48 Hours in Florence
Top Things to See & Do
Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is a city that effortlessly blends history, art, and romance. With every cobblestone street and Renaissance masterpiece, it beckons travellers to step into a living museum. Let's make the most of our two days in Florence, where time stands still amid timeless beauty.
Wander the Piazza del Duomo
When you round the corner and see the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore looming ahead of you, you’re going to gasp. Trust us. We’ve seen a lot of beautiful buildings, but this one will really take your breath away. The piazza is usually quiet and peaceful first thing in the morning, but can get busy quickly as people, understandably, rush to snap some pics of the gorgeous cathedral at the centre. There are many shops and cafés lining the piazza, so take the time to wander around and check them out.
Climb the Duomo
Not only is the cathedral’s façade stunning, but the view from the top is breathtaking! There are 450+ stairs in the climb to the top, but we promise you that the aching legs are worth every second.
You can purchase your tickets online, or visit the ticket office in the piazza, and tickets to visit the Duomo also allow you access to the Bell Tower, Baptistery and Museum. Purchasing a ticket means you can choose a time to visit the Duomo; we visited at night so we could marvel at the sparkling lights of the city, and planned to climb the Bell Tower the next morning so we could really appreciate the cathedral from above, however we lost our ticket… Don’t be like us!
Walk across the Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio literally translates to “old bridge”, and this bridge dates back to medieval times! The Ponte Vecchio arches across the Arno river, and was the only historic bridge spared during World War II. It’s the only bridge in the city still lined with goldsmith and jeweller shops, as it has been since 1593! Take the time to stroll across and spend a moment really appreciating that you’re standing on a bridge that’s been around since the 1300s.
Visit the Uffizi Gallery
Spend a few hours admiring the world-famous Renaissance artworks, including Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, and other famous works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. This whole area is beautiful. There is an outdoor pavilion nearby, Loggia dei Lanzi, where you can see Renaissance statues for free on display. We spent quite a length of time really studying these statues and appreciating how delicate some of the details are, considering they’re carved out of stone!
Try some authentic dishes
We stumbled upon Ristorante La Grotta Toscana while looking for somewhere to eat dinner, and we were so impressed with the food and atmosphere here. Try some authentic Tuscan dishes, such as Florentine steak, pappa al pomodoro, or a classic pasta like pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar sauce).
See the Statue of David
When you think of Renaissance statues, there’s probably a good chance you think of Michelangelo’s Statue of David. If you want to see the authentic statue, amongst other artwork, head to the Accademia Gallery. Make sure to book your tickets in advance and head there early to avoid long lines; just keep in mind that the gallery is closed every Monday.
If you want to snap a pic of the Statue of David without visiting the gallery, there are a few copies of the statue around Florence. One is outside the Palazzo Vecchio (near the Uffizi Gallery!), and the other is at Piazzale Michelangelo, just a 22 minute walk from the Uffizi Gallery.
Some final notes
Where we stayed: Airbnb Florence City View Apartment (yes, that first photo is the real view!)
We found that Florence was the perfect location to take a day trip to Pisa and see the iconic Leaning Tower
Planning your own trip to Florence? Pin this post for later!
We hope you enjoyed this itinerary and would LOVE to hear from you or see photos from your own adventures in Florence!
Feel free to contact us below with your thoughts, feedback or questions, or message us on Instagram.