one day tours from florence

21 Best Day Trips from Florence (+ Detailed Travel Advice)

Nestled in central Italy and well-connected as the capital of Tuscany, there is arguably nowhere better to use as a base for day trips in all of central Italy than Florence–and as you’ll see, the best day trips from Florence are incredibly diverse, perfect for a wide variety of travelers.

Whether you’re looking for a food-centered trip, a little sun and sea air, a taste of one of Italy’s largest cities, or a classic Tuscan countryside escape, we’ve got a Florence day trip here for you.

We’ve put together this guide to the best day trips from Florence based on a cumulative several months traveling in Tuscany and its surrounding region over a period of years, including one trip where we based ourselves in Florence for a solid month.

Though the bulk of this guide is structured based on the given destination’s distance from Florence, we’ve also included a few memorable countryside experiences toward the bottom and a reliable, tried-and-true option for those looking for a quick decision toward the top.

Here’s where the find the best day trips from Florence !

Table of Contents

How to Reach Your Florence Day Trip Destination

Quick decision: an epic & easy day trip from florence, day trips within 1 hour of florence, day trips within 2 hours of florence, day trips within 3 hours of florence, epic experiences outside of florence.

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While there are plenty of Florence day trip guides on the internet, many of them tend to gloss over one of the most important details: how to get there!

The bulk of these day trips from Florence can be completed by train, and the time estimates we’ve used to structure this guide are based on taking the fast train (not regional train–more on that below) to and from your destination.

In a few cases, you’ll need to take a car and/or bus to reach the destination, and we’ve noted those where applicable.

If you’d like to rent a car for the day to explore on a mini road trip, we highly recommend it (though we suggest reading over the tips in our Tuscany road trip guide before grabbing the keys). You can search for car rental prices in Florence through Discover Cars here .

Check prices for rental cars in Florence today!

The Differences Between Fast & Regional Trains in Italy

In Italy, including in Florence, you’ll find two types of trains: fast trains, for which ticket prices are flexible, and regional trains, for which they’re set.

When taking a fast train, you’ll want to book in advance, as prices can change as your day trip gets closer. Naturally, these tickets also tend to be more expensive overall than regional tickets.

Regional trains are cheaper, have fares set by the government (therefore you can simply purchase tickets as you leave for the day), stop more along the route, and are slower.

When traveling to Bologna from Florence, for example, you have the choice between taking the fast train (about 40 minutes each way) or the regional train (about 1.5 hours each way) on your day trip.

Therefore, we’ve listed Bologna as a day trip located less than one hour from Florence… but if you don’t book your ticket in advance, you may find that it’s quite expensive to take the fast train at the last minute! We recommend using Omio to search for fast train tickets (it will search tickets and compare prices both for Trenitalia, Italy’s national train company, and Italo, a private company that offers some routes, as well as bus routes).

While some of these day trips from Florence are easy to use the regional trains for and generally don’t require train tickets to be purchased in advance (like Pisa), others (like Rome) require a fast train ticket to even be feasible. 

If you have your heart set on a particular day trip, we recommend researching exact train times and prices as soon as possible to get a realistic look at what your day will look like.

Check fast train ticket prices for your day trips from Florence today!

Does choosing between 21 day trips from Florence feel a bit overwhelming? Want to make a quick, easy, reliable choice that is bound to be unforgettable?

Enter this full Tuscany day trip , which covers a visit to Siena, a wine tasting in the Chianti countryside, and a trip to the beautiful village of San Gimignano, all in one day!

This is a one-stop-shop day trip from Florence, and includes a little bit of everything: a Tuscan city, some delicious local food and wine, and a trip to a small village with incredible views of the rolling hills of Tuscany, making it an easy choice for those looking for a small taste of several different things that Tuscany has to offer.

With over 900 near-perfect reviews on Walks of Italy alone, this day trip is a tried-and-true crowd pleaser–don’t forget to save room after lunch for some of the best gelato in Italy from Gelateria Dondoli in San Gimignano!

Book this full Tuscany day trip from Florence today!

Perhaps the most iconic of all these Florence day trips, heading to the Leaning Tower of Pisa to snap cheesy-but-fun selfies while holding up the tower is on plenty of Tuscany bucket lists.

Truthfully, Pisa is really a better half-day trip than full day trip, and for that reason we recommend combining it with Lucca–but if you’re the type to savor a destination, you may like to do it as a standalone trip!

A guided tour isn’t really necessary here, though if you prefer one, this is a great option .

Pisa is an easy regional train ride away from Florence, but if you want to climb the tower, we recommend pre-booking tickets in advance to ensure you get a chance to head to the top. Once you finish up at the tower, be sure to spend some time in the rest of the complex visiting the stunning Pisa Cathedral and baptistery!

Booking your Pisa Complex skip-the-line tickets OR your full Pisa day trip now!

For a day trip from Florence that’s not as well-established on the tourist circuit as somewhere like Pisa (though it is far from unknown), head to the beautiful Tuscan city of Arezzo.

Located less than an hour south of Florence by train, Arezzo is easy to reach and easy to enjoy, boasting gorgeous churches, beautiful views over the Tuscan countryside, and plenty to do.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the Medici Fortress, pay a visit to the archaeological museum (complete with the remains of a Roman amphitheatre), admire the remarkable frescoes in the Church of San Francesco, and climb to the top of the clock tower at the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici for some incredible views.

Arezzo is also known for its antiquing, so if you’d like to do a little shopping for antiques during your trip to Tuscany, this is the place to do it!

As the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, Bologna is known primarily for its absolutely phenomenal food–and if your plan for one of your day trips from Florence is simply to eat your heart out, this is the place to do it!

The Emilia-Romagna region is the original birthplace of many of the dishes that are synonymous with Italian food abroad, though most people who visit agree that the original versions are far tastier.

Parmigiano-reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar, mortadella (aka bologna), and tagliatelle al ragu (aka spaghetti bolognese) are just a few of the delicacies worth sampling on a day trip to Bologna.

In between meals, consider heading to the top of Asinelli Tower for some amazing views of the city, hunting down Bologna’s hidden canals, visiting the anatomical theatre and library of Archiginnasio, and strolling through Bologna’s markets.

Prefer to focus your day trip solely on food and to track down some of Emilia-Romagna’s delicacies at their source? 

This day trip from Florence includes a visit to a parmigiano-reggiano storehouse (visiting one of these is still one of our favorite travel experiences in Italy!), a trip to a small farm that produces traditional balsamic vinegar, and a visit to Bologna… with a chance to eat just about everywhere along the way.

Book your food tour of Emilia-Romagna from Florence today!

Located high above Florence in the Tuscan countryside, Fiesole is unique among these Florence day trips in that it’s only located an hour from Florence… on foot!

That’s right, an hour’s hike is one of the most popular ways to visit Fiesole from Florence–but don’t worry, for those less inclined, you can easily take a quick bus ride up as well.

Once you’re in Fiesole (and manage to tear your eyes away from the stunning views of Florence below), be sure to visit the local Roman ruins (including an amphitheatre), check out the incredible Monastery of San Francesco, the remains of walls left behind by the Etruscans, and of course Fiesole’s beautiful cathedral.

As the second-largest city in Tuscany, Siena was once the military rival of Florence, and today is known for its incredible beauty (especially its Duomo, which is arguably even prettier than Florence’s) and its biannual Palio di Siena horse race.

On a day trip to Siena, don’t miss an opportunity to admire Siena from above (our favorite angle is from the top of the Opera della Metropolitana), to tour the Duomo (if you can fit in the behind-the-scenes rooftop tour, absolutely do), visit the Piazza di Campo, and sit down for a leisurely and delicious lunch–we can heartily recommend Antica Trattoria Papei if you’re looking for a place to eat.

Siena can easily be reached from Florence by train, car, or bus.

Often combined with Pisa for a two-destinations-in-one day tour from Florence, Lucca is a laid-back and beautiful Tuscan town that is perfect for walking around and enjoying the ambiance of Tuscany without skipping from one sight to the next.

Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll (or bike) along the top of Lucca’s medieval fortified town walls–it’s the only city in Tuscany where you can walk the entire route!

Be sure to also stop by the beautiful oval Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, which began life as a Roman amphitheater, climb the Guinigi Tower, and duck into at least a couple of Lucca’s one hundred (no exaggeration) churches.

Depending on the timing of your visit, you may also be able to experience a local festival !

Prefer to take a guided tour to Lucca? This fun tour will show you the best of both Pisa and Lucca in one day!

In many ways, Florence and Verona have lots in common: they’re both beautiful Italian cities set on rivers, both have a plethora of art and history to explore, and both have delicious cuisines.

In the details, though, they are very different: the food is different, the architecture is different, the history is different–and yet, both Verona and Florence rank among our favorite cities in Italy.

Come to Verona for a chance to tour a gorgeous Roman arena in the center of town, for stunning views from Castel San Pietro, visit the beautiful Piazza delle Erbe, and, perhaps most famously, indulge in a little bit of Romeo and Juliet tourism in the hometown of these legendary star-crossed lovers.

San Gimignano

Easily one of the most popular day trips from Florence, San Gimignano is known for its soaring towers, beautiful views, prime location in Tuscany (once upon a time, it sat along a Roman trading route, enriching the town), and its delicious gelato–popular Gelateria Dondoli is known as some of the best gelato in all of Italy!

Though you can’t take a train directly to San Gimignano, you can travel there independently by car or bus.

However, San Gimignano is easy to combine with a trip to the Chianti countryside and wine tasting, making it an excellent town to experience as part of a guided day tour from Florence!

This classic Tuscany day trip is an excellent option for getting a taste of San Gimignano!

Ah, Rome: I must admit that I’m a bit biased in that I’m hesitant to recommend Rome as a Florence day trip, simply because I love it so much that I have a hard time seeing how one day could be enough.

However, all trips to Italy require hard choices about where to go and where to skip, and if you are hoping to taste the Eternal City but don’t have longer than a day to spend there, it’s absolutely worth going!

With one day in Rome, you can pay a visit to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, stroll past the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, briefly visit Vatican City, admire the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, and visit Campo de’ Fiori.

We have a full recommended one day in Rome itinerary here.

The only realistic way to take a day trip to Rome from Florence is via the fast train, which takes 1.5 hours vs more than 3 hours each way on the regional train, so if you have your heart set on this day trip, be sure to reserve your tickets in advance!

Purchase train tickets for your day trip to Rome today!

Val d’Orcia + Surrounding Villages

The rolling hills and endless fields of the Val d’Orcia are often considered the most beautiful place in Tuscany–and with good reason.

This part of Tuscany is truly a feast for the eyes, and exactly where to come if you are looking for the idyllic Tuscan countryside of movies and postcards.

Combine stunning countryside with adorable Tuscan villages and wine tasting in this epic day trip , which includes visits to the towns of Pienza , Montalcino, and Montepulciano (which happens to be one of my favorite villages in Tuscany).

If you would rather avoid taking a guided tour, you certainly can–but you’ll definitely need to rent a car to effectively make the trip happen (and have someone willing to forgo the wine and act as your group’s designated driver!).

Book your day trip to Val d’Orcia today!

Dating back to the Etruscans and far less crowded than many of these best day trips from Florence, Volterra is a delightful Tuscan hilltop town with a plethora of interesting sites and history.

Pay a visit to the Piazza dei Priori, stroll through remaining Etruscan walls and gates, check out the city’s Roman ruins, and visit the beautiful local cathedral and baptistery.

Twilight fans will recognize Volterra as the seat of power of the Volturi, though if you’re hunting down filming locations, you’re in the wrong place: Montepulciano actually stood in for Volterra in the films.

Unlike most of these Florence day trips, Volterra is not reachable directly by train. While driving is the easiest way to reach Volterra, you can also transfer from a train to a bus and get to Volterra in about 2.5 hours each way.

Shop rental cars for your Volterra day trip today!

Italy’s fashion capital is located less than 2 hours from Florence by train, making it a simple and fun day trip that will give you a taste of an Italian city that feels very different from Florence.

Milan’s major sights, like its famous Duomo (don’t forget to check out the rooftop–it’s absolutely fabulous), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco, and the La Scala Opera House are all within a comfortable walk of each other, making Milan an excellent place to see over the course of a day.

If you’d like to see The Last Supper, you will absolutely need to plan in advance: we recommend booking a tour like this if you’d like to see Da Vinci’s famous painting on your trip to Milan.

Book your visit to the The Last Supper now!

Located just barely over 2 hours from Florence by train, Orvieto is a dream of a hilltop town in the Italian region of Umbria, offering gorgeous views, a beautiful town center, plenty of interesting things to do, and some unique local foods definitely worth trying (starting with pigeon–yes pigeon–and Orvieto Classico wine).

While you’re in Orvieto, definitely stop by the Duomo (including the fascinating Cappella di San Brizio inside), step inside St. Patrick’s Well, visit the Orvieto underground, tour the Etruscan necropolis, and climb the Torre del Moro for beautiful views over the city.

As the birthplace of Saint Francis, one of the patron saints of Italy, Assisi is an enormously popular Florence day trip for Catholic travelers–but even if you’re not a practicing Catholic, the history and beauty of Assisi is sure to draw you in.

No trip to Assisi could be complete without a visit to the UNESCO-recognized St. Francis Basilica–but once you wrap up there, be sure to also check out Assisi’s Roman Forum, the Rocca Maggiore fort, the Roman Temple of Minerva located in the center of town, and the Cathedral of San Rufino.

While Assisi is a meaningful and interesting Florence day trip, it’s also a bit long, with most journeys take well over 2 hours each way–so be prepared for a long day!

This Assisi day trip takes care of transportation concerns and also includes a stop in beautiful Cortona!

Cinque Terre

There’s no doubt that Cinque Terre is one of the most sought-after day trips from Florence: these delightful Ligurian fishing villages have captured hearts around the world, and it’s no surprise–they’re truly incredibly beautiful.

However, as a day trip from Florence, they’re a bit of a stretch to get to, requiring you to time the fast trains, spend lots of your day in transition, and dedicate a huge amount of energy to logistics on what is already a very full day. 

We go into detail on that in this post , so I won’t repeat myself too much here, but I will say that we absolutely recommend booking an organized tour to Cinque Terre if you want to accomplish a visit as a day trip from Florence.

Your day will be much simpler for it, and you’ll be able to spend all of your energy focused on gorgeous views and tasty seafood instead of fretting about logistics.

Book your  day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence  today!

Rather than focus on a specific town or city, these best day trips from Florence are all about having unforgettable experiences in Tuscany–including some of our favorite Tuscany travel experiences of all time!

One of our all-time favorite experiences in Tuscany is taking a day trip to the countryside via Vespa.

There’s truly nothing like the feeling of zipping along country lanes and admiring passing villas, olive orchards, and vineyards from the back of a Vespa.

This tour will take you up to San Miniato al Monte for some truly incredible views of Florence before a ride through the countryside, and is a completely phenomenal experience, and if you’re looking for an idyllic day trip in Tuscany, you can’t go wrong with this one!

Book your vintage Vespa day tour from Florence now!

Tuscan Cooking Class

Want to try your hand at some Tuscan cooking?

Taking a cooking class in Tuscany is one of the most popular things to do when visiting the region, but while there are plenty of classes you can take within Florence, we personally think cooking in a farmhouse in the countryside is far more idyllic!

This cooking class is an all-day affair at a Tuscan farmhouse, includes transportation to and from Florence, and is an excellent way to combine a day outside the city while sampling plenty of delicious food (and learning how to replicate it at home!).

We adored this Tuscan cooking class and can highly recommend it!

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding in Tuscany is a special experience: trails wind through vineyards, past orchards and farmhouses, and along small country lanes.

Admiring the views of the Tuscan countryside is, of course, one of the more popular things to do on a day trip from Florence, wherever you choose to go, and it’s even more special while on horseback.

This tour combines horseback riding with a wine tour, making it the perfect Tuscany day trip combination!

Schedule your horseback ride in Tuscany now!

Wine Tour + Tasting

Prefer to skip the cities and focus solely on delightful Tuscan wine?

This popular Chianti day trip will take you right to two different vineyards, where you will tour their wine cellars, learn a bit about the wine process, and then move right on to tasting the local wines.

A trip to the Chianti countryside is a quick-and-easy option when looking for day trips from Florence that will offer you a chance to see the Tuscan countryside, enjoy some of the local delicacies, and not have to dedicate too much time away from the city.

Book your Chianti wine tour today!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

2 thoughts on “21 Best Day Trips from Florence (+ Detailed Travel Advice)”

Thanks for an interesting read. Just wondering why you excluded Venice from the list as a train takes 2 hours and 5 minutes from Florence?

A few reasons, starting with the fact that if I included all possible day trips from Florence here, this already giant post would be the size of a book, lol.

Another reason is that while I adore Venice, I’m not blind to the fact that it’s a bit controversial with many visitors and that plenty of people leave unsatisfied due to the crowds and hassle of getting in and out of the city (from the train station, it’s still a long walk or crowded waterbus ride to the main sights). I don’t want to recommend something that I think has a high chance of leaving people disappointed with a city as special as Venice, which a day trip that involves 4+ hours on a train is likely to do.

I would never tell someone not to go if that’s what they want or have planned, but it doesn’t make my list of top day trip choices from Florence, either. 🙂

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7 of the best day trips from Florence

Apr 8, 2024 • 7 min read

Take a day trip from Florence into the wider region of Tuscany and beyond © FilippoBacci / Getty Images

Branching out from the red cupola of the Duomo , the stone-built alleys of Florence ’s historic core connect some of the world’s most precious examples of Renaissance art and architecture.

It’s easy to see why millions visit the UNESCO-inscribed capital of Tuscany every year. This walkable city of fewer than 400,000 people has been a European center of culture since the Middle Ages and much of its heritage has survived intact to this day. Florence’s global fame, however, has long overshadowed the many sights in its surroundings, keeping tourists concentrated in and around a limited number of well-known destinations.

Heavily publicized attractions such as the Uffizi museum , Michelangelo’s David inside the Galleria dell’Accademia and the 14th-century Ponte Vecchio tend to grab all the attention. But you shouldn't spend all your time in Tuscany standing in line for fear of missing out. Many surprising and often neglected towns await beyond Florence’s borders.

Here is our pick of the best day trips from Florence, nearly all of which is reachable on public transport.

Need more inspiration for where to go in Italy? Here's our guide to the country's top experiences

1. Visit the treasured cathedral of Lucca

Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes by train

Enclosed within 12m-high (39ft) defensive walls, historic Lucca is one of Tuscany’s most charming medieval centers. Lucca grew out of its privileged position on the Via Francigena pilgrim route and is known as the city of 100 churches. The greatest of them all is the Romanesque Cattedrale di San Martino , where you’ll find Italy’s oldest wood carving, the Volto Santo crucifix. The cathedral is located a short distance from the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, the elliptical square built on a former Roman amphitheater and lined with restaurant terraces and aperitivo spots.

Lucca isn’t just historic sights though. From spring and throughout the summer many festivals take place within the city’s grass-covered walls, peaking with the Lucca Summer Festival that fills the cobbled alleys with the music of international artists every July.

How to get to Lucca from Florence:  Hourly trains depart from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, taking you right by the gate of Porta San Pietro that leads into the inner city.

2. Cycle around Lago Trasimeno

Travel time: 1 hour 35 minutes by train

Italy’s fourth-largest lake sits just outside Tuscany’s borders, in the province of Perugia , and is surrounded by green hills and sleepy towns. From Castiglione del Lago, the main settlement in the Trasimeno area , you can rent a bike (or e-bike) at Cicli Valentini and join the 60km (37-mile) bike path that loops around the lake and through quaint hamlets, olive groves and Umbrian farmhouses.

Between April and September, you can cut the trip short by taking the ferry that runs from Passignano back to Castiglione del Lago via Isola Maggiore, one of the lake’s three islands, stopping to admire its 19th-century castle, built by the Guglielmi, Marquis of Vulci and Civitavecchia.

How to get to Lago Trasimeno from Florence:  A regional train travels from Florence to Castiglione del Lago in approximately 1½ hours. From there, return to Florence or continue to Rome.

3. Stroll through Pistoia’s Romanesque buildings

Travel time: 35 minutes by train

This attractive historic town is off most international tourists’ routes and continues to maintain a local feel. Besides its long-standing markets – one held daily in Piazza della Sala, the other on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Piazza del Duomo – Pistoia ’s main attraction is its impressive collection of marble-clad Romanesque buildings, from the striped 13th-century Chiesa di San Giovanni Fuorcivitas to the stately Cattedrale di San Zeno , the city’s main church.

Pistoia has been known as a center of musical culture since the 15th century and keeps the tradition alive by hosting Tuscany’s most important blues festival, the Pistoia Blues , every July.

How to get to Pistoia from Florence:  A quick 35-minute train ride separates Florence from Pistoia. The city center is easily reached on foot from the station.

4. Taste the flavors of Emilia-Romagna

Travel time: 40 minutes by train

Travel beyond Tuscany’s northern border and you’ll find a land of tortellini , cappellacci , lambrusco , parmigiano and many more traditional foods of Emilia-Romagna waiting to be tasted. The region stretches from the Adriatic Coast all the way to Liguria and has been historically divided – locals will make sure you know that Emilia and Romagna are not the same thing at every opportunity, even though they share the same regional border. Despite divisions – historical, linguistic and culinary – you can’t really go wrong when eating your way through the region. Emilia-Romagna’s capital, Bologna , is a vibrant city with a large student population and endless opportunities to try the region’s many culinary highlights.

How to get to Bologna from Florence:  High-speed trains will whizz you from Florence to Bologna in just 40 minutes.

5. Hunt for antiques in Arezzo’s Fiera Antiquaria

Travel time: 40 minutes or 1 hour 30 minutes by train

It’s always a good time to visit the art city of Arezzo – home to an Etruscan settlement in its early days and the birthplace of one of Tuscany's most famous Renaissance architects, Giorgio Vasari – but go on the first Sunday of the month or the Saturday before that, and you can experience the Fiera Antiquaria , Italy’s largest antique market. More than 500 vendors, selling everything from vintage furniture to original art, unfold their wares on the sloping cobbles of Piazza Grande, against the beautiful backdrop of Palazzo delle Logge , designed by Vasari himself for the Medici family.

How to get to Arezzo from Florence:  High-speed trains run from Florence to Arezzo in just 30 minutes, while slower (and cheaper) regional trains take under 1½ hours.

6. Step into the ruins of San Galgano, and return via Montalcino

Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes by car

Rising from the cypress-dotted countryside of central Tuscany, the Abbazia di San Galgano is one of the region’s most striking pieces of religious architecture, standing roofless a short drive from Siena and a couple of hours from Florence through twisting secondary roads. The majestic structure was built by Cistercian monks over the course of the 13th century and abandoned two centuries later. In 1786 lightning struck San Galgano’s bell tower, which collapsed on the roof, destroying it. The stone cathedral has stood in this hilly corner of the region ever since, offering unmatched photo opportunities to modern-day visitors.

How to get to San Galgano from Florence:  Given the abbey’s isolated location you will need to drive to get there. Extend the trip to nearby Montalcino for a tasting session of the famed Brunello, either in the enoteca found inside the town’s fortress or one of the many wineries nearby.

7. Discover Siena’s artistic heritage

Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes by bus

A single day might not be enough to see all that Florence’s historic rival has to offer, but a few hours in Siena will get you a glimpse of the riches acquired by the medieval city-state in its heyday. Starting from the semicircular Piazza del Campo – the square where the yearly Palio horse race is held – enter the Palazzo Pubblico to visit the Museo Civico and see works by some of the greatest Sienese artists of the Middle Ages.

Among them are the 14th-century frescoes Allegory of Good Government and Allegory of Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, meant to inspire the government working in the municipal palace to make good decisions or face the decline of society. Be sure to step into the nearby Duomo as well to admire the spectacular floor mosaic, made of 56 panels produced between the 14th and 19th centuries by up to 40 different artists.

How to get to Siena from Florence:  Buses run between Florence and Siena in a little over an hour, while trains are slightly slower, taking 1½ hours. Be aware that not all trains are direct and you may have to switch in Empoli.

If you have more time

Florence is well connected to most major Italian cities through high-speed rail, and in just a few hours you can be in Rome , Milan or even Naples . Make sure to book your tickets ahead of time to get the best prices.

If you have a car and are looking to spend some time outdoors, the Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi and Parco Regionale delle Alpi Apuane offer many excellent hiking opportunities. In autumn, keep an eye out for food and wine festivals, such as the truffle fair of San Miniato, the Expo del Chianti Classico in Greve in Chianti, or the chestnut festival in Marradi.

This article was first published June 2012 and updated April 2024

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An Italian Mama's Guide to Italy

11 fantastic day trips from Florence you will love

Our selection of the best day trips from Florence by car, train and guided tour. From medieval towns to wineries and areas of great natural beauty in Tuscany, these are the best side-trips from Florence Italy

Florence is a fantastic home base to visit Italy.

Within a short distance from the city, you have beautiful countryside, stunning hilltop villages, beautiful beaches and even UNESCO marvels such as Cinque Terre and Rome.

Planning side-trips from Florence is easy, thanks to the excellent road and train network in the area and the vast choice of guides tours available.

This is my selection of the best day trips and best day tours from Florence, to take after you have enjoyed Florence’s must-see sites .

Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Best side-trips from Florence map

Organized day trips of Tuscany from Florence

If you are short on time, a great way to see some Tuscany highlights is by joining an organized day tour from Florence.

These days tours take away the stress of driving on unfamiliar roads and while they do not allow you a lot of time at your destination, are a great way to get a whistle-stop in an area that, due to time constraints, you may otherwise miss.

Have a look at this one: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti Day Trip from Florence .

The best day trips from Florence Italy: our top picks

Day trip from florence to chianti – the perfect day trip for wine lovers.

The Chianti region is world-famous for its production of Chianti classico wine and it is a very easy area to visit from Florence.

Here, you are going to see beautiful countryside and will have your pick of wineries and restaurants to sample the local, amazing wood and see what this famous wine is all about.

The best way to visit this wine region is by car, if you have a designated driver in our party who will not partake in the wine tasting, or with a guided tour such as this one by LIvTours .

With your private driver, you will visit two wineries (one big, one small, so you can get a sense of different Tuscan producers), walk the grounds, taste the wines, have a light lunch and enjoy the stunning rolling hills of this area.

This tour is a fantastic way to experience Tuscany without a car and it can be tailored to your needs and customized as required.

Catch a train to Lucca

Lucca is one of the prettiest small towns in Tuscany and a perfect day trip from Florence by train.

The town has intact medieval walls and a stunning historical center with plenty of beautiful churches, shops and restaurants, for a pleasant day of sightseeing.

Not to be missed in Lucca is the stunning Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy , the old city walls and the pretty Guinigi Tower.

Lucca is best explored on foot or by bike.

You can find our guide to spending a day in Lucca here.

Lucca is one of the easiest Tuscan cities to explore with small children.

The town’s ancient walls are now a park and they have a wonderful cycling trail easy to tackle at any age. Find our tips for visiting Lucca with kids here .

Top tip : Lucca is on the way between Florence and the coast and you can easily combine a trip here with time on the beach. You can find here >>> our handpicked selection of the best beaches near Lucca .

Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni is a tiny village perched on the top of a hill in the province of Siena, less than 50 km from Florence.

The town is still entirely surrounded by its imposing medieval walls and it is a wonderful example of a Tuscan castle, complete with a chapel, turrets and a stunning main square now filled with restaurants and pretty shops.

The village is tiny and can be visited in a couple of hours, the reason why many plan it for the same day as San Gimignano. Not to be missed is the walk on its bastions and lunch on the main square.

Top tip! If you can, try and visit the city in early July when the Monteriggioni medieval festival takes place (bring water and a sun hat as Monteriggioni is hot in summer!).

Find our guide to Monteriggioni here .

Visit San Gimignano, UNESCO city of towers

San Gimignano is the best and easiest hilltop Tuscan village to visit as a day trip from Florence and one of the most popular destinations for day-trippers.

Perches on top of a beautiful hill, San Gimignano is a medieval walled town with a perfectly preserved old center, a staggering amount of medieval towers (it is not called ‘city of towers’ for nothing!) and it is also a lovely place for foodies.

As well as stunning churches and alleys, San Gimignano is famous for the production of saffron and the delicious vernaccia wine: vernaccia di San Gimignano!

You can visit San Gimignano on your own or by joining an organized tour. Whatever you decide, prepare for crowds: during the day, San Gimignano gets a lot of tourism – escape to the smaller side roads for a respite from the crowds and some of the most beautiful corners of the city.

Find our guide to San Gimignano here or check out well-organized day trips from Florence to San Gimignano such as this one .

Tenuta Chiudendone

if you are looking for a way to spend a day in the stunning Tuscany countryside, learn to cook and even have a dip in a swimming pool (a lifesaver, if in Tuscany in the summer !), then you will love the option of spending a day at Tenuta Chiudendone.

Your lovely host for the day will make you experience the hospitality, food and landscapes of Tuscany, offering a great break from the city for the whole family.

The experience is offered via Airbnb, find info >>> here

Cortona is one of the prettiest and best-known towns in Tuscany, known to English speakers mostly as the backdrop of the best seller Under the Tuscan sun.

Perched on top of a beautiful hill surrounded by pretty countryside, Cortona is a delight and a town with plenty to offer for a day or even more.

Not to be missed here are its central square medieval and still perfectly preserved, its churches and museums and the nearby Eremo Le Celle (Hermitage) which dates back to St Francis’ times.

You can find our guide to what to see in Cortona here .

Top tip : make sure you have lunch in Cortona or at least aperitivo so you can try the local specialties such as the delightful ciaccia (local focaccia)!

Day tours from Florence to Cortona often include stops in other beautiful localities and can be a good option to explore more if you don’t have your own car.

Have a look at this beautiful day trip from Florence to Cortona and Montepulciano , which touches two of our favorite Tuscan towns!

If you have always dreamed of seeing the Tower of Pisa and UNESCO’s Piazza del Miracoli (Square of miracles), then you’ll be happy to know that Pisa is easy to visit from Florence.

Regular trains connect Florence Santa Maria Novella station with Pisa Centrale and good buses lead you to the tower, which is where Pisa’s main attractions are.

Not to be missed here are the tower itself, a visit inside the cathedral and baptistry and a visit to the cemetery, which is a real gem and Pisa must-see.

The one problem you may have in Pisa is the crowds.

Everyone comes to the piazza and this means you have tons of cheap souvenir vendors, food trucks and relative litter everywhere.

That said, the piazza is so special I believe it shines through: to make the most of your day in Pisa, I recommend you read our guide to one day in Pisa with our recommended itinerary .

If you prefer a guided experience, have a look at this half-day excursion to Pisa from Florence .

Siena is one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany: the center and famous Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy , is jaw-dropping but the whole city is full of churches, pretty roads and palazzi that echo its medieval past.

Siena also has lovely shops and restaurants, which make it perfect also if you want a relaxing day getting your fic of Italian food and style!

Despite all these riches, Siena is easy to visit in one day: you can find my full guide to Siena here .

Tip for families with kids : Siena is not very stroller friendly but has some nice areas for kids and a wonderful park. You can find our guide to Siena with kids here .

Good tours to and of Siena worth checking out are:

• Siena half-day tour from Florence
• 2h walking tour of Siena

Val D’Orcia

A longer yet stunning day trip from Florence is also that to Val D’Orcia, maybe the most iconic of all areas in Tuscany.

Val d’Orcia is where the rolling hills, cypress trees and olive groves that many associate with Tuscany actually are.

The area is ideal for a road trip as some of the most beautiful views in Val D’Orcia are from the scenic drive between Chianciano, San Quirico d’Orcia and Pienza however, several bus tours offer tours of the area that can be a valid alternative.

You can find our not to be missed places in Val d’Orcia here and you can check good day tours from Florence to Val d’Orcia following the links below:

Cheese and wine tasting Val D’Orcia tour from Florence (Pienza is famous for its cacio cheese) From Florence, wine tasting day tour of Val D’Orcia

Florence beaches and Tuscan Riviera

Florence is surprisingly close to the sea.

The motorway connects the city to the coast in less than 2 hours and here, you can easily choose between several localities offering sandy beaches, rocky coves, trendy settings or secluded experiences. Basically, whatever beach experience you are after, the beaches of Tuscany will deliver!

You can find my guide to the best beaches near Florence here

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is an area of outstanding natural beauty in Liguria (the region to the North West of Tuscany) which needs little introduction.

This is the area of Italy where you find the colorful villages that seem to hang off a cliff overlooking the sea and where some of the most iconic images of Italy are taken.

Visiting Cinque Terre from Florence is possible and the best way to do so is by an organized tour that will take care of transport arrangements, not otherwise exceptionally straightforward in this area.

Have a look at this good day tour from Florence to Cinque Terre by bus to see what the day includes and the exact schedule.

Tip for families : If traveling with children, make sure you check our guide to Cinque Terre with kids : this area of Italy is not child friendly (for the terrain, not the people) and extra tips are useful.

I hope you enjoyed this overview of our favorite side trips from Florence. Safe travels!

Marta Correale

Marta Correale is an Italian mama of two. Born and raised in Rome, Marta has a passion for travel and especially enjoys showing off Italy to her kids, who are growing up to love it as much as she does! A classics graduate, teacher of Italian as a second language and family travel blogger, Marta launched Mama Loves Italy as a way to inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way.

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9 Spectacular Day Trips from Florence to Plan Now

Ah, Firenze. Before our last trip to Florence, where we spent five days exploring (read: eating and drinking) our way through the city, Alysha wasn’t a fan. “It’s too touristy!” she said. And she’s not exactly wrong – Florence sees a TON of tourists, especially in the height of summer – but there’s a reason for that. The food, the art, and, we’d argue, the location in Italy.

Because of its location in the heart of Tuscany, which is in central Italy and is roughly equidistant between Rome and Venice, and the high speed rail lines in Italy, Florence is an ideal home base for exploring the entire stretch between Rome and Venice / Milan. 

From the rolling Tuscan Hills to the picturesque vineyards of Chianti, the medieval charm of Siena to the foodie haven of Bologna, there are so many amazing day trips from Florence that it’s easy to fill up your Italy itinerary in no time at all.

If you’re still in the planning phase, we actually recommend at least one extra day on the end of your Florence itinerary dedicated to a day trip. 

In this guide, we’re going to take you through nine day trip destinations that we have personally been to and enjoyed. We’ll give you the crucial info – like how to get there without a car and the best things to do – so that you can get into planning your trip. 

Are there more than nine day trips that you could take from Florence? Yes. But these are our nine favorites.

One quick note. All of the below Florence day trips are within two hours of Florence by either car or public transportation. Any longer than this and you’ll need more time – otherwise you’ll spend half of your day traveling to and from the destination.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How to Get From Florence to Your Day Trip Destination

Many of Florence’s day trips are easily accessible by train or bus. Italy has a good national public transportation network, particularly between the larger cities such as Florence, Milan, Rome, and Venice.

However, public transportation within rural Tuscany can be a little more hit or miss. As a result, you won’t be able to reach some of the smaller destinations below without a car or taking a guided tour.

If you do want to visit the less accessible destinations in Tuscany, hiring a car for a day is one option.

Although we wouldn’t recommend renting a car for your entire time in Florence – you definitely won’t need it for getting around the city itself.

A guided tour may be a more convenient – though slightly more expensive – choice.

By taking a guided tour, you won’t have to worry about driving in Italy or getting behind the wheel after a few glasses of wine (definitely don’t do that!).

You’ll also have a local guide who will plan your day and teach you about the places you visit.

If you’re looking to combine San Gimignano, Chianti, and Siena into one day, it’s going to be a long day, but this tour with Take Walks (which is one of our favorite tour companies on earth – read our review of our Colosseum Tour in Rome to learn why), covers San Gimignano, Chianti, and Siena in one action-packed 10 hour day.

Read More: How to Plan an Amazing Tuscany Itinerary 

The 9 Best Day Trips from Florence: A Complete Guide 

And now, onwards to nine incredible day trips that we’d recommend.

For each, we’ll give you our take on how to get there (public transportation, guided tour, or rent a car), along with our favorite things to do and see.

Located just north of Florence, Bologna is a charming and historic city with a certain vibrance and youthful energy thanks to its prestigious university.

It is also one of the more authentic major cities in Italy, and provides a stark contrast to the open-air museum that is Florence. 

We love Bologna for a few reasons. One, it’s a refreshing change from some of Italy’s other popular cities, where tourists are the primary people you’ll encounter on the street.

Wandering through the porticoed medieval streets, you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by ordinary people going about their daily lives, rather than eager tourists congesting narrow lanes for photo opportunities (for the most part anyway).

It’s like real life people actually live in the city, which is something you sometimes forget in places like Rome and Florence. 

Second, and arguably most importantly for your purposes, it’s one of the best food cities in Italy. 

Bologna is located in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region – Italy’s culinary capital – making it the perfect Florence day trip for foodies. Many of Italy’s most famous delicacies and dishes originate from the city and the surrounding region.

So make sure to arrive hungry – you’re going to want to eat everything!

P.S. we have an entire guide to spending a day in Bologna , which is the perfect way to spend your day trip!

How to Get from Florence to Bologna 

We wouldn’t recommend traveling to Bologna from Florence by car. The drive takes around an hour and 30 minutes, which is considerably longer than the train journey. Plus, parking in Bologna is fairly expensive and difficult to come by.

By train . Bologna is an easy train ride from Florence and one of the quickest day trips you can take by public transportation. Direct high-speed trains from the Florence Santa Maria Novella station to Bologna run regularly each day and the journey takes just 35 minutes. 

On a guided tour . This foodie tour from Florence will take you to explore both Bologna and some of the wider Emilia-Romagna region in a day. It includes a Bologna food tour, as well as a visit to a small farm producing artisanal balsamic vinegar and a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory.

What to Do in Bologna 

These are some of our favorite things to do in Bologna in a day.

Climb the Asinelli Tower for Great Views

Garisenda and Asinelli (aka the Two Towers) are the most famous of Bologna’s many slender medieval towers that fill the city skyline. With their unusual inward leans, the twin towers are an important symbol of the city. 

If you’re looking for a substitute for the more famous leaning tower of Pisa, this would be a good option (and we like Bologna WAY more than Pisa). 

Asinelli is the tallest of the two – it’s the tallest tower in Bologna at 97.2 meters high – and offers spectacular views over the city. To reach the top, you’ll need to pay €5 and climb 498 steps up a winding wooden staircase. 

Interesting fact : Garisenda was once the same height as Asinelli but had to be shortened in the 14th century due to its increasing lean. Nicknamed the “leaning tower of Bologna”, it’s no longer possible to climb the smaller of the two towers.

Eat Your Heart Out

Bologna is one of Italy’s top foodie cities, so indulging in plenty of tasty Italian cuisine while you’re there is a must!

Mortadella and filled pasta such as tortelloni both originate from Bologna. Tagliatelle al Ragù Alla Bolognese is another famous dish you have to try – you’ll be surprised how different it is to the Americanized Spaghetti Bolognese.

The broader Emilia-Romagna region is also the birthplace of just about every delicious food you associate with Italy. Parmesan cheese, prosciutto di Parma, balsamic vinegar, and Lambrusco wine are all products of the region. 

To taste some of the best food in Bologna, head anywhere in Quadrilatero. Sitting just off Piazza Maggiore, the city’s historic food quarter is packed with countless incredible market stalls, delis, cafes, and restaurants.

Take a Bologna Food Tour 

Another way to experience Bologna’s food scene is by taking a guided food tour with a local guide.

We like the look of this food tour , which takes you to the city’s bustling food market, as well as some local hidden gems. 

In 4 hours, you’ll taste plenty of local delicacies, from fresh pasta to homemade gelato. The tour includes a visit to an artisanal pasta workshop, so you can watch tagliatelle and tortelloni being made from scratch in front of you.

Visit Piazza Maggiore and Basilica di San Petronio

Piazza Maggiore is the beating heart of Bologna and one of Italy’s best piazzas in our opinion. A visit to the city isn’t complete without stepping foot in the square. 

The large piazza is surrounded by many of Bologna’s most important buildings, including several grand palaces and the unfinished façade of Basilica di San Petronio.

Basilica di San Petronio is a beautiful example of Italian Gothic architecture. Construction of the church was started in the 14th century but never completed. Despite the half-finished marble façade, it’s still the most important church in the city and a must-visit. 

Entrance to the basilica and its museum are completely free. Although, you’ll need to pay €5 to visit the rooftop terrace.

Climb to Santuario Madonna di San Luca

Bologna is known for its many porticoes, and you can walk through 666 (someone has a sense of humor) of them on the 4km pilgrimage up to hilltop Santuario Madonna di San Luca. 

The scenic hike takes around 45 minutes, has a gradual incline, and is largely shaded by the porticos, so it’s not overly challenging. 

But if the walk feels like too much for you, you can also jump on the San Luca Express street train to reach the impressive 18th-century church and viewpoint. The train will pick you up in Piazza Maggiore and whisk you away to the church on the hill, which will cost you €12 for a round trip ticket. 

Dive Deep into Parmesan-Reggiano 

For foodie travelers, another must-visit destination in the Emilia-Romagna region is Reggio Emilia, the birthplace of parmesan cheese. You can visit the town on a separate day trip from Florence, or combine it with nearby Bologna.

The best way to explore Reggio Emilia is on a guided tour. We did this “Secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano” tour and it was incredible – the highlight of our last trip to Italy. 

The tour includes pickup at Reggio-Emilia AV station, a farm and factory visit where you get to watch and learn about the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a tasting of several local products.

You even receive 1/2kg of parmesan cheese vacuum packed to take home with you.

Sitting close to the popular city of Pisa, Lucca is a good alternative for those who need a break from large crowds of tourists.

The city’s peaceful ambiance and alluring architecture make it one of our favorite places to spend a day away from Florence. 

The intact Renaissance city walls are what makes the Tuscan city so special.

Then inside the walls, you’ll find an enchanting maze of cobblestone streets, countless historic churches, cozy cafes sitting inside medieval buildings, and one of Italy’s most unusually shaped piazzas. 

Lucca is the perfect day trip for enjoying a slow stroll and a relaxing long lunch with a glass of wine (or three) while people-watching in a local piazza.

How to Get from Florence to Lucca

By train . Despite the close proximity of the two cities, only slow regional trains run between Florence and Lucca, which can take up to 1 hour 45 minutes. Although, the train is direct and you’ll be treated to some beautiful scenery along the route. It’s a good option for a quick half day trip from Florence. 

By car . Driving from Florence to Lucca may be a better option. The journey takes around one hour in normal traffic. However, cars are not allowed in Lucca’s Old Town, so you’ll need to park outside the city walls and walk in (it’s only a 15 minute walk). We’d recommend parking at Parcheggio Carducci to the south of the city which costs just €1 per hour.

What to Do in Lucca

These are some of the best things to do in Lucca on a day trip from Florence.

Walk the City Walls

Lucca’s historic walls are the city’s most famous attraction. And rightly so. Spanning over 4.2km around the city, it’s one of the most impressive and well-preserved defensive structures of its kind. 

What makes the walls particularly unique is that they were built during the Renaissance era rather than the typical medieval walls you find encasing many other European cities. Hence their much shorter and wider stature.

The walls have since been converted into a charming tree-lined promenade, which is ideal for enjoying a peaceful stroll amongst the greenery. From the walkway, you’ll be treated to some beautiful views over the rooftops of Lucca on one side and the Tuscan hills on the other.

Climb Guinigi Tower

At 125 feet tall, the Guinigi Tower is the tallest building in Lucca. Built by the wealthy Guinigi family in the 14th-century, the Romanesque-Gothic tower was one of just a handful that survived the many medieval raids and battles in the city. 

The tower has a unique rooftop garden with several ancient oak trees providing shelter from the sun. The peaceful garden offers stunning views over the red rooftops of Lucca and out to the surrounding hills. So it’s well worth the €5 entry ticket and 230 step climb to the top (there’s also a lift).

Step Inside Duomo di San Martino

Known as “The City of 100 Churches”, visiting at least one of Lucca’s many historic religious buildings is a must.

Duomo di San Martino is Lucca’s grand Roman Catholic cathedral and our top recommendation. The church’s amazing Romanesque exterior holds an equally impressive interior, so make sure to head inside.

Inside the 11th-century cathedral, you’ll find remarkable frescoes, a carved medieval crucifix known as “the holy face” – the face was said to have been carved by a disciple so is the true face of Jesus – and the intricate tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, the young wife of Lucca’s Lord Paolo Guinigi.

Entrance costs just €3 and includes the small treasury museum displaying important religious artworks.

Visit Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

Lucca’s central Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is the only oval-shaped piazza in the country, making it one of the region’s most unique attractions. 

The piazza was named after the 1st-century Roman amphitheater that once stood in the area. Around the middle ages, the ancient amphitheater ruins were converted into a public square, encircled by towering medieval houses. 

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is now home to numerous restaurants, cafes, and the town’s market. You can also still see some of the original Roman ruins around the square.

Located immediately to the south of Florence, Chianti is the largest wine-producing region in all of Italy and was one of the world’s earliest legally defined wine-making zones.

It is known for producing the world-famous Chianti Classico red wine, which is one of the most prestigious wines that comes out of Italy.

And, if we’re being honest, the wine is the reason you’re coming here for a day trip. There are other towns that are more interesting and charming, but Chianti has the best opportunities for wine tasting near Florence. 

The region’s main hubs are Badia a Passignano (a charming little town), Castellina , Radda , and Greve . All of these are worth a visit if you have the time. But the real highlight of Chianti is its many vineyards. 

Chianti’s vineyards are scattered amongst the region’s rolling hills, broken up by olive groves, quaint stone farmhouses, grand Renaissance villas, imposing medieval castles, and sleek modern wineries. 

Many of the local wineries offer tours and tastings, so you can learn about wine production in the region, and – of course – sample plenty of the local products.

How to Get from Florence to Chianti

By public transportation . Castellina can be reached from Florence by train, while Greve and Radda are accessible by bus. However, we wouldn’t suggest using public transportation to get to Chianti as it will limit your visit to the towns. You won’t get a chance to explore the region’s beautiful scenery or see the famous vineyards. We’d highly recommend going by car or guided tour instead.

By car . Many of the most popular destinations in Chianti are somewhere between 20 minutes and one hour from Florence if you’re driving. Having a car will give you more freedom to move around and visit off-the-beaten-path wineries and viewpoints. But the one major downside of visiting Chianti by car is that someone will need to be the designated driver, so won’t be able to do the wine tastings. 

On a guided tour . A wine tour is our top recommendation for visiting Chianti from Florence if you don’t have a car. You have two options here – a tour to one winery where you’ll dive deep into Chianti wine, or multiple wineries where you’ll get to see a few different approaches. We did this one and really enjoyed it. 

What to Do in Chianti

There are two main things to do in the Chianti region – eat and drink! 

Visit a Winery or Three

Visiting a winery in Chianti is a top Italian experience for wine lovers.

There are a nearly unlimited number of places to get some wine tasting in, and our biggest piece of advice is to avoid the huge, commercial options and focus on the smaller producers who can spend the time to walk you through their approach to winemaking and talk about their wines in detail. 

On an ideal winery visit, you’ll get to walk through the vineyards, see wine being produced, visit the cellars, and sample plenty of Chianti wine paired with local snacks.

All while learning about the winemaking process from a local winemaker. 

If you’re not visiting the Chianti region on an organized tour but still want to do a DIY winery visit and wine tasting, it’s important to book an appointment in advance (especially during the summer).

Take a Cooking Class

The Chianti agricultural region is also known for producing some fantastic olive oils, cheeses, and meats. All perfect pairings for a lovely glass of red.

One of the best ways to experience the cuisine of Chianti is by taking a cooking class. 

This small-group cooking class is held in a traditional hillside woodland home with locals Luca and Lorenzo.

In the interactive class, you’ll learn how to make different types of pasta, tasty sauces, and a delicious dessert.

You’ll then get to enjoy your feast alongside some Italian snacks, homemade oils, and three local wines.

Siena 

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the hilltop city of Siena rivaled nearby Florence in its wealth and power. And much like Florence, it’s where you’ll find some of the finest art and architecture in all of Italy.

Siena is perhaps the best example of a Tuscan hilltop town, with its red brick roofs cascading down the hill from the city center, which sits at the top of the hill. 

Today, Siena is one big open-air museum. Its unparalleled medieval architecture has earned the city the recognition of UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

You can’t help but fall in love as you wander down the narrow cobbled streets, winding between Gothic churches, imposing palaces, soaring medieval towers, and characteristic red clay brick houses. 

However, Siena’s beauty also attracts large crowds that rival even Florence and Pisa. The city can get extremely busy.

The busiest time of year in Siena falls in peak summer when the city hosts its famous Palio horse race on Piazza del Campo. 

The historic event has been taking place in Siena since the 15th century. It sees 10 riders from different districts of the city race bareback around the large square.

The race takes place twice, on 2nd July and 16th August, each year, and is a fantastic – though crowded and expensive – time to visit the city.

How to Get from Florence to Siena 

By train . Siena is simple and easy to reach from Florence by train. A direct train runs from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Siena, and it only takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

By car . If you have a car, you can reach Siena by road in around one hour. But we wouldn’t recommend renting a car just for this day trip – public transportation is cheaper and easier. If you do arrive in Siena by car, park either here or here – we parked at both with no issues. Both parking lots cost €2 per hour.

On a guided tour . You can also visit Siena on a guided tour from Florence. We love Take Walks, and would look at this tour which includes Siena, Chianti, and San Gimignano in one action-packed day.

What to Do in Siena

Below are some of the best things to see and do in Siena in a day from Florence.

Visit the Cathedral

Siena’s cathedral is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in all of Italy.

Its impressive façade is characterized by rows of colored stone and marble adorned with statues and carvings by famed artist Giovanni Pisano, while the church’s large dome and black-and-white striped tower rise high above the city skyline.

And if you’re impressed by the cathedral’s exterior, just wait until you step inside. The lavishly decorated church is filled with amazing frescoes, paintings, carvings, and colorful stained-glass windows by some of the city’s greatest artists. 

Plus, if the floor is uncovered (it isn’t always), you’re in for a treat with its intricate mosaic designs. 

You’ll need around an hour to explore the cathedral’s many chapels, crypt, library, and museum.

And make sure you don’t miss the viewpoint on the top floor of the museum for fantastic views over the city.

Take a Stroll around Piazza del Campo

Piazza del Campo is Siena’s main square and one of the most impressive of its kind in all of Europe. 

Surrounded by historic palaces, charming cafes, and lively bars, the piazza is a hub of social activity in the city. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon aperitif on a sunny terrace and watch the world go by.

The large, sloped square is also known for being the location of the city’s annual Palio horse race each summer, which has become famous all across the world. 

Go on a Walking Tour

Siena is a city with a long and interesting history. And a great way to learn about it is on a guided walking tour with a local guide.

We did this tour and it was an excellent introduction to Sienese history and culture. It even included a visit to the cathedral, which is a fascinating place to explore with a guide who can teach you about the architectural elements and historic artwork.

Eat and Drink

Much like the rest of Tuscany (okay, the rest of Italy), Siena is a top foodie destination with plenty of delicious things to try.

• Try cantucci . Cantucci is a crunchy almond cookie that’s similar to biscotti. Originally from the nearby Tuscan city of Prato, the sweet treat has become a delicacy of Siena and one of the most popular ways to round off a meal. For some of the best cantucci in Siena, head to Bakery Il Magnifico .
• Enjoy a coffee at Torrefazione Fiorella . A traditional Italian coffee bar that serves artisanal coffee and freshly baked pastries. Sitting just a minute from Piazza del Campo, Torrefazione Fiorella is a perfect first stop of the day. 
• Eat sandwiches at Du’ Cose Da Berna . We got this lunch recommendation from the host where we stayed. Located close to the cathedral, Du’ Cose Da Berna is a traditional deli and cafe that serves huge freshly-made sandwiches packed with local ingredients (meats, cheeses, and veggies). Unfortunately, there were no gluten free options, so we had to skip it – but you shouldn’t!

San Gimignano 

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990, the medieval town of San Gimignano is the crown jewel of the Tuscan hills and one of the best Tuscany day trips you can take from Florence.

It is one of the best examples of a classic Tuscan hilltop town, though Siena is perhaps a slightly better example. 

At one time, the small town had over 70 soaring towers defining its skyline, gaining it the unique title of the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages”. Today, only 14 of these still stand. Despite this, the town is still known as Italy’s “City of Towers”!

For such a small town, there’s plenty to see and do in San Gimignano.

As well as climbing the historic towers, you can take a walk around the well-preserved city walls, explore the ornately decorated Romanesque cathedral, and visit the city’s many museums.

How to Get from Florence to San Gimignano

By public transportation . Reaching San Gimignano from Florence by public transportation isn’t the easiest, but it is doable. You’ll need to take the train from Florence to Poggibonsi-San Gimignano station, which takes around an hour. You can then get a small regional bus (line 130) to San Gimignano in about 25 minutes.

By car . San Gimignano is located 50km southwest of Florence and can be reached by car in just under an hour. The historic town center is off-limits to cars, but you can park just outside of the city walls. When arriving from Florence, head to the P3 Bagnaia Superiore or P4 Bagnaia Inferiore parking lots. These are as near to the center as you’ll be able to get. Both cost €2 per hour.

On a guided tour . You can also visit San Gimignano on a guided tour from Florence. We love Take Walks, a tour company we’ve done multiple tours with (read about our Colosseum Tour), and they offer this tour which includes San Gimignano, Siena, and Chianti in a day. It’s a lot, but it’s one of the better options if you want to get to San Gimignano without a car. 

What to Do in San Gimignano 

Below are our recommendations for the best things to do in San Gimignano.

Climb the Torre Grossa at Palazzo Comunale

Standing at 177 feet, Torre Grossa – or “Big Tower” – is the tallest of San Gimignano’s remaining medieval towers. The mighty structure is the bell tower of the Palazzo Communale, the city’s town hall.

Torre Grossa is one of just two towers that are open to the public. You can climb the 218 steps to reach the top and enjoy beautiful panoramic views over the historic town and surrounding hills.

But be warned, you do need to climb a steep ladder to reach the top floor of the tower – so it’s not for the faint-hearted.

