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Florence Travel Guide & Itinerary – How Many Days Do You Need?
The Ponte Vecchio in Florence is always a beautiful sight – whether you’re staying for three, five, or seven days
Florence, with its scenic location along the Arno River and its wealth of artistic treasure, can makes it challenging to decide how many days you need. Maybe you visit the city just once – and naturally, you want to make the most of your time there.
Will I miss out on anything if I only stay for a weekend? Or is there nothing new left to discover after five days?
As an artist, I’ve spent a total of three trips in Florence — each one with a different length of stay. Every visit was a little different, but always inspiring.
This guide will help you figure out how many days in Florence are right for you, featuring essential information on how to get there, tips on the city’s best neighbourhoods, and a day-by-day itinerary for three, five, or seven days.
How to Get to Florence
BY PLANE
Florence has a relatively small airport, which means direct flights are only available from a limited number of destinations. Flight options can also vary by season, with more direct connections typically available during the summer months. Trams and taxis both provide convenient connections between Florence airport and the city centre.
If direct flights to Florence aren't available, the airports in Pisa and Bologna are excellent alternatives. High-speed trains offer direct connections to Florence from both cities' main train stations.
BY TRAIN
Firenze Santa Maria Novella (shortened to Firenze SMN) is Florence’s main train station. It's well connected to other major Italian cities, including Rome and Naples, making it a convenient and more sustainable option for travelling around Italy.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Florence’s public transport network mainly consists of buses and two tram lines connecting the residential areas west of the historic centre. Tickets can be purchased at the main train station, in Tabacchi shops, or via a mobile app. They’re valid for both buses and trams and must be validated before boarding.
Where to Stay in Florence
There are plenty of scenic and safe neighbourhoods to choose from in Florence. Some are more artistic, some more residential, and others boast incredible artistic treasures and historic sights. I've grouped them according to their location along the Arno River, as I believe this division best reflects the character of the city and makes choosing easier.
NORTHERN & EASTERN FLORENCE
North of the Arno River lie the city’s main attractions, including Piazza del Duomo with Florence Cathedral and Piazza della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s historic town hall. Staying in this area means benefiting from short distances, but also experiencing more noise and bustle.
SOUTHERN FLORENCE (OLTRARNO)
The area south of the Arno is characterised by its greenery and artistic atmosphere. It tends to be on the upper end of the price range, but is quieter as a result. It also features many hidden gems and scenic gardens. If anyone happens to have a house near Porta San Niccolò they’d like to give away, I’m available.
WESTERN FLORENCE
The residential areas west of the historic centre benefit from their proximity to the main railway station. This makes them particularly convenient for those planning day trips. Accommodation in this area is often slightly cheaper, while the short distance to the station also makes arrival and departure more convenient.
OUTSKIRTS
The outskirts of Florence offer a quieter atmosphere than the historic centre and, in many cases, cheaper accommodation. Depending on the exact location, the historic centre is still within easy walking distance. If not, several bus connections are available.
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3 Days in Florence: Get to Know the City
For those visiting Tuscany for the first time and simply wanting to get a taste of the region, three days in Florence are ideal. This allows enough time to explore the city’s most important sights while also discovering its culinary specialities. Here’s what three days in Florence could look like:
FLORENCE DAY 1 • HISTORIC CENTRE
Florence historic centre
Piazza del Duomo (Guide below)
Piazza della Signoria & Ponte Vecchio
FLORENCE DAY 2 • RENAISSANCE ART MUSEUMS
Galleria dell’Accademia (Michelangelo’s David)
Schiacciata sandwich break
Uffizi Gallery (Botticelli’s Birth of Venus)
FLORENCE DAY 3 • OLTRARNO
Oltrarno district
Boboli Gardens
Piazzale Michelangelo sunset
5 Days in Florence: Exploring the Surroundings
Spending five days in Florence allows more time to immerse yourself in the city’s culture, discover hidden gems, and even take a day trip into the surrounding area. In my opinion, adding a day trip is highly recommended, as Florence is well connected to nearby towns via its main railway station. Pisa is a particularly good choice – but Lucca is also a wonderful option for exploring beyond the city.
FLORENCE DAY 4 • PISA DAY TRIP
Train to Pisa
Piazza dei Miracoli
Arno riverside walk
FLORENCE DAY 5 • FLORENCE HIDDEN GEMS
Morning espresso & cornetto
Painting class or artisan workshop
Florence hidden gems of your choice (Guide below)
7 Days in Florence: Savouring the City’s Charm
Towards the end of one week in Florence, I recommend visiting one last key sight I found particularly atmospheric: Santa Croce. This church, in Italian Gothic style, makes for an inspiring conclusion to a city best experienced through its artistic and cultural heritage.
FLORENCE DAY 6 • SANTA CROCE & BARGELLO
Basilica of Santa Croce
Santa Croce cloister & tombs
Bargello National Museum (Sculpture collection)
FLORENCE DAY 7 • FAREWELL TO FLORENCE
Final cappuccino
Last stroll in Florence
Arrivederci, Florence
How Many Days Will You Stay in Florence?
Florence may look small, but it’s densely filled with iconic landmarks and world-class museums. One journey alone may not even be enough to fully appreciate the city – but you have to start somewhere, after all.
To me, as an artist, the ideal length of stay in Florence is probably between five and seven days. The longer you stay, the more unexpected sights and stories you discover – and there's plenty of time to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the city, which is an experience in itself.
Ultimately, the ideal length of stay depends on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for further inspiration to plan your trip, feel free to browse through my travel journals in my shop – perhaps they’ll help you get to know yourself better through travel.
Essential Tips for Your Stay in Florence
1. What’s the best way to explore Florence?
The best way to experience Florence is on foot. The historic centre is compact, and most major sights are close enough that public transport is rarely needed.
2. When is the best time to visit Florence?
The best time to visit Florence is in spring, autumn, or even winter, when the weather is pleasant and the city is less crowded. There are plenty of museums, so rain is not much of a problem either.
3. What's the best museum in Florence?
The Uffizi Gallery is Florence’s most famous museum, but the Museo Bargello and the Museo degli Innocenti are equally beautiful alternatives with far fewer crowds.
4. What can I wear in Florence?
When visiting churches, shoulders and knees should be covered. In summer, a light jacket or scarf can be used for this, or a long, flowing skirt can be worn.
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