Your Perfect Weekend in Florence (Better than Rome?)

Last updated on May 19th, 2023 at 08:15 pm

Italy has a beautiful cities and villages to visit and because time is limited, it makes it difficult to narrow down where to visit. Keep reading to find out what you need to see and do to have your perfect weekend in Florence.

Beauty, culture, history, art, food, Florence has all of it. You will find a different vibe in Florence in contrast therefore making it different than other Italian tourist destinations. Spend a weekend here and you may find yourself wanting to plan your next trip to Florence.

Here is what your weekend in Florence could look like.

Friday

Arrive at hotel for your weekend

You have many choices on where to stay in Florence, thus I have focused on options that are centrally located.

• Casa G. Firenze is a well-located hotel with a friendly staff and comfortable rooms.
• Art Atelier is a well-appointed hotel near the historic district.
• Hotel Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio is a cute hotel close to the Ponte Vecchio with a restaurant and shopping center connected to it.

Piazza della Signoria

Wander to the Piazza from your hotel to get a beautiful introduction to Florence. Since its beginning, this piazza has been the political center of Florence as well as a place to get a glimpse of the art in Florence. Take your time admiring the architecture and replicas of famous works of art.

Dinner

Florence has different culinary specialties, one of which is bistecca. I am mentioning a couple of options for you in case you would like to have a wonderful steak for dinner although there are many for you to choose from.

• Veteria Ristorante Pizzeria Boutique– Don’t let the name fool you, this is an upscale restaurant with a superb Bistecca alla Fiortintina. Excellent service and a good wine selection round out the experience.
• Tuscani San Pacrazio– An authentic Tuscan restaurant with a wonderful Bistecca alla Fiorintina.

This is a good start to your perfect weekend in Florence.

Saturday

Morning

Finding Breakfast to Start Off Your Weekend

Hotels in Florence often include breakfast with your stay, nevertheless, if yours does not, here are a couple of options.

• La Loggia degli Albizi is a good choice for coffee and pastry for breakfast and it is close to the Duomo.
• Rooster Cafe Firenze might be your go to for an American breakfast.

After breakfast, walk to the Piazza del Duomo and spend the morning exploring one of Florence’s best known and most visited sites.

Piazza del Duomo

The Duomo stands tall over Florence. It is the third largest duomo in the world. Preparing to visit the Duomo can be a bit confusing, so I will break everything down and hopefully eliminate any confusion.

Basics

Hours of operation are 10:00am-4:30pm. This historic center contains 5 monuments that you can visit. Choose what you would like to see and then select the ticket option that best fits your needs.

• Brunelleschi Pass– Ticket to all 5 monuments. The pass must be used within 3 calendar days from the date you select. The dome requires you to visit at your chosen date and time.
• Giotto Pass– Access to all the monuments EXCEPT the dome. This pass works for people who do not want to climb to the top of the dome.
• Ghiberti Pass– Access the baptistery, museum and basilica. This is the perfect option for people who prefer not to do the climbs in the dome and bell tower.

5 Monuments

Brunelleschi’s Dome

Like the Colosseum is to Rome, so is the dome to Florence. A climb of 463 steps to the top will reward you with breathtaking views of Florence.

Giotto’s Bell Tower

The tower is a beautiful piece of architecture. It is constructed more for aesthetic purposes rather than functional. Adorned with panels of art that depict the story of the Redemption of Mankind and continue with reliefs of Creation of Man, Activities, Planets, Virtues, Liberal Arts and Sacraments, they are a must see. You must walk 414 steps to reach the top.

Baptistery

The baptistery, built between 1059-1128, makes it one of the oldest buildings is Florence. The baptistery has 3 sets of bronze doors, and each door consists of panels by 3 different artists, Andrea Pisano, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Michelangelo.

Opera del Duomo Museum

This museum has an incredible collection of masterpieces by Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti and many other. You will enjoy 28 rooms of beautiful art spanning 3 floors (elevators available).

Afternoon

Lunch

There is no shortage of wonderful food choices in Florence. I am listing 3 restaurants that are in easy walking distance of the Piazza del Duomo.

• Gustarium is a favorite for pizza.
• Osterio del Fiore is a sit-down restaurant that has views of the Duomo. The pasta is a popular choice here.
• II Buffalo Tripone is a hidden gem tucked in an alley. The sandwiches are the specialty here.

