The perfect weekend in Florence: a day-by-day itinerary

Florence is rethinking the way it approaches tourism, proving that historic cities can evolve without losing their character. Florence draws millions of visitors each year for its art, architecture, and food. Crowds have grown, short-term rentals have multiplied, and the narrow streets of the historic center can feel more like a museum than a neighborhood. 

Rather than letting this change the character of the city, Florence is making adjustments. In late 2024, Mayor Sara Funaro introduced a 10-point plan that uses smart technology to track visitor flows, improves services for travelers, and invests in tourism projects that involve local residents. The goal isn’t just to manage numbers but to make sure life here still works for the people who call it home.

This doesn’t mean the Florence you came to see is disappearing. Fashion houses like Gucci and Ferragamo are still here, as are the Renaissance masterpieces and elegant hotels. But the city is also becoming an example of how heritage destinations can adapt to modern pressures.

Knowing about these shifts can add depth to your visit to Italy. More travelers are now seeking authentic, sustainable ways to experience the city, making a carefully planned weekend feel even more worthwhile. Here’s our guide to the perfect weekend in Florence, for a mix of seeing the big sites and benefiting the local community.
 

The perfect weekend in Florence

Florence is small enough that you can get a real feel for it in two days. The historic center is easy to walk, so you can move between museums, churches, cafés, and restaurants without spending much time in transit. Many people spend a couple of days here between Rome and Venice or stay longer to take day trips into Tuscany. See our sample Italy itinerary to see how to break up your time.

If you're wondering how to plan a trip to Italy that is balanced with the larger sights and with some locally supported initaiatives, here is what we suggest for a weekend in Florence:

Day 1

This first day mixes well-known sights with parts of the city that feel more lived in. Start early at the Uffizi before it gets busy, head toward the market for lunch, then cross the river for palaces, gardens, and an evening in the Oltrarno.

Morning: Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi has one of the most significant collections of Renaissance art, including works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. It's one of the best museums in Florence. Book tickets in advance, especially in high season, and arrive at opening time (8:15 AM) to avoid long lines. If you need a short break while you're inside, the rooftop café has views over Palazzo Vecchio.

Late morning: Santa Croce

From the Uffizi, it's about a 10-minute walk to the Church of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are buried. Giotto's frescoes in the Bardi Chapel are worth seeking out. 

Next to the church, the leather school still operates; you can watch the work in progress and buy items made there. 

If you want a quick break on the way, Ditta Artigianale on Via dei Neri is a good locally owned spot for coffee: they roast their own beans and often have seasonal blends.

Lunch: Sant'Ambrogio Market or Il Pizzaiuolo

Sant'Ambrogio Market is a working market where you can also grab a quick meal. Stalls sell dishes like lampredotto (a traditional tripe sandwich) and fresh pasta. If you want pizza, Il Pizzaiuolo is a short walk away and serves Naples-style pizza from a wood-fired oven.

Afternoon: Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti

For the next stop on this weekend Florence itinerary, walk across the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge with jewelry shops built into it. It's one of the few bridges in Florence that wasn't destroyed during World War II.

On the other side, Palazzo Pitti has several museums, and the Palatine Gallery includes works by Raphael and Titian. Behind the palace the Boboli Gardens climb the hillside, with open views of the city from the Kaffeehaus pavilion.

Evening: Aperitivo in Santo Spirito

In the evening, Santo Spirito Square fills with people meeting up before dinner. Order a drink and you'll usually get access to a small buffet of snacks between about 7 and 9 PM. 

Volume is known for its cocktails, and Gurdulù has a good selection of natural wines and cheese plates. Everything is within a short walk, so it's easy to try more than one place. See our guide to the must-try foods of Florence.

Day 2: The Duomo and the Medici Legacy

For the second day of this weekend in Florence, you’ll start at Florence's cathedral complex before getting into the Medici influence that shaped the city. The morning covers major architecture and art. The afternoon is open; you can explore workshops, focus on food, or see more of the city's collections.