There’s also a few rooms adorned with art in the Palazzo Communale, which is included in the ticket price. It’s worth poking around, but it was only a 10-15 minute activity for us. 

Drink Vernaccia di San Gimignano

If, like us, your taste in wine skews towards dry white wines with minerality, Tuscany is going to be a little bit of a rude awakening. Enter Vernaccia, the region’s primary white wine varietal, to save the day! 

Discover Tuscany’s primary white wine, Vernaccia, which is produced in the vineyards surrounding San Gimignano. We’re usually white wine drinkers, so this was a delight in a sea of the deep, dark reds that are more typical of Tuscan wine.

You can sample the local white wine at almost every restaurant and bar in town. Or to learn more, head to the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience .

One of the town’s newest attractions, the Wine Experience is a multi-media museum that lets you deep dive into the history and culture of the local wine.

They have a variety of different versions of Vernaccia that you can try (it’s not free) by buying a tasting card with money on it that you can use on the automatic machines here. It’s like a vending machine, but for Vernaccia. 

Eat at Le Vecchie Mura

Wild boar – or “cinghiale” in Italian – is a specialty of the Tuscan hills and a must-try when in San Gimignano.

Le Vecchie Mura was our favorite restaurant in San Gimignano and a great place to sample wild boar – try the stew if they have it!

The restaurant has a lovely outdoor terrace for basking in the Tuscan sun on a hot day. They also serve gluten free pasta, which is always a bonus for me (I have Celiac Disease).

Gelato at Gelateria Dondoli 

For dessert, head to award-winning Gelateria Dondoli for a delicious and refreshing Italian gelato. The local gelateria has many creative, unusual, and sometimes downright weird flavor combinations. 

My mom got “the Italian garden” with all sorts of herbs in it. It was a little odd, but in a good way. They have gelato-making classes at their educational facility nearby.

The Val d’Orcia (Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano)

The Val d’Orcia is a region of Tuscany centered around the picturesque towns of Pienza and Montepulciano. This is, in our opinion anyway, the best part of Tuscany.

The charming hilltop towns have incredible views over the surrounding Tuscan countryside, which is characterized by its rolling hills, historic vineyards, and cypress trees leading up to grand villas. 

The region is also the birthplace of world-renowned Brunello wine and delicious Pecorino cheese (there’s a version here that is served baked in a cast iron pan and drizzled with local honey called “pecorino con miele” – you should order it if you see it. 

The Val d’Orcia is quintessential Tuscany, in our minds..

How to Get from Florence to the Val d’Orcia

Unfortunately, the Val d’Orcia isn’t easily accessible by public transportation. We’d recommend visiting by car or on a guided tour only. 

By car . The towns of Pienza and Montepulciano are somewhere between one hour and 30 minutes to two hours away from Florence, depending on traffic. Like most historic towns, you won’t be able to take your car into the center. But there’s plenty of parking available just outside the city walls in each of these towns – be aware that you’ll likely have to pay for it. 

On a guided tour . Another great way to explore the Val d’Orcia is on a day tour from Florence. This guided tour takes you to the region’s three most famous towns, while also sampling plenty of local wine and Pecorino cheese.

What to Do in the Val d’Orcia

With only one day in the Val d’Orcia, we’d recommend sticking to two or three of the towns. This is one of the furthest (and busiest) day trips here, so leave early so you can fit more into your day.

Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a lovely little Tuscan town sitting on the edge of a volcanic rock cliff face, with twisting medieval streets engulfed by grand Renaissance buildings.

It’s one of the most popular towns in Tuscany, and it gets unbearably packed in the summertime from about 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

On a visit, you can explore the many churches, wander through ancient piazzas, and drink the town’s signature Vino Nobile di Montepulciano red wine. 

The Renaissance town of Pienza sits in a prime location perched on a hilltop with excellent views, especially on the southern side of town. We stayed near Pienza when we were in the Val d’Orcia, so we found ourselves here multiple times. 

We’d recommend going to Bar Il Casello for great coffee, La Taverna del Pecorino for cheese – the town is famous for pecorino di Pienza – then heading to this viewpoint for our favorite view in town. 

Just a 10 minute drive outside of Pienza, La Taverna del Barbarossa is where we ate one of our favorite meals in all of Tuscany.

The restaurant is where we first discovered wild boar ragu AND pecorino con miele – both of which are delicious and became staples for the rest of our eating in Tuscany. 

The unsuspecting spot also serves an extensive gluten free menu, which was great for us. 

The town of Montalcino is the heart of Tuscany’s world-famous Brunello red wine production.

Most of the wineries here are found on the south side of town, and the drive is beautiful, winding through a valley with vineyards lining both sides of the road. 

We went to Ciacci Piccolomini D’Aragona wine estate to see what all the fuss was about and thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Although we liked the rosso al Montalcino more than the famous Brunello because it was lighter and fruitier, we enjoyed learning about the different production methods for Brunello. 

It is essentially the same grape varietal as Chianti Classico (Sangiovese), but a completely different process, which results in a different wine.

If you want to visit for yourself, reservations in advance are helpful – we were there in the fall and made one, though the people next to us just showed up and were totally fine.  

Plus, don’t miss nearby Abbazia di Sant’Antimo , an enchanting former Benedictine monastery nestled amongst the region’s greenery. 

Verona is an underrated gem in northern Italy that’s all too often overlooked in favor of its famous neighbor Venice – but we absolutely love Verona.

And it’s an easy day trip from Florence thanks to a high-speed train that runs between Florence and Venice (stopping in Verona). 

Known as Italy’s “City of Love”, Verona is most notable for being the fictional setting of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.

However, whenever we talk about Verona, we feel obligated to mention the fact that the Casa di Giulietta in Verona is, quite possibly, the worst tourist attraction we’ve ever experienced. Skip it, save the money, and thank us later. 

But this isn’t where the romance of Verona ends. Long walks along the Adige River, strolling over beautiful bridges, sipping Prosecco in bustling piazzas, and visiting historic castles with stunning hilltop views. All without the huge crowds of many other northern Italian cities. There’s really nothing quite like it.

How to Get from Florence to Verona

Driving to Verona can take up to 3 hours, which is a lot of travel time for just a day. We’d suggest heading there by train instead.

By train . The quickest way to visit Verona from Florence is by train. A direct high-speed train runs regularly each day and takes just 1 hour 30 minutes. It’s worth noting that Verona’s train station is located around a 15 minute walk from the historic city center, though there are a variety of buses that will take you into the center.  

What to Do in Verona 

The northern Italian city is fairly small, so one day in Verona is more than enough. Below are the things you shouldn’t miss.

The Arena di Verona

Verona Arena is one of the oldest and largest Roman amphitheaters in all of Italy – it’s actually older than the colosseum in Rome. Today, the well-preserved structure and archeological site is open for visitors to explore. It’s even used for opera performances and music concerts during the summer months.

You can visit the arena on your own for €10, or on a guided tour. The huge amphitheater is an amazing sight. Although, we found that the signage inside was somewhat lacking. So if you’re particularly interested in the arena’s history, a guided tour may be worthwhile.

Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano

Not to be confused with the amphitheater, Verona’s Roman Theatre is another important historical site and home to an interesting archaeological museum. The unsuspecting museum is definitely a hidden gem and somewhere we almost skipped altogether. But we’re extremely glad we didn’t and you shouldn’t either.

The museum has some really cool artifacts from the region that are over a millennia old. Plus, there are some amazing views from the outdoor portion of the museum.

Admire the View from Castel San Pietro

Located on a hilltop on the east side of the Adige River, medieval Castel San Pietro is where you’ll find some of the best free views over the city.

The views from the castle are particularly spectacular at night. It’s a great place to bring a little picnic and watch the sunset over the city.

You’ll need to climb up a long flight of stairs to reach the castle, but it’s worth the effort for the views along the way. You can also take the funicular, which costs €2 per person each way and closes at 8:45 pm.

Located over 300km north of the Tuscan city, Milan may not be the most obvious day trip from Florence. But thanks to Italy’s high-speed train network, it’s actually possible to reach the northern city in less than 2 hours.

The financial powerhouse of Italy has a completely different vibe from most other major cities. Milan is far more modern and more fashion-forward than the rest of the country – something you’ll notice the second you step foot in the city.

It’s also worth mentioning that Milan is a BIG city, so if you only have a day to explore, the 24 hour metro card is well worth it. 

How to Get from Florence to Milan

Driving between Florence and Milan will take you around 4-5 hours. Obviously this is far too much driving for one day. If you do want to visit Milan on a day trip from Florence, public transportation is the way to go.

By train . The high-speed train from Florence can reach Milan in under 2 hours (some take as little as 1 hour 40 minutes) – pretty impressive right!?

What to Do in Milan

One day in Milan isn’t enough to see and do everything in this sprawling metropolis, but we’d recommend focusing on the below.

The Duomo di Milano

The Duomo di Milano is world-famous for its elaborate construction and imposing façade. It’s unsurprising that it’s one of the most photographed landmarks in the entire country.

The real highlight of the Duomo for us was getting up onto the terraces, where you can appreciate just how incredibly elaborate the construction really is. Plus, the views over Milan aren’t bad either. 

The Last Supper

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper depicts Jesus and his disciples having their final meal together and is one of the most famous paintings in the world.

The iconic painting is housed inside a small convent next to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in central Milan. 

Tickets to visit the artwork can be quite difficult to get your hands on. You can find our top tips for securing your tickets in our full Milan guide here .

Castello Sforzesco and Parco Sempione

Parco Sempione is Milan’s largest green space. With its central pond and many trees, the park is the perfect spot to escape the built-up city center for a while.

The park is also where you’ll find medieval Castello Sforzesco. You can take a walk through the castle’s central courtyard for free. Or if you have the time (it may be tough in a day), the castle also houses several interesting museums.

Eat Ossobuco and Risotto alla Milanese

Ossobuco is a specialty of the Lombard region featuring veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth. In Milan, the dish is often served alongside risotto alla milanese, a tasty saffron-infused variety of risotto. You can find the dish in restaurants all over Milan, so make sure to give it a try.

Aperitivo in Naviglio

Did you know Milan has canals? Neither did we until we started researching our trip.

As it turns out, Milan used to look like Venice before most of the canals were covered up to make way for the modern city you see today.

Fortunately, there is still one district where you can enjoy the canals of Milan – Naviglio. Naviglio Grande (the main canal) is a great place to grab an afternoon aperitif before dinner. The popular local neighborhood is particularly lively around sunset and into the night.

If, somehow, your trip to Italy doesn’t include a stint in Rome and you do want to experience it, the country’s exciting and historic capital is an easy 90 minute train ride away from Florence Santa Maria Novella station! 

A day is not nearly enough time in Rome. But we understand that not everyone has the gift of time. And the Eternal City is a must-visit when in Italy.

If you do only have a day in Rome, we’d encourage you to choose just one of the main sights – the Colosseum or the Vatican – to give yourself plenty of time to experience the other parts of the city. 

How to Get from Florence to Rome 

Do not, under any circumstances, drive to Rome. Thank us later! 

By train . From Florence Santa Maria Novella station, you jump on an easy 1 hour 30 minute train to Roma Termini, with a stop at Roma Tiburtina station too.

What to Do in Rome

With just a day, these are some of the best things to do in Rome .

Experience the Colosseum and Roman Forum

The Colosseum and Roman Forum are the heart of Ancient Rome and a must-visit on a trip to the city. Dating back thousands of years, the depth of history and culture that exists within this little complex is truly mind-boggling.

The massive Roman amphitheater and archeological site are located just a short distance from each other, so it makes sense to visit them together.

The best way to visit the two (in our opinion) is on a joint guided tour. We did this tour and loved it!  

Walk the Centro Storico from the Spanish Steps to Piazza Navona

The best way to explore the many historical treasures of Rome is on foot. On a self-guided walking tour of the Centro Storico, you can check off several of the city’s most well-known landmarks in just a couple of hours.

To see as much as possible with limited time in the city, we’d recommend taking the following route:

• Piazza Di Spagna (The Spanish Steps)
• The Trevi Fountain
• The Pantheon
• Piazza Navona

Finish your walk with lunch at Roscioli Caffè , and gelato next door at Fatamorgana . Or if you’ve already eaten, stop for a glass of wine on the terrace of Enoteca Il Piccolo , just off Piazza Navona.

Marvel at the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica

You won’t be able to fit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the Vatican into a one day trip. But if you prefer art over history, head to the Vatican instead.

There are two key places you should try to visit within Vatican City (an enclave within Rome) – the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican Museums are arguably the most famous of their kind in the world, with a whopping 20,000 pieces of art and the legendary Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling frescos bear the work of Michelangelo.

Renaissance-style St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the largest Christian churches in the world and the most important in Christendom. While visiting the Vatican, it’s well worth climbing the dome of the church for stunning views over the rooftops of Rome.

These sites are some of the most popular attractions in Rome, so you’ll need to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

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15 Cutest Day Trips From Florence: How To & Local Tips!

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Looking for the Cutest Day Trips from Florence, Italy? 

I’ve got you covered! I’ve been to Florence multiple times in the past couple of years, and I absolutely love the city’s food scene and famous places within the city, especially the Uffizi Museum and the Boboli Gardens (when it’s not blistering hot!)

But another reason I love Florence is because it’s within driving distance of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany, quaint villages along the Mediterranean Sea, and large cities like Bologna, Milan, Venice, Genoa, and Rome.  

I’ve had the opportunity to take a bunch of day trips from Florence and honestly believe it’s the best home base in Italy, even better than Rome! So, in this post, I’ll share which best day trips and weekend breaks from Florance are actually worth doing. Any combination of these 15 different day trips from Florence will make your Italian holiday one to remember!

My Top 3 Favorites!

Table of Contents

Getting Around Florence

Italy has an established public transportation system, so there are multiple ways to get in and around Florence. People typically use the train for intercity travel , but guided tours are the most convenient option, and renting a car in Florence to explore Tuscany provides the most flexibility . 

Italy’s train system is fast, efficient, and you can get almost anywhere in the country. High-speed trains connect Florence to large cities like Bologna, Rome, Venice, and Milan. But if you want to travel to smaller towns by train, you’ll need to use the slower regional trains. 

👉 TRAIN TICKETS: You can see regional maps, check current timetables, and book tickets on Trainline.com.

The good news is almost every town near Florence has its own train station.

Renting a car is the most versatile way to explore the Tuscan region around Florence. It gives you complete freedom and flexibility to beat the crowds, stay at each destination as long as you’d like, and make spontaneous pit stops along the way!

➡️ The best company to use for renting a little Fiat in Italy is Discover Cars – it’s what I use!

They compare hundreds of agencies (both local and international) to find the best deals, and they even offer full coverage for just €5-7 euros per day!

If you are in Florence, the dream is to rent a little Fiat convertible and explore the winding roads of Tuscany on your own. Get out of the city limits and create a unique road trip through the vineyards! (obviously, drink responsibly if you’re the one driving). 

By Guided Tour

If you don’t want to plan every step of your day trip , guided tours are the way to go! You just show up and enjoy the ride. The guides will take care of all transportation, tickets, and staying on schedule! 

Guided tours are also helpful for visiting historic destinations. With a tour guide, you’ll gain even more appreciation for each destination by learning about the history and culture of the area!

15 Cutest Day Trips from Florence

These day trips from Florence are organized generally by their accessibility (shortest travel time at the top of the list). Then if they are similar distances, I’ll always put what I think is the cutest day trip from Florence first 🙂. 

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Tuscany Day trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, and Lunch at a Winery

📍 GETTING HERE: 1 hour by train / 1 hour 30 minutes by car 

Pisa is the most popular day trip from Florence, partially because it’s an iconic landmark in Italy, but it’s also very easy to reach by train. 

The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually a bell tower dating back to the 12th century. It’s a beautiful piece of architecture, with six levels of intricate stone arches reaching 186 feet (56 m) into the sky. 

Despite its impressive design, the tower began tilting due to an unstable foundation. Luckily, city officials have taken measures to ensure the tower won’t fall, and visitors can even climb to the top for a bird’s eye view of the city. 

On my first trip to Florence, I was really excited to visit the iconic leaning tower, but I didn’t anticipate everything else to see and do around Pisa!

Other notable attractions just a short walk from the leaning tower include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, The Baptistry, the Camposanto, and more architectural marvels. 

If you have time, I highly recommend walking downtown and grabbing dinner or some gelato on the River Arno. It’s such a picturesque place to take a walk or have dinner as the sun goes down, especially near the Ponte Di Mezzo (Mezzo Bridge).  

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Bologna Food Experience: Factory Tours and Family Style Lunch

📍 GETTING HERE: 40 minutes by train / 1 hour 30 minutes by car

Bologna is home to nearly 400,000 residents and has an equally rich culture with tons of museums and architectural marvels to visit. 

But the reason most people spend time in Bologna is for the food. It’s the gastronomical capital of Italy – and I’m sure most Italian towns would protest that title, but hey, who am I to judge?!

There are a lot of great dishes that come from Italy, and we have Bologna to thank for many of them. Bolognese Pasta Sauce, Mortadella, Tortellini in Brodo, and 7-layer sheet pasta (Lasagna) all originated in Bologna. 

Here are the top-rated local restaurants to visit on a day trip from Florence

• All’Osteria Bottega – Traditional Bolognese-Style dishes, meats, and wines
• Trattoria Da Me – Tortellini, lasagna, and other traditional pasta dishes
• Drogheria della Rosa – homestyle Bolognese cooking, great desserts, and a long wine list

Once you’ve finished stuffing yourself, plan some time to enjoy the awesome non-foodie things to do in the city, from local markets to the Piazza Maggiore and the University of Bologna. 

I’ve spent a long weekend in Bologna, and although the food was great, I felt it was a tad bit dirty and graffitied up. So I would recommend a day trip over spending a few nights in the city.   

3. Chianti Hills

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Florence to Chianti Wine Region with 2 Wine Tastings & Vineyards

📍 GETTING HERE: 1 hour 15 minutes by train / 40 minutes by car 

Chianti lies right in the heart of Tuscany, right between Florence and Siena. It’s one of the most notable wine regions in the world, and if you like red wine, you’ve probably seen a bottle or two at the grocery store from Chianti.

The Chianti Hills are full of small villages full of scenic vineyards. A few of the most popular spots include Greve, Radda, and Castellina. These towns have seemingly endless wine bars, tasting cellars, and gift shops where you can enjoy delicious red & white wine with a view of the Tuscan countryside. 

If you like hiking, you can also take advantage of miles and miles of scenic trails through the vineyards! 

The best way to see the region is by renting a car (preferably a little Fiat convertible) and cruising through the Chianti Hills on your own. It’s seriously straight out of a fairy tale, plus you’ll find small local wineries and vineyards that guided tours pass by.

But booking a guided day tour from Florence is still worthwhile. With a tour guide, you don’t have to worry about getting from one winery to the next or driving back to Florence after a few glasses. 🍷

📍 GETTING HERE: 1 hour 30 minutes by train / 1 hour 15 minutes by car

As the second largest city in Tuscany, Siena is a coveted place to visit and a convenient day trip from Florence. 

Believe it or not, the city is known for fruitcakes! However, people also love to check out the Palio di Siena (a bi-annual horse race) and the Duomo di Siena, which is considered even more awe-inspiring than the Duomo of Florence. 

Siena’s Duomo houses artwork from Donatello, Michelangelo, and other famous painters. If you visit in the summer, I would buy skip-the-line tickets to ensure you won’t wait hours to enter. These tickets will grant you access to the entire Siena Cathedral Complex. 

If you are spending a full day in Siena, get there in time to walk through the narrow cobblestone streets and marvel at the medieval architecture around the city. Be sure to plan a route that passes by the Palazzo Pubblico Castle. 

 👉 Looking for a great view?   Head to the top of the Torre del Mangia or Opera della Metropolitana to look over the green rolling hills sprawling beyond the city. 

5. San Gimignano

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip from Florence + Lunch

📍 GETTING HERE: 1.5 – 2 hours by train (requires transfer) / 1 hour by car

San Gimignano is a medieval hilltop town with historic buildings and 14 ‘ancient skyscrapers.’

Historically, the 13th-century walled city served as a pit stop for pilgrims and traders traveling from northern Italy to Rome. Today, thousands of visitors come each day to climb the towers and enjoy a scenic view of Tuscany. 

Overall, I think it’s a fun place to sightsee, have an aperitivo , and browse local souvenir shops. 

Be sure to grab dessert at the Gelateria Dondoli (a multiple-time Gelato World Champion!) They have tons of classic and unique flavors to try. 

👉 PRO TIP: San Gimignano is one of the most touristy places to visit from Florence, so if you’re visiting without a tour, get there early (around 8 a.m.) to avoid heavy crowds. 

6. Monteriggioni

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Tuscany Day: Siena, San Ginignano, & Monteriggioni Wine Tour

📍 GETTING HERE: 2 hours by train (must transfer in Siena) / 1 hour by car 

Monteriggioni is a tiny walled town in the province of Siena, Italy. It was built in the 13th-14th century to defend against the Florentines and has become one of Tuscany’s most iconic attractions. 

The fortress walls are still intact, and you can even walk along the walls to each watchtower and envision what it would have been like to live there over 700 years ago!

You only need about an hour to walk through the ancient walls and see the city, so most travelers combine their visit to Monteriggionini with Siena (25 minutes away) or San Gimignano (35 minutes away) to fill the rest of their Florence day trip itinerary. 

If you’re planning a private day trip to Tuscany from Florence, Monteriggioni is one historical place you should not skip! In addition to walking the Cinta Muraria (city walls), be sure to see each city gate, visit the museum, and sample Tuscan cuisine at one of the local restaurants.

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Pisa and Lucca Day trip from Florence

📍 GETTING HERE: 1 hour 30 minutes by train/bus / 1 hour 30 minutes by car 

Lucca is a charming, laid-back city known as the ‘city for 100 churches.’ The Renaissance-era architecture and breathtaking views of Tuscany draw visitors here year after year.

Whether you’re looking to explore historical sites or indulge in some delicious Italian cuisine, there are plenty of things to do on a day trip from Florence to Lucca. You can climb the Guinigi Tower to see oak trees growing in the sky, grab a drink in the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, or meander through the weekly markets selling handmade artisanal goods.

You can also rent bikes in Lucca and take a leisurely ride along the 16th-century walls that encircle the city. 

The city of Lucca is also just 30 minutes from Pisa, so it’s easy to combine them into a single day if you’re up for putting a couple of stops on the itinerary.

8. Montepulciano

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Montalcino, Orcia Valley, Pienza, and Montepulciano: Wine & Cheese Tour from Florence

📍 GETTING HERE: 3 hours 40 minutes by train / 1 hour 30 minutes by car

Montepulciano is another famous medieval town near Florence. It’s situated on a hilltop in the Tuscan countryside and overlooks the beautiful Val d’Orcia valley. 

Most people come to Montepulciano for the wine. There are numerous vineyards, wine cellars, and tasting rooms to check out around the city.  But the town has much more than wine! 

Montepulciano has beautiful Renaissance architecture and enchanting cobblestone streets that feel straight out of a fairytale. 

👉 PRO TIP: If you’re interested in the most Instagrammable spots in Tuscany , I recommend visiting two cypress-lines zigzagging roads just a short drive from Montepulciano. You can find them at Cipressi di Monticchiello (southeast of Monticchiello) and Cypress Lined Road (near La Foce). 

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Verona Highlights Walking Tour with Small Group

📍 GETTING HERE: 1 hour 45 minutes by train, 2 hours 45 minutes by car

Verona is a romantic city about 3 hours from Florence, and it’s absolutely worth visiting on a day trip to northern Italy. The city is full of authentic Italian culture, intricate architecture, and ancient Roman ruins. 

But most people visit Verona because it’s the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . Although Shakespeare never actually visited the city, there are still mythical landmarks to visit, like Juliet’s House, Juliet’s Tomb, and Juliet’s balcony. 

👉 PRO TIP: If you’re a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet , then this walking tour will be more your speed !

Other things to see and do in Verona include Castelvecchio Bridge and Domes Mercatorun, or you can simply wander around the charming cobblestone streets filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

The city also hosts various festivals throughout the year. The most well-known is the Arena di Verona Opera Festival.

10. Cinque Terre

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Cinque Terre Day Trip with Transport from Florence

📍 GETTING HERE: 3 hours by train, 2 hours 30 minutes by car 

Cinque Terre is a famous group of 5 colorful villages near La Spezia, Italy. If you’re reading this, you’ve undoubtedly seen a few photos of the cliffside villages. It’s a surreal place, and you will need a full day to see everything here! 

The villages are all a part of Cinque Terre National Park, which has well-maintained trails that take you to breathtaking views of the Italian Riviera coast. The area was even declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 for its unique beauty and cultural significance. 

Manarola and Vernazza have the most famous viewpoints of the five villages, but Monterossa is the most underrated. It’s the best place to spend time at the beach or have a seaside dinner. There are also lots of small artisan vendors where you can buy souvenirs!

Many people love to experience the beauty of Cinque Terre on foot – the hike through all five villages is just 20 kilometers . But if you only have one day, you should take the train to spend more time in each place.

11. Castiglione della Pescaia

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Castiglione della Pescaia: Walking Tour in an Ancient Village

📍 GETTING HERE: 3 hours 15 minutes by train, 2 hours 15 minutes by car

Castiglione della Pescaia is another coastal town near Florence with crystal clear water and a picturesque harbor overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

There are some vacation resorts, but it’s an unassuming, quiet town that retains a lot of its roots as an old fishing village. The lush landscape is consistent with the rest of Tuscany, including olive groves, pinewoods forest, and farming.

The entire coastline is full of organized beaches with sunbeds, beach clubs, cafes, restaurants, and other beach activities like volleyball and parasailing.

👉 PRO TIP: If you’re looking for a weekend at the beach near Florence, this is a great option, and there are so many adorable guesthouses. My top pick would be Agriturismo La Luciana !

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: Florence to Venice: The Floating City

📍 GETTING HERE: 2 hours by train / 3 hours by car

The Floating City of Venice is a bucket-list destination for nearly everyone traveling to Italy, and I agree it’s a place you must see at least once! Venice offers a unique blend of history, culture, and romance that you won’t find anywhere else – and it’s less than 3 hours from Florence!

Yes, Venice is touristy. But when you’re sailing along the Grand Canal at sunset, you won’t care! 

Of course, you should see famous sights like St. Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. 

But make time to wander through the less visited districts of the city, too. For example, the sestiri (neighborhood) of Castello is often untouched by cruise passengers and day trippers! 

Then head to T Fondaco Rooftop Terrace for an unobstructed view of the Grand Canal without the queue.

13. Orbetello

📍 GETTING HERE: 2 hours 30 minutes by car / 3 hours by train 

There are very few tours from Florence to Orbetello, so you will need to create your own itinerary to visit this beautiful beach town. 

Orbetollo is a coastal town in the Tuscany region of Italy with unique geography. The rural village sits in the middle of three isthmus, all over 5 kilometers long, connecting the Monte Argentario Peninsula to mainland Italy.

You’ll find long beaches, diverse nature reserves, and tranquil lagoons along each connecting piece of land. 

