Tips on how to Spend 3 Days in Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy, is likely one of the most luxurious, inspiring, art-filled cities you’ll ever go to. That is the sort of metropolis that you consider on a regular basis for the remainder of your life.

There’s SO a lot to see in Florence, and it may be overwhelming — so I’ve put collectively a 3 days in Florence itinerary for you that features visits to the entire greatest locations within the metropolis.

Florence is a metropolis that I do know very properly. I lived right here 20 years in the past and proceed to go to as a journey author, instructing different folks on easy methods to journey higher in Italy.

Florence has a lot to do, it will probably really feel a bit paralyzing — and for that motive, I like to recommend vacationers spend three days in Florence on the naked minimal. With its whole metropolis heart a chosen UNESCO World Heritage Website, and a lot artwork that appears to spring up from the pavement, any lower than three days could be spreading your self skinny!

Between 10 million and 16 million vacationers go to Florence yearly, and truthfully, there’s probably not a off-season anymore, besides perhaps January. I most just lately visited in March and there have been enormous crowds all over the place.

Regardless of the throngs of individuals, although, Firenze is magical. The town charms me as a lot at present because it did 20 years in the past.

So here’s a three-day Florence itinerary that I believe will work very properly for you. I hope you take pleasure in it!

This publish was printed in December 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper.

Earlier than Your Journey

• E-book the whole lot prematurely. Florence is busy year-round and tickets promote out days (if not weeks) prematurely. Official web sites normally cost just a few euros as a reserving charge, which is value it for the time spent in strains. In any other case, skip-the-line tickets are priceless. 

• Examine the present sundown time so you understand what time to get to Piazzale Michelangelo throughout your three-day Florence itinerary. The newest sundown is round 9:00 PM in June and the earliest is 4:30 PM in December. 

• Public transport isn’t needed. Should you’re a cell individual, this Florence itinerary retains strolling distances to a minimal and you’ll name Ubers in case you have a very lengthy distance between websites.

• Preserve a watch out for the replicas of Michelangelo’s David. The actual one is within the Accademia Gallery — the others are across the metropolis!

Day 1: Better of Florence

Accademia Gallery and Statue of David

You’ll begin your three days in Florence trying out the world’s most well-known statue, Michelangelo’s David. 

This marble represents the Florentine Renaissance — and a flip from custom. Whereas most sculptors depicted a triumphant David, Michelangelo reveals us the younger shepherd earlier than his battle with Goliath. 

The Renaissance interval was all about idealism — depicting folks as lovely as they could possibly be. Therefore why Michelangelo’s David remains to be remembered for the way attractive he’s!

Don’t make the error of considering David is the one statue value seeing on the Accademia Gallery. I notably love Michelangelo’s Slaves, which seem like folks attempting to free themselves from blocks of marble, and the carvings by Lorenzo Bartolini are fantastic as properly. One gallery is devoted to historic musical devices.

Advance reservations are important year-round, and I strongly advocate skip-the-line tickets! Admission is 15 EUR ($16), or 10 EUR ($11) earlier than 9:15 AM. 

This Accademia Gallery skip-the-line tour has the bonus of an skilled artwork information. 

Need to mix David and the Duomo? This VIP David and Duomo tour provides you unique entry very first thing within the morning at each hotspots.

Medici Chapels

The Basilica di San Lorenzo is the sort of constructing you’ll overlook in case you don’t know what’s inside it. Only a 10-minute stroll from the Accademia, this plain stone church is hiding a wild inside, which occurs to be one in all my favourite locations in Florence.

Contained in the basilica are the Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee), with partitions constructed from fantastically sculpted stones in shades of inexperienced, burgundy, and gold.

You may also see just a few sculptures of Michelangelo right here — and truthfully, they at all times crack me up, as a result of they’re imagined to be ladies, however they’re completely male our bodies with breasts awkwardly caught on. There’s little question Michelangelo by no means noticed a unadorned girl in his life!

On the bequest of the Medici household, two chapels have been added to the church to function mausoleums. Michelangelo designed the Sagrestia Nuova whereas the Cappella dei Princi was a joint effort between the Medicis and native architects. 

