The history of Florence, Italy is palpable as you wander the streets. The city and architecture maintain a strong Renaissance feel so it’s easy to imagine life during that period.
Many notable people from that period were either born in Florence or lived there for part of their lives, including Dante, Michelangelo, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Galileo.
Florence is one of those cities where you could spend months visiting and still not see it all. However, if you only have one day to visit the city, I’m sharing the 5 best things to do in Florence, Italy!
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The Best Things to Do in Florence in One Day
Table of Contents
- Take in the sites at Piazza del Duomo
- See the Statue of David at Galleria dell Accademia
- See the Statues at Piazza della Signoria
- View Famous Works of Art at the Uffizi Gallery
- Visit the Shops on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge
- Other things to do in Florence if You Have Time
Take in the sites at Piazza del Duomo
The Piazza del Duomo, or “Cathedral Square”, is situated in the heart of Florence.
It’s a great place to start your day since many of the sites are located within walking distance.
The piazza is home to the elaborate Florence Cathedral (Duomo), the Cupola del Brunelleschi’s (dome), Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower), the Baptistery, and the Museo dell’Opero dell Duomo (Cathedral Museum).
If you want to visit all the sites, I would recommend getting an attraction pass where you can visit multiple sites at a discounted price.
Florence Cathedral
The Florence Cathedral, formally the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is the largest building in medieval Europe. It is the 4th largest church in Europe today.
You can’t truly appreciate the size and opulent details of this gothic-style cathedral until you see it in person. It has such a commanding presence in the square.
The church is free to enter, but there is usually a long line. Within the cathedral, you’ll also find the crypt with the tomb of famed architect Filippo Brunelleschi. His crowning work was the cathedral’s dome.
In my opinion, the most impressive features are on the outside of the church. If you’re short on time I would just admire the cathedral from the outside. Alternatively, you can purchase a skip-the-line pass with a guided tour.
Cupola del Brunelleschi
The dome is a beloved feature of the Florence skyline and can be seen from miles away.
For unobstructed views of the city, you can climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome.
Access to the dome is through a tight and narrow staircase in the interior of the dome. The passageway was originally constructed by the workmen for maintenance. If you are prone to claustrophobia, this may be a bit challenging for you.
The dome climb is included in the All-Access pass through the museum. Just be sure to purchase your ticket and reserve your time for the dome climb in advance as it often sells out.
You can also expect a long line to climb the dome. If you are short on time there is also an option to purchase skip-the-line tickets.
Giotto’s Campanile
If you only have one day in Florence and are short on time, one of my best recommendations is to skip the dome climb and do Giotto’s Bell Tower climb instead.
While the line for the dome climb often wraps around the cathedral, you will rarely find a line at all to enter the Bell Tower.
If you are claustrophobic, this is also a great alternative for you. The passageways are not as crowded or narrow as the dome. I am extremely claustrophobic but had no problems doing this.
There are also several open spaces with lookouts along the way.
I actually prefer the view from the top because it allows you to capture the brilliant dome surrounded by the sprawling city below.
The only downside is that the entire top of the observation deck is surrounded by a wire fence enclosure that obstructs the view.
There is not even openings large enough for a camera to fit through, so it’s challenging trying to capture a shot without the wires in the frame. But the views are spectacular and totally worth it!
Baptistery
The Florence Baptistery, also known as the Baptistery of St John, is located across from the entrance to the cathedral.
This beautiful octagon building is the oldest religious monument in Florence. It was also the site for all Catholic baptisms in Florence until the end of the 19th century.
Several prominent citizens, such as the poet Dante and members of the Medici family were also baptized here.
The baptistery is filled with significant works of art from notable Renaissance artists. The interior mosaics and the detailed religious depictions on the doors are breathtaking.
Museo dell’Opero dell Duomo
The Cathedral Museum houses over 750 works of art from world-renowned medieval and Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo and Donatello.
It boasts the largest collection of Florentine monuments in the world. Many important religious statues and relics have found refuge in the museum in an attempt to preserve them in their original state.
Entrance to the museum is included in the All-Access pass that can be purchased at the museum ticket counter.
Panini Toscani
After spending a few hours exploring the Piazza del Duomo, you’re bound to work up an appetite.
Panini Toscani is located in the plaza just east of the Cathedral and serves the most delicious paninis!
Ordering your sandwich is an experience in and of itself. You’ll receive a friendly invitation to sample the different meats and cheeses in small groups. You can then customize your sandwich with your choice of bread and fillings. I am still craving it today!
See the Statue of David at Galleria dell Accademia
It is one thing to see a picture of Michelangelo’s famed statue of David, and it is a whole different thing to experience it in person.
If you only have one day in Florence, seeing David needs to be a priority! I was completely blown away by the intricate and graceful life-like details.
As Giorgio Vasari stated, “the statue so far surpasses both in beauty and technique ancient and modern statuary that one needn’t bother seeing other works in sculpture.”
