How to spend 2 days in Florence: The best itinerary + Where to stay

You’re planning to spend 2 days in Florence and you’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you the perfect itinerary to visit Florence in 2 days.

I will start this guide with my best tips to avoid the long waiting lines (often more than 2 hours!) in front of the most visited tourist sites such as Florence Cathedral and Brunelleschi Dome.

Then, I will give you my optimized 2-day itinerary to make the most of your stay in the Barcelona.

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 2 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

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

Florence, much like Rome, Milan, Pisa, Venice, is one of Italy‘s most touristy cities, so you should expect long lines, sometimes several hours long, to access iconic monuments and museums.

For example, Florence’s Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, or the Accademia Gallery, considered must-visit places for a 2-day trip in Florence, are crowded right from their opening.

But don’t worry, there are several tricks to optimize your 2-day visit to Florence and not waste your time in line.

Here are the 2 most effective solutions to avoid queueing during your weekend in Florence:

1. The Florence Pass

The first solution to save time during your 2-day trip to Florence: 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 audio guide of Florence with over 70 points of interest: perfect to learn everything about the city!
• A 10% discount on a bunch of other activities in Florence

So to not worry and make the most of your 2-day stay in Florence, do as I did and purchase the Florence Pass 😉!

You can directly buy the Florence Pass by clicking the following button:

2. Skip-the-line tickets for Florence tourist attractions

The second solution to optimize your 2-day visit to Florence is to purchase a skip-the-line ticket for each site you want to visit.

This allows you to only book fast-track entries appropriate for your Florence itinerary. There are options available for many of the monuments/museums to see.

Similarly, if you also want the services of a guide for certain sites, you can book guided tours of Florence, including some in French.

You can also reserve several activities for your 2 days in Florence.

Here, I’ll give you all the tickets that are interesting and that match my itinerary.

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

Visiting Florence in 2 Days: The Must-Sees

• Guided walking tour of historical center of Florence in French
• Climb to Brunelleschi’s Dome – Florence Duomo
• 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 entry to the Accademia Gallery
• Guided tour in French of the Accademia Gallery
• Skip-the-line entry to the Uffizi Gallery
• Guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery in French
• The Florence Pass: skip-the-line entry to the Accademia and Uffizi galleries + Access to the Duomo’s dome + 1 audio guide of Florence
• Skip-the-line Palazzo Vecchio ticket
• Guided tour of Basilica of Santa Croce
• Skip-the-line ticket to the Bargello Museum
• Skip-the-line ticket for the Medici Chapels
• Medici-themed guided tour in French

One Last Tip for a Perfect 2-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!

2 Days in Florence: The Best Itinerary

Let’s now start your 2-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 2 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 to visit in Florence in 2 days?

Day 1 of this Florence Itinerary

Visits for Day 1:

A. The Accademia Gallery
B. The Duomo Dome
C. Monuments of Piazza del Duomo
D. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
E. The Basilica of San Lorenzo/Medici Chapels
F. The San Lorenzo Market

A. The Accademia Gallery

Let’s start your 2-day stay in Florence with one of the must-visit museums of the Tuscan capital: the Accademia Gallery.

This is where you can admire the famous Michelangelo’s David, one of the most renowned sculptures in the world. A magnificent work of art that is particularly impressive at over 5 meters tall and represents David before his battle with Goliath.

Created in the 1500s, this iconic sculpture is considered a symbol of the Italian Renaissance. It took Michelangelo 3 years to carve this masterpiece from a 5-ton block of marble.

In addition to this masterpiece, the Accademia Gallery in Florence displays numerous works by great Florentine masters, musical instruments and even Russian icons.

B. The Duomo of Florence

After your visit to the gallery, head to Piazza del Duomo, just a 500-meter walk away.

You’ll arrive at the foot of the impressive Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, also known as the Duomo of Florence. It took nearly 140 years to build the edifice, which is now one of the largest cathedrals in the world (after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London).

Its exterior of white and green marble is magnificent, but the most famous element is undoubtedly its renowned dome (or Brunelleschi’s dome), whose dimensions are impressive: 45 meters in diameter and 115 meters high.

Not to mention the beautiful interior paintings that adorn the full circumference, depicting scenes from The Last Judgment.

To get a closer look and later access the outside of the dome, at the top of the cathedral, you will have to climb a staircase of 463 steps.

The reward is well worth it when you reach the top, as you will be greeted with a view of the entire city!

