Florence, the capital of the Italian Renaissance, is a must-visit city during your Italy trip. Spending at least one day in Florence will be a great part of an Italy itinerary. From infamous artwork to spectacular architecture, you cannot go wrong with any of the sites in Florence.
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History of Florence
Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and as one of the world’s most influential cultural and artistic center. Its history dates back to the Roman times in 59BC, when it was a Roman military colony. Its location made it a fantastic center of trade.
During the Middle Ages, Florence became a rich city-state that thrived on banking and commerce. The Medici family took over the area and became key patrons of art, science, and architecture. It was during this time that Florence experienced its golden age.
In the late 1800s, Florence served as the capital of Italy until the capital was moved to Rome. Then, it became the capital of the Tuscany region. Today, it remains a global destination that is celebrated for its history, art, architecture, and contributions to culture.
When to Spend One Day in Florence
Peak season in Florence is during the summer months and also when it is the most crowded. If you want the least crowded times, visit during shoulder season and enjoy less crowds and cooler weather.
How to Get to Florence
Florence has one major airport: The Amerigo Vespucci Airport. You can catch flights here from all over Europe. If you fly from the United States, you will have a layover somewhere in Europe. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
If you are visiting from another Italian city, you may want to take the train to Florence. There are multiple daily trains from Rome, Venice, and Munich. You can pre-book tickets on Trainline or Omio or opt to buy them at the station.
Alternatively, you can take the bus from many of the main Italian cities, and it can be more affordable than the train! Here you can book a bus transfer from Rome or a bus transfer from Venice.
If you are arriving via cruise ship, you may want to check out this cruise port to Florence tour.
Transportation in Florence
To get around Florence, you can easily walk to all the main sites from the train station and in the city center. If you are going to explore the area surrounding Florence, you may want to rent a car. I recommend renting a car through Economy Bookings as it will search all rental car companies for you.
Where to Stay in Florence
Florence is a pretty walkable town, so no matter where you stay, you will be in a great location. The following are some of the best hotels to stay at in Florence. TripAdvisor is also a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Florence here!
- IL Tornabuoni Hotel
- Hotel Lungarno
- Hotel Indigo Florence
- Anglo American Hotel Florence
- The Westin Excelsior
What to Do During One Day in Florence
To start off your one day in Florence, you may want to take a Florence walking tour to get acquainted with the city. You could also take a food tour if you want to check out the best places to eat. Guru walks also has a lot of good tours to check out.
Boboli Gardens
Cost: €10
Hours: 8:15am-varies
Boboli Gardens is a great way to start your one day in Florence. The Boboli Gardens is a fantastic example of Renaissance landscape design as it is filled with sculptures, fountains, and manicured pathways. It offers a peaceful escape and panoramic views of the city.
Florence Baptistry
Cost: €15
Hours: 8:30am-7:30pm
The Florence Baptistry, also known as the Baptistry of St. John, is one of the oldest buildings in Florence and a must-visit place during one day in Florence. It dates back to the 11th century. It is famous for its three sets of elaborately decorated bronze doors. Located in Piazza del Duomo, directly opposite the Florence Cathedral, the baptistry has long been a central site for religious life in the city, traditionally used for baptisms of Florentine citizens.
Florence Cathedral
Cost: €30
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-4pm, closed Sundays
This iconic cathedral features Brunelleschi’s famous dome and is the center of Florence. You can enter the Cathedral for free, but you will need a ticket to access the dome, baptistry, crypt, and museum. Make sure not to miss Giotto’s Campanile, which is the bell tower. To get to the top, you will have to climb 414 steps. I personally loved climbing to the dome.
You can get a combined ticket or buy tickets to just the things you want to enter. Get a ticket to the Duomo here. Alternatively, you can take a Duomo tour.
Galleria Dell’Accademia
Cost: €16
Hours: 8:15am-6:50pm
You cannot miss the Galleria Dell’Accademia or Accademia Gallery during your one day in Florence. It is home to Michelangelo’s David. This museum is a must-see for any art lover, and it has much more than David. You can also opt to get a guided tour to take you around. Plan to spend about an hour here.
Ponte Vecchio
Cost: Free
Next, head to the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge. It is famous for its shops and scenic river views. You may want to take a couple of pictures here or stop to grab a drink nearby.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Cost: Free
End your one day in Florence with a visit to Piazzale Michelangelo. This panoramic viewpoint offers sweeping views over Florence. It is most popular at sunset. During that time, you will find many people sitting with wine and snacks watching the sunset. If you drive into Florence, this is also a great place to park.
More Than One Day in Florence
If you have more than one day in Florence, you may want to check out the following places.
Santa Croce
Cost: €8
Hours: 9:30am-5:30pm
Santa Croce is one of Florence’s most important churches and is famous for being the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Inside, you can find a Gothic interior, frescos, and cloisters. Any history and art lover will love a stop here.
Uffizi Gallery
Cost: €20
Hours: 8:15am-5:30pm
The Uffizi Gallery is another popular art museum to visit during your one day in Florence. It features works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. Although not as popular as the Galleria dell’Accademia, there are still many works here worth seeing. Plan to spend a couple of hours wandering the gallery.
The following are some tours that I recommend that make for spectacular day trips in the surrounding area.
- Chianti half-day tour
- Chianti food and wine tour
- Tuscany day trip
- Cinque Terre and Pisa tour
- Siena and San Gimignano tour
- Venice day trip
Final Tips for One Day in Florence
As you can see, there are many things to do during one day in Florence. Visitors can have an amazing time exploring this historic city. If you have more time, Florence is an amazing place to base yourself and explore more of the surrounding area. This includes places like Siena, Tuscany, and the Cinque Terre.
