Florence in 3, 4 or 5 days: our itineraries for a stay in Florence

Do you want to know one of the most beautiful cities in Italy? Discover the best routes to visit Florence in 3, 4 or 5 days.

Florence is the capital of Tuscany, Italy. Externally the cradle of the Renaissance , the city has an impressive historical heritage. Thus, it has the highest density of artistic treasures in the world. This represents 20% of the works of the Italian artistic heritage. This is how the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. This is why our routes to Florence will lead you to the most beautiful monuments, palaces, churches and gardens in Europe. This is our visit to Florence in 3, 4 or 5 days!

Florence in 3 days

Day 1: The historic centre of Florence

Start this first day with the most popular routes in Florence. Visit the uncontournable Dôme de Florence, the Duomo . His cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore is a jewel of Florentine architecture. Let's mention that you can buy a ticket to top the dome. Thus, it will also allow you to access the Baptistery of Saint John and the Campanile de Giotto .

To discover the magnificent view of the top of the tower, you will need to climb no less 414 steps . In addition, your effort will be greatly rewarded by the panoramic view of the tower.

Then discover the Museum dell’Opera del Duomo. The visit is planned in the Firenzecard , one of the steps to visit the essentials of Florence. Note that you can easily spend a morning there.

Link by the very famous Piazza della Signora with the Palazzo Vecchio . It should be noted that a party serves the city’s municipality, including the mayor’s office. That said, the most important part of the palace is a museum you can visit.

From the square Duomo , take a look at the visit Bargello Palace and his museum. You will discover a collection dedicated to the arts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. This is how you can admire an impressive collection of sculptures. The great names of Italy such as Michelangelo, Donatello and even Verrocchio are on display.

Day 2: The Galleries of Florence

Here is the second of our routes to Florence. Today, you will discover the city’s must-sees. This second day starts at Gallery of the Academy , that the Italians name the Galleria dell’Accademia . This is where you can see the statue of David de Michel-Ange .

Indeed, the true statue of Michelangelo weighs no less than five tons for five meters high. It is one of the most famous museums to visit Florence in 3, 4 or 5 days. To this end, the cut-file ticket available through the Medici Bundle will be of great use to save time.

Later, go through the Santa Maria Novella district. In this way, you will contemplate the eponymous church. After that, enjoy it to discover the largest collection of Renaissance art in the world to the Office Gallery , La Galleria degli Uffizi in Dante's language. It is the most frequented museum in Italy.

Note that the gallery has the reputation of being the largest collection of masterpieces in the world! Thus, a guided tour of the Gallery of Offices will explain in detail the most beautiful treasures of history. Works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Giotto are exhibited there.

If you have any energy left, head to the first bridge of the city on the Arno. The Ponte Vecchio is a historic place, which survived the destruction of the war. You can't cross it if you're in Florence for 3, 4 or 5 days.

Day 3: The chapels of Medici and Piazza San Marco

♪ Medical Chapels

If you spend a long three-day weekend in Tuscany, here is the last of your itineraries in Florence. See you in the morning on the Piazza San Lorenzo . Enjoy the passage to take a caffè followed by a lunch at the San Lorenzo market.

It is one of the favorite destinations of the Florentines. Enjoy fresh and typical Tuscan products here. In this sense, the first floor is reserved for fruit and vegetables stalls. Then, on the second floor, a large space is planned with tables arranged in the center.

Later, you will reach the famous Chapels of Medici.

The Medici family for a very long time ruled the city. The tombs of the family are housed in three different chapels and were carved by Michelangelo. This is why they are a must-see if you visit Florence in 3,4 or 5 days. In this regard, the tombs of the family are housed by the Chapel of the Princes, the Chapel of the Treasury and the New Sacristy.

The crypt of the Medici chapels houses the 49 burials of family members. With a cut-the-line ticket with Florence pass, you can admire its famous works all over the world. Located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, discover the universe of these three chapels and crypt, homage to the famous family.

Piazza San Marco

Once your visit is complete, continue with the Piazza San Marco . It is from here that you will have access to Museo San Marco , former convent Dominican Republic . In this way, admire the paintings and religious frescoes of Fra Angelico, monk of the Italian Renaissance.

The museum library was the first open to the public in the city of Florence. First built by Michelozzo, it was the family of the Medici that enriched it.

Not far, the basilica di San Lorenzo houses a library designed by Michelangelo himself. So don’t hesitate to walk around the area around the square to discover its alleys with many attractions.

Florence in 4 days

Day 4: Santa Croce Basilica, Giotto Campanile and gastronomic break

Basilica Santa Croce and Campanile de Giotto

Have you chosen to spend more time in this city with a thousand discoveries? We accompany you for other tours and routes in Florence. This is why we look at another must in the city, the Basilica of Santa Croce. Faced with this grandiose monument, impossible to resist the temptation to discover it.

Here lies the talented and world-famous Michelangelo. Other figures from Florence have their tombs, such as Galilee and Nicolas Machiavel. It is also the largest Franciscan church in Italy. This is why the frescoes and stained-glass windows are of great beauty.

Then head to another must in Florence. Cross it. Ponte alle Grazie and admire the view from the Arno on the Terzo Giardino . During the spring, also go through the Giardino delle Rose , to admire the rose gardens with a thousand colors.

Finally, you can finish one of the most beautiful routes in Florence. Meet for the end of the day on the Piazzale Michelangelo to contemplate a panoramic view of the city. There is no better place to admire a sunset in Florence. This square, dating from the 19th century, is famous for hosting the bronze statue of Michelangelo and the most famous view of the city.

Gastronomic break

It’s obvious when you go to Italy. Visiting an Italian city without a gastronomic part, it would be a shame. For example, at midday, a kilometer walk to Mercato Centrale. This is the reference point for gastronomy. Discover local specialties such as soups (including pappa al pomodoro ), Dadrdelle sulla lepre or even lampredotto .

