Would you like to visit Florence but don’t have much time? No problem, because it is possible to see Florence in one day and I hope this article can help you do I will explain what to see in Florence in a day, focusing on the itinerary to do on foot to help you get the most out of your 24 hours.
What to see in Florence in a day: itinerary
Florence can be called a true open-air museum: every corner will be a surprise for you. All you have to do is look up as you stroll through the center to discover some wonderful palace, a sculpture, a fountain, or a beautiful glimpse of a river.
Here you will find some pointers on what to see in Florence in one day, preferring the most important places and monuments.
First of all I can recommend you to join the Free Walking tour of Florence: it will allow you to discover Florence in Italian language, get familiar with the city and then start to orient yourself more easily.
Also you can buy skip-the-line tickets: so you won’t have to stand in line for hours in the sun or rain and you can spend your time in the best way.
Since you are short on time, try not to leave later than 8:30 am. By this time many of the interesting places are already open. By this time many of the interesting places are already open.
The city of Florence is quite small so you can get around on foot with a comfortable pair of shoes!
What to see in Florence in one day: morning
- Florence Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or Florence Cathedral, is recognized worldwide for its magnificence and for being one of the most important symbols of our country.
This Christian-Catholic building dates back to the 15th century, and inside we can find walls decorated with frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari. The immensity of the Basilica will leave you speechless.
By visiting Santa Maria del Fiore you will have the chance to appreciate both Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower, two of the most famous Italian architectural works.
Although it is not necessary to book in advance to climb the bell tower, the lines become long and you may thus lose time and miss out on seeing the city’s major attractions.
You have to keep in mind that the climb requires a lot of stairs, as many as 463 for the dome! But don’t miss the opportunity to visit it.
- Piazza della Signoria and Loggia de’ Lanzi
Piazza della Signoria is the most famous square in all of Florence, also home to the Loggia de’ Lanzi. Rich in architecture and sculpture, it houses a number of statues in the area that competes with the square, including a copy of Michelangelo’s David.
Crossing the famous square you can also admire the Loggia de’ Lanzi, which is a cloister where several sculptures are kept, a kind of open-air art gallery.
What to see in Florence in one day: afternoon
In the afternoon, after having lunch at one of the restaurants we recommended in our previous article: where to eat in Florence, you can take a leisurely walk on the Ponte Vecchio and Vasari Corridor.
The Ponte Vecchio, is one of the most striking places in Florence, dating back to the 14th century. During a walk you can stop to admire or even shop in the beautiful jewelry stores that populate it.
The upper part of the Bridge is crossed by a section of the famous Vasari Corridor, which originally allowed the Medici family to move from the Pitti Palace to the Palazzo Vecchio without walking the main streets.
Also, if you have time left, you might visit the famous Porcellino Fountain.
This fountain depicts a wild boar, made of bronze and is located at the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, very close to the Ponte Vecchio.
One detail you will surely notice is its glittering nose. According to legend, in fact, you have to rub the Piglet’s nose to get a good dose of luck.
The complete superstitious procedure also calls for inserting a coin into the Porcellino’s mouth after rubbing: if it falls into the grate below until it reaches the water then good luck will be assured.
Imagine how many people have performed this superstitious “ritual”! But a very positive note is that the various offerings collected are donated to charity.
What to see in Florence in one day: evening
If you manage to spend even one evening in Florence, my advice is to go for a nice aperitivo.
It might seem to you that Florence is not a place full of rooftop bars, but instead it has some great ones that offer a different experience away from the crowds.
Here are some of our favorite places for an aperitivo or after-dinner drink:
What to see in Florence in one day: conclusion
We have come to the end of this article and I really hope I have been helpful to you in understanding what you can actually see in Florence in one day I’ve outlined the best attractions you can see in this magnificent city but don’t forget to plan ahead and buy skip-the-line tickets online to save time and enjoy your day to the fullest!
