Florence in 2 days: complete walking itinerary for first-time visitors

Planning 2 days in Florence is the perfect way to experience the essence of the Renaissance capital without rushing. Compact, walkable, and overflowing with masterpieces at every corner, Florence offers an unforgettable blend of art, history and Tuscan lifestyle. This Florence 2-day itinerary has been designed for first-time visitors who want to explore the city at an easy pace, enjoying both iconic sites and lesser-known corners—all starting from the station and entirely on foot.

Why Florence is the perfect destination for a two-day city break

Florence may be small in size, but it carries centuries of artistic genius and cultural influence. Walking through the city feels like moving through an open-air museum: majestic churches, elegant palaces, hidden courtyards and lively markets appear at every turn. Unlike other larger Italian cities, Florence’s historic center is concentrated and incredibly easy to explore in just a couple of days.

How many days do you need to visit Florence?

Most travelers find that two days in Florence strike the perfect balance. Within 48 hours, you can cover the city’s top highlights—Duomo, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti—while still enjoying spontaneous discoveries. If you only have one day, you’ll be rushing. With two, you can follow a curated itinerary, explore different neighborhoods, and enjoy longer museum visits without feeling overwhelmed.

The perfect 2-day Florence itinerary

This guide combines the best 2-day itinerary Florence can offer: Renaissance landmarks, scenic viewpoints, world-class museums and vibrant local life. It’s suitable for all ages and doesn’t require any public transport.

Day 1 in Florence: Renaissance masterpieces and iconic landmarks

Your first day focuses on Florence’s most recognizable sights: the Duomo area, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and the city’s unforgettable panoramic terrace.

Approx. Time	Stop	Description / Notes
09:00	Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station (SMN)	Starting point of the itinerary.
09:15	Basilica of Santa Maria Novella	Optional quick exterior/interior visit.
10:00	Piazza del Duomo	Religious and historical heart of Florence.
10:05	Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)	Church visit; dome climb optional.
11:00	Giotto’s Bell Tower	Panoramic climb (advance booking recommended).
11:45	Baptistery of San Giovanni	Iconic Romanesque landmark.
12:30	Piazza della Signoria	One of Italy’s most important civic squares.
12:35	Palazzo Vecchio	Interior visit optional.
12:45	Loggia dei Lanzi	Open-air sculpture gallery.
13:00	Lunch break	Plenty of restaurants in the nearby streets.
14:30	Ponte Vecchio	The most famous bridge in Italy.
16:00	Walk toward Piazzale Michelangelo	Scenic uphill walk with river views.
17:00	Piazzale Michelangelo	Best panoramic viewpoint for sunset.

Start from Santa Maria Novella Station: your gateway to the city

Your adventure begins as soon as you arrive at Santa Maria Novella Station, just steps from the historic center. Its location makes it the perfect starting point: you can reach Piazza del Duomo in less than 10 minutes on foot. As you leave the station, you’ll pass the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, a masterpiece of Florentine Gothic and Renaissance architecture—an early taste of the beauty ahead. Florence Santa Maria Novella Station is easily reachable from major Italian cities, including Rome, Naples, Venice and Milan.

Piazza del Duomo: Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery

Piazza del Duomo is the symbolic heart of Florence and one of the most breathtaking squares in Italy. Here you’ll find:

• The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with Brunelleschi’s iconic dome
• Giotto’s Bell Tower, offering a vertical climb with spectacular views
• The Baptistery of San Giovanni, famed for its golden “Gates of Paradise”
  

Take your time: this square alone contains enough beauty to fill an entire morning. If you wish to climb the dome or the tower, be sure to book ahead—entrances often sell out.

Piazza della Signoria and the outdoor museum of Florence

From the Duomo, walk to Piazza della Signoria, one of the most important civic spaces in Italy. The square is dominated by Palazzo Vecchio, the medieval fortress that still serves as Florence’s town hall. In front of the building stands a copy of Michelangelo’s David, while the Loggia dei Lanzi hosts open-air sculptures that look like they were placed there just yesterday.

This is the moment to pause, observe, and feel Florence’s pulse.

