Let me tell it like I would to a friend: Florence smells like marble dust, crunchy schiacciata and sunsets that disarm you. The first time I went without a plan and ended up doing “Renaissance crossfit” on the 414 steps of the Campanile; the second time I ordered the trip and everything flowed—fewer queues, better bites, perfect views from Piazzale Michelangelo. Here’s the plan that always works for me.
72-Hour Plan in 30 Seconds
- Day 1: Duomo (climb the Campanile), Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset.
- Day 2: Accademia Gallery (David) early, stroll through Signoria, Santa Croce, gelato at Gelateria dei Neri, bistecca dinner at Trattoria Mario.
- Day 3: Uffizi with an essential route, Mercato Centrale (try lampredotto), Oltrarno with Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens.
Day 1 — Duomo, Signoria and a Sticky Sunset
Start strong in Piazza del Duomo. Inside the cathedral is sober; outside it’s a marble cake. My winning move: climb Giotto’s Campanile. No elevator and 414 steps, but the close-up view of Brunelleschi’s dome is worth every stair. If you dream of the dome, book well ahead; I usually pick the tower to avoid bottlenecks.
Take it easy coming down, peek into the Baptistery, then walk to Piazza della Signoria, an open-air museum with Palazzo Vecchio presiding. At noon, All’Antico Vinaio: legendary schiacciata; the line moves fast and you can eat it walking towards Ponte Vecchio.
Afternoon is for the Arno and the sunset: cross the bridge and hike up to Piazzale Michelangelo 45–60 minutes before the sun goes down. I sit, rest my feet, and let the city talk in silence.
Mini route (Day 1): Duomo → Signoria → Ponte Vecchio → Piazzale Michelangelo. Refillable water and cushioned shoes: cobblestones are unforgiving.
Day 2 — David, Santa Croce and Reward Gelato
Hit the Accademia Gallery early with a reservation (or skip-the-line). Dodging the queue changes your mood. In front of David you’ll get what “perfection” means; every time I think I should go back to the gym.
Catch your breath in Piazza della Signoria, then enter Santa Croce: Galileo and Michelangelo rest here; Stendhal syndrome is real. Nearby antidote: Gelateria dei Neri. For dinner, Trattoria Mario and the bistecca alla fiorentina. Local culture note: it’s served rare; if you ask for well-done, you’ll get a look. Book or go early.
Pacing tip: take a real 30-minute break mid-afternoon (bench, shade or a quick coffee at the bar). At the bar you pay less and recharge the same.
Day 3 — Uffizi, Central Market and the Real Oltrarno
At the Uffizi, go in with a plan: Botticelli (Birth of Venus), Leonardo, Caravaggio and your favorites. 2–4 hours is plenty if you don’t read every panel. Comfortable shoes will thank you.
At midday, Mercato Centrale: traditional market downstairs, foodie hall upstairs. If you’re bold, lampredotto like the Florentines. Cross to the Oltrarno: artisans, Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens for a green breather. If you’ve got energy, find a quiet terrace and wander; if not, catch the last golden light by the river.
No-Drama Reservations: Official, Skip-the-Line and Guided
Florence rewards those who book. I mix official tickets with guided tours when I want context and priority access. Quick picks:
| Place / Attraction | Recommended booking type | Visit time |
|---|---|---|
| Accademia Gallery (David) | Advance ticket or skip-the-line | 60–90 min |
| Uffizi Gallery | Advance ticket or guided visit | 2–4 h |
| Dome/Campanile | Advance booking (early time slot) | 45–90 min |
Times that work: first or last slots of the day. Season “text semaphore”: Spring/Summer = High crowds; Autumn = Medium; Winter = Low (except holidays).
Homemade Maps to Save Time
You don’t need 20 photos to orient yourself: you need distances and realistic times. My references:
| Route | Approx. distance | Time at a brisk pace |
|---|---|---|
| Duomo → Piazza della Signoria | 650 m | 8–10 min |
| Piazza della Signoria → Ponte Vecchio | 400 m | 5–7 min |
| Ponte Vecchio → Piazzale Michelangelo (uphill) | 1.1 km | 20–25 min |
How I read the city: most is flat and walkable; the Piazzale climb is the only “wall.” Five-minute micro-breaks every hour = happy feet.
Skip the Lines, Spot by Spot
Accademia (David)
- Best slot: 8:15–9:30 or last hour.
- Best entry: Advance or skip-the-line.
- Common mistake: arriving at peak time with no booking.
