top of the site boasts a rooftop bar where you can enjoy a drink overlooking the rest of the city.

Bardini Gardens 

Included in the same price of your ticket to visit the Boboli Gardens, you can gain entrance to the Bardini Gardens. I personally preferred this green space to the Boboli Gardens as there were more interesting architectural features to see including terraces, statues, and fountains.

In the late spring (typically in May), there’s even a gorgeous wisteria walk that offers views onto Florence, including the Duomo. If you’re looking for a coffee or light snack with a view, then there’s also a garden café within the Bardini Gardens.

Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo 

It may feel as if everyone recommends visiting Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset during your trip to Florence but this is for a good reason.

When the sun begins to dip below the horizon, the entire city is bathed in a warm golden glow and the impossibly beautiful Duomo (cathedral) seems to be even more mesmerising than before.

So definitely be sure to add this breathtaking viewpoint to your itinerary! There are also a few terrace cafés at the Piazzale Michelangelo, but it’s clear that you’re definitely paying for the view more than anything else!

Day 3 in Florence suggested itinerary

Accademia tour 

Begin your final day in Florence by heading to one of its most famous museums, the Accademia. This museum is home to none other than Michelangelo’s David sculpture, which is widely regarded to be one of the

Now I must warn you that the Accademia is certainly one of the busiest places I’ve ever been to (and I used to live in Paris!) so do be sure to book your ticket for the first entrance of the day in order to see the David statue with the fewest number of people possible.

After you’ve admired the sculptures of the Prisoners and David, don’t forget to go upstairs to the first floor where you can admire lots of religious artworks with fewer people around (I think many people don’t realise that the Accademia doesn’t have a second floor). Book your skip the line entry ticket here in advance.

Bell tower tour 

If you did’t have time to queue for the bell tower yesterday (lines can get pretty busy from midday onwards), then I recommend heading back to the Duomo after your visit to the Accademia to go up the bell tower. The views from the top are pretty cool and make the 414 steps to get to the top seem worth it!

Oltrarno District

After visiting the rest of the attractions in the centro storico, head across the Arno River to reach the Oltrarno District. This delightful area is home to locals hanging out, plenty of bars, cafés, and is the perfect spot to enjoy an Aperol Spritz and watching the world go by after a busy few days exploring.

Guided visit

If you would prefer to end your time in Florence with a guided experience, then there are a number of options to consider. From pasta making to wine tasting, Firenze really does offer it all:

• Pasta class: Those who are looking to learn the secrets of traditional pasta making would do well to book this small group class. As well as learning how to make three different types of pasta and sauces, you’ll be shown how to select a wine pairing and a traditional Italian dessert. Depending on what time of the day you opt to take the class, the course will be followed by a lunch or dinner that feature the dishes you learned to cook. Book the class now.
• Arno River sunset cruise with live music: If you would prefer to spend more time on the river, then consider booking this sunset cruise, which will allow you to enjoy a whole new perspective of the bridges of Florence. See more details.
• Perfume masterclass: Those looking to leave Florence with a unique souvenir (i.e. their own perfume) would do well to book this class. As well as learning about the history of perfume making, you’ll be able to create your own signature scent. Book the class now.

Where to stay in Florence

As one of the largest and most popular cities in Italy, Firenze has no shortage of places to stay to suit any budget and taste. Here are some of the best accommodation options based on location and web-reviews:

Budget: If you want to stay in Florence and are on a budget, then the good news is that there are plenty of wonderful hostels dotted across the historic city. The bad news is that they are still pretty expensive when compared with less touristic cities. This hostel boasts amenities such as a pool and bar. Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range: This cosy B&B is in a central Florence prime spot for sightseeing and has air conditioned rooms. Check prices and availability here.

Luxury: For those who are in search of an uber luxurious experience when staying in Florence, this five-star establishment offers the ultimate relaxation experience with all of the frills. Amenities include a spa and bar. Check prices and availability here.

Enjoyed reading about how to spend 3 days in Florence? Pin this article now, read it again later:

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A fan of all things France related, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She lives in London but travels as much as she can. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.