The Accademia is perfect for an afternoon visit. You can walk through one of Florence’s top museums and admire the many works of art. If you are visiting during the summer, then this is a great way to stay cool.

There are two main museums in Florence, the Uffizi and the Accademia and certainly both are worthy of visiting during your weekend.

The creator made Italy from designs by Michelangelo.

Mark Twain

Accademia

The Accademia is the smaller of the two art museums, but its specialized collection of works makes it worth visiting. The museum is the home of Michelangelo’s David, however it features other masterpieces, such as

• Rape of the Sabines by Jean de Baptiste
• Slaves by Michelangelo
• Coronation of the Virgin by Jacopo di Cione
• Tree of Life by Pacino di Buonaguida

Hours are Tuesday-Sunday 8:15am-6:50pm. It is mandatory to book tickets in advance on the weekend. Check Here for current admission and to purchase tickets.

Evening

You have had a busy day of touring and admiring the beauty of Florence. Now, it is time to relax a little bit, wander through the streets and have dinner. You have many options to choose from so selecting the perfect restaurant can be an enjoyable part of planning a trip, therefore I’m listing 3 as possible options.

• Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolo is a Michelin star restaurant focusing on authentic Tuscan cuisine and is located near Piazzale Michelangelo.
• Degusteria Italiana agli Uffizi is a romantic restaurant near the Uffizi and its wild game tasting menu and pasta are favorites.
• Fattoria Rossi is a cozy bistro away from the crowds. This farm to table bistro offers a varied menu featuring fresh ingredients.

While the days are going fast, you still have one more day to enjoy your perfect weekend in Florence.

Sunday

Morning

Start your day with breakfast at your hotel or head out in search of the prefect cup of espresso. If you are looking for a suggestion, try Gino’s bakery for a pastry and coffee.

Uffizi Gallery

Walk to the Uffizi Gallery so you can spend a couple of hours admiring some of the world’s finest Renaissance art. You will find popular works such as:

• The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
• Adoration of the Magi by Gentile de Fabriano
• Madonna and Child by Fra Fillipo Lippi
• The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci

Moreover, you will see the collection of ancient statues and busts from the Medici family. You can explore the gallery on your own or choose a guided tour.

Afternoon

Basilica of Santa Croce

It is time to tour the Basilica of Santa Croce. Admission hours on Sunday begin at 12:30pm-5:45pm. The basilica is full of stunning works of art, beautiful stained glass and altar additionally, it is the final resting place of many well know Italians. Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Ghiberti and Galileo are all buried here.

Check HERE for current admission. Audio guides are available, additionally you can opt to download their app to enhance your visit and provide you with information as you tour.

Life is better with gelato

This is the perfect time for gelato! Of course, anytime is perfect for gelato. Cantina del Gelato and Eduardo II Gelato Biologico are both good choices.

Evening

Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio bridge is the most photographed bridge in Florence, thus it is popular with tourists, so take your pictures from afar.

Keep walking to the Piazzale de Michelangelo. This 19th century piazza provides stunning panoramic view of Florence. It is beautiful at sunset; thus, crowds can be heavier. Bring your patience so you can enjoy one of Florence’s most picturesque spots.

• 

Dinner

It is time for one of the best parts of the day–dinner! I am sure you are already thinking about the restaurants you would like to try while visiting Florence. If you would prefer a restaurant in close proximity to the Piazzale de Michelangelo then you might want to consider a couple of choices.

• Hostaria del Bricco offers authentic Tuscan cuisine within steps of the Piazza. Make sure to try the pasta and Florentine peas.
• Boccadarno is a good choice for seafood, especially their swordfish. The homemade tiramisu is a great choice for dessert

You are coming to the end of your perfect weekend in Florence. Enjoy your last evening by walking back to your hotel while enjoying the beauty of Florence at night.

Conclusion

There is so much to do and see in Florence you could spend several days and enjoy every minute. This itinerary is to help maximize limited time while still enjoying what makes this city memorable so you can have your perfect weekend in Florence.

Compare for yourself whether you prefer the history and majesty of Rome or the beauty and culture of Florence. I love both but was pleasantly surprised with my affection for Florence.

If Rome is on your itinerary, you can read here for ways to avoid the crowds.

Or

You might be looking for a laid-back beach. Read about Cinque Terre for relaxation.

Where is your favorite destination in Italy?

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