I explain everything in my detailed article: Visit the Florence Cathedral.

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

C. The Monuments of Piazza del Duomo

Since you’re already at Piazza del Duomo, let’s continue this two-day journey in Florence with the discovery of other buildings located in the square.

You will find:

1) Giotto’s Campanile is actually the bell tower of the Florence Cathedral. You can climb to the top if you’re ready to tackle another 414 steps (after the dome, your calves will probably feel it! 😅). Note that the view isn’t as expansive as from the dome.

2) The Baptistery of San Giovanni is where many emblematic figures of the city, including the famous poet and writer Dante, were baptized.

3) The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo houses all the sculptures and artworks that were previously inside the cathedral. Everything is superbly highlighted there. If you have the time, I recommend you prioritize this visit over the other monuments.

The museum also boasts a beautiful terrace with a clear view of the dome.

D. The Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

Let’s continue your two-day itinerary in Florence by going to see the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.

It’s less than a 10-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo to get there.

Built in the 13th century, the basilica is famed for its sumptuous frescoes created by some of the greatest Italian masters of the time, including Brunelleschi (the same who painted the dome of Florence’s Duomo) and Giotto.

To visit the interior of the basilica with an audio guide in French, you can get your skip-the-line ticket by clicking the button below:

E. The Basilica di San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels

Only 5 minutes on foot separate the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella from the next visit of the day: the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

This is where you’ll find the Medici Chapels, the resting place of members from Florence’s most famous family. The Medicis played a pivotal role not only in the history of the city but also in that of the entire region of Tuscany.

The tombs of the family members are grouped in three richly decorated chapels, part of which was built by Michelangelo himself:

• The New Sacristy
• The Chapel of the Princes
• The Treasury Chapel.

As this site is part of the must-visit places in Florence over two days, I strongly advise you to get your skip-the-line tickets to visit the Medici Chapels and the Basilica di San Lorenzo online:

F. San Lorenzo Market

To conclude this first day of your two-day visit to Florence, I suggest going to dine at San Lorenzo Market.

In addition to a traditional market with stalls of fruits and vegetables, the place also features a food court. Here, you’ll find several restaurants offering local cuisine (pizzas, pasta, and more).

The concept is great because you can choose a dish from any of the restaurants and then sit at the tables located in the center of the market. No more arguments over choosing a restaurant, as everyone can eat whatever they like!

San Lorenzo Market is open daily, both during the day and in the evening.

Day 2 of the Weekend in Florence

Visits for day 2:

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

A. The Uffizi Gallery

It would be impossible to visit Florence in two days without planning to discover the Uffizi Gallery.

Just like the Accademia Gallery and the Duomo, it’s a can’t-miss visit.

The museum boasts an impressive collection of paintings by the greatest Italian artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo.

The place is simply vast, and the artworks are superbly presented.

B. The Ponte Vecchio

Leaving the Uffizi Museum, walk along the Arno River for a brief stretch, and you’ll arrive at the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s most famous bridge.

Built in 1345, it has a very particular architecture as small houses are constructed on it. Once butchers’ shops, today they host several gold jewelry stores.

Gentlemen, it’s time to reach for your wallet (or perhaps take a detour! 😆).

C. Piazza della Signoria / Palazzo Vecchio

Let’s continue our 48-hour Florence itinerary with Piazza della Signoria, just a 5-minute walk from the bridge.

There you’ll discover one of the city’s most beautiful squares.

In the center stands an impressive fountain featuring Neptune on his chariot, and around it, you can admire numerous sculptures and beautiful, traditional buildings including the Palazzo Vecchio.

The Medici family lived in this palace before upgrading to the larger Palazzo Pitti.

Today, the Palazzo Vecchio houses Florence’s City Hall but you can still visit the interior, which is home to stunning paintings and frescoes. It’s also possible to climb to the top of the tower for a marvelous view.

You need to book your skip-the-line ticket (+ audio guide) in advance by clicking here:

D. The Bargello Palace Museum

Let’s continue with another palace to visit during your 2 days in Florence: the Bargello Palace.

It’s just a 3-minute walk from the Piazza della Signoria.

You can admire the exterior (though you may have had your fill of museums by now, since Florence is full of fascinating ones) or go inside for a visit. There you’ll find numerous sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo.

Remember to purchase your skip-the-line ticket by clicking on the green button below:

E. The Basilica of Santa Croce

Last on the agenda for your weekend in Florence is a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce.