Admission prices 9 EUR ($10) plus reserving charges or it can save you time with a skip-the-line ticket. The Medici Chapels are closed on Tuesdays. 

Lunch at Mercato Centrale

Proper across the nook from the Medici Chapels is Mercato Centrale, an ideal place to cease for lunch. Like different large meals markets in different European cities, the market has gone from being primarily for locals to being primarily for vacationers, with rising costs to match.

Even so, it’s nonetheless an icon and yow will discover some good meals among the many stalls. Lampredotto panino (tripe sandwich) is the specialty right here — although in case you’re not courageous sufficient to strive it (I do know I’m not!), you’ll additionally discover different Florentine dishes alongside pasta and pizza.

Consider time to walk across the produce and memento stalls. I don’t advocate shopping for leather-based from the stalls right here — they promote low-quality imported leather-based. Actual Florentine leather-based could be present in actual shops.

I like to recommend attending to Mercato Centrale by midday to beat the frenzy. And it’s good to get a post-lunch espresso on the cute little espresso bar.

Duomo and Campanile (Giotto’s Bell Tower)

I hope you went straightforward in the marketplace as the following one’s a biggie: it’s time to climb one in all Florence’s most iconic buildings! We’re heading straight to Piazza del Duomo, the middle of town.

I’m going to present you two choices right here: you possibly can both climb the Duomo, often known as Brunelleschi’s Dome, or you possibly can climb the Campanile, often known as Giotto’s Bell Tower.

Each are nice experiences, and the variety of steps are related (463 steps to the highest of the dome vs. 414 steps to the highest of the bell tower).

Climbing the dome: The Duomo is the centerpiece of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and grants an unimaginable view of Florence. Climbing the dome is ticketed and requires advance reserving with a chosen time slot.

Shopping for the Brunelleschi Go (30 EUR/$33.50) will can help you climb the dome and provide you with entry to all areas, together with the baptistery. There aren’t any limitations on the high, so maintain on to your youngsters in case you convey them!

(You’ll additionally need to go to the church itself: that is free, however there are normally lengthy strains.)

Notice that in case you’d relatively do that later within the day, there’s a VIP after-hours tour of the Duomo that’s sensational. You get unique entry and may go to the terrace!

Would you relatively go earlier and mix the Duomo and visiting David? This VIP David and Duomo tour provides you unique entry to each, very first thing within the morning.

Climbing the bell tower: This climb provides you the perfect view of the Duomo, and it’s simpler as there are three giant platforms through the climb that provide you with time to catch your breath and take photographs.

Nevertheless, it is best to know that the viewing platforms are wired in, which makes it arduous to get good photographs with a DSLR digicam. It’s high-quality in case you’re taking photographs along with your telephone. I additionally assume climbing the bell tower is a greater possibility in case you have youngsters, as a result of it’s unattainable for them to fall out.

Should you’d prefer to climb the bell tower however not the Duomo, you should buy the Giotto Go for 20 EUR ($22).

So, which one do I believe is best? Neither is a foul selection, it’s nearly private desire.

Personally, I really favor climbing the bell tower since you get a superb view of the Duomo, however once you climb the Duomo, you possibly can’t see the Duomo since you’re in it! It’s additionally much less of a herding expertise than the Duomo, as a result of you possibly can go at your individual tempo and relaxation on the totally different platforms within the bell tower.

Don’t need to climb both of them? That’s completely high-quality! Climbing’s not for everybody. The Florence Duomo Categorical Tour is nice if you wish to go to the bottom ground of the Duomo, however skip the road and get a pleasant overview of the historical past.

Piazza della Repubblica

After leaving the Duomo and trying out the Baptistery of St. John (San Giovanni), I like to recommend strolling right down to Piazza della Repubblica, which is a couple of five-minute stroll. 

That is the epitome of a European plaza with elegant buildings and monuments. It’s a pleasant place for just a few pictures. There’s a carousel the place adults are equally welcome alongside youngsters!

