2 Days Florence Itinerary

Do you want to go to Florence for 2 days and do you intend to see as many things as possible?

This is where it happens!

Thanks to this in 2 days Florence itinerary, you will be able to prepare your stay very easily.

I start by giving you my tips for not queuing in front of the main tourist attractions and I continue with my detailed program for your 2 days in Italy.

With all my tips, you are guaranteed to save the most time and make the most of your weekend in Florence.

And as a bonus, you can also find my selection of the best hotels in Florence according to your budget.

So where to go and what to do in Florence in 2 days? 

My tips for not queuing in Florence

Florence, just like Rome, Milan, Pisa, Venice, is among the most touristic cities in Italy and you should therefore expect to have to queue, sometimes for several hours, to access emblematic monuments and museums.

For example, the Duomo of Florence, the Uffizi gallery or the Accademia gallery, which are considered to be the must-see places to do in 2 days in Florence, are taken by storm as soon as they open.

But I assure you, there are several tips to optimize your visit to Florence in 2 days and not waste time in queues.

Here are the 2 most effective solutions to avoid queuing during your weekend in Florence:

1. Florence Pass

First solution to save time during your 2-day Florence itinerary: buy the Florence Pass.

It includes access to the most important monuments and museums of Florence such as:

• Brunelleschi’s Dome
• The Uffizi Gallery + Audioguide
• The Accademia Gallery + Audio guides
• An audio guide of Florence with more than 70 points of interest: perfect to know everything about the city!
• A 10% discount on a bunch of other activities in Florence

So to avoid worrying and make the most of your 2-day stay in Florence, do like me and buy the Florence Pass ;-)!

Best 2 Days Florence itinerary

After these very useful tips to start preparing for your trip, I invite you to discover my 2-day Florence itinerary.

Please bear in mind that this schedule of day-to-day visits is only possible if you have purchased your Florence Pass or your skip-the-line tickets beforehand. Without it, it’s impossible to do everything! I also assume that you spend 2 full days in Florence.

If you need, I remain available to answer your questions or help you plan your stay. Just ask me in the comments section.

So what to visit in Florence in 2 days?

Day 1: Academy Gallery

Summary of Day 1 itinerary:

A. The Academy Gallery
B. The Dome of the Duomo
C. The Monuments of Piazza del Duomo
D. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
E. The Basilica of San Lorenzo / Chapelles des Medici
F. The San Lorenzo Market

A. The Accademia Gallery

I suggest you start this 2-day stay in Florence with one of the unmissable museums of the capital of Tuscany: the Accademia Gallery.

It is here that you can admire Michelangelo’s famous David, one of the most famous sculptures in the world. A magnificent and particularly impressive work of art over 5 meters high which represents David before his fight against Goliath.

Made in the 1500s, this mythical sculpture is considered the symbol of the Italian Renaissance. It took Michelangelo 3 years to bring this block of marble weighing more than 5 tons to life.

In addition to this masterpiece, the Accademia Gallery in Florence exhibits many works by great Florentine masters, musical instruments and even Russian icons.

Tips for your Florence itinerary:

There is always a long line in front of the museum, even when it opens. It is therefore imperative to book your skip-the-line ticket in advance so as not to waste time on the first visit of your weekend to Florence.

I put here the different solutions you have (click on the orange links or green button to book):

• Take the Florence Pass which I have already told you about
• Priority entry with timeslot.
• Book a guided tour including quick access to the museum.

B. The Cathedral of Florence

After your visit to the gallery, head to Piazza del Duomo, located just 500 meters away on foot.

You will arrive directly at the foot of the imposing Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also called the Duomo of Florence. It took almost 140 years to build the edifice which today is one of the largest cathedrals in the world (after that of Saint Peter in Rome and Saint Paul in London ).

Its exterior , all in white and green marble, is magnificent, but the most famous element is undoubtedly its famous dome (or Brunelleschi’s dome) whose dimensions are impressive: 45 meters in diameter and 115 meters high.

Not to mention the magnificent interior paintings adorning its entire circumference and depicting the scenes of the Last Judgment.

To see them more closely and then access the exterior of the dome, at the top of the cathedral, you will have to take a staircase of 463 steps.

Guaranteed reward once you get to the top with the view of the whole city before you!

Note that you can enter the cathedral for free if you do not want to go up to the dome. But it’s definitely not worth queuing for it as there’s nothing to see inside. It is very austere and all the works/sculptures that were there have been moved to the Opera Museum.

Tips for your Florence itinerary:

Attention, to access the dome and the roof of the cathedral, it is mandatory to book your ticket in advance. Access being very narrow, only a small number of people are allowed to climb per time slot.

Here are the different types of tickets (always the same, the links in orange or green button are made to book):

• Take the Florence Pass which includes access to the dome + priority entry to the Galleria dell’Academia but also to the Uffizi Gallery + An audio guide of Florence to download.
• Single ticket for the dome.

