Spending just one day in Florence may seem like a challenge given its rich tapestry of art, history, and culture, but with a bit of planning, it’s entirely possible to experience the essence of this Italian city in 24 hours. We have a great 1 day Florence itinerary that allows you to see many of the most important landmarks in the city, like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, while also taking in masterpieces in the Uffizi.
The Best Way to See Florence in a Day
When we had 1 day in Florence during a Mediterranean Cruise, we had some specific places we wanted to see and put a plan together that would allow us to spend the bulk of our time seeing the main attractions while also being able to experience some smaller places that were off the beaten path.
We chose to do a Florence self-guided walking tour.
This allowed us to see the city at our own pace, and I wouldn’t do it any other way.
1 Day Florence Itinerary
- Piazza del Repubblica
- Piazza del Duomo: Duomo, Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto’s Bell Tower
- Piazza della Signoria
- Uffizi Gallery
- The Ponte Vecchio
Piazza del Duomo
We began our day trip to Florence in the Piazza del Duomo. This is the heart of Florence and the perfect place to begin your walking tour.
Here you will find some of the most important attractions in all of Florence:
- Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral (Duomo)
- Giotto’s Bell Tower
- Baptistery of St. John
- Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)
The centerpiece of Florence is the Renaissance Dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.
The cathedral’s exterior is decorated in striking green, pink, and white marble.
The cathedral is named Santa Maria del Fiore and was built upon the site of a 7th-century church (Santa Reparata).
Inside the cathedral you’ll find beautiful frescoes, including Giorgio Vasari’s Last Judgment beneath the dome
You will need to book a timed entry for the cathedral in advance.
Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile)
Adjacent to the Duomo is Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile).
With only one day in Florence, most likely you will only have time to climb either the Cupola of the Duomo or the Bell Tower.
Choose the Bell Tower.
Although it features over 400 steps, a large terrace at the top serves as a panoramic viewing platform and has some of the best views Florence has to offer.
The only way to get tickets for the Bell Tower is to purchase a pass online.
Baptistery of San Giovanni
Directly across from the cathedral is the Baptistery of San Giovanni. The Baptistery is dedicated to Florence’s patron saint, John.
It was built on the foundations of a Roman building and is designed in the typical Tuscan Romanesque style.
Dating back to the 11th century, the building was used as a venue for baptisms, as it was customary to have very large crowds at such events.
Before 2016, there had been beautiful Bronze doors (circa 1330) depicting scenes from St. John’s life and scenes from the Old Testament.
These doors have been removed & replaced with replicas.
The original doors can now be found at Museo del Duomo.
The interior of the Baptistery is stunning with intricate black & white marble.
You will notice the shape of the building is octagonal and features a cupola in the same shape.
The striking mosaic scenes show Christ in Judgement, along with scenes from the Last Judgement.
If you look carefully, you will also see the stories of St. John the Baptist, Joseph, and the Creation of the World.
At the highest point are the Angelic Hosts that gather around toward the center of the dome and appear to be watching over everything below.
Piazza della Signoria
Continue on your Florence walking tour to Piazza della Signoria.
This is the political square of Florence and is filled with some dramatic history.
A fanatical Friar by the name of Savonarola was burned at the stake in this square in 1498 after he campaigned against "artistic and social excesses" of the Renaissance during the fall of the Medici (Bonfire of the Vanities).
A political activist of his time, he drew attention to himself by condemning all things the people of Florence enjoyed: popular art, festivals, and items deemed extravagant.
Needless to say, both the clergy (who had lots of wealth at the time) and the Florentines had had enough of his outbursts and not only excommunicated him but set fire to him and two of his fellow friars.
You will find a replica of The David (the original is in the Galleria dell’Accademia) by Michelangelo. The Medici family used the statue to showcase their return to power.
The Fountain of Neptune shows Neptune, whose face resembles that of Cosimo I de Medici, and was meant to be an allusion to the dominion of the Florentines over the seas.
You will also find an Equestrian Statue of Duke Cosimo I, which stands as a way to honor the man who brought Tuscany under Medici military rule.
