Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, so it is no surprise more and more tourists have been flocking here in recent years. If you find yourself wondering how to spend one day in Florence, then this is your guide! I’ll admit, it is quite difficult to truly experience everything Florence offers in just one day, but if you are ready for a long despite rewarding day, it is absolutely possible!

Start the Day at Accademia Gallery

Kickstart your day by experiencing by seeing The David up close and personal! First, I recommend booking your tickets to enter the museum for first thing in the morning. Book this as soon as you have your visiting date set because tickets go fast.

If tickets are sold out, don’t worry as there is also a line you can stand in without a reservation BUT it moves very slowly and you could end up waiting hours in line. This isn’t ideal if you only have one day in Florence!

I do recommend getting the audio guide for an extra fee if you are not visiting with a guided tour. You’ll be able to get a lot of extra insight on the most famous sculptures and paintings. Give yourself about 90 minutes to comfortably see everything inside. Check out the museum website for tickets and more information.

Join a Street Food Tour

A great way to sample as much local food as possible is a food tour. I booked a tour via Airbnb Experiences. For the price, you can’t beat it! We sampled cantucci (like a biscotti), cucciolo (ham and cheese on a yummy bread), lampradotto sandwiches (if you are brave enough to try, but they are delicious), and finished with a large cup of gelato.

Visit the Duomo and Climb the Tower

The Duomo is free to visit (woohoo!), BUT be prepared to wait in a long line. To be honest, I find the outer facade and dome of the cathedral to be infinitely more appealing than the inside…it’s a bit bland in comparison.

If you are on a time crunch, instead, I suggest climbing the campanile, Giotto’s Bell Tower. There is also an option to climb to the top of the Duomo, but I prefer the VIEW of seeing the Duomo.

As usual, with most of the main attractions in Florence, you’ll book based on a time slot.

Visit the Uffizi Gallery

With just one day in Florence, you still must make time to visit the Uffizi Gallery; it is one of the most famous in the world. You’ll be able to see works of art from Leonardo, Giotto, Raffaelo, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and more.

Grab your tickets on the Uffizi website and claim your slot. If you book online, you will need to pickup your tickets at the box office before you enter, which is located across the street from the main entry point.

Enjoy an Affogato Pick-me-up

Your one day in Florence itinerary has been busy, so I am sure you are craving a coffee at this point. Have you ever had an affogato? It’s a scoop of gelato topped with a shot of espresso – talk about a great mix!

You can get this at most gelaterias and cafes, but I recommend heading to Vivoli. Vivoli has been a city-staple since 1930. If gelato and coffee don’t sound appealing to you (which is shocking to me), they also serve a variety of other pastries and goods.

Shop the Markets

Most people think of Milan when it comes to a shopping city in Italy, but Florence has some of the BEST shopping. The city is known for high-quality leather and paper products, but don’t forget to also stop at the food markets!

Find Leather Goods

Leather is plentiful around Florence, but it can be hard to know the difference between good and great quality. Be aware because many of the street markets claim to be selling genuine Italian leather and while some are absolutely true, others are brought in from overseas in bulk.

If the price seems too good to be true, you may piece together why. On the other hand, it is a very special experience to visit some of the artisanal and genuine leather shops that have been thriving in Florence for years and years.

For instance, Scuola del Cuoio is a unique spot where you can not only take lessons to learn about leather-making, but there are tons of options to personalize belts, bags, wallets, and more.

Paper Products

Florence is also famous for producing beautiful artisanal stationary. There are plenty of stores to pickup one-of-a-kind customized notecards, envelopes, notepads, and more.

Fragrance Products

One of my favorite stores in undoubtedly Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. It has a long-standing history of selling high-quality perfume, lotion, and more. While you can now purchase products online, beauty and wellness lovers will love to check out the original store in Florence.

Good Luck Charm

Now it is time to check out Il Porcellino, Italian for “little pig.” Head to the outdoor market around the corner from the Uffizi Gallery to find the sculpture.

Legend says for good luck, take a coin and rub the coins nose before placing it on its tongue and watching it fall into the slot below. Doing so will ensure a return trip to Florence!

Food Markets

As mentioned, there are so many large food markets around the city. One of the most well-known is the Central Market. The bottom floor is full of produce, fish, meat, and other products from a variety of local vendors. The top floor is a bit more touristy, but has a large food court to try a huge variety of not only local Florentine favorites, but other Italian dishes.

There is also the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, open since 1873. This is another indoor market on the other side of town. You’ll also find a huge variety of vendors selling fresh and delicious products.

Admire the Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

The absolute best view overlooking Florence is at Piazzale Michelangelo. It takes about twenty minutes to walk here from the city center. Here, you’ll get incredible viewpoints of the river and the cathedral. Many visitors bring or purchase drinks and snacks and enjoy the sunset on the steps. Come early to ensure a spot as it gets quite crowded during nice evenings.

Finish the Day with Florentine Steak

Of course the ultimate way to conclude one day in Florence is to enjoy a large, juicy Florentine steak for dinner. There are plenty of restaurants to visit throughout the city that range from a bit touristy to more rustic and traditional. Florence seems to be losing its “slow-season,” which means it is smart to grab a reservation any time of year.

Congrats! You’ve just completed one day in Florence (correction: one VERY FULL day!). If you have more time, it is of course easier to space out the itinerary.

If you need help with your travel planning for your trip to Italy, be sure to check out some of my other posts:

• How to Spend 3 Days in Naples, Italy
• How to Spend 1 Day in Verona, Italy
• How to Spend 1 Day in Venice, Italy

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