One day in florence: what to visit?
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and getting to know it in a single day will certainly be a very short visit, because you will see only a small part of the treasures hosted in the capital of Tuscany. If your time is really short, I suggest a short itinerary where you will visit the most famous monuments plunging into the Florentine atmosphere, and you will promise (a promise is a promise!) that you will return for a deeper visit – you also need to know the secrets of this city! Are you ready to visit Florence in one day? Go tou our post One day in florence: what to visit? Here at Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patricia you make the trip of your dreams!!! ALSO: see our “Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”
1) One day in florence: what to visit? UFFIZI GALLERY
Unfortunately there is no way to visit the Uffizi Gallery. Florence is home to several museums, including the Uffizi Gallery, which is among the most important in the world and which preserves precious paintings by the great Florentine masters, but if your visit is limited to a single day, you will have to give up because the Gallery is a museum with many rooms and the visit requires and deserves a few hours. Therefore, we will postpone the visit to masterpieces by Giotto, Fillipo Lippi, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rafael, Tiziano, Caravaggio among others and we will focus on other attractions. If you have more time then read our Post “WHAT TO DO IN FLORENCE IN TWO DAYS?“.
The classic itinerary includes a visit to the Historic Center where we will see the most famous buildings in Florence. It is a path that can be done on foot, because the monuments are not far from each other, and you will still have a good overview of the city. Now shall we start our tour?
2) One day in florence: what to visit? SANTA MARIA NOVELLA (“NEW SAINT MARY”)
If you arrive in the city by train at the Santa Maria Novella train station, you can start your tour from the square in front of the famous church of the same name, mentioned in the book Decameron, by Boccaccio. The beautiful Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella was started in the mid-1200s and was completed about a century later. The beautiful facade of the church with its geometric shapes in polychrome marble is the work of the architect Leon Battista Alberti and dates back to the 15th century. Inside the Basilica you can admire the crucifixes by Giotto and Brunelleschi and also paintings by Masaccio, Ghirlandaio and Filippo Lippi, among others.
3) One day in florence: what to visit? PIAZZA DEL DUOMO (CATHEDRAL SQUARE)
Right after the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, our visit heads towards Piazza del Duomo, which is not far away and here you will be amazed by the magnificence of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (St Mary of the Flower) with its red dome, Giotto’s Campanile Tower and the Baptistery of St John. Unmissable! Be sure to visit the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and admire the works of art that are housed inside it and still get amazed at the bold architecture of the Brunelleschi dome.
4) One day in florence: what to visit? BAPTISTERY OF SAN GIOVANNI
And after the Cathedral, be sure to admire the beautiful bronze doors of the Baptistery of San Giovanni (St. John). Pay special attention to the Gate of Paradise by Ghibert..
Important Tip
- Entrance to the Cathedral is free, but if you want to visit the Baptistery, the Cathedral Museum and go up to the dome and Giotto’s campanile, the ticket costs 18 Euros (single ticket valid for 24 hours). If you feel strong enough and don’t suffer from panic or dizziness, the challenge is to overcome the 463 narrow steps and stairs and climb the dome (the view is unique). The climb to the summit will allow you to enjoy a view of the city and the surrounding hills.
5) One day in florence: what to visit? PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA
From Piazza del Duomo we will walk through one of the most elegant streets in Florence, Via Calziuoli and after about 400 meters we will reach Piazza della Signoria (“Lordship Square”). Along the way, a stop at the church of Orsanmichele, an unusual-looking religious building that is one of the best examples of 14th-century Florentine architecture.
We continue our visit towards Piazza della Signoria, which is dominated by Palazzo Vecchio (“Old Palace”), the current headquarters of the prefecture of Florence and once the home of the Medici. In front of Palazzo Vecchio, you will find several statues, among them a copy of David, by Michelangelo. The original statue can be found at the Galleria dell’Accademia Museum (Accademia Gallery Museum), also in Florence.
6) One day in florence: what to visit? PONTE VECCHIO (VECCHIO BRIDGE)
Then, it’s time to visit the Ponte Vecchio, located a few tens of meters from Piazza della Signoria, where you can stroll through several jewelry stores. The sunset at Ponte Vecchio is breathtaking!
7) One day in florence: what to visit? BASILICA DI SANTA CROCE
We cannot miss the Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross), the largest Franciscan church in Florence. The entrance to the church is paid, but you must visit the tombs of the great Italian characters such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Alfieri, Foscolo, no to mention Machiavelli.
