The Best 3 Days in Florence for First-Time Visitors

Florence is one of the most charming towns in Italy, and it has stolen our hearts on many occasions. However, because of its popularity, planning 3 days in Florence could be challenging, especially if you don’t have the right information and mindset.

Florence, the center of the Italian Renaissance, has much to offer regarding culture and history. It is no wonder millions of people flock to the narrow, cobbled stone streets every year.

Throughout the years, we were lucky enough to return to Tuscany’s capital and explore every corner. If you are planning to visit Florence for the first time, the best advice anyone could give is to book everything ahead of time.

With that in mind, here is our suggestion for a 3-day Florence itinerary to help you see the best the city offers.

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Table of Contents

How to spend 3 days in Florence
When is the best time to spend 3 days in Florence?
Where to stay in Florence
How to get around Florence

How to spend 3 days in Florence

Day 1 – The Best of Florence

3 days in Florence_day 1 itinerary — Day 1 – click on the map to open it in Google Maps

This itinerary includes the city’s top-rated attractions and hidden gems. You can skip some if you are not interested.

Start your day near Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station and head directly to one of the town’s most important museums.

Galleria dell’Academia di Firenze

Your first stop of the day should be at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze where you can see the famous statue of David by Michelangelo.

Since this is one of the main attractions in town, it can get crowded. That’s why it’s best to go as early as possible and always book your ticket in advance.

The museum opens daily at 8:15 AM and is closed on Mondays.

Of course, there is not only one statue inside the gallery. Because the gallery is home to some of the world’s most important painting and sculpture collections, you can plan to stay here for a few hours.

If you want to learn more about the Florentine Renaissance, we always recommend booking a guided tour. It is both insightful and efficient, as you can see it all in one hour and learn about each piece.

Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Street Doing Vintage Couture

I included this as an optional stop because it is close to the Accademia Gallery. It is a cute vintage store where you can find designer goods at great prices.

If you like vintage shopping, this is your heaven, and if you just like cool shops, then it’s definitely worth popping in for a look!

Address: Via dei Servi, 88/r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Riccardi Medici Palace

This is a 15th-century palace designed for the Medici family. It is the family’s first palace, and it plays an important role in history. This is where famous artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo, and Botticelli worked.

Today, the palace hosts various galleries and museums, such as the archaeological gallery, the Marble Museum, and the Galleria delli Specchi (the mirror gallery). Additionally, the palace’s beautiful garden is a hidden place to rest.

Learn about the Medici family’s secrets and mysteries on a guided tour.

Address: Via Camillo Cavour, 3, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Basilica di San Lorenzo with the Cappelle Medicee

Stop shortly here to see the burial place of the Medici family, at the Cappelle Medicee. Also worth seeing is the library designed by Michelangelo.

Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 9, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Lunch at Ostaria dei Centopoveri

This traditional Tuscan restaurant was recommended to us and is a great, affordable option in the area. Centopoveri literally means “one hundred poor people,” but the food is far from being poor in taste or variety.

Check out their menu here and book a table.

Address: Via del Porcellana, 41R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Coffee and gelato at Slitti Experience

I have visited Italy on many occasions, and this is by far the most delicious ice cream I have ever had. While spending one month in Tuscany, we discovered the Slitti chocolate and coffee factory. After trying their nocciola coffee and their artisanal gelato, we went back repeatedly.

The good news is they have a store in Florence’s Old Town. Thus, after lunch, stop here for a strong coffee and a delicious ice cream.

They get extra points for their Instagrammable interior.

Address: Piazza dell’Olio, 6, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Brunelleschi’s dome

It is by far the most popular attraction in town. To climb Brunelleschi’s dome and see the impressive cupola, book well in advance!

You get one of the best views over Florence from the top of the dome. Additionally, you can discover one of Italy’s most exquisite stained-glass windows and an array of Renaissance masterpieces.

The best way is to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery, the Museum, and the Bell Tower together.

