Florence in 5 days

The Renaissance city, walkable in a day, unforgettable in a week. Best time to visit: April-May and September-October. Average daily budget: $130 to $220 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Centro Storico, The historic core. Duomo, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, the postcard Florence.

Morning: Uffizi at 8:15am opening (Tuesday). Reserve the timed slot. Botticelli's Venus to yourself for 5 minutes.

Afternoon: Explore Centro Storico, The historic core. Duomo, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, the postcard Florence.

Evening: Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. 30-min walk up. The whole city in golden light. Bring a bottle of Chianti.

Eat: Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Trattoria Mario (lunch only, no booking)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Oltrarno, Across the river. Artisan workshops, Pitti Palace, the locals' Florence.

Morning: Climb Brunelleschi's Dome. 463 steps, no elevator. Book the dome ticket separately.

Afternoon: Explore Oltrarno, Across the river. Artisan workshops, Pitti Palace, the locals' Florence.

Evening: Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo. Climb (or bus 12/13) up to the terrace above the Arno for the classic dome-and-rooftops panorama. Bring a bottle of wine, arrive an hour before sunset for a spot on the wall.

Eat: Lampredotto sandwich at Da Nerbone (Mercato Centrale)

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Santo Spirito, The student-and-aperitivo square. Best gelato, best vibe at sunset.

Morning: Day trip to Siena and Val d'Orcia. Hire a driver. Lunch at a winery, back by 7pm.

Afternoon: Explore Santo Spirito, The student-and-aperitivo square. Best gelato, best vibe at sunset.

Evening: Climb the Duomo cupola. Brunelleschi's dome from the inside, 463 steps past the Last Judgement frescoes to the lantern and the best view in Tuscany. Book a timed slot online days ahead, it sells out.

Eat: Gelato at Vivoli or Gelateria della Passera

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: San Lorenzo, Markets, leather shops, Mercato Centrale upstairs food hall.

Morning: Brancacci Chapel - early Renaissance frescoes, 30 visitors at a time, never queues.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore San Lorenzo, Markets, leather shops, Mercato Centrale upstairs food hall.

Evening: Bardini Garden for Duomo views without the Boboli crowds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Aperitivo at Le Volpi e l'Uva

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: San Niccolò, Behind the Boboli, residential, the path up to Piazzale Michelangelo.

Morning: All'Antico Vinaio sandwich at 10am to skip the line.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore San Niccolò, Behind the Boboli, residential, the path up to Piazzale Michelangelo.

Evening: San Miniato al Monte for Gregorian chants at 5:30pm.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Trattoria Mario (lunch only, no booking)

Hidden gems

Brancacci Chapel - early Renaissance frescoes, 30 visitors at a time, never queues.
Bardini Garden for Duomo views without the Boboli crowds.
All'Antico Vinaio sandwich at 10am to skip the line.
San Miniato al Monte for Gregorian chants at 5:30pm.

Getting around

Walk - the centre is 1.5km across. The bus is needed only for Piazzale Michelangelo (or walk it). No Uber, official taxis only. Day trips: rent a car or hire a driver, the train works for Siena and Pisa.

Safety

Very safe. Pickpockets work the area around the Duomo and the train station. Solo travellers are extremely comfortable, including women solo at night in the centre.

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