Florence – A Full Day Trip
Florence is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Italy. The art city of Italy, where a concentration of artistic and cultural treasures can be found in the streets, squares, and museums.
Florence is rich in excellent and diverse Tuscan cuisine.
How to Get to Florence?
There are three ways to reach Florence: by car, bus, or train.
Car: Those arriving by car for a trip to Florence can choose one of three options:
The first, the easiest and most convenient, is to park in one of the parking lots near Santa Maria Novella train station. The advantage – it’s the most central location. The downside: you must access it via the outer road of the old city and not cut through the old city (GPS will always route you through there) to avoid fines when you return home. But, be careful. Use only!!! this link to get to the parking lot next to the Florence train station. Otherwise, GPS will send you through the city center, and beware of the fines you may receive upon your return.
Link to navigate click here
The second, is to park at Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers a stunning view of the city. Parking is there, and it’s a 20-minute walk down to the old city center. Remember that you’ll need to return there on foot (uphill) or by taxi. In any case, reaching the square for a view of the city is a must!! Even if you don’t park there.
Waze link to the square click here
The third, after enjoying the view from Piazzale Michelangelo, is to reach a square called Porta Romana (3 minutes by car). Next to the walls, there is private paid parking available with plenty of spots. In the center of the square, there is a taxi station. The cost of a taxi to the city center is about 10 euros. The same applies for the return trip.
Waze link to parking click here
Bus: You can reach Florence by bus from the airport https://www.aeroporto.firenze.it/it or from any other city to the city center and to the Piazza Santa Maria Novella station. Recommended bus company: Flexibus. Click here to check availability and make reservations.
Train: Trains arrive in Florence from all over Italy and from major cities in Europe. The main train station in Florence is Santa Maria Novella, which is located within the city. From there, you can walk or take a taxi.
To book hotels in Florence click here
How Many Days to Dedicate to Florence?
The capital of artistic culture, Florence is a vibrant open-air museum, and it’s easy to dedicate 2-3 days for a visit. However, most travelers tend to come to Florence for just one day as part of a trip and accommodation in Tuscany and/or on the way from Rome to Northern Italy.
For those looking to spend more than one day in the city, we recommend staying at least 1-2 nights in the city.
Starting point: Santa Maria Novella train station
Ending point: Santa Maria Novella train station
(You can also do the tour in reverse)
Link to the hiking route click here
The proposed route is circular and takes into account arriving in Florence from accommodation outside the city. From experience, do not expect to find parking before 10:00 AM. The duration of the route is about 3-4 hours.
From the Florence train station, you won’t miss the back of the SANTA MARIA NOVELLA church. Take the alley to the left of the church, Via Degli Avelli, and reach its front. Admire the beautiful square and the public buildings that surround it. You probably want to grab some excellent Italian coffee to recharge for the rest of the hike. Here is our first wow recommendation for you today. At the southern edge of the square, there is a fantastic café/patisserie. Head there for the first real cup of coffee this morning at Cortese Café 900. And don’t start counting calories. You’re here to enjoy. Experience.
Return to the center of the square and turn right into the alley Via dei Banchi, which changes to Via dei Ceretani, leading you to the beating heart of the city – Piazza del Duomo. The religious center of Florence features two must-see landmarks: the imposing and impressive cathedral with the stunning dome by Filippo Brunelleschi and across from it, the baptismal house with the golden gates of Paradise designed by the genius Lorenzo Ghiberti. The facades are stunning and impressive. You can also enter the Duomo to admire the interior and the museum. You can even climb the 463 steps to reach the top of the dome and enjoy a breathtaking view.
To book tickets for the Florence Cathedral click here
Continue south along the main pedestrian street, Via Dei Calzaiuoli, a typical Florentine shopping street that connects the city’s religious center, Piazza Duomo, with its social hub, Piazza Della Signoria.
Don’t miss, just before the square and on the right side, the Church of Orsanmichele ORSANMICHELE with its unique sculptures adorning it.
