Florence (“Firenze” in Italian) is one of those places that, no matter how many times you visit, it is never enough. This Italian city has it all! Unique architecture, rich history, delicious food, and vibrant life are some of the reasons to add it to your list. While it has plenty of things to do and places to explore, you can visit it as a day trip and get a good taste of its rare beauty. In this article, you will find the ultimate guide to a day trip to Florence in Italy.
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Things to know before visiting Florence
Florence is the definition of Italian charm and style, with many gems. During your day trip, you should focus on visiting the most important sights and leave the rest for the next time. That being said, the Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazzale Michelangelo are must-sees. So, you can easily organize a day in Florence visiting only these attractions so that you have time to enjoy your meals, your shopping, or anything else. As a popular destination, it is very crowded during the summer months (June to August). You should always be careful with your belongings, since in the tourist spots there are many pickpockets and scammers, which is common in Italy in general. Lastly, it is better to carry some cash for small expenses.
How to get to Florence?
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region. It is also considered one of the main Italian cities. So, accessing it is quite easy. You can easily get to Florence from any Italian region. The most common way to get there is by train or bus. There are daily services from Genoa, Milan, Rome, Venice, etc. You can easily book your tickets online to save time, especially during the peak summer season. The main train station of Florence is Santa Maria Novella. Alternatively, you can fly directly to Florence International Airport. However, it is small with limited flight options. Obviously, you can get to Florence by car. However, we would not recommend it for a day or a 2-day excursion, because it is a waste of your already limited time.
The best time to visit Florence
Since Florence is a city full of interesting things to do and see, we strongly recommend avoiding the cold and rainy winter weather. The best time to visit it is the shoulder season (fall or spring). This way, you will avoid the high summer temperatures and the thousands of tourists. Summer is also a great time to visit, but you should expect overcrowded places, hot temperatures, and higher prices. That is why, if you are on a budget, we highly recommend visiting either in September – October, or in April – May.
Best things to do during a day trip to Florence – Italy
1-Visit the Florence Cathedral
Words cannot describe how beautiful the “Duomo di Firenze”, or “Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore”. Not only the long history, but also the colors and the details make it a real masterpiece. Located in the heart of Florence’s center, it is the perfect starting point for your day trip. In the summer months, the Duomo as well as the surrounding area gets very crowded after 9 am. If you want to enjoy it with fewer people around, it is better to take the first train or bus to Florence. Otherwise, you should be prepared for masses of tourists! However, you will be amazed by its rare beauty. We suggest that you take a guided tour to explore all its amazing spots (inside and out).
2-Enjoy a coffee or breakfast near Duomo di Firenze
After visiting your first attraction, we cannot recommend enough having breakfast or enjoying your cappuccino near the Duomo. Nothing is better than eating your Italian meal or drinking your coffee while admiring this masterpiece! You will find some cafés and restaurants next to the Cathedral. However, if you want to find a good place, you should either go as early as possible or make a reservation. This relaxing moment was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Florence.
3-Stroll around Piazza del Duomo
If you love art and history, Piazza del Duomo will be one of your favorite places in Florence. Tourists, booths with paintings and photos, music, and the Duomo are some of the reasons that this square is so famous and special. Strolling around and feeling this overwhelming ambiance is one of the best things to do in this wonderful city. Trust us, you will feel all the famous Italian vibes. You could say it is like straight out of an old Italian movie.
4-Explore the historic center of Florence
The center of Florence (“Centro Storico” in Italian) is home to some of the most important monuments in the world. It is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. So, getting lost in the city center is like stepping back in time. In this historic district, there are the Cathedral, the Uffizi Gallery, and the medieval Ponte Vecchio. Walking along the cobblestone streets is a real pleasure. That is why we highly recommend giving yourself plenty of time to explore all these Renaissance gems.
In addition to these wonderful spots, there is also the Tree of Peace called “Albero Della Pace” in Italian (photo on the left) and the outdoor sculpture of Ferdinand I on horseback (photo on the right). Florence perfectly combines history and art, and its historic center is proof of this unique combination.
5-Visit the famous Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio bridge is one of the most famous places to visit in Florence. It is also one of the oldest bridges in the city, with old, colorful houses, stores, and stalls. You should visit it as early as possible since it gets overcrowded very quickly! We highly recommend walking along the banks of the Arno River to get a better view of the Ponte Vecchio, which is also a quieter spot. Florence is known for its wine. So, tasting the Italian wine at Ponte Vecchio is one of the best things you can do during your day trip.
6-End your day in Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is the best sunset spot in Florence. It offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the city that blends perfectly with the pastel colors of the sunset. However, this popular square is packed at sunset! For this reason, you can visit it at sunrise for equally beautiful colors. At this time, it will be almost empty even during the summer peak season. If you want to be in time to watch these magical colors, you should know that Piazzale Michelangelo is 30 minutes from Ponte Vecchio and about 45 minutes from the Cathedral on foot.
Other nearby Italian places in Florence
1-Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is one of the most dreamy destinations in Italy. It means “5 villages” in English, which make up this unique Italian place. You can easily visit it as a day trip from Florence for amazing ocean views, romantic walks among colorful houses, and beautiful Mediterranean vibes! However, you need at least 48 hours to properly explore these unique villages. Cinque Terre will always have a special place in our hearts. We honestly cannot recommend it enough.
2-Portofino
As Dalida’s well-known song says “I found my love in Portofino”. Words cannot express how beautiful this tiny village is. We can describe it as a little paradise located near Genoa and Cinque Terre. After visiting Cinque Terre, you can easily go to Portofino, which is the ultimate summer destination. Since it is an expensive destination, you can visit it as a day trip from the other Italian places of Liguria (Cinque Terre, La Spezia, Camogli, Genoa).
3-Milan and Lake Como
You should visit Milan and Lake Como at least once in your life. Both are very special Italian places. Milan is a charming city with an overwhelming atmosphere. Instead, Lake Como is a dream destination made up of various small towns like Como, Bellagio, Varenna, etc. It will leave you speechless with the beautiful colors, elegant architecture, and incredible Italian vibes.
One of the places you should not miss in Lake Como is Bellagio. This little town is the most photogenic place with countless beautiful spots. If you do not have much time, we recommend taking a boat cruise there. It is an amazing experience, as you will have the opportunity to admire the breathtaking views of Bellagio and Lake Como.
Final Thoughts
Florence is one of the best places not only in Italy but also in Europe. The vibes, architecture, art, and history of this city are a whole other world that is truly worth exploring. Due to its location, Florence is also a great base to visit other amazing Italian places. We have already visited it three times and can’t wait to go back and discover more of its hidden gems.
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