2-Day Itinerary : Best Things to Do in Florence

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Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is the birthplace of the Renaissance with splendid architecture and rich cultural heritage. As one of the most popular must-see destinations and UNESCO’s recognized historical cities, Florence has much to offer visitors. From spectacular Renaissance art galleries and breathtaking masterpiece structures to wineries and local gastronomy, Florence offers a wealth of experiences to make your visit unforgettable.

If you only have two days in Florence, this itinerary recommends the best of the city’s attractions, from exploring historic buildings to relishing real Tuscan cuisine.

Ponte Vecchio

During World War II, destruction claimed all the other bridges, leaving the Ponte Vecchio standing. Its charm comes from the shops that line the bridge. In medieval times, butchers, farmers, and other traders filled these storefronts. Today, they house souvenir vendors, as well as art and jewelry merchants.

Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral/Duomo

The Duomo, or Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, stands as one of Europe’s greatest masterpieces of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Construction began in the late 13th century and, after decades of effort, concluded in the early 15th century, with contributions from multiple architects. Notably, the cathedral is renowned for its unique dome, which remains the largest ever built with bricks. In fact, its construction required over four million bricks, showcasing an extraordinary feat of engineering.

You can explore the cathedral’s interior for free, but you’ll need tickets to access its other attractions, including the dome, bell tower, and baptistery.

The exterior walls showcase a stunning blend of white, green, and red marble.

Giotto’s Campanile (Bell tower)

The Gothic-style bell tower, designed by Giotto, stands adjacent to the cathedral. After Giotto’s passing, Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti completed the tower in 1359. Rising approximately 278 feet, the bell tower harmonizes with the cathedral by using the same white, green, and red marble.

Visitors can climb 414 steps to enjoy breathtaking views of Florence. Entrance tickets are available at the ticket office or online.

The Florence Baptistery

Dedicated to the city’s patron saint, John the Baptist, the octagonal Florence Baptistery stands next to the Duomo in Piazza di San Giovanni. Its structure features three magnificent doors: the South, North, and East doors.

A view of the East door also known as Gates of Paradise.

The Uffizi Gallery ( Le Gallerie degli Uffizi)

The Uffizi Gallery is one of Italy’s most renowned museums, showcasing an extensive collection of ancient, Renaissance, and modern art. Highlights include masterpieces such as La Primavera and The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli, Medusa by Caravaggio, and an impressive archaeological collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures.

If you have time to visit only one art gallery during your trip, the Uffizi Gallery should be your top choice. It is conveniently located on the left side of Piazza della Signoria.

The Medici family completed the building in the late 16th century, originally intending it to house all administrative offices in one location. It has been open to the public as an art gallery since 1769. Over the years, the gallery has displayed the Medici family’s extensive collection of paintings and sculptures from the 13th to 18th centuries, now exhibited across more than 45 rooms on the first and second floors.

In addition to Sandro Botticelli’s masterpieces La Primavera and The Birth of Venus, the Uffizi Gallery features other iconic works, such as Titian’s Venus of Urbino (Venere di Urbino), along with paintings by Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Bronzino, among others.

Entrance Fee

 The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most popular attractions for visitors, especially during high seasons. Therefore, book your tickets online. The online booking options allow you to choose the hours of your visit and provide instructions on where to pick up your tickets at the gallery building.

As a reference, the art gallery entrance is on the left side of the building. However, the pick-up location for purchased admittance tickets is on the right side of the gallery.

Additionally, there are different types of admission tickets allowing you to visit only the gallery or additional gallery areas, such as the Vasari corridor. The Vasari corridor connects the gallery to the Ponte Vecchio.The authorities closed the corridor in 2016 for safety reasons, but they will reopen it in late December 2024. Don’t miss the opportunity to walk through the corridor and enjoy its collection of self-portrait paintings.

Loggia dei Lanzi, aka Loggia della Signoria

Loggia dei Lanzi, aka Loggia della Signoria, is the building adjacent to the Uffizi Gallery at the Signoria Square (Piazza della Signoria). It is a distinguished building with its wide arches and open-air Renaissance art sculpture gallery.

Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa, crafted in the 16th century, is one of the standout sculptures at the Loggia dei Lanzi. The statue vividly portrays Perseus holding Medusa’s severed head in his right hand and his sword in his left. According to legend, anyone who gazed upon Medusa’s face would instantly turn to stone.

To learn more about how to get to Florence, check out my post How to Get to Florence: Everything about Transportation

Piazza della Signoria

Located near the Uffizi Gallery and Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria hosts the historic Palazzo Vecchio. This lively square is a favorite destination for both locals and visitors, offering charming cafés and a vibrant atmosphere.

 Cosimo de’ Medici commissioned the impressive Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) to celebrate the marriage of Francesco de’ Medici and Grand Duchess Joanna of Austria, completing it in 1559. Alongside Neptune, the god of the sea, the fountain features intricate depictions of Tritons, Satyrs, and horses.

Palazzo Vecchio

Built in the 14th century as Florence’s town hall, Palazzo Vecchio is an architectural landmark. A replica of Michelangelo’s David statue stands proudly in front of the palace, while the original masterpiece is displayed in the Gallery of the Academy of Florence.

Basilica di San Lorenzo

The basilica is one of the oldest and largest Renaissance style churches in Florence. The complete construction of the church took for almost two centuries. The San Lorenzo church was also parish church of the Medici family in the 15^th century as well as the burial place of all important Medici family members, including Cosimo III. 

Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze (Gallery of the Academy)

Gallery of the Academy of Florence is particularly known by Michelangelo’s sculpture David. The sculpture was moved from the Piazza della Signoria to the gallery to preserve it in the late 19^th century. The sculpture is 17 ft height (over 5 meters) taking Michalengelo three years to complete his masterpiece.The remarkable side of the sculpture is its size and the designed details. You can see the veins chiseled in the sculpture.

Additionally, the gallery has a collection of other sculptures designed by Michelangelo and a paintings from Florentine artists, specifically from the 14^th century- 17^th centuries. 

The gallery is adjacent to the Santa Maria Novella church. 

Piazza della Repubblica 

Piazza della Repubblica originally served as a Roman forum, functioning as a central meeting place and market area. The only surviving structure from the old piazza is the Colonna dell’Abbondanza.

Today, Palazzo dell’Arcone di Piazza stands as one of the most striking buildings in the square. The piazza remains a popular gathering spot, featuring well-known cafés like Caffè Gilli and the city’s iconic Merry-Go-Round carousel.

The Orsanmichele Church and Museum

The Orsanmichele Church and Museum, located on Via Calzaiuoli, was built in the 14th century. Initially designed as a grain house, it was later converted into a church in the late 14th century. Admission tickets can be purchased online, and a visit to the site typically takes about 30 minutes.

Old Florentian Pharmacies

Florence hosts some of the world’s oldest pharmacies, such as Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy and the Farmacia del Moro.

Officina Profumo-Farmeceutica di Santa Maria Novella -The Oldest Pharmacy

Florence is home to some of the world’s oldest pharmacies, including the Santa Maria Novella pharmacy and perfumery, regarded as the oldest pharmacy in the world. Originally founded by monks who produced medicines and herbal remedies, the pharmacy opened to the public in the 17th century due to the high quality and popularity of its products. Since then, the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy has continued crafting candles, perfumes, and herbal products using traditional methods passed down from ancient times.

Its oldest produced fragrance is Acqua della Regina, which was Catherine de Medici’s gift to her husband, King Henry II of France. Additionally, the pharmacy is widely known for creating Armenian paper, a paper incense infused with a blend of spices and resins. When you light it, it burns flamelessly, releasing a pleasant fragrance into the air.

Check out the Santa Maria Novella pharmacy and perfumery products on the following official website:You also have the option to buy any of the products you like online.

The Farmacia del Moro is one of the oldest pharmacies in Florence, with the turbaned Moor’s head painted on the shop’s glass windows. The pharmacy has been open since before the 14th century.

Visit Mercato Centrale to Explore and Taste Tuscan Cuisine

Mercato Centrale (Central Market) is a must-see central market designed by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni who also designed the renowned the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. Vendors sell a variety of products, including nuts, fruits, vegetables, spice, and meat. Additionally, just outside the main street of Mercato Centrale, an outdoor market offers a wide range of leather products and souvenirs to buyers.

If you take the stairs, you find yourself on a food court floor offering a variety of Italian restaurants with numerous delicacies and drinks.  The central market food court area is open until 11 pm in summertime and it has big screen TVs to watch soccer and other big events. 

Where to Eat in Florence

In the Mercato Centrale:

• Il Tartufo by Luciano Savini for delicious pasta truffle recipes, such as egg tagliolini
• La Pizzeria di Romualdo Rizzuti is another great spot a variety of pizzas
• Bambi Trippa E Lampredotto is a top place to try Lampredotto. Lampredetto is a popular Florentine street food made of cattle stomach and cooked slowly in a vegetable broth with chopped herbs ,and served with a bread roll as a sandwich.
• Da Nerbone is another location for tasty lampredotto, and other variety of sandwiches and dishes

Other Recommended Restaurants and Eateries

Locanda de Medici

Locanda de Medici is a great option for lunch across the Basilica di San Lorenzo and a few steps away from the San Lorenzo square. We stopped by there for lunch. The lasagna, truffle ravioli, Florentine steak, and pizza are all delightful options. Further, the owner Aldo and his staff were very friendly.  The restaurant has both outdoor and outdoor sitting area with beautiful painted ceilings. 

Fumo e Fiamme Bracena Ristorante

Fumo e Fiamme Bracena Ristorante is a recommended restaurant for great Florentine steak, other Tuscan dishes, pasta varieties, lasagna, and more.

Bisteccheria Santa Croce

Bisteccheria Santa Croce is another great place to indulge for an absolute delight of Florentine steak. You can make an online reservation.

La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Artigianale

• La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Artigianale  is one of the top recommended places to indulge Italian gelato with various flavors, including pistachio, dark chocolate, and frutta de bosca ( wild berries).

Vivoli

If you want to try one of Florence’s darling coffee, affogato, Vivoli is the right stop for a quick coffee break and more. It’s a popular spot with limited seating inside and expect to wait on the line a bit. However, you can pick your coffee, enjoy it outside and drop off the cups when done. 

Vivoli has two types of affogato; one with ice cream and poured espresso on top of it, and the pistachio affogato, espresso with ice cream and pistachio on top. The pistachio affogato is slightly more expensive than the plain one but it was my favorite.

In addition to affogato, they also have unique tasty ice cream flavors, such as riso (rice) flavor and pastries to enjoy. 

All’Antico Vinaio

All’Antico Vinaio is the most famous sandwich shop in Florence, and it’s worth the hype, serving a variety of sandwich options with the Toscan style bread schiacciata, similar to focaccia. Popular choices include “La Paradiso,” “Tartufo,” and “Beatrice.” While its original location is on Via Dei Neri, All’Antico Vinaio also has stores in the Santa Maria Novella Train Station and Via Ricasoli, making it even easier to savor its iconic flavors.