How to spend 3 perfect days in Florence | Italy

Planning a city trip in Florence Italy? Then you should definitely check out these tips on how to spend 3 perfect days in Florence.

Florence the capital of Tuscany, better known as the cradle of the Renaissance, is one of the most famous cultural cities in Europe. It is also one of my favourite Italian cities besides Rome. If you’re planning on visiting Rome as well, you should definitely check out this 1 day itinerary for Rome with the most unmissable spots.

Every time I visit Florence it surprises me by discovering something new. So exploring all of Florence in just 3 days is really impossible.

Of course, I don’t want to discourage you. Even if you’re only there for a weekend getaway or a few days, Florence will certainly not disappoint you. Here I’ll list the best things to do in when visiting Florence , so that you can plan your city trip as good and efficiently as possible.

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Florence in Italy

On the banks of the Arno you’ll find the mesmerizing city of Florence. This is the capital of one of the most visited provinces in Italy, Tuscany. There are a lot of beautiful villages in Tuscany. But Florence is definitely the most exuberant. It’s also called the renaissance city. You will find the most beautiful renaissance buildings, churches, palaces and statues. It’s safe to say that Florence is actually a real open-air museum.

But Florence has a lot more to offer. Besides soaking up culture, you can get ‘wanderfully’ lost in the historical centre, shop till you drop in the fashionable boutiques or local shops and of course enjoy all the Italian delicacies in the best places to eat in Florence.

How to get to Florence?

Traveling to Florence in Italy is possible in so many different ways. For a short city trip or a weekend getaway, I would recommend traveling  by plane. From Belgium you can fly with various airlines from Brussels or Charleroi to Florence airport. From the airport you can easily reach the centre by public transport. The cheapest options are the tram and the bus. You can of course also opt for a taxi, but this is slightly more expensive. You can also rent a car in one of the car rental companies if you want to combine Florence with multiple other destinations.

Florence is the perfect base to explore Tuscany. What beter way to do so then with a Vespa roadtrip. Or go wine tasting and take one of the incredible wine tours departing from Florence. Definitely stay a bit longer so you can do some day trips from Florence.

This destination is often combined with a visit to Pisa, a day trip to Siena, Chiante, Lucca, one of the hot springs in the area such as Bagni San Filippo or an extended stay in  Cinque Terre, Venice or Milan. Besides traveling by car, Italy has good train connections, so most of these destinations are also accessible by train from Florence.

If you are traveling through Italy for a longer period of time and want to visit multiple destinations, you can also just leave Belgium with your own vehicle and do a extensive Italian road trip.

When is the best time to travel to Florence?

Florence has a Mediterranean climate, which means that the summers are hot and the winters are mild and wet. The best travel time to travel to Florence is estimated from May to September. Logical, because then you have the best chance of sun and the least chance of rainfall. However, I wouldn’t advise you not to visit Florence during the high season of July and August. Besides an overload of visitors, it is also very hot. And experiencing a heat wave in the middle of a busy city isn’t exactly one of my favorite things. Spring and autumn are therefore the perfect seasons to visit Florence.

We actually traveled to Florence in the first half of February. And although this is still the middle of winter, our trip was very pleasant. It was cold, but the sunny weather ensured that we could fully enjoy all the outdoor sights in Florence. Just make sure you have appropriate clothes for the season you are traveling in.

Where to stay in Florence?

When I take a city trip, I like staying in the centre of the city. This, to not loose too much time with transportation, but also to be able to experience the city at all possible moments like early mornings and late evenings. There are many great areas to stay in Florence.

I also love it when a hotel radiates the character of the city. That is why we chose to stay in the oldest hotel in Florence NH collection Firenze Porta Rossa. Do you like to know how we experienced our stay in this hotel, be sure to read our NH collection Firenze Porta Rossa review.

There are of course many amazing places to stay in Florence. With this useful booking map you will get an overview of different hotels within Firenze. This way you can quickly search by location and price.

Booking.com

How to spend 3 days in Florence?

Below I’ll list the best things to do in the city, so you can start planning your 3 perfect days in Florence. Before you continue reading  I have just 1 very important tip for you: Indulge yourself completely the historical and mesmerizing atmosphere  of this beautiful city. So don’t try to see as much as possible in a short period of time, but really take your time to enjoy this fascinating town.

1 – The Duomo

The most famous attraction and also the eye catcher of Florence is of course the Duomo. It goes without saying that this stunning cathedral attracts many visitors. But still it is definitely a must see in while you’re Florence.

Visiting the Duomo can be tricky because of the long queues. That’s what held us back from admiring the inside. But I’ve heard it’s pretty impressive though, so I’m keeping that for next visit.

2 – Ponte Vecchio

The best time to cross Ponte Vecchio for me, is in the morning when the stores are opening. It’s less crowded and you can admire the beautiful views from the bridge without bumping into other tourists.

Stroll alongside the jewellery shop windows and enjoy the city waking up. I just love the sound of yelling Italians across the street in the morning. It sounds like music to my ears.

