One Day in Florence: The Ultimate Whirlwind Renaissance Itinerary
Can you really see the best of Florence in just one day? It sounds impossible, but if you’re prepared for a whirlwind adventure, you can experience the heart of the Renaissance in a single day. With a well-planned itinerary, we hit the ground running and packed in as much history, art, and incredible views as we could fit into our jam packed day exploring Florence. From the towering heights of the Duomo to the quiet late-night halls of the Accademia, we see it all. Throw in some shopping and epic views and it becomes the best day in Florence! Here’s how to maximize one day in the city of Michelangelo, Galileo, and the Medici.
The Duomo in Florence towers over other buildings
Morning: Power and History at Palazzo Vecchio
After the Black Death in the 1300s, the Renaissance was the rebirth of culture in Florence. It was a time when society was rediscovering art and science. The Renaissance started around the year 1400 and lasted for about 150 years, with Florence being at the center of it all. We started our morning in Piazza della Signoria, the civic heart of Florence. Right at the center stands the Palazzo Vecchio, the former town hall and residence of the Medici family.
Before You Enter: Look at the Statue of David standing outside. While it’s a replica today, the original stood here until the 1800s. It survived pigeons, rain, and believe it or not, even a flying bench! In 1527, during a riot, a bench was tossed out of a window from the palazzo, breaking David’s left arm. It was repaired and the statue remained outside in the same place until residents decided he needed protection from the elements. So the Statue of David was moved to the Accademia Gallery in 1873.
Why did David stay in the same spot for so long even after being damaged? The Statue of David is a symbol of Florence and many Florentines see themselves in him. Like David going against Goliath, the city of Florence has faced many opponents and has always come out on top. You’ll see several statues of David around Florence, reminding people to stand strong against oppression.
Inside the Palace
As you step inside the Palazzo Vecchio, you'll be transported back to the golden age of Florence. Decorated with intricate frescoes, the interior courtyard is your first indication that this place is something special. Prepare to be wowed by the sheer scale and opulence of the Salone dei Cinquecento, the Hall of 500. At 13,000 square feet, this is the main hall of the Palazzo. The walls of this hall are decorated with magnificent frescoes by Giorgio Vasari. Originally known as the Palazzo della Signoria, this was the seat of power for the Florentine Republic's government. Imagine a time when powerful guilds and influential families battled for control. Decisions that shaped the Renaissance were made within these walls.
The Hall of Cinquecento makes you feel small
In 1540, Cosimo de’ Medici moved his residence here, transforming the space into a true palace. You can explore the apartments of the Medici, where each room is more incredibly decorated than the last.
The Tower Climb: If you want the best view of the Duomo, climb the 223 steps of the Palazzo tower.
One of the best views of the Duomo in Florence!
Pro Tip:
If stairs aren’t your thing, you should still consider buying a ticket but only go to the mezzanine level. You’ll still get an incredible view without the full hike to the top.
This was taken at the top of the tower, but the photo of the Duomo above was taken at the mezzanine level.
Mid-Morning: Pasta & Leather
After getting our fill of history, we headed toward the San Lorenzo and Central Markets.
San Lorenzo Market: An open-air haven for leather goods. If you see a bag you love, don’t be afraid to haggle! Cash is king here so have some on hand (but most sellers will also accept cards). Buying multiple items and paying in cash usually gets you a better deal.
Central Market (Mercato Centrale): This is the spot for foodies. The ground floor is for locals buying fresh meat and produce (you’ll see parts of the animal you never thought you’d see up close!), and the second floor is a trendy food hall. You can find a wide variety of foods on the ground floor and in the food hall, there’s something for everyone!
What we bought: We stocked up on handmade pici pasta, sun-dried tomatoes (ask for the tomatoes to be vacuum sealed for easy travel!), and a beautiful leather purse (or two).
Afternoon: Architectural Wonders of the Duomo
The Duomo is Florence’s Cathedral and it is an architectural marvel that remained unfinished for years. The main body of the church was built in the Middle Ages and they didn't have the technology at the time to build a dome large enough to complete the roof. Instead of putting a flat roof on top and calling it a day, they left the roof of the Duomo unfinished, knowing that eventually someone would be able to figure out how to build a dome and complete the church. Filippo Brunelleschi is the architect of the dome and if you walk around the outside of the church, you can find a statue of him staring up at his creation!
The Duomo is truly stunning, photos just don’t do it justice
The facade of the church looks old, but it's actually Neo-Gothic, completed in 1870. It's covered in white, pink, and green marble. You might notice the arches on the church are pointed, while other buildings nearby might have curved arches. Pointed arches usually hint at Gothic architecture (or in this case Neo-Gothic), while curved arches imply more of a Renaissance style.
Before heading inside the Duomo, check out the Baptistry of San Giovanni, one of the oldest buildings in Florence. This is where Florentines have been baptized for centuries, including some of the most famous figures of the Renaissance, from Dante to members of the Medici family. The building dates back to the 11th century, making it older than the Duomo itself!