It’s only about 5 minutes on foot from the Bargello to get there.

In the basilica, considered the largest Franciscan church in the world, you’ll find the tombs of many famous Italians such as Dante, Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo.

Also worthwhile is a stroll through the inner garden to admire its architecture, a blend of different styles and truly beautiful.

And there you have it, all my tips for visiting Florence in 2 days!

After a good meal in an authentic Italian trattoria, spend one more night at the hotel before catching your flight home the next day. And since we’re talking hotels, you can find my selection just below!

Where to stay in Florence

There’s one more question to address: do you know where to stay during your weekend in Florence?

It’s very useful to know how to visit Florence in 2 days, but it’s just as practical to book your accommodation in advance. Demand is high in Florence and hotels with the best value for money fill up fast.

To help you, I have prepared my selection of the city’s best hotels.

So, where to stay for these 48 hours in Florence?

• Plus Florence: A youth hostel just 1 km from the Piazza del Duomo. Dormitory bed from 25€, breakfast for 7.50€. It’s also possible to stay in a double room starting at 80€ per night. Strong points: the swimming pool, the terrace with a view of the dome, the comfort and cleanliness of the rooms and dorms. A great budget-friendly accommodation option for a 2-night stay in Florence!
• Hotel St. James: Located near the Accademia Gallery. Spacious double rooms starting at 80€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the perfect location, private parking, warm welcome.
• TSH Florence Lavagnini: Situated a 15-minute walk from the Cathedral. Modern and colorful double rooms from 95€, breakfast at 12€. Strong points: the rooftop with a stunning view of Florence, the swimming pool, architecture and design, the offered services. This is our top pick for great value for money in Florence!
• c-hotels Ambasciatori: Located next to the Santa Maria Novella church. Warm and super comfortable double rooms starting at 160€, breakfast for 10€. Strong points: the superb location, excellent breakfast, friendly staff. An outstanding accommodation choice in Florence!
• Horto Convento: Located 1 km away from the Pitti Palace. Tastefully decorated modern double rooms from 170€, including breakfast. Strong points: the garden with terrace, the tranquility, the delicious breakfast, the hotel’s charm.
• NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa: A 5-star hotel 300 meters away from Ponte Vecchio. Simplistically decorated double rooms from 315€. Strong points: the kindness of the staff, the excellent breakfast. This is our luxury stay recommendation in Florence.
• Four Seasons Hotel Firenze: This 5-star hotel is a 15-minute walk from the Uffizi Gallery and offers sumptuous rooms combining modern elements with Renaissance flair. Starting at 750€, breakfast for 48€. Strong points: the Spa, the Michelin-starred restaurant, the magnificent park. One of the best luxury hotels in Florence!

Visiting Florence in 2 Days with Family

Wondering what to do in Florence in 2 days with kids?

If you’re planning a weekend in Florence with family, you might need to tailor the itinerary a bit, especially if you have young kids who may get bored in the museums.

Note that these museums are often free for those under 18 years old.

Here are a few visits and activities I recommend:

• Checking out Piazza del Duomo
• A stroll in the Boboli and Bardini gardens
• Visiting the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
• Exploring the Galileo Museum, the museum of the history of science
• Tasting a delicious Italian ice cream!
• Taking a carousel ride in Piazza della Repubblica
• Attending a family-friendly guided tour of Florence complete with treasure hunt
• Taking a family pizza-making class
• Visiting Parco delle Cascine, which features playgrounds and an outdoor swimming pool.

More Things to Do and See in Florence in 2 Days

If you wish to modify my itinerary a bit or add something to complete your 2-day visit plan in Florence, I suggest you read my complete guide to the city.

It has everything you need to wrap up those two days in Florence.

You can read it by clicking directly on this link: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Florence.

Map of Your 2-Day Itinerary in Florence

To help you visualize your routes during these 2 days in Florence, I’ve created a map listing places to visit day by day. You can display the map legend by clicking on the button at the top left with a small arrow. This will allow you to view the itineraries for each day.

Planning a 2-Day Trip to Florence: Flight Prices

Florence has an international airport.

Since flight prices to Italy vary a lot, it is a good idea to compare them as early as possible. To do so, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. This ensures you get the best fare.

Now you know how to visit Florence in 2 days!

Need help organizing your 2-day itinerary in Florence? Feel free to ask me any 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.

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• 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)

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• 3 days in Florence
• 4 days in Florence
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• 4 days in Milan

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