You have just arrived in Florence, Italy for the weekend and you only have 3 DAYS to explore this incredible city. Overwhelmed with how beautiful it is and how excited you are to be in a city filled with character, culture, and delicious food, you panic because you do not know how you could squeeze all of this into 3 days! What should you do? Where should you go? What should you eat (everything obviously!) Florence is a fairly easy city to walk around, so 3 days is more than enough time to squeeze everything into one weekend. No need to worry here is your go-to itinerary for how to spend a weekend in Florence without missing out on anything!
FRIDAY
10:00 AM: Breakfast @ Ditta Artiginale
Located on Via dei Neri (which is one of the best streets in Florence), Ditta Artiginale is a quaint cafe that offers one of the best cappuccinos and pistachio croissants I have eaten in Italy. Fun fact, artiginale means homemade in Italian which is why their coffee is so delicious! It can get crowded with limited seating, but you can get your coffee in a to-go cup (which is huge because a lot of cafes in Florence do NOT have this option). It is perfect for a quick on-the-go breakfast, but if are able to get a seat, they have a breakfast and lunch menu as well (I suggest their Avocado Toast).
11:00 AM: Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, & Uffizi Gallery
If you follow the end of Via dei Neri and take a right, you will see the Arno River. Follow the river to the beautiful Ponte Vecchio bridge. One of the most popular landmarks in Florence, it is the oldest standing bridge that withstood the Germans bombings during World War II. Jewelry stores line the bridge selling the most beautiful (and expensive) accessories in Florence. After window shopping through the jewelry, make your way through the Uffizi Gallery and Piazza della Signoria. The Uffizi Gallery is only about 16 euro for a ticket to see famous artwork like The Birth of Venus (NOTE: all museums in Florence are free the first Sunday of every month). Piazza della Signoria is one of the most famous squares in Florence, adjacent to the gallery, and in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. This is where you can find a replica of the famous Statue of David along with other incredible statues like The Fountain of Neptune and Hercules and Cacus.
1:00 PM: Lunch @ Gusta Pizza
Gusta Pizza is located on the other side of the Arno River (known as Oltrarno). It is one of the best pizza pies you will eat in Florence. It is located near Piazza Santo Spirito which is one of the most authentic Italian squares you will find in the city. The family also owns Gusta Panini and Gusta Osteria located in the same area. The classic Margherita Pie made in the brick oven is a crowd favorite. I would also try the Fresh Parm, Cherry Tomato, and Arugula pie as well. (NOTE: They are known for making heart-shaped pizzas upon your request)
2:30 PM: Pitti Palace with the Boboli Gardens
While you are on the other side of the river, take a tour of The Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. The palace was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi for the prestigious Pitti family in 1457 and later sold to the Medici family in 1549 (NOTE: The Medicis were the wealthiest family in Florence and Europe at one point). The Pitti Palace contains some of the most important museums in Florence including the Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments, the Silver Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Porcelain Museum, and the Museum of Costume and Fashion. Clearly, you need to narrow down what you want to see at the palace to determine what ticket to purchase. The Boboli Gardens are located in the back of the palace and I would NOT skip out on these gardens. They are gorgeous (especially if it is a beautiful day outside) and it is the largest monumental green area in Florence.
4:45 PM: Accademia to see the (REAL) Statue of David
It’s considered a sin to go to Florence and not see Michaelangelo’s masterpiece of the Statue of David at the Galleria Accademia. Located on Via Ricasoli, tickets to get into the museum are about 16 euro and you can reserve a time slot ahead of time to avoid crowds. You can purchase tickets at the museum as well, but you are at risk of waiting in a line. I highly suggest booking a time in advance so you have it set in your schedule. There is other artwork at the Accademia, but the major centerpiece that you cannot miss is the David.
7:00 PM: Dinner @ Il Gatto e la Volpe
In Italian, this restaurant is called The Cat & The Fox and it was my first meal on my first night in Florence (honestly one of the best meals during my semester). For ONLY 20 EURO you get a family style meal that includes wine, water, the BEST unlimited bread, a massive antipasto plate, and four fresh kinds of pasta that they are serving for the night. Normally, the four pastas included are Truffle Ravioli (my favorite), Penne alla Vodka, Bolognese, and Four Cheese Gnocchi. The bread is nonstop and it comes to the table warm with delicious olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Il Gatto e la Volpe is by far the best bang for your buck meal and it is super delicious (I am getting hungry just thinking about it).
