In this post I share my best ideas on how to spend 3 days in Florence, Italy, including where to stay, what to do, and itinerary ideas.
Florence was easily one of my favorite places to visit in Italy. There was so much to see and do, but at the same time the city never felt overwhelming or overly touristy. Visiting Florence was definitely worth the time, and 3 days in Florence turned out to be the perfect amount of time for a first visit.
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Table of Contents
Is 3 days in Florence enough?
Where to stay when spending 3 days in Florence
What to do when spending 3 days in Florence
3 days in Florence itinerary example
Is 3 days in Florence enough?
Yes and no. Like most places I travel to, I could easily spend more time there. That being said, 3 days in Florence does give you enough time to explore the city without rushing too much.
In my humble opinion, the trick is to prioritize the things you think you will enjoy the most. In our case, we knew we wanted time to simply wander the streets and explore, while still seeing most of the major sights.
Because of that, we did not try to visit the inside of every cathedral or museum we passed. Instead, we picked a few places we really wanted to explore properly, such as the Boboli Gardens, Torre di Arnolfo, and the Leonardo da Vinci Museum. For the rest, we were happy to admire them from the outside this time around. After all, you can always come back, right?
Where To Stay When Spending 3 Days In Florence
When spending only 3 days in destination of a certain size, I always prioritize location when choosing where to stay. Although I love the local vibe you often get when staying in more residential neighborhoods, avoiding too much time on transportation usually wins when time is limited.
Florence is also a very walkable city, which makes a central location even more valuable. Here are a couple of great areas to consider when planning 3 days in Florence:
Staying in Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella is located close to the main train station. We stayed here since we were backpacking through Italy by train, and it was incredibly convenient to arrive and walk straight to our accommodation. From here we were also within walking distance of most major sights. In fact, we did not use public or private transportation a single time during our 3 days in Florence.
Hotel Delle Nazioni ⭐⭐⭐ (where we stayed): Budget friendly, clean and provided everything we needed. Even had a balcony and view of the basilica. Great value for your money!
Hotel L’Orologio Firenze ⭐⭐⭐⭐: Located right next to the stunning Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, this four star hotel is also close to the train station and within walking distance to most sights.
Staying in Oltrarno
Oltrarno literally means “across the Arno.” This area is perfect if you want a more authentic and artistic local vibe. You will find lesser known trattorias, independent shops, and small artisan studios here. Oltrarno tends to be a little quieter and more relaxed than central Florence, while still being close to the main sights. The river views and charming streets also make it one of the most photogenic parts of the city. Personally, it gave me a bit of a Brooklyn-of-Florence feeling.
Hotel Palazzo Guadagni ⭐⭐⭐: Set in a 16th-century building on a quiet square, the hotel features antique furnishings and a rooftop terrace with beautiful views. It is a 5-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio.
Hotel La Scaletta Al Ponte Vecchio ⭐⭐⭐⭐: It has a central location while still maintaining a local vibe. The hotel features a rooftop terrace with a bar and an amazing view, and most sights are within walking distance.
What To Do When Spending 3 days In Florence
With 3 days in Florence we had time to see most of the highlights while also doing a few more quirky things and visiting some lesser known spots. Here are my best suggestions for what to see and do during 3 days in Florence.
Wine window
One of the more fun and unique things to do in Florence is visiting a wine window. You simply order your drink through a tiny window in the wall, and it is handed to you from inside. It is a very Florence-style experience. There are several wine windows in Florence, but we were very happy with the one we chose.
We also ended up eating there, and the food was really good too. Our table happened to be right next to the window, which was fun but could get a bit busy. If you prefer more privacy, you might want to ask for a table slightly further away.
📍 Location: Borgo dei Greci 1/A
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous symbols of Florence and the oldest bridge across the Arno River. The current bridge dates back to the Middle Ages, although there has been a crossing here since Roman times. Interestingly, it was also the only bridge in Florence that was not destroyed by the Germans during World War II.
Today the bridge is still lined with small shops, mainly jewelers and goldsmiths. I recommend enjoying the view of the bridge from a distance first, and then walking across it afterwards. Both experiences are special in their own way.
📍 Location: Ponte Vecchio
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral)
The Florence Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Construction began in 1296, and today the cathedral complex remains one of the most impressive structures I have ever seen. The intricate details and massive scale are truly breathtaking.
It is also one of the most crowded places in Florence. If you want to enjoy the view with fewer people around, try visiting early in the morning. We personally admired the Duomo from the outside, but it is also possible to go inside or take guided tours. You can also climb Giotto’s Bell Tower or Brunelleschi’s Dome.
