2 Days in Florence Itinerary: How to See Florence in 2 Days

Florence is truly a magnificent destination no matter the time of year. It’s home to fantastic art, history, and of course, food! Truth be told, a weekend in Florence is all the time you need if you plan your trip ahead of time.

If you find yourself visiting Italy, be sure to add Florence to your Italy bucket list. It’s located right in the heart of Tuscany, one of the most beautiful regions in the entire country. From its lush rolling hills to its excellent wine, you’ll truly have the trip of a lifetime.

Although there are tons of activities in Florence that you won’t want to miss out on, you can easily cover a lot with just a small amount of time because of the size of the city.

So if you want to see the best of the city but you only have a limited time, you are in the right place! If you follow this 2 days in Florence itinerary you will be able to see all the beauty Florence has to offer in just 2 days.

*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

You can find an overview of the recommended 2 days in Florence itinerary below. Each day includes some of the must-visit spots that you absolutely can’t miss out on.

The first day will involve exploring the downtown area, while the second day will consist of some museum visits.

For each day, you’ll want to make sure you purchase your tickets well in advance for the attractions. Don’t worry, I’ve included a quick reminder for each place you should buy a ticket in advance so you don’t forget!

Breakdown of your Florence itinerary

  • Day 1 – Piazza della Repubblica, Duomo, lunch at Osteria All’antico Vinaio, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Fontana del Porcellino, Ponte Vecchio, gelato at La Carraia
  • Day 2 – Piazzale Michelangelo, Giardino delle Rose, Uffizi Gallery, Piazza della Signoria, Boboli Gardens & Pitti Palace, dinner at Osteria del Fiore, gelato at GROM

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 of Your 2 Days in Florence

Walk around the Piazza della Repubblica

To start this Florence in 2 days itinerary, head straight to the Piazza della Repubblica! This is one of the most-visited plazas in all of Florence and it gets crazy busy later in the day so visiting right in the morning is a perfect time!

There are a few cafes and restaurants scattered across the plaza, so you can even grab a cup of the best coffee in the world while exploring the plaza. If you’re lucky, you’ll even see the sunrise while you’re here.

Piazza della Repubblica is considered one of Florence’s main squares, which is why it’s so heavily visited. Be sure to keep your eye out for the 15th-century Column of Abundance, which is where the Roman forum once was. You can’t miss it!

Archway on Piazza della Repubblica in Florence, Italy

Climb to the top of the Duomo

Truth be told, if you only manage to do one thing off of this Florence itinerary, make sure you climb to the top of the Duomo. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Florence in 2 days!

The Duomo is part of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and dates back to the 13th century. The Duomo is considered one of the world’s marvels and was the most giant dome of its kind for a while.

Tickets should be purchased ahead of time to climb to the top of the Duomo. Tickets are sold with time entry, so make sure you show up at least 10-15 minutes before your time to ensure that you can go inside. You’ll be let in with a group of others as you get ready to climb the 463 stairs.

The entrance fee starts from €18 and your ticket will also get you into the other attractions that make up the cathedral. Book your ticket here or if you’re interested in visiting the Dome with a local guide, be sure to check out this guided tour with skip-the-line tickets.

The Duomo is honestly not super challenging to climb, as there are a few spots where you can stop and take a break on the way up.

One of those spots is right under the dome, where you can get an in-depth look at all of the frescoes painted inside the church! This is certainly one of the most beautiful parts of the entire climb.

Once you get to the very top, you’ll be able to see all of Florence from above, even out to the rolling hills of Tuscany. There is a pretty thick bar all around the top, so if you’re scared of heights, rest assured that you’ll be safe.

Keep in mind that there can be a pretty big crowd at the top, so you might have to spend 20-30 minutes just to get all around the very top. However, it’s truly worth it!

View from the Duomo in Florence, Italy

Grab a quick lunch at Osteria All’antico Vinaio

Osteria All’antico Vinaio is hands-down the best sandwich shop in all of Florence. It has over 20,000 reviews on Google alone! The restaurant is usually open between 10 am and 10.30 pm but depending on the time of day, you might have to wait in a long line.

That’s why the best time to visit is right around the time it opens! If you visit any time afternoon, you might have to wait a while until you get served.

This sandwich shop dates back to 1989 and was born inside of an old wine cellar, which only adds to the shop’s appeal. No matter what type of sandwich you want, they have it on the menu here.

There isn’t a whole lot of seating, so plan on ordering and taking it to a nearby piazza to enjoy it (Piazza della Signoria is a very close walk from here).

Explore the inside of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Florence Cathedral, dates back to the 13th century. It’s the most prominent church in all of Florence and dominates the city’s skyline, so it’s impossible to miss it.

The Duomo is part of the cathedral and while you do have to pay for the Duomo, you can enter the cathedral for free!

Because the cathedral is free to visit, the line tends to be a bit longer. Depending on the day of the week that you’re visiting and following this 2 day Florence itinerary, you’re going to probably wait in line for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

However, it’s completely worth it! The inside is gorgeous. Take the time to go downstairs and explore the underground area a bit too. You’ll be able even to see the ancient ruins of Florence down there!