Morning: Duomo climb and cathedral

Go straight to Brunelleschi's dome for the 463-step climb. Book online in advance, as time slots go quickly. From the top, you'll see the city from all sides and get a close look at Vasari's Last Judgment. The dome's 15th-century construction, done without scaffolding, remained unmatched for centuries. Inside, notice the clock above the entrance; it runs counterclockwise on a 24-hour cycle, ending the day at sunset, just as it did in medieval Florence (the birthplace of the Renaissance).

Late morning: Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

This museum holds the cathedral's original works, including Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise and Michelangelo's unfinished Pietà, intended for his own tomb. The terrace is a quiet place to photograph the Duomo without crowds. A full-scale reconstruction of the original facade, removed in the 1500s, shows how the building looked before the Renaissance redesign.

Lunch: Near San Lorenzo

If you’re curious about Florence’s market culture, you can take a quick look inside Mercato Centrale to see the produce stalls and the historic Da Nerbone counter, which has served boiled beef and lampredotto sandwiches since the late 1800s. It can get busy, so if the line is long, step outside and explore the nearby streets instead.

A few minutes away, Trattoria Sergio Gozzi (green door, no sign) serves just two or three pasta dishes each day to a mostly local crowd. An Italy travel tip: arrive early, as they close by mid-afternoon and only take cash. 

Another good nearby option is Trattoria La Burrasca, a family-run place known for traditional Tuscan recipes in a quieter setting away from the main market flow.

Afternoon: Choose your own focus

With such limited time, you’ll want to make sure each stop is of interest to you! Here are a few options for this afternoon:

• Visit the local artisans: Cross the Arno into the Oltrarno district to see leatherworkers, bookbinders, and goldsmiths using traditional methods.
• An Italian food tasting tour: Join a tasting to try cheeses, cured meats, olive oils, and Chianti wines. There are plenty of local food tours led by local Italy travel experts.
• More museums: The Bargello has sculptures by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Cellini in a compact, easy-to-see layout. Take a look at the less-visited churches or museums like San Miniato al Monte or Museo di San Marco

Evening: Dinner in San Frediano

San Frediano has small, family-run trattorias with menus still handwritten in Italian. Io Osteria Personale is worth booking ahead, or you can walk along Borgo San Frediano and choose as you go. Finish with gelato at La Sorbettiera, which opens only in the evenings and changes flavors daily depending on what's available.
 

FAQ

Here are a few of some common questions when planning a weekend Florence itinerary.

How many days do I need in Florence?

How many days do you need in Florence? A weekend is enough to see the main sights, but three or four days lets you slow the pace and explore more. With two days, you can cover the Uffizi, the Duomo, and the Ponte Vecchio, though you'll be moving quickly. 

Three days means time for smaller museums like the Bargello or Medici Chapels, plus longer meals. Four days gives you room for a day trip to Siena or the Chianti countryside without feeling rushed in the city. Even with just a weekend, you'll get a good feel for Florence, especially if it's part of a longer trip in Italy.

What is the best month for a weekend in Florence?

May and September are the best months to visit Florence for warm days and cooler evenings, with fewer crowds than the height of summer. April and October are also comfortable, though rain is more likely.

July and August are hot and busy, with many locals away, but evenings are still pleasant. November through March is quieter and cheaper, though daylight hours are shorter and rain more frequent.

May, September, and October are the best times to visit Italy, but they book up quickly, so plan ahead. See more in our guide to the best time to visit Italy.

Can I walk everywhere in Florence during a weekend?

Yes, Florence's historic center is small enough to cross in about 15 minutes, and most sights are even closer together. You'll likely walk a lot, so bring comfortable shoes for cobblestones and museum floors.

The only real uphill climbs are to Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato for sunset, which take some effort but are worth it. Taxis aren't needed unless you're carrying luggage to or from the train station. Small electric buses do run through the narrow streets, but walking is usually faster and more enjoyable. For tips for traveling with little ones, see our guide to Italy with kids.

Should I buy tickets in advance for major attractions?

If you want to see the Uffizi Gallery or climb the Duomo, get your tickets ahead of time. In busy months, they can be booked out weeks, sometimes even months, in advance, and turning up without one usually means missing out.

