How to spend 4 days in Florence: The best itinerary + Where to stay

You want to go 4 days in Florence and you’re looking for the best things to do?

You’re at the right place!

To help you plan your trip, I’ve prepared for you the perfect 4-day itinerary in Florence.

During your stay, you will of course discover the city’s best places to visit such as Florence Cathedral or the Ponte Vecchio, but also hidden gems of Tuscany’s capital!

First, I’ll give you all my best tips to save a ton of time and avoid queueing at Florence’s most famous monuments. Then, I will give you my optimized 4-day itinerary to make the most of your stay in the Florence.

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Florence in 4 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

My best Tips to save time at Florence’s must-see attractions

It might not surprise you if I say that Florence ranks among the most visited cities in the world.

The capital of Tuscany is a favored destination for a multitude of travelers dreaming to discover Italy. And rightly so, as it boasts magnificent monuments like the Duomo, and iconic museums such as the Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery.

The downside is that most people end up facing long queues before they can enter these places.

But that’s because they haven’t read our tips on how to avoid the lines!

Let me explain right away the different ways you can optimize your 4-day visit to Florence!

1. The Florence Pass

To save a lot of time during your 4-day trip to Florence, the first solution is to buy the Florence Pass.

It includes access to the most important monuments and museums in Florence such as:

• Brunelleschi’s Dome
• The Uffizi Gallery + Audioguide
• The Accademia Gallery + Audioguide
• An audioguide of Florence with more than 70 points of interest: perfect for discovering everything about the city!
• A 10% discount on numerous other activities in Florence

So, to enjoy your 4-day stay in Florence to the fullest without any hassle, do like I did and buy the Florence Pass by clicking on the button below:

2. Skip-the-Line Tickets for Florence’s Tourist Attractions

The second solution for visiting Florence in 4 days and enjoying priority entry: is to buy a skip-the-line ticket for each sight.

You will find them for all the must-see sights to visit in Florence in 4 days: the Duomo, the Accademia Gallery, the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace…

You can also book guided tours in French for most of the monuments and museums, if you want to learn about the city’s history.

I’ve prepared a list with all the tickets that might interest you and that correspond to my 4-day itinerary in Florence.

For more information and to make your reservations, click on the orange links below (I’ve also included them throughout the article):

Visiting Florence in 4 Days: The Highlights

• Guided walking tour of Florence’s historic center in French
• Climb to Brunelleschi’s Dome – Florence Cathedral
• Guided tour in French of Florence’s dome
• Guided tour of the dome + baptistery + Opera del Duomo Museum + 1 ticket to climb Giotto’s Bell Tower
• Skip-the-line ticket for the Accademia Gallery
• Guided tour in French of the Accademia Gallery
• Skip-the-line ticket for the Uffizi Gallery
• Guided Tour of the Uffizi Gallery in French
• The Florence Pass: priority entrance to the Academy Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery + Access to the Duomo’s dome + 1 Florence audio guide
• Skip-the-line ticket for Palazzo Vecchio
• Guided Tour of the Basilica of Santa Croce
• Skip-the-line ticket to the Bargello Museum
• Skip-the-line ticket for the Medici Chapels
• Guided Medici-Themed Tour in French
• Skip-the-line ticket for Pitti Palace + Palatine Gallery
• Skip-the-line ticket for Pitti Palace + Boboli Gardens + Bardini Garden

One Last Tip for a Perfect 4-Day Stay in Florence

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!), you should really book your accommodation.

As Florence is one of the most touristic cities in the world, the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Florence by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at traveler’s favorite hotels in Florence.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Florence, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

Visiting Florence in 4 Days: The Best Itinerary

Let’s now start your 4-day itinerary in Florence!

For each day, I will give you all the details you need to plan your visits + a map that will allow you to visualize the itinerary a bit better.

I’m assuming you will be staying in Florence for 4 full days and that you will be using the Florence Pass or have purchased skip-the-line tickets in advance. It’s the best way to save time and money during your stay!

If you still have questions after reading this guide (or need help organizing your holiday), don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section located at the very end of this article.

I will be glad to help you plan your trip 😄.

So, what are the best places things to do in Florence in 4 days?

Day 1 – Visiting the Historical Centre of Florence

Day 1 Visits:

A. The Academy Gallery
B. The Duomo’s Dome
C. The Monuments of Piazza del Duomo
D. Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
E. Basilica di San Lorenzo / Medici Chapels

A. The Academy Gallery

To start your 4 days in Florence with a must-see visit, head to the Academy Gallery.