Uffizi
- Best slot: first of the day or after lunch.
- Best entry: Guided tour if you get overwhelmed; they zigzag smartly.
- Common mistake: trying to “see it all” and leaving saturated.
Dome vs. Campanile
- If bottlenecks stress you: Campanile.
- If the inside of the dome is a dream: Dome at first slot.
- Common mistake: deciding same day when there’s no availability left.
Eat Well Without Overspending
- At the bar costs less than table service.
- Schiacciata at midday so you don’t nap in the museum.
- Water in a reusable bottle; fountains exist.
- Coperto may appear on the bill; tipping isn’t mandatory.
I balance it like this: hearty sandwich (if you’re nearby, All’Antico Vinaio) and a calm dinner. The bistecca is an experience, not just a dish.
If It Rains or It’s Too Crowded
When crowds swell, switch to interiors and you’ll save the day:
| Nearby Plan B | Estimated duration | Close to |
|---|---|---|
| Bargello Museum | 60–90 min | Piazza della Signoria |
| Palazzo Vecchio (interior) | 60–90 min | Piazza della Signoria |
| Santa Maria Novella | 45–60 min | Train station / city center |
Rain trick: schedule Uffizi or Accademia for heavy rain hours and keep walks for clear windows.
Backpack & Shoe Checklist
- Reusable bottle, power bank, tissues/coins for restrooms.
- Light layers by season; hat in summer.
- Sneakers with cushioning; cobblestones don’t forgive.
- Ticket/QR downloaded in case data fails.
Pace and Accessibility
- Strollers/Seniors: choose Campanile/dome only if stairs are fine; otherwise terraces and no-steps viewpoints win the day.
- Planned breaks: shaded bench every 60–90 min.
- Equivalent swaps: if you skip the dome, make up for it with Piazzale Michelangelo and central terraces.
Visiting Florence with Tour Travel & More
When it pays off
- High season or long weekends: they tweak order and time slots to dodge peak crowds.
- Trips with families, seniors or groups: custom pacing and planned stops (shade, bathrooms, water).
- If you want “the best in little time”: they trim museums to essential routes without losing what matters.
What they solve in 3 days
- Tickets and timing: they lock Uffizi/Accademia in early slots and fit the rest of the day.
- Transfers and timing: they optimize walking stretches and, if needed, coordinate car/van so you don’t burn soles.
- Guide in your language: filters rooms, tells the details that matter, avoids “getting lost in corridors.”
- Instant Plan B: if it rains or it’s crowded, they switch to Bargello/Opera del Duomo/Boboli without drama.
- Real Oltrarno: artisan workshops, Santo Spirito and local cafés without the show.
Example of a tuned agenda (my style)
- Day 1: Campanile first slot → Signoria with quick context → Ponte Vecchio towards late afternoon → Piazzale for sunset (water and shade points mapped).
- Day 2: Accademia “straight to David” + Prigioni → Santa Croce with gelato break → Palazzo Vecchio tower only if skies are clear.
- Day 3: Uffizi 2–3 h (Botticelli-Leonardo-Caravaggio) → Mercato Centrale (optional lampredotto) → Bohemian Oltrarno (Pitti + Boboli). Alternative: Pisa/Siena with fixed times and back for sunset.
Who it’s ideal for
- Those who hate lines and don’t want to wrestle with schedules.
- Travelers who prefer to listen and enjoy rather than plan.
- Art lovers who want the essentials well explained and the best light for photos.
Result
More time looking at Florence, less at your watch. I use it when traveling on busy dates or with people I want to save from stairs, queues and on-the-fly decisions.
Want a tailored plan and the fast lane? Book at tourtravelandmore.com.
Questions I Always Get
Dome or Campanile? If bottlenecks stress you, Campanile; if you dream of the dome interior, first slot does the trick.
How do I really avoid lines? Book before you fly and pick early slots; on hot dates, skip-the-line or guided.
Should I day-trip to Pisa or Siena? First time here, I’d stay: Uffizi + Oltrarno + Boboli makes a full day.
Is winter worth it? Yes: Low crowds and lovely afternoon light; bring layers.
When the Trip Finds Its Rhythm
I go back in my head to that bench on the Piazzale, with the Duomo glowing and my legs complaining in Italian about those 414 steps. That’s Florence: it overwhelms you, feeds you, and teaches you to slow to the right pace. If you order the trip well, the photos you have—many or few—don’t matter: what counts is what you take home on foot.
