How to Spend 3 Days in Florence

When planning our trip to Italy, we knew we wanted to include a stop in Florence. This beautiful city in Italy’s Tuscany region is known for its impressive collection of Renaissance art and architecture. Whether you plan to spend a week in Florence or only have a few days, keep reading for our list of sites you won’t want to miss during your stay in Florence. If your experience is anything like ours, a taste of Florence will only have you eager to return again! Here’s what we recommend if you have 3 days to spend in Florence.

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What Not to Miss If You Have 3 Days to Spend in Florence

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

This iconic church within Florence’s city center is one of the largest in the world, and without a doubt, it is not a site to be missed on your visit to Florence. Entrance to the Cathedral itself is free, but keep in mind it is closed to visitors on Sundays. Photos truly don’t do this place justice, and while there are various ticket options, to get the full experience we recommend one that includes entrance to all of the below.

• Duomo – Brunelleschi’s Dome is the largest masonry vault in the world, and climbing to the top of the Dome was truly a highlight of our visit.
• Giotto’s Bell Tower – A climb of “Giotto’s Bell Tower” offered incredible views of the surrounding city. Climbing back down as the bells rang was an added bonus!
• Opera del Duomo Museum – The museum offers a stunning collection of masterpieces including the original doors of the Baptistery of St. John.
• Baptistery of St. John – A stop at the Baptistery located in front of the Cathedral doesn’t take long, but it is certainly a stunning place worthy of including in your itinerary.
• Ancient basilica of Santa Reparata – offers an incredible look at one of the first Christian temples in Florence.

You can find details here of the various pass options depending on which of the above you would like to visit. While climbing the Duomo and Giotto’s Bell Tower were some of our favorite things we did while in Florence, we highly recommend the pass that allows you entrance to the other stops as well. It was well worth it in our book.

Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze

Famously home to Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture, the Galleria dell’Accademia is a must-see while in Florence. You’ll want to allot 1-2 hours to fully explore the gallery. Additional information for planning your visit is available on their website.

Uffizi Galleries

A truly incredible collection including not a few masterpieces, the Uffizi Galleries are not to be missed. Prepare for art overload in the best possible way. We will warn to not underestimate the size of the Uffizi Galleries, and once you see it for yourself, you’ll see it isn’t an experience to be rushed. You’ll want to allot 3-4 hours for your visit.

Palazzo Pitti

The stunning palace is divided into 5 museums. A stop here was something we tacked on late into our trip planning, but we are so glad we did. The outside of the palace simply does not prepare you for the ornate interior. If you’re like us, it will have you starring in wonder at ceilings and leaving with far too many photos. After you finish up in the palace, head outside to the Boboli Gardens.

Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are located directly behind the Palazzo Pitti and stretch up the hill offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. We didn’t allow much time to explore the gardens as we were headed to our next city at this point, but you could easily spend hours leisurely strolling making it a perfect spot to spend an afternoon.

Travel Tip: If you plan to see the Uffizi Galleries, Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens you may want to consider the PassePartout 5 Days pass that offers entrance for these locations over the course of 5 consecutive days.

 Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio is an icon bridge spanning the Arno River dating back to medieval times. There are various shops built along the bridge, and whether you decide to cross it yourself or admire from a distance, the colorful bridge certainly makes for a beautiful photo. A stop here can easily be included on your way towards Piazzale Michelangelo.

Piazzale Michelangelo

If you’re looking for a stunning spot to watch the sunset in Florence, look no further than Piazzale Michelangelo. While it does require a bit of a walk, you likely won’t mind as each step allows a better vantage of the gorgeous city below. It can get rather crowded, so if you’re looking for a particular spot you’ll want to arrive early. We were running behind and didn’t get quite so lucky when we visited, but we enjoyed the view nonetheless.

Example Itinerary for How to Spend 3 Days in Florence

Day 1: Brunelleschi Dome & Opera del Duomo Museum

If you opt for the Brunelleschi pass like we did, you’ll need to schedule an entrance time for the Duomo climb. This was the first thing we did after we dropped our bags, and it really was the perfect introduction to the beauty of Florence. 463 steps will lead you to the very top where you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the city below. You’ll want to plan on at least an hour to give yourself time to appreciate the view and account for crowds on the stairs.

Afterwards, spend a few hours exploring the Opera del Duomo Museum making sure to see the original doors of the Baptistery of St. John that you’ll be visiting tomorrow. A visit to the Ancient basilica of Santa Reparata is well worth it but a relatively quick stop. 30 minutes was enough to view the exhibits as we went later in the day when the crowds were lighter.

Day 2: Uffizi Gallery & Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze

Start your morning at the Uffizi Gallery. Remember this gallery is extensive. If you really want to take your time you’ll want to plan on spending 3-4 hours here. We went through in a little over 3, but you could easily spend the better part of a day. After a little sightseeing and lunch, head to the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. This is a smaller gallery, so you’ll likely only need an hour or so. We went later in the day and took our time spending about an hour and a half inside.

Afterwards, head back towards the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore for a quick look inside the Baptistery of St. John. After an intensive day of admiring art, head to Piazzale Michelangelo for a stunning sunset making sure to take time for a few photos of Ponte Vecchio along the way.

Day 3: Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens

Schedule an early tour of the Palazzo Pitti and follow-up with a visit to the Boboli Gardens. You’ll want to plan on 2-3 hours for the palace itself and explore the gardens at your leisure depending on what the rest of your trip looks like. We were catching the train to Venice in the early afternoon so we only spend 30 minutes or so in the gardens.

What to Add If You Have More Than 3 Days to Spend in Florence

1. Go looking for wine windows – Some are even still active! We did snap a quick photo of one but unfortunately, ran out of time to visit one in operation. Maybe next time.
2. Stop at the Fountain of Neptune in Piazza della Signoria
3. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce where many famous figures are buried including Michelangelo and Galileo.
4. Visit the Museo Galileo dedicated to the famous astronomer and scientist.
5. Stroll through the Bardini Gardens.