Florence, the capital city of Tuscany in Italy, is famous for Renaissance art, architecture, and sculpture. Thus Florence is known as Cradle of Renaissance. This stunningly romantic city attracts millions of tourists every year, and therefore it should be included in your 10 days Italy itinerary. I will take a Quick Florence Tour – Cradle of Renaissance in this article with one day in Florence itinerary.Â
Florence contains numerous museums, cathedrals, bridges, monuments, art, sculptures, and architectural wonders. Florence is also famous for Tuscany gourmet, artworks from Michelangelo, handmade jewelry, leather products, and world-famous wine from Tuscan vineyards.Â
Read about Backpacking Italy Guide with many Itineraries or Planning a trip to Italy on a budget.
Facts about Florence
Forbes ranked Florence as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Also, Florence is a vital fashion city, and for this, it also falls under the top 15 fashion capitals of the world therefore, Florence should always be placed on your Italy bucket list. Â
Things to do in Quick Florence Tour – Florence Itinerary
Santa Maria del Fione / Duomo / Florence CathedralÂ
This domed cathedral captivates the skyline of Florence and is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. Florence’s skyline is incomplete without Duomo Florence, and it stunningly dominates the panoramic view of this city. This majestic cathedral was constructed in the 13th century in Gothic and Renaissance styles of architecture.Â
This cathedral’s dome is considered the world’s largest masonry dome. It is famous for its façade of red, green, and white marble, stained glass windows, frescoes, and stunning sculptures.  It also has Baptistery and Bell Tower. Tourist queue to climb 400-500 steps of the Bell Tower to have incredible views of Florence city. Entry to this place is very crowded during peak seasons/ summers.Â
Ponte Vecchio
 A medieval stone arch bridge on the river Arno has several jewelry shops. This bridge is also famous as Lovers’ Bridge. Ponte Vecchio is among the famous landmarks in Italy which you can consider in your Italy landmark tours.
Palazzo Vecchio
The 13th century Palace was a town hall before and was a center of local government. This palace has lavish courtyards and ornate chambers. At present, it is a museum with all preserved artifacts and ancient government details. You can also visit Uffizi Gallery to see the unique works from the Renaissance period.Â
Piazzale Michelangelo
It is located on a hill on the southern bank of the Arno river. This 19th-century square/Piazza is known for having panoramic views of the whole of Florence city with a backdrop of the Tuscan landscape.Â
Also, you will find the replica of David, Michelangelo’s famous sculpture, on this hilltop. It is believed that this statue safeguards the city. Piazzale Michelangelo is dedicated to Florence’s renowned artist Michelangelo. This original marble statue of David can be seen in Galleria Dell’ Academia. You can also get a clear view of Florence’s prominent landmarks like the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Vecchio. This hilltop can be reached by car, taxi, or bus(public transport). It can be visited either during day or night.Â
Check Florence Art – A must see Art in Italy. After this, I did a half day side-trip from Florence to Pisa. Also, you can go for a side trip or day trip to Bologna. Click here to read about Bologna.Â
Go for a Day hike near Florence. Read this…
Check out 13 Best Places in Italy which are worth visiting……
Pisa is located about 85kms (50 miles) west of Florence. Pisa can be reached by train, bus, or any other tour service. Trains run more frequently from Santa Maria Novella Train station to this historic city. Check Trenitalia official website for train timings and frequency. Superfast and slow trains operate and take around 1 or 1.30 hours to reach Pisa.Â
After reaching Pisa station, you have to take a public bus to get North side of the river as the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located there, and the railway station is at the southern end of the river.Â
ATTRACTIONS OF PISA – Florence in One Day Itinerary
Piazza Dei Miracoli (Miracle Square) is the most famous historical and world heritage site. This square consists of the Cathedral(Duomo), Baptistery, Monumental Cemetry, The Opera del Duomo Museum & Sinopie Museum, and Pisa’s most famous Leaning tower.Â
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the most recognizable building on earth, which is actually the cathedral’s bell tower. This slanting/leaning tower was constructed unintentionally, and tilt developed due to the unstable foundation. You can go to the top of this leaning tower by taking 294 uneven-stepped staircases to have picturesque views of Pisa. Tickets can be purchased online and onsite. There can be a massive crowd on ticket windows during peak season. It is better to buy online if you are going in summer.Â
Cathedral(Duomo) entry is free. Other monuments and museums require a ticket, and you can purchase combo tickets, as it is a cost-effective option if you plan to see all.Â
I had 24 hours in Florence. Thus I missed visiting many museums and other attractions. I would recommend a 3 to 4 days trip to Florence, in which 2 days can be reserved for Florence city and 2/3 days for side-trips to nearby Tuscany countryside and towns. If you are looking for some AirBnB accommodation then check Firenze Airbnb.Â
TIPS – One Day in Florence Itinerary – Quick Florence Tour
- If you are visiting in summer then purchase tickets online to avoid huge Q’s.
