2 Days in Florence Itinerary: The Best Things to Do in Florence!

2 days in Florence is an ideal amount of time to see this beautiful city’s legendary highlights, giving yourself some extra days to explore the rest of Tuscany! Plus, with Florence being incredibly walkable, you’ll easily burn off all the calories you’ll gain from the city’s equally-legendary food – trust me, you’re not going to be able to resist it (well, unless you have better impulse control than me, which isn’t hard. I mean, have you seen me on a shopping trip? Carnage).

Honestly though, you could spend a lifetime in Florence, and never scratch the surface of what it has to offer. However, the skill of being a good traveler is being able to pick out the highlights, the must-sees, so that you can go home with a minimum of regrets. Nobody wants to be on the plane home feeling bitter at not seeing the top sights, anticipating the questions of friends and family who exclaim “what do you mean you didn’t see Massively Famous Monument? Did you actually go there at all??”

Save yourself from growling upsetting words at well-meaning loved ones and being taken off their Christmas card list, by following this itinerary for 2 days in Florence! I’ve collected the city’s highlights and put them in a sensible order for seeing them – you won’t be having to zigzag across town following a disjointed list. We’re gonna go with the flow, man. But most importantly for Florence, I’ll be telling you when to see the sights, because massive lines outside art galleries are a thing here.

How to get to Florence

By air

Florence does have it’s own airport, located a short hop from the city (in fact, it’ll only be about a 15 minute trip on the bus to the city center), but this convenience comes with a price. Quite literally.

Florence Airport is really small, and there actually aren’t a huge amount of routes which fly in there – even if you look at some major airlines such as British Airways or Air France, they’ll generally only have one or two routes into the airport. Accordingly, this drives the price up, and you can expect to see some surprisingly eye-watering fares if you look it up on Skyscanner, or other airline sites.

So how about starting your 2 days in Florence with an airfare which isn’t going to make you swear in startlement at your computer? My recommendation is to fly to Pisa instead: it’s Tuscany’s biggest airport, whilst still being small enough that you’ll be through the terminal in about ten minutes flat (excellent for airport anxiety sufferers!). Far more routes and airlines fly into there, meaning that prices are much, much cheaper. Then there’s the biggest advantage of all: it’s SUPER easy to get from Pisa airport to Florence city center! I’ve even written a step-by-step guide on how to get from Pisa Airport to Florence – go ahead and take a quick look. Isn’t that simple??

By land

If you’re spending 2 days in Florence as part of a longer Italy trip, you’ll most likely arrive into the city at Santa Maria Novella train station. Unless you’re staying somewhere on the outskirts of the city, you’re almost certain to be within walking distance of your hotel: the train station is mere minutes’ walk away from all the big sights. Grab a bus or tram if you don’t fancy the walk: if you’ve got a smartphone, download the Moovit app, which will tell you exactly what you need to catch, and when! This app has saved my bacon more times than I can count (and I really like bacon, y’all).

Where to stay in Florence

Speaking of hotels, where should you stay in Florence? It’s a good question, even if I do say so myself! When you look at all the choices available to you in this ever-popular destination, it can get a bit overwhelming.

Should you stay in Florence city center? Is it noisy, or can you find somewhere quiet? Should you stay somewhere a little further out?

The bright side is that there’s plenty of options, whether you’re looking for hotels or a Florence Airbnb! So let’s have a look at some of the best choices, for budget, mid-range, or luxury travelers.

Budget

Hotel Dali

Fancy being literally just down the street from Florence’s famous Duomo, for a bargain price? If so, this is a great choice!

You can see Florence’s most-famous sight by standing outside this little hotel, which offers simple but spotlessly clean accommodation for a fraction of the price of various hotels around it. You can expect a decent-sized room with lovely fresh decor, and staff who are friendly and keen to assist you with any help or recommendations you might need.

The Hotel Dali used to be an old palazzo building – where else in the world can you stay in a palace for this little money!

