WAYFINDER
Florence, Italy

3 days in Florence

Italy

Facts checked on 16 October 2026: places, local transport and prices.

History & Heritage

History and heritage of Florence

Founded as the Roman colony of Florentia in 59 BC, Florence rose to extraordinary influence as a medieval banking center and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Its churches, palaces and workshops embody the legacy of artists and architects from Giotto to Michelangelo.

This is the free preview of the Wayfinder guide to Florence: a realistic three-day plan with a morning sight, a specific lunch spot, an afternoon walk or museum, dinner before drinks, plus hotels for every budget, how local tickets work and the best day trips nearby.

Build my Florence itinerary

Day-by-day plan

Day 1 — City Essentials

  • ☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00

    Uffizi Gallery

    Botticelli first thing in the morning.

    ⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Botticelli first thing in the morning.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Uffizi Gallery from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00

    • Budget / Street Food

      All'Antico Vinaio

      Legendary schiacciata.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Trattoria Mario

      Bistecca and ribollita, cash only.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Mercato Centrale

      Food court on the first floor.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · All'Antico Vinaio from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30

    Ditta Artigianale

    Florence's specialty coffee.

    ⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Florence's specialty coffee.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Ditta Artigianale from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30

    • Budget / Street Food

      Dinner at Il Santo Bevitore

      Modern Tuscan cuisine.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      All'Antico Vinaio

      Legendary schiacciata.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Trattoria Mario

      Bistecca and ribollita, cash only.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Dinner at Il Santo Bevitore from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    • Budget / Street Food

      Rasputin Speakeasy

      Hidden bar with no sign.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Ditta Artigianale

      Florence's specialty coffee.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Giardino Bardini

      Wisteria garden with a view.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Rasputin Speakeasy from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

Historic insight & vintage spot

Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Dominican friars began making remedies here in 1221; the frescoed pharmacy still sells historic formulas.

View on map

Day 2 — Neighborhoods & Local Flavor

  • ☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00

    Brunelleschi's Dome

    463 steps, booking required.

    ⭐ 4.5 · €€ · 463 steps, booking required.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Brunelleschi's Dome from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00

    • Budget / Street Food

      All'Antico Vinaio

      Legendary schiacciata.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Mercato Centrale

      Food court on the first floor.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Trattoria Mario

      Bistecca and ribollita, cash only.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Trattoria Mario from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30

    Galleria dell'Accademia

    Michelangelo's David.

    ⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Michelangelo's David.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Galleria dell'Accademia from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30

    • Budget / Street Food

      All'Antico Vinaio

      Legendary schiacciata.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Trattoria Mario

      Bistecca and ribollita, cash only.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Mercato Centrale

      Food court on the first floor.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Dinner at Il Santo Bevitore from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    • Budget / Street Food

      Ditta Artigianale

      Florence's specialty coffee.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Giardino Bardini

      Wisteria garden with a view.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Rasputin Speakeasy

      Hidden bar with no sign.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Rasputin Speakeasy from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

Historic insight & vintage spot

Mercato delle Pulci

Florence's flea market offers old prints, postcards, jewelry and small Tuscan antiques around Piazza Annigoni.

View on map

Day 3 — Art, Coffee & Hidden Gems

  • ☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00

    Oltrarno

    Artisan workshops, San Frediano.

    ⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Artisan workshops, San Frediano.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Oltrarno from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00

    • Budget / Street Food

      Trattoria Mario

      Bistecca and ribollita, cash only.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Mercato Centrale

      Food court on the first floor.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      All'Antico Vinaio

      Legendary schiacciata.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Mercato Centrale from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30

    Giardino Bardini

    Wisteria garden with a view.

    ⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Wisteria garden with a view.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Giardino Bardini from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30

    • Budget / Street Food

      Trattoria Mario

      Bistecca and ribollita, cash only.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Mercato Centrale

      Food court on the first floor.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Dinner at Il Santo Bevitore

      Modern Tuscan cuisine.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Dinner at Il Santo Bevitore from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    • Budget / Street Food

      Giardino Bardini

      Wisteria garden with a view.

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Rasputin Speakeasy

      Hidden bar with no sign.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Ditta Artigianale

      Florence's specialty coffee.

    Getting there: On foot / tram Local network · Rasputin Speakeasy from Santa Maria Novella · 10 min · €1.70

Historic insight & vintage spot

Le Giubbe Rosse

The historic literary café on Piazza della Repubblica was a gathering point for Italy's Futurist movement.

View on map

Day trip idea: Siena & San Gimignano · 1h 15m by coach from Firenze → Siena · ≈ €9

Where to stay in Florence

Budget / boutique

Top-rated boutique stay

Florence · central district · ⭐ 8.6 · €€ · ≈ €80–120 / night

Check availability

Mid-range

Top-rated 4★ hotel

Florence · walking distance to the centre · ⭐ 8.9 · €€€ · ≈ €150–220 / night

Check availability

Luxury

Top-rated 5★ hotel

Florence · best location in town · ⭐ 9.2 · €€€€ · €300+ / night

Check availability

Flying in from overseas

What travelers from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia need to sort out before a long-haul trip to Florence.

Flight time & jet lag
Most long-haul flights land in Europe early morning. Plan a light first day — a walk and an outdoor lunch beat a museum. This 3-day plan keeps day 1 gentle so you can push through to a local bedtime.
Entry requirements
US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean passport holders enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180, but must register for ETIAS online before departure. Passport should be valid 3+ months past your return date.
Phone & data (eSIM)
Skip roaming charges: install a Europe-wide eSIM (Airalo, Holafly or your carrier's international day pass) before you leave home. One eSIM covers the whole trip, including day trips across borders.
Power adapters
Type C/F outlets at 230V. US and Canadian travelers need a plug adapter; check that hair tools are dual-voltage.
Money & cards
Tap-to-pay works nearly everywhere in Florence. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee, always choose to be charged in the local currency, and carry about 20 in small bills for markets and restrooms.
Airport to city
Book nothing in advance for the airport run — Florence has a train or express bus that beats a taxi on both price and time. The transport section below has the official operator and ticket app.
Full long-haul planning guide

Practical tips for Italy

Transport & tickets
Trenitalia / Italo for intercity · ATM Milano & ATAC Roma apps for city tickets · validate before boarding, contactless Tap & Go on metro
Tipping & payments
No tipping expected · coperto €2-3 per person, round up in bars · Tap & Go with a contactless card or Apple Pay directly at the validators in Florence.
Emergency numbers
112 · Police 113 · Ambulance 118
Power sockets
Type C / F / L · 230V

When to go: events in Florence

Day trips from Florence

Share this guide

Ready-to-post caption for travelers planning from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

3 days in Florence, Italy — an hour-by-hour plan with real restaurants, hotels at every budget and local transit tickets. Built for travelers flying in from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

Open the photo to save for your post

More guides

AlgheroAmalfiAmsterdamAthensBarcelonaBelgradeBerlinBern
Browse all destinations