However what I particularly advocate is strolling throughout the road to Rinascente Firenze, a division retailer, then take the escalators or elevators to the highest, adopted by one ultimate staircase.

Up here’s a rooftop cafe referred to as La Terrazza, house to one in all my favourite views of Florence! It is a good spot to seize a espresso or a spritz.

Basilica di San Miniato al Monte

As you say arrivederci to the north financial institution of the Arno, you’ll cross the river and make your approach into the hills. Basilica di San Miniato al Monte stands at one of many highest factors in Florence.

It is a large stroll — it’s a couple of 40-minute stroll from Piazza della Repubblica — and far of it’s uphill by the tip. You may both stroll it or take an Uber. That stated, it’s a scenic and pleasing stroll.

Should you stroll, it’s going to take you previous the Ponte Vecchio and the Rose Backyard earlier than main you previous Piazzale Michelangelo and up the ultimate staircase to San Miniato al Monte. Should you take an Uber, it’s going to drop you off on the ultimate staircase.

San Miniato al Monte feels so totally different from the opposite church buildings in Florence, partly as a result of it predates the Renaissance period. The frescoes are much less refined, but it surely provides you such a powerful feeling of historical past. (I at all times really feel prefer it’s a bit haunted.)

Moreover the unimaginable views, this Romanesque church with geometric marbling is a marvel of Tuscany. Head inside to view the mosaic of Jesus, the Virgin, and St. Miniato earlier than taking a stroll by way of the cemetery. The view from right here is one in all my favourite views in Florence.

Notable graves embody Carlo Collodi (writer of The Adventures of Pinocchio) and the soprano Marietta Piccolomini, recognized for her starring function in La Traviata. 

The church is free to go to. It’s open day by day, 9:30 AM-1:00 PM and three:30–7:00 PM. 

Piazzale Michelangelo

Control your watch as you discover San Miniato — you’ll need to stroll the seven-minute downhill stroll from right here to Piazzale Michelangelo in time for sundown! Say whats up to the David statue and discover a great place!

Know that you just gained’t be alone — simply you and some hundred of your fellow vacationers. It’s no secret that this piazza is the perfect place to see the sensible colours of sundown. Crowds apart, the ambiance is beautiful. Some folks play stay music, and everyone seems to be in a superb temper.

Very near Piazzale Michelangelo is the Rose Backyard of Florence. That is one other lovely spot, particularly in case you’re visiting at a time of yr when roses are in bloom.

One factor I discover is that folks typically depart sundown spots as quickly because the solar drops beneath the horizon. (Typically after a spherical of applause. Heh.)

As a photographer, I urge you to stay round a bit. A number of the prettiest colours within the sky occur after the solar units. That’s once you get these streaks of pink within the deep blue sky as town of Firenze lights up in gold beneath you.

Dinner at Il Latini

Many eating places in Florence have turn into fairly touristy over time, and sure, my beloved Il Latini is one in all them. However I promise you this place is value it, for introducing you to the perfect of Tuscan delicacies in your first night time in Florence.

Il Latini is a couple of 30-minute stroll from Piazzale Michelangelo — be at liberty to take an Uber in case you’re not up for a stroll that lengthy.

Right here you’ll discover loads of Tuscan requirements, from the vegetable-bean-bread stew of ribbolita to the tomato soup of pappa al pomodoro, to the yellow cantuccini cookies served with vin santo — topped off with the bistecca alla fiorentina, the big, uncommon Florentine steak.

Il Latini began in 1911 as a humble fiaschetteria (wine retailer) earlier than opening the kitchen. You may both order à la carte right here (higher for vegetarians, or in case you don’t like uncommon steak), or order the Menu Degustazione, which serves a number of programs and I believe is superb worth for cash.

If Il Latini isn’t for you, go searching you — that is one in all my favourite neighborhoods for eating in Florence, the place the meals is scrumptious and it’s not as tourist-trappy as others. Ristorante Gilo’ Firenze is extra upscale with a various menu and stay music.