8) One day in florence: what to visit? PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO (MICHELANGELO SQUARE)
To say one last goodbye to the city and admire it as a whole, be sure to go to Piazzale Michelangelo. You can go on foot or take the bus number 12 or 13 at Santa Maria Novella station.
9) One day in florence: what to visit? RETURN TO RAILWAY STATION
And finally after that wonderful day in Florence, we can only return to the train station !! And if you have some time to eat in the middle of this rush, be sure to read on our Blog Your Travel to Italy our section on Food in Italy, we have great tips on restaurants and how not to waste money on “pranks”.
This Post was prepared by my Special Guest and Guide to Tuscany ♥ Cristiane ♥
Here we leave our special thanks for this great collaboration for the blog Your Travel to Italy
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Hotels I recommend in the Historic Center
In the Historic Center (Old Town), is really easy to admire all the main attractions of the city very easily. The old town of Florence corresponds to the oldest and most beautiful part of the city. If you want to stay in the real heart of Florence, choose hotels in the central areas of Piazza Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Cathedral, Gallery of Offices, etc.
If you want some indications of hostels (or B&B) and apartments, I have some options that I suggest if you want to save money; click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices!
If you prefer hotels, I have some options that I recommend with great cost benefit! Click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices.
Hotels that I recommend in Oltrarno
Always staying very close to the Historic Center, you can also stay in Oltrarno, close to the most characteristic craft shops in the whole city and much more. The area is perfect for those who want quiet accommodation and for those who want to breathe the real Florentine atmosphere. At the same time, you will be close to the center of Florence, a short walk from the main monuments, squares, churches, restaurants, shops and museums.
If you want some indications of hostels (or B&B) and apartments, I have some options that I suggest if you want to save money; click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices!
If you prefer hotels, I have some options that I recommend with great cost benefit! Click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices.
Hotels that I recommend in Santa Maria Novella
Another interesting neighborhood to stay is Santa Maria Novella. This is a particularly exclusive area because of the proximity to the station (great if you want to do a lot of tours leaving from Florence) and the famous Church of Santa Maria Novella, a very important reference in Florence.
If you want some indications of hostels (or B&B) and apartments, I have some options that I suggest if you want to save money; click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices!
If you prefer hotels, I have some options that I recommend with great cost benefit! Click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices.
Hotels that I recommend in Santa Croce
Another neighborhood where you can stay is Santa Croce, where the homonymous church is located. This area, located in the southeastern part of the historic center, is close to the most interesting monuments and has its fulcrum in the church of Santa Croce. Among the scenic palaces in this district, there are many hotels that can accommodate you for a wonderful weekend in Florence.
If you want some indications of hostels (or B&B) and apartments, I have some options that I suggest if you want to save money; click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices!
If you prefer hotels, I have some options that I recommend with great cost benefit! Click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices.
Hotels that I recommend in Campo di Marte
Another economic possibility, where you can stay in Florence, is Campo di Marte; in this area there are several well-equipped and affordable hotels. It is a quiet and charming residential area in Florence, well connected to the historic city center by public transport. Campo di Marte has its own train station where several regional and high-speed trains stop, with which you can easily reach other Tuscan cities and major cities in Italy. It is a great choice if you have rented a car too.
If you want some indications of hostels (or B&B) and apartments, I have some options that I suggest if you want to save money; click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices!
If you prefer hotels, I have some options that I recommend with great cost benefit! Click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices.
Hotels I recommend outside the Historic Center
And so, if you decide to breathe a less touristic air, a good choice could be to stay in Florence right outside the historic center, where hotel prices are cheaper and the most convenient solution if you come by car. Another possibility is to stay away, in some nearby town, and experience the silence of the wonderful Tuscan landscape, but in this case it is necessary to have a car.
If you want some indications of hostels (or B&B) and apartments, I have some options that I suggest if you want to save money; click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices!
If you prefer hotels, I have some options that I recommend with great cost benefit! Click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices.
Conclusion
One day in florence: what to visit? We saw on this post that unfortunately getting to know Florence in one day is very little, but if we only have this opportunity we have to take advantage even if it is just for one day. We also saw that it is possible to make many visits, breathe the air of Florence and take home the record of this charming city.
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