Orbetollo is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking weekend beach trip from Florence. The two most accessible beaches are Feniglia Beach and Giannella Beach. Their sandy shores and mellow waves make it a favorite for families with small children!

People also enjoy camping, wetland tours, and birdwatching in Orbetello.

It’s farther away than the other day trips on this list, but the direct train route means it’s still close enough for a day or weekend trip from Florence. 

14. Saturnia

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: I highly recommend renting a car to visit the Saturnia Hot Springs !

📍 GETTING HERE: 3 hours by car / 6-7 hours by train + bus

Saturnia is a small town halfway between Florence and Rome, and comes highly recommended by my Italian friends. Tours from Florence to Saturnia are hard to find – so I highly recommend renting a car in Florence to visit the hot springs.

It’s about 3 hours each way, but many people still find it worth the journey to relax in the thermal baths and natural hot springs that have made the town famous. 

The main attraction in Saturnia is the Terme di Saturnia , which includes three thermal pools with water temperatures ranging from 36-37°C (96-98ºF). The natural baths are open to the public year-round, and while they aren’t huge, you’ll still be able to find an open spot in the pools.

Some notes to help you make the most of your visit:

• Bring water shoes
• Don’t wear jewelry into the thermal baths
• There are no changing facilities at the hot springs. So, if you don’t love the idea of changing in the parking lot, make sure to wear your bathing suit!

Aside from relaxing in the thermal pools, Saturnia also has some great hikes and vineyards nearby.

15. Lake Como

➡️ BEST GUIDED TOUR: 1-Hour Private Boat Tour Lake Como (transportation not included)

📍 GETTING HERE: 3 hours 15 minutes by train / 4 hours 15 minutes by car

Lake Como is probably the farthest I’d go on a day trip from Florence, and it’s definitely better to take an entire weekend to visit.

While Florance is full of historical landmarks and great food, it lacks outdoor adventure. So when you’re craving a scenic hike or mountain views, Lake Como is one of the first places in Italy that come to mind! 

Lake Como is about 30 minutes north of Milan, and it’s the start of the Italian Alps. From boat tours to hiking trails and plenty of delicious restaurants, it’s the perfect place to spend a weekend trip from Florence. 

Here are some of the top hiking trails around Lake Como:

• Monte Caprino – 3.0 mi (4.8 km)
• Brunate – San Maurizio – Monti di Capovico – 6.0 mi (9.6 km)
• Greenway of Lake Como – 7.5km (12.0 km) 

Don’t forget to plan a time to walk around lakeside villages, too. 

Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio are known as the ‘Golden Triangle.’ Here, you can enjoy lakefront cafes and restaurants with a view of the mountains, plus tons of boutique shopping and dreamy cobblestone streets.

My Favorite Experiences Around Florence

While I love each of the places to go on a day trip from Florence, there are also some experiences I highly recommend that aren’t ‘geographically bound.’

Here are some of my favorite experiences you can do anywhere around Florance.

✅ Tuscany In A Day

Florance is the capital of Tuscany, one of the most beautiful regions in the world. Taking a day to tour the best sights and vineyards throughout the region is something everyone should do when traveling to Italy. 

Some of the best stops on a tour of the region are Sieno, San Gimignano, Monteriggoni, Pisa, Lucca, and Montepulciano.

➡️ Book a Tour of Tuscany : Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa & Lunch at a Winery

✅ Florence Vespa Tour

One of the best things to do in and around Florence is book a Vespa Tour. I love putting this at the front of my itinerary because it lets me get a feel for the city and glimpse each neighborhood. Then I can decide which places I want to return to and spend more time later in the trip! 

You can do this on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, but seeing the city on a Vespa scooter is much more exhilarating!

➡️ Book a Vespa Tour in Florence

✅ Tuscan Cooking Class

Italy is one of the food capitals of the world, and learning how to cook authentic Tuscan cruising will give you a new appreciation for each meal and Italy and equip you with skills to impress your friends and family back home! 

You can book a pasta-making cooking class or a more contemporary Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in Florence. 

➡️ Book a Cooking Class in Florence

✅ Horseback Riding

Another one of the top experiences to book around Florence is a horseback riding tour through the Tuscan countryside. 

Typically, this kind of tour is a full-day excursion. It includes a couple of hours of exploring the countryside on horseback, lunch, wine tasting, and free time in a scenic village. 

➡️ Go Horseback Riding in San Gimignano

✅ Wine Tour

For an authentic Tuscan experience, I highly recommend visiting a couple of vineyards in Tuscany to see how they produce wine and taste it at the source. There are plenty of wine-tasting tours around Florence. 

No matter where you go, it will be worth your time and money. You’ll get to learn about the history of Tuscan wine, the wine-making process, and the price of drinks are included in the tour! 

➡️ Book a Wine Tour in Florence

How many days do you need in Florence?

You need at least 3 days in Florence to see the city’s main attractions, like the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Piazzale Michelangelo, the Uffizi Gallery, and take a few day trips to nearby destinations.

I usually spend 2-3 days in Florence each time I visit, and after multiple trips, I still don’t feel like I’ve seen everything. 

But there is enough to see and do in Florence to keep you entertained for weeks! So if you have extra time to spare, I encourage you to spend a week in Florence to fully immerse yourself in the culture and find hidden gems around the city. 

What I’ve learned is that planning is key. If you have your transportation and day trips reserved ahead of time, you’ll set yourself up to make the most of each day in Florence.

Can you do a day trip to Lake Como from Florence?

Yes, you can do a day trip from Florence to Lake Como, but you should prepare for a long day!

Whether you travel by train or car, the journey will take over six hours round trip. Instead, you should visit Lake Como on a weekend trip from Florence . 

If you go on a day trip, book a boat tour beforehand . You can schedule a boat tour for around 11 am, after which you’ll still have time for a short hike or a walk through the village of Bellagio. 

Final Thoughts: Day Trips from Florence

Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy, and there are endless places to visit nearby, but seeing them all in a single holiday is a little unrealistic. 

👉 PRO TIP: If I had only had time for a couple of day trips in Florence, I would prioritize a visit to Cinque Terre , and then I’d book the Tuscany Combination Tour to Siena, San Gimignano, & Pisa .  

The nice part is that no matter where you choose, there are guided tours to each destination, or you can travel by train ( here’s a complete map of every route in Italy ). And for those who want complete freedom over their schedule, you can hire a rental car and visit at your own pace! 

Also, don’t forget about the food scene in Florence. There are TONS of Michelin restaurants, which are only one-star (i.e., affordable), and delicious street food stalls everywhere!

Mariana Barbuceanu is the owner and author of the Road Trip EuroGuide, a blog that inspires fellow travelers to explore Europe more authentically through slower travel and digging deeper into the culture of a place. When she isn't writing about her adventures, she is planning trips for her community and coaching people on how to take that next step towards a much-needed sabbatical.

Florence in a Day with David, Duomo, Uffizi & Walking Tour

• This tour is the perfect way to see Florence in a day, exploring the most famous sights of the city plus the hidden nooks and crannies that make it so special. With the help of our friendly local guides, you won’t just see Florence—you’ll truly appreciate it on a deeper level.
• See highlights such as Michelangelo’s "David"; masterpieces by da Vinci, Raphael, and Botticelli at the Uffizi Gallery; and the exterior of the awe-inspiring cathedral with its stunning dome.
• We’ve arranged express access and pre-reserved tickets at all the sites, and with group sizes of 15 or fewer you are guaranteed a relaxing, engaging day.

Tour description

Immerse yourself in history, art, and architecture on our carefully crafted florence in a day tour..

If you only have one day to see Florence's top artistic and architectural gems, you'll want to make the most of every second—and on this tour, you will. With pre-reserved express entry tickets to the Accademia and Uffizi, you'll breeze past the long lines at Florence's most renowned art galleries, leaving you more time to explore the treasures within. Coupled with an expertly guided stroll through central Florence—where highlights like the Duomo, the famous leather market, and a few of the city's liveliest piazzas await—you'll see and experience it all in one unforgettable morning.

Hear the untold stories behind Michelangelo's larger-than-life David and discover one of the world's oldest galleries.

Your Florence in a Day Tour whisks you past the long queues and into the world famous Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's David, and the Uffizi Gallery. Meet the city’s most famous resident: Michelangelo’s David, whose beauty and size must be seen to be believed. Your expert guide will teach you about the enigmatic genius behind the sculpture and give you a rare insight into his methods with a visit to the unfinished Slaves sculptures that line the far side of the room.

Meanwhile at the Uffizi Gallery, feast your eyes on masterpieces by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli’s Primavera and Birth of Venus. Organized chronologically, the Uffizi collection offers a rare opportunity to watch art develop over the course of several centuries. Your guide—a passionate expert on Renaissance art—will take you through the ages so you can see the flat, two-dimensional paintings of the Medieval era blossom into the beautiful three dimensions of the Renaissance.

Stroll picturesque streets and piazzas to experience the life and soul of Florence.

Your Florence in a Day Tour also includes a guided walking tour of Florence. You'll pause outside the imposing cathedral (Duomo) where your guide will tell you how its enormous dome narrowly avoided catastrophe to become the greatest architectural achievement of its age. You'll also see the Florence Baptistery, home to a set of intricately decorated bronze doors so beautiful that Michelangelo himself called them the "Gates of Paradise."

From there, you'll continue your breezy stroll through the heart of Florence, where outdoor artwork and busy piazzas await around every picturesque corner. Your guide will bring the streets to life with stories from Florence’s checkered past—from the mighty Medici family to philandering kings and Renaissance masters. Along the way, you'll stop at the famous Palazzo Vecchio, discover beautiful outdoor sculptures at Piazza della Signoria, hear how the old Roman forum became the Jewish ghetto at Piazza della Repubblica, and swing by the famous Leather Market (and meet its lovable bronze mascot: Il Porcellino).

Between the city walking tour and your second museum visit of the day, you'll take a short break for lunch. It isn't included in the tour price; however, your guide will point you in the direction of some of their favorite nearby spots.

Seeing Florence in a day is no easy feat. But with a carefully planned itinerary and a small group size of only 15 people or fewer, your full-day Florence tour will be relaxed and easygoing. Because it’s not enough just to see Florence. You need to experience it, taking in its world-class art, fascinating history and stunning architecture with a local expert whose stories will stay with you for years to come.

Sites visited

Verified guest reviews, apr 14, 2024.

tour guide, Ishmael, very informative and pleasant

Apr 12, 2024

Our guide, Regina, was fabulous! She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the artwork and sculptures we visited. She is extremely engaging and friendly. She made the tour perfect for us! Highly recommend.

Apr 10, 2024

Guide was easy to relate to, articulate, and historically informed. He was clear in terms of his expectations times and meeting places. Length and walking expectations are reasonable.

Apr 07, 2024

Such an enjoyable way to learn and see.

Apr 01, 2024

Our tour guide, Francesca, was absolutely amazing. Best tour guide we had in Italy. She’s the best! Very knowledgeable and engaging.

Know before you book

Similar tours, oltrarno at sunset: florence food & wine tour, best of florence walking tour with david & the duomo, vip david & duomo tour: early accademia tour & skip the line dome climb with exclusive terrace access.

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The Best of Florence in one day - Private Tour from Florence

• Entrance tickets in Galleria of Uffizi
• Entrance tickets in Galleria of Accademia
• Private walking tour in Florence
• Licensed professional private tour guide
• Entry/Admission - Gallerie Degli Uffizi
• Entry/Admission - Galleria dell'Accademia
• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and beverages
• Transfer from/to your accomodation
• Pick up at 8:00 am at your accomodation (hotel, B&B, apartment). Please confirm us the pick up address. N.B.: If your accomodation is not in the area indicated on the above map, send us a message to arrange your pick up.
• Infants must sit on laps
• Near public transportation
• Stroller accessible
• Wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• Child rate applies only when shared with 2 paying adults
• Full name and date of birth necessary for all partecipants
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• Gallerie Degli Uffizi

Similar experiences

• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Florence Stop: 3 hours See details
• 2 Gallerie Degli Uffizi Stop: 2 hours - Admission included See details
• 3 Galleria dell'Accademia Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• BoardingPass651933 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Great Experience at San Giovanni Rotondo Our trip to see Padre Pio was a great experience! Francesco was our guide for the tour, and he was an excellent companion. Read more Written April 17, 2024
• Pioneer57222275485 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing! Our tours guides were awesome!!!! The day was filled with adventure and even though we could not do the boat ride because of rough waters it was worth taking this tour! The views and the sights of the island are absolutely stunning! The lunch we had was off the charts! We were treated like royalty! Read more Written March 13, 2024
• Pioneer57222275485 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Our tour guide’s Francisco and Roberto were outstanding! What an amazing day! Three great villages to see and visiting an amazing winery with great tasting wines!! Highly recommend!! Read more Written March 13, 2024
• M4755CQcamillap 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tour privato Basilica S.Antonio di Padova The most wonderful experience in Padua! Francesco, our tour escort was very polite and very well prepared, highly reccomend! Read more Written December 11, 2023
• jonoQ2029KX 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A wonderful and moving experience! Our family of 5 from the US booked this trip as an excursion for a day to get out of busy Rome. A beautiful trip to the more rural Adriatic side of Italy. Two deeply moving spiritual sites that cannot be expressed with words. Francesco and Roberto took amazing care of us for the day and also sprinkled in some walks of the local towns along the way, local food (amazing arrosticini!!), and other surprises we appreciated. Thank you both again for a wonderful day!! Read more Written October 28, 2023
• 20aldab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A great to end Italy trip I could never have imagined a more beautiful experience from our recent day trip to Assisi and Cascia. A BIG Grazie to our tour host Juliana and her team Roberto, Rita and Madelina for their fantastic effort. They were tireless, very patient, friendly, considerate and made us feel special and like family all day long. Juliana and Roberto plus their excellent tour guides provided such a great insight into the history/story of the three saints. They allowed us to venerate, meditate, pray and connect with the peace of St Francis, St Claire and St Rita. So much to see, so many little things we never knew and learned with constant pleasant surprises at every turn make this tour into a life changing experience. This was one of the greatest tours my mum and I had in Italy. I highly recommend booking this luxury tour to Assissi and Cascia. Read more Written September 25, 2023
• TravelorsRock 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Gem with Impressionist too! We spent two hours in this museum and enjoyed every bit of it. There have a wonderful grouping of lions sculptures on the steps as you enter. It looks like a pride lounging. I wanted to pet them. Inside there was a notable set of dog sculpture that looks to be in a tussle. There were many Spanish impressionist painting as well as a Van Gogh, two Courbets, a few Rodins and a single Cezanne. The rest of the museum had wonderful juxtaposition between modern and classic. Often we would look through the rooms to see a classical sculpture next to very modern pieces. Loved it. There is a nice cafe with table service. There of course were bathrooms, downstairs, and lockers for your backpack. There is a bus/tram stop right out front. Definitely worth a few hours of time! Read more Written September 7, 2023
• C8259JIdianar 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Mystical & Peaceful.. I recommend taking a tour to make sure to visit the Chapel and the modern Church! A beautiful Mural Mosaic story telling comparative between Saint Francis of Assisi and Padre Pio not to be missed🙏🏼 Read more Written September 2, 2023
• JACKI88 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Above and Beyond Expectations!! This tour exceeded all expectations. Rosanna was an amazing guide who went above and beyond to make our experience a once in a lifetime opportunity. This trip was a personal pilgrimage for my 84 year old mother. Rosanna was able to secure us a private tour of the monastery, an audience with one of the sisters, with whom she could share her personal experiences with St Rita, and a first hand look at a new relic gifted to the basilica. My mother will never forget this trip. Her joy brings tears to my eyes whenever I think about it. And the trip to Roccaporena was the icing on the cake. Thank you Rosanna!!! Read more Written August 16, 2023
• Vin W 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles An absolute must if you go to Capri - 10/10. We had an incredible time on the tour. Our tour guide, Mario, was amazing the entire time. He listened to our wishes, took us to fantastic places and gave us an insight into the sights at Capri. We highly recommend the tour and Mario as the guide. 10/10. Read more Written July 28, 2023
• sofiau938 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing!!! What an amazing and unforgettable experience we had with Rome Italy Explora. We spent three full days with Bianca, the most amazing tour guide, to Capri one day, Amalfi the next day, and ended at the Colosseum on the last. Our trip to Rome would have not been the same without theses experiences and amazing hospitality. We learned so much from Bianca and shared so many great memories as a family together! We hope to make it back to Italy soon and share more great memories with Explora. Read more Written July 11, 2023
• sofandhertravels 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Catacombs, Colosseum, and Roman Forum Private Tour The Catacombs, Colosseum, and Roman Forum were some of the landmarks that we were so excited to see when visiting Rome. The private tour of each was phenomenal and so insightful! We learned so much history while being taken care of through the private transport between locations and while on the tour. What an amazing experience! Read more Written July 11, 2023
• MuVass 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great discovery of Cascia Veronica was so nice, patient and knowledgeable! The driver, Andrea, was great too! We really had a lovely time Read more Written June 29, 2023
• SISimmons 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The Papal Visit was amazing! Rosanna and Bianca were absolutely amazing! Couldn’t have gone smoother and had the best seats available thanks to them. It was a 10/10 for sure and highly recommend. Their customer service is superb. Read more Written June 28, 2023
• Departure422605 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great guide on trip to Capri from Rome. I have nothing but great things to say about this tour. Tour guide Bianca picked us up at our hotel early in the morning (she was in lobby when we came down) and escorted us to a luxury van with plenty of room for the 3 of us that was waiting to take us to Naples. The driver was great, very focused and we felt safe during the ride. They purchased ferry tickets to Capri so we didn’t have to stand in line or figure out what type of tickets to purchase. Upon our arrival in Capri, she had a car waiting to take us on a tour to Anacapri. We hung out there and then took the tram up to the top where the view was spectacular. Bianca stood in the long line and bought those tickets while we sipped a cocktail and watched the sights. After taking the car back down to the harbor, she escorted us to a private boat to tour the island from the water. We went around the island, and stopped and pulled into several grottos which the island is famous for. After the boat tour, we went into the town area and sat at a waterside restaurant. The people that worked there knew Bianca and were all smiles when they saw her. Then we started the trip home, finishing a truly wonderful day. Bianca was FABULOUS. She was always smiling, was very friendly, spoke English very well as she shared facts along the way and just made the day for us. She did all the thinking and legwork so we could just enjoy and experience everything. No concerns, no worries, no figuring anything out, no language barriers - everything was done for us, and done with a smile. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone, and suspect that any other tours that Bianca is involved in will be a similar and wonderful experience. Ciao! Read more Written June 23, 2023

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The Best of Florence in one day - Private Tour from Florence provided by Rome Italy Explora Srls

22 Best Day Trips from Florence in 2024

Written By: ThePlanetD Team

Updated On: February 8, 2024

Florence is beautiful, and the classic image of the domes of the Florence Cathedral at night is a sight that has traveled the world  photographically  as postcards and social media posts for a long time now. It isn’t just the iconic cathedral; Florence has so many  amazing things to do in 2024.  It is a city of arts, wine tasting, and stunning views.

You can easily see why visiting Florence is such a bucket list tourist activity. The city center is an absolute hub for sightseeing and embracing indulgent Italian living. So when it comes to day trips from Florence, finding day trip destinations that actually justify tearing yourself away from Florence city center can seem ludicrous if you aren’t familiar with its surrounding ‘day trip territory’. Please don’t make the rookie move of staying in Florence’s city center; these day trips from Florence are well worth it.

Table of Contents

22 Best Day Trips from Florence

Whether you want a leisurely half-day trip or an ambitious regional train scramble, these best day trips from Florence will provide some of the most memorable experiences for your Italy itinerary. A day trip from Florence is one of the most exciting things you can do, and you’ve  got  to take advantage of the incredible network of high-speed trains and the city’s prime location in the Tuscan countryside. Don’t make Florence your final destination – no matter how alluring that Florence Vespa tour looks.

Planning Your Trip To Florence Right Now?

Below are some of the top day trip tours from Florence. Don’t forget to plan ahead when  visiting Italy!

Top Day Trip Activities and Tours from Florence:

• From Florence: Tuscany Wine & Food Tour with Guide (Most Popular Day Trip from Florence)
• From Florence: Siena, San Gimignano & Chianti Day Trip with Lunch (Our Favorite Day Trip)
• Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hike (Likely to Sell Out)
• From Florence: Cooking Class & Lunch at Tuscan Farmhouse (Best Deal)
• Best Place to Book All Of Your Trains From Florence!

1. Cinque Terre

If you want to tick off iconic destinations and pick a memorable day trip, Cinque Terre is one of the most classic day trips from Florence. Cinque Terre is a world-famous row of ancient seaside villages dotted in clusters along the dramatic Riviera coastline. The region is famous for its colorful houses and cliffside appeal, with the houses almost spilling over rock faces on their way down to the oceanfront.

Cinque Terre has five main towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Corniglia – if you can, visit them all. Each town has its train station, and it is one of the best day trips if you’d like to indulge in great food, aesthetic town scenes, and optional hiking trails. A Cinque Terre day trip is not to be missed, and you can check out our complete guide to visiting  here .

Distance from Florence: 3 hours by train or car

2. wine tasting.

To be a wine lover, you must visit Tuscany and its beautiful wine regions. The most famous is the Chianti wine region, which has Sangiovese grapes that create delicious pale wines. The Chianti hills are full of wine estates, with the Chianti wines dating back to before the early 15th century, and you can take a guided wine tour that whisks you around the best. The Chianti wine region is popular because of its high density of wine estates and the tastiness of its produce.

You should book a guided tour for this Florence day trip for obvious reasons. Public transport is limited in remote areas, and rental cars are an obvious no-go. Still, luckily there are so many  organized wine-tasting tours from Florence . Tours typically last half a day, lasting between 5.5 and 7 hours – so you’ll get to see a good chunk of the Tuscan countryside while hopping between wine estates. A wine tour is so much fun.

Distance from Florence: An hour by car

Who doesn’t dream of visiting Pisa? And thanks to Italy’s high-speed train system, you can reach Pisa in less than an hour from the central Florence train station. A day trip to Pisa is full of sightseeing and culture; you have the iconic Leaning Tower, delicious food, and many art museums. Pose in the classic ‘hold up the Leaning Tower’ position and wander through stunning white marble buildings; visiting Pisa is fantastic for the relaxed sightseer type of traveler.

Wine lovers can put all their newly accrued wine tour knowledge to the test by ordering a glass to people-watch with and dine al fresco. A day in Pisa should be on your cards. It is one of the best cultural spots in Italy, and direct trains like the Pisa to Florence connection are God sends when it comes to Florence day trips.

Distance from Florence: 1 hour by train

4. san gimignano.

If you want a more rustic, medieval-style day trip from Florence, a San Gimignano day trip should be on the cards. San Gimignano is a tiny hill town with ancient city walls that date back to the 13th century and a skyline covered with medieval spires and rooftops.

San Gimignano’s feudal atmosphere has lingered over the years, and it has a ‘step back in time’ quality that attracts many tourists. The town is also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Florence day trip is ideal for anyone wanting a small, walkable destination. And San Gimignano’s history is hard to resist.

You can catch a train to Poggibonsi and then a bus to San Gimignano to get there. There are regular train schedules , so planning train rides and bus trips is easy, despite the brief stopover in Poggibonsi, and the whole journey takes less than two hours one way. Or you can book a rental car and drive this day trip from Florence in an hour.

Distance from Florence: 2 hours by public transport or an hour by car

5. volterra.

Volterra is another medieval town easily accessible as one of the main Florence day trips. This time, though, it has a distinctive dark aesthetic, with orangey brown buildings and a solemn architectural vibe. Volterra has seen everything from the Etruscan to the Roman and Medieval periods, and this half-day trip from Florence is one of the most historical small-town destinations you can choose. Ancient city walls surround the town, and its Palazzo dei Priori is adorned with medieval frescoes.

A Volterra day trip is more than just wandering medieval streets. It has some brilliant attractions, perfect for history-loving day trippers. A major Volterra attraction is the Roman Theater complex, which has bath ruins dating back to the 3rd century. Visit the Roman Theater and also pay a visit to admire the extravagant ceiling of the Palace of the Priors.

Distance from Florence: 1.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours by public transport

Lucca is a beautifully historic medieval city known for its Renaissance walls and stunning city center. Lucca has a cobblestone aesthetic with some big city attractions and is slightly larger than the medieval towns we’ve already listed. Split in half by the Serchio River and surrounded by tree-lined streets and 16th-century ramparts, Lucca is beautiful to explore on foot.

You can catch a train to Lucca train station through rolling hills, enjoying some gorgeous scenery and Pisa stopover before arriving in Lucca in under two hours. Alternatively, take the direct route to Lucca on the bus in just over an hour. Lucca is one of the most photogenic day trips from Florence and is best for hopping between monuments. It also has one of the best direct buses out of all these day trips from Florence.

Distance from Florence: 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus or car

7. montepulciano.

Montepulciano is a hilltop town full of character. The charming town is set within the Tuscan countryside and is one of the most rural day trips from Florence. Vineyards surround Montepulciano, and it is a paradise for wine lovers; famous for its vino nobile red wine – medium-bodied and fruity. However, it isn’t all scenery and wine. Visitors also have the town’s medieval history to enjoy. Set high in the Tuscan hills, attractions like the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio become even more dramatic.

Small towns like Montepulciano are best visited by rental car . With rental cars, you can enjoy a more liberating journey to Montepulciano. And besides, with no direct train, you’ll shave over an hour off your travel time.

Distance from Florence: 1.5 hours by car or 3 hours by public transport.

Milan is a big name. And for those who have yet to visit Milan , Italy’s fashion capital, it is an unmissable day trip from Florence. The city is famous for Milan Fashion Week and has attracted huge designer and model names over the past years. Milan is all shopping and architecture – so if either sounds up your street, this is one of the best day trips from Florence. The iconic Duomo di Milano is where to fill your architecture bucket. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the fanciest shopping centers ever seen.

Milan is also one of the most eco-friendly Florence day trips; it is quicker to get there by train than by car. The high-speed train from Florence reaches Milan in less than 2 hours, while you travel for 3.5 hours by car.

Distance from Florence: 2 hours by train or 3.5 hours by car

Siena is far from just a beautiful name; this UNESCO World Heritage Site has a striking main square-shaped like a fan and some ridiculously pretty medieval buildings. It is one of the best day trips from Florence if you want medieval Tuscan sightseeing without the hassle of inaccessible, out-of-the-way villages and hilltop towns.

Siena is beautiful, historic, and highly accessible. Regarding must-visits, the fan-shaped square, Piazza del Campo, is a top choice while you are there. You should also climb to the top of the Torre del Mangia and enjoy some local cuisine.

Siena is best reached by bus. You can also catch the regional train without booking train tickets in advance. However, the bus is marginally quicker, so if you fancy saving yourself 30 minutes, take the bus instead.

Distance from Florence: 1 hour by car or bus

Venice is one of the best places to visit in Italy, and if you go to Florence, there’s no reason you can’t have the best of both worlds. Venice has many  things to do , including taking a canal gondola ride and visiting St Mark’s Square.

The city center is best experienced by walking tour – guided or self-guided – and is famously set on water, divided by canals and connected by boats and tiny overwater bridges. If you want a day trip from Florence that will make an impact, a trip to Venice is one of your most reliable options. Venice is magical.