Welcome to the trendiest square in the city. Piazza Della Signoria is undoubtedly the heart of Florence. It is adorned with impressive public buildings that are impossible to ignore: the most important of all is Palazzo Vecchio PALAZZO VECCHIO – once the residence of the Medici family aristocrats, now an impressive museum and the current office of the mayor.
To the right of the palace stands the Loggia dei Lanzi – the loggia that served the Medici family guard. Further right is the Palazzo Santa Cecilia, the headquarters of the large Italian insurance company Generali GENERALI. Below it is one of the finest cafes in Florence – Rivoire. Highly recommended.
Throughout the square, you can admire the various statues scattered around – a testament to the city’s artistic power.
When facing the old palace, walk around the fountain and the stunning statue of Neptune, the god of the sea, and proceed between it and the impressive statue of Cosimo de’ Medici on horseback, continuing straight to Via Dei Gondi, which later changes its name to Borgo Dei Greci. At the end, you will reach one of the most beautiful squares in Florence, Piazza Santa Croce. You may have noticed that along the way, especially in this square, there is a concentration of leather shops. Florence is one of the leather capitals of Italy, and the quality of the products sold is well-known. Since the leather market awaits you at the end of the tour, it’s important to know where to buy and what. A great leather store, not cheap but high-quality, is located right at the corner of the square Peruzzi Firenze.
In this lovely square, an annual event is held in the third week of June, the historic football competition of the city, Calcio Fiorentino. The square becomes festive with a makeshift football pitch made of sand in its center. Magnificent.
Stand in front of the impressive church and look for evidence and signs of Jewish heritage within it. Enter and admire the graves of important cultural figures in Italy, such as the genius Michelangelo, the composer Rossini, the scientist Galileo Galilei, and many others.
Before you continue with the walking tour, if hunger has caught up with you already, here’s a tasty and warm recommendation for an excellent local trattoria: Trattoria Verdi. It’s an institution. A phenomenon. The quality of the meat and pasta is remarkable. Highly recommended. And don’t worry. If you’re still not hungry, further along the way you’ll receive more perfect places for lunch.
The continuation of the route connects you directly to the Arno River (Fiume Arno). Before you leave the square towards the river, pay attention to the signs on various public buildings in the city – testimonies of the water levels during the great flood of November 1966. The water reached here to the square and to a good few meters high.
Enter Via Antonio Magliabechi (exiting the church to the left) until the end, turn left until you reach Piazza Dei Cavalleeri, adjacent to the river. The impressive building in the square is the National Library of Florence (Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale Di Firenze).
Arrive at the Arno River and turn right. A wonderful opportunity to photograph the river from several angles, including the hill of Piazza Michelangelo overlooking it. As mentioned, turn right along Lungarno delle Grazie and Lunagarno Generale Diaz until you reach one of the most beautiful bridges in Italy, if not the most beautiful of all – the ancient Ponte Vecchio. The bridge houses the city’s goldsmiths and is colorful and impressive. A delight. If you have time, cross it and continue straight to the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) and its beautiful Boboli Gardens. (An additional hour and a half to the itinerary. To book tickets without waiting in line, click here). If not, go back to the beginning of the bridge, with your back to it, and enter Via Por Santa Maria until you reach the small and compact Mercato Del Porcellino market. Don’t miss the famous pig, the city’s symbol, where touching it will grant you wishes. Continue straight to Piazza Della Republica – do you feel like having a perfect Italian coffee here? Enter Caffe Concerto Paszkowski – one of the most elegant and beautiful places in the city.
Pass under the Victory Arch in the square to Via Dei Strozzi on your way to the most luxurious designer and shopping street in Florence – Via Tornabuoni. If you decide at the end of the tour to return here, you’ll find the best fashion stores in the city. The prices reflect that.