I Cipressi Del Poggio B&B

Set a little further out of town, but still well within walking distance, is this B&B which offers far more than you’d expect for the price!

If you click the link above and take a look at the photos, you could be forgiven for mistaking it for somewhere far more expensive – the rooms are beautifully decorated and airy, and your room may well be overlooking some lovely gardens. But nope, it’s actually remarkably well-priced! With a wonderfully friendly owner who’ll whip you up a custom breakfast of your choice, you can’t go wrong with this one if you’re looking for 2 days in Florence on a budget!

Mid-range

Firenze Suite

Placed in a lovely quiet street not far from the Duomo – certainly close enough to hear the city’s bells ringing! – the Firenze Suites looks like something from another century, in a good way!

This four-star hotel has the look of an old palazzo; the hotel is beautifully decorated throughout, and it really does give a sense of class. Customer service is a watchword here, with very friendly and helpful staff who’ll go out of their way to assist you. But you won’t be able to get over how beautiful the rooms are: they’re decorated to evoke another age, with frescoes painted on to the ceilings and walls.

This is a slice of traditional elegance!

Hotel Atlantic Palace

I can certainly vouch for how wonderful this place is, because I stayed here myself – and it was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had!

The location is fantastic: close to Santa Maria Novella station and all its transport links, but just minutes away from all the other main sights (it’s usefully close to the Accademia gallery, too). When I arrived, they immediately upgraded me into a superior room which had everything I needed (including a smartphone for free calls home), and had the most beautiful wooden rafters in the ceiling. And my room had a jacuzzi bath!! After a day’s walking around Florence, having water jets on my feet and back were absolute heaven!

The main draw, however, is the staff – I’ve rarely encountered any as wonderful as the staff at the Hotel Atlantic Palace. They made me feel so welcome, and they could not have been more kind or generous, always greeting me as I entered the hotel. Special shout out to Francesca, who is absolutely lovely!

Luxury

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Away from the tourist crowds lies the Four Seasons Hotel, set in its own extensive gardens – and you really will feel like you’re in a palace!

This might be because it’s in a converted palazzo and conventino, with a private park attached where you can wander among the trees in the Tuscan sun, taking in the sculptures and frescoes that decorate it. Or it might be because the rooms are downright palatial, with more gold-plate and fabulous silks than you can handle. Or it might be the hotel’s fabulous facilities, including a heated pool and spa.

Take a look at the Four Seasons, and prepare to fall in love.

Villa Cora

If you’re yearning for your own little slice of Tuscany just outside of Florence, far enough away from the city that you can have a thorough relax without being too far away, then Villa Cora is for you!

This 5-star resort is located in a 19th century mansion in one of the most sophisticated addresses in Florence. You can expect amazing surroundings, interior decor which must surely be up there with the great hotels of the world, and all the facilities you’d expect. The staff are what truly make this place special though: they’ll completely personalize your experience, and make you feel completely at home. Nothing is too much trouble, and they’ll also shuttle you to the city center when needed.

Villa Cora is something a little bit special!

 

Florence Itinerary: Day One

Okay, you’ve got your perfect hotel (hurrah!), and you’ve made it to Florence (always helps!) – let’s jump right in, and check out the best things to do over 2 days in Florence!

You don’t have to follow this list exactly, though they’re in a perfect order for walking if you do – simply skip any steps you don’t fancy, and you won’t be going out of your way for the next stop. However, all these should be on your list for getting a real taste of Florence’s highlights!

Okay, let’s DO this!

1. Accademia Gallery

You can’t go to Florence, and not visit its world-famous galleries. Florence is a treasure trove, not just of Renaissance art, but of history and culture which stretches back throughout the centuries: they’re simply a must-see. And if you don’t feel like Renaissance art is particularly your thing, trust me, you’ll absolutely love it by the time you’ve been to the galleries!

But here’s the thing – everyone, and I mean absolutely everyone, knows how awesome the Accademia and the Uffizi are, so you’re going to want to get to them early. So definitely keep the Accademia as the first stop on your 2 days in Florence itinerary, because you simply can’t leave Florence without seeing this gallery’s main attraction – Michelangelo’s statue of David.