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy

Scrub the snout of Fontana del Porcellino

Fontana del Porcellino is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Florence. It’s actually a bronze fountain of a wild boar located in Mercato Nuovo (or otherwise known as Mercato del Porcellino), close to Ponte Vecchio.

The boar statue was sculpted by Pietro Tacca, based on a Hellenistic marble statue that was gifted to Cosimo I by Pope Pius IV in Rome. If you’re interested in seeing the original marble figure, you can see it in the Uffizi Gallery on your second day of this Florence itinerary.

There are two traditions you can try while visiting Fontana del Porcellino. The first one is to put a coin inside the mouth of the boar and let it slide down hoping that it ends down in the grate lying under the statue. If you’re successful, it means you will have very good luck!

The second one is to scrub the snout of the boar to ensure your return the Florence. Now you know why the boar’s nose is so shiny!

Depending on how much time you have left until sunset, you can also take a quick or an extended walk around Mercato Nuovo. It’s a covered leather market where you can find many belts, bags, and even some T-shirts and souvenirs. If you’re planning to buy a nice Italian leather bag, this is the place to do it!

Fontana di Porcellino in Florence, Italy

Stroll across Ponte Vecchio at sunset

Ponte Vecchio is the most iconic bridge in all of Florence. It’s most well-known for being home to a bunch of shops that line the bridge. Historically, this was a great place to go for produce and meat. Now, it’s home to souvenir shops, jewelry shops, and the like.

Ponte Vecchio was the very first bridge to cross the Arno River. It was actually the only bridge on the river until 1218 and after the bridge was destroyed in a flood, it got rebuilt in 1345.

While it was initially built to help fortify the city and provide more defense, it quickly grew into something of its own.

Walking across Ponte Vecchio is definitely one of the top things to do in Florence. The bridge also offers an incredible view of the sunset and you can also snap a photo of Ponte Vecchio during sunset from the other bridge nearby.

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!

Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy

Day 2 of Your 2 Days in Florence

Catch the sunrise at Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is the number one place to view Florence from above. Yes, that means it’s even better than the view from the Duomo because you can see the Duomo from this view!

Most people stop here for sunset, so go against the grain and stop here for sunrise.

You can either walk up a steep hill (it won’t take more than 30 minutes maximum), take a bus, or drive to the top. All of them are viable options.

Seeing the panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo is truly one of the best things to do in Florence in 2 days!

Panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Italy

Giardino delle Rose

Giardino delle Rose is a beautiful rose garden located right below piazza Michelangelo. The garden is free to visit and it’s a great option to have a peaceful break from the bustling city life and admire the beauty of nature.

Giardino delle Rose was created in 1865 and it’s home to more than 400 varieties of roses. If you haven’t had breakfast yet, it’s also a great place for a picnic!

Giardino delle Rose in Florence, Italy

See art at the Uffizi Gallery

With 2 days in Florence, you absolutely must pay a visit to the Uffizi Gallery. This art museum opened in the 16th century and it’s not only home to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, but you can also admire many incredible artworks from Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio.

Tickets should be purchased well in advance and cost between €10-16 depending on the time of year, you can book your tickets here.

Since you’ll be seeing many amazing artworks in the museum, it’s also worth considering taking a guided tour where you can learn all about the inside stories behind the artworks.

Plan on spending at least a few hours here, but don’t spend too long, or else you won’t get through the rest of the fun activities on this Florence itinerary!

Uffizi Gallery, a must visit on every Florence itinerary

Check out the sculptures at Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is one of the most important historic squares in Florence and since it’s located right behind the Uffizi Gallery, it’s worth taking a stroll in the square after you’ve seen everything you wanted inside the museum.

Piazza della Signoria is home to many unique artworks such as the Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati and the Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I by Giambologna and you can also find a copy of Michelangelo’s David at the entrance of Palazzo Vecchio.

The original David statue is located in Galleria dell’Accademia but due to the time limit, I didn’t include it in this 2 days in Florence itinerary. If you happen to have some extra free time during your weekend in Florence, feel free to include the museum in your Florence itinerary as well.

Keep in mind that it’s important to book your tickets well in advance! An adult ticket costs €20, you can book it here.

But back to Piazza della Signoria! On the right side of Palazzo Vecchio, you can also find an open-air sculpture gallery called Loggia dei Lanzi.

The gallery was designed by Orcanga in 1376 and now it’s home to many amazing statues like the statue of Perseo holding Medusa’s head or the Rape of the Sabines.

If you have some extra time, it’s also worth checking out the museum inside Palazzo Vecchio!

Inside of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy

Embrace the beauty at Boboli Gardens & Pitti Palace

Boboli Gardens is one of the most beautiful parks in Florence. It was built in the 16th century for the royal Medici family and wasn’t open to the public until the late 18th century.