There you can admire a grandiose statue weighing nearly 5 tons and standing over 5 meters tall, known worldwide. I’m referring to Michelangelo’s “David.”

Extremely impressive, the statue, considered a symbol of the Italian Renaissance, depicts David (a biblical figure) before his battle against Goliath.

Besides this masterpiece, you can also enjoy other sculptures at the Academy Gallery, displayed notably in the Sala del Colosso and the Gallery of Prisoners.

The museum also features a section dedicated to historical musical instruments.

The Galleria dell’Accademia definitely makes it into my top places to visit during a 4-day trip to Florence!

B. Florence Cathedral (The Duomo)

Continuing with the top places you must not miss in Florence over 4 days is the visit to Florence Cathedral.

It’s very convenient since it’s located less than 5 minutes walk from the gallery, on Piazza del Duomo. Impossible to miss, along with Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome and Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, it’s among the largest cathedrals in the world.

First, you can start by admiring its exterior in white and green marble.

I then recommend you to check out the most famous part of the building: its inner dome (or cupola) with scenes of the Last Judgment painted on it.

Brunelleschi’s dome is situated 115 meters high with an impressive diameter of 45 meters.

To reach it, you have no choice but to take a narrow staircase totaling 463 steps. This also leads to the cathedral roof where you can enjoy a splendid view of Florence.

I give more details about this Duomo visit in my article: Visiting Florence Cathedral.

Note that you can enter the cathedral’s interior for free if you don’t want to climb to the dome. But it’s really not worth queuing for that because there’s nothing to see inside. It’s very austere, and all the works/sculptures that were there have been moved to the Opera del Duomo Museum.

C. The Monuments of Piazza del Duomo

After the climb to Florence’s Duomo, you should take some time to explore Piazza del Duomo.

Among the monuments to see, there are Giotto’s Campanile (the cathedral’s bell tower), which you can also ascend to the top via a staircase of 414 steps, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni, where several famous people from Florence were baptized.

These visits aren’t essential; you can just admire them from the outside.

However, I do recommend you visit the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo which houses, among other things, all the statues and artworks that were previously in the Duomo of Florence.

The museum has a very modern setup and it’s truly enjoyable to walk around. It also features a terrace where you can enjoy the view of the Duomo’s dome.

D. The Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

Continue your first day in Florence with a visit to Basilica Santa Maria Novella, just a 10-minute walk from the Piazza.

Inside, you will find beautiful 13th-century frescoes, created by Brunelleschi, the Italian master who painted the dome of the cathedral you saw this morning.

Entrance tickets for the basilica, including an audioguide in French, can be booked by clicking the button below:

E. The Basilica di San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels

The last visit on today’s schedule is Basilica di San Lorenzo.

Here lie the influential members of one of the most famous and wealthiest families in all of Italy: the Medici.

Their tombs are spread across 3 chapels inside the Basilica, all richly adorned by the renowned Michelangelo.

It’s essential to book your skip-the-line ticket for access as the Medici Chapels are on the must-visit list for many travelers spending 4 days in Florence.

Just click the button below:

F. San Lorenzo Market

I suggest rounding off your first day of the 4-day Florence itinerary with a nice dinner.

For that, head to the San Lorenzo Market, located right next to the basilica.

There, you will find a food court with several restaurants offering classic Italian cuisine as well as other specialties.

Not only will you eat well, but the atmosphere is also really nice because the market is situated under a large glass roof.

The San Lorenzo Market is open for lunch and dinner, every day.

 

Day 2 – Walking Itinerary in Florence

Visits for day 2:

A. Uffizi Gallery
B. Ponte Vecchio
C. Piazza della Signoria / Palazzo Vecchio
D. Bargello Museum Palace
E. Basilica of Santa Croce

A. Uffizi Gallery

Day two of your 4-day Florence itinerary kicks off with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery.

This vast museum celebrated worldwide, displays dozens of renowned large paintings by the most famous Italian artists. For example, one can mention Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo.

It’s a visit I recommend to everyone.

Art lovers and experts could easily spend hours admiring the tiniest details, while others will undoubtedly be impressed by the massive canvases and the museum’s setting.

B. Ponte Vecchio

To get some fresh air after the museum, stroll along the Arno River for a few meters until you reach the Ponte Vecchio.