You can't visit the baptistry without marveling at its doors. The doors on the east side of the baptistry are known as the Gates of Paradise, created by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Ghiberti created 10 panels depicting Bible stories, using a linear perspective that created a sense of depth and realism. The technique was revolutionary for the time and really kicked off the period of the High Renaissance. The inside of the baptistry is covered in beautiful mosaics dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Stepping inside is like walking into a jewelry box!
Inside the cathedral, look for the unique 24-hour clock that rotates counter-clockwise and starts its day at sunset. At the front of the church, Brunelleschi’s dome is 300 feet high and painted with scenes of the Last Judgement.
The ceiling of the dome in the Duomo is so impressive!
Late Afternoon: Art Overload at the Uffizi
After visiting the Duomo, it's time to see another iconic site in Florence: the Uffizi. In 1560, the Uffizi was commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici to house the administrative and judicial offices of Florence. That's where the name comes from because Uffizi literally translates to “offices.” These days, it's known as the best museum in the world to admire Italian Renaissance artwork from the medieval period through the high renaissance.
Pro Tip:
With so much artwork on display, navigating the museum can be overwhelming. We highly recommend joining a guided tour or using a self-guided walking tour (like Rick Steves) to make sense of the massive collection without making your head spin.
Cosimo’s son Francesco decided that the top floor of the building would be the perfect place to display the family's impressive art collection. Then in 1769, the Uffizi officially opened its doors to visitors, making it one of the first modern public museums in the world. You'll find masterpiece after masterpiece lining the halls and spacious rooms. From Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, to Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation, Michelangelo's Holy Family, Piero della Francesca’s Portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino, and so much more. There's enough here to keep you busy for hours.
Sunset: Climbing the Dome
We saved the biggest physical challenge for the end of the day: climbing 463 stairs to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome. There is no elevator, and the final stretch is steep and narrow, but the reward is worth it! Along the way, you’ll get an up-close view of the frescoes inside the dome, and you can look down at the people standing in the church below you.
You can’t beat the views from the Duomo at sunset!
The Duomo has an inner dome and an outer dome. As you climb to the top, you're actually walking between the two domes. Don't miss the unique interlocking brick pattern that was revolutionary at the time; it helps support the weight of the dome.
Pro Tip: We timed our climb for sunset. Seeing the Tuscan sun dip below the horizon from the highest point in the city is a highlight of the day.
Evening: A Private Date with David
Our final stop of the day is the Accademia Gallery at 9:30 PM. We didn’t have tickets (though we highly recommend booking tickets in advance), but we had a secret strategy that we hoped would pay off. On certain days, the Accademia Gallery stays open late. We arrived around 9:30 PM and we were able to walk right in without a line. The place really clears out before closing and we ended up having the museum practically to ourselves! Seeing the Statue of David up close without the crowds was quite possibly the best part of our day.
Seeing the Statue of David without any crowds was a surreal moment!
Seeing the Statue of David in person is transformative. Take some time to marvel at the masterpiece and soak up some of the smaller details that might be missed by others:
The Hands: His right hand is disproportionately large, representing the "Hand of God." The story goes that he used stones to slay the giant Goliath, using the power of God to do so.
The Toes: They're pretty damaged. The statue was out in the elements for several hundred years, and marble is a soft rock, so of course there's going to be wear and tear, especially from all those pigeons pecking at his toes!
The Left Arm: See if you can notice any imperfections on his left arm where it was broken in 1527 when a bench landed on it from the Palazzo Vecchio.
Once you’ve finished admiring David, make sure to check out the other artwork in the Accademia. There are some incredible paintings and statues to see, including more work from Michelangelo. Michelangelo’s unfinished statues lining the hall are called the Prisoners. He believed the image already existed in the stone, and he was simply "releasing" it from its prison.
Logistics & Tips for One Day in Florence
Views of Florence from the Palazzo Vecchio
The Firenze Card: If you’re visiting this many sites, do the math and check if the Firenze Card saves you money.
Bag Policy: Most museums (especially the Palazzo Vecchio) won’t allow large backpacks. Use the coat check!
Book Ahead: Always book your Duomo climb, Uffizi, and Accademia tickets in advance to guarantee entry. Tickets sell out, especially during peak travel times.
Florence is a city that rewards the curious and the energetic. Even with just one day to explore, the Birthplace of the Renaissance leaves an indelible mark. We crammed a lot into our one day in Florence, seeing as many of the top sights as we possibly could. We hope this itinerary helps you plan your own trip to Florence, or inspires you to put Florence on your bucket list!
Want to see more of Florence?
Check out our Best Day in Florence video for even more details, history, and fun information about how we spent this epic day in Florence!
See this video for more information about how we spent one whirlwind day in Florence seeing the top sights!
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