Distance from Florence: 3 hours by car or 2 hours by train

You’ll need your ambition for this trip, but Rome is one of the best day trips from Florence. If you catch a fast train , you can arrive directly at one of the central Rome train stations in just 1.5 hours. The fast trains are an excellent way of meaning you still get plenty of free time on your Rome day trip. The real-time cruncher is trying to cherry-pick the best of Rome to see in just a single day – this city usually demands three to four days at least.

Pick a few attractions and research transport between them because Rome is huge; hardly explorable on just a walking tour. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Trevi Fountain combine well in a single day. While if you want to see the Vatican City, you’ll need a whole day to visit this region of Rome.

Central Italy is well worth detouring to on a day trip from Florence. Just make sure you catch the direct trains and high-speed options. You can read all about the best places to see in Rome here .

Distance from Florence: 1.5 hours by train

12. bologna.

Bologna is one of those Italian cities you hear of loads but tend to overlook for more mainstream destinations. We are here to change your mind on beautiful Bologna, though. And you should carve out time for a day trip from Florence to Bologna, especially if you are a foodie. Bologna is renowned for its delicious food and is the perfect place to take a  cooking class or food tour. Think pasta, tiramisu, and more. The whole city feels like one big restaurant, and it even has the nickname ‘Fat City.’

Bologna is 40 minutes away by train, so we recommend heading there for an evening meal or a half-day trip from Florence. It is the perfect nearby destination to divert to for some high-quality cuisine. Keep your stomach happy and add this to your must-do Florence day trips.

Distance from Florence: 40 minutes by train

13. fiesole.

Fiesole is a town of ruins but in the best possible way. The town has many historical and archaeological attractions, including the original segments of the town’s Etruscan wall, preserved Roman baths and theater, and numerous religious landmarks. Fiesole is one of the best day trips from Florence to get a taste of lesser-visited history. Its history is thought to date back even further than its larger neighbor of Florence, making it a sought-after location for history enthusiasts and those in the know.

You can make the most of regional trains or drive to Fiesole. The town is just outside of Florence’s bounds, so it is one of the most convenient sightseeing destinations you can enjoy outside the city center.

Distance from Florence: 35 minutes by train or 20 minutes by car

Verona is one of the most romantic cities on Earth, so when it comes to the most memorable day trips from Florence, Verona needs to be at the top. Verona is the city of the opera Romeo and Juliet – which Shakespeare set in the city. You can even visit Juliet’s House to enter onto the tiny balcony to recreate the iconic ‘Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou’ scene. Love is a central theme of this city, and if you want to win some serious brownie points, Verona is where to bring your significant other.

It is a great day trip from Florence for all traveler types and groups. You can visit the Verona Arena, Giusti Garden, Scaliger Tombs, and numerous castles and basilicas. Verona is a reasonably walkable city and very doable as a single-day trip. Catch the train to maximize your time sightseeing.

Distance from Florence: 2 hours 15 minutes by train or 3 hours by car

Arezzo is another of the best day trips from Florence to reach by train – knocking an impressive 50% off your travel time instead of visiting by car. So, if you don’t drive or want to be more eco-friendly, listen up. Arezzo is known for two main things; gold and fashion. Poets and artists alike have called the tiny medieval townhome, and it has had a remarkable impact on Italian culture for a hill town of its size. You can visit independent shops and galleries and coordinate your trip to coincide with events like its monthly antique market.

If you like locally made valuables and shopping for antiques, Arezzo is an amazing Florence day trip. It is easy to get diverted to the more significant destinations when planning a day trip from Florence. Arezzo is evidence of why you should also consider some of the smaller destinations. Plus, it is just a 30-minute train ride away. Arezzo is a huge win, win.

Distance from Florence: 1 hour by car and 30 minutes by train

As pretty as the Tuscan countryside is with its cypress trees and beautiful vineyards, you should visit more of the Emilia-Romagna region. And if you want a real foodie hotspot, Parma is your day trip. The city is famously home to Parmesan cheese and Parma ham, and it is a great, smaller alternative to massive Bologna if you want a more lowkey vibe. As a university city, Parma is super friendly. Parma is pretty special, and gastronomical tradition and heritage rule supreme in this northern city.

It is best to visit Parma by train. It is quick for one, and second, this means you can indulge in some wine with your cheese and ham tasting.

Distance from Florence: 2 hours by train and 3 hours by car

17. pistoia.

Pistoia is one of the most accessible day trips from Florence. So note this down as one of the best day trips from Florence if you are short on time or budget. This historic city is usually not on the tourist radar. Only a few venture out through the Tuscan countryside to see Pistoia, which is an absolute shame.

Those that wisely do are rewarded with medieval churches, fewer crowds, and festivals like the Pistoia Blues Festival, which hosts artists like Mumford & Sons and the Arctic Monkeys.

Short and sweet journey-wise, and rewarding attraction-wise, Pistoia is easily a top choice when considering day trips from Florence. Sometimes the last thing you want is more crowds, and underrated Pistoia is an antidote for people overload.

Distance from Florence: 35 minutes by train or 45 minutes by car

18. orvieto.

Orvieto is lesser known but by no means less significant. This tiny city sits on a tufa cliff with an exciting network of caves underneath the city floor. Orvieto is one of the most interestingly laid out cities you can visit on a day trip from Florence. It feels exciting, almost mythical. And if you visit, an underground tour of some of its networks is essential. The tours usually last an hour or so – leaving plenty more time to explore the other attractions, including the 13th-century cathedral and Well of St Patrick.

Orvieto has that wow factor and is more off-the-beaten-track than the rest of our best day trips from Florence. If you already know Italy quite well, Orvieto is one of the better options to broaden your familiarity with the lesser-visited regions of the country.

Distance from Florence: 3 hours by public transport or 2 hours by car

19. monteriggioni.

Monteriggioni is hands down one of the best day trips from Florence. This stunning town still has its ancient walls, and the city walls are famous for their medieval features, including dramatic watchtowers. Monteriggioni is on the cusp of the wine-famed Chianti region and has stunning views over the rolling hills from the city walls. It is full of atmosphere, good views, and character – all the different ingredients for a day trip of a lifetime.

Monteriggioni is one of those day trips that only a tiny demographic of tourists know about and makes an effort to visit while in Florence. The town leaves such a huge impression with its lingering medieval structures and heritage; take advantage of experiencing this firsthand. While visiting Monteriggioni, you should also visit the Arme Museum, which has replicas of ancient weaponry.

Distance from Florence: 2 hours by bus or 1 hour by car

Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of St Francis, one of Italy’s two beloved patron saints. It goes without saying that Assisi is one of the best day trips from Florence for religious or patriotic history. The Basilica of St Francis is the hub of all the collective religious history and contains frescoes portraying the saint’s life, even holding his sarcophagus in its crypt.

Whether you are religious or not, it is a remarkable place to visit, and the history is vividly displayed, making it an engaging visit. The medieval city is also beautiful to walk around, and the Tuscan sun does it a favor, especially when the white marble historic buildings appear sun-kissed at midday.

You can reach Assisi by public transport, just purchasing train tickets on arrival at Florence train station. However, we’d recommend driving as it takes a long time with multiple stops by public transport.

Distance from Florence: 2.5 hours by car and 2-3 hours by public transport

21. livorno.

Livorno has a different vibe from all the other day trips from Florence in this guide. A humble-sized port city, it is known for seafood and maritime culture. Since most Florence day trips take you to inland destinations and use regional trains to reach hilltop village train stations, having a coastal option is a huge plus. Besides, after a few days in the inland city of Florence, you’ll likely be ready to see the ocean. Livorno has its own train station, so you can catch a direct train into the city – no advance train tickets are necessary.

When you reach Livorno, you should walk the Terrazza Mascagni promenade for stunning ocean views. This promenade has striking checkboard flooring with black and white patterns as far as the eye can see. There’s also the Fortezza Vecchia, a massive fortress once dedicated to protecting the exposed coastal city. Of course, sampling local seafood is a must. For an insight into coastal Italian culture, Livorno is the perfect choice.

Distance from Florence: 1.5 hours by train or car

22. cortona.

Cortona is one of the prettiest day trips from Florence and is the filming site of the film Under the Tuscan Sun. A beautiful day trip candidate, it is also one of the most accessible hilltop destinations you can visit from Florence. It takes just 1.5 hours by car or public transport to reach Cortona, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the town.

Cortona is not only pretty but an absolute hotspot for museums. Check out the Etruscan Academy Museum, its Archaeological Park, and the Diocesan Museum. The town is small enough to explore on foot, and since it is so close to Florence, a brilliant candidate for those wanting to spend time enjoying museums. You have barely any travel time on this Florence day trip.

Distance from Florence: 1.5 hours by car or public transport

Faqs about day trips from florence.

Day trips from Florence are magical, whether you take a tour for wine lovers or visit historical monuments for a day in Rome or Venice. Even if you visit the city for the first time, a day trip from Florence should be on your list. Italy is one of those countries where the more you can fit in, the better. And these destinations are just too convenient to miss out on.

Is it worth making a day trip from Florence?

Day trips from Florence are one of the best things you can do in the city. The public transport system is so efficient that you should take full advantage of all the high-speed trains to other major Italian destinations. You can easily reach dreamy destinations like Rome, Verona, Venice, and Pisa. Never mind all the smaller romantic towns and villages.

Can you take day trips to Tuscany from Florence?

Yes, you can take day trips from Florence to Tuscany very easily. There are a select few train stations with links to Florence, many bus routes, and even more organized tours.

Is it possible to do a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence?

Yes, it is possible to do a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre. You can take an organized tour, visit by train, or book a rental car.

How long is the train ride from Florence to Tuscany?

The train ride takes around an hour, depending on whereabouts in Tuscany you choose to visit. 

To Conclude

Are you heading to a hilltop town for a medieval ambiance? Or to the Chianti wine region for wine tasting amongst friends? Or are you taking full advantage of the high-speed trains and whisking down to Rome for a day? Any of these best day trips from Florence will provide a fantastic experience. It is up to you to decide how far you want to go.

Florence is ideally located as a base to experience even more of Italy; you do right to take full advantage of that. As beautiful as its Renaissance art and historical monuments are, when you visit Florence, you also access a network of amazing destinations. Make sure you expand your Italy itinerary after touching down in Florence.

Would you like some more Florence inspiration? Check out this guide on  where to stay in Florence  for the rundown of all the best hotels and neighborhoods. Otherwise, have a wonderful time on your day trips from Florence.

Plan Your Next Trip To Italy With These Resources

• 21 Best Things to Do in Florence This Year
• Where to Stay in Florence, Italy – An Insider Guide to the Best Neighborhoods
• 15 Best Day Trips From Rome
• The 13 Best Luxury Hotels in Milan, Italy
• 14 Remarkable Towns in Tuscany, Italy
• Where to stay in Cinque Terre, Italy: The Best Towns And Villages
• 3 Days in Rome: Planning the Perfect Rome Itinerary

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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• 10 one-day trips from Florence: what to see around
• Places and Tours

Ten tips on day trips of Florence and its surroundings. Almost all of them can be reached in less than two hours. 

If the destination of your trip includes the beautiful city of Florence, you will most likely have opted for a stay of several nights. For this reason, we have decided to recommend you ten possible one day trip from florence , a tour to make the most of your holiday. There are ten and they are all reachable and can be visited in a day , of course if you think it appropriate you can also consider staying for a night or more. Here, then, ten stops that can be visited in a day around Florence. Consider that you can use a car or trains to get around. 

If you are visiting Florence for a few days, don’t forget to use the Florence Pass: Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery and Brunelleschi Dome, all in one ticket. 

10. One day trip from Florence: San Donato in Poggio

Taken from Wikipedia

About forty minutes drive from Florence, along the SS674, there is a small village located in the countryside, in the Chianti area. It is San Donato in Poggio . An ancient medieval settlement that today gives a special atmosphere. A village populated by about 800 people that will allow you to immerse yourself in small alleys and streets making you live as if you were in past centuries. In San Donato you can visit the ancient Pieve Romanica , a church built around the year 1000. You can get there passing through Porta Senese. Going up, then, you can visit Palazzo Malaspina , Palazzo Pretorio and the ancient Gothic church of Santa Maria della Neve . Entering the village you can also see the walls built in the twelfth century and what remains of the tower-houses: the bell tower. San Donato also offers magnificent views that can be admired in various parts of the village, being on a hill.

In San Donato, then, in June there is the Infiorata . A typical village festival of which we also talked in other articles . A tradition that has been carried on since the fifties. If you are passing through those days, do not miss it! To reach this village the only solution is the car. Also because from San Donato you can move and along a few kilometers you can reach other lovely villages such as: Castellina in Chianti, Greve, Panzano and Barberino Tavarnelle. 

9. One day trip from Florence: Monteriggioni and San Gimignano

View of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy

Also along the SS674, you can reach the towns of Monteriggioni and San Gimignano. Being not too far apart, we decided to include them as a single stage. Again, the only way to get there is by car.

We start from Monteriggioni , which is located ten km from Siena and 45 km from Florence. A village famous for its medieval walls . As for San Donato in Poggio, Monteriggioni rises on the slopes of a hill. Entering the village you can visit the castle , built between 1210 and 1220 by the Republic of Siena. Monteriggioni is also known for being a stop of the Via Francigena. Both in June and July in Monteriggioni there are two important events worth attending. We are talking about the ' Disfida della Valdelsa ' (scheduled on 24 and 25 June) and the Medieval Festival (on weekends from 7 to 9 July and 14 to 16 July).

If you decide to visit the pretty town of San Gimignano you can not help but notice the towers that stand out between the houses and the walls. Of the 72 towers that were built in medieval times, today, there are 13, but still characterize the panorama of the village. Do not miss the Piazza del Duomo with the 'Palazzo del Popolo'. The ' Palazzo Comunale' (or 'del Podestà') is located on the left of the square, between the 'Torre Grossa' and the 'Loggia del Comune'. We recommend you to use the San Gimignano Pass to visit the Civic Museums: it is valid for two days. Here you will find included: the entrance to Palazzo Comunale, Torre Grossa, the Archaeological Museum, the Pharmacy of the Hospital of Santa Fina and the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art Raffaele De Grada. In addition, the entrance to the Duomo and the Museum of Sacred Art and the Church of San Lorenzo.

Staying on the highway 6674 in about an hour of travel from Florence you can get to Siena . One of the most important cities in Tuscany, definitely worth a visit and be included in your calendar regarding day trips from Florence. One day may not be enough, also consider staying overnight.

There are many things to see in Siena, we recommend first of all, to book the Pass that will allow you to visit with a single ticket: the Cathedral and the Piccolomini Library (when available). With free availability of an audio guide for your smartphone. 

But let’s focus on the most interesting points of the city those that should not be forgotten, starting with: Piazza del Campo . The most famous square of the city and one of the most famous in Italy is a very characteristic place, where the Palio takes place on 2 July and 16th August each year: the horse race that sees the various districts of the city. A very heartfelt event that also opens great rivalries between the Sienese. From Piazza del Campo you will also see the Palazzo Pubblico, which at a distance of centuries continues to house the office of the mayor and inside which there is the Civic Museum: open with a single ticket that also includes the ' Torre del Mangia' . The latter is another of the attractions worth visiting in Siena. It is a tower consisting of four hundred steps that once climbed lead to the top, at a height of 88 meters. From here you can admire the city from above.

Moreover, Siena offers the opportunity to taste excellent local cuisine (as in the other countries mentioned in this article), with meat, meats, cheeses and truffles. Without forgetting, of course, the wine: since you are in the heart of Chianti . The Cathedral of Siena , the so-called Cathedral of the Assumption, is one of the places to be marked on the map. In addition to the striking white façade, inside, the Duomo offers magnificent domes, vaults and arches. In addition to an inlaid floor that will be on display again in July and October 2023. An opportunity not to be missed!

You can also get to Siena by train , as Trenitalia offers a service from Florence Santa Maria Novella Station to Siena Station in about an hour and thirty minutes. A good alternative if you want to avoid driving, but remember that this way you will not be free to choose your schedules, the last return train is in fact scheduled around 09:30 p.m.

7. Certaldo

Certaldo is another of the small medieval villages that you can consider for a trip around Florence. In one day you can visit it walking through the streets of the village, as if you were in 1300 . Certaldo Alta is the heart of the town and here you can visit: the house of the poet Boccaccio , the Church of SS. Michele and Jacopo and the Palazzo Pretorio. The best way to reach it is by car, about an hour from Florence along the super road that connects the Tuscan capital with Siena. In addition, there is a funicular service to get to Certaldo Alta , starting from the town below.

The best time to visit Certaldo is July, when the International Street Theatre Festival , 'Mercantia', takes place. Five days during which the village comes alive and comes to life with shows, music and artistic crafts. If you want to go trekking or long walks, around Certaldo there is the Collinare Canonica Park where you can practice hiking and jogging , trekking and Nordic walking .

6. Versilia

One of the places within easy reach around Florence is the coast. In Tuscany the coast is varied and offers a lot of places to spend one or more days in total relaxation. We have chosen to report some. Among these there is definitely Versilia . And Versilia means Viareggio , Lido di Camaiore,   Forte Dei Marmi , Pietrasanta . They are holiday places where many Florentines decide to spend a few days of their holidays. Along the coast you can stop at one of the locations listed above. Otherwise it is a good idea to visit the hinterland, perhaps going a few hundred meters above sea level.

Going with order, if you are a lover of the sun and the sea you should visit the Versilia in the summer months and book in one of the beaches of which the coast is rich. You can spend a whole day between the sand and the Mediterranean Sea , replenishing yourself in one of the many restaurants or clubs that you will find numerous. For this solution you can choose to arrive by car via the A11 motorway, or by train, about an hour from Santa Maria Novella Station, with many trains that leave towards Viareggio.

If your idea is to visit the inland of Versilia we recommend the many villages of medieval origin and not only. Among these is certainly Pietrasanta, also known as the Little Athens of Versilia thanks to the great tradition of marble processing. It is located along the Via Francigena. Still, you can choose to visit Monteriggiori (not to be confused with Monteriggioni, mentioned in point 9), L evigliani di Stazzema where there is the largest cave in Europe. If you are fascinated by nature you must go to the village of Pruno , from here you can leave for many paths surrounded by greenery, to conquer the nearby peaks. If you have decided to come for a day to visit these places surrounded by nature from Florence, we recommend you do it with a car.

A city that certainly can not miss in your itinerary is Pisa . A bit like for Siena, Pisa also deserves much more space, here we will mark the main attractions. Famous especially for its ' Torre Pendente ', the town also offers other places of interest that are worth visiting. You can get there via the Florence-Pisa-Livorno highway or by train, about an hour in both cases of travel.

Here we are to advise you what to see in Pisa in a day. Once you arrive in Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower that you can also visit climbing the steps to the top, we suggest you also visit the Duomo, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the monumental holy field, which are next to it. Three monuments can be visited with a single ticket. Afterwards, you can stop at one of the local restaurants that offer excellent and varied cuisine. (In Tuscany you always eat well!).

As we have suggested in other towns, also in this case you can book the Pass that will allow you to have quick access to the Leaning Tower and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Also, a digital audio guide of the Leaning Tower.

In the afternoon you can stop in Piazza dei Cavalieri , where there is the famous Scuola Normale Superiore, next to it there is the small, but enchanting church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri: to see. Still, do not miss to take a walk along the banks, a bit like you were in Florence. In your itinerary you can also enter the Blue Palace, where there are often interesting exhibitions. Do not forget to walk in Borgo Stretto, one of the main streets of the historic center, all lined with arcades.

Taken from Wikipedia Italy

Driving along the Florence-Pisa-Livorno highway and exiting at Empoli Est, in about an hour from Florence you will arrive in the beautiful town of Vinci . Another stop for your day trips from Florence. Maybe you will know it to be the birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci . And, in fact, within the fortified walls of this town there are many places of interest that refer to the life and works of the genius, born in 1452 in Vinci.

Entering the village you should visit the Castle of the Guidi Counts, better known as the Castle of the Ship because of its elongated shape. Inside the Castle there is the Museo Leonardiano : a very vast site where you can admire the projects, prototypes and architectural works of Leonardo Da Vinci. Climbing to the top you will arrive at a terrace from where you can admire the panorama of the Tuscan countryside: images that we can also find in the paintings of Leonardo himself. Another place worth visiting is Leonardo’s house . It is located in Anchiano , 3km outside Vinci, the can be reached both by car and on foot. The advice is to devote time to a walk in the green of nature. In this house Leonardo lived the first years of his life.

As you will have understood Vinci is a medieval village that bases its tourism on the enhancement and sharing of the Genius Leonardo Da Vinci. If you still have time, you can also visit the Church of Santa Croce , where he is said to have been baptized. If you decide to visit Vinci in April you’ve done bingo! In fact, April is the month in which Leonardo was born and there are many events dedicated to him. In particular, on the 14th (the day of his birth) a real Festival is held with the exhibition of his works. All of these are called Leonardian Celebrations.

In case you are still not satisfied to admire all the works of the Genius Leonardesco we remind you that in Florence there is a museum dedicated to him. 

Arezzo is one of the largest cities in Tuscany and often remains outside the classic sightseeing. For this reason, if you have a day to spend in the surroundings of Florence for a trip out of town, we recommend that you include it in your itinerary. In Arezzo you can visit, first of all, Piazza Duomo. An elevated square compared to the others of the city that will allow you to admire a beautiful view. Of course we suggest you enter inside the Duomo, to admire the wonderful windows. Arezzo bears the name, among others, of two great artists of the Renaissance: Giorgio Vasari and Francesco Petrarca. The first room is dedicated to the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, located next to the Duomo, inside the Bishop’s Palace.

As for the writer Francesco Petrarca there is his home, where he would spend the years of his childhood. Arezzo is also famous for its markets and these take place in Piazza Grande. A very suggestive place that can not miss in your itinerary. Here you will also see a sixteenth century clock that is still operated manually! The markets are full of all kinds of objects and on the first Sunday of the month the antique dealers gather: you can try to make some good deals.

Also, in Arezzo you should visit the Palazzo delle Logge and the Vasari Theatre. To reach Arezzo you can use the trains that leave from Santa Maria Novella Station, or by car along the Autostrada del Sole, the main Italian road.

2. The hills around Florence

If you don’t want to go too many miles, you can take a day trip from Florence walking through the hills that surround it. Just look around and you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can opt for the hills around Fiesole , up to Olmo, Vincigliata or Settignano . From all these points you can admire the city below. Also, if you want to spend time walking in nature, surrounded by silence, you can visit the Sanctuary of Montesenario . A charming place that will allow you to walk various paths going up and down the hill. Montesenario can be reached easily by car, from Florence are about thirty minutes.

You can also decide, for a trip outside Florence, to visit the hills above Bagno a Ripoli . Going up a little above, in fact, you can get to Vallombrosa . A place, also in this case, rich in nature that offers various paths and walkways. The highest point is La Secchieta, where even in summer the temperature is cool.

1. Cinque Terre

After having recommended the Versilia, in one day, as a trip around Florence, you can also evaluate the Cinque Terre . We have to warn you right away that there are many people in the summer, and the waiting times for travel could be very long. But let’s see what you can see in the Cinque Terre.

As the name suggests, the Cinque Terre, include as many small villages that rise along the coast, on the border between Liguria and Tuscany, within a radius of ten km. The advice is to reach La Spezia or Viareggio by car and then move with the train that is planned to visit these five gems. An alternative is also the boat trip, always from the ports of Viareggio and La Spezia. Assuming that your itinerary starts from La Spezia , we suggest you take the train to the station (La Spezia Centrale) and get off at every stage. You will see Riomaggiore , Manarola , Corniglia , Vernazza and Monterosso . all with a single ticket at a single rate.

These five villages are overlooking the sea, along the rugged coastline, the creeks and the hills. A unique landscape that will allow you to walk through the ' Sentiero Azzurro ': the most famous and most feasible. The sandy and pebble beaches are located near Monterosso, where you find the beach of Fegina and Monterosso vecchio, Corniglia where the beach of Guvano and the beach of Corniglia, Riomaggiore.

We recommend

The Best of Tuscany in One Day Trip from Florence - Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano plus lunch and wine tasting at a Chianti winery

Join us on a full-day guided tour of Tuscany and appreciate the architecture, cuisine and history of this sun-drenched region in all its glory.

Tour details

Pricing starting from:

• Duration: 12 hours
• Departure time: 8:00 AM
• Departure from: Florence

Meeting point The meeting point is in Piazza Stazione. Your guide will be holding a WALKABOUT TOURS sign, right by the taxi stand at Santa Maria Novella train station across from the outside McDonald's.

What's included?

• Air-conditioned coach travel
• Guided walking tour of Siena with entrance fee to the cathedral
• Hearty farmhouse lunch – veggie and gluten-free options available
• Wine tasting of four varieties
• Maps of and information about all the towns visited
• Guided walking tour through the medieval city of Siena
• Traditional Tuscan lunch and informal wine tasting at a Chianti vineyard (not included in the tour option without lunch)
• Free time in the hilltop town of San Gimignano
• Scenic drive to historic Pisa to explore its hidden corners and iconic tower

Full Itinerary

Depart florence.

We will meet at the front of Santa Maria Novella train station at 7:45am, ready for an 8.00am start. After meeting your expert guide, an air-conditioned coach will whisk you away to the first stop on our jam-packed itinerary.

View Siena through the eyes of a local as you join a guided walking tour through the medieval city made up of yellow-ochre buildings, terracotta rooftops and green shutters. Learn about the world’s oldest bank, see the Piazza del Campo - the site of the 600-year-old Palio horse race - and admire the interior of the Duomo, a treasure chest of artworks. Afterwards, enjoy Siena at your own pace with free time for shopping or relaxing in an open-air cafe.

A Tuscan Lunch at a Chianti Vineyard

Next we stop at an organic, family-run wine estate – the highlight of our Tuscany tours! You will take part in an informal wine tasting lesson, trying Chianti, Vernaccia and Tuscan dessert wine, Vin Santo. Next enjoy traditional local lunch with plenty of wine, and soak in the idyllic location overlooking stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Take the opportunity to meet fellow travellers while feasting on fresh, organic farm food, including homemade pasta, cured meats (homemade prosciutto and salami), local cheeses, a real garden salad and Tuscan biscotti (if the tour option without lunch is chosen, this part of the tour is not included but there will be more time spent in San Gimignano).

Don't forget your camera - the view from the winery is jaw dropping!

San gimignano.

After lunch we visit the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano where you have free time to roam the picturesque streets and squares. Maybe browse the local shops, try an award winning gelato or walk among the town’s famous medieval towers.

Scenic Country Drive & Pisa

A scenic drive through iconic Tuscan countryside will take you to your final stop, Pisa. Here, take a closer look at the iconic Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery. A brief tour of the historic heart of Pisa will show you another side of the city.

Upgrade to include skip-the-line entry to the Leaning Tower

Return to florence.

You will be dropped off in Florence at around 8.30pm with a camera full of pictures, a stomach full of hearty Tuscan food and a host of new friends.

