3 Days in Florence: Renaissance & Ribollita
Florence is basically a giant outdoor museum. Three days allows you to handle the massive art galleries without getting Stendhal syndrome, cross the Arno, and eat Florentine steak. It's compact, so you will walk everywhere.
Day-by-Day Snapshot
The Heart of the City
The Duomo (climb the dome), Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio.
The Masters
Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery (David), and Mercato Centrale for lunch.
Across the River
Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
- •Not booking the Uffizi and Accademia in advance.
- •Buying gelato piled high and brightly colored (it's fake).
- •Ordering a cappuccino after a meal.
- •Expecting to drive in the city center (ZTL fines are huge).
April, May, or October.
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the oldest pharmacy in the world.
- Duomo / Centro Storico: Right in the middle of the action.
- Oltrarno: Across the river, more local, artisan workshops.
Getting Around
Walk. You can walk across the entire city center in 30 minutes. Take a taxi only if you have heavy luggage.
Where to Eat
Trattoria Mario for Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Gusta Pizza. All'Antico Vinaio for massive sandwiches (go early to avoid the line). Try Ribollita (bread soup).
Common Questions
Is 3 days enough?
Yes, 3 days is perfect for Florence before moving on to Tuscany or Rome.
Do I have to climb the Duomo?
No, climbing Giotto's Bell Tower gives you a better view because you can actually see the Duomo.
Are the lines really that bad?
Yes, book 'skip-the-line' tickets for everything.
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