Florence—cradle of the Renaissance—packs centuries of art, science, and politics into a compact, walkable center on the Arno River. The Medici family bankrolled genius here, from Brunelleschi’s soaring dome to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. Around every corner, you’ll find a fresco, a workshop, a trattoria that still follows a grandmother’s handwritten recipe.

Fun fact: Florentines invented “wine windows” (buchette del vino) in the 1600s to pass glasses of vino directly to the street; some are back in quiet use. Another: architect and polymath Bernardo Buontalenti popularized gelato in the 16th century—hence the city’s obsession with the creamy stuff today. Expect masterpieces by day, spritzes at golden hour, and lively piazzas at night.

Practical notes: Major museums often close on Mondays and require timed-entry reservations—book a few key tickets in advance. The historic center is mostly flat and best explored on foot; trams and buses help beyond the core. For dining, reserve popular spots and try regional essentials like ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, lampredotto, and bistecca alla fiorentina.

Florence

Florence rewards the curious: peek into Oltrarno’s artisan studios, climb quiet cloisters at San Miniato al Monte, and wander under Vasari’s arches by the Arno. Top sights include the Duomo complex, Uffizi, Accademia (for Michelangelo’s David), Pitti Palace with the Boboli and Bardini gardens, and the Ponte Vecchio’s goldsmith shops.

Eat your way through the city: markets (Mercato Centrale and Sant’Ambrogio), trattorie for steaks and soups, panini counters like All’Antico Vinaio, and refined wine bars pouring Chianti Classico and Brunello. For aperitivo, Santo Spirito buzzes; for late-night cocktails, think speakeasy-style nooks and noble palazzi lounges.

• Where to stay (Hotels.com + VRBO):
  • Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (historic opulence, private gardens; spa): Check availability
  • The St. Regis Florence (riverside grandeur, signature butler service): Check availability
  • Hotel Brunelleschi (inside a medieval tower steps from the Duomo): Check availability
  • Grand Hotel Minerva (rooftop pool over Santa Maria Novella): Check availability
  • Hotel Davanzati (friendly, central, great value): Check availability
  • Hotel Della Signoria (near Ponte Vecchio, some rooms with terraces): Check availability
  • Hotel Santa Croce (simple, steps from Santa Croce): Check availability
  • Hotel Dali (budget-friendly rooms near the Duomo): Check availability
  • Browse apartments and homes on VRBO (great for families and longer stays): Florence rentals
  • Compare more hotels: Florence hotels
• Getting there and around:
  • Flights within/into Europe: compare on Omio (flights). From North America/Asia, also check Kiwi.com and Trip.com.
  • Trains in Europe: book fast trains on Omio (trains). Rome–Florence ~1h30 (from ~€19–€65), Milan–Florence ~2h (from ~€24–€75), Bologna–Florence ~40 min (from ~€15–€30), Pisa–Florence 50–80 min (from ~€9–€15).
  • Buses: budget-friendly links via Omio (buses). From Florence Airport (FLR), tram T2 to the center takes ~20 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, First Gelato, and the Arno at Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Signoria, then along the Arno. Treat yourself at Gelateria dei Neri (dense pistachio, zabaione) or La Carraia (ultra-creamy stracciatella) to mark the start of your Florence itinerary.

Evening: Aperitivo at Manifattura (all-Italian spirits; ask for a Negroni “vecchia scuola”) or Procacci on Via de’ Tornabuoni (tiny truffle panini with a glass of Franciacorta). Dinner picks: Buca Lapi (since 1880; classic bistecca alla fiorentina), Trattoria Sostanza (rich pollo al burro; book well ahead), or Trattoria Cammillo (refined Tuscan staples, superb fritto).

Night: Walk the Ponte Vecchio after the shops shutter and the bridge falls quiet. Grab a digestivo at Locale Firenze (cocktails in a 13th‑century palazzo) before turning in.

Day 2: Duomo, David, and Uffizi—The Renaissance Greatest Hits

Morning: Coffee and a crema-filled cornetto at Caffè Gilli (1733) or Scudieri by the Duomo. If you want a polished overview with guaranteed entry, join this small-group tour that pairs Accademia (Michelangelo’s David) and the Uffizi with a guided city walk:

Skip the line: Uffizi and Accademia Small Group Walking Tour

Afternoon: Lunch near the markets: Da Nerbone inside Mercato Centrale (classic bollito or lampredotto with salsa verde), or All’Antico Vinaio for schiacciata stuffed with finocchiona and pecorino. If you skipped the tour, visit the Uffizi independently—beeline to Botticelli, Leonardo, and Caravaggio, then reward yourself with the Arno-view corridor.

