A Perfect Weekend in Florence, Italy

Florence - the birthplace of the Renaissance and the capital of stunning Tuscany, could keep anyone occupied for years. But, if you only have a weekend, what all can you fit in?

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Planning a Weekend in Florence?

Ah, Florence! Italy's great Renaissance city. You could literally spend a lifetime exploring this tiny, yet jam-packed treasure, yet, based on the title of this article, it sounds like you only have a weekend to spend in Florence! Check out these tips and see as much as you can, even in just two or three short nights!

And, if you can, extend your trip -
​I know you'll thank me!

How many days should you spend in Florence?

It is easy to spend a few nights in Florence on a trip that's spent mainly in Rome, or Florence could surely be the highlight of a longer trip across multiple cities in Italy. Personally, I could have spent our whole trip in Florence, though I think my husband would have gotten a bit bored and would have wanted a bit more ancient history on the agenda. (If ancient history is your thing, Rome is your destination).

When's the best time of year to visit Florence?

We visited Florence in late September and crowds were extremely manageable. Perhaps even more importantly, the weather was absolutely perfect. My husband has visited during the summer years ago and said the crowds were incredibly large. 

View of the Duomo from neighboring cafe

As one of the tourist highlights of Europe, I'd be careful with timing when planning the trip. For more on planning a trip to Europe, check out the full post!

Taking the train to Florence from Rome

When should you arrive in Florence, if you're just coming for the weekend? The easy answer on timing is - get there as early as possible! But, in reality, we left Rome for Florence in the late afternoon. It’s a relatively short train ride and we were in Florence in time to split a bottle of wine in one of the cafes around the Duomo. Both the beautiful train ride and, of course, the vino by the Duomo, were definitely highlights of the trip for me. 

Florence is an easy train ride from Rome. We splurged on business class tickets, which got us two glasses of prosecco and a seat next to a 70-year-old Italian businessman who eavesdropped on my excited rambling with a contented smile and made me happy to be a tourist.

Prosecco on the train from Rome to Florence

Where to stay in Florence, Italy

How to pack for Florence, Italy

You'll want to bring your best to this small, high-end city. Essentials for days of walking, fancy dinners on the piazza, and a few hours spent shopping at the luxury stores. Luckily, I've dedicated an entire post to what to wear in Italy, so be sure to check it out before you pack for Florence!

There are a number of luxurious hotels slightly outside of Florence, in addition to a selection of high-end establishments in town. Try to base yourself as close to the Duomo as possible, as that's a convenient spot from which to explore the entire city. There are also a number of luxurious resorts outside of town, if you happen to have a little more time on your hands, though personally I might find it a bother to have to haul into town everyday to explore.

While I'm all about luxury hotels, for this specific trip, I was in hot pursuit of somewhere deeply historic and I am happy to say I found the perfect combination. 

Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo

Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo is the hotel I’d craft for myself in my mind, as the perfect hotel, if I had the option. Historic beyond my wildest dreams, yet comfortable, and small with an attentive (but very personable) staff, I can’t think of a better option. Oh, and, I should mention - just as the name implies, it's about 10 feet from the Duomo. It is impossible to have a better location than this.

I'll admit that it was a bit pricey, but, in my opinion, completely worth it for a trip to Florence. Our room was absolutely beyond belief - my husband and I continually said that we felt we shouldn’t have been trusted to be in there without a museum guard. Our room actually featured unprotected 17th-century frescoes. Yes, you read that right. And yes, it not only had AC, but good AC, which you'll want, even in September in Italy.

With an honor bar for a night cap and an included, delicious, over-the-top Italian breakfast with tons of meat and cheese, Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo has everything you’d need, not to mention a splendid history. The palazzo is still owned by the Niccolini family - into which it came through a dowry in the late 19th century. They offer early payment and pre-payment discounts, so keep that in mind. Check out their rates through Booking.com.

Our gorgeous room at Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo in Firenze

Where to eat in Florence

Florence, like all of Italy, really, is full to the brim of excellent restaurants. It can actually be a bit overwhelming. For more on my strategy to selecting restaurants in Europe, check out the full post!

For a quick espresso and a bite to eat, I loved Caffe Gilli, one of Florence's most historic cafes, which opened in 1733. Yes, you read that correctly! And no, this won't be an inexpensive visit!

For dinner, you can't beat the restaurant recommended by our hotel, Cantina Barbagianni. With a tiny, cozy dining room, attentive service, and an off-the-beaten path location without a tour bus in sight, I'm not sure what more you could want in this beautiful city! I highly recommend the lamb shank, though I'm sure the menu changes daily!

The Duomo at night

Top Things to Do in Florence

Florence is incredibly compact and easily walkable. Even to this day, its small size continues to surprise me. We never saw the need to hire a car or take a cab, and thus only walked during our two days in the city. I would recommend doing the same, unless you select a hotel that is farther afield than we did.