C. Monuments of Piazza del Duomo

Since you are in Piazza del Duomo, I suggest you continue this 2-day Florence itinerary , by discovering the other buildings located on the square.

We find there:

1) Giotto’s bell tower which is actually the bell tower of Florence Cathedral. It is possible to climb to the top, provided you are ready to climb another 414 steps (after the dome, it quickly hurts your calves! ). Note that the view is less clear than from the dome.

2) The San Giovianni baptistery where many emblematic people of the city were baptized, such as the famous poet and writer, Dante.

3) The Museum dell’ Opera del Duomo which houses all the sculptures and works of art that were previously in the cathedral. Everything is very well presented there. If you have time, I recommend that you favor this visit over the other monuments.

The museum also has a beautiful terrace with an unobstructed view of the dome.

Tips for your Florence itinerary:

To visit the monuments of Piazza del Duomo during this 2-day Florence tour, you can also choose a guided tour in English.

On the program: guided tour of the dome + the baptistery + the Opera del Duomo museum + 1 ticket to climb Giotto’s bell tower (free access – without a guide).

D. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

I suggest you continue your 2-day Florence itinerary by going to see the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella.

From Piazza del Duomo, it takes less than 10 minutes on foot to reach it.

Built in the 13th century, the basilica is famous for its sumptuous frescoes by the greatest Italian masters of the time, including Brunelleschi (the same who painted the dome of the Duomo in Florence) and Giotto.

To visit the interior of the basilica with an audio guide in French, you can book your skip-the-line ticket .

E. The Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels

Only 5 minutes on foot separate the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella from the next visit of the day: the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

It is in this building that the chapels of the Medici, the most famous rich family of Florence, are located . Their role has been preponderant not only in the history of the city but also in that of all of Tuscany.

The tombs of the members of the family are grouped together in 3 richly decorated chapels, part of which was built by Michelangelo himself:

• The New Sacristy
• The Princes’ Chapel
• The Treasury Chapel.

As the site is one of the must-see places to see in Florence in 2 days, I strongly recommend that you book your skip-the-line ticket to visit the Medici Chapels and the Basilica di San Lorenzo.

F. The San Lorenzo Market

To end this first day of visiting Florence in 2 days, I suggest you go to dinner at the San Lorenzo market.

In addition to a traditional market with fruit and vegetable stalls, the place has a food court. You will find several restaurants offering local cuisine (pizzas, pasta, etc.).

The concept is great since you can take a dish in any of the restaurants and then sit on the tables located in the center of the market. No more arguments to choose a restaurant, everyone can eat what they like!

The San Lorenzo market is open every day, noon and evening.

Day 2: Places of Interest

Summary of Day 2 itinerary:

A. The Uffizi gallery
B. The Ponte Vecchio
C. The Piazza della Signoria / Palazzo Vecchio
D. The Palace of the Bargello Museum
E. The Basilique de Santa Croce

A. The Uffizi Gallery

Impossible to visit Florence in 2 days without planning to discover the Uffizi gallery.

Like the Accademia Gallery and the Duomo, this is a must visit.

This museum houses an impressive collection of paintings by the greatest Italian artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli or Michelangelo.

The place is simply huge and the works superbly showcased.

Tips for your Florence itinerary:

I can never tell you enough but do not plan to visit the Uffizi Museum in Florence without having a skip-the-line ticket. There is at least 1 hour of waiting from the opening and it only gets longer during the day.

Here are the different options (click on the links or green button to book):

• Take the Florence Pass which I have already told you about
• Skip-the-line ticket with the choice of a time slot.
• Buy the Florence Pass which includes priority entrance to the Uffizi Gallery + Accademia Gallery + Access to the Duomo dome + An audio guide of Florence to download.

B. The Ponte Vecchio

Leaving the Uffizi museum, follow the Arno river for a few tens of meters and you will arrive at Ponte Vecchio, the most famous bridge in Florence.

Built in 1345, it has a rather particular architecture because small houses are built on it. Former butchers’ stalls, these latter now house a dozen shops selling gold jewellery.

Gentlemen, it’s time to take out the wallet (or to take a detour! :-D).

Tips for your Florence itinerary:

To take a nice picture of the Ponte Vecchio, direction:

• The Ponte Alle Grazie
• The San Trinita bridge
• The view from the Lungarno hotel bar.

C. Piazza della Signoria / The Palazzo Vecchio

I suggest you continue your 48-hour Florence itinerary via Piazza della Signoria, located just a 5-minute walk from the bridge.

You will then discover one of the most beautiful squares in the city.

In its center stands an impressive fountain representing Neptune on his chariot and all around you can admire many sculptures, as well as beautiful typical buildings including the Palazzio Vecchio.

