Florence is compact, ancient, and layered – it’s the kind of place where one weekend feels too brief. It’s easy to get stuck within the usual museum loop, yet a better planned visit doesn’t need to be a cataloging of famous paintings. So, here’s the perfect plan – a way to spend two days in Florence balancing its most authentic experiences.
Day 1: Stone towers and garden views
Start at the Piazza del Duomo, ideally before 9 a.m. when the crowds remain quiet and civilized. If you’re tempted to ascend Brunelleschi’s dome, please think carefully — not because it isn’t worth the effort, but because you’ll have precisely the same view with less waiting time at the Torre di Arnolfo in Palazzo Vecchio. The tower gives you the panoramic view that includes the dome itself, and that’s something that you won’t get from inside it.
Mid-morning is a great museum hour, but go intentionally. The Uffizi is a must-see if it’s your first visit to Florence, but remember: you won’t have enough time to see every painting. Do Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio.
Then, when hunger strikes, head over the river to the Oltrarno. This bank of the Arno is more residential and home to hidden local trattorias. Flash is not Florence’s style, and at the end, it’s a matter of getting a few things right.
After that, take a stroll off lunch in the Bardini Gardens, which are too frequently overlooked by those heading to the more famous Boboli Gardens. The views are breathtaking, especially late afternoon, and the gardens themselves are more local secret than tourist destination.
Stay along the Arno near sunset. Avoid the Ponte Vecchio — it’s too touristy and not really worth the hassle. Instead, watch the sky change color from Ponte Santa Trinita or the stairs up to San Niccolò.
Day 2: Artisans and stories
Start your day in San Frediano, the bohemian fringe of the old town. This is where much of the city’s skill lies — leatherworkers, woodcarvers, printers — much of whom still work family-run businesses you can see by yourself.
For a unique measure of discovery, do a Florence walking tour. With the right guide, the city is a fairy tale — with things you’d walk by otherwise.
Late morning, cross over to Santa Maria del Carmine and view the Brancacci Chapel. Masaccio’s frescoes are crude, raw, and a standard in Renaissance painting. You can stand in front of a 600-year-old artwork and stay awhile – no elbowing required.
Your final stop is also first-rate: Torre di San Niccolò. Open seasonally, this medieval tower started life as a city wall. The climb is steep but short, and the reward is a 360-degree view of the whole historic center — less formal than the Duomo, more of a personal experience.
This itinerary leaves you space to roam, to follow your instincts and yet by discovering something authentic and unique. See Florence by yourself and the city will always let you discover its special side that will amaze you.