I like to recommend taking a fast take a look at critiques on Google Maps earlier than committing to a spot and going for a score of at the least 4.2 (I discover Italians are harsh of their restaurant rankings!). Simply needless to say it’s sensible to ebook prematurely, as many Florence eating places ebook out far forward of time.

Day 2: Artwork and Oltrarno

Uffizi Gallery

End your morning cappuccino shiny and early and goal to be one of many first folks by way of the door on the Uffizi Gallery. Artwork historical past buffs can spend the entire day at this enormous museum, whereas informal artwork followers ought to plan for round two hours. 

Galleria degli Uffizi is a who’s who of Renaissance artists. Masterpieces right here embody Botticelli’s The Beginning of Venus (most likely essentially the most well-known work within the museum) and La Primavera, Titian’s Venus of Urbino, Raphael’s Self-Portrait, Caravaggio’s Bacchus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, and SO many extra.

I’m an enormous fan of artist Artemisia Gentileschi — the primary feminine painter to earn admission to the Academy of the Arts of Drawing in Florence! Her Judith and Holofernes is on show right here.

Advance reserving is important on the Uffizi; ebook skip-the-line tickets for 25 EUR ($27) or be a part of a tour. This small group tour of the Uffizi is value each cent for the intel shared by passionate guides. 

Because the Accademia and Uffizi galleries are two of the preferred websites in Florence, my suggestion is to begin two of your three days in Florence at every one.

I don’t advocate visiting each museums in the identical day, in case you will help it — artwork fatigue is an actual factor (as is museum fatigue), and also you’ll take pleasure in them extra in case you unfold them out a bit.

The Galleria degli Uffizi is closed on Mondays. 

Piazza della Signoria

One other lovely sq., Piazza della Signoria is a spot you’ll cross a number of instances all through your three-day Florence itinerary. It’s a couple of minutes’ stroll from the Uffizi exit and residential to the Palazzo Vecchio, a faux statue of David, and the Neptune fountain that’s steadily vandalized by locals.

The sq. is gorgeous to see, and don’t miss the Loggia dei Lanzi — a bit of the sq. that includes a number of sculptures. Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa is among the many most well-known works right here.

You probably have time for a libation, I extremely advocate Rivoire, a restaurant proper on the sq.. Their ciccolato caldo con crema (sizzling chocolate with cream) is so wealthy and luxurious — I find time for it on most of my Florence journeys!

You may both sit on the outside seating on the sq. and people-watch, or sit inside and benefit from the over-the-top maximalist decor of the cafe. Each are nice choices.

Gucci Backyard Museum

Simply throughout Piazza della Signora is Gucci Backyard, a comparatively new addition to Florence and a super-fun place to pop in. Should you’re involved in trend, design, celeb tradition, or interactive gentle reveals, you’ll love this place! If not, be at liberty to skip it.

The Gucci model originated in Florence, and Gucci Backyard is a store that includes some distinctive objects you possibly can’t discover on the market anyplace else on this planet.

However hooked up is a very cool museum referred to as Gucci Visions, with classic equipment and attire on show and themed rooms. I completely adored the limitless glass cupboards stuffed with colourful Gucci baggage! There are additionally cool gentle shows that you may participate in — excellent for Instagram!

Gucci Visions has additionally outfits on show worn by Ryan Gosling, Lupita Nyong’o, and different A-listers.

It’s a reasonably small museum and I believe it makes an attention-grabbing deviation from Florence’s extra severe sights. Gucci Backyard is open 10:00 AM-8:00 PM day by day and admission prices just a few euros.

Ponte Vecchio

Good luck discovering a extra romantic sight in Florence than Ponte Vecchio! Again within the day, this bridge was once filled with butchers’ retailers — however in time the native authorities demanded they change to jewellery retailers, bettering the odor of the entire space.

You’ll need to cross the bridge to expertise all of the totally different angles. If time permits, contemplate revisiting Ponte Vecchio at totally different elements of the day. It’s pretty early within the morning and round nightfall and even the noon bustle creates a enjoyable ambiance.

I additionally love photographing the bridge from close to the Uffizi exit on the Lungarno. That’s the place the above picture was taken.

