Italy Travel—Visiting Florence in 2 or 3 Days

Ponte Vecchio (By I, Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link)

Florence is famous for its culture, Renaissance art and architecture and monuments. The city also contains numerous museums and art galleries, such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti, and still exerts an influence in the fields of art, culture and politics.

The number of days you need to visit Florence depends on your interests and how much you want to see and do.

If you are only interested in seeing the main attractions, such as the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio, then you can get by with 2 or 3 days. However, if you want to explore the city in more depth and visit some of the lesser-known attractions, then you will need more time.

My Map of Florence (click here to see an interactive map)

Top Things to Do

Here are the 13 top things to do in Florence (read [1] for more details):

1. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Top of the dome)
• The Duomo is the main cathedral in Florence and is one of the most famous examples of Gothic architecture in Italy. It is a must-see for any visitor to Florence.
2. Giotto's Campanile
• The Campanile is the bell tower of the Duomo and is another iconic landmark in Florence. It was designed by Giotto and offers stunning views of the city.
3. Palazzo Vecchio (Museum)
4. Piazza Della Signoria (Plaza)
• Piazza della Signoria is the main square in Florence and is home to many important landmarks, including the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Fountain of Neptune.
5. Uffizi Gallery (Art Museum)
• The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art galleries in the world and houses a collection of Renaissance masterpieces, including Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and da Vinci's "Annunciation".
6. Accademia Gallery (Museum)
• The Accademia Gallery houses Michelangelo's "David", one of the most famous sculptures in the world.
7. Pitti Palace (Art Museum)
• The Palazzo Pitti is a large palace in Florence that houses a number of museums, including the Palatine Gallery and the Boboli Gardens.
• The Boboli Gardens are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Florence, and they can get quite crowded, especially during peak season. If you are planning to visit, it is best to book your tickets in advance.
8. Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence (Museum)
• This is a beautiful church that is the final resting place of many famous Italians, including Michelangelo and Galileo. You can enter the church without a ticket, but if you want to visit the museum, you will need to book a ticket in advance.
9. Walk Along The Arno River To Ponte Vecchio Bridge
• The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge that crosses the Arno River in Florence. It is lined with shops and is a popular tourist destination.
10. Visit The Food Courts Of Mercato Centrale
11. Food Tour Of Florence
12. Drink A Negroni At The 25 Hours Hotel Companion Bar
13. A Day Trip To Bologna
• To the readers of cntraveller.com, Bologna was voted having the best food in the world.^[4]

Refer to this map of Florence to find the attractions mentioned above.  Attractions labeled withare recommended to be booked in advance.

Milan vs Florence

Train Stations

Firenze Campo Marte and Firenze Santa Maria Novella (or Florence Center Train Station) are the two main railway stations in Florence, Italy. They are located in different parts of the city, and they offer different services and amenities.

Firenze Campo Marte vs Firenze Santa Maria Novella

References

1. 9 Fantastic Things To Do In Gorgeous Florence, Italy
2. 15 Best Things to Do in Pisa (Italy) - The Crazy Tourist
3. 15 Best Things to Do in Lucca (Italy)
4. This city has the best food in the world – according to our readers
5. Italy Travel—Visiting Florence
6. Italy Travel—Italy’s Train System
7. Combined tickets for Uffizi