Yup, the most famous statue in the world has its home here, and seeing the copies elsewhere in the city (at the Palazzo Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo) simply doesn’t cut the mustard. There’s nothing like seeing the almost luminous quality of the marble, and the skill of Michelangelo’s carving – notice how his expression subtly changes depending on which side you’re standing, moving from a stern determination to a touch of vulnerability.

The art in the rest of the gallery can’t quite live up to the same levels – pretty much an impossible task; let’s give them a pass there – but would be incredibly impressive anywhere in the world. There’s definitely more to see than their world-famous neighbor, and you’ll recognize quite a lot of the pieces here!

So just to reiterate: get here early, and join the queue lickety-split. The gallery opens for business at 8.15am, so have breakfast on the go, and stake out your spot! Tickets cost €20, unless you’re lucky enough to be there on a free entry day; check the website for details. Skip the line tickets are also available, and a great way of packing more into your day!

 

2. The Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)

Once you’re done ogling David (not in that way! Unless you’re into statues, I guess), you’re conveniently just down the street from Florence’s major sight – the massive Duomo, which looms impressively over the city center.

This is the Florence sight; a definite for anyone spending 2 days in Florence – selfies in the piazza outside are practically mandatory – and you can expect to queue again. But!! you’ll benefit from the Duomo’s slightly later opening time – the doors don’t open until 10am (1.30pm on a Sunday), so by the time you’ve finished looking around the fairly small Accademia Gallery, you should arrive here before opening. Join the queue, and you’ll start shuffling forward fairly quickly once the clock strikes ten.

The curious exception to this is the steps to climb up inside the Dome, which opens up at 8.30am. If you’ve got a ticket for this, go and join the shorter queue on the north side of the cathedral, and you’ll be called forward at your allotted time. That way you can see the inside of the Dome, and the glorious views from the top, whilst you’re waiting for the rest of the cathedral to open!

The Duomo is completely worth visiting just to witness the inside of the Dome itself – the rest of the cathedral is actually curiously plain, given how decorative and beautiful the outside is! Walk through until you’re standing directly beneath the Dome (anyone who’s ever played the second Assassin’s Creed game will totally have flashbacks), lean back, and drink in all that glory. Have a look around the rest of the cathedral when you’re done; you can also visit the campanile (bell tower) where there’s an equally excellent view of the city waiting for you!

Tickets cost €18, though this includes entry the Cathedral, the Dome, the Baptistery, Crypt, Campanile di Giotto and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Not bad! Skip the line tickets are also popular here, as well as tours explaining the building’s rich history – there’s not an awful lot of information available in the cathedral itself, so this is well worth it!

3. Grab a gelato!

Okay, you’ve done some pro sightseeing so far; I’m proud of you! Time to take a short break, and grab a gelato, because it’s actually illegal to visit Italy and not have a gelato. The Geleto Police will come for you, and show you no mercy! Not really; I lied about that.

But there really should be a Gelato Police making sure that everyone samples Italy’s most famous export, because it’s soooo gooood. Florence has gelato just as good as anywhere else in the country – indeed, the current World Champion Gelato Maker is located nearby in San Gimignano – and there’s plenty of places near the Duomo to try it out!

If you want something a bit special, go around the south side of the cathedral as you exit the Duomo (don’t worry: we’re going in this direction to our next stop). Once you’re right out the back, you’ll notice a gelato shop right near the crossroad – this is Gelateria Edoardo, and it’s a little bit special!

For a start, it’s one of Florence’s top-rated gelato sellers. Secondly, everything here is organic – the gelato is made using free-range milk and eggs, and they use no artificial coloring or flavorings, ensuring that it’s the healthiest gelato anywhere in the city. They even make their own waffle cones! Thirdly, everything in here has a special touch. The gelatos are all named after friends and family (the shop itself is named after Edoardo, the son of the owners).

