Florence, Italy is a dream destination, especially for summer travel. Whether you’re visiting as part of a cruise excursion or stopping over for just one day, it can feel overwhelming to fit in all the highlights. While we always recommend spending more time in this incredible city, it’s absolutely possible to experience a lot in just one day. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your time in Florence.

Know Before You Go to Florence, Italy

If you are looking for a destination that perfectly blends art, culture, history, and exceptional cuisine, Florence is the place for you! As the capital of Tuscany, Florence has a central location that makes it a convenient hub for exploring other popular Italian cities including Pisa, Siena, Venice, and Rome. 

Getting Around Florence

If you are arriving in Florence via public transit, keep in mind that the city will almost always be listed as “Firenze” on tickets and schedules, as that is the Italian name for Florence, while “Florence” is the English translation.

Once you are in the city, getting around is refreshingly easy. Florence is compact and highly walkable, making it a breeze to explore on foot. However, between the cobblestone streets and the number of steps you’ll take, comfortable shoes are an absolute must!

Navigating the Summer Crowds

Florence is a popular destination year-round, but it’s especially busy during the summer months. To avoid missing out, we highly recommend booking tickets, tours, and restaurant reservations in advance. As you plan your visit, keep in mind that many museums are closed on Mondays, and the Duomo is closed to visitors during Sunday services. Be sure to check the operating hours of all the attractions you’d like to visit to make the most of your time in the city.

Where to Stay in Florence, Italy

If you’re spending the night in Florence, choosing a centrally located hotel can make your visit much more convenient, especially if you’re trying to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. Staying near the historic center puts you within walking distance of major attractions, restaurants, and museums, allowing you to make the most of your time in the city.

Hotel Palazzo dal Borgo

This charming hotel is an excellent option, especially if you’re arriving by train. Located just steps from Santa Maria Novella Station, it offers easy access to transportation while still being within comfortable walking distance of the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and other key sites. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated in a classic Florentine style, and guests love the peaceful courtyard patio, where you can enjoy the complimentary breakfast each morning. It’s a perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and charm. Book here.

Hotel Perseo

The Hotel Perseo is the perfect choice if you’re looking to stay right in the heart of Florence. Located just steps from the Duomo, this boutique hotel offers an unbeatable location from nearly every attraction on this list. The rooms are modern, clean, and thoughtfully designed, with many offering views of Florence’s historic rooftops or even the Duomo itself. Guests consistently praise the warm and welcoming staff, as well as the comfy beds (something you’ll definitely appreciate after a full day of exploring). Book your stay here.

B&B Hotel Firenze Pitti Palace

The B&B Hotel Firenze is a beautiful and affordable option located just across the Arno River, in the charming Oltrarno district. This area offers a quieter, more local feel compared to the bustling city center, while still keeping you within easy walking distance of Florence’s top attractions. The hotel blends classic Florentine architecture with modern amenities, offering comfortable, stylish rooms, some of which feature lovely views of the river or surrounding rooftops. Guests love the relaxed atmosphere, helpful staff, and excellent value for the location. Book here.

The Best 1 Day Florence Itinerary

Catch Sunrise

If you happen to be in the city during sunrise, it is absolutely worth the early wake-up call to visit the Ponte Vecchio or the Duomo. At this hour, the city is nearly empty and very peaceful which will give you a rare chance to experience Florence without the crowds. It’s also the best time to capture photos with the soft morning light. After soaking in the sunrise, head to a local cafe to enjoy a traditional cappuccino and cornetto to start your day like a true Florentine.

Florence’s Best Museums

After fueling up on caffeine and carbs we recommend starting your day with a museum visit to beat the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience. Renowned as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is arguably one of the best places in the world to explore art museums. While Florence is home to countless museums worth exploring, here are a few that we suggest prioritizing. 

The Uffizi Gallery 

One of the most visited museums in the world and for good reason. The Uffizi Gallery houses an extraordinary collection of masterpieces, many of which once belonged to the Medici family. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the Uffizi is a great option if you are short on time. The museum features one of the highest concentrations of iconic works including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and La Primavera, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, and Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo. You can buy tickets to skip the line here!

Galleria dell’Accademia

Galleria dell’Accademia is likely already on your radar, as it houses the original statue of Michelangelo’s David, and therefore is one of Florence’s most popular museums. While its collection is more specialized than that of the Uffizi, it’s absolutely worth a visit, especially if you appreciate sculpture. Seeing a masterpiece like David in person is an unforgettable experience that truly captures the spirit of the Renaissance. Because this museum is so popular, we recommend buying tickets to skip the line here!

Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti is one of the largest palaces in Europe and was purchased by the Medici family in 1550. As you might imagine, both the palace and its grounds are truly spectacular to explore. Today, the palace is divided into five distinct museums as well as the beautiful Boboli Gardens. This is one of our favorite places to visit in Florence because it has a little something for everyone and offers art, architecture, and nature all in one location. You can book your skip-the-line access here.

Food in Florence

After spending a couple of hours exploring a museum, you’ll definitely have worked up an appetite. Choosing what to eat in Florence might just be the hardest decision of your day as there’s incredible food options on every corner. Since you’ll likely be trying to pack a lot into your itinerary, we recommend grabbing a quick sandwich rather than sitting down for a full meal. 

One of the most famous sandwich spots in the city is All’antico Vinaio. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see a line down the block and people sitting on the curbs enjoying sandwiches the size of their heads. While some locals would definitely consider this a “tourist trap”, we have to admit that their sandwiches are worth the hype (and the wait) in our opinion. 

That said, if you’d prefer to skip the line or are looking for more of a hidden gem, check out Lo Schiacciavino. It’s a lesser known spot, serving delicious sandwiches, with fewer crowds.

Another fun way to sample a wide variety of local foods is by joining a food tour. It’s one of our favorite things to do when visiting a new city, because they are a great way to learn more about the culture and history of the place while supporting multiple small businesses we probably wouldn’t find on our own. You can book an amazing Florence food tour here and here!

The Duomo

A trip to Florence isn’t complete without visiting the iconic Duomo Cathedral, officially known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. This architectural masterpiece sits in the heart of the city and stands as one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Italy. While admiring the exterior is breathtaking on its own, we highly recommend climbing to the top of the dome for panoramic views of the city. That said, here’s a pro tip: consider climbing Giotto’s Bell Tower next door instead. It offers you the same panoramic views, plus you’ll get a full view of the dome that you don’t otherwise! As an added bonus, it’s usually less crowded, as most visitors opt for the dome climb.

Mercato Centrale

After climbing the 414 steps of the Bell Tower, you’ll definitely be ready for an afternoon pick-me-up. We recommend treating yourself to a gelato from La Strega Nocciola or relaxing with a chilled bottle of wine at one of the cafés in the piazza. Once you’ve regained your energy (or at least caught a bit of a sugar rush), take a short 7-minute walk to the Mercato Centrale. This vibrant open-air market is filled with stalls run by local vendors and is a great place to pick up souvenirs or artisanal ingredients to bring home for cooking.

Ponte Vecchio

If you didn’t make it to the Ponte Vecchio at sunrise, it’s well worth walking across it on your way to watch the sunset. Dating back to Roman times, the Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks, famous for its unique design and the small shops that line both sides of the bridge. These shops, primarily jewelers and art dealers today, give the bridge a storybook charm and make it feel like you’ve stepped back in time. While many of the items for sale can be quite pricey, it’s still a fun spot for window shopping and soaking in the history.

For a picture-perfect view of the Ponte Vecchio itself, we recommend crossing one of the neighboring bridges, Ponte Santa Trinita or Ponte alle Grazie, both of which offer fantastic vantage points, especially during golden hour. 

Piazzale Michelangelo

Speaking of golden hour, it is time to head to the best sunset spot in Florence: Piazzale Michelangelo. This iconic lookout offers panoramic views of the city, including the Arno River and the Duomo Cathedral. While the views are beautiful any time of day, you really can’t compete with the magic of watching sunset here.

Getting to the Piazzale Michelangelo does require a bit of effort, as it’s perched on the top of the hill. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to either catch the bus or hike up from Piazza Poggi, a scenic (and somewhat steep) route that takes about 20-30 minutes on foot. Once you arrive, try to grab a spot on the wide stone staircase, where locals and travelers alike gather to take in the view. It’s the perfect place to relax, snap a few final photos, and reflect on an unforgettable day in this idyllic city.

Ready for your trip to Florence?

No matter how you decide to fill your time in Florence, you are in for an incredible experience. Whether you’re gazing up at the Duomo, wandering through Renaissance masterpieces at the Uffizi, savoring gelato by the Arno, or simply getting lost in the charming streets, this city leaves an unforgettable impression.  We hope this guide helps you make the most of your time in Florence!