3 – Piazza di Mercato Nuovo

Wander through the historical city that consists of a maze of alleys and little streets and indulge in the local delicacies.

Explore the shopping district with luxurious and trendy shops and nearby Piazza di Mercato Nuovo. This is a famous market for local leather products such as bags, jackets and much more. Don’t forget to seal your luck at Il Porcelliono by dropping a coin into the boar’s gaping jaws. Rub the boar’s snout to ensure a return to Florence. Jan and I both did it and hope to return to Florence soon!

4 – Uffizi Gallery and surroundings

Walk through to the Uffizi Gallery and admire this spectacular piece of architecture with the impressive Palazzo Vecchio to top it off. In front of Palazzo Vecchio you will find Piazza Della Signoria. The best part of this square is Loggia dei Lanzi, which is an open-air sculpture gallery of antique and renaissance art including the Medici lions.

5 – Capelle Medicee and Pallazo Medici

Speaking about family Di Medici who was one of the most powerful banking families during the renaissance, reminds me to encourage you to pass by Capelle Medicee and Pallazo Medici. These are both stunning.

6 – Piazza Santa Croch

One of most beautiful squares for me is Piazza Santa Croch with the Basilica of the Holy Cross. This Basilica could be the little brother of the Duomo. The architecture is just as impeccable and this square is way less touristy.

7 – Piazza Della Repubblica and Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Other spectacular squares are Piazza Della Repubblica and Piazza Santa Maria Novella.

Close to Piazza Santa Maria Novella in via Della Scale you will find the oldest Pharmacy in Florence. The authentic interior is mesmerizing. Today they sell local beauty products. It is definitely worth to take look inside.

8 – Palazzo Pitti & Giardino di Boboli

On the other side of the river you will find the impressive Palazzo Pitti with its enchanting Giardino di Boboli. This is the prefect spot to escape the busy city. From the park you have gorgeous panoramic views over Florence. You will also be introduced to the versatile and beautiful nature of Tuscany. You can easily fill a whole day just wandering through this garden.

9 – Piazzale Michelangelo

Last but not least experience a sunset on Piazzale Michelangelo. One of the most stunning squares in Italy. Here you have the best panoramic view over Florence. Take a break on the stairs to admire the sunset over the skyline of this amazing city. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of wine to have an aperitivo.

10 – Tours

Would you like to explore Florence in a unique way? You can! Check out the Getyourguide offers below. They have an extensive spectrum of activities in Florence, ranging from entrance tickets to popular attractions to fully organised day trips.

We really had 3 wonderful days in Florence. Not only these beautiful sights enraptured us, but the whole city. Florence is like an open-air museum with so many beautiful buildings and artworks. This in combination with the delicious Italian delights, will make your trip an unforgetable experience.

Video

Don’t forget to watch the compilation video about our city trip in Florence and our stay in hotel NH collection Firenze Porta Rossa.

How would your like to spend 3 days in Florence? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!

Yours truly,

Sarah

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Would you like to plan an unforgettable trip? Then be sure to check out this useful overview of my personal travel tips!

Skyscanner is the place-to-be to book flights. This useful travel comparison website helps you find great deals for numerous destinations. Because I travel a lot, I often use airport parking. I already had good experiences with Parkos and Quickparking.

Booking accommodations is super easy through booking.com. Not only will you find plenty of stays and great deals, but by setting the filters you can quickly find an accommodation that meets all your needs.

When you're planning to rent a car during your trip, you should definitely opt for Sunny Cars. This transparent company collaborates with local car rental companies and ensures that all insurances ares already included when you book the car. So you don't have to worry about extra costs when picking up your car.

Are you looking for fun tours and unique travel experiences? Then head over to Getyourguide. Besides that, here you can also find some of the best deals for popular sights at your vacation destination.

Would you like to travel with public transport from one destination to another? Then 12togo is the place to be. Here you can easily find transfers in several countries.

Being a travel blogger I get a lot of questions about which photography equipment I use to photograph my travels.

I shoot with full-frame system camera: Nikon Z6II. I have a few lenses, but these 3 are my absolute favorites when traveling:

• All-round lens: NIKKOR Z 24-70 mm f/2.8. (I shoot almost everything with this. Are you just starting to shoot? Then I would recommend this lens)
• Wide-angle lens: NIKKOR Z 14-24 mm f/2.8. (Architecture, interior, landscapes,...)
• Zoom lens: Nikkor NIKKOR Z 70-200 mm f/2.8. (Wildlife,...)

A tripod is also important if you want to take pictures of yourself, or if you want to photograph with a low shutter speed (dark space, night photography, waterfall,...). I use one from Sirui. For videos to post on  my social media channels with I use my iPhone. When I travel alone I take my Joby GripTight GorillaPod PRO 2 with me. It's a small, useful tripod that I can attach to anything. Do you want to learn more about how to take the best vacation photos? Then take a look at my e-book where I share all my photography tips. Would you like to be able to edit your holiday photos quickly and beautifully? Then my Lightroom presets are an absolute must-have.

I wish you an unforgettable time on your next vacation!

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