The bridge is filled with retailers promoting gold jewellery. The standard is superb — you possibly can count on 18k for the gold, as Florentines imagine it’s solely gold if it’s 18k (although at all times double-check simply to make sure). Simply know that you just’ll pay inflated costs right here in comparison with jewellery retailers in different elements of town.

Lunch in Santo Spirito

When you attain the Oltrarno — the opposite aspect of the Arno — seize a fast chunk within the Santo Spirito neighborhood. You attain this neighborhood after crossing the Ponte Vecchio and taking a proper — although Piazza Santo Spirito is an efficient central landmark in case you want one.

That is one in all only a few neighborhoods in Florence’s centro (historic heart) the place the locals outnumber vacationers. In consequence, it is a good place to wander and see in case you just like the look of any of the eating places.

Trattoria La Casalinga is the favourite restaurant of a Florentine I do know, and is nice for pasta and steak. In any other case, choose up pastries and low from a restaurant like Ditta Artigianal.

Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

The Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, together with the Bardini Gardens subsequent door, are essentially the most distinguished sights within the Oltrarno. These are the locations to hit up when visiting this aspect of the river, and you should buy tickets to go to the entire sights collectively or individually.

Though it carries the identify of its authentic landlord, the primary property was the house of the Medici household and later the Home of Habsburg-Lorraine. Contained in the palace, you’ll see the Royal Flats, the Palatine Chapel, the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, and the Museum of Costume. 

It prices 16 EUR ($18) to go contained in the palace or 22 EUR ($25) for a ticket that features entry to the gardens. 

See what sort of temper you’re in and the way you’re for time, however buy advance tickets if it’s essential to you to see the Pitti Palace. I completely like to Boboli Gardens, pictured above, they usually’re probably the greatest nature spots in Florence, a metropolis that’s typically a bit nature-deprived.

The Bardini Gardens are a five-minute stroll from the exit by Fort Belvedere within the Boboli Gardens, and there are indicators exhibiting you the way in which. You should utilize the identical ticket or go to solely the Bardini Gardens for 10 EUR ($11). 

So in case you’re visiting each gardens, which one is best? Properly, first, take a look at my greatest views in Florence publish for footage from them each! Truthfully, I believe the view is best from Bardini, however you possibly can’t beat the landscaping and great thing about Boboli.

Palazzo Pitti is closed on Mondays. Giardino di Boboli and Giardino Bardini are open day by day. 

Oltrarno at Sundown Meals Tour

The Oltrarno is Florence’s reply to Rome’s Trastevere — a foodie neighborhood the place you possibly can take pleasure in loads of meals, nightlife, and native tradition. Should you’re going to go on a meals tour in Florence, that is the place to do it.

I went on the Oltrarno at Sundown Meals Tour throughout my final journey to Florence and beloved it! It’s a enjoyable cultural exercise with an emphasis on the tales behind Florentine meals and the way it all items collectively. (I hope you get Lorenzo as your information, he’s the perfect!)

You’ll swing by 5 informal eateries to strive crostini, salume, bistecca alla fiorentina, some actually good gelato, and loads of wine. All the things comes from small, fantastic native eateries. However for me, the large spotlight was getting a glass of wine by way of a wine window!

The tour begins at 4:45 PM and lasts about 3.5 hours, so that you’ll have a lot of the night free. I ought to level out that you just’ll have sufficient meals for a meal, however you gained’t be stuffed past recognition like some meals excursions.

Cocktails in Florence

After the tour, I’m sending you out for a well-deserved drink at one in all Florence’s cocktail bars. If you wish to keep in your present neighborhood, Bulli e Balene serves up spritzes and cicchetti, little items of bread with toppings which can be initially from Venice, in a comfy ambiance.

In any other case, you possibly can cross the Ponte Santo Spirito again to the opposite aspect of the river and hit up the opposite bars, all of that are a brief strolling distance from this bridge.

Procacci could be my favourite, with its old-world decor and boutique wine menu. To high all of it off, they serve scrumptious little truffle sandwiches, in case the tour didn’t fill you up! It is a small place, however there’s room to face if it is advisable.