The statue originally stood in the Piazza Signoria and became a symbol of liberty and pride for the Florentine Republic.
In 1873 the Galleria was built for the express purpose of housing the statue to protect it from outside elements. Today you can find a replica in the piazza where the original once stood.
Clearly, the biggest draw to the museum is David, but there are other sculptures and works of art in the adjoining halls. It’s not a very large museum and doesn’t take too long to walk through.
Tickets are 16 euros at the door. They can also be reserved in advance for a particular time so that you do not have to wait in line. However, additional service fees apply for advanced reservations.
If you do wait in line, be sure to stop at Gelateria Carabe as you pass by and grab some gelato to eat while you wait!
See the Statues at Piazza della Signoria
The Piazza della Signoria is known as the political center of the city. The piazza is flanked by the famed Palazzo Vecchio.
This towering fortress is one of the most impressive town halls in all of Tuscany. It was once the main government complex in Florence.
Not many tourists are aware that you can climb the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio. Tickets are 10 euros and it doesn’t close until 9 pm during peak season. It’s one of the best places to watch the sunset over the city. You’ll also most likely be one of the few people up there.
A replica of the statue of David is also found in the square. In addition, there is an outdoor sculpture museum, the Loggia dei Lanzi.
Keep an eye out for the Medici lions, Perseus and Medusa, Hercules and Nessus, as well as the nearby Neptune’s Fountain.
An interesting bit of history is that the Florence citizens originally despised this fountain and used it to wash their clothes.
The square is still used to host large events today. In fact, the day we were there they were holding a huge concert. We couldn’t walk into the square because it was so crowded but were able to appreciate some of the statues from afar.
View Famous Works of Art at the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most visited art museums in the world. It is located adjacent to Piazza della Signoria.
This is a must-see if you are an art history buff and only have one day in Florence. The gallery is filled with an extensive collection of statues and paintings spanning from the Middle Ages to the Modern period.
The collection was gifted by the Medici family and boasts precious works of art from Leonardo, Raffaello, and Michelangelo to name a few.
Visit the Shops on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge
This colorful bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in Europe. It also has an interesting history.
The bridge was constructed in 1345 across the Arno river. Since the bridge was across water it was considered “no man’s land”. Therefore, if a shop was built on the bridge the owners would not be required to pay taxes.
As a result, many shops popped up and are still there today.
Browse the shops, take in the views from the bridge, or stroll along the river bank to admire the bridge from a distance.
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Other things to do in Florence if You Have Time
If you still have time, here are a few more places worth a visit in Florence:
- Mercato Centrale: You’ll find a variety of shops and inexpensive cafes under one roof. Sample the food stalls and head to San Lorenzo Market for fresh local produce.
- Palazzo Pitti: Visit the largest museum in Florence and the former palace of the Medici Family. Entrance includes access to the expansive manicured Boboli Garden as well.
- Museo Galileo: View the original scientific instruments used by Galileo on display at this museum.
- Basilica di Santa Croce: This beautiful photogenic church holds 16 chapels and is the burial place for Michelangelo, Galileo, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Gioachino Rossini. It also has a climbable bell tower.
- Piazzale Michelangelo: For the most iconic panoramic view of Florence, head to Piazzale Michelangelo. If you’ve ever seen a photo of the sprawling city skyline, it was most likely taken here. It is a popular tourist spot, especially at sunset, but is worth fighting the crowds for the view.
- San Miniato al Monte: This beautiful church stands at one of the highest points of the city and is located next to the Piazzale Michelangelo. Stop in to admire the intricate marble floor and colorful frescos on the wall. You can also peer into the crypt. It’s worth a stop if you’re in the area.
Related Posts:
- The Perfect Weekend in Tuscany
- First Time Guide to Rome
- 8 Things to See in Taormina, Sicily
- How to Spend One Day in Venice
- 5 of the Best Places to Go on the Amalfi Coast
Tips for visiting Florence:
- Parking: You’ll find several free public parking lots, but beware of scammers. As soon as we pulled into a lot, we were immediately approached by a man trying to charge us 50 euros to park for 4 hours. Later we discovered this is a common practice to target tourists. We left and went to a secure parking garage near the train station and would highly recommend that.
- Bike rental: If you only have one day in Florence and want to see more of the city, there are city bikes scattered throughout the city that are inexpensive to rent. Alinari Bike Rentals also offers inexpensive rates.
- Where to eat in Florence: Some recommendations we received but didn’t have time to dine at are: ZaZa’s, Gusta Pizza, and Gelataria dei Neri (which happens to be Giada’s favorite gelato shop)
- Free museums: All museums have free entrance on the first Sunday of every month. If you’re only planning one day in Florence that might be a good time to visit. Lines tend to be long, but it is a great way to see a lot of museums and save money.
Map of Florence
I’ve put together a map of Florence with all the locations marked. Hopefully this helps you plan out the best way to spend your one day in Florence!
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