- To avoid Q’s visit to Florence in the shoulder season. I visited Florence in February which is an off-peak season, and I avoided the massive crowd at tourist attractions and so transit or entry to all places was very smooth.
- Try to book your stay near the famous Florence Cathedral, as it is centrally located in all places.
- Florence is famous for Italian street food; therefore, you must go for fantastic food tours here with a historical backdrop.
- Enjoy Tuscan Gourmet. Read why Florence is for foodies and know more about the Food Guide to Florence. Or you can enroll in some best cooking classes to learn Italian cuisine in Florence.
HOW TO GET AROUND IN FLORENCE
 Florence is a walkable city, but due to uneven bricked, or stoned pavements, you need to wear comfortable shoes. For long distances, you can take public buses as they are a very efficient and better way to go around. Look at their bus timetable on their official website.
HOW TO REACH FLORENCE – One Day in Florence Itinerary
- Â Florence has International, and National Airports are located 5 km away from the city center.
- Â Florence can also reach by trains from major European cities through Euro rail.
- Italy can be covered by road trip also and this historical city can also be reached through Rome within 3 hours. I would recommend including Florence on your bucket list Italy road trip.Â
- Read more about Rome in a day. I visited Florence from Venice. Read more about Italy in 9 days.Â
Now you know about one day in Florence itinerary and can plan your quick Florence tour with this article.
RELATED READS – Florence Italy Itinerary
- Venice in one day – can be done as a day trip from Florence
- Naples in one day – 4 hours towards southern Italy from Florence.Â
- 2 Days in Cinque Terre – 2.5 hours from Florence by train.Â
Read about another famous tourist city of Italy – Lake Como (near Milan) which is worth-visiting.Â
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So, until then KEEP TRAVELING……………… KEEP EXPLORING……………………………………………………
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We are the independent owner of this site and the views expressed in this are our own. All photographs are owned by me.  There can be slight differences in distances, locations or some details for which I (owner) am not responsible. This post may contain some affiliate links, means at no additional cost to you. I will earn if you will click through affiliates and make a purchase.Â
I have been to Florence 3 times and love wandering around the very walkable city. Beyond the touristy spots I like to get lost in the residential neighborhoods as well – and the food, oh my!
Yes, for next time, I would explore some residential neighborhoods instead of touristic attractions as I would love to see the daily life of Florence.
I love Italy and have travelled a fair bit of this beautiful country excluding Tuscany and look forward to visiting it later this year . I start my travel in Florence and could not think of getting information about it than stumbling across this post of yours. Like you said Florence is a beautiful city filled with art and great architecture that I am looking forward to experiencing . I will be taking a trip to the Pisa as well so thanks for the tips again. Good to know that majority of the city can be done by foot as this is the best way to enjoy a city. Look forward to the food as well and a trip the the Florence Cathedral would be featuring high on my trip. Thanks for this post and helping me plan better.