Two minutes down the road, Manifattura is one other enjoyable spot. This cocktail bar offers completely with Italian spirits and is nice for attempting a cocktail you’ve by no means heard of earlier than. 

Giacosa 1815 is a ceremony of passage for negroni followers. The enduring cocktail was created right here in 1919, though there are many choices for many who like their drinks a bit sweeter. It is a good spot for a morning cappuccino, too. 

‌Day 3: Deeper Florentine Cuts — or Tuscany Day Journey!

In your third day in Florence, I’m going to present you two choices. You may both keep in Florence and discover extra of town, or go on a day journey outdoors town to discover extra of Tuscany.

Should you select to do a tour, I strongly advocate specializing in Tuscany relatively than heading someplace additional afield.

My high suggestion is the Florence Day Journey to Siena, Chianti, and San Gimignano. I did this present day journey on my most up-to-date go to to Florence, and it was SO good — an ideal mix of visiting one other metropolis, a fantastic small city, and a very nice lunch with a number of wine.

If that’s not your factor, listed here are just a few different day journeys I like to recommend from Florence:

If not day-tripping, let’s check out what you are able to do on day three in Florence!

Bargello Museum

Haven’t had sufficient artwork but? Need even MORE? If that’s the case, I like to recommend you make your solution to the fantastic and underrated Museo Nazionale del Bargello. I really didn’t go to right here till just lately, and I don’t know what took me so lengthy!!

Donatello and Michelangelo’s sculptures are the headliners at this prison-turned-art gallery. (Truthfully, by this level you’ll have seen works by Raphael and Leonardo as properly, so your ninja turtle search can be full.) It’s additionally an important place to find out about Giotto di Bondone, one of many earliest Renaissance artists, and see his fresco of Dante the poet. 

Should you’re into weaponry, that is the museum for you. They’ve some actually cool weapons on show, and I beloved the frescoes on among the ceilings that evoked a starry night time.

Bargello admission prices 10 EUR ($11) and it’s one of many few locations the place you don’t want to purchase skip-the-line tickets prematurely.

The museum is open 8:15 AM-1:50 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays and till 6:50 PM on Mondays and Saturdays. It’s closed on Tuesdays. 

Basilica di Santa Croce

The world’s largest Franciscan church, Basilica di Santa Croce, dates to the late thirteenth century. It accommodates the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo, together with many different distinguished Florentines, and it has a stunning cloistered courtyard. And it occurs to be only a four-minute stroll from the Bargello.

Arnolfo di Cambio is credited with a lot of the design, whereas Giotto painted frescoes within the Giugni, Tosinghi Spinelli, Bardi, and Peruzzi chapels. The graves listed here are ornate and delightful.

The Basilica di Santa Croce is open 9:30 AM-5.30 PM, Monday to Saturday, and 12:30 PM-5:45 PM on Sundays. Admission prices 8 EUR ($9) plus 4 EUR ($4.50) to obtain an audio information in your telephone.  

Casa Buonarroti

Subsequent up is one other less-visited attraction within the neighborhood, only a three-minute stroll from Santa Croce. Michelangelo’s final identify was Buonarroti, and this was his household house. He lived at Casa Buonarroti earlier than the townhouse handed to his nephew. 

As plans to overtake the advanced by no means materialized, the home because it stands at present was accomplished lengthy after the sculptor’s loss of life by his nice nephew, generally known as the “Youthful Michelangelo.”

Casa Buonarroti is now a monumental museum to Michelangelo and artists that adopted in his footsteps. Two of Michelangelo’s earliest reliefs are on show in addition to drawings and biographical displays. You may also spot a small David statue right here.

Casa Buonarroti is open Wednesday by way of Monday, 10:00 AM-4:40 PM. Tickets price 8 EUR ($9). 

Lunch at Sapori Toscani Avenue Meals

Make a pitstop for schiacciata (sha-CHA-ta) at Sapori Toscani Avenue Meals, a six-minute stroll from Casa Buonarroti. This hole-in-the-wall serves conventional Tuscan flatbread sandwiches.