It was one of the first royal Italian gardens and was the inspiration for many other parks that came after!

The Boboli Gardens are located right near the Pitti Palace, also known as the Palazzo Pitti. It was built in the 15th century and was home to the Medicis and the Pittis for quite a while. Tickets cost €10 for the Pitti Palace and €6 for the Boboli Gardens.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a ticket that covers the entrance to both, so tickets have to be purchased separately in advance. You can book your tickets here!

Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy
Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy

Eat dinner at Osteria del Fiore

To finish off this 2 days in Florence itinerary, stop by Osteria del Fiore for dinner! This is an excellent Tuscan restaurant located right next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, so you can have a great view while dining on fine Italian food.

The pricing here is mid-range. To ensure that you will get a table, try to beat the dinner rush by visiting around 5 pm if you can! As a bonus, Osteria del Fiore is right next to GROM, a top-visited gelato shop in Florence. Treat yourself to a sweet dessert after dinner while you watch the sunset over the cathedral!

Useful Info for Spending 2 Days in Florence

Where to stay in Florence

This 2 days in Florence itinerary wouldn’t be complete without going over some of the best accommodations!

Due to the size and popularity of the city, you can easily find a place to stay no matter your budget. That’s one of the many things that makes Florence such a hot destination.

Because you will only be spending two days in Florence, I recommend that you try to stay closer to the city center and the downtown area. This way, you’ll be close to all the top spots to visit and you’ll be able to save time and money with transportation.

In case you want to know more about each neighborhood in the city to find out which one is the best for you, check out my in-depth guide about the best areas to stay in Florence.

Do you prefer booking Airbnbs on your travels? Then check out my article about the best apartments and Airbnbs in Florence!

For a quick solution, below you can find a few of the best hotels to stay in for your weekend in Florence, depending on your budget.

How to get to Florence

Since Florence is one of Italy’s main cities, it’s quite easy to get there and you have a lot of options to choose from.

For international visitors, flying is often the most straightforward method. Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport, located within the city, provides easy access to central Florence via a 15-minute T1 tram ride.

Alternatively, Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa serves as a viable option for potentially cheaper flights, with Florence just an hour away by train from Pisa Centrale Station.

If you’re in central Europe already or are traveling around Italy, you might opt to take the train. Italy has tons of high-speed trains, and they’re genuinely cost-effective. All the trains are relatively comfortable and offer incredible views from the window too!

If you’re road-tripping in Italy, you can also choose to drive to Florence. However, in this case, you need to be aware of the ZTL zones (restricted traffic zones) which are strictly monitored in the city center. It’s best to park your car outside of these zones and take public transportation or walk to your destination.

Street on Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy

Best time to visit Florence

Many people who have visited Italy will agree that the ultimate best time to visit Florence is during the summer months of May to August. During this time, the weather is superb but keep in mind that this is the busiest time to visit.

That means that prices might be a bit higher for hotels/accommodations as well as transportation to and from the city but in exchange, you’ll be able to see the city at its most beautiful time.

The shoulder season is a great time to visit if you still want to have great weather but not as many people. During this time, prices will be a bit more regular, and you won’t have to wait in super long lines to get into top attractions like the Duomo. However, you’ll still have to purchase your tickets ahead of time for some sites!

To avoid all crowds, visit the city in winter. Florence is still beautiful in the winter but keep in mind that opening hours for some attractions might be a bit shorter. By visiting in the winter, you will save a fair amount of money on accommodations.

Giardino delle Rose in Florence, Italy

How to get around Florence

It’s super easy to get around the city if you’re spending a weekend in Florence! Truthfully, the easiest way to get around Florence is just by walking as a lot of top must-visit attractions are within a few blocks of each other.

Just make sure you wear appropriate footwear or it won’t be fun at all. Italy is known for its cobblestone streets, after all!

The bus is also a reasonably affordable way to get around the city if you’d rather not walk everywhere. However, keep in mind that the bus can get stuck in traffic and could end up taking as long as if you were to walk!

The average one-way bus ticket costs €1.5 and can be purchased at the local convenience stores or at Santa Maria Novella Train Station. Books of ten can be purchased for a discount!

As I mentioned before, getting around Florence with a car is not recommended. Parking is generally hard to come by and you need to pay attention to the ZTL zones as well. Taxis are also a possibility but can be pricey if you get stuck in traffic.

Try to opt for one of the other transportation options if you can! This will ensure you have the best experience possible for your 2 days in Florence.

Cathedral in Florence, Italy

Planning a trip to Florence?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Florence. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

Other Amazing Destinations in Italy: Cinque Terre | Dolomites | Lake Como | Lake Garda | Rome | Venice


Pin It for Later!

2 thoughts on “2 Days in Florence Itinerary: How to See Florence in 2 Days”

  1. Very nice, though just for accuracy’s sake, the Duomo IS the cathedral, not just part of it. You might be thinking it’s the “dome,” but Duomo isn’t dome, it’s the church itself.

    Reply

Leave a Comment