The lines can be quite long, especially in high season, so I would recommend getting skip the line tickets to avoid wasting valuable time during your 3 days in Florence.
📍 Location: Piazza del Duomo
🎟️ Tickets to enter: GetYourGuide
Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
This beautiful basilica dates back to the mid 13th century. The church is Gothic in style, with a striking Renaissance façade in black and white marble, designed by two Dominican friars. Outside you will find the lovely Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, which is a great spot to sit down with a gelato and do some people watching.
📍 Location: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella 18
🎟️ Tickets to enter: GetYourGuide
Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Uffizi
A visit to Palazzo Vecchio combines several layers of history in one place. Inside you will find Roman ruins, a medieval fortress, and beautiful Renaissance halls filled with paintings and decorations. Just outside lies Piazza della Signoria, a square filled with impressive sculptures, including Judith and Holofernes and the famous Fountain of Neptune.
You will also find the Uffizi Gallery here, which is known worldwide for its outstanding collection of paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the modern period. Even if you do not go inside the museum, the square itself is absolutely worth visiting.
📍 Location: Piazza della Signoria
🎟️ Tickets to Uffizi: GetYourGuide
Torre di Arnolfo
At the top of Palazzo Vecchio stands Torre di Arnolfo, one of the most impressive medieval towers still standing in Florence. The tower rises 95 meters above the city and is considered the highest civic symbol of Florence. Climbing the 416 steps to the top rewards you with an incredible view over the city.
It is a popular attraction, so remember to book tickets in advance. During our 3 days in Florence, the tower was closed one of the days we were there, which limited our options a bit.
📍 Location: Piazza della Signoria
🎟️ Tickets to enter: TripAdvisor.com
Fotoautomatica
One of the more quirky things to do in Florence is visiting a Fotoautomatica photobooth. It takes about four and a half minutes to receive your photos because the machines use real analog photo technology. For a photo geek like me, that made the experience even better.
Just remember to bring a €2 coin for each photo strip. I had to run into a nearby shop to get change, and the man working there was not very impressed.
Fotoautomatica has several photobooths around Florence. We used the one in the Santo Spirito neighborhood across the Arno River, as we stopped by on our way to the Boboli Gardens. I believe it is also one of the most picturesque locations.
📍 Location: Via Santa Monaca 1
💶 Cost: 2€ (coin)
Boboli Gardens & Palazzo Pitti
This was easily one of my favorite experiences during our 3 days in Florence. Palazzo Pitti is a large palace complex that houses several impressive galleries and museums, with important collections of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. In total there are seven museums inside. The core of the current palace dates back to 1458 and was originally built as the residence of the banker Luca Pitti.
Right behind the palace you will find the Boboli Gardens, covering about 45,000 square meters. It is the largest green space in Florence filled with grottos, fountains, pergolas, a small lake, and hundreds of marble statues. Walking through the gardens honestly felt like stepping into a fairytale – definitely worthy of a visit.
📍 Location: Piazza de’ Pitti 1
🎟️ Tickets: GetYourGuide
Piazzale Michelangelo
When deciding what to do during 3 days in Florence, Piazzale Michelangelo should definitely be high on your list. It is a pleasant walk uphill and rewards you with one of the most beautiful views of Florence. The square dates back to the 19th century and features a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s famous David.
We stopped for drinks at Vip’s Bar while enjoying the view, which I highly recommend. There are also several places along the way where you can grab water or refreshments if you are visiting during the warmer months.
If you still have energy left, you can continue a bit further to Terrazza San Miniato. It is located slightly above Piazzale Michelangelo and offers another incredible viewpoint. We skipped it because the July heat was intense, but it looked amazing even from a distance.
📍 Location: Piazzale Michelangelo
Move On – Italian Pub & Record Store
A friend recommended this place to us, and it did not disappoint. If you enjoy music or collecting records, this spot is definitely worth a visit. The interior and atmosphere are very cool, with a retro but elegant vibe. It is located just steps from the cathedral, which also makes it a great place to take a break with a drink while exploring the area.
📍 Location: Piazza di San Giovanni 1/R
Eat as much gelato as you can
Did you know it’s actually illegal to spend three days in Florence without eating gelato? Okay, that’s not true, but it probably should be. Florence has countless great gelaterias to choose from. Locals often suggest going a little outside the busiest tourist areas for the best spots. Still, if you’re visiting during the warmer months like we did, my advice is simple: try as many as you can while you’re there. Enjoy!
