How To Spend 48 Hours In Florence Italy

Ah, Florence: the birthplace of the Renaissance and the heart of Tuscany, Italy. It’s a city full of history, fantastic wine, great food, world-famous fashion and unique energy. Although small, there’s plenty to see and do; if you’re only passing through, luckily, you can see the highlights in a compact two days. Below are options for routes based on the essentials in Florence, which have been organised based on efficiency, closeness to attractions, and walking and visiting time.

Public transportation in Florence is great, although you won’t need it much, as the historical centre is completely walkable. Because there is so much to do, you might have to prioritise your bucket list items and buy entry tickets in advance to beat the lines. In any case, don’t forget your camera, comfortable (yet fashionable, of course) shoes and your appetite. With Culture Trip, you can enjoy a guided walking tour of Florence as part of our 10-day small-group Northern Italy trip, led by our local insider.

Day 1

Morning
Wake up early and carpe diem – after all, you’re in Italy! Have breakfast Italian-style at one of the historic bars in Piazza della Signoria, such as Rivoire. After a cappuccino and pastry, head to the Uffizi Gallery, where you can find the famous Botticelli painting The Birth of Venus and countless other works of Renaissance art. The Ufizzi will surely fill your morning, so take your time and enjoy. Alternatively, you can climb the tower at Palazzo Vecchio for a magnificent view of the city, or visit the historical museum inside to learn about Florentine history and the Medici family. In front of the Palazzo Vecchio is a replica of the famous David (among other awe-inspiring statues), but the original’s home is in Galleria dell’Accademia, which is also worth a visit. After that, do a spot of shopping for famous Italian designers.

Night
After a long day of exploring the sights and taking it all in, sit down and enjoy an Italian dinner at a restaurant of your choice – Florence has many to choose from. Afterwards, take a stroll and pick a pub or bar of your fancy; get a taste of the relaxed yet stylish nightlife, with a good drink or some live music, depending on the day of the week.

Day 2

Morning
Start your day with breakfast at one of the historic bars in Piazza Della Repubblica, like Caffè Gilli or Caffè Paszkowski – both equally fancy with delicious food. After that, head to Piazza del Duomo and get your tickets for the Museum of Florence Dome. Although visiting the museum under the church and climbing to the top of the Duomo are famous tourist activities, with only two days to see it all, it’s best you skip those. Enjoy the church and the baptistry out front, included in the price of your ticket, and then head to the outdoor leather market at Mercato Porcellino. After you pass through, head to the river and walk over Ponte Vecchio to enter the Oltrarno quarter.

Afternoon
Once over Ponte Vecchio, it’s time to start thinking of lunch. There are some great places in Piazza Santo Spirito – such as the tiny Piazza Della Passera – as well as lots of options in the square across from the impressive Palazzo Pitti. Wherever you choose to go, don’t miss the Santo Spirito Basilica, which is free to enter if it’s open. After exploring, you must have gelato at Gelateria Santa Trinita, one of the best in the city. Sit on the bridge to enjoy the view of Ponte Vecchio, then take a stroll or do some window shopping on the same side of the river until you work up an appetite for dinner.

Night
Depending on how hungry you are, there are two options, both equally great. If you’re looking for a full dinner, head to the neighbourhood of San Niccolò for an authentic restaurant. If you’re simply peckish, head to Golden View Open Bar for an aperitivo – or apericena as the Florentines call it – where you can pay a little more for a cocktail, but enjoy a substantial buffet included in the price of your drink. This spot also boasts a great view of Ponte Vecchio. Depending on the time of year you visit, after dinner, you can head to the nearest bridge and enjoy the Tuscan sunset.

After sundown, head up to Piazzale Michelangelo, just a short hike above the San Niccolò neighbourhood, to enjoy an absolutely stunning view of Florence. Seize this opportunity for some great photos, and spend some time reflecting on your whirlwind trip and the surreal nature of Florence, Italy.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.