How to Spend Two Days in Florence, Italy

I’ve never quite been a “big city girl,” especially having grown up about an hour outside of New York City. It just wasn’t for me. But after studying abroad in Florence back in 2017, I fell in love. I had never been to such a small, walkable city before. I really am so bad at navigation and directions, but I figured out Florence so quickly - and if you know me, that’s saying something. You can truly see the main sights in just a few hours (if you really needed to).

Italy is a fabulous country with so much to see, so first time visitors may skip Florence for bigger cities like Rome, Milan or Venice. Or if they do visit, they only have a day or two. Although there is so much art and culture to soak up in this city, you CAN make the most out of a two day visit.

I recommend that everyone should visit Florence least once in their lifetime. If not for the history, the art, or the architecture… at least visit for the FOOD!

Here’s my two day itinerary for first time visitors!

DAY 1

Plan to arrive early in Florence. Upon your arrival, check into your hotel and drop your bags before taking a morning stroll along the Arno river. Pop into a cafe for a cappuccino (as long as it’s before 11 AM!) and take in the views.

After your stroll, head to Piazza del Duomo and marvel at the overwhelmingly beautiful Santa Maria del Fiore. I recommend purchasing an entry ticket to visit the inside of the cathedral to admire the artwork inside of the famous dome. If you’re feeling ambitious, check out this Duomo tour. It offers a guided tour of the inside of the cathedral as well as skip the line access to climb the dome.

Guided Duomo Tour with Climb

Head through San Lorenzo and grab lunch at the Mercato Centrale. On the lower level, you will see local merchants and butchers selling food products. On the upper level, there is a food court and bar. From pasta to seafood to wine to dessert, they have everything you can imagine.

If you’d rather a sit down meal, Trattoria Za Za is my personal favorite restaurant in Florence. It is located in the same square as the Mercato Centrale. There’s usually a line, but they do take reservations!

Once you are full, walk off your meal while browsing one of the famous leather markets right outside the Mercato Centrale. If you’d like to continue shopping, head down Via dei Tornabuoni for Florence’s own Fifth Avenue.

Head to the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. To save time, we booked this Skip the Line Tour. Our tour guide was fantastic and we learned so much about Michelangelo and his completion of the David.

Skip the Line Tour - Michelangelo's David

After visiting Galleria dell’Accademia, it’s time for your rooftop aperitivo. There are plenty of rooftops throughout Florence with gorgeous views of the city, but make sure to book ahead. We booked ours at the hotel we stayed at - Divina Terrazza at Grand Hotel Cavour. There’s nothing quite like a nice Aperol Spritz with a view!

In Florence, the locals eat dinner quite late. Many restaurants close around 2:30/3:00 and do not open again until 7 or 8 PM. There are so many amazing restaurants to choose from! If you are visiting during peak season, try to book ahead of time to ensure a visit to the one you want.

End your first evening with a stroll through Piazza della Repubblica and admire the merry-go-round all lit up. Grab some gelato from Vivoli or GROM and head back to Piazza del Duomo and enjoy the city at night.

DAY 2

My favorite time of day in Florence is the early morning while the city is still waking up. I can’t really describe it, but anyone who’s experienced it knows. My favorite part about studying abroad there was waking up before class and taking a quiet morning stroll for some espresso. It really is so peaceful!

After you’ve gotten your caffeine fix, head back to Piazza del Duomo. You’ll need your entry ticket again to climb Giotto’s Bell Tower. Many people choose to climb the Brunelleschi’s dome, but with limited time, I prefer the bell tower. The dome can be a tight squeeze and a little bit scary for some, as it feels the walls are closing in as you get closer to the top! The view of the city is amazing. However, climbing the bell tower, you get the same city view PLUS a beautiful bird’s eye view of the duomo.

After your climb, visit Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio. Shop with local artists while you wait to enter the Uffizi Gallery. I have two art pieces from these artists hanging in my living room!

You could spend all day exploring the art that lives within the Uffizi. If you prefer a guided tour, check this one out. For a quick bite to eat, head to the cafè on the rooftop and enjoy a wonderful view of Palazzo Vecchio. If time permits, head to Santa Croce. Explore the basilica and the famous monumental tombs inside.

Uffizi Guided Tour

Cross the Ponte Vecchio and browse the numerous gold shops along the bridge. Once you’re on the other side of the Arno, head to Santo Spirito and enjoy this lively area.

You’ll begin your evening with a hike up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset. It will be crowded, so the earlier you go, the better. Many people bring take away pizza and a bottle of wine! My favorite pizza in Florence is from Gusta Pizza. You can also purchase wine and other beverages when you reach the top. The view is unlike any other.

After sunset, head back down and grab some gelato from Gelateria Santa Trinita - one of my favorites. Take in the view of the Ponte Vecchio at night. Stroll along the Arno and enjoy some live music from local musicians.

I hope you found this itinerary helpful and enjoy your time in Florence! I promise you’ll want to come back for more.