This ticket is valid for three days and offers access to all of the above. Remember to check availability ahead of time because tickets are often sold out 2-3 weeks in advance.

Piazza della Repubblica & Palazzo Vecchio

A 30-minute tour of the Palazzo Vecchio with a guide is strongly recommended if you still have the energy, time, and curiosity.

The Old Palace is the Town Hall of Florence in the Piazza della Signoria. Learn about the building’s history and admire the impressive collection of art and sculptures. Those include works by renowned artists such as Donatello and Verrocchio.

Extra tip: You get a better view of Florence from the top of the Arnolfo Tower than from Brunelesschi’s Dome. Why? Well, because you see the dome itself.

Address: P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Have dinner at the Buca dell’Orafo

This is far from a fancy restaurant, but it serves good food at fair prices (for its location). It is steps away from the Piazza della Signoria, right next to the Ponte Vecchio.

We had lunch there; the pasta and their house wine were delicious. Also, if you only try one starter, go for the liver paste! It was so good we ordered two portions.

Address: Via dei Girolami, 28/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Drinks with a view at the DISOPRA bar

The famous Hotel degli Orafi has a panoramic rooftop bar in an exclusive location. You can admire the Ponte Vecchio or the Duomo from the bar while sipping from their locally produced wine.

Address: Lungarno degli Archibusieri, 4, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy

Day 2 of your 3 days in Florence itinerary

Click on the map to open it in Google Maps

Coffee at one of the old cafes in town

Caffe Concerto Paszkowski and Caffè Gilli are next-door neighbors, so it is easy to choose between them. Both are set in Piazza della Repubblica, making it the perfect starting point for your day.

Both cafes are part of the 50 Best Discovery. They offer coffee, delicious cakes, stylish cocktails, and mouthwatering traditional pasta.

It is worth knowing that Caffe Gilli is the oldest in town, dating from 1733.

Check out also Caffè Concerto Paszkowski and make the best choice for you.

Uffizi Galleries

The most famous art gallery in town, and maybe even in Italy, the Uffizi is a must-see during your 3 days in Florence.

I visited the gallery years ago and paid extra for an audio guide, which was a great idea. If you purchase a ticket and spend time inside the museum, learning about what you see is good. After all, the museum is famous worldwide for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings.

The collections of paintings from the 14th-century and Renaissance period include some absolute masterpieces: Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo and Caravaggio, in addition to many precious works by European painters.

Purchasing a ticket directly at the counter can be challenging. That’s why we encourage you to always book your tickets online ahead of time. This option includes a priority ticket and an audio app.

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Cross Ponte Vecchio

To reach your next objective, you must cross the famous Ponte Vecchio. This famous landmark is usually packed with people, so factor in more time than expected.

Of course, you will want to stop and admire some of the beautiful jewelry displayed at the countless old stores hosted on the bridge.

Beyond its historical value, the bridge has played a central role in the city’s road system over time.

Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace)

If you still haven’t had enough art for one day, step inside the Pitti Palace.

The Renaissance royal palace hosts the Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Costume and Fashion.

Additionally, here you can see the Galleria Palatina used by the Medici family as a residence.

Address: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are located on a hill behind the famous Pitti Palace. Thus, if you don’t feel like visiting the palace, you can take a relaxing stroll around these lush royal gardens.

They were initially designed for the Medici and are one of the earliest examples of the Italian Garden.

Extra tip: We visited on the first Sunday of the month when entrance is free. However, if your travel plans are less flexible, book your ticket here.

Forte di Belvedere

Skip going to the crowded Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset and stop at the Forte di Belvedere or at the Giardini Bardini. Both places are steps away from the Boboli Gardens and offer some of the best views in town.

The Forte di Belvedere was built at Ferdinando I de’ Medici’s behest at the end of the sixteenth century.

One big advantage is that admission is free. However, the fort is not always open to the public because it often hosts art exhibitions.