Know before you go

• Due to uneven and steep surfaces, we are unable to accept wheelchair users or those with walking difficulties on our Tuscany tours.
• Children under the age of 8 years are not permitted to climb the leaning tower of Pisa.
• When the Duomo of Siena is closed for religious services, Santa Maria della Scala museum will be visited instead.

Reviews of this experience

2,929 total reviews.

Kudos to Tony & Walkabout

by: Tom Lauder on Walkabout

From the very start of the tour, Tony, our guide greeted us like we were long lost friends. His knowledge and sense of humour peppered the all day event with anecdotes about Italian history as well as the historical facts and the background of the places we visited. From Siena to Pisa and all points in between, Tony managed to make it not only an educational experience but an extremely entertaining and pleasurable day. Kudos to Walkabout Tours and Tony!

Noemi is fantastic

by: Diane Monfasani on Walkabout

Our tour guide Noemi was wonderful! Extremely knowledgeable as well as friendly. Out driver Emiliano was great too. Would highly recommend this tour!!

Hats off to Tony!

by: Guy meets world on Tripadvisor

From the quaint sienna tour to the stunning wineries of San gimignano, this trip is a go-to for anyone trying to conquer Tuscany in a day. The lunch consisted of four courses and two bottles of wine from a completely organic family owned winery overlooking the rolling hills of the Tuscany country side. The bus is well air conditioned with just the right amount of commentary between destinations to have useful information without feeling like you are on a Hollywood star tour. Our guide, Tony, was the perfect liaison to guide the experience.

10/10 Recommend

by: Bianca B on Tripadvisor

Fantastic experience with our tour guide Tony and driver Daniele. He kept a positive atmosphere and allowed ample time to explore and dine.

Breathtaking

by: Lisa G on Tripadvisor

My favorite part was the winery visit. The hills of Tuscany were amazing. The iconic leaning tower of Pisa was a fun place to visit. Our tour leader Alessandro was great.

Manolo - Your Number One Guide

by: Susan C on Tripadvisor

Manolo was our Guide and what an excellent Guide he was! The day was thoroughly enjoyable, Manolo was very attentive and knowledgeable and we could not recommend him more.

Great Tour of Tuscany

by: Jays1763 on Tripadvisor

What a fantastic tour! Davide was a tour guide for the day and he was great! He made the tour fun and entertaining. The tour through Tuscany is beautiful. Lunch was a lot of fun. We met people from our tour while we had a great lunch with great wine on a farm with a fabulous view of the Tuscany countryside. Siena is a beautiful town with great history and an annual horse race that looks like a fun experience. It is a long day but it is worth it and you really feel like you get to see a lot of Tuscany. I would highly recommend this tour

Great Experience

by: Honey H on Tripadvisor

Alice was an amazing tour guide. So was the lady at Siena. Both had so much passion for their cities and made the tour a wonderful experience. The food was fantastic and everything ran smoothly. I have already recommended this tour to a few of my friends.

Siena, Tuscany, San G, and Pisa!

by: Amanda G on Tripadvisor

The locations were amazing! The food and wine at the farmhouse was beyond expectations. Alicia (Alice, tour guide) and Michal (bus driver) were hilariously entertaining, enthusiastic, informative, and very helpful with our trip. HIGHLY recommend!

by: Nhowie9 on Tripadvisor

All and all this tour is very well run and allows you to see major Tuscan towns/sites all in one day. However, there is not much time in each place to explore especially if others in the group do not return to the bus on time which happened to us at multiple stops. I would still recommend this tour and we are glad we did it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you do hotel pick-ups or do you have a central meeting point.

We do not organise hotel pick-ups for difficulties with parking and scheduling, but our meeting point at Florence's main train station is very central and should be easy to get to. Many hotels are located within easy walking distance of the train station, otherwise a taxi (you could ask your hotel to book it for you) would be the fastest option, dropping you off right at our meeting point.

CAN WE CLIMB THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA? IS IT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR?

When you make a reservation you will have the chance to upgrade your tour to include entry to the Leaning Tower before you proceed to the payment stage. Remember that children under the age of eight are not permitted to climb the tower.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

We suggest comfortable clothing and above all, comfortable shoes for walking. In the summer months please remember that you are expected to cover your shoulders to visit inside churches, but if you are dressed for a hot day don't worry, you will be given a disposable paper cape for the Cathedral in Siena.

HOW MUCH TIME DO WE SPEND ON THE BUS?

We have arranged an itinerary so that you will cover as much of Tuscany as possible but without spending too long on the bus. The longest ride of the day is through beautiful Tuscan scenery and lasts about an hour and a half.

DOES YOUR BUS HAVE A WASHROOM?

Our bus does not have a washroom. However the day is very well divided that you are never too far from washrooms. In the morning it takes just over an hour from Florence to Siena, then just forty minutes from Siena to the wine estate. After lunch we go to San Gimignano (only ten minutes drive) and from there to Pisa which takes one and a half hours. After Pisa it's just over an hour to Florence, depending on traffic.

DO YOU CATER FOR PEOPLE WITH FOOD ALLERGIES/VEGETARIANS?

Definitely! If you would prefer an alternative to the menu we have chosen, please tell your tour leader and he/she will telephone ahead to arrange it.

IS THE TOUR SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN?

The thing to remember is that it is a long day (12 hours) and the city visits can be tiring for children. We have had occasional problems in the past when tired children have become fractious and noisy during the bus rides and disturbed the other passengers. So the decision has to be yours because you know your children! We reserve the right to ask you to leave the tour if in the tour leader's opinion your child disrupts the tour. We suggest to parents of very young ones that they use a back pack type of baby carrier rather than a stroller/pram because of the many steps, steep slopes and uneven surfaces in the medieval towns that we visit. It's also much quicker getting on and off the bus!

CAN WE GET OFF IN PISA?

If you have plans to stay in Pisa, you can bring your luggage with you (there is plenty of space on the coach) and collect it at the end of the tour, before the rest of us head back to Florence.

WE HAVE A FLIGHT/TRAIN TO CATCH FROM PISA AFTER THE TOUR. HOW CAN WE GET THERE?

If you have to get to the airport at Pisa, it's about fifteen minutes by taxi – the tour leader can help organise a taxi for you. If you are traveling by train, Pisa Centrale station is a ten minute taxi ride or bus ride away.

When you make a reservation you will have the chance to choose the tour option that includes the entry to the Leaning Tower before you proceed to the payment stage. Remember that children under the age of eight are not permitted to climb the tower.

WE ARE CATCHING A TRAIN AFTER THE TOUR, CAN WE BRING OUR LUGGAGE WITH US?

Our tours leave from and return to the main railway station in Florence, so if you are travelling on by train, bring your luggage with you in the morning and take the train in the evening directly after the tour. You will save both time and money by not having to use the luggage deposit! We recommend that you book any rail travel from Florence after 9pm to allow time for any traffic delays. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or extra expense incurred in the unlikely case of delays due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.

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Wander-Lush

How to Spend One Day in Florence, Italy

This Florence itinerary for first-time visitors covers some of the best things to do plus Florence’s best eats.

About the author: Kriszti is the Travel Blogger and Content Creator behind She Wanders Abroad . Today she is joining us to share her Florence trip recommendations.

If you’re looking to take a trip to the home of the Italian Renaissance, look no further than the cultural city of Florence.

While sometimes overlooked by first-time visitors who would rather travel to Rome or Venice, Florence is truly one of the most beautiful cities in Italy .

While you may think you need to spend at least a weekend in Florence , in reality, one day in Florence is all you need!

The backdrop of countless films and novels, and the inspiration behind some of the most memorable Italy quotes , Florence is a timeless city that will enthral you with its architecture, art, cuisine, and authentic culture.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Florence Essentials

→ Where to stay in Florence: The Westin Excelsior (luxury); NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa (mid-range); Hotel Hermitage (budget-friendly).

→ How to get from Florence Airport to the city: Book a private VIP transfer on Viator .

→ Skip the line and tour the dome at Il Duomo: Buy your tickets online via Viator .

→ Get priority access to the Accademia Gallery: Organise a private guide via Viator .

→ Best day trip from Florence: More time in Florence? Visit Siena, Pisa and the Tuscan countryside (with lunch and wine tasting) on this full-day tour with Walkabout Florence .

When is the best time to visit Florence?

Florence is a fantastic city to visit at any time of year, so no matter what month you plan for, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime.

With that being said, there are parts of the year that are a lot less busy, which could, in turn, make your one day in Florence a lot more memorable.

Most tourists visit Florence during summer for the weather, while not many people visit during the winter. A good time of year that still has great weather, affordable prices and isn’t as busy as the summer is in spring or fall.

If you book in advance, you may even be able to get pretty great deals on transportation and accommodation during Florence’s low season .

Extend your trip: Use Florence as the starting point for an Italian adventure. Check out these 10-day Italy itinerary ideas for inspiration.

Where to Stay in Florence

Florence has no shortage of accommodation options for short stays. Because there are so many hotels, it’s pretty easy to find a place that fits your budget and is still located in a great part of the city.

Generally speaking, the area around Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo is one of the best areas to stay in Florence . But staying in Santa Maria Novella or Santa Croce can be a great choice as well.

For luxury accommodation, be sure to check out the 5-star Westin Excelsior , which has its own spa and breakfast buffet. It’s conveniently located right next to the Santa Maria Novella Train Station.

A great mid-priced hotel is the NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa , which is near Ponte Vecchio. The hotel’s interior is very upscale and it’s a more affordable 5-star option.

The Hotel Hermitage , also near Ponte Vecchio, has beautiful panoramic views from its terrace. This is a more budget-friendly hotel in the city. It’s a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery.

If you’d rather not stay in a hotel, you could also consider staying in one of the best Airbnbs in Florence . Airbnb can offer a level of comfort that sometimes even a luxury hotel can’t!

One day in Florence itinerary

This Florence one day itinerary covers all of the absolute best spots in the city that you won’t want to miss out on during a short Italian city break . You’ll truly feel like you’ve covered most of the city by the end of the day.

You’ll start the morning sipping an Italian coffee and climbing the Duomo. Then, as the afternoon unfolds, you’ll head to the Galleria dell’Accademia and eat the best sandwiches in all of Florence at Osteria All’antico Vinaio.

After heading to the Piazza della Repubblica, walking across the Ponte Vecchio and strolling through Boboli Gardens, it’s time for an evening activity. You’ll finish your 24 hours in Florence by watching the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo – magic!

Morning in Florence

Start the day with an italian coffee.

There is no better way to start your day in Florence than by trying the coffee that Italy is very well known for. When visiting an Italian cafe , one thing to keep in mind is that there usually aren’t to-go cups like you’d find in the US or Australia. Instead, it’s proper etiquette to sit, relax, and sip your coffee until it’s gone directly at the cafe!

If you’re wondering where to go for the best coffee in Florence, check out Ditta Artigianale . It’s consistently among the top-rated in the city and in my experience, blows any other coffee in Florence out of the park.

Climb to the top of the Duomo

Next, make your way to the Duomo, one of the top places to visit in Florence in one day. You can’t say you’ve visited Florence if you haven’t at least seen the Duomo from the outside, let alone had the chance to climb to the top and see all of Florence from above.

The Duomo, also known as the Duomo di Firenze, is part of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It was built in the 13th century and broke records immediately. Now it’s an iconic attraction in Florence that anyone can climb to the top of – all you have to do is master the 463 steps.

While that may seem daunting, it’s not that hard at all compared to other cathedral tower climbs in Europe. There are spots throughout where you can pause and catch your breath, and there are plenty of viewing points along the way as well.

Make sure you purchase your tickets ahead of time to reserve a specific time slot for your climb. Then, be sure to show up on time or you’ll risk not being able to climb to the top.

Afternoon in Florence

See David at the Galleria dell’Accademia

Michelangelo’s David sculpture is one of the most popular statues in the world. It also epitomises the Italian Renaissance and is a true masterpiece that you can’t miss seeing in the flesh, even if you visit the gallery just to see it and nothing else.

The Galleria dell’Accademia, David’s home, is an iconic art gallery in Florence. Like other attractions on this list, it’s best if you purchase your tickets ahead of time to avoid long queues at the front door.

Grab lunch at Osteria All’antico Vinaio

After seeing David, the next attraction on this Florence one day itinerary is Osteria All’antico Vinaio . This restaurant is known for being home to the best focaccia bread sandwiches in all of Florence. Sometimes the line is so long that you have to wait for an hour or more.

Honestly, any wait time is worth the taste of these sandwiches. When you’re done, head towards the Piazza della Repubblica.

Explore the Piazza della Repubblica

When you’re spending the day in Florence, you have to visit at least one piazza. These are essentially huge historic squares that date back hundreds of years. They are always filled with locals, tourists, shops, restaurants and more.

The Piazza della Repubblica is well-known for the fun carousel that makes it one of the most picturesque areas of the city. Historically, the square was home to the Florence city forum.

Visit the Ponte Vecchio

As the sun starts to set but the afternoon isn’t yet over, make your way to Ponte Vecchio. This is the most famous bridge in Florence and also the oldest. For a long time, it was the only bridge that crossed the famous Arno River.

Historically, the bridge was home to merchant shops, including jewellery and butchers. There are still a few shops that line the river, adding to its historic appeal. 

This is a great area to find a souvenir to remember your one day in Florence by.

Stroll through Boboli Gardens

Now it’s time to head to Boboli Gardens. It’s best to visit right at the end of the day before they close because it’s quiet and cool.

The gardens were initially designed for Florence’s royal Medici family but opened to the public in the 18th century. Throughout the gardens, you’ll find tons of historical statues, sculptures, fountains and more. The whole grounds are lovely and well-kept throughout the entire year.

Evening in Florence

Experience the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

Just when you thought you’d seen all of the best places to visit in Florence in one day, there’s more! Piazzale Michelangelo may as well be the highlight of this itinerary. You can either take a short hike up to the square or hop on a bus to reach it because it is located a bit higher than the rest of the city.

Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most popular spots to watch the sunset in Florence, and for good reason. From here, you can see all of the city from above. The view is even more magical than the one you saw from the Duomo because now you can see the Duomo itself in your view.

Get comfortable and prepare to watch one of the prettiest sunsets in Tuscany .

Final thoughts

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, be sure to spend at least one day in Florence. The city is genuinely marvellous and the perfect place to live out your Italian Renaissance dreams.

Hopefully this Florence itinerary will help you best prepare for your next trip!

More Italy inspiration

• Must-visit cities in Italy
• Top 20 Italian city breaks for a short vacation
• The best Airbnbs in Italy
• City guide to Naples
• Guide to visiting Herculaneum
• Guide to Sicily’s Aeolian Islands
• What to buy in Sicily, souvenir guide

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Need wings. Between myself, age 89 with some physical issues, others that can’t walk or stand long. Wish…. We will be in Florence in June of next year.

I hope you had a fantastic time in Italy! God bless you, family and friends!

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A Jam-Packed One Day In Florence Itinerary

Florence is a breathtaking showcase of medieval and Renaissance art, offering the traveler a rich journey through history. The city is aliving museum where the legendary works of Botticelli and Michelangelo are yours to explore.

Florence’s entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you wander through its streets, you’ll encounter stunning art and architecture at every turn. I promise you’ll fall in love!

My one day in Florence itinerary guides you through the city’s absolute must see sites. One day isn’t much time. But you can still have an unforgettable experience in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Snapshot Of One Day in Florence Itinerary

Here’s a glance of what you’ll see with my detailed, hour by hour, Florence itinerary.

• Oltrarno Viewpoints
• Pitti Palace
• Boboli Gardens
• Ponte Vecchio
• Florence Cathedral Complex
• Brunelleschi’s Dome
• Uffizi Gallery
• Galleria Accademia
• Palazzo Vecchio

To see it all, you’ll need to pre-book skip the line tickets and I’ve linked them below.

One Day in Florence Itinerary

1. 8:00 am: oltrarno viewpoints.

Start your day bright and early by sipping espresso at Cafe degli Artigiani, a coffee lover’s dream cafe. You can also grab pastries at Dolcissima Firenze.

Then, get ready for some amazing views over the city from the Oltrarno. The best viewpoints in Florence are at Piazzale Michelangelo and the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte.

When people visiting Florence want a panoramic view, they usually head to Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence’s famous lookout square.

To be sure, Piazzale Michelangelo is nice, with a replica of Michelangelo’s David sculpture . But it’s also filled with bus loads of tourists and vendors hawking trinkets.

For a far superior experience, don’t stop walking. Head 5-10 minutes further uphill to the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte . It’s worth the arduous climb, I promise.

San Miniato is an oasis of calm away from the hurly burly of Florence with amazing Gothic art and unsurpassed views. The perspective over the city is absolutely extraordinary. This is where you have the best view of the Duomo.

Don’t forget to head inside. The ancient Romanesque church is a unique and harmonious blend of medieval architectural styles, pre-dating Florence’s Renaissance treasures.

Right behind the basilica is the Porte Sante Cemetery, which also boasts great views. Built in the 19th century, the cemetery was designed by Niccolo Matas, who was also the architect for the facade of the Santa Croce .

The graveyard is an open air museum, stuffed with beautiful funeral art, mausoleums, and memorials of illustrious Florentine Catholics.

The private temples and tombs are in varying architectural styles, from Renaissance to Art Deco. Many of them are inspired by Florence’s churches.

Some are decorated with symbols, allegorical figures, and sentimental portraits. The most famous effigy (shown above) depicts the Mazzone siblings dancing together, fully united in the after life.

2. 9:00 AM: Pitti Palace

After taking in the panoramic views, head to the Pitti Palace . Built in the 15th century, the palace is a magnificent example of Renaissance grandeur. originally built for the Pitti family in the 15th century.

The magnificent Palazzo Pitti was the regal home of the Medici family .

The palace is the largest palace in Florence and one of Florence’s most stunning architecture gems. Built in 1457, it was built for Florentine banker Luca Pitti, a Medici rival.

To visit the Pitti Palace is to immerse yourself in beauty and history. The palace is an incredibly unique combination of splendor, in situ Renaissance art, lavish royal apartments, and beautiful gardens.

READ : Guide To the Medici Palaces in Florence

The Palazzo Pitti houses several different museums. By far the most important is the Palatine Gallery.

With only one day in Florence, head straight to the Palatine and skip the other museums. The Galleria Palatine occupies the left wing of the first floor.

The gallery houses an impressive collection of over 500 in situ paintings, chock a block on top of each other amid lavish stucco and silk furnishings.

In the five Planet Rooms, there are beautiful ceiling frescos by Pietro da Cortona.

The collection includes works by Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Caravaggio, and other European and Italian painters. Be sure to check out Botticelli’s and Lippi’s Madonna and Child in the Prometheus Room.

Two versions of Andrea del Sarto’s massive Assumption of the Virgin are in the Iliad Room. And one of my favorite artists, Artemisia Gentileschi , has another version of Judith and Holofernes in the Saturn Room.

Click  here  to pre-book a skip the line ticket.

There’s not much signage in the museum. You may want to book a guided tour and learn all about how the Medici amassed their impressive collection.

3. 10:30 AM: Boboli Gardens

After gazing at these master works, take a quick stroll in the backyard playground of the Pitti Palace, the lovely Boboli Gardens . The gardens are the largest green space in Florence, sprawling over 11 acres.

The gardens are effectively an open air museum, with hundreds of nooks to explore. They opened to the public in 1776.

The gardens are laid out in the Italian style, with beautifully worn Renaissance statues and fountains. The Rococo Kaffeehaus is on the eastern edge of the gardens, and its terrace is the perfect viewing point.

The famous Fountain dell’Oceano and the Bathing Venus were sculpted by the underrated artist Giambologna, whose statues grace the Bargello Museum and the Piazza della Signoria.

The Grotto Grande, also known as the Buontalenti Grotto, is a fascinating place.

In 16th century Tuscany, it was the fashion to build decorative grottos reconstructing natural caves. The grotto once had a fresco by Michelangelo (now in the Accademia) and has copies of his four slaves.

Click   here  to pre-book a skip the line ticket to the Boboli Gardens.

4. 11:00 AM: Ponte Vecchio

Then, take a stroll across Florence’s storybook bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, and cross the Arno River. The bridge is lovely, like cobbled together houses suspended over the water.

The bridge has three arches topped with a jumble of charming shops. In an urban setting, space was at a premium, so the bridge became a sort of mall.

Originally, the Ponte Vecchio housed unglamorous butcher shops. But the Medici didn’t like escorting their aristocratic guests and diplomats over the bridge with the wafting stench.

So they swamped the butchers for goldsmiths. Now, you can buy expensive jewelry and enjoy street performers.

5. 12:00 AM: Lunch

Break for lunch and a wander, enjoying the joys of a traffic free Florence. Try Casa del Vino , where you can get sandwiches, crostini, or charcuterie plates with a delicious glass of wine.

All’Antico Vinaio is also a must-try, just minutes away from Piazza della Signoria. Sandwiches are made with a local bread called schiacciata.

You can also grab lunch at Mercato Centrale. It’s a lively marketplace with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, meats, etc. You’ll find row upon row of vendors selling an array of goods.

There’s a bustling food court on the upper level, offering a mouth-watering selection of options for every taste and budget. 

You could also opt for a lunchtime food tour of Florence or a truffles-gelato-wine tour .

6. 1:00 PM: Duomo Complex

Head to historic Florence and take in the complex of Florence Cathedral , Santa Maria del Fiore, nicknamed the Duomo.

The Duomo complex includes the Duomo, the Baptistry, the Giotto Bell Tower, and the Duomo museum. They’re all eminently worth seeing.

You have to be organized to visit the Duomo and climb the dome. It’s an exceedingly popular activity. 

There are any array of different ticket and tour options. Pick one that best suits your interests:

• combination guided tour  (Baptistery, Duomo Museum and a dome climb)
• guided tour of the Duomo
• guided tour of the Duomo (access to the dome & Secret terraces)
• 3 hour combination guided tour (all four sites)

The one thing you can’t miss is climbing Brunelleschi’s dome And it’s essential to pre-book a timed entry ticket to climb Brunelleschi’s dome .

The best place to start exploring the complex is the stunning Duomo Museum , the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. It’s the best cathedral museum I’ve ever been in.

The museum is housed in the Piazza del Duomo at the back of Giotto’s Bell Tower, behind the Duomo apse.

The museum space is a fabulous treasure box of sculpture. Its rooftop terrace also offers a mesmerizing view of Brunelleschi’s dome .

The first thing you see is the museum’s well lit showstopper — the Hall of Paradise. The hall contains a magnificent reconstruction of a Duomo facade from the 16th century.

The museum also has an unparalleled collection of Medieval and early Renaissance Florentine pieces that once decorated the Duomo complex structures.

You will find pieces by artists such as Ghiberti, Donatello, Michelangelo, Arnolfo di Cambio, and Nanni di Banco.

Then, head to Florence Cathedral — the most prominent, and popular, landmark in Florence.

Construction of Florence Cathedral began in 1296 and spanned 172 years. The city of Florence commissioned the renowned architect Arnolfo di Cambio, who played a pivotal role in shaping the architecture of Florence during the 13th and 14th centuries.

While the cathedral is Gothic in style, it presents a distinct contrast to the light and elegant Gothic of Paris’ Notre Dame. Instead, It’s robust structure made from brown sandstone, with an exquisite facade of pink, green, and white marble.

Filippo Brunelleschi’s magnificent terra cotta colored dome, built from 1420-36, is the highlight.

The burnt orange Duomo cupola is the very symbol of Florence. The inside is decorated with frescos by Giorgio Vasari , a Florentine artist and the world’s first art historian.

For panoramic views, climb up Brunelleschi’s dome. You can admire the Vasari frescos up close and have stunning views over Florence.

Alternatively, you can take in views from Giotto’s Bell Tower. This option has the advantage of giving you view of the Duomo itself.

>>> Click here to buy a Giotto bell tower ticket

Next, stroll to the Baptistery, in front of the main facade of the Duomo. Dating from 1059, it’s over 1,000 years old.

The Baptistery sports three magnificent sets of bronze doors. On the eastern side are the famous golden “Gates of Paradise” designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti and nicknamed by Michelangelo. (The originals are in the Duomo Museum.)

The Baptistry is lined with ancient Roman columns of gray granite, likely repurposed from the ancient Roman Forum down the street.

The highlight is a stunning golden Byzantine style ceiling mosaic telling the story of the Last Judgement. There are over 10 million mosaics.

Right now, the mosaic is under renovation and will be for years. You can still pop inside to see the restoration in progress. You can also buy a ticket to climb the scaffolding and inspect the mosaics up close on the website .

7. 3:00 PM: Uffizi Gallery

Once you’ve taken in the awe-inspiring sights of the Duomo complex, make your way to the Uffizi Gallery.

The museum os Florence’s premier attraction and a must-visit for any art enthusiast. The third most visited site in Italy, the Uffizi lives up to its reputation

The museum boasts the best collection of Italian medieval and Renaissance art on the planet! Its halls are lined with masterpieces by the greats form the 13th through 18th centuries.

This is where you’ll find one of the world’s most iconic paintings, Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus .

If your time is limited, you should focus your efforts. The must see halls include:

• Hall 2 (Giotto)
• Hall 8 (Lippi)
• Halls 10-14 (Botticelli)
• Hall 15 (Leonardo)
• Hall 41 (Raphael and Michelangelo)
• Hall 83 (Titian)
• Hall 90 (Caravaggio)

You really can’t visit without making a reservation in advance. The lines are epically long. Click  here  to pre-book a timed entry ticket.

The Uffizi is also a popular place to take a guided tour, because of its history and the sheer number of masterpieces.

You have several options:

• 2 hour small group guided tour
• 2 hour private tour
• 2 hour early entry guided tour
• combined tour of the Uffizi + Brunelleschi’s dome
• 5 hour tour of both the Uffizi and the Accademia

I took the 2 hour private tour last time I was there. The guide was excellent and she made the visit more fun for my husband who is not an art expert.

8. 5:00 PM: Michelangelo’s David

After the Uffizi, the Galleria Accademia is Florence’s most visited museum. People flock in to see what is probably the world’s most famous sculpture, Michelangelo’s commanding statue of David .

The artist was only 26 years old when he began working on this masterpiece. The statue was carved from a single block of Carrara marble.

It stands at an impressive height of approximately 17 feet, making it a truly monumental work. David represents the Biblical hero David, who is most famous for defeating the giant Goliath.

David was commissioned for Florence Cathedral. The city intended to place the statue high above in a niche. But they decided that David was too beautiful for that location.

But there’s more to the Academia than just David . Michelangelo’s Prisoners grace the Hall of the Prisoners.

They are four unfinished male nudes that were originally intended for the Tomb of Pope Julius II .

You can see Michelangelo’s approach to carving. The figures appear to be emerging from the marble. Another must see sculpture is Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women .

Here’s my guide to how to see Michelangelo’s David . You should definitely pre-book a  skip the line ticket   for this popular Florence attractions.

The Accademia is also a popular place to book a guided tour. There are several options. You can book:

• skip the line ticket + small group guided tour
• 3 hour walking tour of Florence that includes the Accademia
• 5 hour guided tour that includes both the Accademia and the Uffizi

If you want to visit the Accademia without crowds, you can also book a guided evening visit .