The most photographic bridge in Florence and consequently the most famous one, it has a unique architecture with its small, colorful houses built on it. Once butcher shops in the 14th century, today they house little gold jewelry boutiques.

It’s the perfect spot if the ladies want to bring back a souvenir from Florence. Perhaps not as much for gentlemen, if you are on a tight budget. 😆

For the best viewpoint and an Instagram-worthy photo, head to the Ponte Alle Grazie, Ponte San Trinita, or have a drink at the bar of Hotel Lungarno.

C. Piazza della Signoria / Palazzo Vecchio

Continue your walking tour in the historic center of Florence with a visit to the Piazza della Signoria.

This vast square, surrounded by beautiful buildings and centered around a large fountain featuring the god Neptune, king of the sea, on his chariot, ranks among the city’s most beautiful squares.

You can also take the opportunity to visit the Palazzo Vecchio, which was one of the residences of the Medici family and now houses the city’s town hall offices.

The visit is truly worthwhile as you can still admire many original paintings and frescoes, very well preserved.

The entry ticket also includes access to the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio for fantastic panoramic views over the square and the surrounding area.

You should purchase your skip-the-line ticket + audio guide directly using the green button below:

D. Bargello Museum Palace

Next on the list of palaces to visit in Florence over 4 days is the Bargello Palace.

It’s only a few minutes’ walk from Piazza della Signoria.

Inside the palace, you’ll find several sculptures attributed to Michelangelo and Donatello.

As usual, if you want to make sure not to wait, you should purchase your ticket for the Bargello Palace in advance, using the button below:

E. Basilica of Santa Croce

We’ve arrived at the last visit of this second day.

Head towards the largest Franciscan church in the world, the Basilica of Santa Croce.

It is in this building where several Italian artists were buried. Among the most famous tombs to see, there are the graves of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and also Galileo and Dante.

A guided tour of the basilica is available in French, which you can book here:

After visiting the interior, you will exit the building through a very pretty garden where you can admire the different architectural styles.

Day 3 – What to Do in Florence?

Day 3 visits:

A. Pitti Palace
B. Boboli Gardens
C. Bardini Gardens
D. Piazzale Michelangelo
E. Shopping in Florence

A. Pitti Palace

Let’s start the third day of this 4-day stay in Florence, this time dedicated to discovering the sites located on the other side of Florence.

I suggest you start with Pitti Palace, easily reached from the historic center by crossing the Ponte Vecchio.

It was in this palace that the Medici moved in the 16th century, after leaving the Palazzo Vecchio.

Well preserved, the Pitti Palace consists of several galleries and museums including clothing, jewelry, and furniture that belonged to the Medici.

You can, in particular, visit the royal apartments and the Palatine Gallery, which consists of no less than twenty rooms displaying paintings by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Botticelli.

If you want to book a guided tour of the Palatine Gallery, you can click here.

B. Boboli Gardens

There is nothing better than a bucolic stroll in the palace gardens to continue your day.

You can wander through the shaded paths of this vast Renaissance-style garden and take a rest by the ponds and fountains enjoying a moment of tranquility.

Near the Neptune Fountain, there’s also a small pavilion housing the Porcelain Museum. Access is included with the garden ticket.

Be aware that the entrance ticket to the Pitti Palace does not necessarily include a visit to the Boboli Gardens. To visit the palace + Boboli, you need to get this combined ticket:

If you just want to have access to the garden (without the Pitti Palace), this is the ticket to book online:

C. Bardini Garden

With your ticket to Boboli, you also have access included to another garden, Bardini.

To get there, simply exit through the gate located at the top of the Boboli Gardens, near the “Forte Belvedere” building.

After a 5-minute walk, you’ll reach Bardini Garden.

Smaller than its neighbor, the stroll is quite quick, but very pleasant as it’s less crowded and you can enjoy a superb view of the Duomo and Florence.

D. Piazzale Michelangelo

Still with the goal of admiring the monuments of Florence from above, I suggest you visit Piazzale Michelangelo.

The city’s most famous viewpoint is a must-visit during your 4-day Florence itinerary. You can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Duomo and its dome as well as the Palazzo Vecchio.

And if you wish and aren’t tired of walking yet, I also recommend going a bit higher, to the church of San Miniato al Monte. There’s another viewpoint where you can take a lovely photo.

For trivia, it’s in the cemetery of this church that the author of a book everyone knows, Pinocchio, is buried.