Perch yourself somewhere, and enjoy a gelato that not only tastes awesome, but which has been made with a bit of extra love and care!

4. Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze

It’s time to go celebrity-spotting! No, Brad Pitt is not in town. Well, he might be, I guess. But these celebrities are of the rather more historical variety!

Once you’ve finished your gelato, take a right turn and head down Via del Proconsolo. You’ll walk past some pretty awesome buildings, including the Palazzo Pazzi and the Museo Nazionale del Bargello (feel free to pop in if it’s still pretty early in the day; it’s an art museum with some pretty awesome collections, including works by Michelangelo and Donatello). Or keep walking if you prefer, before turning down the quiet street of Borgo dei Greci.

Eventually you’ll come to our next destination: the cathedral of Santa Croce. It’s a beautiful place which has suffered quite a bit of misfortune in its time – it flooded badly in 1966, and in 2017 some loose masonry fell and tragically killed a Spanish tourist, which led to the building being closed for urgent investigation. But as of Spring 2019, it’s re-opened and ready for you to take a look!

2 days in Florence wouldn’t be complete without a trip here, especially if you want to pay tribute to some of the greatest names in Italian, and world, history. Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are all whiling away eternity here, whilst the exiled Dante gets a cenotaph. In addition to the stunning decor throughout, there’s some gorgeous frescoes by Giotto and a Donatello statue, which elevate this moderately-sized building to the equal of some of the best art galleries in town.

5. Giardino Bardini

Head down towards the river (going past the pleasing curves of the Florence Library), take a right then a left, and you’ll find yourself on the bridge of Ponte alle Grazie. See those lovely terraced gardens straight ahead of you? Well, that’s where we’re going!

The gardens themselves are usually pretty quiet – they haven’t been opened to the public for that long, so the tourist hordes haven’t yet discovered them. Bad luck for them but awesome for you, because you’ll quite possibly have them all to yourself! Thanks to their position on a hillside, you’ll be able to get some absolutely beautiful panoramas of the city ahead of you; it’s a great vantage point. Florence has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world, and this spot is often a lot quieter than the better-known ones.

The gardens themselves are gorgeous too, and well worth a wander through. Green lawns, scattered with statues and trickling waterfalls – it’s a great place to rest for a while, especially as you’re heading uphill for our next stop!

The gardens open at 8.15am, and stay open into the evening: closing time depends on the season, so check the Giardino Bardini website for the deets! Entry will cost you €10.

6. The Rose Garden

We’re on our way to one of my favorite spots in Florence; rejoice! But first, navigate yourself from the Giardino Bardini to the road that runs along the top of it, Via di Belvedere. Walk along here, past the rather awesome old city walls, until you reach a wide stone staircase, the Scalea del Monte alle Croci. Yup, I’m afraid that you’re going up this.

The good news is that we can stop halfway, and pop into the Giardino delle Rose! Your language skills don’t need to be super-awesome to translate that name, and realize that we’re heading into a garden dedicated to the growing of roses! Yes, life can be a rose garden after all!

The interesting thing about this particular garden is that there aren’t just roses, which is particularly lucky should you be visiting in the winter. If the roses aren’t in bloom, the Rose Garden is still completely worth visiting for the statues and sculptures which inhabit this little park. They were donated by the widow of Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon, and they really do add to the atmosphere and quirkiness of this space.

You definitely need to get a shot of the Florence skyline as seen through the frame of the giant suitcase, located near the entrance! Added bonus: the gardens are completely free to enter!

7. Piazzale Michelangelo

It’s been a long day; I know. You’re footsore from all that walking, and a bit puffed out from the staircase alongside the Rose Garden. Trust me, I know how you feel; I’ve done it myself! But I’ve left the most spectacular sight in Florence until last, and if you’ve managed to time it so that it’s nearing the end of the day, you’ll be rewarded with a sunset view that’ll melt all that tiredness away.

