48 hours in Florence | practical itinerary

Florence is known as the gateway to the stunning Tuscany region in Italy. It has served as the backdrop for several movies, such as Hannibal and Inferno, and is one of the most sought-after destinations in the country! With that in mind, I’ve created a practical itinerary to help you make the most of your 48 hours in Florence.

But before I tell you what to do during your 48 hours in Florence, I must say that two days is not enough to enjoy everything the city has to offer!

My suggestion is to spend at least 3 days in Florence alone, plus another 4 or 5 days exploring the other cities in Tuscany. This way, you can use Florence as a base for day trips to Siena, Pisa, Montalcino, San Gimignano, Arezzo, and so on. Alternatively, you can spend the night in some of these towns,Siena, for example, offers great accommodation options.

How to get to Florence

The city has an airport that receives flights from various European cities. So, in addition to getting to Florence by bus, car, or train, you can also fly there!

For example, Florence is approximately 300 km from Rome, about a 3-hour drive. The duration of a flight will depend on whether it’s direct or not. If you’re coming from Milan, the drive to Florence is around 320 km, and you can plan a stop in Parma along the way. If you choose to travel by train, you’ll likely need to transfer in Bologna.

Let’s go to the itinerary to enjoy 48 hours in Florence?!

48 hours in Florence

First of all, I wanted to let you know that it’s possible to do most of the tourist activities on foot. That said, I don’t recommend renting a car to use within the city, only for visiting the other small towns in Tuscany.

Galleria dell’Accademia

It’s the most popular museum in the city, as David, the most famous sculpture by Michelangelo, is there. You don’t need to set aside too much time for the museum, since it’s not very big. I recommend buying your ticket in advance, as there are usually lines, especially in the months of July and August.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

From the Galleria, you can walk to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo di Firenze. Visiting the interior is free (no reservation or registration required). However, if you want to climb to the dome or visit the surrounding monuments, you’ll need to pay. To get to the dome, you have to climb 463 steps.

Ticket: The combined ticket, which gives access to the dome, the Baptistery, the Campanile, the Crypt, and Giotto’s Bell Tower, offers the best cost-benefit ratio. I suggest setting aside at least 90 minutes to visit all these spots.

Opening hours: I recommend checking the opening hours closer to your travel date. Here is the official website https://duomo.firenze.it/en/home for more details.

Piazza della Signoria

Less than 500 meters from the Florence Cathedral is the Piazza della Signoria. This square is where you’ll find a replica of the David sculpture. It’s also home to the Palazzo Vecchio, which serves as the city’s town hall.

Piazzale Michelangelo

To wrap up the first day of the 48 hours in Florence itinerary, I suggest watching the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. There, you’ll have one of the most beautiful free panoramic views of the city! Go about 60 minutes before sunset and take the time to relax and enjoy a picnic.

After a full day of sightseeing, there’s nothing better than recharging with a nice dinner, right?! Since you're in Italy, pasta or pizza is always a great option. But while visiting Florence, make sure to try pecorino toscano, a sheep’s milk cheese typical of the region. Tuscany is also famous for its wines, so take full advantage of that iconic cheese + wine combo!

Galleria Uffizi

To start the second day of your 48 hours in Florence itinerary, a great tip is to visit the city’s largest museum, perfect for those who love art and art history! It houses works by several famous artists like Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Rembrandt.

Ticket: The ticket costs €20, and it's recommended to buy it in advance. Set aside at least 2 hours for your visit. But just a heads up, it won’t be enough, as the museum is huge!

Opening hours: Open year-round, except January 1st and December 25th.

Basilica of Santa Croce

Another tourist spot you must visit in Florence is the Basilica of Santa Croce, where the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei are located.

Ponte Vecchio

One of the most beautiful and unique bridges in Europe! It's also considered one of the most romantic. My tip is to view the bridge from afar and take lots of beautiful pictures. Then, walk across the bridge, there are plenty of shops along the way. After admiring the bridge, stroll along the banks of the Arno River, which runs through the city.

If you only have 2 days for Florence and other cities in Tuscany, my suggestion is to follow the 48-hour Florence itinerary in just 24 hours and use the second day to take a day trip to Siena. To fit everything in, you’ll have to skip going inside the attractions, or at least most of them.

Will it be rushed? Absolutely! Will you want to come back with more time? Of course. But it’ll be worth it to get a taste of this wonderful region!

These were my tips and itinerary to enjoy 48 hours in Florence! I hope you liked it and that you enjoy the city a lot! If you have any questions or suggestions, drop them in the comments below!

Kisses and see you in the next post!