Walk north along the fashion street until the curve turning right onto Via dei Rondinelli. Turn right onto Via De’ Cerretani and immediately right onto Via Dei Conti, which will take you directly to the heart of the city’s famous leather market, Mercato San Lorenzo. Turn right and start enjoying the atmosphere, the stalls, the people. Delightful.
The indoor food market in the city is worth a visit and also makes a great lunch stop.
From there, the way back to the parking area at Piazza Santa Maria Novella.
If you have time or plan to stay in Florence for more than a day, here are some additional recommendations:
Authentic Italian Cooking Class – A culinary experience not to be missed. You can choose from a variety of courses – pasta, tiramisu, gelato. For details and bookings click here
Recommended Wow Restaurants in Florence
Trattoria Za Za
Piazza del Mercato Centrale
0039-055215411
Trattoria Sergio Gozzi (Lunch Only)
Piazza di San Lorenzo, 8R, 50123 Firenze
0039-055281941
Trattoria Mario
Via Rosina, 2r, 50123 Firenze
0039-055218550
Restaurant il Paiolo
Via del Corso, 42, 50122 Firenze
0039-055215019
Trattoria La Casalinga
Via dei Michelozzi, 9/R, 50125 Firenze
0039-055218624
Trattoria Marione
Via della Spada, 27/Rosso, 50123 Firenze
0039-055214756
Michelin Restaurants in Florence
Il Palagio
Borgo Pinti, 99, 50121 Firenze
0039-05526261
Cantinetta Antinori
Piazza degli Antinori, 3, 50123 Firenze
0039-055292234
Looking for a great gelateria? – Amazing Gelato with Coffee!
Florence Nightlife – Recommended
The world art capital Florence attracts tourists from all over the globe due to its immense Renaissance treasures. The slow-paced life of the city and the stunning nature surrounding it might lead people to think that Florence has nothing to offer when the sun sets. So friends, Florence has a particularly vibrant nightlife. In the city, you’ll find clubs, wine bars, cocktail bars, and even places with live music.
The neighborhood Santa Croce is considered the nightlife hub of the city. On Via Dei Benci, linking Piazza Santa Croce with the Arno River, you will find a variety of bars, pubs, trattorias, and restaurants. Florence is known as one of the most sought-after cities in the world for higher education, attracting students from all over. In the evening, the area is filled with young people looking for a lively place to meet and connect. The streets Borgo Santa Croce and Via de’ Neri, along with Via Fiesolana, are packed with numerous locations, many of which feature live music.
Explore some must-visit spots during your upcoming trip to Florence
Il Locale – Incredible and authentically Italian. Beautiful indoor garden. Situated in a 13th-century palace, featuring a wide range of exceptional cocktails. A must-see!! Click here
Viktoria Lounge Bar – Fantastic cocktails that are definitely worth a try Click here
Mojo – Classic Italian aperitivo Click here
Fuk – Click here
Red Garter – Great burgers served in a karaoke setting Click here
If you’re seeking stylish places where you can enjoy delicious Italian cuisine
La Prosciutteria Firenze
Via dei Neri, 54/R, 50122 Firenze
0039-0552654472
All’Antico Vinaio
Via dei Neri, 65r, 50122 Firenze
0039-0552382723
Budellino
Via dei Neri, 50/52 R, 50122 Firenze
0039-3318746323
La Giostra
Borgo Pinti, 10/18R, 50121 Firenze
0039-055241341
Buca Lapi
Via del Trebbio, 1r, 50123 Firenze
0039-055213768
Looking for breathtaking rooftops in the city for a special dinner? Click here
Guided Tours Outside of Florence in English
If you’re looking to discover the stunning Tuscany region beyond Florence, guided tours are an excellent option.
A Day Trip from Florence to Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa with Lunch at a Vineyard Click here
Italian Cooking Class at a Tuscan Farmhouse near Florence Click here
Tuscany Wine Tasting Tour Click here
A Day Trip to the Italian Riviera Cinque Terre Click here