Address: Via di S. Leonardo, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Giardini & Villa Bardini

Unfortunately, when we first visited Florence with a toddler, we had little time to explore the Villa Bardini.

You can access the Bardini Gardens with the same ticket you purchased for the Boboli Gardens. Thus, it would be a pity not to at least have a look.

From the 17th-century villa’s terrace, you can have one of the best views over Florence without the crowds.

Address: Costa S. Giorgio, 2, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

3rd day of your 3 days in Florence itinerary

While plenty of things remain to see in the city, such as the Museo Galileo or a wine and pasta class, we suggest taking a day trip.

Tuscany is magnificent, one of the few places that looks exactly as you see in the postcards. So it would be a pity not to visit its countryside as well.

There are many options for day trips from Florence, but here are our top 3 favorite destinations.

Lucca

This less-known Tuscan town is perfect mainly because you can feel the authentic Tuscan vibe without the crowds. We loved visiting the old town and strolling on the well-preserved Rennaisance city walls.

Lucca was home to the famous Italian composer Puccini and has a unique square: Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. The square was built on the site of a Roman amphitheater.

Trains from Florence to Lucca can be taken, with a change in Pisa. Check out train timetables and prices here!

On the other hand, if you would rather see both towns, we suggest booking an organized tour for Pisa & Lucca.

San Gimignano

Of all the places we visited during our one month in Tuscany, Alex liked San Gimignano best. It is a small walled medieval town perched on top of a hill, in between vineyards. Not only is the town itself romantic, but so are its surroundings.

The “Historic Centre of San Gimignano” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After parking outside the city walls, we entered through Porta San Giovanni. You won’t need too much time to see this beautiful small town, but its vibe and well-preserved Romanesque and Gothic architecture will enchant you.

Look for one of the many panoramic points in town, and you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view. We went to see the views from this particular spot, and we were not disappointed. Afterward, we stopped and had lunch with a glass of local wine at one of the small restaurants in Piazza del Duomo.

Don’t leave without trying the best ice cream in town at Gelateria Dondoli.

How to get to San Gimignano from Florence

You can take the 130 bus for one hour to Poggibonsi and then the 131 bus to San Gimignano.

Another option is to rent a car and drive there for roughly one hour. We always recommend DiscoverCars when renting cars in Italy. It is an aggregator that will help you find the best deal and save on the car of your choice. Book your car here!

The third option would be to go on a guided tour from Florence. The below tour will take you from Florence to Siena and San Gimignano.

Volterra

Volterra is everything you’ve ever imagined Tuscany to be. A small walled town located on top of a hill.

The city has a vast history, and on a walk along its streets, you can admire structures from the Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval periods.

Since Volterra is not too far away from San Gimignano, we suggest visiting the two together.

When is the best time to spend 3 days in Florence?

Florence is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, so it might be challenging to see it without the crowds.

For example, it was packed with people when we were there in mid-May.

If you want to see a city with fewer people, try visiting from February to March or October to November.

Of course, this won’t mean you will have Florence to yourself. Always book your entrance tickets and accommodation ahead of time.

Where to stay in Florence

When you have only 3 days in Florence, you will want to stay in the city center. You don’t have time to waste.

Here are our top 3 hotel options for staying in Florence city center.

Relais Piazza Signoria will place you in the heart of the city. You can rent spacious and clean studio apartments in a fantastic location. See availability and prices here!

Borgia di Firenze is another great accommodation option close to the main attractions in town. See availability here!

Palazzo Ridolfi—Residenza d’Epoca is on the other side of the Arno River but still minutes away from Ponte Vecchio. For the most amazing views, don’t skip the rooftop! See availability here!

How to get around Florence

Since you are only spending 3 days in Florence, you should be able to do everything on foot. Most of the attractions included in our itinerary are nearby.

We had a toddler and a stroller, and we still walked between these attractions.

However, if you would rather not walk, the public transportation system is a great option for getting around in Florence.

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The Best 3 Days in Florence for First-Time Visitors