You know how some shots of a city’s skyline are so definitive that it’s the one you see everywhere? The shot of Manhattan which is on all the postcards, for example. Well, this is the spot for the definitive photo of Florence! You’ll emerge from the staircase cursing hills and steps, turn left, and have your jaw drop.

From this vantage point, you can see pretty much the whole of Florence, from the Duomo and various bell towers, to the Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio. It’s simply stunning. You’ll definitely want to spend a bit of time here just taking it in: if you want a particularly good spot for a photo, go for where the low wall forms a right-angle.

Congrats! You’ve made it through the first of your 2 days in Florence! Head off for dinner, then get a good night’s sleep. You’ve got an awesome day ahead of you tomorrow!

Florence Itinerary: Day Two

1. Uffizi Gallery

Morning! After all that walking and fresh air yesterday, you might be tempted to have a lie-in. But if you do, you’ll be running a very high risk of missing out on seeing the world-famous Uffizi Gallery, and it really is a must for anyone spending 2 days in Florence. Regrets are too sad; don’t do it to yourself!

So, what’s so special about the Uffizi Gallery, I hear you ask (grumpily, as you pull yourself out of bed). Well, it’s simply a collection of some of the finest art in the world. Even if you don’t consider yourself a massive art lover, you’ll be blown away by the high quality of the collection here. Love your famous artists? There are beautiful works by Da Vinci, Botticelli, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio. Want to see something that’s ridiculously famous? Botticelli’s Birth of Venus probably wins here, and it’s quite stunning to see it in real life. Prefer Roman history to the Renaissance? You’re still in luck: the corridors of the gallery are quite literally dripping with classical sculptures, in a Who’s Who of Roman emperors.

Again, I can’t emphasize this enough: get there early. The gallery opens at 8.15am (check the Uffizi website for full details), and you’re going to want to be in the queue for tickets not long after that. The Uffizi is one of the most-visited art museums in the world, and it gets appropriately busy. It’s not uncommon for the ticket office to sell out their allocation of tickets by midday! Also, remember that if you’ve got a backpack, you’ll have to leave it in a cloakroom by the entrance (free of charge).

The Uffizi costs €20 to enter, but it’s worth every euro!

2. Palazzo Vecchio

Whilst you were queuing for the Uffizi Gallery, you might’ve noticed that large and rather-impressive building next door. I wonder what that is? you might’ve thought. Wonder no more: it’s the Palazzo Vecchio, and we’re going to have a poke around!

The Palazzo Vecchio has a really interesting history, which is well worth learning (or you can totally just watch the movie of Dan Brown’s Inferno, whichever is coolest!). Basically, this place was originally called the Palazzo della Signoria, because “Palazzo Vecchio” translates as “old palace”, and it would’ve been kinda weird calling it that from the start. The Signoria were the ruling elites of Florence, and the palazzo their swanky HQ. However, it was multi-purpose: it could also be used as a fortress, and at least a few unfortunates ended up being hung from the high tower, to the delight of the pitchfork-carrying mobs below.

The palazzo was used as a governmental building until the grand duke of the city, Cosimo I de’Medici, married a Spanish princess who was all “this ain’t fancy enough for me, actually”. The family promptly moved to the Palazzo Pitti, and the building was renamed the Palazzo Vecchio. These days, it’s absolutely worth visiting for the extraordinary quality of the decor – you’ll start to question the princess’s taste, as it’s absolutely exquisite!

Doors open at 9am, and it costs €16.50. Check the Palazzo Vecchio website to double check that its open!

 

3. Grab an epic sandwich

You’re probably getting a little bit peckish by now, after all that art and culture. Luckily, you’re just around the corner from the best sandwich that’ll ever pass your lips!

Go across the piazza outside the Palazzo Vecchio, and straight down the little street which peels off from it. On your left, you’ll notice a tiny open-fronted sandwich shop, probably identifiable by the queue of locals outside. This is All’antico Vinaino, one of the best street food spots in the whole of Italy, and a place which is about to forever change how you look at a sandwich!