Evening: Dinner at Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori (tiny, family-run; hand-written menu) or Trattoria da Burde (old-school Tuscan, great wine list). Nightcap stroll across Piazza della Signoria under the Loggia dei Lanzi’s statues.

Day 3: Oltrarno Artisans, Pitti Palace, and Quiet Gardens

Morning: Cross the river to the Oltrarno. Espresso and schiacciata at Ditta Artigianale (Via dello Sprone), then tour Pitti Palace’s galleries and wander the Boboli Gardens’ cypress-lined alleys. Don’t miss the Bardini Garden for a less-crowded viewpoint over terracotta rooftops.

Afternoon: Meet artisans: a bookbinder on Via Romana, a leatherworker near Piazza Santo Spirito, and goldsmiths tucked behind the Ponte Vecchio. Lunch at Gustapizza (charred, soft-centered pies), I’ Brindellone (peposo, pappa al pomodoro), or Il Magazzino (lampredotto ravioli—very Florentine).

Evening: Aperitivo in Piazza Santo Spirito (Volume for cocktails, Le Volpi e l’Uva for smart wine flights). Dinner at Osteria dell’Enoteca (steaks and Super Tuscans by the glass) or Il Santo Bevitore (seasonal produce, house-made pastas). Stroll up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a golden-hour panorama if you have the energy.

Day 4: Into Chianti—Vineyards, Farm Lunch, and Hill Views

Trade stone streets for cypress-lined lanes on a small-group countryside adventure—off-road tracks, two or three wineries, and a rustic Tuscan lunch. It’s a delicious way to understand terroir and the Sangiovese grape without worrying about driving.

SMALL-GROUP Wine Safaris: Tuscan Wine Tasting Tours from Florence

Evening: Back in town, keep it light: pizza at Santarpia (long-fermented dough; margherita di bufala sings) or Berberè (seasonal toppings, shareable quarters). Gelato nightcap at Vivoli or Perchè no!

Day 5: Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa—Postcard Tuscany in a Day

See three Tuscan icons with a guide: Siena’s striped cathedral and shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, San Gimignano’s medieval towers, and Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli. This well-paced day includes transport and a vineyard lunch with wine pairing.

Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery

Evening: Return to Florence and unwind with an aperitif on a rooftop (SE·STO on Arno for river views). Late dinner near the Duomo at Ristorante del Fagioli (bistecca, beans in olive oil) or Ristorante Da Rocco inside Sant’Ambrogio Market for something simple and satisfying.

Day 6: Markets, Leather, Santa Croce, and a Sunset Food Tour

Morning: Sant’Ambrogio Market is where Florentines actually shop—grab a cappuccino at Cibrèo Caffè and browse seasonal produce, cheeses, and cured meats. Stop by the Scuola del Cuoio (leather school) behind Santa Croce to watch artisans stitch by hand.

Afternoon: Tour the Basilica of Santa Croce (tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini) and peek at the frescoed chapels; then browse independent boutiques along Via dei Neri and Via della Condotta. Snack ideas: a porchetta panino at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti or a slice of schiacciata all’uva in season.

Evening: Learn Florence’s food stories at dusk—wine windows, tripe stands, Tuscan charcuterie, and gelato—with an expert guide and generous tastings.

Winner 2025 Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

Day 7: San Miniato, Last Looks, and Departure

Morning: Climb to San Miniato al Monte for Romanesque serenity and the best skyline view, then descend to Piazzale Michelangelo for photos. Brunch at Ditta Artigianale (eggs, pancakes, specialty coffee) or a simple pastry at Pasticceria Nencioni.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping: ceramics near Santo Spirito, paper marbling notebooks, and a final leather check. If time allows, the Brancacci Chapel’s Masaccio frescoes are a revelation—reserve in advance. Depart in the afternoon; tram T2 makes the airport transfer easy.

Optional Swap-Ins (Depending on Interests and Season)

• Vespa through the Tuscan hills with a guide and farmhouse lunch: Florence Vespa Tour: Tuscan Hills and Italian Cuisine

  

Reservations and tips: Book timed museum entries (especially Accademia and the Uffizi) several weeks ahead in high season. Many trattorie close on Sunday evenings or Mondays—scan hours when planning. Taxis are reliable but often unnecessary inside the historic center; comfortable shoes beat wheels on cobblestones.

With seven days in Florence and Tuscany, you’ll see the Renaissance touch the sky at the Duomo, taste Sangiovese where it’s grown, and wander artisan lanes that still hum with craft. It’s a week of art, wine, and warm hospitality—one you’ll be tempted to repeat.