It was in this palace that part of the Medici family lived before thinking bigger and moving to the Palazzo Pitti.

Today, the Palazzo Vecchio houses Florence’s town hall, but you can still visit the interior where there are splendid paintings and frescoes. It is also possible to climb to the top of the tower to admire the view.

You will need to book your skip-the-line ticket (+ audio guide) in advance.

D. The Palace of the Bargello Museum

We continue with another palace to do in 2 days in Florence: the Bargello Palace.

To get there from Piazza della Signoria, it’s just a 3-minute walk.

You can just admire it (you may be a little overdosed on museums but there are so many interesting ones in Florence) or visit it. Inside, you will discover many sculptures made by Donatello and Michelangelo.

Remember to buy your skip-the-line ticket.

E. The Basilica of Santa Croce

Last visit to the program of this weekend in Florence: the Basilica of Santa Croce.

Count barely 5 minutes on foot from the Bargello to reach it.

It is in the basilica, considered the largest Franciscan church in the world , that the tombs of many very famous Italians are found . We can notably cite Dante, Michelangelo, Machiavelli or Galileo.

Also not to be missed, a walk in the interior garden to admire its architecture, a mixture of different styles and really very pretty.

And here I gave you all my advice for visiting Florence in 2 days!

After a good meal in an authentic Italian trattoria, spend one last night at the hotel before taking your return flight the next day. And speaking of hotels, you have my selection just below!

Tips for your Florence itinerary:

To learn more about the history of the basilica, nothing better than a guided tour.

Accommodation in Florence

I have one more question to address: do you know where to sleep during your weekend in Florence?

Because it is very useful to know how to visit Florence in 2 days but it is also practical to book your accommodation in advance. Demand is high in Florence and the hotels offering the best value for money fill up very quickly.

To help you, I have prepared my selection of the best hotels in the city.

So, where to stay for these 48 hours in Florence?

• Plus Florence: Hostel located just 1 km from Piazza del Duomo. Bed in dormitory from 25€, breakfast at 7.50€. It is also possible to sleep in a double room, from 80€ per night. Most: the swimming pool, the terrace with a view of the dome, the comfort and cleanliness of the rooms and dormitories. A great idea where to sleep cheap for 2 nights in Florence!
• Hotel St. James: Located near the Accademia Gallery. Spacious double room from €80 per night, breakfast included. Most: the ideal location, the private car park, the warm welcome.
• TSH Florence Lavagnini: Located 15 minutes walk from the cathedral. Modern and colorful double room from €95, breakfast at €12. The pluses: the rooftop with a magnificent view of Florence, the swimming pool, the architecture and design, the services offered. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Florence!
• c-hotels Ambasciatori: Located next to the Santa Maria Novella church. Warm and super comfortable double room from €160, breakfast at €10. Most: the great location, the very good breakfast, the friendliness of the staff. An excellent choice where to sleep in Florence!
• Horto Convento: Located 1 km from Pitti Palace. Modern and tastefully decorated double room from €170, breakfast included. Most: the garden with terrace, the calm, the delicious breakfast, the charm of the hotel.
• NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa: 5-star hotel located 300 meters from Ponte Vecchio. Double room with refined decor from €315. Most: the friendliness of the staff, the great breakfast. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Florence.
• Four Seasons Hotel Firenze: This 5* hotel is 15 minutes from the Uffizi Gallery and offers sumptuous rooms that combine modern and Renaissance elements. From €750, breakfast €48. The pluses: the Spa, the Michelin-starred restaurant, the magnificent park. One of the best luxury hotels in Florence!

Visit Florence in 2 days with the family

Wondering what to do in Florence in 2 days with kids?

If you have planned a family weekend in Florence, you may have to adapt the program a little, especially if your children are small and they risk being a little bored in the museums.

Note that these are often free for those under 18.

Here are some tours and activities that I recommend:

• Aller voir the Piazza del Duomo
• A walk in the Boboli and Bardini gardens
• Visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
• Visit the Galileo Museum, the science history museum
• Taste a good Italian ice cream!
• Take a carrousel tour on the Republic Square
• Special family guided tour of Florence with a treasure hunt
• Take a family pizza-making class
• Take them to Parc delle Cascine, which has playgrounds and an outdoor swimming pool.

More things to do and see in Florence in 2 days

If you want to modify my itinerary a little or add something else to complete your program of visits for 2 days in Florence, I advise you to read my complete guide to the city.

Here you will find everything you need to conclude these two days of vacation in Florence.

You can read it by clicking directly on this link: The ultimate guide to visiting Florence.

Map of your 2-day Florence itinerary

To help you visualize your itineraries during these 2 days in Florence, I made you a map listing the places to visit day by day. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button with a small arrow. You will then be able to view the routes for each day.

Now you know how to visit Florence in 2 days!

Need help planning your 2 day Florence itinerary? Do not hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments.

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