9. 6:30 PM: Dinner

For dinner, I can recommend several restaurants because I’ve eaten my way through Florence on many occasions:

• Osteria delle Belle Donne
• Trattoria Camillo
• Trattoria da Tito
• Vini e Vecchi Sapora

Be sure to make reservations in advance! The Florentine bistecca is amazing!

For the total Florence food experience and more variety, you can also take a guided food tour or a street food tour for the total Florence food experience. Or have dinner at a winery outside Florence.

10. 9:00 PM: Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio is one of the few sites in Florence open at night. From April to September, it’s open until 11:00 pm. And that’s the best time to visit to avoid crowds.

The Palazzo Vecchio was the seat of government and one of the three palace-residences of the Medici dynasty. It sits in the Piazza della Signoria , which is essentially a free open air sculpture gallery.

It’s definitely worth going inside the palazzo, though so many tourists don’t. If you’re not too exhausted from your busy day, I’d definitely make the effort.

The Palazzo Vecchio is a doughty medieval fortress on the outside and a resplendant Renaissance palace on the inside.

It’s one of Florence’s most historic and important buildings. In some ways, Palazzo Vecchio explains the entire history of Florence .

The Tower of Arnolfo can be climbed, and provides fantastic views over Florence and the Duomo. And the lines aren’t nearly as long as for Brunelleschi’s dome or Giotto’s bell tower.

Inside, you can admire the stunning Michelozzo-designed courtyard, explore the grand Hall of the Five Hundred, admire Michelangelo and Donatello sculptures, and gaze admiringly at beautiful frescos at every turn.

It’s rumored that the Vasari frescos in the Hall of Five Hundred may hide a “lost” Leonardo da Vinci painting of the Battle of Anghiari .

READ : All the Paintings of Leonardo da Vinci

On the second floor are the sumptuously decorated private rooms of the Medici, with recently restored frescos in the beautiful Apartment of the Elements.

You’ll also find Donatello’s groundbreaking Judith and Holofernes sculpture in the Hall of Lilies.

Click  here  to pre-book a ticket to Palazzo Vecchio. A  2 hour guided tour  includes the palace and a climb of the Tower of Arnolfo. You can also book a  private guided tour .

Tips For Spending One Day In Florence

I’ve written an article with my must know tips for visiting Florence , so won’t repeat myself too much here.

But there are some key things to know to make the most of your 1-day Florence itinerary.

1. How To Get Around Florence

Florence isn’t a big city. You can traverse the entire city in 30 minutes.

So plan to walk for the most part. It’s largely pedestrianized, so there’s not traffic besides the locals and scooters.

But there are lots of other fun ways to get around Florence. You can:

• rent a vespa
• take a  daytime Segway tour
• take a  nighttime Segway tour
• take a  electric bike tour
• take a  nighttime walking tour with an art historian
• take a 2.5 hour guided tour walking in the footsteps of the Medici

2. What Days To Visit Florence

Get the latest opening hours from the tourist information office. Check your guidebook (or go online) to see which sights are open on which days.

In general, Sundays and Mondays are not ideal days for sightseeing in Florence. Many places are either closed or have shorter hours. Sights may also have shorter hours off-season.

3. Cards and Tickets

If you’re going in high season, it’s essential to book tickets for the must see attractions and museums in advance. But it’s really better to visit in shoulder season in the spring or fall to avoid hordes of tourists.

If you’re only in Florence one day, you won’t need the Firenze Card , which is Florence’s 72 hour museum pass.

Just pre-book individual skip the line tickets on each museum’s website or on Get Your Guide or Viator.

4. Where To Stay In Florence

There are plenty of amazing hotels in Florence. You’re really spoiled or choice. 

If you want something central, book at the  Hotel Brunelleschi  or  Portrait Firenze . Portrait Firenze is one of the most sought after hotels in Italy and is just steps away from the Ponte Vecchio.

Of course the  Four Seasons  is always beautiful and in a quiet location. 

The  Palazzo Vecchietti  is housed in a beautiful 16th century townhouse. The  St. Regis  is a beauty too, right near Santa Maria Novella.  Il Salviatino  has a patrician feel and offers Duomo views. 

In the Oltrarno, I really love  Villa Cora  with its stunning views and Renaissance style suites.

I hope you enjoyed my one day blitz itinerary for Florence. You may enjoy these other Florence and Italy travel guides:

• 3 Days in Florence Itinerary
• Hidden Gems in Florence
• Best Museums in Florence
• Best Churches in Florence
• Things To Do in the Oltrarno
• Best Day Trips From Florence
• Free Things To Do In Florence
• Who Were the Medici?
• 10 Day Itinerary for Tuscany
• 10 Day Itinerary for Italy
• 30 Most Beautiful Towns in Italy

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4 thoughts on “A Jam-Packed One Day In Florence Itinerary”

Really great and very helpful. Having only one day in Florence I felt overwhelmed and not sure where to start so this guide just fit the bill Grazie

I’m so glad! Florence does need more time. But you can do it with advance planning. I’m heading back in May and can’t wait.

Just arrived in Florence. Very helpful.

Thank you! Have a great time!

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Last Updated on January 11, 2024 by Leslie Livingston

Best of Florence in One Day: Detailed Itinerary (+Map, Info & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 26, 2024

Florence ( Firenze ) is one of the famous Italian art cities with stunning architecture, a bustling atmosphere, and countless interesting sights. You could easily spend a week here and not get bored…

But what to see and do if you only have one day in Florence ? And how to plan your day so that you can make the most of your limited time?

In this article, we share a detailed 1-day Florence itinerary that covers the main sights and must-see places in Florence in the most efficient way. In addition to the main landmarks, we also include restaurant recommendations as well as some additional suggestions for a truly memorable day in Firenze!

To help you plan your day in Florence, we also created a map indicating all the places mentioned in this guide.

For each attraction, we also share practical info for the tickets/ tours that you better reserve in advance . Florence is a very popular destination and the only way to see the best of the city in a day is to have a good itinerary and book skip-the-line tickets/ tours where available. Find out!

TIP: If you get overwhelmed with all the tourist attractions and ticket options, or feel stressed about how to make it all fit time-wise, you can also opt for a guided city tour that covers a few of the main landmarks of Florence in half a day.

When looking for a tour, be sure that it includes the main sights such as Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery (David), and potentially a visit to the Duomo (although this one has so many different options that it’s often easier to do it separately).

One of the best tours to consider with a day in Florence is this 5-hr city walking tour that includes many of the attractions mentioned in our itinerary below in the most efficient way. However, this specific tour takes a limited number of people and might not always be available, especially if booking last minute. Alternatively, here you can find some of the best options available daily (except Mondays – that’s when both the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries are closed).

And if you rather do it all yourself, it’s perfectly possible too. See our suggestions and detailed Florence day trip itinerary below! In that case, you’ll need to pre-book the following tickets (timed entry and limited availability everywhere, so book ahead!):

• Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David).
• Uffizi Gallery .
• Duomo & Dome Climb .
• Palazzo Vecchio & Arnolfo Tower .
• Medici Chapel (optional).
• Bike tour at sunset (optional).

You can find more information about all these places below.

Good to know: If you happen to visit Florence on a Monday when two of the main museums are closed, you’ll have to adjust this itinerary. But don’t worry – there are plenty of other amazing places to see in Florence and you won’t get bored. To help you make the most of your visit to Florence no matter when you travel, we created an alternative itinerary that would work on Monday as well. You can find it at the end of this article.

Here’s what you can see and do in Florence in a day:

Michelangelo’s David at Accademia Gallery

9 – 10 AM.

We recommend starting your day in Florence with a visit to the Accademia Gallery . This small museum is best known for Michelangelo’s David .

No matter how many pictures you have seen, this marble sculpture will take your breath away. It’s a real Renaissance masterpiece that you have to see with your own eyes! In addition, you can see some of Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures that give an incredible insight into his working process.

The gallery also features several early-Renaissance paintings, and many other sculptures, including the plaster cast of the famous Giambologna’s ‘Rape of the Sabines’ (the original can be found on Piazza della Signoria, near Palazzo Vecchio). This sculpture is unique in the way it was carved and the first in its kind. When you walk around and see all the details, it’s difficult to believe it was carved from a single block of marble.

Practical info: Accademia Gallery is open daily except on Mondays, from 9 am. This is one of the places where you really should reserve your tickets in advance , especially if your time in the city is limited and you want to see as much of Florence in a day as possible. If you can, get the tickets for 9 am and visit here first thing in the morning.

Good to know: Accademia Gallery is not big and you can see the main highlights in about half an hour. If you want to learn more about all the stunning art at this museum, you could opt for a guided tour . However, with just a day in Florence and if you aren’t keen on doing too many tours, visit David on your own and take a tour of the Uffizi gallery in the afternoon – that museum is huge and overwhelming. There, it really pays to go with a guide. Or take a guided tour that visits both of these museums .

Duomo Complex

10 AM – NOON.

Next, head to the Duomo complex, which is just 5-6 minutes walk from Galleria dell’Accademia. Best known for the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), this site actually has a lot more to offer than it looks at first sight.

There is a lot to see and do at the Duomo complex. Some of the main highlights include a visit to the Cathedral itself, climbing Brunelleschi’s dome and/ or Giotto’s bell tower, and visiting the Baptistery of Saint John.

How much you can actually see and do here depends so much on when you visit and how busy it is. Each of the sites has a separate entrance and often long queues. You can either simply admire the beautiful buildings from the outside, visit one or two of them inside, or climb the dome or the bell tower.

With just a day in Florence, I think I’d opt for the dome climb (if you are physically capable) and potentially also visit the Baptistery and Santa Reparata.

Good to know: You can visit the Cathedral itself free of charge, but be prepared to queue for a while. In all honestly, apart for the dome, the interior is not that impressive on the inside and you may find that it’s not worth the time to queue just for that… But if you climb the dome , the entrance/exit is inside the cathedral, so you can see the interior at the same time. And since you have to book timed tickets for the dome, you don’t waste time and it’s much easier to plan your day.

Alternatively, you can choose to climb Giotto’s bell tower. It requires a ticket as well but is usually not as busy here as at the dome. From the top, you get an amazing view of the exterior Duomo.

And if you don’t want to do any climbing, visit the Baptistery of St. John and Santa Reparata archaeological site under the cathedral. The latter has a separate entrance and hardly any queue, so you get to see the interior of the Duomo at the same time as well. These two sites also require a ticket.

You can find more info about the cathedral-combi tickets on the official website .

TIP: The best option is this all-in ticket . This ticket is valid for 72 hours and includes Giotto’s Bell Tower, Opera del Duomo Museum, Santa Reparata, the Baptistery, and the timed entry for the Brunelleschi Dome climb.

Good to know: On Sundays, the Cathedral is closed for visits, and the dome climb is only possible in the afternoon. If you visit on a Sunday, you can either opt for Giotto’s Bell Tower and other sights indicated above or rearrange the itinerary and do the dome climb later. You can see all the opening times here .

Our experience: We visited Florence Duomo (including the climb) and Michelangelo’s David with this VIP tour . It offers something unique that other tours don’t – a visit to the terraces of the Duomo. While not a must, this definitely made our trip more special. In addition, we got a separate ticket for Giotto’s tower and the Baptistery, which was well worth it as well.

Lunch at San Lorenzo Market

NOON – 1 PM.

Just a short walk from the Duomo complex is the bustling neighborhood of San Lorenzo . Here, you’ll find Mercato Centrale (aka Mercato San Lorenzo) one of the biggest markets in Florence. The historic food market is located in a covered hall, but the surrounding streets are lined with market stands as well. These usually sell clothing and leather goods.

Make your way between all the market stands on the street and walk to the market itself. Here, you’ll find many small cafes and various places selling food. On the top floor, there’s also a food hall where you can try all kinds of Italian specialties from various regions.

I don’t think there’s a bad place to eat here. We had lunch at the market a few times and everything was delicious. One day we had Tuscan meat specialties at one of the enoteca ‘s (wine shops) on the ground floor, and another time – we ordered pasta at one of the places in the food court upstairs and the wine from another enoteca nearby. Everything was excellent.

A popular place for Tuscan food at Mercato Centrale is Da Nerbone. Their specialty is the traditional Florentine lampredotto sandwich (made with tripe/cow stomach), but if that’s not for you, you’ll find plenty of other good options as well.

TIP: Try to arrive at the market early, ideally just a bit before noon. Most Italians eat lunch at around 1-2 pm and the market gets really busy at that time.

Medici Chapel (optional)

AROUND NOON – EARLY AFTERNOON .

There are a few other interesting places to see in the San Lorenzo area, just near the market. One of them is the Basilica di San Lorenzo , and you’ll see it when passing by anyway. It’s nice to visit inside, but with just one day in Florence, I’d skip that.

However, there is another place just behind the church that is well worth a visit if you can squeeze it into your itinerary. That’s Cappelle Medicee , a small burial chapel of the Medici family. It’s one of the most impressive places to see in Florence!

Good to know: The good thing is that a visit here doesn’t require much time (15 minutes inside should be enough to quickly see the chapel). The problem is that the opening times are somewhat special and so it requires a bit more planning. On weekends, it’s open in the morning and on weekdays – in the afternoon. And some days it’s closed completely.

TIP: If you want to visit the chapel, see if you can get a timed-entrance ticket in advance. If it’s open in the morning, book a visit at noon, before you go for lunch. And if it’s open in the afternoon, book the first available visit (usually at around 2 pm). Alternatively, you can also just pass by here and see if it’s open (and if the queue is not too long) and decide at that moment.

In the afternoon, take some time to walk around the city center of Florence. You could also get gelato and enjoy it while you explore. Be sure to skip all those gelaterias that have ‘mountains’ of colorful ice cream – these are really not the best places for a good gelato. Instead, look for a more local, quality place.

And while you are at it, be sure to try the traditional Florentine ice cream flavor ‘buontalenti’ . It’s named after Bernardo Buontalenti, a 16th-century Florence designer and artist, who is often credited as an inventor of Italian ice cream, gelato .

One of the better gelaterias (recommended to us by locals) in the area where you’ll be passing by is ‘Perché no!’. We indicated it on our map below.

Fontana del Porcellino & Leather Market

EARLY AFTERNOON.

As you walk towards the river, be sure to stop by Fontana del Porcellino on Piazza del Mercato Nuovo.

This is an iconic bronze sculpture/ fountain of a boar. They say that rubbing its nose will bring you luck. And if you put some money into its mouth, it will guarantee that you will return to Florence one day…

At this same location, you can also find a small market – Mercato del Porcellino . Here, you can buy all kinds of things made of leather – colorful handbags, wallets, gloves, etc. It’s somewhat similar to what you see in the streets next to Mercato Centrale.

Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio

2.30 – 3.30 PM.

Just a short walk further, be sure to visit Piazza della Signoria , one of the most beautiful squares in Florence. Here, you can see Palazzo Vecchio and the Arnolfo Tower, the Fountain of Neptune, the incredible sculptures at Loggia dei Lanzi, and many other highlights. This square is like an open-air art gallery. Michelangelo’s David was originally supposed to stand here, and you can now see its replica.

If you plan your itinerary really well, you could pay a visit to Palazzo Vecchio and potentially also climb the Arnolfo Tower . With just one day in Florence, this is not an absolute must, but if you can, I find that a visit here is well worth it. Especially to the palace.

Keep in mind that the Palace closes in the afternoon on Thursdays, so if that’s when you visit, you may not be able to go inside unless you rearrange this itinerary.

Our experience: We climbed the tower and quickly visited the palace and it took us about 1 hour. But if you want to be sure you can visit without wasting time queueing, you have to book timed-entry tickets in advance. For this itinerary, you could potentially book a visit at +-2.30 pm.

Uffizi Gallery

4 – 6 PM.

In the late afternoon, visit the Uffizi Gallery , just next to Palazzo Vecchio. This is one of the most famous museums in Italy. Established in the 16th century, it’s also one of the oldest museums in the world. This ‘galleria’ gave name to all the art galleries in the world.

Here, you can see an incredible collection of ancient sculptures and paintings including some masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Raffaello, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other famous painters.

PRO TIP: Being one of the largest museums in the world, you can probably imagine that a visit here might get overwhelming. So if you want to be sure to see all the most important works of art in a limited time, we highly recommend visiting the Uffizi Gallery with a guide .

Our experience: There are so many tours that come here that the choice can get really overwhelming. After lots of research, we opted for this semi-private tour and it was absolutely excellent. Our group had 7 people and since we opted for a 4 pm tour, most tourists were leaving as we entered. This gave us a unique chance to visit the Uffizi Gallery without the biggest crowds. And our excellent guide made the visit very smooth and really interesting, pointing out all the most important works, telling stories behind them, etc.

Good to know: If you decide to go on your own, be sure to get timed entrance tickets ! Try to go somewhat later – after 3-4 pm. With a bit of luck, the (security) queues will not be too bad at this time of the day. An alternative would be to come here first thing in the morning, just as the museum opens.

Also, do some research about the main paintings in the gallery so that you don’t miss them. Some of the most important works can be found on the upper floor, so concentrate on that. On your way out, you can also see Caravaggio on the lower floor.

TIP: Uffizi Gallery has a nice café with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Palazzo Vecchio. It’s a good place to sit down for a drink and rest your legs after all the sightseeing.

Ponte Vecchio & Vasari Corridor

6 – 6.30 PM.

Ponte Vecchio is the most iconic bridge in Florence and one of the must-sees. It’s located just next to the Uffizi Gallery and connects the city center to the other side of the Arno River.

The colorful bridge is lined with gold and jewelry shops and is a bustling lively place. It’s just as interesting to see this bridge from the side – that way, you can better appreciate its unique structure.

When viewing the bridge from the eastern side, you’ll notice that there’s a covered corridor above all the shops. This is the Vasari Corridor ( Corridoio Vasariano ), one of the most intriguing places in Florence.

Built by the Medici family to give them easy and secure access between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery in the city center and the Pitti Palace on the other side of the Arno River, this passage has never been really open to the general public. Until now.

Corridoio Vasariano is said to be opening to the public soon (but this has been postponed time and again). When it reopens, visitors will be able to walk from the ground floor of the Uffizi, over Ponte Vecchio, all the way to Boboli Gardens. From what I understand, you’ll need a separate ticket for this (more info will be available here ).

With just a day in Florence, walking over this corridor might not be the best use of your time, but you can definitely see it from the outside. As a minimum, be sure to walk over and around Ponte Vecchio!

Sunset Views

End your day in Florence with some amazing views. There are quite a few options and – depending on the season – you might enjoy the city views around sunset. However, I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the exact sunset times and just focus on the activity/ place you want to visit and make sure it fits your itinerary.

One of the nice options for great views is to go for a drink at one of Florence’s best rooftop bars . La Terrazza Rooftop Bar at Hotel Continentale is just next to Ponte Vecchio and would fit this itinerary very well. Alternatively – my personal favorite – check out SE·STO on Arno Rooftop Bar at The Westin Excelsior . Whichever you choose, be prepared to pay € 25+ for a cocktail. And you really should try to reserve a table in advance!

Another popular way to end a day in Florence is to watch a sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo . It’s a 20-30 min walk (uphill) from the city center, but totally worth it. You could also take a taxi to get there.

We went to this viewpoint for sunset as part of this e-bike tour . However, it starts at 6 pm, so keep this in mind if you would want to do it too. In that case, I’d skip the Palazzo Vecchio (inside) and visit the Uffizi Gallery at around 3 pm. This would make your day a bit more relaxing.

End your day in Florence with a nice dinner. I don’t recommend having dinner at hotel restaurants or rooftop bars; instead, opt for a simple traditional trattoria . The food is usually much better and the prices – much more affordable.

A very popular choice for a traditional Florentine steak ( Bistecca alla Fiorentina ) is Trattoria Dall’Oste . They have a few restaurants in town; the one close to the Duomo (see our map) is the most popular one. You absolutely have to reserve a table in advance if you want to dine here!

My personal favorite of all the restaurants we tried in Florence is La Buchetta , close to Ponte alle Grazie (on the way back from Piazzale Michelangelo to the center). This is a small trattoria with very friendly service and the best gnocchi I ever had. They also serve Bistecca alla Fiorentina (and many other traditional local dishes from the Tuscany region).

READ ALSO: Traditional Italian Food by Region

Florence 1 Day Itinerary & Map

Based on our suggestions above, here’s an overview of the recommended Florence sightseeing itinerary for one day:

• 9 am.  Michelangelo’s David ( book timed tickets  well in advance!).
• 10 am.  Duomo complex. We recommend climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome (get timed tickets for e.g. 10.25 am) – that way, you see the interior of the Cathedral as well. Alternatively, visit the Baptistery of St. John and Santa Reparata – that way, you see the interior of the church too. We recommend this all-in ticket that includes everything at the Duomo Complex.
• Morning alternative: Take this 3-hour guided tour as we did – it includes David and the best of Duomo. If you are not interested in the Duomo climb, this highly-rated half-day tour is a better option for you (it also includes a short visit to the most popular places mentioned further below).
• Noon.  Lunch at Mercato Centralle (aka San Lorenzo Market).
• Optional – before or after lunch – Capelle Medicee. See hours/tickets .
• Gelato (you should always make time for gelato when visiting Italy!).
• 2 pm.  Fontana del Porcellino, leather market, Piazza della Signoria. You could also visit Palazzo Vecchio and/or climb the Arnolfo Tower ( book timed-entry tickets in advance ).
• 4 pm.  Uffizi Gallery. Here, you really have to get the tickets in advance ! However, we highly recommend booking a skip-the-line guided tour and visiting with a guide. We took  this small-group tour  and highly recommend it.
• 6 pm. Ponte Vecchio & Vasari Corridor.
• 6.30 pm.  Have a drink at one of the rooftop bars. Alternatively, walk (or join a 6 pm bike tour ) to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset.
• 8.30 pm.  Dinner at a traditional trattoria. See our suggestions in the itinerary above.

Florence on Monday – Alternative Day Trip Itinerary

As mentioned before, the two main museums in Florence – Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Gallery – are both closed on Mondays. So if you visit the city on a Monday and have just that one day in Florence, you’ll need a somewhat different itinerary.

Here’s what your Monday in Florence could look like:

• 9 am. Duomo Complex. Climb the dome, visit the Cathedral, the Baptistery, etc. ( book your tickets in advance ).
• 11 am. Capelle Medicee ( reserve timed-entry tickets ).
• 11.30 am. Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.
• Lunch at Mercato Centrale.
• Fontana del Porcellino, leather market.
• +- 2 pm. Piazza della Signoria and visit Palazzo Vecchio. Book the tickets for the Palace and the tower in advance!
• Ponte Vecchio.
• +- 4 pm. Visit Boboli Gardens (the adjacent Palazzo Pitti is also closed on Mondays, but the gardens are usually open on Mondays in the high season – see here for tickets and opening days). Alternatively, visit Basilica Santa Croce .
• 6 pm. E-bike tour of the city.
• 8.30 pm. Dinner.

Please note that these times are just indicated for your reference. You can easily switch things around, but be sure to double-check the opening hours. For the Duomo dome climb and potentially Capelle Medicee and Palazzo Vecchio/ Arnolfo Tower, you really should get timed tickets in advance.

READ ALSO: Best Places to See & Things to Do in Florence

Where to Stay

If Florence is one of the stops on your Italy trip itinerary and you want to see the highlights in a day, we recommend spending at least 2 nights in Florence. That way, you have one full day to enjoy the best that the city has to offer.

In that case, it’s probably easiest to stay next to the main railway station – Firenze Santa Maria Novella. This area is excellent for any stay in Florence – it’s convenient for everything including transportation, sightseeing, markets, restaurants, etc. It’s just a few minutes walk from most of the main landmarks.

Here are some recommended hotels within a short walking distance from the railway station:

• €€€€€+ Grand Hotel Minerva
• €€€ € € Santa Maria Novella – WTB
• €€ € € Hotel Croce di Malta (this is where we stayed on a recent trip)
• €€€ c-hotels Club
• €€ Hotel Nizza or Hotel Machiavelli Palace
• € Hotel Abaco

I also have to mention B&B Le Stanze del Duomo – one of the best-rated low-budget accommodations near the Duomo. It’s a bit further from the railway station, but still walkable and the location (close to the Duomo!) is excellent for sightseeing. It offers a great price-quality for Florence.

READ ALSO: Best ROOFTOP Bars & Hotels in Florence

So, this is our recommended itinerary for one day in Florence. The city has a lot more to offer than what you can possibly see in a day. But if you want to get a quick glimpse of the main landmarks and most famous places in Firenze, this itinerary should help you do just that.

Remember to book tickets for all the main attractions in advance . It’s the best way to be sure that you can visit all the places in the most efficient way without backtracking or having to waste time.

Also, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and keep in mind that all the churches have strict dress code which requires that your knees and shoulders be covered.

It’s also best not to carry any large bags/backpack s with you since they are not allowed in some places.

READ ALSO: Florence to Bologna: Travel Info & Itinerary & What to See & Do in Bologna

More travel inspiration for Italian cities:

• Best cities to see in Italy
• 1 day in Rome
• 2 days in Rome
• 4 days in Rome
• 1 day in Venice
• 3 days in Venice
• Milan in 1 day
• Naples in 1 day
• Top sights in Rome
• Hidden gems of Rome
• Top sights in Venice
• Best of Naples
• Best of Verona
• Best of Ravenna
• Best of Siena
• Best of Montepulciano

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Some of our favorite places in Italy:

• Best places to visit in Italy
• Capri Island
• Best day trips from Naples
• Best places in the Dolomites
• Lake Como travel tips
• Bellagio (Lake Como)
• Varenna (Lake Como)
• Best Things to Do in Lake Como
• Cinque Terre vs. Amalfi Coast
• Most Beautiful Coastal Towns of the Italian Riviera
• Tuscany Itinerary
• Amalfi Coast travel tips
• Montepulciano (Tuscany)
• For more inspiration, please see our Italy travel blog .

More 1-day itineraries for some of the nicest European cities:

• 1 Day in Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• 1 Day in Barcelona (Spain)
• 1 Day in Edinburgh (UK)
• 1 Day in Glasgow (UK)
• 1 Day in Lisbon (Portugal)
• 1 Day in Madrid (Spain)
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• 1 Day in Rome (Italy)
• 1 Day in Salzburg (Austria)
• 1 Day in Seville (Spain)

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Saturday 8th of July 2023

Hi Jurga, We're planning a trip to Florence in August and I can't seem to find skip the line tickets to Pallazo Vecchio on the date or time that we need. They're all sold out. My question is, if we were there at opening time which is 8am, would there still be a long queue at that time?

Monday 10th of July 2023

Hi Steve, did you also check the official website of the commune? Sometimes they have more time slots available, but it's also possible that it's a bit too early to book tickets for your travel dates at this moment. If you just want to visit the museum, you may be fine going at the opening time and just getting a ticket there, but for the tower, it's best to book.

Friday 31st of March 2023

Hi Jurga, your travel posts are thorough and so detailed with really helpful information—Thank you. I used them for planning a family trip to US National Parks two summers ago- so happy to have this resource for planning our trip to Italy!

Sunday 2nd of April 2023

Thank you for your kind feedback, Betsy. Have a great trip to Italy!