Strozzi Palace
Strozzi Palace is a beautiful Renaissance palace whose construction began in 1489. The inner courtyard is especially impressive, surrounded on all four sides by arches and columns topped with Corinthian capitals. Today the palace is one of Florence’s most important exhibition venues, hosting a wide range of art exhibitions, events, and cultural activities.
📍 Location: Piazza degli Strozzi
ℹ️ More info and opening hours: Palazzostrozzi.org
Via dell’Ariento and Mercato Centrale
Via dell’Ariento is a busy central street known for its daily outdoor market, except on Sundays. Here you will find stalls selling leather goods, clothes, and souvenirs. The street also leads to Mercato Centrale, a famous indoor food market near the Church of San Lorenzo.
We enjoyed both. It was a great place to buy souvenirs and gifts. I picked up some jewelry at the outdoor market, and at Mercato Centrale I bought truffle salt, spices, and oils. We also stopped there for food and drinks. A must when in Florence!
📍 Location: Piazza del Mercato Centrale
Taste the local cuisine
When spending three days in Florence, you’ll have the chance to figure out what to eat several times a day. In theory that sounds easy, since there is so much to choose from. But at least for me, deciding where to go can be the hardest part. No matter where you end up, chances are you’ll have a great food experience in Florence. My best tip is to focus on dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients as much as possible.
Some restaurants to consider in Florence:
🍝 Gustabar: A charming little gem with delicious sandwiches and local beer and wine.
🍝 Gustapizza: Gustabar’s more famous sibling, known for its excellent pizza.
🍝 Fattoria Rossi Firenze: A great place for charcuterie boards, pasta, and porchetta.
🍝 Floret San Niccolò: A chic spot that focuses on creative, wholesome food.
🍝 Wine window: Trying a wine window is a must in Florence, and this one also serves good food.
Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum
This museum is dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci and his incredible inventions. The exhibition is interactive, which makes it fun for both kids and adults (at least us). Many of the machines on display are based on Leonardo’s original drawings, and you quickly realize how advanced many of his ideas were. Even more than 500 years later, some of his concepts still feel surprisingly relevant. It was a fun and interesting activity to include in our 3 days in Florence! Not to mention a nice break from the July sun.
📍 Location: Via del Castellaccio 1r
🎟️ Tickets: GetYourGuide
Giunti Odeon – Libreria e Cinema
A bookstore, library, and cinema combined in one space? Count me in. Giunti Odeon is honestly one of the coolest places I visited in Florence. When we were there they were showing Titanic, which happens to be one of my all time favorite movies. It is the kind of place where you could easily spend hours browsing books, having a coffee, and maybe even catching a film. 10/10 recommend!
📍 Location: Piazza degli Strozzi
Go on a day trip from Florence
Depending on the rest of your Italy itinerary and your personal interests, you may also want to consider a day trip from Florence. The city is located close to several fantastic destinations in Tuscany and beyond, which makes it a great base for exploring more of the region during your 3 days in Florence.
Popular day trips from Florence:
🇮🇹 Bologna: 40 minute train ride from Florence
🇮🇹 Pisa: 1 hour train ride from Florence
🇮🇹 Lucca: 1 hour train ride from Florence
🇮🇹 Livorno: 1,5-2 hour train ride from Florence
3 days In Florence Itinerary Example
I usually prefer making my own itineraries when I travel, with my plans adjusted depending on the weather, my energy levels, and so on. That’s also why I normally just share itinerary ideas and recommendations, so you can create your own plan based on what fits your travel style best.
For this post, though, I’ve put together a 3 days in Florence itinerary example, based on the places and tips I’ve shared earlier in this guide. Think of it as inspiration rather than a strict schedule. You can follow it exactly, mix things around, or use it as a starting point when planning your own 3 days in Florence.
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Florence looks and sounds so charming, such a good range of things to do. I’d be the same with choosing where to eat, particularly anywhere in Italy haha.
Author
Florence was honestly amazing, hope you get to go someday! Oh gosh, the struggle of choosing where to eat when there are so many options haha.
What a great itinerary! Some things to save for our next trip for sure 🙂
Author
Thank you, Suzanne!
Florence is gorgeous! Thanks for the detailed itinerary
Author
Agreed, such a lovely city!
Usually, by day 2 or 3 in a city, we start looking for quieter places to get a break from the hustle and bustle. I like how you’ve mixed the gardens into your day 3 itinerary.
Author
I completely agree. I personally love the balance 🙂