5 days in Florence

Day by day

1. Day 1: Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

   Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Uffizi Gallery, then Piazza della Signoria and Loggia dei Lanzi in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Florence Cathedral (Duomo)

      If the dome slots are gone, climb Giotto's bell tower instead: it has 414 steps, landings to rest on and a view that includes the dome itself. (Half a day with the climbs, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

      It is included in every Duomo combined pass and is the calmest part of the complex, so give it as much time as the climbs. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bistecca alla fiorentina

      Traditional trattorias and steakhouses across the centre and the Oltrarno; check the price per etto (100 g) or per kilo before ordering.

   4. Afternoon

      Uffizi Gallery

      Take the first entry slot, go straight to the Botticelli rooms on the second floor, then work through the later collections as the crowds build. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Piazza della Signoria and Loggia dei Lanzi

      Come back after dinner, when the statues are floodlit and the tour groups have gone.

2. Day 2: Galleria dell'Accademia and Museo di San Marco

   Galleria dell'Accademia, Museo di San Marco and Ponte Vecchio, then Piazza Santo Spirito in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Galleria dell'Accademia

      Book the first or last slot of the day; the gallery is small, and an hour is enough once you are inside. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Museo di San Marco

      Combine it with the Accademia in one morning; the two are a short walk apart on Piazza San Marco. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lampredotto

      Tripe carts (trippai) around the city, including near the Mercato Centrale, Sant'Ambrogio market and the Mercato Nuovo loggia; ask for the bun dipped in broth ('bagnato').

   4. Afternoon

      Ponte Vecchio

      Photograph it from the Ponte Santa Trinita one bridge downstream at sunset, and cross it early in the morning before the shutters open. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Piazza Santo Spirito

      The church steps and surrounding bars fill on warm evenings with students, locals and visitors; one of the liveliest squares in the city.

3. Day 3: Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte

   Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato al Monte and Bardini Garden, then Santa Croce and Sant'Ambrogio in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Piazzale Michelangelo

      Continue five minutes uphill to San Miniato al Monte for the same view with far fewer people. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      San Miniato al Monte

      Arrive for the late-afternoon chant, then walk down to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ribollita

      Family-run trattorias from about October to March, especially in Santa Croce, Sant'Ambrogio and San Frediano.

   4. Afternoon

      Bardini Garden

      Time a spring visit for the wisteria, usually late April to early May, and come early on a weekday for some quiet. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Santa Croce and Sant'Ambrogio

      Cocktail bars and pubs along Via de' Benci and Via Ghibellina, and wine bars around Piazza Sant'Ambrogio.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Siena

   About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus each way. Getting there: Express bus or regional train from Florence.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Siena

      About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus (Express bus or regional train from Florence); about 75 km.

   2. Day

      Siena

      Siena's shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Gothic cathedral with its inlaid marble floor and the frescoes of the Palazzo Pubblico make it the classic day trip from Florence. Best for culture, first-timers and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Florence

      Dinner: try Schiacciata.

5. Day 5: Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti

   Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, then San Niccolò in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Palazzo Vecchio

      Climb the tower first, because it closes in rain and high wind; the museum runs family tours that include secret passages. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Palazzo Pitti

      Pair it with the Boboli Gardens on the same visit; the garden entrance is through the palace courtyard. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Schiacciata

      Bakeries (forni) across the city; the sandwich shops on Via dei Neri behind the Uffizi draw long lunchtime queues.

   4. Afternoon

      Boboli Gardens

      Wear proper shoes for the steep gravel paths and head for the top terrace by the Porcelain Museum for the widest view. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      San Niccolò

      A string of small bars and restaurants below Piazzale Michelangelo, busy on summer nights.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell'Accademia before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Duomo and Piazza della Signoria keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Oltrarno and Santo Spirito ($$$) suits couples, food lovers, nightlife and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–24 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.9 hours in December to 15.4 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Florence
• 2 days in Florence
• 3 days in Florence
• 4 days in Florence
• 7 days in Florence

Questions travellers ask