The Uffizi
Art in Florence is one of the highlights of a trip to this region. One of the most important things to do in Florence is to visit the Uffizi.
It is one of the world’s most renowned art museums, celebrated for its extraordinary collection of Renaissance masterpieces.
This museum holds the treasures of the Medici family.
You will find works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, and more.
You will also get a beautiful view of the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River from the Uffizi.
Give yourself several hours to explore this wonderful museum.
Uffizi TIP: The first Sunday of each month is a FREE ENTRANCE day. This means that you will NOT be able to book tickets in advance.
Ponte Vecchio
Once you are done with the Uffizi, head over to the Ponte Vecchio.
The Ponte Vecchio, which means “Old Bridge,” is the oldest bridge in Florence and crosses the Arno River.
The bridge that now stands was built in 1345 after a flood destroyed earlier version.
During that time, the bridge was home to butcher shops and tanners.
In 1593, Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici looked to improve the city’s image and decided to replace them with what he deemed more respectable tradesmen, like goldsmiths.
You will find the bridge still filled with jewelry shops.
Pitti Palace & Gardens
You should end your day trip to Florence at Pitti Palace, the 15th-century palace that became the main residence of the powerful Medici dynasty.
Today, it is a museum that features works by such artistic masters as Raphael, Titian, and Rubens.
Behind the palace is the Boboli Gardens, which is filled with walking trails, fountains, sculptures, and the most beautiful view of both Florence and the Duomo.
Florence Self-Guided Walking Tour Tips
Trying to do Florence in a day and on your own isn’t as exhausting as it may sound.
The historic Italian city is pretty compact, and since it is so pedestrian-friendly, you will have no trouble getting from one site to the next.
Here are some great tips for preparing for your day in Florence:
#1 Florence Tip: Get Your Florence Attraction Tickets in Advance
Two of the attractions on our one-day Florence Itinerary are the Baptistry and the Uffizi Museum.
Since we knew these were two things we HAD to make time for, we purchased “skip the line” tickets in advance.
The ticket for the Duomo includes skip-the-line entry to the Cathedral, Baptistry, Cupola, Bell Tower & Santa Reparata.
The skip-the-line ticket for the Uffizi Gallery is good for a selected window of time, so you will have to know the exact time you can be available to enter in advance of your trip.
If you fail to get tickets for the most popular Florence attractions in advance, you will spend an hour(s) in ticket lines. When time is of the essence, the last thing you want to do is waste time standing in lines!
#2 Florence Tip: Wear Good Walking Shoes
When spending your day walking around Florence, you will want to make sure that you are wearing the best walking shoes.
Florence can be very hot, so make sure what you wear on your feet can stand the hot pavement.
While sneakers are great, we think that a good walking sandal is better for a day in Florence.
One item that should be on your Italy packing list is a sandal like these KEEN Elle Backstrap Sandals. They are cute and comfortable!
- CONSCIOUSLY CREATED: Recycled PET plastic fibers stretch for easy slip on and off; Wider strap allows for stronger support and more secure fit around ankle area all the way to forefoot instep area
- COMFORT: Durable dual density underfoot cushioning offers trustworthy shock absorption on impact
- TRACTION: Higher traction jute infused, non marking rubber outsoles leave no trace or imprints when walking indoors
- FIT: KEEN builds women’s footwear on a women specific foot form; This style is running true to size; KEEN suggests ordering your normal footwear size
- CARE TIPS: Gently brush the sandal with a soft damp sponge to remove loose dirt and restore surface; Stains should be treated immediately with a gentle cleaner
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#3 Get a Locker Before Heading to the Duomo
When visiting Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and the Duomo museum, you will need to store your backpack or large bags.
Lockers can be found next to the Opera del Duomo museum and are free of charge for those with tickets to one of those landmarks.
We hope that this one-day guide gives you a glimpse at how much you can fit into a short stay in this amazing city.
Have you had a chance to do a walking tour of Florence? What was your favorite part?
