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How many days in Florence? 3 days, booked around Monday closures
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Three days is right for Florence. The centre is tiny, about 20 minutes from end to end on foot, but its three essentials, the Duomo climb, the Uffizi and Michelangelo's David, all use timed tickets and each eats half a day. Two things shape the plan: the Uffizi and the Accademia are closed on Mondays, and the dome must be booked days ahead.
Short answer
Two days covers the Duomo, the Uffizi and David at a fast pace. The third day crosses the river into the Oltrarno, with the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens and the city's best sunset.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: The Duomo and the medieval centre
Morning. Climb Brunelleschi's dome, 463 steps between the inner and outer shells, on the first timed slot. The pass that includes the dome (roughly €30) also covers Giotto's bell tower (414 steps), the Baptistery and the Opera del Duomo museum. Entry to the cathedral itself is free, but the queue is long by 10:00.
Afternoon. Walk 5 minutes to Orsanmichele, a former grain market turned church with statues of the guilds' patron saints, then to Piazza della Signoria and the Loggia dei Lanzi's open-air statues. Palazzo Vecchio has the Salone dei Cinquecento and a tower climb with the best view of the dome.
Evening. Cross Ponte Vecchio at dusk, lined with jewellers since 1593, and eat in the Santa Croce area: a bistecca alla fiorentina is sold by weight, usually at least 1 kg for two, at about €50-70 per kilo.
The bell tower is the better climb for photographs because the dome is in its view. If you have energy for only one, take the tower.
Day 2: The Uffizi and David
Morning. Uffizi Gallery at 8:15 (about €25-29 in high season, less in winter; closed Mondays). Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera are in rooms 10-14 on the second floor; Leonardo and Caravaggio follow. Allow 3 hours, and finish at the rooftop café for a view of Palazzo Vecchio.
Afternoon. Walk 15 minutes north to the Mercato Centrale for lunch on its upper floor, then to the Galleria dell'Accademia (about €16, closed Mondays) for David, 5.17 metres of marble, and Michelangelo's unfinished Prisoners. Allow 1 hour.
Evening. Walk to Santo Spirito square in the Oltrarno for aperitivo on the church steps and dinner in the trattorias around it; a plate of pappardelle with wild boar sauce costs €14-18.
The queue at All'Antico Vinaio on Via dei Neri for a schiacciata sandwich (about €8-10) is long but moves quickly. Lampredotto (tripe) sandwiches from street carts are the true Florentine snack.
Day 3: Oltrarno: Pitti, Boboli and San Miniato
Morning. Palazzo Pitti, the Medici palace (closed Mondays), houses the Palatine Gallery's Raphaels. The ticket including the Boboli Gardens lets you climb behind the palace to the Fort Belvedere side for views over the city.
Afternoon. Visit the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno: gilders, bookbinders and frame makers on Via Maggio and Via Toscanella. Then walk up to San Miniato al Monte, a Romanesque church with a green-and-white marble façade; the monks sing Gregorian chant at vespers, usually around 17:30.
Evening. Walk down 5 minutes to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset over the Arno and the dome. Many people bring a bottle of wine from a shop below.
From the centre, the walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo takes 25-30 minutes by the Rampe del Poggi steps; bus 12 or 13 if you would rather not climb.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do the Duomo and Uffizi on Day 1 and the Accademia, Ponte Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo on Day 2. You lose the Oltrarno, the Pitti Palace and Palazzo Vecchio.
Got extra days?
A 4th day is ideal for Siena, about 1h15 by direct bus, for the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the striped Duomo. Or take a wine tour into Chianti, or the 1-hour train to Pisa and Lucca.
Where to stay in Florence
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Near Santa Maria Novella station | Cheapest beds, trains and the airport tram outside the door. | €100-150 |
| Mid-range | Santa Croce | Central, lively at night, walk to the Uffizi in 10 minutes. | €150-240 |
| Mid-range | Oltrarno / Santo Spirito | Artisan streets and good restaurants across the river; quieter. | €140-220 |
| Comfort | Around the Duomo / along the Arno | Historic palazzo hotels, some with river views. | €280-550 |
Getting around
Walk. The historic centre is closed to most traffic, and the Duomo to the Uffizi is 7 minutes. From Florence airport (Peretola), the T2 tram reaches the centre in about 20 minutes for around €1.70. From Pisa airport, trains and buses take about 1 hour. The main train station is Santa Maria Novella, 10 minutes from the Duomo on foot.
What to eat in Florence
Florence has four dishes to look for. Bistecca alla fiorentina, a T-bone at least 4 cm thick from Chianina cattle, served rare and priced by weight; ribollita, a thick bread and black-cabbage soup; pappa al pomodoro, bread and tomato soup in summer; and lampredotto, the cow's fourth stomach simmered and served in a bun with green sauce from street carts such as the one in Piazza dei Cimatori, about €5-6. For lunch, the upper floor of the Mercato Centrale has dozens of stalls. Wine bars called vinaini pour a glass of Chianti for €2-4 from a hole in the wall. For gelato, avoid mountains of bright colour and look for covered metal tubs.
Best time to visit
April-May and September-October, with highs of 19-27°C. July and August are hot, often above 33°C, and very crowded. November to February is quiet and cheaper, though some days are cold and wet. Remember that most major museums close on Mondays.
Month-by-month weather for Florence →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €55 | €95 | €200 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €50 | €100 |
| Sights & tickets | €25 | €45 | €70 |
| Local transport | €2 | €4 | €20 |
| Total per person, per day | about €105 | about €195 | about €390 |
Approximate 2026 prices. Florence charges a city tax of up to about €8 per person per night depending on hotel category, paid at the hotel.
Before you go
Common questions
How far ahead should I book David and the Uffizi?
For April to October, book 1-3 weeks ahead. The Duomo dome is the hardest ticket; book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Is the Firenze Card worth it?
For 72 hours it includes most museums and lets you skip ticket queues, but you still need to reserve the dome and some time slots. It is worth it only if you plan four or more paid museums.
What should I avoid eating?
Restaurants on the main squares with multilingual photo menus. Walk two streets away and look for short, handwritten menus.
Can I see Florence as a day trip?
You can see the outside of the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio and one museum. To see David, the Uffizi and the dome, you need at least two days.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Italy trips. Prices and closing days are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Uffizi, Galleria dell'Accademia, Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore and Palazzo Pitti websites before booking.
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