The city dazzles every visitor with its art galleries, the stunning Cathedral, its squares, the Ponte Vecchio, and movie-like sunsets. Here we’ll show you the best things to do in Florence in two days.
Although Florence and its surroundings deserve much more than two days, in this article we’ll focus on the main attractions in the city’s historic center, based on our experience of having visited Florence on three different occasions.
Detailed Itinerary to Visit Florence in Two Days
- Day 1: Accademia Gallery, Piazza del Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Day 2: Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Basilica of Santa Croce, and the rest of the historic center.
Day 1: Accademia Gallery, Piazza del Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazzale Michelangelo
1) Accademia Gallery
No two-day visit to Florence would be complete without the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s famous David sculpture. The David, carved from white marble, is truly spectacular.
To enter the Gallery, you must book your ticket in advance, as the entrance lines are extremely long.
- Accademia Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:15 AM to 6:50 PM.
- Accademia Gallery Admission 2025: €16 for adults over 18, €2 for young adults aged 18–25, free for children under 18.
📷 If you’d like a guided tour in English that explains everything and helps you skip the long lines, we recommend: Guided tour of the Accademia Gallery.
2) Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Surroundings
One of the main attractions to see in Florence is Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll find the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, and Giotto’s Bell Tower.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, built with pink, green, and white marble and crowned by an impressive dome, leaves visitors speechless. Fiore means flower in Italian and refers to the lily, the symbol of the city.
The cathedral’s construction began in the 13th century and was completed in the 15th century, at one time being the largest in all of Christendom. Legend says that they wanted it to be the most beautiful and impressive, surpassing the churches already built in Pisa and Siena, also in Tuscany. And we think they succeeded. The cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni were completed first, with the magnificent dome added last.
We recommend visiting it both during the day and at sunset, when the orange tones reflect on the marble. Entrance to the Cathedral itself is free, but you must pay to climb the bell tower, which at over 80 meters high offers sweeping views of Florence’s historic center.
Inside, the Cathedral is much simpler than its exterior. It has few furnishings or elaborate decorations, making it feel vast, airy, and monumental, especially beneath the octagonal dome painted with scenes of the Last Judgment.
Other Attractions in Piazza del Duomo
In addition to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, there are several other attractions worth visiting around the square:
- The Dome of Florence Cathedral: we think it’s absolutely worth paying for, as it’s the perfect viewpoint over Florence’s historic center. To enter, you must book a date and time slot. Note: there are 463 steps to climb, many on narrow staircases. Hours: 8:15 AM to 6:45 PM.
- Giotto’s Bell Tower: climbing to the top requires 414 steps. We preferred the views from the Dome, but here you get a great view of the dome itself and the rest of the cathedral. Hours: 8:15 AM to 6:45 PM.
- Baptistery: located in the center of Piazza del Duomo. Note that a dress code is enforced (no sandals, hats, or bare shoulders). Hours: 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
- Opera del Duomo Museum: houses original pieces from the Cathedral and Baptistery that can’t be seen inside the cathedral itself. Hours: 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata: this older church, over 500 years old, lies beneath the current Cathedral. Among its treasures are Roman mosaics. A bonus of visiting this basilica is that it allows you to skip the long entrance lines for Santa Maria del Fiore, which can last up to an hour. Hours: 10:15 AM to 4:00 PM.
Passes for Attractions in Piazza del Duomo
There are three different passes available for these attractions. Entrance to the Cathedral itself is free, Monday to Saturday from 10:15 AM to 3:45 PM.
- Brunelleschi Pass: grants access to all paid attractions (museum, Baptistery, bell tower, Santa Reparata, and the Cathedral dome). Valid for three consecutive calendar days from the selected dome visit date. Only the Dome and Bell Tower require advance date and time reservations. Price: €30 for ages 14+, €12 for ages 7–14, free under 7.
- Giotto Pass: includes all paid attractions except the Dome. Valid for three consecutive days. Only the Bell Tower requires advance date and time reservations. Price: €20 for ages 14+, €7 for ages 7–14, free under 7.
- Ghiberti Pass: includes the museum, Baptistery, and Santa Reparata. Valid for three consecutive days. Only Santa Reparata requires advance date and time reservations. Price: €15 for ages 14+, €5 for ages 7–14, free under 7.
To buy tickets in advance, you must do so from the official website.
If your budget allows, the Brunelleschi Pass is well worth it in our opinion, although it will likely take at least half a day to visit all the attractions around Piazza del Duomo.
