Florence travel guide

A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.

day1

Getting to know Florence

An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.

Morning
Florence Tour-Tale
5.0· 16718 reviews
N. 1 di 1.277 Tour a Firenze
50123, Firenze Italia
Mon: 00:00–23:59
Florence Tour-Tale — rated 5.0 across 16718 reviews · N. 1 di 1.277 Tour a Firenze · opening hours: Mon: 00:00–23:59 · 50123, Firenze Italia.
Afternoon
E-Bikes Florence
5.0· 761 reviews
N. 13 di 266 Attività all'aperto a Firenze
Via San Gallo 97R, 50129, Firenze Italia
Mon: 10:00–18:00
E-Bikes Florence — rated 5.0 across 761 reviews · N. 13 di 266 Attività all'aperto a Firenze · opening hours: Mon: 10:00–18:00 · Via San Gallo 97R, 50129, Firenze Italia.

Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.

day2

The main sights

The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.

Morning
Mama Florence
4.9· 632 reviews
N. 12 di 315 Corsi e laboratori a Firenze
Viale Francesco Petrarca, 12, 50124, Firenze Italia
Mon: 09:30–22:00
Mama Florence — rated 4.9 across 632 reviews · N. 12 di 315 Corsi e laboratori a Firenze · opening hours: Mon: 09:30–22:00 · Viale Francesco Petrarca, 12, 50124, Firenze Italia.
Afternoon
Florence's
4.2· 30 reviews
N. 254 di 2.078 Posti Dove Mangiare a Oklahoma City
1437 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73111-3084
Mon: 07:00–18:00
Florence's — rated 4.2 across 30 reviews · N. 254 di 2.078 Posti Dove Mangiare a Oklahoma City · opening hours: Mon: 07:00–18:00 · 1437 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73111-3084.

Up to 32 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.

day3

Museums, history and local food

A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.

Morning
Drake's Florence
3.9· 90 reviews
N. 19 di 247 Posti Dove Mangiare a Florence
6805 Houston Rd, Florence, KY 41042
Mon: 11:00–23:00
Drake's Florence — rated 3.9 across 90 reviews · N. 19 di 247 Posti Dove Mangiare a Florence · opening hours: Mon: 11:00–23:00 · 6805 Houston Rd, Florence, KY 41042.
Afternoon
The Florence Pottery Experience: Factory Tour & Masterclass
5.0· 230from €120
The Florence Pottery Experience: Factory Tour & Masterclass — rated 5 from 230 reviews, about 2h.

Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.

day4

A day out of town

Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.

All day
Pisa
Pisa is 83 km from Florence, about 1h 17m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Florence

day5

Walking and what you missed

A free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.

Afternoon
Farm To table Experience on an organic hilltop estate in Tuscany
5.0· 149from €160
Farm To table Experience on an organic hilltop estate in Tuscany — rated 5 from 149 reviews, about 8h.

Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.

day6

A tour, or a second trip out

A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.

All day
Venice
Venice is 258 km from Florence, about 3h 15m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Florence

day7

Last day and departure

A calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.

Afternoon
The Cooking Lab - Authentic Food Experience
5.0· 114from €105
The Cooking Lab - Authentic Food Experience — rated 5 from 114 reviews, about 3h.

Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.

What to see in Florence in 7 days

Getting to know Florence

The main sights

Museums, history and local food

A day out of town

Walking and what you missed

A tour, or a second trip out

Last day and departure

Day trips

2–3 day routes

Route map

What to see and where to eat

What to see and where to eat in Florence

Tours from the city

Where to stay

What travellers say about places in Florence