In the late afternoon, give your second gourmet break. This time, direction one gelateria to taste excellent ice, as only Italians know how to make it. Finally, for dinner, why not succumb to the famous bistecca alla fiorentina , this delicious Tuscan meat. Accompany a good Chianti to get your taste buds kicked!

Florence in 5 days

For your fifth day in the heart of the Italian city, we offer another route from Florence very appreciated.

Day 5: The Pitti Palace and the Florence Gardens

Palazzo Pitti

Under the pretext that the history of the city of Florence is fascinating, learn more about its past. The Pitti Palace was built in the 15th century. It is originally the residence of the banker Luca Pitti. But in 1549, the Medici family bought the place. As a result, the palace houses six museums and three exceptional gardens. Therefore, you will discover in this place several jewels of Florentine art:

• The porcelain museum ;
• The costume gallery, where it is possible to see old garments, dating back to the seventeenth and twentieth centuries;
• Royal apartments ;
• The modern art gallery ;
• The palatine gallery, with the paintings of Botticelli and other iconic painters of the time. This is one of the most popular visits to the palace. Indeed, this gallery has twenty exhibition rooms for all its masterpieces;
• The Silverware Museum, which gathers some jewels and objects of values of the Medici family.

Boboli Garden and Bardini

If you want to enjoy a high view of the city centre, go to the garden Boboli. It is part of the gardens of the Pitti Palace. So enjoy this outdoor space with its fountains and shaded paths. Many statues but also an artificial cave can be seen in this garden. The beauty and organization of the place can remind the gardens of Château de Versailles .

Also, thanks to your ticket, go to another garden of interest: the garden of Bardini. Therefore, this route in Florence will make you enjoy two of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city. In addition, the best season to visit these gardens remains spring. In this way, you can enjoy the pleasant parenthesis offered by this luxuriant and flowery visit.

Florence in a week

Visit Florence in 3, 4 or 5 days is not enough? It can be understood, given the number of things to explore in this magical and cultural city. This is why we offer you other examples of itineraries in Florence.

Sometimes less frequented, or just less known, they also deserve special attention. As a result, board for a visit of Florence out of beaten paths. You will be able to include them on the routes of Florence seen before:

• The National Archaeological Museum, located on the Piazza Santissima Annunziata. Here, the works are different compared to other museums in the city. Find Etruscan, Egyptian, Roman and Greek influences;
• Visit the area Oltrarno, on the other side of the Arno. Several places of interest in the neighborhood deserve a stop. The left bank with its lively neighborhoods is a hidden part of the city. Contemplez les ateliers d’artisans, les trattorie typical and other unknown treasures;
• The house of Dante near the square Duomo, in the oldest part of the historic center. On three floors, melt in the poet’s environment;
• L’Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella : the oldest apothecary in Europe. It has been active for at least four centuries;
• Biblioteca delle Oblatefor a drink on the roof of Florence. Very little known to tourists, take a refreshment with a breathtaking view of the dome of Florence;
• The Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, one of the Renaissance palaces of the city. It was built by Michelozzo in the 15th century. Its rustic look, differentiates it from other monuments of the same time;
• The innocent hospital, which is one of the first orphanages in Europe. Dating from the 15th century, its rooms are now decorated with numerous paintings;
• The Pinocchio Museumto discover or rediscover the story of the most famous puppet in the world;
• The church of Orsanmichele, which includes a small two-storey museum and offers a panoramic view of the historic centre;
• Shopping in the medieval centre, near the Piazza della Repubblica;
• The Leonardo da Vinci Museumdedicated to the inventions of the latter;
• The Calcio Museum, dedicated to the history of Italian football.

Transportation in Florence

Getting to Florence

Since Florence is an important tourist destination, it is very easy to get there. Several possibilities are available to you. The most suitable option for your stay is 3,4 or 5 days and the Florence itineraries you plan to do. Here are the possible solutions:

• Getting there by plane from France: On average, the flight lasts only two hours. You simply need your identity card if you are a national of the European Union. Note that there is two airports Florence. Everyone is about 30 minutes from the city centre. To find the best flight, at the best price, use a comparison of flights as Ulyssesfor example;
• Arrive in Florence by train : Several rail links exist between France and the city of Florence. Therefore, it is an advantageous way to get to Tuscany. The main station is Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN);
• Take the bus: Here is one of the most economical means of transport to Italy. The largest bus companies like Flixbus or Blablabus serve the Tuscan capital every week;
• Take his car: It should be noted that in order to travel to Florence, it is mandatory to be Florentines or guests of a hotel in the city itself. Therefore, the hotel declares your registration plate to the local police. It is therefore a good option if you plan to visit the surroundings of Florence;

Getting around in Florence

If you plan to spend 3, 4 or 5 days in Florence, the best is to visit the city on foot . However, the possibility of using public transport is also available to you:

• The tram: which is not the best option to visit Florence. Most lines do not pass through the historic centre;
• The bus network: practical and extended. You can easily take the lines A, B, C, D which allow to visit the city with electric minibuses. They're on duty. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. I mean, you know that tourist bus, serving major tourist points, is included in the Medici Bundle;
• Take a taxi: which costs expensive, but this option is convenient for night travel. Also, take only the official taxis of the city, which are white;
• Rent a bike for your itineraries in Florence: this mode of transport is becoming increasingly democratized in the city. You will have no trouble renting one. It will, however, be extremely careful on the road, since most roads do not have bike paths.

Now you know the best routes in Florence. Remember that despite the tourist recommendations, the best in Italy remains the random discoveries. In the historical Italian cities, History is present at every corner of the street. Arrivederci !