Must See~£22
Florence Cathedral and Dome
Duomo
The famous red-tiled dome, with a climb for views and an ornate marble façade.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- Book ahead
- Suits: Culture lovers · Photographers
Daily; timed access varies by monument
Florence
The cradle of the Renaissance, packed with art and hilltop views.
Overview
Why go to Florence
Florence is compact, walkable and full of masterpieces, from the Duomo to Michelangelo’s David. Cross the river to the Oltrarno for artisan workshops and quieter dining, then use the city as a base for Tuscan day trips.
- Where
- Tuscany, Italy
- Recommended stay
- 2–4 nights
- Best time to go
- April–June and September–October; summers are hot and crowded.
- Approx. daily budget
- £75–145 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Florence cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£70–100a day
- Mid-range traveller£130–190a day
- Luxury traveller£260+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 29 Top picks in Florence
Must See~£22
Uffizi Gallery
Centro
One of the world’s great art museums, with Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and much more.
- Suggested time: 3 hrs
- Book ahead
- Suits: Culture lovers
Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 8:15–18:30; closed Mondays
Must See~£14
Accademia Gallery (David)
San Marco
Michelangelo’s David stands under a purpose-built dome, alongside his unfinished Prisoners.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- Book ahead
- Suits: Culture lovers
Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 8:15–18:50
Must SeeFree
Ponte Vecchio
Centro
A medieval bridge lined with jewellers’ shops, glowing at golden hour.
- Suggested time: 30 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples
Open-air; always accessible
Hidden Gems
See all 10 Beyond the checklist
Hidden Gems~£12
Boboli Gardens
Oltrarno
Renaissance gardens behind Palazzo Pitti with fountains, statues and shaded walks.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Families · Couples
Daily, hours vary by season
Hidden GemsFree
Oltrarno Artisan Workshops
Oltrarno
Cross the river to find leather, paper and woodwork studios in a village-like quarter.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Food lovers
Workshops typically open weekdays; closed Sundays
Hidden GemsFree
Basilica di San Miniato al Monte
Oltrarno
A Romanesque church with a marble façade and a mosaic apse, high above the city, where monks chant vespers.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers · Photographers
Daily; short closing around midday
Hidden Gems~£10
Bardini Gardens
Oltrarno
A terraced hillside garden with a baroque staircase, wisteria pergola and a panorama of the Duomo, less crowded than Boboli.
- Suggested time: 1h 15m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Outdoor lovers · Photographers
Daily; hours vary by season
Food & Restaurants
See all 11 Where to eat
All’Antico Vinaio
A famous sandwich shop known for enormous schiacciata (Tuscan flatbread) sandwiches filled with cured meats and creams.
Known for: Schiacciata sandwiches
Under about £16 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Trattoria Mario
A lunch-only trattoria with shared tables, serving hearty Tuscan classics since the 1950s.
Known for: Ribollita, bistecca alla fiorentina
Under about £16 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Trattoria Sostanza
A tiny, old-school trattoria known for butter chicken and Florentine steak.
Known for: Tortino di carciofi, pollo al burro
About £30–55 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Groups
Gelateria Vivoli
A century-old gelateria near Santa Croce, one of the oldest in Florence.
Known for: Gelato
Under about £16 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Families
A suggested Florence itinerary
3 nights Couple
Florence · Highlights
Florence in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Florence picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Florence Cathedral and Dome, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Santo Spirito
- Day 2 · Siena Day Trip, Piazzale Michelangelo
- Day 3 · Accademia Gallery (David), Palazzo Vecchio, Basilica di Santa Croce, Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden)
Plan Florence your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.