The Accademia Gallery, where Michelangelo's David is displayed, also needs advance booking from March through October. Palazzo Pitti and the Bargello Museum usually have same-day availability, but a skip-the-line ticket can save you 30 to 60 minutes of waiting.

Use the official museum websites to book so you don't pay extra fees. The FirenzeCard (€85) is only worth considering if you'll visit at least five museums in three days. Many churches, like Santa Croce, sell tickets on-site without much of a wait.

In winter (December to February), you can generally get into monuments without a reservation, but it's still worth booking restaurants ahead for popular places.

Where should I stay for a weekend in Florence?

Santa Croce is a good base, close to major sights and full of local restaurants and artisan shops. Across the river, Santo Spirito and San Frediano in the Oltrarno have a more relaxed feel and fewer tourists, though they're a bit farther from the train station.

It's best to avoid the immediate areas around the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, where prices go up and quality can drop. The Santa Maria Novella area near the station is convenient for short trips, but it's not as atmospheric.

Apartments usually give you better value than hotels, which can be pricey for what you get. In summer, make sure your place has air conditioning. And remember that in Italy, the "first floor" means one flight above street level. More tips in our guide to Italian accommodation.

Can I see Pisa or Siena during a weekend in Florence?

It's possible to fit in a quick trip to either Pisa or Siena, but doing so will cut into the limited time you have to enjoy Florence itself. Pisa is about an hour away by train, while Siena takes around an hour and a half by bus.

If you're set on one, Siena is the more rewarding choice, with striking medieval streets and an impressive cathedral, but you'll spend about three hours of your day in transit.

Pisa's Leaning Tower makes for a great photo, but the city beyond it can feel underwhelming, so it's better saved for when you're already passing through for an airport connection.

For something closer, hop on a 30-minute bus to Fiesole, where you'll find Etruscan ruins and sweeping views of the city. For a weekend stay, it's best to keep your focus on Florence. If you're here longer, then a day trip from Florence can be well worth it.
 

What are the best restaurants in Florence?

Florence has plenty of great places to eat, but it also has its fair share of tourist traps. If you see laminated photo menus or someone trying to wave you inside, keep walking. The better meals are usually in smaller, less flashy places where you'll see locals on their lunch break.

• Trattoria Sostanza (Santa Maria Novella): Behind an unmarked door since 1869, this tiny dining room serves butter chicken and perfectly charred steaks. Seating is communal, so you might find yourself sharing a table and wine with people who work nearby.
• Il Santo Bevitore (Santo Spirito): A warm, stylish place that puts a creative spin on Tuscan classics. The pear-stuffed pasta in cheese sauce is a local favorite. Book ahead for weekends.
• Vini e Vecchi Sapori (near Palazzo Vecchio): Just a handful of tables and a handwritten menu that changes daily. The truffle pasta is especially good, but be ready to wait.
• Da Nerbone (Mercato Centrale): This market stand has been serving lampredotto and bollito sandwiches since 1872. It's still popular with market workers and worth stopping for if you want something quick and local.
• Cibrèo Ristorante (Sant'Ambrogio): Known for bringing back old Tuscan recipes without pasta, like chicken neck mousse and rich egg soup. Anthony Bourdain filmed here for his Florence episode.
• Il Guscio (Santo Spirito): Family-run, with recipes passed down through generations and an all-Tuscan wine list. It feels like eating at someone's home, if their home had an excellent kitchen.

Is Florence expensive for a weekend trip?

Florence is one of Italy's pricier cities, similar to Rome and more expensive than Naples or Bologna. Prices rise the closer you are to main attractions.

• Budget (€80–100 / $90–110 per day): Hostel dorms or simple private rooms outside the center, lunches from markets, house wine, and free church visits. Staying in Santo Spirito can help stretch your budget, and Sant'Ambrogio market is a good stop for picnic supplies.
• Mid-range (€100–250 / $110–275 per day): Central three-star hotels or small B&Bs, restaurant meals with wine, museum tickets, and aperitivo. This covers a comfortable stay without overspending.
• Luxury (€250+ / $275+ per day): Five-star hotels with river views, Michelin-star dining, private tours, and wine tastings. The Four Seasons and Portrait Firenze combine Renaissance architecture with modern comfort.