📷 A good option is to book the guided tour of the Cathedral, dome, and terraces. It also includes priority entrance to the Cathedral and the Brunelleschi Pass for access to the other attractions. If you only want to visit the Cathedral with a guide, we recommend this tour, which includes priority access.
3) Ponte Vecchio, one of the top attractions in Florence
One of the most beautiful bridges in Europe is in Florence, crossing the Arno River. In the past, it was lined with houses built over the river, which today are jewelry shops. It’s worth visiting the bridge both by day and at night, when it’s fully illuminated.
At night, the bridge often hosts street performers and live shows.
📷📷 If you’d like a guided tour in English that explains everything, we recommend the free walking tour of Florence.
4) Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo sits on a hill across the Arno River. The highlight here is the breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
From the center, you can easily walk there in about 20 minutes. If you’re tired from the climb, you’ll find vendors selling drinks at the top.
Our top recommendation is to arrive just before sunset and stay until it gets dark. The photos of the sun setting over the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Arno River, and Ponte Vecchio are simply stunning.
Day 2: Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Basilica of Santa Croce, and the Historic Center
5) Palazzo Vecchio
One of the must-see landmarks in Florence is Palazzo Vecchio, famous for the replica of Michelangelo’s David outside (the original is in the Accademia Gallery).
Located in Piazza della Signoria, its facade resembles a fortress, dominated by the tall Arnolfo Tower. Inside, the highlight is the Salone dei Cinquecento.
- Palazzo Vecchio Hours: Monday–Wednesday and Friday–Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Arnolfo Tower: Monday–Wednesday and Friday–Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Last entry is allowed up to one hour before closing.
- Palazzo Vecchio Admission 2025: €12.50 for ages 25+, €10 for visitors aged 18–25, free for children under 18.
- Arnolfo Tower Admission 2025: €12.50 for ages 25+, €10 for visitors aged 18–25, free for children under 18.
Tickets for the Palazzo Vecchio museum and the Arnolfo Tower must be purchased separately.
📷 If you’d like a guided tour in English, we recommend: Guided tour of Palazzo Vecchio.
6) Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery houses one of the most important art collections in the world. Highlights include works by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. The building once served as the palace of the Medici family, who were responsible for preserving many of the masterpieces on display today.
Visiting all the galleries takes time, especially if you stop to carefully admire the artworks. It took us around three hours to see it all, and we recommend taking a break halfway to grab something at the on-site café.
- Uffizi Gallery Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM; Tuesday from 8:15 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Uffizi Gallery Admission 2025: €35 for adults 18+, €12 for EU citizens aged 18–25, €9 for children under 18.
📷 If you want a guided tour in English that covers the Medici family and Florence’s main museums, we recommend the Combined tour: Florence + Uffizi + Accademia.
7) Basilica of Santa Croce
Built in the late 13th century, this is a beautiful Franciscan church. It is famous for the many tombs inside, including those of Galileo and Michelangelo. Beyond the tombs, the interior is worth visiting for its architecture and frescoes by renowned artists.
Next to the church is the square of the same name, a lively spot often filled with street performers.
- Santa Croce Basilica Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Sundays from 12:30 PM to 5:45 PM.
- Santa Croce Basilica Admission 2025: €8 for adults 18+, €6 for youth 12–17, free for children under 12.
8) Other highlights of Florence’s historic center
After visiting the museums and churches, it’s well worth wandering the streets of Florence’s historic center, stopping at Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria, and enjoying a meal or drink at one of the many restaurants and cafés.
Practical information for your trip to Florence
How to get to Florence
If you’re traveling to Florence from another Italian city such as Rome or Pisa, the best option is by train. On the Trenitalia website you can check schedules and buy tickets.
From other European cities, the best way to reach Florence is by plane. Several low-cost airlines fly directly to Florence Airport.
Where to stay in Florence
All the main attractions in Florence are within walking distance. Staying in or near the historic center is the best option.
Here are our recommendations for accommodation in Florence:
- Hotel Joli: Excellent value for money, just 200 meters from the train station and close to Florence’s main attractions. Great, varied breakfast.
- Plus Florence: A top-rated hostel with indoor and outdoor pools, Turkish bath, and sauna. Offers spacious modern private and shared rooms.
- Hotel Davanzati: Located in the heart of Florence in a historic building, with renovated rooms. Great continental breakfast and bar service.
🏨 Want to explore more options? Find the best accommodation in Florence here.
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