A day in Florence!
I know that there is so much to do and see in Florence and it can be overwhelming to narrow down all the amazing things to experience, so I have created a guide of my top recommendations of what to do if you find yourself in Florence for only one day.
Start your day in the heart of Florence!
Have breakfast at Mercato Centrale. In this market, you will definitely feel what it's like being a local. This market has two floors, on the ground floor you will find mostly fresh food products and some food stalls/restaurants. The second floor you will find more options of food stalls, cafes, and restaurants with various cuisines.
Right outside Mercato Centrale you will find the leather market. Florence is known for their high quality of various leather products. I recommend stopping here for any of your leather needs, bags, wallets, keychains etc.
The next stop on our list is Basilica della Santissima Annunziata. This Renaissance Basilica with rich Baroque interior is one of the most beautiful churches in Florence in my opinion. This basilica leaves you stunned by the magnificent frescoes, vaults, motifs, and all of the other details. The exterior may look simple, but the interior is a true marvel.
This iconic 19th century Gothic Revival Cathedral with Renaissance style interior is the most iconic building in Florence and definitely a must see! Getting in the Cathedral is free, but to climb up the dome, the bell tower, the crypt, and the baptistry you will need to buy a ticket(and a couple of days. their ticket is valid for 3 days and it's for a reason). So I suggest you start with lining up for Cathedral early in the morning, be there around 8 to start lining up. They open at 8:30
If you are looking to buy tickets for museums and atttractions, check out www.headout.com and use my code to get 8% discount : IAMSOPHIA
(This code is valid for all attractions around the world)
This square is surrounded by 19th century buildings, a beautiful arch, and a charming carousel. There are plenty of bars and cafes around this square, so this place is a nice resting stop.
Grab a classic lunch among locals - panino! This hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop serves a classic variety of paninis, and is right on the way to our next stop - Piazza della Signoria!
This is probably the most beautiful and interesting square in Florence! In this Piazza, there are a lot of things to see around here. You will see Palazzo Vecchio(you can enter the first floor and see the courtyard for free), the Loggia della Signoria(free entrance), Grand duke of Tuscany bronze, Fountain of Neptune, and the Uffizi Gallery nearby.
Another iconic structure in Florence. The Ponte Vecchio is one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and the oldest stone bridge in Europe. It is also the oldest bridge of the city, hence the name "Ponte Vecchio" which means old bridge. On this bridge, you will see a beautiful view of the Arno river, and it becomes more romantic at night time. You will also find some luxury gold and jewelry shops all along this bridge.
This is one of my favorite gelato shops here in Florence. Grab some gelato before heading to your next location!
End your day at Piazzale Michelangelo with a beautiful panoramic view of Florence. Watching the sunset here is just magical! And if you're lucky, there will be someone who will be playing some live music.
I hope this guide will help you enjoy your time in Florence!
If you are looking for more recommendations, check out my other guides!
Interested in a custom travel guide for your upcoming trip?
A day in Florence!
I know that there is so much to do and see in Florence and it can be overwhelming to narrow down all the amazing things to experience, so I have created a guide of my top recommendations of what to do if you find yourself in Florence for only one day.
Start your day in the heart of Florence!
Have breakfast at Mercato Centrale. In this market, you will definitely feel what it's like being a local. This market has two floors, on the ground floor you will find mostly fresh food products and some food stalls/restaurants. The second floor you will find more options of food stalls, cafes, and restaurants with various cuisines.
Right outside Mercato Centrale you will find the leather market. Florence is known for their high quality of various leather products. I recommend stopping here for any of your leather needs, bags, wallets, keychains etc.
The next stop on our list is Basilica della Santissima Annunziata. This Renaissance Basilica with rich Baroque interior is one of the most beautiful churches in Florence in my opinion. This basilica leaves you stunned by the magnificent frescoes, vaults, motifs, and all of the other details. The exterior may look simple, but the interior is a true marvel.
This iconic 19th century Gothic Revival Cathedral with Renaissance style interior is the most iconic building in Florence and definitely a must see! Getting in the Cathedral is free, but to climb up the dome, the bell tower, the crypt, and the baptistry you will need to buy a ticket(and a couple of days. their ticket is valid for 3 days and it's for a reason). So I suggest you start with lining up for Cathedral early in the morning, be there around 8 to start lining up. They open at 8:30
If you are looking to buy tickets for museums and atttractions, check out www.headout.com and use my code to get 8% discount : IAMSOPHIA
(This code is valid for all attractions around the world)
This square is surrounded by 19th century buildings, a beautiful arch, and a charming carousel. There are plenty of bars and cafes around this square, so this place is a nice resting stop.
Grab a classic lunch among locals - panino! This hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop serves a classic variety of paninis, and is right on the way to our next stop - Piazza della Signoria!
This is probably the most beautiful and interesting square in Florence! In this Piazza, there are a lot of things to see around here. You will see Palazzo Vecchio(you can enter the first floor and see the courtyard for free), the Loggia della Signoria(free entrance), Grand duke of Tuscany bronze, Fountain of Neptune, and the Uffizi Gallery nearby.
Another iconic structure in Florence. The Ponte Vecchio is one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and the oldest stone bridge in Europe. It is also the oldest bridge of the city, hence the name "Ponte Vecchio" which means old bridge. On this bridge, you will see a beautiful view of the Arno river, and it becomes more romantic at night time. You will also find some luxury gold and jewelry shops all along this bridge.
This is one of my favorite gelato shops here in Florence. Grab some gelato before heading to your next location!
End your day at Piazzale Michelangelo with a beautiful panoramic view of Florence. Watching the sunset here is just magical! And if you're lucky, there will be someone who will be playing some live music.
I hope this guide will help you enjoy your time in Florence!
If you are looking for more recommendations, check out my other guides!
Interested in a custom travel guide for your upcoming trip?