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Florence in 3 Days: Art, Food & Hidden Workshops

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A relaxed 3-day Florence itinerary for two adults based in the city centre, focused on Renaissance history and local cuisine, using public transit and walking between compact sites.
Day 1: Duomo, Piazza della Signoria & Ponte Vecchio
09:00
Duomo complex: Cathedral, Baptistery, Campanile (and optional Dome climb)
11:15
Coffee/light lunch near Mercato Centrale
12:45
Stroll Mercato Centrale; sample foods
14:45
Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio (exterior/short visit)
16:45
Walk to and across Ponte Vecchio; sunset photos
19:30
Dinner in historic centre
  • La Giostra - Borgo Pinti area
    Romantic Florentine classics; fine local cuisine.
  • Mercato Centrale (food court) - Piazza del Mercato Centrale
    Casual stalls—great for quick local tastes.
  • Trattoria ZaZa - Near Mercato Centrale
    Traditional Tuscan dishes; lively atmosphere.
  • Mercato Centrale (upper food hall) - Piazza del Mercato Centrale
    Local foods, souvenirs, artisanal products.
  • San Lorenzo Leather Market - Piazza San Lorenzo
    Leather goods and small fashion items.
Day 2: Uffizi, Accademia & Oltrarno Evenings
08:30
Uffizi Gallery (prebooked entry; focus on highlights)
11:45
Light lunch / coffee near Uffizi
12:45
Walk to Accademia and visit David (prebooked)
14:15
San Lorenzo area: Medici Chapels or local museums
17:00
Oltrarno exploration: Santo Spirito, artisan workshops
20:00
Dinner in Oltrarno
  • Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco - Oltrarno
    Tuscan specialties; cozy setting.
  • Trattoria Mario - Near San Lorenzo
    Hearty traditional fare (cash preferred).
  • Cibreo Ristorante - Santa Croce area
    Refined Florentine cuisine.
  • Oltrarno artisan workshops - Via Maggio / Santo Spirito
    Handmade jewelry, leather, ceramics.
  • Libreria Antiquaria & art shops - Oltrarno streets
    Vintage prints and craft goods.
Day 3: Pitti, Boboli Gardens & Farewell
09:00
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens (leisurely walk and viewpoints)
11:45
Lunch in Oltrarno; rest at Santo Spirito square
13:15
Artisan shopping & workshops (leather, paper, jewelry)
15:45
Santa Croce (tombs & leather school) or last-minute museum
17:30
Final aperitivo and return to accommodation to collect luggage
19:30
Departure / transfer from city centre
  • Trattoria 4 Leoni - Piazza della Passera (Oltrarno)
    Classic Tuscan dishes; pleasant square.
  • Il Santo Bevitore - Oltrarno
    Modern take on Tuscan cuisine.
  • Gelateria La Carraia - Near Ponte alla Carraia
    Popular gelato stop with river views.
  • Via de' Tornabuoni (window shopping) - Luxury shopping street
    High-end fashion and boutiques; good for browsing.
  • Santa Croce Leather School shops - Piazza Santa Croce area
    Quality leather goods with artisan provenance.

All timings are approximate and walking/public transit-friendly. Prebook Uffizi, Accademia and Duomo/Dome where possible.

Overview

This 3-day plan starts and ends at your city-centre base. Each day balances major sights (Duomo, Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti/Boboli) with food stops and time in Oltrarno’s artisan quarter. Pace is walk-and-public-transit friendly; expect many short walks and occasional buses/trams for longer hops.

Day 1 — Arrival & Core Florence

Morning

Arrive at your accommodation, settle in, then begin at the Piazza del Duomo: visit Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile. If you’re energetic, climb Brunelleschi’s Dome (prebook) for panoramic views.

Afternoon

Lunch near Mercato Centrale, then stroll to Piazza della Signoria and the open-air sculpture court. Visit the nearby Palazzo Vecchio (short visit) and wander across the Ponte Vecchio for sunset photos.

Evening

Dinner in the historic centre. Enjoy a relaxed passeggiata (evening walk) along Arno or through lively streets.

Day 2 — Galleries & Local Flavors

Morning

Prebook and visit the Uffizi Gallery first thing to avoid queues; focus on key works (Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo). Short coffee break mid-morning.

Afternoon

Cross to the Accademia for Michelangelo’s David (prebooked slot). Lunch at Mercato Centrale or a nearby trattoria. In the afternoon explore San Lorenzo area and the Medici Chapels or small museums depending on interest.

Evening

Head to Oltrarno for dinner — this district has excellent trattorie and a lively artisan scene. Consider a gelato and an evening stroll around Santo Spirito square.

Day 3 — Pitti, Boboli & Workshops

Morning

Start in Oltrarno: visit Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens (allow time for gardens and park walks). The gardens are ideal for relaxed exploration and views of Florence.

Afternoon

Lunch in Oltrarno. Spend the afternoon browsing artisan workshops (leather, jewelry, bookbinders) in the Santo Spirito and Via Maggio areas. If time allows, visit Santa Croce church (tombs of Michelangelo/Galileo) on your return side.

Evening / Departure

Final aperitivo near your accommodation, collect luggage, and depart. If you have a late evening, enjoy an easy final dinner and nighttime views of the Arno.

Practical tips & recommendations

  • Book Dome, Uffizi and Accademia tickets in advance (date/time slots) to avoid long waits.
  • Wear comfortable shoes — cobblestones and many short stair climbs. Expect 4–6 km walking/day at a relaxed pace.
  • Many museums close one weekday afternoon; check opening hours. Typical museum start times ~08:30–09:00 and closures ~18:00–19:00.
  • Use ATAF buses or tram T1 for longer hops; most central sights are walkable from a city-centre base.
  • Try local specialties: lampredotto (street-food tripe), ribollita (Tuscan soup), bistecca alla fiorentina for two.
  • Cash for small artisan shops; many accept cards but smaller vendors may be cash-preferred.

Quick safety & etiquette

  • Watch pickpockets in crowded areas (Mercato, stations, major squares).
  • Modest dress for churches (shoulders/knees covered). Keep water — public fountains (nasoni) supply potable water.
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Florence