Florence 3-day Itinerary
Italy
Where to go and what to see in Florence to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicky Swallow.
Bucket list experience:
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Florence’s other big-name art museum (with the Uffizi) has a world-class collection of 14th- and 15th-century art, but those endless queues of people are really here to see one thing: Michelangelo’s 1504 4m-high statue of David.
Moved here in 1873 from Piazza della Signoria, the iconic sculpture appears quite different in the flesh: the head and hands are larger than expected (a trick of perspective; originally the statue was placed higher up).
Walk around the back to see David’s sling, a tree stump – and those famous buttocks.
Also look out for Michelangelo’s four unfinished sculptures known as Slaves or Prisoners, originally placed in Buontalenti’s Grotta in the Boboli Gardens.
Other not-to-be-missed artworks here include The Madonna of the Sea and The Madonna with Child, Two Angels and John the Baptist both by Botticelli, and Filippino Lippo’s Annunciation. There is also a superb collection of old musical instruments including violins and cellos by the likes of Stradivarius and Guarneri.
Combine a visit to the Accademia with a stop at the spectacular frescoed monastery of San Marco, a two-minute walk away, to see exquisite works by once-time resident monk Fra Angelico.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Italy
Where to go and what to see in Florence to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicky Swallow.
Italy
Where to go and what to see in Florence to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicky Swallow.
The museum is a 15-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station.
As with Uffizi, the queues are legendary, so if you’re going independently, it’s essential (if you want to skip the worst of them) to pre-book tickets via the official Florence Museums website, entitling you to enter via a reserved entrance. You can also pre-book tickets at the church of Orsanmichele (Via de’ Calzaiuoli). Audio guides are available in six languages (for a small fee). You can book a 1.5-hour private tour with an expert (in English).
Alternatively, book onto an organised tour; they’ll arrange a skip-the-line-ticket for you. Some tours include a stop at the Uffizi too. See our recommendations below.
The gallery is open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday. The quietest moments are first thing and during lunchtime.
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.6 miles]
A superb heritage hotel with impeccable facilities and services that occupies a frescoed Renaissance palazzo and former convent. Set in a majestic 11-acre park, 20 minutes from Florence’s historic centre.
Official star rating:
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.8 miles]
A historic hotel well-deserving of its five-star status, the Helvetia & Bristol enjoys a fabulously central location and offers sumptuous rooms, bags of atmosphere and top-notch service.
Official star rating:
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.8 miles]
This elegant guest house offers warm hospitality and an atmosphere of genteel ‘Old Florence’ steps from Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery.
Official star rating:
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.8 miles]
One of Italy’s first boutique hotels offers sophisticated interiors, a club-like atmosphere and top-notch service in the heart of Florence.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Tuscany, Italy
A heady mix of incomparable Renaissance art, gorgeous palazzos, Tuscan cuisine and home-grown haute couture.
Tuscany, Italy
The astonishingly beautiful region of Tuscany has it all: art cities and ancient hill towns, high mountains and long sandy beaches, alongside luxurious hotels and some of Italy’s best food and wine.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.5 miles]
Florence’s great cathedral (duomo) – crowned by Brunelleschi’s ground-breaking dome – is the city’s religious heart.
Best for ages: 18+ | £16
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.5 miles]
The octagonal, Romanesque Baptistery, thought to originate in the Dark Ages, is one of Florence’s oldest buildings. It is famous for its three sets of ornate bronze doors although the ones you see today are copies (the originals are in the Cathedral Works Museum).
Best for ages: 18+ | £4
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.7 miles]
An eclectic, world-class collection of sculpture, decorative arts and Renaissance masterpieces, housed in a former fortified prison.
Best for ages: 18+ | £6
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.8 miles]
Dresses to impress at this museum dedicated to 90 years at the forefront of fashion. Admire gowns worn to the Oscars, along with oddities such as Gucci bicycles, sledges and scuba-diving fins.
Best for ages: 8+ | £6
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.2 miles]
Benozzo Gozzoli’s glorious fresco depicting the Procession of the Magi dates from 1459 and covers the tiny ‘Cappella dei Magi’ in Palazzo Medici-Riccardi. Painted in brilliant jewel colours, it shows a procession of richly-attired kings, knights and servants travelling through a fairytale rural landscape.
Best for ages: 18+ | £6
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.4 miles]
The first floor of Florence’s traditional produce market, Centrale Mercato, was transformed in 2014 into a dazzling food hall where producers offer everything from freshly-made mozzarella, truffle pasta, barbequed ribs, artisan bread and cheeses to hand-made chocolates. Pair a guided tour (to find ingredients) with a Tuscan cooking class after.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.5 miles]
This traditional Easter festival sees a towering cart laden with fireworks pulled through the city by white oxen accompanied by a procession of flag throwers and drummers in colourful Renaissance garb. In Piazza del Duomo, a mechanical dove swoops down from the cathedral to light the blue touchpaper.
Best for ages: 10+ | Free | 1 day
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.8 miles]
This 16th-century palazzo is home to one of Italy’s most innovative public art galleries. Rotating exhibitions showcase artists as diverse as Jeff Koons, Ai Wei-Wei and Bill Viola and Bronzino, Donatello and Pontormo. The ‘Strozzino’ gallery in the basement focuses on contemporary art and peripheral cultural events.
Best for ages: 18+ | £13
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
From New York to London, Paris to Berlin, here’s our round-up of the must-see art galleries and museums around the world that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.