Things to do in Florence: art tickets, the Duomo and the hills
Florence is small enough to cross on foot in half an hour, and most of what visitors come for sits within a square mile of the Duomo. The art needs booking, the streets need an early start, and the hills and the river are the way to get a break. Three days is enough if you book the big museums.
The short answer
- First trip
- Book the Uffizi and the Accademia, climb the Duomo dome, and spend one evening up at Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Where to stay
- The historic center for sights, Santo Spirito across the river for a local feel. The full guide is linked below.
- How many days
- Three days covers the main museums and a day trip. Two is tight.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October. July and August are hot and crowded.
- Book ahead
- The Uffizi, the Accademia and the Duomo dome, several weeks ahead in season.
- From the airport
- Florence Airport is 20 minutes from the center by tram or taxi. From Pisa, use the train from Pisa Centrale.
Where to stay in Florence, in brief
Duomo and the historic center
first visits
Everything is on foot, but it is the busiest part of the city and the least local.
Santa Croce
food, nightlife and a younger crowd
East of the Duomo, with good restaurants and the Sant'Ambrogio market. Streets are livelier at night.
Oltrarno and Santo Spirito
a local feel and artisans' workshops
Across the river, quieter and more local. Ten minutes on foot to the Uffizi.
Santa Maria Novella
arriving by train
Right at the station, with easy links to Pisa and the airport, though the streets nearby are less pretty.
Things to do in Florence
Uffizi Gallery
The great collection of Renaissance painting, with Botticelli's Birth of Venus. Take a timed slot, and allow three hours.
3 to 6 weeks ahead in season
Accademia Gallery
Michelangelo's David is in a purpose-built hall. The museum is small, so allow an hour.
2 to 4 weeks ahead in season
Duomo and Brunelleschi's dome
The cathedral is free to enter in parts, but the dome climb and the Baptistery need a combined ticket with timed entry.
2 to 4 weeks ahead in season
Ponte Vecchio and the Arno
The medieval bridge of jewelers is best at early morning or at dusk, with fewer people.
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens
A big Medici palace with galleries and a hillside garden. The gardens are good for a quiet afternoon.
Piazzale Michelangelo
A viewpoint above the Arno that looks over the whole city. Go for sunset, and walk up from San Niccolò.
Bargello Museum
A quieter sculpture museum in a medieval palace, with Donatello's David. Good if the Uffizi is full.
Santa Croce
A Franciscan church with the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, and frescoes by Giotto.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Florence can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Florence, and which to pick- Uffizi and Accademia3 to 6 weeks ahead in season
Walk-up queues can last two hours, and timed tickets sell out.
- Duomo dome and Baptistery2 to 4 weeks ahead in season
Dome slots are limited, and the climb is the most popular in the city.
What to skip in Florence
- Restaurants on the Piazza del Duomo
They are overpriced and mediocre. Walk 10 minutes to Santa Croce or Oltrarno instead.
- Queueing without a ticket
A walk-up queue for the Uffizi can take most of a morning. Book a slot and use the time to see the city.
Best time to visit Florence
April to June and September to October are the best months, with warm days and clear light. Crowds are thinner after mid-September.
July and August are hot and busy, often above 35 degrees. Winter is cold and quiet, with shorter days, but museums are easier to enter.
- From Florence AirportThe tram T2 runs from the airport to the city in about 20 minutes. A taxi takes about 15 minutes and has a fixed rate.
- On footThe historic center is compact, and most of what you want to see is within 30 minutes. Wear flat, comfortable shoes.
- TrainsSanta Maria Novella station links to Pisa, Siena, Bologna and Rome. Buy tickets on the Trenitalia app or at a machine.
Florence in three days
- Day 1
The Duomo and dome in the morning, a walk to Piazza della Signoria, and the Uffizi in the afternoon.
- Day 2
The Accademia, then Santa Croce and the Bargello. Cross the river to Oltrarno for dinner.
- Day 3
A day trip to Siena or Pisa, or Palazzo Pitti and Boboli, then sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
Day trips from Florence
- SienaAbout 90 minutes by bus from the center. The Piazza del Campo and the cathedral are the highlights.
- PisaAbout an hour by train from Florence. See the Leaning Tower, the cathedral and the baptistery, and expect crowds.
Florence: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Florence?
Three days covers the main museums, the Duomo, a viewpoint and a trip to Siena or Pisa. Two days is enough only if you book tickets in advance.
Where should I stay in Florence for the first time?
The historic center near the Duomo is the easiest for sightseeing. Oltrarno is quieter and more local, and still within walking distance.
Do I need to book the Uffizi in advance?
Yes, in most of the year. Book a timed slot a few weeks ahead to avoid a long queue.
What is the best month to visit Florence?
May, June and September are the best months, with good weather and fewer people than July and August.
Is Florence walkable?
Yes. The center is small and flat, and most visitors walk everywhere. Buses and a tram help for the airport and the hills.