A stroll to Ponte Vecchio: the most famous bridge in Italy

Follow Via Calzaiuoli down to the river and you’ll reach Ponte Vecchio, a symbol of Florence known for its goldsmith shops hanging above the Arno. Walking across it is an experience of color and history, especially at golden hour. Look up and you’ll see the Vasari Corridor, once used by the Medici to cross the city unseen.

Sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo

End your first day with one of Italy’s most iconic panoramas. Piazzale Michelangelo sits above the city and offers sweeping views over the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce and the Arno. The walk is uphill but rewarding, and sunset is the most magical time to admire the red rooftops glowing in the evening light.

Day 2 in Florence: museums, gardens and hidden corners

Your second day takes you across the river to Oltrarno, Florence’s artisanal and creative district. You’ll explore galleries, royal residences, green gardens and cultural landmarks.

Approx. Time	Stop	Description / Notes
09:00	Uffizi Gallery	2-hour visit; reservation recommended.
11:30	Walk toward Ponte Vecchio and Oltrarno	Cross the bridge into Florence’s artisan district.
12:00	Palazzo Pitti	Former Medici and royal residence.
12:15	Boboli Gardens	Historic Italian gardens with panoramic spots.
14:00	Lunch in the Oltrarno	Ideal area for authentic Tuscan cuisine.
15:30	Oltrarno – Artisan District	Workshops, boutiques and local crafts.
17:00	Basilica of Santa Croce	Tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.
18:30	Aperitivo or dinner in Santa Croce area	Perfect way to end your trip.

Galleria degli Uffizi: a journey through Renaissance art

Start your morning early at the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio. A visit here is essential for any Florence highlights in a 2 days tour. The museum is large, so allow at least two hours to enjoy it properly.

Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens

Cross the Ponte Vecchio and approach Palazzo Pitti, once the residence of the Medici and later the Savoy kings. Behind it stretches the Boboli Gardens, one of the first formal Italian gardens ever created. This peaceful green oasis offers scenic walks, fountains, grottoes and beautiful viewpoints overlooking the city.

The Oltrarno district and its artisan workshops

Oltrarno is the soul of Florence: authentic, artistic and pleasantly less crowded. Here you’ll find traditional workshops where artisans craft leather goods, books, etchings, gold jewelry and hand-pressed prints. Wandering through this district is one of the most charming experiences of a Florence itinerary 2 days.

Santa Croce: history, tombs of geniuses and local life

In the afternoon, return to the right bank of the Arno and head toward Basilica di Santa Croce, the resting place of Italy’s greatest minds—Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini. Outside the church, the surrounding streets lead to lively cafés, boutiques and traditional trattorias where you can end your day in pure Florentine style.

Where to eat in Florence in two days

Florence is one of the best places in Italy to taste authentic Tuscan cuisine. Whether you’re exploring markets, trattorias or street-food stalls, you’ll have no shortage of irresistible options.

Traditional trattorias, markets and street-food options

Some local must-tries include:

• Ribollita, a hearty vegetable and bread soup
• Pappa al pomodoro, thick tomato-and-bread purée
• Tagliatelle al ragù
• Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the city’s legendary steak
• Schiacciata, a Tuscan-style focaccia sandwich
  

For a quick lunch, visit the Mercato Centrale, a lively indoor market filled with fresh produce and prepared foods. Street-food lovers shouldn’t miss a panino with lampredotto, a Florentine classic.

Best time to visit, entrances to book and smart walking routes

To enjoy Florence at its best:

• Spring and fall offer the most pleasant climate
• Book entrances for Uffizi, the Duomo Dome, and Accademia in advance
• Start early to enjoy quieter streets
• Use Santa Maria Novella as your orientation point: Florence unfolds naturally from here
• Plan to walk—this city is meant to be experienced at street level

How to reach Florence by high-speed train

Arriving comfortably with Italo and starting your itinerary on foot

Reaching Florence is simple and fast thanks to Italy’s high-speed rail network. With Italo, you can arrive directly at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the station right in the heart of the city. As soon as you step outside, Florence begins: cafés, churches, museums and pedestrian streets unfold around you, making it easy to start your two-day itinerary immediately on foot.

Whether you’re arriving from Rome, Naples, Milan, Bologna or Venice, Italo offers frequent connections that let you travel comfortably and maximize the time you can spend exploring Florence.