It is a common spot, and there’s no seating (apart from two tiny chairs in entrance which can be normally taken). The factor to do is wait in line, check out the menu, select your quantity, and order. They are going to name you when it’s prepared, and you’ll eat it whereas standing there or discover a bench just a few blocks away.

The schiacciate are available a number of differing kinds — although primarily totally different sorts of pork (porchetta, prosciutto, and sausage). Assume ham, parmigiano, and truffle sauce, or pork loin, scamorza, and eggplant sauce. They do have an enormous vegetarian menu as properly, so don’t overlook it!

Gelato Break

Now that you just’ve had lunch, how about some gelato? Gelateria dei Neri is my absolute favourite — I’ve been consuming there for 20 years! They’ve unbelievable gelato and so many attention-grabbing flavors together with the same old favorites. Know that they’re closed on Tuesdays. They’re an eight-minute stroll from Sapori Toscani.

A fair nearer gelato possibility is Vivoli, a three-minute stroll away. That is one other long-standing gelato joint. I personally don’t assume they’re pretty much as good as Gelateria dei Neri, however they DO make the perfect affogato on the town! An affogato is espresso poured over a scoop of gelato, and Vivoli ups the ante with fantastically sculpted gelato. They’re closed on Mondays.

Seeing as you’re spending three days in Florence, it is best to squeeze in a visit to each gelaterie. I additionally hope you’ve been consuming a number of gelato all this time!

Now that that is your third and ultimate afternoon in Firenze, I like to recommend you are taking a while to discover at your individual tempo — or don’t. Simply sitting in a restaurant and people-watching is simply as legitimate as hitting up one more museum. By now it is best to know what makes you tick.

Listed below are just a few extra choices, in case you’re searching for them.

Palazzo Vecchio

Should you love views and don’t thoughts climbing, one in all my absolute favourite views is from the Arnolfo Tower on the Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria. It is a view that doesn’t appear to get a lot consideration in comparison with the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and even Rinascente or the Boboli Gardens.

It’s so unknown, in actual fact, that folks typically ask me if the picture above is a drone shot! It’s not! It was taken with my ft planted firmly on the Arnolfo Tower!

So what’s the Palazzo Vecchio about? This “Previous Palace” had a stint as a Medici residence earlier than switching again to a authorities workplace as soon as they settled into Pitti Palace. Today, it’s the city corridor of Florence, and the courtyard is free to go to. 

Excursions of the Palazzo Vecchio flats full your schooling in Renaissance artwork and political goings on. They’re a bit heavier and I’d advocate them primarily for hardcore historical past buffs. 

Now — right here’s the essential half. It’s good to purchase museum and tower admission individually. You should purchase them right here. Every ticket prices 12.50 EUR ($14). Just remember to choose “ARNOLFO TOWER” when buying your ticket! It’s straightforward to overlook, and I made the error of shopping for the improper sort of ticket as soon as.

In any other case, you should buy a mixed ticket which ensures admission to each sights. 

Fast journey to Fiesole

Alternatively, you possibly can deepen your Tuscan expertise with a straightforward aspect journey to Fiesole. By this level of the day, going all the way in which to a different metropolis in Tuscany will eat up a lot of your day, however Fiesole is only a fast 25-minute bus journey away.

Fiesole (fee-YAY-zo-lay) is a metropolis even older than Florence! This metropolis was based by the Etruscans and went on to garner the love of the Medici household. 

You may spend a day taking within the historic sights and luxurious gardens of Fiesole. Don’t miss the Roman theater and bathhouse constructed on high of Etruscan foundations.

The monastery of San Francesco is a brief however steep stroll from the primary sq.. It’s free to roam the compound and the views are second to none. I really like that this offers you a view from the opposite course, as a lot of the well-known views of the Duomo come from the south.

To get to Fiesole, you possibly can take the quantity 7 bus, which leaves from outdoors Santa Maria Novella prepare station and takes 25 minutes. 

