One Day in Florence, Italy

Often called the “birthplace of the Renaissance,” Florence is one of the most popular tourist stops in Italy. Filled with acclaimed art, impressive architecture, and a bunch of yummy food – many visitors tout Florence as their favorite destination in Italy, choosing to make it the base for their stay. But if you’re just passing through as part of your road trip through Italy, we recommend the following things to do in Florence to make the most out of your day!

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1. Visit the Forte di Belvedere

The Forte di Belvedere – also called the Forte di San Giorgio – was originally designed by Bernardo Buontalenti to be a defense fortress for Florence. Its structure remaining intact, this fort that was first founded back in 1590 is still used today to host many fun exhibits within its garden & halls.

The Forte di Belvedere is easily the most underrated spot in all of Florence. Aside from its historical significance, it’s simply the best place in Florence to get an open view of the city’s skyline. It has several viewpoints that look out over the city, and provides the absolute best backdrop if you’re looking for a great spot to take photos of Florence.

Beyond the city itself, the Forte di Belvedere also offers beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside. It can be easy to forget that you’re in Tuscany’s capital amidst the hustle & bustle of Florence, but a visit to the fort allows you to step back out and enjoy its stunning rolling hills.

The Forte di Belvedere is completely free to enjoy & has plenty to explore. Although not the most well-known attraction, it ended up being one of our favorite spots while visiting. Add it to your list of “hidden gems” for Florence!

2. Explore the Piazza del Duomo

An iconic symbol to the city, the Piazza del Duomo is a popular tourist stop you wont want to skip. The plaza is home to several intricately decorated buildings, revered for their architecture. Most notable is the cathedral of Florence, “the Duomo,” nicknamed for its prominent dome.

Entrance to the Duomo itself is free, but tickets are required if you’d like to either climb the bell tower to look out into Florence, or for guided tours. The most popular activities in the plaza include climbing Giotto’s Bell Tower, climbing the Duomo, and tours of the cathedral or baptistery. There are also many tours offered that include all of these highlights together.

Duomo Dome and Tour

3. View Michelangelo’s Statue of David

Only a five minute walk from the Piazza del Duomo sits the Accademia Gallery of Florence, home of Michelangelo’s famous Statue of David.

This marble piece of art was completed in 1504 after three years worth of work, standing about 14 feet tall. It is said that Michelangelo worked on the statue in secrecy until he was ready to reveal it in full. In similar fashion, I chose not to include a picture of the sculpture in this post – so you’ll just have to wait to see for yourself! (Yes, I also wasn’t sure how a statue of a naked man would brand this site.) Regardless, this piece of history is one you will not want to miss.

Tickets into the Accademia Gallery are required to see the Statue of David. If you’re interested in simple entrance tickets, they can be purchased through the Florence Museum directly. For guided tours, there are several companies to choose from – most of which include entrance fees as well.

Accademia Gallery Tickets

4. Visit the Piazza della Repubblica

Walking another few minutes in the heart of Florence, you’ll come across the Piazza della Repubblica. Historically a residential hub for shopping & gathering, this public square hosts many street performances and local galleries even today! The piazza is also full of cafes & restaurants if you’d like to sit down, grab a coffee, and enjoy the atmosphere.

5. Enjoy the Ponte Vecchio & Arno River

In Italian, “Ponte Vecchio” translates to the “old bridge,” which is exactly where we recommend going next. After getting your fill of history in the Accademia Gallery & Piazza del Duomo, find your way down to the Arno River that cuts through Florence and enjoy a walk over its connecting bridges. One of the most scenic parts of the city, a nice dinner by the water is hands down how we recommend ending your day in Florence.

While we didn’t have time for this during our own day trip, another popular activity while you’re down by the water is a boat-ride on traditional barchettos (“little boats”). If you decide to embark on this adventure, please let us know what you think in the comments! Maybe next time we’ll get a chance to enjoy it as well 🙂

Barchetto Tour Tickets

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Florence a walkable city? Yes! Florence is not majorly hilly and has many pedestrian avenues that make it a walkable city to get around.
2. Can you see Florence in one day? If you’re looking to see the major sites in Florence, you can certainly do so in just one day. Of course you can never truly see all of a city the size of Florence in just one day, but you can definitely get a good feel of it!

More To See In Italy

Is Florence just one stop on your tour through Italy? Check out our other Italian travel guides to complete your adventure!

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