Florence in 2 days: day-by-day itinerary
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 4 of 9 free; 5 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 2 days, 9:30 to 17:23 each day
- Start and finish
- Ponte Vecchio → Piazzale Michelangelo
- On foot
- ≈ 45 min in total
- Transport
- none — all on foot
- Lunch
- around 13:14
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- April to June and September to October. Book museums for the morning, when queues are shorter.
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Florence09:30–15:37 · 5 places · 6 h 10 min
Ponte Vecchio
· 20 min · Free
- 5 min on foot
Piazza della Signoria
· 40 min · Free
- 6 min on foot
Florence Baptistery
· 30 min · Combined cathedral pass
- 3 min on foot
Florence Cathedral
· 2 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 8 min on foot
Galleria dell'Accademia
· 1 h 15 min · Paid
Day 2 · Florence09:30–17:23 · 4 places · 7 h 50 min
Uffizi Gallery
· 3 h · Paid
- Lunch · 1 h
- 3 min on foot
Palazzo Vecchio
· 1 h 30 min · Courtyard free, museum paid
- 9 min on foot
Santa Croce
· 1 h · Paid
- 11 min on foot
Piazzale Michelangelo
· 1 h · Free
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
4 of 9 are free; 5 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 3 | Florence Baptistery | 48 | 30 min | Combined cathedral pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Galleria dell'Accademia | 43 | 1 h 15 min | Paid |
| 6 | Uffizi Gallery | 51 | 3 h | Paid |
| 7 | Palazzo Vecchio | 52 | 1 h 30 min | Courtyard free, museum paid |
| 8 | Santa Croce | 50 | 1 h | Paid |
| Other 4 places | 4 h | Free | ||
| Total | 11 h 20 min | 4 of 9 free |
Tips for each stop
Day 1
- 1
Ponte Vecchio. The old bridge lined with jewellers, with the Vasari Corridor running overhead. Free, and loveliest at sunset.
- 2
Piazza della Signoria. The main square by the Palazzo Vecchio: a David replica, the Neptune fountain and Cellini's Perseus in the Loggia dei Lanzi. Free.
- 3
Florence Baptistery. The octagonal church facing the Duomo: Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise outside, a golden mosaic dome inside. On the combined cathedral pass.
- 4
Florence Cathedral. Santa Maria del Fiore: the cathedral itself is free; climbing Brunelleschi's dome needs a timed ticket.
- 5
Galleria dell'Accademia. Michelangelo's David and his unfinished Prisoners. Book a timed slot ahead; the walk-up line can top an hour.
Day 2
- 6
Uffizi Gallery. Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael and Caravaggio. Book a time slot and allow at least three hours.
- 7
Palazzo Vecchio. The town hall with the Hall of the Five Hundred and its tower. The courtyard is free; museum and tower are ticketed.
- 8
Santa Croce. The basilica with Giotto's chapel frescoes and Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel. Paid entry.
- 9
Piazzale Michelangelo. The hilltop terrace with a bronze David copy and the best view of Florence. Free; come for sunset.
Who this route is for
- A weekend in Florence
- You want the Uffizi and time to wander
- A first trip to Tuscany
- Boboli and the Oltrarno: see the 3-day route
- Young children: see Florence with kids
April to June and September to October. Book museums for the morning, when queues are shorter.
What to see in Florence in 2 days
Day one is the classic walk through the centre, from the Duomo up to the Accademia and back down to the Signoria and the Arno. Day two is built around the Uffizi, one of the world's great galleries, which needs at least three hours. That still leaves time for the Palazzo Vecchio next door and Santa Croce, then a climb across the river for sunset.
Book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome ahead for set times so you don't lose half a day in lines. If you want the dome, make it the first thing on day one; early slots go fastest.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, add something nearby, and the timings update.
Day two: the Uffizi, the Palazzo Vecchio and sunset
In the Uffizi, start on the top floor with the Botticelli rooms, home to The Birth of Venus and Primavera, then Leonardo and Raphael. The museum's rooftop café looks onto the Palazzo Vecchio, a good break. Afterwards cross to the square: the Palazzo Vecchio courtyard is free, and inside the Hall of the Five Hundred is the highlight.
Santa Croce is ten minutes east, with Giotto's frescoes in the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels and Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel. From there head to the river and over to Piazzale Michelangelo, timing it for sunset: about 20 minutes on foot through San Niccolò, or bus 12 or 13.
More to see
With time to spare, add the Medici Chapels and Michelangelo's sculpture, the Bargello with Donatello's David, or Giotto's Bell Tower for a close-up of the dome. For a quiet evening, go up to San Miniato al Monte for the monks' vespers.
How to do it right
- Book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome for morning slots.
- Stay central; both days are on foot.
- Churches require covered shoulders and knees, and large backpacks are often refused.
- Italy uses the euro. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for cafés and markets. Buy museum tickets ahead on official sites, where closing days are listed too.
- Reach Piazzale Michelangelo about 40 minutes before sunset.
Questions
What should I see in Florence in 2 days?
Day one: the Duomo, Baptistery, David, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio. Day two: the Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce and Piazzale Michelangelo.
Are 2 days enough for Florence?
For the highlights, yes. Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens and the Oltrarno need a third day.
How long do you need in the Uffizi?
At least three hours; about four with a café break.
Do I need to book museums in Florence?
Yes: book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome ahead for set times.
Where should I stay for 2 days in Florence?
Centrally, near the Duomo, Signoria or Santa Croce, so both days are walkable.
How do you get up to Piazzale Michelangelo?
On foot from the Ponte Vecchio via San Niccolò in 20 to 25 minutes, or by bus 12 or 13.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- UNESCO: Historic Centre of Florence (no. 174)