9:00 PM: Dessert @ Eduardo
After rolling out of il Gatto e la Volpe, you have to make some room for dessert. I suggest Edoardo be your first stop located in the Piazza del Duomo. Their flavors are very unique with weekly specials and it placed number 2 on my gelateria rating. Check out my blog post for other delicious gelateria locations.
Let’s move on to Day 2!
SATURDAY
9:00 AM Breakfast @ The Rooster Cafe
The Rooster Cafe is the main breakfast spot in Florence that is similar to your traditional American breakfast. This is rare because Italians are not known for big breakfasts or brunch. They mainly get a shot of espresso with a croissant and call it a day! The Rooster Cafe has omelets, mimosas, egg sandwiches, pancakes, chicken & waffles, etc. Basically, if you are missing an American breakfast but still want an Italian flare, this is your spot! My go-to order was The Rooster Stack: chocolate chip pancakes drizzled with homemade peanut butter (sometimes I asked for bananas to be added in the batter as well).
11:00 AM Climb the Duomo or the Bell Tower
You had this big breakfast because it is time to climb it off! Climbing the Duomo or the Bell Tower gives you an unforgettable view of the city. You can purchase a combo ticket for only 18 euro that includes the climb to the top of the Duomo, the climb to the top of the Bell Tower, entry to the Duomo Museum, the Baptistry, AND the Crypt. This is ALL included in this ONE ticket! The easiest way to see the inside of the Duomo is to climb it because you have to reserve a time slot in order to climb the 463 steps to the top (otherwise you have to wait in a massive line just to see the inside). If you are afraid of heights or get claustrophobic in small spaces, I would suggest climbing the Bell Tower over the Duomo.
12:30 PM Lunch @ Panini Toscani
After climbing, walk across the cobblestone streets and you will see a line of people waiting at the door for Panini Toscani. They only let 6 people into the shop at a time, but it is well worth the wait for a delicious lunch underneath the views of the Duomo! The concept behind this panini shop is you create your own panini by trying each ingredient. The owner lets you taste test different cheeses and meats then you choose your own bread plus additional toppings. If you are interested in other panini shops, check out this blog post for more!
2:00 PM The Duomo Museum, The Baptistry, & The Crypt
Depending on how much time you have, head over to the rest of what is included in your combo ticket. The Duomo Museum is very interesting to walk around and see the history of how Filippo Brunelleschi built the fourth largest cathedral in the world. It actually took over 140 years to complete the Duomo. The Baptistry is VERY quick to walk through, but you can see the stunning ceiling mosaics and stand where the Medici family and other famous people were baptized. I did not have time to fit The Crypt into my schedule, but it’s underneath the Duomo and it holds the tombs of famous people in history (including Filippo Brunelleschi) as well as the remains of four ancient churches.
4:00 PM Santa Croce
The Santa Croce is probably the second most famous church in Florence (behind the Duomo). The statue of the Italian poet, Dante Alighieri, sits proudly at the front of the church. The inside of the Santa Croce is beautiful (honestly its better than the inside of the Duomo). The church holds the graves of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Machiavelli! The ticket for entrance is only 8 euro, but ensure you have dressed appropriately because it is a sacred place (pants on and shoulders covered)!
7:00 PM Dinner @ The Yellow Bar
A visit to The Yellow Bar means fresh pasta night. I’m talking the freshest pasta you will ever eat. Upon entering, the hostess will take you around back just to show you how the chefs are making the handmade pasta. I’d try the Gnocchi Rose: homemade gnocchi dumplings smothered in a light pink vodka sauce. It is incredible!
11:00 PM SPACE & The Secret Bakery
If you STILL have some energy, it is time to hit the Italian clubs. Space was one of my favorite clubs and it was actually where the cast of the Jersey Shore spent most of their time during their season in Italy! My friends and I would chant “ESPACE, ESPACE, ESPACE!” when we knew we were going to Space for the night. If you get to the doors before 11pm, you can also avoid paying a cover charge to enter. The scene is super lively filled with people dancing, a large bar selection, and a DJ blasting music. Don’t forget about a trip to the Secret Bakery when you start getting those late night snack cravings around 1 AM! Check out my latest blog post to find out where you can find a Secret Bakery in Florence.
On to our LAST DAY in Florence!