​Florence packs a massive punch in a minuscule area, and around each corner is a new, small street you didn’t know existed. That said, I'll also admit that Florence was the scene of a small vacation meltdown for me personally, as we had a jammed packed schedule, pushing us from big tourist event to big tourist event. Be sure to build in some time to relax and taste some of that delicious Tuscan wine!

Visiting Florence's Magnificent Duomo

The top item of any list for a weekend in Florence will be to visit the Duomo. Though all of the other exhibits surrounding the Duomo require a ticket, like many churches, the Cathedral itself is free and no ticket is required. All you need to do is hop in line. We went first thing in the morning, to start our day off on the right foot and see if we could attempt to "beat the crowds." That said, the line gets very long and there seems to be little reason behind why the line does/doesn’t move. Don’t get out of line - just stay in the line. They let people in in very, very large groups. You may be waiting in line halfway around the Cathedral, and then, next thing you know, they're waiving everyone in in front of you, and you're in! 

The Duomo is a compilation of centuries of design and construction, showcasing significant shifts in building technique. It actually changed architectural styles while under construction, from a Gothic cathedral to the gem of the Renaissance with the addition of Brunelleschi's dome in 1436, 16 years after Brunelleschi had begun construction. The marble exterior wasn't fully completed until 1887.

The interior of the Duomo's famous dome

Exterior of the Duomo, Florence

The Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence

Santa Croce, Florence

Once you've finished at the Duomo, take the quick jaunt over to Santa Croce, built in 1294. Far less crowded than the Duomo, pop into Santa Croce and take in the beautiful church and surrounding cloisters. Visit the graves of Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galileo, and a significant memorial monument to Dante (though Dante is not actually buried there). Warning: with the lack of crowds, you may even feel yourself start to relax a bit! WOW.

Santa Croce, Florence

​A ticket is required (8 Euros), but in September, we were able to walk right up and buy our tickets without a line at all.

Interior of Santa Croce, Florence

Tomb of Galileo Galilei, Florence

Exploring the Uffizi Gallery, Florence

​I cannot reiterate this enough. Buy tickets in advance, from the Gallery. Florence is filled to the brim with people on short stop-overs. They have a quick list of things to see and this is on everyone's list. It's one of the greatest, and oldest museums in the world.

Exploring the Uffizi, Florence

And of course there's a reason it's so crowded- housed in the former Medici offices, it's an absolute behemoth. It's gorgeous. And you won't see it all. See as much as you can, and when you think your feet are going to fall off, or you aren't enjoying yourself any longer, move along. Be sure to check out the views from the rooftop, and grab a breath of fresh air!

View from the Uffizi rooftop

The David, and so much more:
Florence's Accademia Gallery

Florence's Accademia is a tribute to all things fine art, with a focus on sculpture, including the famous David. It is just slightly less visited than the Uffizi, welcoming 1.5 million visitors per year. Plan some time into your schedule to get in, even with pre-purchased tickets (which are a must- more on that below), and also to see more of the museum beyond David. The additional sculpture galleries are incredible, whether you're a true sculpture aficionado, or not!

Sculptures in the Accademia, Florence

As with the Ufizzi, buy your tickets in advance (also beware of fake website trying to sell you tickets at inflated prices). It is a very small gallery and there is not a huge amount to see. Do not waste more time in line than necessary. In addition to the David, there are a number of rooms showcasing gorgeous works of sculpture - depending on the crowds, and your interest in sculpture, take a peek around. We spent approximately 45 minutes here.

The David, Accademia

Accademia Gallery

Where to shop in Florence, Italy

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Though small, Florence is home to some of the best shopping in the world. From the ancient, historic luxury shops on the Ponte Vecchio to the birthplace of one of the finest luxury leather brands, Ferragamo, dedicate some time to spending a few dollars.

What should I buy in Florence?
​Leather, ceramics, and gold are the traditional Florence souvenirs! For some excellent local suggestions, check out Visit Florence's website!

Visiting the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

​A big purchase at the castle-like Ferragamo headquarters was a must. The staff was charming, the service was impeccable, and the selection was unrivaled. Even if you aren't in the market for a purchase, be sure to stop by! 

Ferragamo store and museum, Florence

We started our final day in Florence with a trip across the Arno River to the Pitti Palace, home of the famous Medici family. On an almost unimaginable scale, the stunning palazzo seems to go on forever. The original building was built in 1457, though now it's heavily surrounded by centuries worth of gilded expansion.

​Grab yourself and audio guide and get walking! For an additional charge, the Boboli Gardens expand beyond the palace. The museum also contains a nice first-floor cafe, if you're feeling hungry after all that exploration!

Pitti Palace

Pitti Palace, Florence

Thanks for stopping by!

Pitti Palace, Florence

​I could write about Florence all day - and I'm sure it will earn many more blog posts in the future.
Happy Travels! xx
​

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