The Perfect 2 Days in Florence Itinerary

Florence is one of those cities that really lives up to the hype! Between the art, history, architecture, and food, it’s easily one of my favorite places in Italy.

The good news is you don’t need a full week to experience it. If you have a well-planned itinerary for your 2 days in Florence, you can see a lot of the city. And that’s where I come in!

Florence sits right in the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by rolling hills and some of the best wine regions in the country. The historic center is compact and very walkable, which makes it perfect for a short trip.

If you only have a weekend, this 2 days in Florence itinerary covers the must-see highlights, famous museums, and iconic viewpoints so you can make the most of your time in the city.

Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.

Overview of Your 2 Days in Florence Itinerary

Below is a quick overview of this 2 days in Florence itinerary, so you can see the city’s biggest highlights without trying to cram too much into each day.

Day 1 focuses on the historic center, combined with a visit to see Michelangelo’s David and some of Florence’s most famous landmarks. Day 2 is more museum and viewpoint focused, with time across the Arno and a sunset to finish the trip.

For both days, it’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance for the main attractions. I’ve added reminders throughout the itinerary so you know exactly where booking ahead will save you time.

Breakdown of your Florence itinerary

• Day 1: Accademia Gallery, Duomo Complex, Piazza della Repubblica, Fontana del Porcellino, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio
• Day 2: Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens, Giardino delle Rose, Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

Map for the best sights to see in Florence in 2 days

Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you will need for this Florence itinerary.

I marked your 2 days in Florence with different colors – I used blue for the first day and magenta for the second day, so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit each day.

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Day 1

Accademia Gallery

Start your first day in Florence at the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s famous David statue. Even if you’re not usually big on museums, this one is worth it. Seeing David in person is completely different from photos, and it’s easily one of the most impressive sculptures in the world.

You’ll need to book a timed entry ticket for the Accademia Gallery, and I highly recommend booking as soon as you can. Tickets sometimes sell out weeks in advance, especially during peak season, so it’s not something you want to leave until the last minute.

If you want more context during your visit, joining a guided tour is a great option. These often include skip-the-line access, which can save you a lot of time on busy days.

I recommend booking an early morning time slot if you can. Crowds build quickly throughout the day, and the gallery is much easier to enjoy when it’s quieter. Most visits take about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on how much time you want to spend in each room.

While David is the main reason most people visit, don’t rush straight past everything else. The unfinished Prisoners sculptures are really interesting to see, and they give you a cool look into Michelangelo’s process.

Duomo Complex

After visiting the Accademia Gallery, head toward the Duomo Complex, which is the true heart of Florence’s historic center. Many people think the Duomo is just one building, but it’s actually a collection of several major landmarks located right next to each other.

The complex includes the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome (Cupola), Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata, and the Opera del Duomo Museum.

The inside of the cathedral itself is free to visit, but lines are usually extremely long and often wrap around the entire building. You also need to cover your shoulders and knees to enter.

The cathedral opens at 10:15 am and is closed on Sundays. If visiting the interior is important to you, I would try to arrive about 15 to 20 minutes before opening. Otherwise, I’m honestly not sure it’s worth waiting in line for hours.

A great alternative is booking a guided tour of the cathedral, which includes skip-the-line access and gives you a lot more context about what you’re seeing. Just keep in mind that this tour only covers the cathedral itself, not the rest of the complex.

All other parts of the complex require a ticket, which you can buy directly on the website. There are three main ticket types available, called Brunelleschi, Giotto, and Ghiberti.

The Brunelleschi ticket is the all-inclusive option, and it’s the only one that includes the dome climb. Tickets are valid for three calendar days, but you must book a specific time slot for the dome climb when purchasing your ticket.

If you plan to climb the dome, keep in mind that it involves 463 steps and there is no elevator. The same applies to Giotto’s Bell Tower. Many people focus on the dome climb, but I actually think the view from the bell tower is better since you can see the dome itself from there!

While you can absolutely visit everything independently, I personally recommend booking a guided tour if it fits your budget. This tour includes skip-the-line cathedral access, the Duomo Museum, and the dome climb, all with a local guide.