E. Shopping in Florence

Good news: visiting Florence for 4 days gives you plenty of time for some window shopping!

And it would be a shame to miss out since Florence offers a vast selection of shops ranging from classic brands like Zara to gorgeous luxury boutiques from Gucci or Prada.

For luxury shopping, head to Vigna Nuova street and Tornabuoni street near the Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Republica.

4th Day – The Surroundings of Florence

Since you’re lucky enough to spend 4 days in Florence and have had time to see the essentials in the first three days, today, I suggest you discover the surrounding areas.

You’ll have a choice of several places easily accessible by train or via a day trip with included transport.

Option 1: Pisa

To visit Pisa from Florence, you can either take the train (1-hour journey) or opt for a full-day excursion.

The excursion includes round-trip transport to Pisa, services of a French-speaking guide for the guided tour of Pisa, and entry tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa and visit the cathedral.

Everything is included; there are no additional charges.

To book directly by clicking the button below:

Option 2: Siena

In just 1.5 hours by train from Florence, you can spend the last day of your 4-day Florence holiday discovering Siena.

Less popular than Pisa, the city is certainly worth a visit, if only to see the interior of Siena’s Cathedral, which is truly magnificent. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

If you visit Siena between September and October, you can also admire the marble mosaic floor of the cathedral, which is covered up during the rest of the year to prevent wear and tear.

If you’d rather take an organized excursion with transportation and a guided tour of Siena, plus a wine tasting session, you should book this one:

Option 3: Cinque Terre

Another great excursion idea around Florence for these 4 days is to spend a day in Cinque Terre.

You will discover the 5 villages with colorful houses perched by the sea, which are very photogenic.

From Florence, the easiest is definitely to opt for an organized day tour. This one I have selected is so good that it’s certified as a GetYourGuide Original, which means it comes with a satisfaction or money-back guarantee!

It includes:

• Bus transportation to Cinque Terre from Florence
• Train travel between the villages
• Guided village tours with free time
• Boat ride to see different views
• Optional lunch
• An optional 1.5-hour hike between Corniglia and Vernazza

This all-inclusive day in Cinque Terre from Florence can be booked directly here:

Option 4: The Chianti Vineyards

For a change of pace from city and village tours, why not explore the vineyards of the Tuscan countryside during your 4 days in Florence? The region produces an excellent and well-renowned wine: Chianti.

As it’s not really feasible to discover this part of Tuscany without a car, the best option is to reserve an excursion with transportation that includes visits to several wineries and of course, wine tastings.

This excursion is so good it’s certified as a GetYourGuide Original, meaning it’s satisfaction or money-back guaranteed!

Book this Chianti vineyards tour from Florence here:

Option 5: Tuscany Highlights in One Day

This is the best option if you want to get a great overview of all the must-visit places and cities around Florence in just one day.

The tour includes:

• Included transportation
• Service of a guide
• Guided walking tour of Siena + Entrance ticket for Siena’s Cathedral
• Lunch at a Chianti vineyard with wine tasting
• Visit to San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Visit to Pisa.

Book this Tuscany excursion by clicking the button below:

And there you have it, I’ve given you all my advice for visiting Florence in 4 days!

Whichever option you choose for your last day in Florence, make sure to spend one last night at the hotel before catching your return flight the next day.

Where to Stay in Florence

Thanks to my advice and this itinerary, you now know how to visit Florence in 4 days!

And since we’re talking about hotels, I can also help you choose your accommodation.

It’s important to know that due to high demand in Florence, hotels offering the best value for money tend to book up fast. That’s why I recommend to reserve your accommodation as early as possible to have the best choice.

To assist you, I have prepared my selection of the best hotels in the city.

So, where should you stay for these 4 days in Florence?