You would love Florence and Tuscan region as it has lot many things to do. Thanks for finding this post useful.
I have only been to Florence once, but I love this city! The views from piazza Michelangelo are spectacular and unforgettable. We also took a side trip to Piza and loved seeing that iconic building in real life. Great article! Thanks for transporting me back to Florence!
thanks Tanya!
Your post brought back wonderful memories of our visit to Italy. We absolutely loved Florence and think it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Our best memories are of the Academia, Uffizi and the Piazzale Michelangelo . Pisa was a day trip we did and thoroughly enjoyed our time at the leaning tower of Pisa.
I loved the architecture and the artistic focus of the city Florence. I agree, Duomo is probably the first place I’d recommend people to visit as well, it is lovely! Also, Piazza Michaelangelo because that’s where you get the best views of the skyline. Ponte Vechhio is also quite intriguing in terms of its architecture and the fact that its so old!
Your beautiful images makes me want to visit Florence! I am imagining myself doing photowalk and shooting never ending subject!
Reading this post, reminds me of my trip as I strolled across Florence on foot. Its a beautiful town!
I was so much thinking of Dan Brown as well as I saw the places! Lolz.
I haven’t been to Bologna yet. Should go next time!
Florence is my kind of place and its been on my list for long. The mention of museums, cathedrals, bridges, monuments, art, sculptures and architectural wonders wants me to pack my bags right away. I would love to see Florence city from Plaza Michelangelo and who would miss Leaning Tower of Pisa. February sounds good for Florence. I will keep in mind.
Florence is definitely one of the most beautiful cities where I´ve been. After reading your post and seeing your pictures I wanna go back soon! Thank you for sharing your tips 🙂
Italy is my top priority and Florence is a place I am not going to miss, its so beautiful and the way you have depicted these places within Florence, I am sure its gonna be all worth while. Bookmarking this for future reference
I am a big fan of ancient and medieval architecture and Italy has so many of those. Florence is surely a must visit for me. The buildings are so beautiful.
I love love love this city. It is so elegant and classic. The second time I loved it even more than the first time. Big sights to back streets…everywhere is a delight.
I completely agree with you
Whenever I read about Florence, I always in a dreamy-mode and imagining myself walking around the public parks and enjoying the beauty of Florence. I want to fly asap!
Few years ago I made a road trip in Tuscany. I have visited Florence and Pisa and many other small towns in Tuscany. My trip to Tuscany is one of the most beautiful trips I have ever taken and I would recommend to visit that part of the World to everyone! At least once in the lifetime! 😉
You have tried covering so many places in Florence in the limited time you had.. That’s so amazing. The buildings, streets and architecture around the city are so intricate and interesting. I can’t even start talking about the views from Palazzo Vecchio and Piazzale. Leaning tower of Pisa has been in my itinerary list. Florence and Pisa are just my kind of places.
These pictures were wonderful. i was always torn between visiting Florence and Milan. I went with Milan but now I’m wishing I went to Florence.
Florence is truly one of the city. I find it very romantic as well. I wish to visit flirence after my Paris trip this August.
Everything about Florence is lovable and very romantic. Ambling around the street while enjoying the beautiful view of the intricate design of the building would definitely make me very happy. I haven’t seen something like this in real life, and Florence is my dream place to visit. I love that you have toured me virtually around Florence, and thank you for the useful guide.
Thanks
Florence is such a vibrant city and there is so much this city has to offer. I’m yet visit Italy, but Florence is definitely going to on my list when I do visit. And of course Pisa, just to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Florence with its culture, history, art, architecture, etc, looks stunning. Leaning Tower of Pisa was something new to me. Thank you for posting such amazing photos.
Florence is the place I somehow missed out, even though I traveled to many places in Italy. Your overview makes me really regret that.
I was in Florence for 3 days and it was lovely! I love the bridge Ponte Vecchio, and also the surrounding area. Duomo is definitely a must-visit attraction in Florence. I would love to visit Pisa as a day trip when I return to Florence next time.
