Florence is best experienced slowly.

Florence may be known for its Renaissance masterpieces, historic architecture, and world-famous museums, but what makes the city memorable goes far beyond its landmarks. Some of my favorite moments came from aperitivo before dinner, browsing artisan shops, crossing the Arno without a particular destination in mind, and watching the city glow at sunset.

If it's your first visit, it's tempting to squeeze everything into a few days. I'd resist that instinct. Florence is compact enough to see a lot, but experiencing it well means being selective about what deserves your time.

Whether you're visiting for a weekend or including Florence as part of a longer Italy itinerary, this guide covers everything I'd recommend before your first trip.

Quick Facts

Ideal trip length: 2–3 full days

Best time to visit: April–June and September–October

Getting around: Florence is extremely walkable. Most major attractions, restaurants, and shops are within a 20–30 minute walk of one another.

Good for: Art lovers, food lovers, history enthusiasts, couples, and anyone looking for a slower-paced Italian city.

Where to Stay

For a first visit, I'd recommend staying within Florence's historic center whenever possible. Nearly everything you'll want to see is within walking distance, making it easy to explore the city without relying on taxis or public transportation.

During my visit, I stayed at Il Rivalta – Place of Charme overlooking the Arno River. The location struck a nice balance between convenience and atmosphere, with easy access to both the historic center and the quieter neighborhoods across the river.

When choosing accommodations, prioritize location over room size. Being able to walk back after dinner or an evening aperitivo is one of Florence's biggest advantages.

✦ Editor's Note
One of the reasons I enjoyed staying at Il Rivalta so much was its rooftop terrace. It became one of my favorite places to pause between sightseeing and take in Florence from above. If it's within your budget, I'd absolutely prioritize a hotel with some kind of outdoor space—it made the hotel more than just a place to sleep.

How Many Days Do You Need?

I recommend spending at least two full days in Florence.

That gives you enough time to experience the city's highlights while still enjoying its restaurants, shops, and historic streets beyond the major attractions.

If your schedule allows, three days offers an even better balance. You'll have more flexibility for museums, longer meals, and the experiences that inevitably catch your attention once you're there.

What I Would Prioritize

Florence isn't a city where I'd try to check off every landmark. Instead, I'd focus on a handful of experiences that capture what makes the city feel so special. Looking back, these are the moments I'd prioritize if I could plan my first trip all over again.

Take the Long Way

Some of my favorite photographs and memories came from simply walking between destinations. Florence is compact enough that taking the long way often leads to quiet piazzas, beautiful architecture, and streets that never made it onto my itinerary.

Visit Piazzale Michelangelo at Sunset

It's one of Florence's most popular viewpoints—and for good reason.

Arrive before sunset, find a place to sit, and stay as the city transitions into evening. It's one of the best panoramic views you'll find anywhere in Florence. If you're planning your route, I've rounded up my favorite viewpoints—including this one—in The Views Worth Climbing For.

Explore the Leather School

Florence has a long history of leather craftsmanship, but not every leather shop in the city reflects that tradition. If you're hoping to bring home something meaningful, I'd prioritize places that still celebrate genuine craftsmanship over mass-produced souvenirs.

The Scuola del Cuoio (Leather School) is one of those places. Located within the Santa Croce complex, it preserves traditional leatherworking techniques while supporting the city's artisan heritage. Even if you're not planning to buy anything, I think it's worth stepping inside to watch artisans at work and gain a better appreciation for why Florence became known for leather in the first place.

Visit Farmacia Santa Maria Novella

Part historic pharmacy, part fragrance boutique, and part museum, Farmacia Santa Maria Novella has been producing herbal remedies and fragrances for centuries. Today, you'll still find perfumes, soaps, candles, skincare, and other products inspired by those historic formulas.

Even if you aren't planning to buy anything, I think it's worth stepping inside. Between the beautifully preserved interiors, historic displays, and centuries-old fragrances, it felt more like visiting a museum than a traditional shop—and it ended up being one of my favorite shopping experiences in Florence.