The Mazzanti family have owned this place in order to make awesome sandwiches since 1991, and use only the most traditional Tuscan bread and fillings. Did you know that Florentine bread doesn’t have any salt in it? The city went to war with Pisa in the middle ages, and Pisa set up a blockade to stop salt coming into Florence, so the bakers in Florence were all “eff you” and just baked without salt. It’s still baked without salt these days: that’s how dedicated these guys are to tradition!

You’ll see a menu on the walls outside (there’s a small menu just inside the door which is in English). Pick your panino, wait a few minutes for it to be assembled, and a huge sandwich will be pressed into your hands. Believe me: this will keep you going all day!

4. Mercato del Porcellino

How about doing some shopping? And how about feeding a giant bronze pig whilst you do it?

Okay, so the pig isn’t actually living. And it’s a wild boar, so it’s not actually a pig either. But you can feed it, sort of!

This is the statue of Porcellino (“Piglet”) which is located just outside the market which is named after him. This version is actually quite new (the statue gets replaced when wear and tear becomes too much), but there’s been a bronze statue of a wild boar here since 1634. He’s got a pretty bad diet, because all he eats is coins! The idea is that you’re supposed to put a coin in his mouth, then let it drop out and go through the grating below. If you achieve this, you give his snout a rub, and you’re guaranteed to come back to the city (because flights and hotel costs are totally not a factor in this, obviously).

Once you’re done feeding him, you can use any remaining euros you have left to have a look around the adjoining market. Florence is famous for its leather goods, and although most of the items on these stalls aren’t exactly top quality, you can still find plenty of really nice bags or purses to take home for a souvenir!

5. Ponte Vecchio

Head south along Via Calimara towards the river, and you’ll find yourself at our next stop: Ponte Vecchio, a gorgeous old medieval bridge which spans across the Arno River, and a kleptomaniac’s dream! This is on everyone’s itinerary for 2 days in Florence, and it’s easy to see why.

Ponte Vecchio has an almost-golden glow, which it owes partly to Tuscan sun and stone, and mostly to the fact that this entire bridge is filled with shops selling jewelry. I’m not exactly sure what the total contents value of the bridge must be, but you can certainly see why there’s armed police standing guard at either end!

If you’re not exactly in the market for dropping a few hundred (or thousand) on some bling, then admire the bridge itself. There’s been a bridge on this site since Roman times, though this version has been there since 1345. That’s seriously impressive by itself, and even more so when you realize that every other bridge in Florence was destroyed during the Second World War. You’ll also notice the Vasari Corridor running along the top of the bridge – remember our old friend Cosimo I De’Medici, who moved his base from Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti? For reasons of speed and secrecy, he had an enclosed corridor built which starts in the Palazzo Vecchio, goes through the Uffizi, runs right across the top of the Ponte Vecchio, and all the way to the Palazzo Pitti. Impressive!

If you want a really good view of the bridge itself, go on the Ponte Santa Trinita and look to the side!

6. Palazzo Pitti

Let’s follow the Vasari Corridor across the Ponte Vecchio, and up the busy road of Piazza de’ Pitti – as you might guess from the name, it takes us right up to the Palazzo Pitti!

Remember how much you enjoyed the beautiful interior of the Palazzo Vecchio earlier, because this is where Cosimo I and his rather picky wife moved to. As you’d expect the interior is jaw-droppingly stunning (presumably this place was good enough!) – the building itself is now the largest museum complex in Florence, but its completely worth visiting here just to gawp at the decor. Unfortunately photography is forbidden inside, but just marvel at the ceiling paintings, including some which are almost three-dimensional, giving the rooms an appearance of being much bigger than they actually are!

The museums are totally worth looking around, though you’d need far more than 2 days in Florence to actually take everything in. The Palazzo Pitti used to be used as a treasure house, and essentially nothing has changed: you can find works by Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio in the Palatine Gallery, and there’s huge collections of silver, porcelain, and very swanky clothing in other wings of the museum.

