Things to do in Florence
The real Florentine rhythm: shared tables, great frescoes, one dinner to remember.
This is Florence for people who want to eat where the market workers eat, stand in front of art that actually matters, and spend money where it counts. The days move between the north of the centre and the Oltrarno, mixing serious culture with genuinely good-value food. One dinner per side of the river tips into splurge territory, and that is exactly as it should be.
Day 1: San Lorenzo: David, shared tables, a palazzo dinner
The day opens with Michelangelo at the Accademia, pivots to a legendary shoulder-to-shoulder lunch at Mario, and closes with the one proper evening out in a historic Antinori palazzo.
- 9:30 AM
- 10:15 AM
Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
See Michelangelo's David and the raw, unfinished Prisoners, go beyond the photo, take it in slowly.
Map - 12:30 PM
Trattoria Mario
The legendary shared-table lunch, locals and market workers shoulder to shoulder, no-frills Florentine classics.
Map - 7:30 PM
Cantinetta Antinori
Critic-loved historic palazzo dining room, the one splurge-worthy dinner in the neighbourhood.
Map
Day 2: Oltrarno: frescoes, a palace, creative Tuscan cooking
Cross the river for Masaccio at the Brancacci Chapel, the Pitti Palace's Raphaels and Titians, a solid San Frediano trattoria at lunch, and an acclaimed dinner that earns its price.
- 9:30 AM
Melaleuca Firenze | Bakery Bistrot | Brunch & Specialty Coffee
Bakery bistro on the Lungarno for a flat white and a fresh-baked bun before crossing to the Oltrarno.
Map - 10:15 AM
Cappella Brancacci
Masaccio's frescoes that taught Michelangelo and Raphael how to paint, timed entry, only 30 min but unmissable.
Map - 12:30 PM
I’Brindellone
Beloved San Frediano trattoria just steps away, solid local Italian at honest $$ prices.
Map - 2:30 PM
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Palatine Gallery Raphaels and Titians inside the Medici palace, then wander the Boboli Gardens, easy afternoon.
Map - 7:30 PM
iO - Osteria Personale
Acclaimed creative Tuscan, the one splurge of the trip, worth every euro in San Frediano.
Map
Day 3: Santa Croce: sculpture, the Arno, a great-value send-off
The Bargello beats the Uffizi on every count, a pole-punt under Ponte Vecchio is the gentlest hour in the city, and L'Ortone closes the trip with serious cooking at fair money.
- 9:30 AM
Vivoli
Since 1930 classic Florentine coffee stop, order an affogato at the wine window, a local ritual.
Map - 10:15 AM
Museo Nazionale del Bargello
Italy's national sculpture museum, Donatello's bronze David and Michelangelo's early work, and rarely the crushing Uffizi queues.
Map - 12:30 PM
La Grotta Guelfa
Vaulted trattoria near Piazza della Repubblica for ribollita, pappa al pomodoro and a fair bill.
Map - 2:30 PM
Renaioli Firenze
Traditional pole-punt boat under Ponte Vecchio, Florence's gentlest hour on the Arno, April to October.
Map - 7:30 PM
L'Ortone
Big open-kitchen room by the Sant'Ambrogio market; order the Tuscan classics off the grill for the last night.
Map
Where to stay
Hotel Pendini
Central $$ pricing, steps from the Accademia and Trattoria Mario, punches well above its rate for this itinerary.
Hotel Milu
Good-value $$ rooms in the historic centre, well-placed for crossing between San Lorenzo and Santa Croce without a taxi.
Make Florence your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Uffizi Gallery: weeks ahead
- Galleria dell'Accademia: weeks ahead
- Brunelleschi's Dome: weeks ahead
- Florence Baptistery: weeks ahead
- Giotto's Bell Tower: weeks ahead
- Museo dell'Opera del Duomo: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Restaurants on Piazza del Duomo, Via de' Calzaiuoli and the Ponte Vecchio ends with photo menus and touts serve the city's worst food at its highest prices.
- Much San Lorenzo leather market stock is imported and low grade at artisan prices; use the Scuola del Cuoio or Oltrarno workshops for real leather.
- Ponte Vecchio gold carries a tourist markup; admire and compare prices elsewhere before buying serious pieces.
- Bistecca is priced per 100g with minimum cuts around 1kg and always served rare; confirm weight and price per etto before ordering.
The full Florence travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around