If you want something even more special, you can also book this exclusive tour that includes access to the Duomo terraces, which are normally closed to the public.

Piazza della Repubblica

From the Duomo Complex, it’s just a short walk to Piazza della Repubblica, one of the main squares in the city and a natural next stop on your 2 day Florence itinerary. The square sits on the site of the ancient Roman forum, and today it’s surrounded by historic buildings, cafés, and shops.

The large arch, called the Arcone, is one of the most recognizable features of the square, and you’ll usually find street performers and the famous carousel running in the center.

It’s a good place to grab a coffee, people-watch for a bit, or just take a break before continuing toward the river and the rest of the historic center.

Fontana del Porcellino

From Piazza della Repubblica, continue toward Fontana del Porcellino, one of Florence’s most famous small landmarks. The bronze wild boar fountain is located inside Mercato Nuovo, also known as Mercato del Porcellino, just a short walk from Ponte Vecchio.

The statue was created by Pietro Tacca and is based on an ancient Hellenistic marble sculpture. If you’re curious, you can actually see the original marble version in the Uffizi Gallery, which you’ll visit on Day 2 of your Florence itinerary!

There are two traditions you can try here. The first is placing a coin in the boar’s mouth and letting it slide down into the grate below. If the coin drops through the grate, it’s supposed to bring you good luck.

The second tradition is rubbing the boar’s nose, which is said to guarantee you’ll return to Florence one day. Once you see how shiny the nose is, you’ll understand how popular this ritual is!

If you have time, you can also walk around Mercato Nuovo. It’s a covered market known for leather goods like belts, bags, and small souvenirs. If you’re planning to buy an Italian leather item, this is a great place to look.

Piazza della Signoria

Continue toward Piazza della Signoria, one of the most important squares in Florence and a place you’ll almost certainly pass through more than once during your trip.

This square has been the political center of Florence for centuries, and today it’s basically an open-air museum filled with sculptures and historic buildings.

One of the main landmarks here is Palazzo Vecchio, the historic town hall of Florence. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth stopping for a minute to look at the building and the square around it.

Right next to it, you’ll find the Loggia dei Lanzi, which is free to visit and filled with impressive statues, including Perseus with the Head of Medusa.

You’ll also see a replica of Michelangelo’s David here, marking the original location where the statue once stood before it was moved to the Accademia Gallery. It’s a cool detail, especially since you saw the real statue earlier in the day!

Ponte Vecchio

Next, make your way to Ponte Vecchio, one of the most famous landmarks you’ll see during your 2 days in Florence. The bridge dates back to medieval times and is known for the small shops built along both sides, which today are mostly jewelry stores.

Walking across Ponte Vecchio is easily one of the best things to do in Florence, even if it only takes a few minutes. The views over the Arno River are beautiful, and it’s one of those places that just feels very “Florence” when you’re standing there.

The bridge is usually busy throughout the day, so don’t expect a quiet experience, but it’s still worth slowing down and taking it in. If you want photos, you’ll usually have better luck early in the morning or later in the evening. It’s also really beautiful at sunset!

You don’t need to plan much time here unless you want to browse the shops. Afterward, you can explore the Oltrarno side if you still have some energy left, or just go straight to dinner.

If you’re craving something sweet, be sure to check out Gelateria La Carraia, close to Ponte Vecchio. It’s one of the best places for gelato in Florence for a good reason, their ice cream is just heavenly!

Day 2

Uffizi Gallery

Start your second day with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous art museums in the world, and a must-include stop in any Florence itinerary. This is where you’ll see some of the most important Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio.

You will need to book a timed entry ticket in advance for the Uffizi. This is not a place where you want to rely on same-day tickets, especially in peak season. Lines for on-site tickets can be very long, and timed entry makes the whole experience much smoother.

If you enjoy art history or want more context, a guided tour is a great option and often includes priority access. It’s also a great alternative if individual tickets are all sold out.

You’ll need around 2-3 hours to visit the museum, maybe even more, depending on how detailed you want your visit to be! One of the highlights you can’t miss is Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, which is usually one of the busiest rooms in the gallery.

After your visit, you’ll exit near the Arno River, which makes it easy to continue toward Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens for the next part of your day.

Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens

After visiting the Uffizi Gallery, cross the Arno River and head toward Pitti Palace, one of the largest and most impressive historic buildings in Florence. The palace was originally built for the wealthy Pitti family and was later purchased by the Medici family, who turned it into their main residence.

Today, Pitti Palace houses several museums, including the Palatine Gallery, which features works by Raphael, Titian, and Rubens, along with royal apartments and rotating exhibitions.

Right behind the palace, you’ll find Boboli Gardens, one of the most famous historic gardens in Italy. The gardens are large, beautifully landscaped, and filled with fountains, statues, and viewpoints overlooking Florence. It’s a nice change of pace after museum visits and gives you more open space to walk around.

You’ll need a ticket to visit both Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, but combined tickets are also available and usually make the most sense if you plan to see both. Depending on how much of the area you want to explore, I would set aside 2-3 hours for these two.

As with almost all attractions in Florence, you also have the option to join a guided tour, which includes both the Palace and the gardens.

Giardino delle Rose

Before heading up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset, make a stop at Giardino delle Rose, a small rose garden located on the hillside just below the viewpoint. It’s a quiet spot compared to many other places you visited during your 2 days in Florence, and a nice place to slow down for a bit.

The garden is free to enter and usually doesn’t take long to walk through. Depending on the season, you’ll see different flowers in bloom, along with great views over the city and the Duomo in the distance.

There are also a few sculptures scattered throughout the garden, which makes it feel a little more unique than a typical park.

This is a good place to sit for a few minutes, rest your legs, and take in the views before continuing to Piazzale Michelangelo.

Piazzale Michelangelo

End the last day of your Florence itinerary at Piazzale Michelangelo, one of the most famous viewpoints in Florence and the perfect place to watch the sunset over the city. From the terrace, you get a panoramic view of the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and the rooftops of Florence all in one frame.

It can get very busy around sunset, especially during peak travel season, but it’s still worth it. I recommend arriving at least 30 to 45 minutes before sunset if you want a good spot along the railing and time to take photos before it gets too crowded.

There’s a replica of Michelangelo’s David statue in the center of the square, and you’ll usually find street performers and small souvenir stands around the area. It feels lively but still special, especially as the city lights start turning on.

If you still have energy after sunset, you can walk back down toward the historic center or grab a drink or dinner nearby. But honestly, even just sitting here and watching the sky change colors over Florence is the perfect way to end your trip!

Useful Info for Visiting Florence

Where to stay in Florence

Since you only have two days in Florence, I recommend staying as close to the historic center as possible. Most of the main sights are within walking distance of each other, so staying central will save you a lot of time and make your trip much easier.

If you want a deeper breakdown of the neighborhoods and which area might suit your travel style best, you can check out my detailed guide about the best areas to stay in Florence.

If you’re looking for a quick recommendation, here are a few great hotel options depending on your budget:

• Luxury: The St. Regis Florence
• Mid-range: Brunelleschi Hotel
• Budget: Locanda Dei Guelfi

Best time to visit Florence

Florence is a year-round destination, but spring and fall are usually considered the best times to visit. During these months, temperatures are more comfortable for walking around the city, and crowds are generally more manageable compared to peak summer.

Summer is the busiest and hottest time of year, but it’s still a popular time to visit, especially if you don’t mind crowds and higher prices. Winter is much quieter and can be a great option if you want to experience Florence with fewer tourists, although some days can be cold and rainy.

How to get around Florence

Florence is very easy to get around, especially if you’re only spending a weekend in the city. The historic center is compact, and most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other, so walking is usually the easiest option.

Just make sure you bring comfortable shoes! Florence has a lot of cobblestone streets, and you’ll likely be walking a lot over two days.

Public buses are also a relatively affordable way to get around if you don’t want to walk everywhere. That said, traffic can slow buses down, and sometimes walking ends up being just as fast.

If you arrive by car, I don’t recommend driving around Florence. Parking is limited, and you’ll need to pay attention to ZTL zones, which restrict vehicle access in many parts of the historic center. Taxis are available, but they can get expensive, especially if you get stuck in traffic.