The Palazzo Pitti costs €16.50, and is open from 8.15am to 6.30pm!

7. Boboli Gardens

Once you’re completely suffering from treasure-fatigue (who doesn’t; my own vast piles of riches are so tiresome!), you can pop out into the attached Boboli Gardens to take a look at trasures of a different kind!

The Boboli Gardens are absolutely beautiful – there’s just no other way to describe them. Perfectly manicured and maintained, you’ll completely forget that you’re in the middle of a large city. It feels more like you’re wandering around an estate far out in the countryside, and you can sit by one of the many fountains and forget the happenings of the outside world. Head straight up the hill to the fountain of Neptune for the ultimate Florence chill-out spot!

There’s also a lot of sculptures throughout the park, from ancient Roman antiquities to more modern affairs, which add a nice reflection of all the beautiful works you can find in the museum buildings. But for the Garden’s true work of art, walk up the staircases to the higher part of the park and overlook both the Palazzo Pitti, and the city of Florence itself. You can stand here as the afternoon sun begins to go golden, and see Florence as the jewel of the Renaissance that it is, shining golden.

This will be one of the biggest highlights of your 2 days in Florence, and you really will remember it forever!

Where to eat in Florence

If you’ve followed this itinerary for 2 days in Florence, you’ve done quite a fair bit of walking. You’ve probably worked up quite an appetite! Let’s do something about that!

Here’s some rather awesome places to get dinner in Florence, and I can personally recommend them! Florence is a fantastic place to eat out, with a very high standard of good food at reasonable prices pretty much everywhere in the city, but these are my particular favorites:

Livio

This little pizza place not far from Santa Maria Novella doesn’t look like anything too special should you look in through the window, but in my experience, that’s what all the very best pizza places in Italy look like! Everything looks very simple, but the menu is extensive, and the pizza is absolutely mindblowing! I’ve eaten a lot of pizza in my time, and quite a lot of that in Naples, and Livio’s pizza was just as good as anything I had there. The staff are lovely and very helpful, and the prices are quite ridiculously low. Why go elsewhere?

Pensavo Peggio

This place was a great find, which I’d seen recommended all over the internet – and the recommendations were right!! If you’re a fan of fresh pasta, you simply have to come here; I had a lasagna on my first night, and the knife went through the layer of pasta like it was hot butter. It was so soft, delicious, and cooked to perfection! But even better than the food is the staff. The restaurant is family-run, and they’re SO nice. They’ll give you some limoncello for free after dinner, and they’re chatty and brilliantly welcoming! Highly recommended!

Vetreria Ristorante Boutique

Looking for some fine dining just around the corner from the Duomo? This is the place for you! Vetreria offers a range of amazing food, everything from lusciously fresh carbonara to juicy pizzas, but the real star here is the steak. They’re completely perfect, done to your exact specification – and if you fancy something a little bit different, how about ostrich steak? Because they do that too! This is the best-rated restaurant in the whole of Florence; check it out!

Share this guide to 2 days in Florence!

I really hope that this itinerary for 2 days in Florence perfect for you! You’ll certainly see all the highlights, and that’s the best you can hope for: Florence is a treasure trove of history, art and culture (not to mention awesome food), and you could spend a lifetime there and never experience everything. But whether you’re spending a weekend in the city, or whether you’re travelling on to another part of Italy, you’ll never forget Florence’s shining stars.

If you did enjoy this, I’d love for you to share it, and pass it on for others who might enjoy it! It’s kind of like a karmic chain of loveliness, and you can expect some bounteous luck in your future if you hit those share buttons! (maybe.) Or you can save it to Pinterest, and have it handy for when you visit the city!

 

 

By the way: this guide to 2 days in Florence contains affiliate links! Don’t worry though: these incur zero extra cost to you, should you choose to buy the service provided. All it does is give me a small amount which goes toward the running of this site, cuz bills. Anything left over is spent on buying cheesily-awesome Dan Brown movies! (I have all three; the shame.)