Want to see the best of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan region in three days? You’re in the right place.
After multiple visits to charming Tuscany and its capital, Firenze, we’ll show you how to spend the perfect 3 days in Florence, including a day trip to explore Tuscany’s stunning countryside.
In case you want to spend all three days in Florence, don’t worry!
We have the perfect ideas for day 3 in Florence for you at the end of the article, including some secret spots in Florence.
Florence in Three Days Itinerary: The Best Places To Visit
Florence is one of Italy’s best cities.
It’s also one of the best cities to visit in Italy for the first time.
There’s a lot to explore in this Renaissance city influenced by the Medici family in a relatively small area.
We’ve selected the top highlights you can see during your 3 days in the capital of Tuscany.
The best part of it? You can enjoy all of them by simply walking around.
To make the most of your time, we highly recommend you book tickets for these top attractions in advance:
# 1 TOP-PICK
Michelangelo’s famous David statue
Visit the David statue and other famous sculptures and artwork inside the Accademia Gallery.
# 2 PICK
Florence Cathedral
Explore the Florence Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s impressive dome and climb up Giotto’s Bell Tower.
# 3 PICK
Uffizi Gallery
Masterpieces like Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, works by Leonardo da Vinci, Lippi’s Madonna representations, sculptures by Michelangelo Buonarroti, and many more.
In case you’re planning to visit more than one of the main sights, the Florence City Pass is worth considering.
With the tourist card, you have access to the most important museums and sights, plus you receive additional discounts.
Day 1 in Florence
Overview of Florence:
Michelangelo’s David at Galleria dell’Accademia
Start your city trip in Florence by marveling at Michelangelo’s David statue in the Galleria dell’Accademia.
The impressive and world-famous sculpture is one of the best things to see in Florence.
⭐ Travel Tip: Pre-book your ticket to avoid long queues. In case you're traveling during the peak season you need to book the tickets way ahead of time.
After exploring the Galleria dell’Accademia, head to the Interactive Leonardo da Vinci Museum.
BOOK TICKETS FOR GALLERIA DELL’ACCADEMIA
Interactive Leonardo da Vinci Museum
On your way to the Florence Duomo, stop by the Interactive Leonardo Museum.
This museum features more than 50 working machines based on Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings.
It offers hands-on experiences and you’ll also learn more about his life and works.
It was one of our favorite museums in Florence and in Milan, where he also worked and created his famous Renaissance art.
You can visit his masterpiece The Last Supper in Milan.
The visit takes about 1 hour, the entry ticket is cheap compared to other museums in Florence, and we can highly recommend it.
It’s also a fun activity when you’re experiencing Florence in the rain.
TICKET FOR THE INTERACTIVE LEONARDO DA VINCI MUSEUM
Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore – The Florence Cathedral
Next, you can visit the Florence Cathedral, which is close to the Leonardo da Vinci museum, and famous for Brunelleschi’s massive dome (cupola).
With a ticket that includes access to the dome, you can enjoy the highest view in the Renaissance city.
The cathedral also houses beautiful frescoes and a crypt worth exploring. Next to the cathedral, you can visit Giotto’s bell tower when you book this ticket.
Piazza della Signoria with Neptune Fountain
You can spend the rest of your day at Piazza della Signoria.
Besides the Piazza del Duomo in front of the Florence Cathedral, it’s the most important area to explore.
Take a break at one of the cafés, or sit by the Loggia dei Lanzi, where various sculptures are displayed.
If you still have time, you can visit the Palazzo Vecchio, which is also at the Piazza della Signoria.
You can see the inner courtyard for free, or you can join a guided tour to see the palace and the hidden staircases and rooms.
At the end of the day, before you head to dinner to enjoy the best food in Florence, you can order a glass of wine from a traditional wine window to wrap up your first day in Florence.
BOOK TICKETS FOR THE PALAZZO VECCHIO
Day 2 in Florence
Start your second day at the famous Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery).
Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi)
The Galleria degli Uffizi is home to masterpieces like Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, works by Leonardo da Vinci, Lippi’s Madonna representations, sculptures by Michelangelo Buonarroti, and many more.
⭐ Travel Tip: You need to book your tickets in advance to skip the line and have more time exploring the Galleria degli Uffizi.
BOOK TICKETS FOR THE UFFIZI GALLERY
Ponte Vecchio
After the Uffizi Gallery you can head to the Ponte Vecchio. This old bridge is one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks.
The bridge is lined with shops and offers stunning views of the Arno River from the middle part.
😱 Travel Tip: Read our how to avoid tourist scams in Italy article! We witnessed these in Florence as well!
Pitti Palace And Boboli Gardens
From the Ponte Vecchio you can continue to the Palazzo Pitti.
This impressive palace houses multiple collections and is a perfect place to explore if you’re a museum lover.
Behind the walls of Palazzo Pitti you can unwind in the beautiful Boboli Gardens.
The garden area is filled with historic sculptures and fountains and is a perfect spot to relax.
Piazzale Michelangelo
You can end your day at Piazzale Michelangelo. Here you’ll get the best panoramic view of Florence.
The square is a popular spot for taking photos, and you can find a replica of Michelangelo’s David here as well.
Here you can learn where to see the David replicas in case you couldn’t get (or didn’t want) a ticket for the original statue inside the Galleria dell’Accademia:
Day 3: Day Trip from Florence Or Hidden Gems In Florence
On your third day, you can stay in the city and explore some hidden gems in Florence, or, as we recommend, explore the stunning Tuscan countryside.
Whether you’re interested in small medieval towns, world-class wine, or the stunning coast, there’s for sure a perfect day trip from Florence for you.
Our Top Picks Siena, Pisa, And San Gimignano
You can rent a car with Discovercars and head off to one of the best small towns in Tuscany, San Gimignano.
You could visit Siena, or go on a trip to Pisa and the Leaning Tower.
Or you could visit some of the other cities near Florence like our favorites, Volterra and Montepulciano.
In case you want to enjoy Tuscany hassle-free, you can join a guided tour to experience Tuscany’s highlights in a single day.
You can explore the historic Piazza del Campo in Siena, visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and discover the medieval city of San Gimignano.
BOOK A GUIDED TOUR TO TUSCANY’S SMALL TOWNS
Wine Tour Through The Scenic Val d’Orcia Valley
For wine lovers, a tour through the Unesco World Heritage listed landscape of Val d’Orcia is a must.
You’ll drive through Tuscany’s most scenic valley, sampling famous red wines like Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino.
A tour also includes a visit to the medieval town of Pienza, which is known for its stunning views and charming streets.
Day Trip To Cinque Terre
If you’re looking for a coastal escape, consider a day trip to Cinque Terre.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its colorful villages perched on steep cliffs above the Mediterranean Sea.
A guided tour includes visits to several of the villages (including our favorite village Vernazza), a train ride through the Cinque Terre National Park, and time for a swim in the crystal-clear waters.
Final Thoughts About Planning Your Trip To Florence In 3 Days And Tuscany
After spending two days in Florence, which we would say is enough to see the top attractions, a day trip into the Tuscan countryside will complete your experience in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy.
We recommend renting a car or joining a guided tour if you want to visit the small hilltop towns in Tuscany, as it’s not as easy to get there by public transport.
If you want to visit Pisa or Siena, you can take the train. We book our train tickets via Omio, as they give you an overview of all the available options.
Read next:
Florence Tips & Travel Planning
How many days do you need in Florence?
Is Florence worth visiting?
Florence 1-Day Itinerary
Florence 2-Day Itinerary
Florence Food Guide
Florence In The Rain