I feel silly that I haven’t visited Florence, slough I have been to Italy twice. Rome, Milan, Pisa, Bolzano, Venice, all done but not Florence and it looks so beautiful. Ian @ Resfeber
Oh you went to Pisa, but missed Florence… it is so close… Next time plan for it and also Tuscan countryside
I love the architecture that adorns the nooks and corner of Florence. So beautiful so inspiring.
I was totally obsessed with the vaticano and its architecture..but after reading your post it seems florence is also a worth considering place in Italia
I’ve been dying to visit Italy, but it’s just never happens! everytime I plan a trip there something comes up!! your post made me really want to go even more and more.. Such a pretty destination
I’ve never been to Florence but it’s SOOO high up my list of place to go when I get the chance! I didn’t realise it was so close to Pisa! Did you go to Pisa as a day trip or did you spend a few nights there? All the churches and the architecture in both Florence and Pisa look amazing!
I went to Pisa from Florence for a half day trip through train.
Florence looks like such a lovely city. Love cities that are walkable. I hope one of these days I can visit.
They don’t call it the the Florence Renaissance for nothing. You are so daring to tackle a one day tour of Florence. I think I would definitely take a guided tour that would give you “front of the line” privilege if I was pulling a one-dayer. Perhaps, going in February keeps you from having to purchase that experience.
We are returning to Florence next spring and I can not wait! Your article and photographs bring back a lot of memories for me. I will be bookmarking your post 🙂
Your photos are postcard perfect. It is nice to know there are so many free activities and entrances. The architecture is simply stunning.
This is a handy guide for making a short trip to Florence. I really need to book as it’s the only one of the big Italian tourist destinations that I’ve not been to, still! Great to have an idea of what I could do over a single weekend, for example.
Perfect, this is exactly what I was looking for, since i will travel to Florence in a couple of weeks. I heard already so many fantastic things about this city and your impressions completely confirm that. I like the Aerial view from Florence, looks like a fairytalish medieval place. Great to see, that you also recommend two days for Florence and two more for the surrounding area, since this is exactly what I will do 🙂
Great tips, thank you for sharing your impressions!
That’s great.. You really need 4 to 5 day for Tuscany area
Florence is such a beautiful city. I just love all the art and the architecture. We also did a half day trip to Pisa and had fun taking the obligatory photos trying to push back the leaning tower!
Taking obligatory photos with Pisa is mandatory… I think now LOL
Exploring Florence is totally a complete package. I am imagining myself just walking down the streets and do photowalk. The old buildings are amazing!
Was able to see all of that in Florence; truly awesome. But didn’t know Pisa was just near so I missed the Leaning Tower. Bummer big-time!
I wish I had had time to see Florence, it’s such a grand city. I love how even with a city that large, the views still include scenes of the countryside. Good tip about buying tickets online and skipping the lines.
Pretty cool that the entrance to the Duomo is free. I honestly didn’t expect it to be so, but that’s exciting. I’ve never been to Florence, but I am a huge history buff and Florence is PACKED! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Italy is one of my most favourite holiday destinations. With so Much choice from beaches to mountains and the historic and culture all makes it the perfect destination. Florence is on my list to do and this post surely helps plan your trip to this region. Thanks for sharing and the visuals compliment to post.
Yes, Florence in Tuscany is worth visiting due to architectural wonders. I am sure, you would love it.
Ohh beautiful Florence full of life and history! Although I quite suprise to learn that Florence is one of the famous fashion city! You really described and captured well the main attraction of Florence like the Ponte Vecchio and Duomo of Florence etc. Although you only had 24h I am glad you were able to have a quick visit to Pisa and visiting the leaning tower. I was hoping to see these funny pictures of people (you) pushing the Pisa bell tower! I have some of myself but this was in 2006 and back then my camera was not up for a good shot!
I also clicked funny pictures with Pisa Leaning tower but did not came out so perfect