• Plus Florence: A hostel located just 1 km from Piazza del Duomo. Dorm beds starting at 25€, breakfast for 7.50€. Double rooms available starting at 80€ per night. Strong points: a swimming pool, a terrace with a view of the dome, comfort and cleanliness of rooms and dorms. A great budget-friendly option for 4 nights in Florence!
• Hotel St. James: Located near the Academy Gallery. Spacious double rooms starting from 80€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: an ideal location, private parking, a warm welcome.
• TSH Florence Lavagnini: Situated a 15-minute walk from the cathedral. Modern and colorful double rooms starting at 95€, breakfast for 12€. Strong points: the rooftop with a gorgeous view of Florence, a swimming pool, unique architecture and design, the facilities offered. This is our top pick for its value for money in Florence!
• C-hotels Ambasciatori: Located next to Santa Maria Novella church. Cozy and super comfortable double rooms from 160€ per night, breakfast for 10€. Strong points: perfect location, excellent breakfast, friendly staff. An excellent choice to stay in Florence!
• Horto Convento: Located 1 km from the Pitti Palace. Modern double rooms tastefully decorated from 170€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: a garden with terrace, tranquility, delicious breakfast, the charm of the hotel.
• NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa: A 5-star hotel located 300 meters from Ponte Vecchio. Double rooms with sleek decor from 315€. Strong points: the kindness of the staff, fabulous breakfast. Our high-end stay recommendation in Florence.
• Four Seasons Hotel Firenze: This 5-star hotel is 15 minutes from the Uffizi Gallery and offers stunning rooms combining modern and Renaissance elements, starting at 750€, breakfast for 48€. Strong points: the Spa, the Michelin-starred restaurant, the magnificent park. One of Florence’s finest luxury hotels!

Visiting Florence in 4 Days with Family

Do you want to visit Florence for 4 days with children?

You’ll have no trouble following this sightseeing program during your 4 days in Florence with family, but you might want to make slight adjustments if you think your kids might get bored in museums.

Note that many museums are free for children under 18, which is a nice bonus.

For a family trip, here are the visits and activities I especially recommend:

• Strolling around Piazza del Duomo
• A cooking class to learn how to make an authentic Italian pizza as a family
• Family-friendly guided tour of Florence where everyone can join in a treasure hunt through the streets of Florence
• A walk in the Boboli and Bardini Gardens to get some fresh air and a change from museums
• Enjoying a delicious Italian gelato (even if you don’t need to be a kid to enjoy that!)
• Visiting the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
• Visiting the Galileo Museum, the museum of the history of science
• For the little ones, taking a carousel ride at Piazza della Repubblica
• The Parco delle Cascine to enjoy the outdoor playgrounds and an outdoor swimming pool.

More Things to Do and See in Florence in 4 Days

Do you want to customize this 4-day Florence itinerary a bit? Add more activities?

No problem (I won’t hold it against you!).

You will find all the things to do and my complete guide for the city in my other article. Here’s the link to go read it: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Florence.

Map of Your 4-Day Florence Itinerary

To help you visualize your routes during these 4 days in Florence, I’ve created a map listing the places to visit day by day. You can display the map legend by clicking on the button in the top left corner with a small arrow. Then you’ll be able to view the routes for each day.

Traveling to Florence for 4 Days: Flight Prices

Florence has an international airport.

Since flight prices to Italy can vary a lot, it’s a good idea to compare them as early as possible. For this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. It’s the way to ensure you get the best fare.

Now you know how to visit Florence in 4 days!

Do you need help planning your 4-day itinerary in Florence? Feel free to ask me your questions in the comments.

Italy travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling in Italy? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Italy: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Italy are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to do in Italy – All the must-see places!

• Cinque Terre: The definitive guide to plan your visit
• Florence: The 27 best things to do and must-see attractions
• Milan: The Top 15 things to do in the city and around
• Pisa: Top 21 must-see attractions + Tips
• Rome: The 25 best things to do and see
• Siena: Top 20 best places to visit
• Turin: The 20 must-see attractions
• Venice: The 31 best things to do (+ Tips)

• 2 days in Florence
• 3 days in Florence
• 4 days in Florence
• 5 days in Florence

• 2 days in Milan
• 3 days in Milan
• 4 days in Milan

• 2 Days in Rome – How to visit Rome in 48h
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• 4 Days in Rome – The best places to visit in 4 days
• 5 Days in Rome – How to spend 5 days in Rome
• 6 Days in Rome – The ultimate Itinerary + Where to stay
• One week in Rome – The perfect 7-day itinerary

• 2 Days in Venice – An Epic 48h itinerary
• 3 Days in Venice – The perfect 72h itinerary
• 4 Days in Venice – Itinerary + Best Things to do + Tips

• Where to stay in Milan? My guide to the best areas and hotels for a perfect stay
• Where to stay in Rome? – The definitive guide of the best areas!
• Where to stay in Venice? My selection of the best hotels and districts for an epic stay

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• Rome in May: The definitive guide to plan your visit: weather, things to do, itineraries and more!
• Rome in June: Guide + All my best tips

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