What to Eat

One of the things I loved most about Florence was how naturally food became part of experiencing the city. Aperitivo, long lunches, and dinners that stretched into the evening weren't interruptions to sightseeing—they became some of my favorite parts of the trip. If you're visiting for the first time, these are the food experiences I'd make a point not to miss.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Florence's famous T-bone steak is one of the city's signature dishes. It's traditionally served rare and meant to be shared, so it's a great choice for a leisurely dinner if you're traveling with someone else.

Handmade Pasta

While bistecca often gets the attention, don't overlook Florence's fresh pasta. Every restaurant has its own specialties, making it worth trying whatever seasonal or house-made dishes catch your eye rather than searching for one specific pasta.

Aperitivo

Aperitivo quickly became one of my favorite parts of each day. Whether it's a spritz, a glass of local wine, or a small snack on a sunny terrace, it's less about the drink itself and more about embracing one of Italy's best daily rituals.

Gelato & Affogato

No visitNo visit to Florence feels complete without gelato, but I'd also encourage you to try an affogato if you enjoy coffee. One of my favorite afternoon breaks was stopping for one in the historic center—simple, memorable, and very easy to repeat more than once.

✦Looking for restaurant recommendations?
From neighborhood trattorias to memorable aperitivo spots, explore my complete Where to Eat in Florence guide.

Shopping Worth Your Time

Florence is one of my favorite cities in Europe to shop—not just because of the luxury boutiques, but because so many of the things you can bring home are rooted in the city's history and craftsmanship. Alongside the international brands, I'd seek out the places that reflect what Florence has been known for for centuries.

Leather Goods

Florence has a long tradition of leather craftsmanship, but not every shop offers the same quality. If you're considering a leather purchase, I'd spend a little time looking for workshops and artisans that still emphasize traditional techniques rather than mass-produced souvenirs.

The Scuola del Cuoio (Leather School) is one of my favorite places to start. Even if you aren't planning to buy anything, it's worth visiting to learn more about Florence's leather-making tradition and watch artisans at work.

Luxury Shopping

If luxury shopping is part of your trip, Florence also has a beautiful collection of flagship boutiques throughout the historic center. I stopped into the Gucci flagship, and even if you're just window shopping, it's fun to see one of Italy's most iconic fashion houses in its home country.

Artisan Shops

Some of my favorite finds came from smaller independent boutiques tucked along Florence's side streets. Whether you're looking for ceramics, paper goods, leather accessories, or locally made gifts, pay attention to the shops you pass while exploring—you may find something far more memorable than what you set out looking for.

Practical Tips for Your First Visit

• Stay within Florence's historic center if you can—being able to walk almost everywhere is one of the city's biggest advantages.

• Reserve popular restaurants and museums in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes. Florence is compact, and exploring on foot is one of the best ways to experience it.

• Visit Piazzale Michelangelo before sunset and stay into the evening if your schedule allows.

• Avoid scheduling every hour. A little flexibility makes it much easier to spend more time somewhere you unexpectedly enjoy.

• Bring a reusable water bottle—Florence has public fountains throughout the city where you can refill for free.

How I’d Spend Two Days in Florence

Day One

• Explore Florence's historic center

• Visit the Duomo area

• Browse artisan shops and stop by Farmacia Santa Maria Novella

• Enjoy a relaxed aperitivo

• Dinner in the historic center

• Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

Day Two

• Visit the Leather School

• Lunch in the historic center or Oltrarno

• Explore the Oltrarno neighborhood on foot

• Stop for gelato or an affogato

• Browse local boutiques or relax along the Arno

• Dinner followed by an evening stroll through Florence

Continue Exploring Florence

If you're planning your itinerary, these guides may also help:

• Where to Eat in Florence

• The Views Worth Climbing For

From The Edit

One of the biggest surprises about Florence wasn't a landmark—it was how much I enjoyed everything surrounding them.

The museums and Renaissance masterpieces are extraordinary, but Florence became memorable to me through the smaller details: an afternoon affogato, an artisan workshop, aperitivo before dinner, a beautiful storefront I hadn't expected to find.

If there's one piece of advice I'd give before your first visit, it's to pay attention to what happens between the places you've planned to see. Florence has a way of making those moments just as memorable as the landmarks themselves.

The pace of Florence became one of my favorite surprises.

It feels more like stepping into a museum than a boutique.

One of my favorite ways to end an afternoon in Florence.