Howard Blount

Saturday 4th of March 2023

Hi Jurga! My name is Howard, and I am a travel blogger myself. I am currently planning a Tuscany road trip, and I discovered your website two days ago. Already, I am completely in love with it. Your posts offer so much valuable information in a well-organized and user-friendly way. I typically don't comment on blog posts, but I made an exception in your case so that you would know how much I appreciate your content. Thanks again! Howard

Monday 6th of March 2023

Thank you very much for your kind words, Howard. Appreciate it. Have a great time in Tuscany!

Finding Alexx

| Bucket list adventures around the globe

Europe , Bucket list travel , Italy · March 10, 2023

24 hours in Florence: A one day Florence itinerary

Wondering how to spend 24 hours in Florence, Italy? Here’s the perfect one day Florence itinerary with the best things to see, do and eat in this magnificent city.

Ciao bella! Welcome to Florence, home to breathtaking architecture, mouthwatering cuisine and some of the world’s most marvellous masterpieces. Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast or a culinary connoisseur, this charming city is guaranteed to impress.

While there is plenty to see and do in Florence to keep you busy for an extended visit, the city is compact enough that you can still tick off a bunch of must-dos with only 24 hours in Florence. Of course a longer stay lets you dig deeper into the city’s culture, but sometimes whirlwind Europe trips or weekend breaks only allow for a one day Florence adventure, so here’s some top tips to make the most of your time.

With this 1 day Florence itinerary you’ll be able to see some iconic paintings and sculptures, learn about the city’s architecture, taste local flavours, watch sunset in the best spot in town, and toast to a brilliant day in Florence after your adventure ends.

Read on for a detailed breakdown of what to see in Florence in one day, as well as where to stay, how to get around, and what to do if you have more time.

Summary of the perfect 24 hours in Florence

• Grab an early morning coffee and delicious pastry at Ghibellina Forno Pasticceria, the best-rated breakfast spot in the city (opens at 6.30am)
• Walk past Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze to get to the Uffizi Gallery
• See the Birth of Venus and other renowned masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery
• Head to all’Antico Vinaio to get a world-famous sandwich for an early lunch, the busiest hours are 12pm-3pm so if you can get there just before 12 that’s ideal!
• Walk to Piazza del Duomo to explore the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore and climb Brunelleschi’s Dome
• Visit Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David and other artwork
• Stop in at Mercato Centrale if you need a bite to eat
• Enjoy an afternoon aperitivo session, some good options are Hotel Calimala’s rooftop bar, B-Roof, Santa Cocktail Club or Dorsoduro 3821
• Or if you don’t mind a walk, head to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sun set behind the city’s rooftops
• Finish up the day with a delicious dinner at a local trattoria, I absolutely adore Trattoria Dall’Oste (4.8/5 from 15,000+ reviews) but some other highly-rated ones are Trattoria Za Za, Trattoria da Giorgio, Antica Trattoria da Tito and Trattoria La Gratella

Where to stay during your 24 hours in Florence

Budget | My go-to for a budget-friendly place to stay in Florence is Yellowsquare hostel , a brilliant social hostel with fantastic facilities including a shared kitchen, dedicated co-working space and even a rooftop pool!

Mid-range | For a mid-range budget consider  Morandi alla Crocetta ,  3110 ArtHotel ,  Room Mate Luca ,  Solo Experience Hotel  and  Residence Leopoldo

Luxury | For a fancy stay check out  Villa Cora ,  Relais Santa Croce ,  Four Seasons Firenze  or  The Place Firenze

Self-contained | Some top-rated options with kitchens/kitchenettes are  Urban Retreat ,  Oro Nero Florence ,  Geppi’s Apartment  and  Donati Luxury Tower Suites

Things to do during your 24 hours in Florence

See the cattedrale di santa maria del fiore.

The iconic Santa Maria del Fiore , or simply ‘the Duomo’, is Florence’s architectural marvel. Construction began in 1296 and wasn’t finished until the dome was complete 140 years later in 1436. The exterior decoration took another 450 years, with the marble façade finally being completed in 1887.

The dome is an engineering masterpiece, designed by a Florentine founding father of Renaissance architecture, Filippo Brunelleschi. It’s the largest masonry dome in the world, made from more than four million bricks, and at the time was higher and wider than any octagonal dome that had ever been built, with no Gothic buttresses to support the dome as these were used in rival cities like Milan. To make the story even more mind-blowing, Brunelleschi was a trained goldsmith and had no formal training as an architect or engineer.

You can see the Brunelleschi’s Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore from vantage points all over the city, or head to Piazza del Duomo to see the cathedral up close, but it’s well worth exploring from the inside if you have time.

The cheapest ticket available includes the baptistery, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Santa Reparata Crypt, or you can upgrade to a pass that includes Giotto’s Bell Tower, or the Brunelleschi Pass which includes the Bell Tower and the Dome itself.

Be sure to book in advance because tickets do sell out, and if there are no tickets left for your date, you might be able to get a spot on a guided tour instead .

Marvel at the masterpieces in Uffizi Gallery

One of the oldest museums in the world, and holding one of the most impressive art collections ever found in one place, the Uffizi Gallery is an absolute must-visit for any art lovers when they visit Florence.

The gallery is home to countless paintings and sculptures hailing from the Middle Ages right through to contemporary times, but it’s most famous for Renaissance pieces from Botticelli, Michelangelo, Da Vinci and more.

Unsurprisingly, as Florence’s premier museum and gallery, it’s basically busy from open till close every single day, so if you’ve only got 24 hours in Florence you’ll definitely want to book tickets in advance to lock in your visit. If tickets sell out, or if you’d prefer to learn about the art from an expert as you look around, you can often book last minute guided tours like this top-rated one .

Say ‘ciao!’ to David at the Galleria dell’Accademia

No visit to Florence would be complete without coming face-to-face (or more like face-to-feet) with Michelangelo’s David, who you’ll find at the Galleria dell’Accademia. Perhaps the most famous statue in the world, David stands tall at 17ft basking in natural light underneath a glass ceiling.

The level of detail in the sculpture is spectacular, particularly looking at the veins on his hands and his muscle tone, and he was carved out of a single piece of marble in the early 16th century.

This is another one you’ll need to pre-book, as slots to see David and the other works in the Galleria dell’Accademia sell out in advance. Check for Galleria dell’Accademia tickets here , or consider a guided tour instead.

Get lost in the Historic Centre of Florence

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed center storico of Florence is a cobblestoned maze of museums, churches, galleries and other buildings of historical significance, and wandering through the area’s narrow streets without a map to guide you is the best way to experience the true Florence.

You’ll have to make your way through this part of the city to get to and from almost every place mentioned in this Florence itinerary so no need to set aside specific time for it, just be sure to enjoy the journey rather than just the destination.

Visit the Santa Maria Novella church

Sitting opposite Florence’s main train station of the same name, Santa Maria Novella is yet another impressive work of architecture and art, constructed between 1279 and 1350, but with the intricate marble façade not fully completed until 1470.

I haven’t been into the church yet, instead opting to visit the Duomo and the previously mentioned galleries on my visits to Florence, but you can buy tickets to admire the interior and artworks inside or just make sure you walk by to see the beautiful building from outside.

Walk across the Ponte Vecchio

Connecting the two sides of Florence over the Arno river, the Ponte Vecchio (translated as the ‘old bridge’) is a medieval arched bridge with a somewhat tumultuous history.

Said to have originated in Roman times, mention of the bridge first appears in a 996 document but floods in 1117, 1333 and 1966 caused major damage and required significant rebuild. Surprisingly, the Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence to survive World War II, apparently due to an order from Hitler himself.

The bridge was once packed with fishmongers, butchers and tanners, who threw animal offcuts and waste into the river to avoid stinking out the city’s streets. In 1564 Vasari’s Corridor (which you might have heard about from Dan Brown’s Inferno ) was built to link Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio, crossing over the top of the Ponte Vecchio. At this time the bridge’s tenants changed to goldsmiths and jewellers, a more appropriate industry for a bridge linking two palaces.

These days the jewellery stores remain but you’ll also find souvenir shops, gelato stalls and thousands of tourists. But crossing the Arno via the Ponte Vecchio must be done, so brave the crowds and make sure you set aside a bit of time to see this historic structure.

Explore the Mercato Centrale

Housed in a market hall originally built in 1874, Mercato Centrale is the bustling hub of Florence’s culinary scene.

The ground floor houses vendors selling fruit and vegetables, fresh pasta, cured meats, cheeses, bread, pastries, truffles and more, open from 7am to 2pm Monday to Saturday. Each morning you’ll find locals filling their shopping bags for their weekly grocery shopping, and you know that means the prices and the quality are top-notch.

On the first floor there’s a food court that pays homage to both Italian and global cuisine, with street food-style stalls, wine bars and restaurants serving up pizza, pasta, burgers, gelato and loads more. This is open from 10am until midnight each day.

At the Mercato Centrale you might find live music, cooking demonstrations, workshops and even tastings if you’re lucky.

I will say that a market this epic does come with a high chance of experiencing analysis paralysis while deciding what to eat. A food tour is a fantastic way to avoid that if you have the time (a good alternative to the museums if you prefer eating over art-ing), you can see some top-rated Mercato Centrale tours here.

Line up for a world-famous sandwich

I know, I know, when you only have one day in Florence it seems a waste to spend any time in line for anything. But if you’re keen to try one of Italy’s, if not the world’s, best sandwiches, all’Antico Vinaio is absolutely unbeatable.

Now boasting a number of locations throughout Italy as well as one in New York City and one in Los Angeles, all’Antico Vinaio’s original location is down via dei Neri, just a stone’s throw from Palazzo Vecchio. By about 12pm the line will be a few metres down the street and it generally won’t finish until 4pm, even longer on weekends or holidays. If you’re keen to try a sandwich for lunch it’s best to get there before 12pm.

The menu is absolutely divine, they serve up schiacciate (an Italian flatbread) with all sorts of meats, cheeses and spreads. Some popular sandwich choices are La Boss with prosciutto, pecorino, cream of truffle and rocket leaves, La Tricolore with beef carpaccio, cream of pistachio, stracciatella cheese and chopped hazelnuts, or my personal favourite, Nada Come La Fuma with pancetta, mild gorgonzola or honey. YUM.

Watch sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo

If you don’t mind a 30 minute walk from the city (or a 10 minute cab), Piazzale Michelangelo is without a doubt the best sunset spot in town. This hilltop square offers expansive, panoramic views of Florence’s historic centre all the way out to the rolling countryside behind the city.

This is a popular viewpoint for both tourists and locals alike but there’s plenty of space to sit and soak up the incredible view as the sky changes colour, perfectly complementing Florence’s iconic orange, red and brown rooftops. Stay a bit longer and you’ll be treated to the sight of the city’s lights being reflected in the Arno river.

This is the perfect way to wrap up a one day Florence itinerary.

How many days in Florence

If you’re really keen to tick off the main tourist sights as well as discover some hidden gems and not feel too overwhelmed, three days in Florence would be ideal. 24 hours in Florence is doable to see the top landmarks but it will be a fast-paced trip, two days in Florence gives you a bit more time to spread out the must-dos, but three days will be much more relaxed.

With four days in Florence (or more) that gives you the chance to add on some day trips to places nearby like Bologna, San Gimignano , Siena and the Chianti wine region .

What to do with two or three days in Florence?

If you’re lucky enough to have more than one day in Florence, here are some options for more things to see and do in the area:

• Take a cooking class to learn the art of making pasta
• Head to nearby Bologna for one of the best food tours in the world with Delicious Bologna
• Go on a day trip around Tuscany
• See the city from the eyes of Da Vinci with this walking tour
• Walk through the opulent Palazzo Vecchio
• Spend some time at Pitti Palace and the stunning Boboli Gardens

How to get to Florence

Florence is easily accessible by plane, train or car, making it simple to get to and from even if you’re just visiting for a short time.

If you’re doing a Europe road trip and plan on driving to Florence, it’s just over three hours north of Rome or just over four hours south of Milan, making it a great place to stop overnight between the two.

If you’re flying in, Florence’s airport is officially called Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (formally Amerigo Vespucci Airport, IATA code FLR). The airport is only 10 minutes from the city by car without traffic, or a 22 minute tram journey to the main train station on the T2 line.

And if you’re exploring Europe by train , Florence is easy to get to from main cities all over Italy. Rome to Florence takes 1h 35m on the high speed train, Milan to Florence is around two hours, and Venice to Florence is about 2h 15m. There are also cheaper regional trains available but these are slower.

If you’re travelling by train and just have one day in Florence, you can make use of self luggage storage in Florence to store your bags somewhere safe and secure while you explore the city.

How to get around Florence

Florence is a fairly small city and the best way to get around on a fine day is definitely to walk. Just make sure you wear comfy shoes, it’s all cobblestones and you might end up taking the 463 stairs up to the top of the Duomo’s dome!

Much of the city is pedestrian or authorised cars only, so if you’re renting a car in Italy , it’s best to park it at your hotel and utilise other transport options instead. If you’d like to catch a cab just be aware that taxis are quite expensive in Florence, the minimum charge is €3.30 or on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays it’s €5.30. There’s no Uber, the best way to catch a cab is to go to one of the designated taxi stands which they have at most major squares and landmarks.

There is a tram and bus network that connects the center storico (historic centre) with suburban Florence, but if you’re staying in the main city centre then walking is your best option.

There you have it, a whirlwind 24 hours in Florence! Of course there is plenty more to see and do in this stunning city but I hope your 1 day in Florence gives you a taste of what it has to offer, and maybe it’ll convince you to stay for longer next time.

If you think I’ve missed anything important or if you have any questions you need answered to help plan your 24 hours in Florence, let me know in the comments below or send me a message on Instagram @findingalexx .

Buon viaggio!

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How To Take a Day Trip from Rome to Florence: Ultimate Guide 2024

A re you planning your travels to Rome and wondering if you should also make a day trip to Florence? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s worth it! Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, and it’s only a short trip from Rome. In this blog post, I’ll share my tips on planning a perfect day trip from Rome to Florence.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended. Please check out our  disclosure policy  for more details. Thank you for your support!

Considering Taking a Day Trip from Rome to Florence?

I’ll cover everything from the best ways to get to Florence from Rome to what to see and do in Florence. I’ll also give you some tips on making the most of your day trip and avoiding crowds. 

So whether you’re a first-time visitor to Italy or a seasoned traveler, read on for all the info you need to plan your perfect day trip from Rome to Florence!

How to get from Rome to Florence: The Best Ways 

There are many reasons to visit Rome , but once you have explored for a few days, it’s not a bad idea to head out beyond the Eternal City. Let’s jump into the best ways to get from Rome to Florence for a day trip.

1. High-speed train

Several train companies offer direct services between the two cities, and the journey takes about 1 hour and a half. 

I recommend you buy tickets online to save time and hassle in the morning, as seats can fill up during peak seasons. You can also grab your tickets at the train station if you forget.

Rome to Florence by train

Cost: €15 –  €30 each way for an express train

Duration: 1 hr 30mins one way

Departure: Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina.

Arrival: Santa Maria Novella Station. 

Several train companies offer direct express services between the two cities, including Trenitalia and Italo. You can take a local train to save a few euros but it will extend your trip to 3-4 hours.

The most popular train stations for departures to Florence that are close to most Rome hotels are Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina . And good news, in Florence, you will arrive at Santa Maria Novella Station which is in the heart of the city. Most places are easily accessible by walking.

Essential Train Tips

• Validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines
• Beware of pickpockets
• Even with the EuroRail or InterRail pass, you will need to make a reservation, which will cost you $10. You can easily book this on the ItaliaRail booking site

2. Book a small group guided tour

I find tours a great way to have a break from the stress of travel logistics. You can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey. Many tours include free pick-up and drop-off to your accommodation in Rome and take about 12 hours round trip.

You will have the extra benefit of learning about the destination from your knowledgeable tour guide. Prices usually start around $115 USD per person and go up from there.

So if you want to skip the fuss, and see the top sights of Florence and possibly a second destination, taking a guided tour is for you! 

Favorite Guided Tours – Rome to Florence

• Rome to Florence with Pisa via GetYourGuide
• Rome to Florence and Pisa with a Small Group via Viator
• Rome to Florence Private Tour by High Speed Train via Tours by Locals
• Florence Day Trip from Rome via WithLocals

Travel through the picturesque Tuscan countryside in a comfortable minivan, and enjoy the personalized attention of a small-group tour. This is a great way to see some of Italy’s most iconic landmarks in one day. Plus if you are a solo traveler like I often am, this is a great way to meet others!

On a tour of Florence, you’ll see artistic masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery and walk beneath Brunelleschi’s famous dome.

If you book a tour that adds on Pisa, you’ll marvel at the stately marble treasures of Piazza dei Miracoli, including the iconic Leaning Tower. 

Guided tour essential tips

• Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan or according to your preferences so it’s important to be flexible when you’re on a guided tour
• Ask questions . If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask your tour guide.
• Don’t be late! This goes for pick up and whenever you are allocated some free time for exploring. If you are late back to the bus, you may just lose your ride!

3. Scenic Self-Drive 

Self-driving from Rome to Florence is a great way to see the Italian countryside and have the freedom to explore at your own pace. The drive takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes via the A1 highway, and the scenery is stunning. Expect to pay costs for the rental car, gasoline, and parking.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning on self-driving from Rome to Florence. 

First, you’ll need to make sure that you have a valid driver’s license and that your travel insurance covers your rental car.

Second, you’ll need to be familiar with the Italian road rules. 

And third, you’ll need to be prepared for traffic, especially during the peak season.

When it comes to parking in Florence, it is pretty limited. There are a few street parking spots available in the city center, but they are metered and have time limits. Some park-and-ride lots are located outside the city center and are great for avoiding the hassle of paying and having to move your car. 

Another good option is a parking garage in the city center, but they fill up quickly. If you’re planning on parking in a garage, be sure to book your spot in advance.

IMPORTANT: Be aware of the ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato). This is a restricted traffic zone in the city center that is only accessible to residents and authorized vehicles. Those who enter the ZTL without a permit, aka with your rental car, will be fined.

If you’re up for a challenge, self-driving from Rome to Florence is a great way to see the best of Italy. 

Essential Self-Drive Tips

• Start your drive early and avoid leaving during the afternoon rush. Traffic can be heavy, especially during the summer months. 
• Take breaks. The drive from Rome to Florence is long, so it’s important to take breaks. Get out of the car and stretch your legs every few hours.
• Plan your route, There are a few different routes you can take from Rome to Florence. The most direct route is via the A1 highway. However, there are also some scenic routes that you can take if you have more time.
• Make sure you fill up! Fill your car with petrol in Rome as it is more expensive in Florence.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for directions.

How to get from Rome to Florence: The Worst Ways 

Moving onto, in my opinion, the worst ways to get from Rome to Florence for a day trip.

Flying from Rome to Florence for a day trip is possible, but it is NOT recommended. 

The flight time is only about 1 hour from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport to Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport, but you will need to factor in the time it takes to get to and from the airports, as well as the security checks. This means that you will only have about 4-5 hours in Florence, which is not enough time to see the city properly.

I will always opt for a train over a plane, and here’s why:

• You can get up and walk around on a train
• A train is much more scenic
• Avoid long lines and security at the airport
• It is often cheaper and faster (flights are typically $120 more or less)

If you are determined to fly from Rome to Florence for a day trip, I recommend you book your flights early. This will help you to get the best prices and the most convenient flight times.

But again I wouldn’t recommend flying for a day trip. 

5. Catch a Taxi

Catching a taxi from Rome to Florence is possible, but it is not the most recommended way to travel between the two cities. 

The taxi fare will be quite pricey (about $400-500 each way), and the journey will take about 2 hours. 

Catching a taxi can be convenient, but it is not the most flexible option. You will be limited to the taxi driver’s schedule.

Essential Taxi Tips

• Book your taxi in advance . This will help you to guarantee a taxi and get a better price.
• Be prepared to pay a high fare . The taxi fare will be very expensive, so be prepared to pay a lot of money.
• Be aware of the traffic . The traffic can be heavy, so be prepared for the journey to take longer than 2 hours.
• Have a backup plan . If you are unable to catch a taxi, you can consider taking the train or the bus.

6. Taking the Bus

If you’re on a tight budget for your European adventure, you can take a bus to Florence. The bus journey takes a little longer (about three to four hours), but it’s cheaper than the train, albeit not as comfortable. Tickets cost as little as 5 euros. 

Buses depart every hour from Rome (Roma, Autostazione Tiburtina) heading to Florence, Villa Costanza Tram T1. If you choose this, you will want to catch a very early bus to make the most of your day. And remember, buses can be unreliable and are dependent on traffic conditions. 

Personally, I would recommend you stick with the train, it is worth the extra few euros for a quicker, more comfortable journey that leaves you ample time to explore Florence. 

Essential tips for taking the bus

• Book your tickets in advance. This will help you to guarantee a seat and get a better price.
• Be aware of the traffic . The traffic can be heavy, so be prepared for the journey to take longer than expected.
• Have a backup plan. If you are unable to get a bus ticket, you can consider taking the train.

What to Do on a Day Trip to Florence from Rome

To help you plan an efficient day trip from Rome to Florence here is my recommended itinerary!

Early Morning Start

Rise and shine it’s time to head to Florence! 

Catch an early morning train from Rome to Florence, aiming to arrive in Florence by mid-morning. Trains depart from Rome’s Termini station usually starting at 5 am or 6 am and arrive at Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station.

Or wait for your tour guide to swing by and pick you up if you choose that route!

1. Visit the Florence Cathedral (Duomo)

Start your day in Florence by heading to the signature Florence Cathedral, also known as the Duomo. Marvel at its stunning architecture and consider climbing to the top of the dome for panoramic views of the city.

2. Explore Piazza della Signoria

Walk to Piazza della Signoria , a historic square known for its impressive sculptures and beautiful architecture. Take some time to admire the iconic Palazzo Vecchio and the outdoor sculpture gallery.

3. Uffizi Gallery

Next, visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s most renowned art museums. Explore its extensive collection of Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. I suggest booking tickets in advance to skip the line .

4. Ponte Vecchio

Take a short stroll to the Ponte Vecchio, a famous bridge spanning the Arno River. Enjoy the picturesque views and explore the jewelry shops that line the bridge. The Arno River is a wonderful place to take gorgeous photos of the city!

Take a break for lunch and enjoy some traditional Tuscan cuisine. Look for local trattorias or restaurants offering dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) or handmade pasta.

5. Accademia Gallery (Optional)

If you have time and are interested in seeing Michelangelo’s David , consider visiting the Accademia Gallery . The museum houses this iconic sculpture along with other works of art.

Note that this visit may require additional time, so factor that into your itinerary!

6. Wander through Florence

Take some time to wander through the streets of Florence’s historic center, soaking in the charming atmosphere and admiring the beautiful architecture. Explore the narrow alleys and discover hidden gems along the way.

7. Gelato and Shopping

Treat yourself to some authentic Italian gelato from one of the gelaterias in Florence. Indulge in the delicious flavors as you continue exploring the city.

If you’re interested in retail therapy, browse the local boutiques for leather goods and other unique souvenirs.

Time to head back to Rome ☹️

That’s a wrap!

If you’re catching the train, head back to the Santa Maria Novella station and catch an evening train back to Rome. Ensure you have enough time to reach the station from your last destination in Florence.

Remember to adjust this itinerary based on your specific interests, time constraints, and the operating hours of the attractions you wish to visit.

While it’s a jam-packed day, it allows you to experience some of Florence’s highlights and immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage.

Essential Tips: Rome to Florence Day Trip

Here are some essential tips to make the most of your Rome to Florence day trip.

Plan in Advance

Researching ahead of time is key to making the most of your limited time in Florence. Identify the attractions and landmarks you want to visit, strategically plan your itinerary, and consider pre-booking tickets for popular museums and galleries to skip the queues. 

Get a head start

Start your day trip from Rome to Florence bright and early to maximize your day. If you are catching a train, first trains usually depart around 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., allowing you to arrive in Florence by mid-morning.

If you opt for a guided tour you can expect to start at around 7:00 a.m.

Comfort over style

Florence is a city best explored on foot. Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking all day. I suggest you wear your favorite pair of white sneakers or your flat leather boots . Save your Birkenstocks and strappy wedges for another day.

Make a priority list of the must-see attractions in Florence, such as the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria . Focus on ticking off these spots but allow yourself time and flexibility to get lost in exploring hidden gems.

Switch it up and take a guided tour

Consider joining a guided tour or renting an audio guide to learn more about the city’s history and art. By doing so you gain even more insight into the captivating city of Florence. 

Reserve your Tuscan feast

If you have specific restaurants in mind, make lunch reservations in advance to avoid wasting time waiting in line. Florence offers a variety of delicious Tuscan cuisine, so take the opportunity to savor local dishes and rest your feet. 

Manage your time

Watch the time as you get lost in cobblestone streets and wander through museums. Allocate enough time to visit the major attractions and wander through the charming alleyways. Trust me, it’s easy to lose track of time.

Treat yourself to some local products

Florence is renowned for its leather goods, handmade paper, and artisanal products. Leave some time for shopping and pick up unique souvenirs to remember your trip.

Plan your trip home

If you opt for the train, check the train schedule for your return journey to Rome and ensure you have ample time to reach the train station from your last destination in Florence.

I recommend you book a train ticket with a flexible return time in case you want to stay a bit longer.

If you opt for a tour or self-driving this is less relevant to you, just ensure you leave enough time to safely return home. 

Have a blast!

Finally, remember to savor the experience and immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Florence. Take in this remarkable city’s art, architecture, and ambiance, making lasting memories before returning to Rome.

And remember to take plenty of photos!

FAQ’s: Day Trip from Rome to Florence

To finish up, let’s cover a couple of additional questions you may have on your day trip from Rome to Florence. 

Is it worth doing a day trip to Florence from Rome?

Absolutely. A day trip to Florence from Rome is well worth doing. Despite the limited time, you can still experience the beauty and cultural richness of the city. 

Feast your eyes on Florence’s Renaissance art showcased in museums like the Uffizi Gallery, marvel at the iconic Florence Cathedral with its breathtaking dome, and explore the historic center that allows you to soak in the city’s charm. 

Plus of course, you have to indulge in Tuscan cuisine to experience the local flavors and traditional delicacies. 

While more time would be ideal to fully explore Florence, a day trip provides a taste of its highlights and leaves you with lasting memories of this captivating city.

Trust me, you’ll be left wanting to explore more!

Is it better to fly or take the train from Rome to Florence?

When traveling from Rome to Florence, taking the train is far superior to flying. 

Not only does it offer a comfortable and enjoyable journey through picturesque Italian landscapes, but it also provides the convenience of city-center to city-center travel. 

With high-speed trains like the Frecciarossa and Italo, the travel time is only around 1.5-2 hours, which is faster than flying once you factor in airport transfers and security procedures.

Plus taking a train eliminates the hassle of airport congestion, risks of delays, and long check-in lines.

You have the freedom to move around, relax, and appreciate the scenic beauty along the way. This is a big plus in my eyes!

If you want a stress-free and pleasant experience, the train is undoubtedly the better choice for your Rome to Florence journey.

No matter how you spend your day, a day trip from Rome to Florence is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!

About the author: Olivia is the founder of the travel blog Defining Decade . As a young Aussie traveller, she is the go-to guide for unlocking the world of travel in your twenties.

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