Dinner at L’Ortone

Everybody deserves one upscale, unforgettable dinner in Florence, and L’Ortone within the Santa Croce neighborhood will get my vote. This place may be very common, and justifiably so, so I like to recommend making a reservation prematurely.

L’Ortone is situated east of Santa Croce and JUST far sufficient that it retains away numerous the vacationers. But it surely’s simply an eight-minute stroll from Santa Croce or a fifteen-minute stroll from the Duomo.

Whereas a lot of Tuscan delicacies is hyper-local, L’Ortone places a inventive twist on their dishes.

On my most up-to-date go to, I had cubes of fried beef tongue with caramelized onion and lime scented yogurt; adopted by agnolotti full of pigeon, its gravy, and thyme butter; completed with a berry cheesecake.

And also you don’t should go bizarre like me — they’ve spaghetti with burrata, eggplant parmesan, and naturally a bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Costs are a bit increased, however the high quality displays that.

And out of your desk, I hope you elevate your glass of wine and toast to the fantastic 3 days in Florence you’ve simply skilled. I hope you always remember it!

The place To Keep in Florence, Italy

Florence’s metropolis heart is on the smaller aspect, so most motels are inside strolling distance of principal sights, first rate eating places, and the prepare station.

Right here’s the place to remain in Florence metropolis heart. 

High-rated Luxurious Lodge in Florence: Should you’re searching for an extremely luxe expertise, The St. Regis Florence occupies a Brunelleschi-designed constructing on the riverside simply west of town heart. Rooms are palatial and the views are excellent.

High-rated Mid-range Lodge in Florence: Near the Piazza della Repubblica and with terrace views of the Duomo, Boutique Lodge del Corso is a superb selection on your first time in Florence. Rooms characteristic fashionable loos and traditional Italian decor. 

High-rated Finances Lodge in Florence: Know that it’s powerful to search out reasonably priced lodging on this lovely metropolis however B&B Emozioni Fiorentine has rooms across the $250 mark — a deal by Florentine requirements. It’s clear, cozy, and near sights. 

High-rated Hostel in Florence: Plus Florence options each non-public ensuite rooms in addition to dorms. The 2 swimming pools and solar deck make it an superior choose throughout summer season! Breakfast is on the market, and you should utilize the kitchen to organize gentle meals.

Discover offers on locations to remain in Florence right here.

Extra on Florence and Tuscany:

Planning a Journey to Italy:

Cool Locations in Northern Italy:

• Three Weeks in Northern Italy: An Itinerary
• 30+ Epic Issues to Do in Rome, Italy
• Information to the 5 Cities of Cinque Terre
• Parma, Italy: A Colourful, Artsy, Scrumptious City
• The place to Keep in Rome: Greatest Neighborhoods and Lodging
• Three Days within the Dolomites: A South Tyrol Getaway
• The Immaculate, Bursting Mosaics of Ravenna, Italy
• 25 Greatest Meals Experiences in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• 23 Greatest Issues to Do in Bologna, Italy
• 30+ Greatest Issues to Do in Venice, Italy
• 16 Cool Day Journeys from Venice, Italy
• Tips on how to Spend 1 Day in Venice, Italy
• Information to Murano Island in Venice
• Information to Burano Island in Venice

Cool Locations in Southern Italy:

• 28 Fabulous Issues to Do in Naples, Italy
• 16 Enjoyable Issues to Do in Sorrento, Italy
• Tropea, Italy: A Spectacularly Located Seaside City
• The Joys and Challenges of Touring in Sicily
• 22 Stunning Locations to Go to in Sicily
• The place to Go in Japanese Sicily
• 23 Enjoyable Issues to Do in Palermo, Sicily
• Full Information to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily
• Aci Trezza: A Laid-Again Coastal City in Sicily
• Visiting Sicily within the Winter: Price it or not?
• 17 Enjoyable Issues to Do in Bari, Italy
• 17 Cool Issues to Do in Matera, Italy
• The Beautiful Trulli of Alberobello, Italy
• 16 Fab Issues to Do in Lecce, Italy
• Experiencing the Carpino People Pageant in Puglia, Italy

How would you spend 3 days in Florence? Share away!