Florence, Italy is known for its incredible culture, Renaissance art and monuments. It’s a place you will most likely fall in love with at first sight and a wonderful Italian city you will want to visit again and again. Our first visit, we only had one day in Florence and now I’m really itching to go back to this rich city.
You may find your Europe trip itinerary only allows for a day in Florence if you are wanting to see other incredible areas of Italy like the Dolomites, Rome or Positano. While you can’t see absolutely everything in Florence in one day, you can see a majority of its well known attractions and get introduced to the wonderful city.
If you have one day in Florence, we’ve put together the best “Florence in a day” itinerary that you will want to steal! This 1 day in Florence itinerary hits the must see sites in Florence!
If Florence, Italy isn’t on your travel bucket list, it absolutely should be! It’s a wonderful family friendly destination or a nice European budget honeymoon destination!
Below you will find a jammed packed itinerary for 1 day in Florence including the time it takes to get from one place to the next. You will not need to use a car or public transportation for this itinerary. Your feet will do the trick! The total walking distance is 3.7 km or about 47 minutes of walking.
Accademia Gallery
The first stop on your one day in Florence itinerary is Accademia Gallery. Florence, and specifically the Accademia Gallery is home to one of the greatest masterpieces ever created by mankind! Start your day with a great introduction to the art scene in the city of Florence and marvel the most famous statue in all of Florence: Michelangelo’s David.
The statue truly is an incredible site to see in person and gives you a true appreciation for the work that went into creating the masterpiece. Photos and replicas simply don’t give the size and detail justice! It’s something you have to see with your own two eyes!
Accademia Gallery’s small size allows you to get introduced to the incredible Renaissance art Florence is known for without taking up a majority of your 1 day in Florence. You can get in and out quickly (if you plan ahead) and get on with your day in Florence!
This itinerary hits the ground running so it’s important to plan ahead and book your ticket in advance! Additionally, plan to arrive as soon as Accademia Gallery opens so you can enjoy a full day of exploring. You can even purchase “skip the line” tickets if your budget allows to minimize the time wasted in line.
Mercato Centrale
Accademia Gallery to Mercato Centrale: 8 minute walk
After Accademia Gallery you’ll walk 8 minutes to Mercato Centrale (Central Market). If you’ve worked up an appetite this is the perfect stop to enjoy a snack or meal!
At Mercato Centrale you will find lots of food and it’s one of the most fun stops on your one day in Florence itinerary! Here you will find everything to fruit stands to hot pizza and pasta. It’s the perfect opportunity to fill your belly or pick up some souvenirs to take home for yourself or others!
While experiencing 1 day in Florence you quickly notice this cities love for oil, cheese, pasta and gelato. You’ll find all your favorites fresh and ready to purchase at Mercato Centrale. Indulge in these delicious delights or stock up for later!
Piazza del Duomo
Mercato Centrale to Piazza del Duomo: 7 minute walk
Your next stop during your one day in Florence is one of the most iconic stops in all of Italy! Piazza del Duomo, aka Duomo, was probably the first thing that popped up when you started your Florence research. This is an absolute must see when seeing Florence in a day!
While visiting Piazza del Duomo, walk the parameter of the building and admire the architecture and detail of this beauty. It is free to enter, and we highly recommend you do, however I think most of the beauty lies on the outside. You’ll be snapping photos from every angle.
Like I mentioned, it’s free to enter the Duomo, however most things you can do inside will require a ticket and take up more time in your day. If you’d really love to tour the baptistery, climb to the top of the Bell Tower or Dome make sure to plan ahead and purchase tickets ahead of time.
While the view from the Tower and Dome are amazing, I truly think the best view of the city is Piazzale Michelangelo which we will be visiting at the end of our day. Therefore, if your 1 day in Florence doesn’t allow time for these things I think they are okay to skip!
Piazza della Signoria
Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Signoria: 8 minute walk
The Piazza della Signoria is one of the most historically important piazzas in all of Florence. It’s something you won’t want to miss while touring Florence in one day. Here you will find a wonderful open aired museum showcasing incredible statues, the Neptune’s Fountain and the Uffizi Gallery.
It’s another wonderful showcase of the Florence art scene. While I should warn you violence is a widespread theme here, the statues and art found in the Piazza della Signoria are something you will definitely want to see during your one day in Florence. Here you will find some of Florence’s best known statues!
You might be wondering why we aren’t recommending a visit inside the Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi Gallery is wonderful to visit if you have the time. However, it is very big and would take a majority of your 1 day in Florence. Save this for a longer visit to Florence, unless you are a serious art buff.
Fontana del Porcellino
Piazza della Signoria to Fontana del Porcellino: 3 minute walk
Just down the road from the Piazza della Signoria sits the Fontana del Porcellino, or you might call it a large bronze pig statue. You might be wondering why on earth you should spend time during your one day in Florence to look at a silly pig? Well, this pig has some wonderful traditions attached to it that you don’t want to miss while touring Florence in one day.
While visiting Fontana del Porcellino it’s important to do two very special things.
- Stick a coin in the pigs mouth and make a wish as you drop it into the grate. Your wish is said to come true if your coin luckily falls through the gate!
- Rub the pigs nose!! If you rub its nose it’s said you are guaranteed to return to Florence one day in the future!
If you are a travel lovers like us you will not miss an opportunity to guarantee a return trip to a place you so quickly fell in love with.
Ponte Vecchio Bridge
Fontana del Porcellino to Ponte Vecchio Bridge: 2 minute walk
The Ponte Vecchio Bridge has quite the history and if it could talk it would have some wild stories to tell. This bridge is hundreds of years old!
It was the first and only bridge that crossed over the Arno River until the year 1218. This bridge was almost nearly destroyed in a massive flood in the 1300’s and rebuilt to what it is today in 1345.
However, much later in its life it became the only bridge crossing the Arno River that the German’s did not destroy in World War II.
The Ponte Vecchio Bridge is known for its distinct look. It has buildings along either side of it and it’s filled with shops full of gold, jewels, leather and more. Take a stroll across the bridge during your one day in Florence. It’s a unique shopping experience and provides beautiful views of the Arno River.
Once off the bridge, don’t forget to stop and take a look back at it so can see it in all its glory!
Piazzale Michelangelo
Ponte Vecchio Bridge to Piazzale Michelangelo: 20 minute walk
Alright, it’s time to tighten up those shoe laces because it’s time for the last stop on our 1 day in Florence itinerary! It’s a bit of a walk and I should warn you the walk is also up hill and includes some stairs. Luckily there’s a real treat at the end. You’re about to see the best view over Florence!
We recommend visiting the Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset if you can time it right! We think it’s the best sunset view in all of Florence!
With that being said, it’s typically quite crowded for sunset. Try to get there a bit early to grab a seat with a great view. You’ll also want time to enjoy the view and get some beautiful photos during golden hour!
Enjoy your day in Florence!
That ends our jammed packed one day in Florence itinerary. If time allows, from Piazzale Michelangelo, stop for a delicious dinner before finishing your tour of Florence in one day. I’m sure you’ve worked up an appetite and the food is to die for!
We hope you have a wonderful time getting introduced to the incredible city of Florence. If you are like us, you will probably be back for a longer trip in the future!
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