Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, gave the world Botticelli’s Venus, Brunelleschi’s Dome, and Michelangelo’s David. Walkable and elegant, it’s a living museum where medieval lanes open onto sunlit piazzas and Arno bridges glow at sunset. In four days, you’ll savor masterpieces, markets, and meals that feel like they’ve been simmering for centuries.

Founded by Romans and fortified by Medici ambition, Florence set Europe’s artistic tempo for 300 years. Today, the Uffizi and Accademia remain essential, while artisan workshops and wine windows keep traditions alive. Expect espresso culture before noon, aperitivo al fresco before dinner, and gelato whenever temptation wins.

Practical notes: Florence is best on foot; reserve major sights and popular restaurants ahead. High-speed trains connect it to Rome and Milan in under two hours, and the T2 tram links the airport in about 20 minutes. Come hungry—this is the land of bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, and Chianti.

Florence

Florence is compact yet inexhaustible: the Duomo’s pink-and-green marble, the goldsmiths of Ponte Vecchio, the artisans of the Oltrarno, and gardens stepping up toward hilltop views. It’s a city of churches, chapels, and palazzi—each storing a gallery’s worth of frescoes and stories.

• Top sights: Duomo and Baptistery, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (David), Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo.
• Neighborhood notes: Around the Duomo for first-timers; Santa Croce for leather and lively evenings; Oltrarno for artisan workshops and locals’ trattorie; near Santa Maria Novella for easy station access.
• Fun fact: Florence’s 17th–19th century “wine windows” once dispensed vino directly from palazzo walls—some are serving again.

Where to stay (handpicked options)

• Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (resort-like grandeur in the city, historic gardens): Check rates
• The St. Regis Florence (opulent riverfront icon with refined service): Check rates
• Hotel Brunelleschi (boutique elegance steps from the Duomo, with its own medieval tower): Check rates
• Grand Hotel Minerva (stylish rooftop pool by Santa Maria Novella): Check rates
• Hotel Davanzati (excellent value, warm hospitality near Via Tornabuoni): Check rates
• Hotel Della Signoria (compact comfort between Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria): Check rates
• Hotel Santa Croce (budget-friendly base by the basilica): Check rates
• Hotel Dali (simple, artful rooms near the Duomo): Check rates
• Browse more hotels: Hotels.com Florence | Apartments: VRBO Florence

Getting there & around

• Flights within Europe and trains: compare and book on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Rome–Florence high-speed: ~1.5 hours, ~$25–60; Milan–Florence: ~1h55, ~$25–65.
• Intercontinental flights: check Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Many arrivals route via Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP), then rail to Florence SMN.
• Airports: Florence (FLR) is 20–25 min by T2 tram (~€1.70). Pisa (PSA) is ~1 hour by train from SMN; compare on Omio.
• In town: walk most places; taxis at stands; buses/trams for Boboli/Oltrarno and airport.

Day 1: Arrival, First Stroll, and Arno Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in, then orient yourself with a gentle loop: Piazza del Duomo to admire Brunelleschi’s red-tiled dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower, then over to Piazza della Signoria to see the copy of David and the open-air sculptures of Loggia dei Lanzi. Cross Ponte Vecchio to peek at goldsmith windows and the Arno shimmer.

Evening: Aperitivo near the river—try a spritz at a rooftop like La Terrazza (Hotel Continentale) for postcard views. Dinner ideas: Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken and bistecca; book ahead), Buca Lapi (oldest restaurant in Florence—classic Tuscan meats), or Trattoria ZaZa (fun, hearty plates near San Lorenzo). Nightcap gelato at Gelateria dei Neri (pistachio and stracciatella are standards for a reason).

Day 2: David, the Duomo, and the Uffizi

Morning: Espresso and a flaky sfoglia at Caffè Gilli (Liberty-era café) or Scudieri by the Baptistery. Then join this skip-the-line small-group tour—an efficient way to see the essentials with context:

Best of Florence: Small Group Tour Skip-the-Line David & Accademia with Duomo
Experience Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, the Duomo area, and key historic sites with a licensed guide (typically ~3 hours).

Afternoon: Lunch at Mercato Centrale: sample lampredotto at Da Nerbone, fresh pasta with truffles at Il Tartufo, or wood-fired pizza upstairs. Alternatively, grab a schiacciata sandwich stuffed with pecorino and salumi at All’Antico Vinaio (go early to avoid queues). Then dive into Botticelli, Leonardo, and Raphael with a guide at the Uffizi:

Uffizi Gallery Small Group Tour with Guide
Priority entry and a focused 2-hour route through the highlights so you’re not overwhelmed by 50+ rooms.

Evening: Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo (walk up via the Rose Garden). Dine in the Oltrarno: Trattoria La Casalinga (home-style Tuscan classics), Il Santo Bevitore (contemporary Tuscan with a great wine list), or Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (pappardelle al cinghiale). After, slip into Rasputin, a candlelit speakeasy for thoughtful cocktails.

Day 3: Full-Day Tuscan Towns & Winery Lunch

Trade city stones for rolling vines on a well-paced day trip that hits Siena’s Gothic grandeur, San Gimignano’s medieval towers, and Pisa’s Field of Miracles—with a winery lunch to seal the deal:

Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery
Expect an early start and evening return; taste regional wines, stroll UNESCO-listed centers, and snap that classic Pisa shot.

Back in Florence, keep dinner relaxed: La Ménagère (design-forward dining with seasonal plates) or Ristorante del Fagioli (no-frills, excellent steaks and beans). Gelato at La Carraia on your way home.

Day 4: Duomo Terraces, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Light breakfast at Ditta Artigianale (specialty coffee) or Caffè Concerto Paszkowski (historic café culture), then scale the cathedral from the inside on an exclusive tour of its terraces and the Dome:

Skip-the-line Duomo Terraces and Dome Climb Tour in Florence
Guided access to sweeping city views and Brunelleschi’s engineering masterpiece (~2 hours).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping: leather at the San Lorenzo Market or refined pieces at Scuola del Cuoio near Santa Croce; gourmet gifts at Pegna (hazelnut cookies, Vin Santo). Quick lunch before you go: Trattoria Mario (lunch-only, Tuscan soul food), I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti (panini with finocchiona), or I Fratellini (standing-only, perfect for a final schiacciata).

Departure: From central Florence, the T2 tram reaches FLR in ~20–25 minutes; for trains or flights beyond Tuscany, compare times and fares on Omio (trains) and Omio (flights). For long-haul tickets, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Dining cheat sheet (save for later)

• Breakfast & coffee: Caffè Gilli; Ditta Artigianale (specialty roasts); La Ménagère (stylish morning spread).
• Casual lunches: Mercato Centrale (Da Nerbone, Il Tartufo); All’Antico Vinaio; I Fratellini; La Prosciutteria.
• Dinner classics: Buca Lapi; Trattoria Sostanza; Trattoria Mario (lunch only); Ristorante del Fagioli.
• Modern Tuscan & wine bars: Il Santo Bevitore; Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina; Procacci (tiny truffle bar on Via Tornabuoni).
• Gelato: Gelateria dei Neri; La Carraia; Perché no!—pistachio, nocciola, and seasonal fruit are reliable picks.

In four days, Florence reveals its essentials: the hush before David, the glow of the Uffizi corridors, the curve of the Arno at dusk, and the warmth of Tuscan cooking. With a day among Siena’s nave shadows and San Gimignano’s towers, you’ve tasted both city and countryside—an elegant balance you’ll want to revisit.