Each Italian city boasts its own unique charm. From the fashionable avenues of Milan and ancient history that runs through Rome; to the romantic essence of Florence, where art pours out of the galleries and into the streets.
Florence is a must-visit city for art enthusiasts, food lovers, and anyone looking for a getaway where you can enjoy the simple pleasures of Italian culture. Savour a cappuccino by the Duomo, delight in the notes of local wine, embrace the history as you leisurely stroll through cobblestone streets.
Me and a friend were staying in the heart of the vineyards of Tuscany but couldn’t miss out on a chance to visit the beautiful city of Florence. So, we hopped on a train from Poggibonsi to Florence to cram in as much as possible in a day.
Is a day in Florence enough?
Yes! Though it’ll be a whistlestop tour, you’ll be able to see most of the highlights. Of course, more time here would allow you to do so at a more relaxed pace and see more that the city has to offer, but if you’re on a tight schedule and want to get a taste of the city, you can definitely do so in a day.
How to spend a day in Florence
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Start early. Grab a pastry and espresso from Caffè Gilli before starting at the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore aka Florence Duomo. You can enter the cathedral for free but if you’d like to climb the tower or the dome, you’ll need to purchase a ticket. If you’re just doing a day trip, for the purpose of time, simply pick one to enjoy. There are at least 400 steps to climb and there are no lifts, so keep that in mind! If you do have the luxury of time, the Brunelleschi Pass (€30) gives you three days to use the pass, which means you can enjoy exploring at your own pace.
Duration: 1 hour
Uffizi Galleries
As the home of Renaissance art, Florence has an abundance of galleries and museums to choose from. Uffizi is one of the most popular, hosting work from famous artists like Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. You can choose from one of the many galleries in Florence. Other options include Palazzo Vecchio or Galleria dell’Accademia if you’re interested in seeing Michaelangelo’s famous David sculpture.
Duration: 1 hour
Try an iconic sandwich for lunch
Alright foodies, it’s time to enjoy the legendary All’Antico Vinaio sandwiches! Every day they offer freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata bread with a huge choice of beautiful local produce. My personal favourite is a pistachio pesto, mortadella and stracciatella combination… chefs kiss. But they have so many options from porchetta, salami, truffle cream… the list goes on. The queue can get long but it is worth the wait!
If you’re not up for the queues, head over to Mercato Centrale Firenze, an indoor food market that showcases the best of Tuscan produce. Here you can not only enjoy eating the freshly cooked dishes, but you can also shop local cheese and salami and take it home.
Don’t forget to finish with a sweet treat and sample creamy and indulgent gelato!
Duration: 1 hour
Ponte Vecchio
Stroll across the banks of the River Arno, crossing over The Ponte Vecchio. The bridge has gained a legendary reputation as the only bridge in Florence that survived the German bombing of the city during World War II. Not only is it a wonderful structure, but nowadays it is home to shops and markets making it a cute place to pick up some souvenirs.
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Wine windows
You can’t come to Italy and not experience aperitivo! You might be thinking, we have limited time in Florence, we need to cram in more galleries. And if that’s your thing, go for it. For me, Florence isn’t just about ticking off multiple museums or climbing the hundreds of steps up to the Duomo. I found that there’s a lot of beauty in savouring the experience itself, strolling up to romantic viewpoints and enjoying aperitivo from a wine window.
A Buchetta del Vino, or wine window, might be a bit gimmicky but it’s a really fun way to enjoy an afternoon tipple. I recommend Babae, where we got aperols for €10 each or a wine for €8. It’s down a cobblestone street, away from the bustle of the city with both indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another important part of Italian culture.
Duration: 1 hour
Giardino Bardini
Take a break from the city and enjoy a moment of zen in the Giardino Bardini. The luscious gardens boast stunning views over Florence, and if you’re lucky enough to be visiting in April/May, the purple hues of wisteria will be in full bloom. The wine bar and cafe at the top makes the perfect spot to enjoy a wine before your next stop.
Duration: 1 hour
Piazzale Michelangelo
This was the highlight of the day for me. After spending a day visiting each sight, it was incredible to see it all from the top. The Duomo, the River Arno, Ponte Vecchio. Arriving here around 30 minutes before sunset meant golden hour washed across Florence, giving the already spectacular view a romantic, caramel hue. It gets busy – it is the best view of the city after all – so get comfortable, buy a drink from one of the cafes at the top, and enjoy the vibe of everyone being here together to enjoy this spectacle.
Duration: 1 hour
Dine at a Trattoria
It’s time to really unwind and enjoy the culinary delights that Florence has to offer. Typical dishes include panzanella (bread salad), wild boar, pappardelle (broad pasta), and of course, the Fiorentina steak, a t-bone prized for its tenderness. Whatever dish you try, you can be sure it has been made with fresh, local produce that highlights the beauty of the ingredients.
You have to seek out a trattoria for the best food. A trattoria is a casual restaurant, usually family-owned, that serves regional dishes that are sure to make an impact.
Duration: As long as you like! Italian’s don’t rush their meals and often enjoy several courses for special dinners. Try a selection of antipasti (this literally means ‘before the meal’) like cured meats, cheese, bruschetta to start. Followed by primi (first dish), you may be surprised to find hearty pasta or risotto dishes. Secondi is your main meat and vegetable course, all rounded off with dessert.
FAQS
When is a good time to visit Florence?
Shoulder months really make the best time to visit. April-May and September-October are favourable. I visited in November and was getting temperatures of 20 degrees celsius – it was comfortable, the days were sunny, and walking around in a light jumper was all I needed.
Florence can get unbearably hot in the summer, and since it’s such a great city to enjoy on foot, the winter doesn’t give you a chance to truly enjoy the gardens and viewpoints as much.
Travelling to Florence by Rail
Italy is incredibly well-connected by train. Trenitalia, Italo, and Trenord run frequent timetables into the city from other major Italian cities like Rome and Milan, which can easily be purchased on the day at local stations or using apps like Trainline.
Getting to Florence from the Airport
The best way to get to Florence’s city centre from the Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) is with the T2 tram line, which connects the airport with the central train station Santa Maria Novella. The journey only takes around 20 minutes and a ticket costs around €1.70.
Florence is such an enjoyable destination for a city break from the UK with a flight time of just 2 hours. But because of its compact nature, it can be a great day trip as part of a bigger Italian adventure. I always use SkyScanner to search for flights and I found return tickets for just £35.
Is Florence expensive?
It’s not cheap nor would I consider it super expensive. Accommodation in Florence will be your biggest expense, with rooms upwards of £150 per night. However, travelling in off peak months will get you cheaper rates. As this post is all about a day trip to the city, I highly recommend staying in the vineyard region, such as Poggibonsi and making the day trip out.
You can expect to spend around €8 on a glass of wine and for a meal in a trattoria or restaurant, you’re looking at around €15 per dish.
