Florence & Pisa 5-day Itinerary
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.
Bucket list experience:
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
San Marco
Credit Shutterstock.com/Anna Pakutina
Many of Florence’s religious buildings were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, but few have remained untainted by later additions. During Renaissance times, wealthy families such as the ruling Medicis commissioned the finest artists to fresco family chapels, carve tombs for loved ones, update architectural structures and create bespoke works of art.
Step into any Florentine church today and you’ll find an extraordinary legacy of art treasures by masters such as Giotto, Masaccio, the Lippis and Michelangelo.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
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 5-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 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicky Swallow.
Most of the city’s churches, chapels and monasteries are located within the historic centre which is very compact and best accessed on foot although the small electric buses pass close to many of the main sights.
Always dress appropriately when visiting religious buildings (no sleeveless tops or very short shorts or skirts). Visits are not allowed during mass.
While it is quite possible to work your way around the churches in Florence independently armed with a good guidebook such as An Art Lover’s Guide to Florence by Judith Anne Testa, hiring a private guide or joining a specialised group tour will help focus on the important works and give extra insight.
Nowadays, Florence is a year-round destination, but the most crowded months are May to October. To avoid the inevitable long queues for entrance to the Duomo during these months, book your visit in advance. It is also essential to book the Brancacci Chapel in advance.
January and February are the best months to visit to find the churches virtually empty.
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Brunelleschi’s 1420 church of San Lorenzo was commissioned by the Medici, but Michelangelo’s projected façade was left unfinished, hence the rough brick you see today. The classical grey and white interior houses several masterworks including two bronze pulpits by Donatello. Michelangelo’s adjacent Laurentian library is a must-see. Book a private guided tour here.
Best for ages: 18+ | £6
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Perched on a hill with spectacular city views, this 1,000-year-old church houses a 13th-century mosaic in the apse, frescoes by Paolo Uccello and an intricate intarsia marble floor featuring zodiac symbols. Catch the Gregorian chant at 5.30pm (4.30pm in winter), then take in the sunset views.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Built in 1294, Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan basilica in Italy and is famed for its frescoes by Giotto in the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels. It was the favoured burial place of many past illustrious citizens including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Ghiberti and Rossini. Book an entry ticket here, or a private guided tour here.
Best for ages: 18+ | £7
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Crowned by Alberti’s magnificent, swirling marble façade, this lofty Dominican church with its ranks of striped columns, houses several extraordinary works of art including Masaccio’s seminal Trinità fresco (1424-25), Giotto’s Crucifix (ca. 1300), and frescoes (1485-90) in the Sanctuary. Book a private guided tour here.
Best for ages: 18+ | £6
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Florence
€39 | Rating 4.87 / 5 [41 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Florence
€79 | Rating 5 / 5 [15 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Florence
€94 | Rating 5 / 5 [7 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
An aristocratic mansion set in a magnificent private garden, AdAstra offers 16 beautiful rooms filled with antiques, up-cycled retro pieces and quirky design touches.
Official star rating:
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Cool, edgy Ferragamo-owned design hotel by the Ponte Vecchio in the heart of the city – the perfect base for sightseeing.
Official star rating:
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
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
A centrally-located 4-star hotel with comfortable modern rooms, a rooftop pool, and rooftop bar which is an unbeatable spot for sunset cocktails.
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.