SUNDAY
9:00 AM: Breakfast @ La Menagere
Recharge with a cappuccino and breakfast from La Menagere located on Via de Ginori. This cafe is unlike any other in Florence. The decor is stunning for this part cafe, part restaurant, part bar, part night club. You can sit outside or inside, you could lounge in the basement where there is live music during the evenings, or you could sit at a table surrounded by flowers and plants. It is a very Instagrammable restaurant with a delicious menu.
11:00 AM: Piazza della Republica & Shopping @ the Mercato Nuovo (The Straw Market)
The last day in Florence calls for the ultimate shopping spree! Head over to Piazza della Republica for some luxury shopping including the global brands like Zara, Victoria’s Secret, Apple, Rinascente, and Coin. Next to the Piazza is the Mercato Nuovo or Straw Market where you can bargain for some authentic Florentine leather products or souvenirs. I got myself a gorgeous leather wallet at this outdoor market for a fairly good bargain. The Porcellino (boar statue) stands at the front of the market where it holds the tradition that if you rub its nose or put a coin in its mouth, you will have good luck and one day return to Florence!
1:00 PM: Lunch @ Mercato Centrale (The Central Market)
Mercato Centrale (also known as Mercato di San Lorenzo) is the main food market in Florence where you can try the freshest, most authentic Italian foods. You could tour this entire warehouse and easily be overwhelmed by all of the food that surrounds you. The first floor is dedicated to the fresh grocery market where you can find fruits & vegetables, try some samples of cheese, or purchase fresh (like really fresh) meat or fish (just try not to get queasy when you see all of the animals’ body parts on display). The second floor of the market is a giant food court where you can order anything from pizza, pasta, desserts, paninis, chicken, dumplings, coffee, wine, seafood, hamburgers, etc. My favorite food stand was the pizza station where you need to order the Napoli Pizza: Bufala mozzarella with sun-dried tomatoes fresh from the brick oven. Anything that you have at the Central Market will impress you. It’s like the Disney World of Food!
3:00 PM: Shopping @ the San Lorenzo Market
When you exit the Central Market, you will see the streets lined with carts holding leather items. This is the San Lorenzo Market where I purchased the majority of my souvenirs because the prices were often better than the Mercato Nuovo. The San Lorzeno Market is the main leather market where you can bargain with salesmen for the best price possible (NOTE: Try walking away if you are not satisfied with the price they give you because they will normally offer you a cheaper price as you leave just to make the sale). You can find t-shirts, leather keychains, belts, hats, and really cute purses! Just get ready to bargain because the salesmen will do anything to get you to make a purchase.
5:00 PM: Walk to the Piazzale Michaelangelo & the San Minato Church
Before dinner, it is time to take the hike to the Piazzale Michelangelo. It is a trip back over to the other side of the river and up a lot of stairs, but it is one of the top spots in Florence. This square gives you a stunning panoramic view of the city! Enjoy a bottle of wine while you watch the sunset. If you walk away from the piazza, you will notice a church at a higher viewpoint. This is the San Miniato al Monte Basilica that offers another gorgeous view overlooking Florence.
7:00 PM: Dinner @ Trattoria 4 Leoni
After you have taken in all the views and the sun has set, make your way down the steps to Trattoria 4 Leoni. It is located right across the Ponte Vecchio on Via de’ Vellutini. You need to try the Fiochetti di pera in salsa di taleggio e asparagi on the menu. This is their most popular dish: Pear Ravioli. Trust me, I know its pear, but it is one of the best and most unique dishes I have eaten. The filling honestly doesn’t even taste like pears and it comes in a light cream and asparagus sauce…it’s just so delicious you have to take my word for it!
9:00 PM: Dessert @ Gelateria dei Neri
You need to always leave some room for gelato especially on your last night! I saved the best for last when it comes to Gelateria dei Neri. They always have a line out their door and there are SO MANY flavors to try or mix and match. You can get a cup or cone for 1-3 euro depending on how many scoops you desire. My all-time favorite flavor is Cremino which is a combo of gianduja chocolate and hazelnut. If you do not have any gelato over the weekend, you need to ensure you make at least one stop at Gelateria dei Neri before you leave.
Your time in Florence has come to an end as you pack up to catch your flight the next morning. I hope I could provide you with a FULL itinerary for your weekend trip so you do not miss out on anything that this incredible city has to offer! Arrivederci Florence, until we meet again…
Ciao for now xoxo,
JMar
JMar's Journey 