4 Days in Florence: A Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Florence is a charming city in central Italy that is a must-visit for food lovers, wine lovers, and history lovers alike! It is the capital of the Tuscany region, and is steeped in rich history, art, and culture (not to mention the INCREDIBLE food and wine!)
I recently spent 4 days in Florence and had THE absolute best time. I personally think it is one of the best cities in Italy, and is absolutely worth visiting. Truthfully, I wish I was there longer! But, I feel that 4 days was plenty of time to see all of the highlights of Florence without feeling too rushed!
In my experience, Florence is a beautiful city to visit both in the summer and in the winter months!
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If you are looking for ideas for how to spend your extended weekend in Florence, keep reading! This post will detail how I spent 4 days in Florence so you can plan your own Florence itinerary accordingly!
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Transportation for 4 days in Florence
Before we get started on the itinerary, let’s talk about how you will be getting around.
If your hotel is in the center or anywhere nearby, you don’t need transportation in the city. Florence is a slightly bigger city, but it is much smaller than some of the world’s metropolises.
So all the sights are very close to each other. If you want to go somewhere, take a car or train. If you want to take the wine tour, you can hire a guide or a personal driver so you can relax and enjoy the wine tastings.
Day 1: Historic Center and Duomo Cathedral Complex
Florence is known for its impressive museums, including the Uffizi Gallery, which houses an exceptional Renaissance collection. With its recognizable red-tiled Dome, the Duomo Cathedral symbolizes Florence and is a spectacle of architectural achievement.
That is why the first day of 4 days in Florence is dedicated to visiting the city’s most famous symbols and exploring the city center! The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1. Breakfast- Scudieri Caffe
Italians don’t have hearty breakfasts like we are seeing in the West. A simple cappuccino and a croissant (or two) are all you need for breakfast in Italy. So grab a croissant and have a coffee at the Scudieri Caffe right in front of the Duomo Cathedral before venturing further into the city.
2. Florence Duomo Cathedral Complex
Begin your day by exploring the stunning Florence Cathedral. Climb to the top of the Dome for panoramic views of the city. The entrance is free, but expect to wait in line. If you want to climb the Dome, it comes at an additional fee, which you can check here.
3. The Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower
These landmarks are part of the Florence Duomo Cathedral complex and offer a deeper insight into the city’s medieval history. There is an entry fee, but if you want to explore the whole Cathedral Complex, you should purchase the “Brunelleschi Pass” (Duomo, Bell Tower, Museum, Baptistery, Santa Reparata) at a 40 Eur fee.
4. Lunch- Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio
Stroll down to the Arno River; Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio are halfway there. Before further exploring, have lunch at Gustavino Piazza Della Signoria, a traditional Italian restaurant with Tuscanian specialties. After lunch, wander through Piazza della Signoria, an outdoor museum with sculptures just 200m from the restaurant. Piazza Della Signoria is a gorgeous square where you can walk, sit, and enjoy the lovely views of this outdoor sight.
Explore the Palazzo Vecchio, including the private room of the Grand Duke of Tuscany – Francesco I de’ Medici. If you are interested in art and history, this is a place you should visit. If you take a guided tour, it takes about 2 hours to explore the whole Palazzo, and if you want to do it on your own, the entry fee is 10 euros.
5. Uffizi Gallery
Finish your exploration day with the Uffizi Gallery, home to an extensive collection of Renaissance masterpieces, just 50m from the Palazzo Vecchio. The entrance fee is 13 euros, and make sure to book tickets in advance to avoid long lines here.
After the Uffizi Gallery, you can walk along the river and drink in a bar with light tapas. Uffizi Bar is next to the gallery, with beautiful views of all Florentine historical sights. Enjoy the lovely view with local quality wine and tasty Italian appetizers.
Day 2: Exploring the Artistic Wonders
The Arno River cuts through the city’s heart, and the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge lined with shops, is a picturesque landmark. That is where your second day of 4 days in Florence is starting.
1. Breakfast and Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel arch bridge overlooking the Arno River. This is the only bridge in Florence that survived World War II. Its streets are filled with shops, as that was a common practice. Walk along the Ponte Vecchio bridge and explore the Oltarno district. Grab a croissant or some delicious pastries at Caffé Maioli, next to the Ponte Vecchio. And go Towards the Pitti Palazzo.
2. Boboli Gardens and Palazzo Pitti
Visit the Pitti Palace, which houses several museums and the beautiful Boboli Gardens. Spend the afternoon wandering through the beautiful greenery and splendid views. The Boboli Gardens is a historical park of Florence designed by the Medici family.
The Palazzo Pitti is a Renaissance Palace in Florence situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The Palace is split into five museums: Palatine Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art, Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Museum of Russian Icons, and Palatine Chapel. You can buy a combined ticket for Palazzo Pitti + Boboli Gardens for 15 euros here.
3. Lunch at Santo Spirito Square
Head toSanto Spirito Square, just 300m from the Palazzo Pitti, for a relaxing afternoon. Santo Spirito is the right place for art and history lovers. If you know the story, Michelangelo found sanctuary within the walls of Santo Spirito in 1492. In Santo Spirito was the convent where Michelangelo analyzed human corpses to study anatomy and improve his art by understanding the human body.
Choose one of the local trattorias for an authentic Tuscan lunch. They all look beautiful and serve authentic Italian cuisine, but if you need help deciding, go for the Ristorante Borgo Antico.
4. Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
After lunch, head to Piazzale Michelangelo for breathtaking sunset views of Florence. It is about a 30-minute walk from Santo Spirito Square, so you will have time to walk along the Piazzale Michelangelo and wait for the sunset. Piazzale Michelangelo is a large park with a panoramic view of Florence, filled with souvenir stands and a large area for walking and enjoying nature. It is free of charge; everyone can explore this open-air beauty.
5. Nightlife & Dinner
La Loggia del Piazzale Michelangelo is perfect for a leisurely night and an elegant dinner. It is a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city in a building from the 1800s.
If you are more for clubbing and partying, Flo Lounge Bar is the perfect option, but it works only in summer. If you are coming to Florence for 4 days during the winter season, YAB nightclub is a good choice and has a dine-in option.
Day 3: Tuscany Wineries
The third day of 4 days in Florence is reserved for exploring the Tuscany Wine Region. As one of the best destinations in Italy for wine lovers, Tuscany is a place you cannot miss on your Florence trip.
Driving a car through Tuscany and enjoying the scenic views is a big part of the experience. But, to fully enjoy the wine tour and taste as many wines as possible, the best option is to hire a private driver to take you to places you wish. Another option is to join an already organized tour. To join an already organized tour, you can choose here.
There are many beautiful wineries in Tuscany, and it is hard to narrow down the list. We crafted a list of 4 beautiful wineries plus two charming towns.
Chianti is a famous wine region in Tuscany, famous for its scenic vineyards and the production of Sangiovese wines. Chianti Colli Fiorentini and Chianti Rufina are the closest wine regions to Florence, which offer a wide variety of wineries and wines for tourists. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Tuscan hills and vineyards of Chianti. Stop at viewpoints to capture the breathtaking landscapes.
1. Castello di Brolio
Grab a croissant and a coffee, and start exploring the Tuscany Region early in the morning. Head to Castello di Brolio, a historic castle and Winery in the heart of Chianti, where Chianti Classico was born. It is located on the top of a hill and has been a property of the Ricasoli family since 1141.
It has beautiful Renaissance gardens with unique geometrical shapes and bushes. Inside the castle is a small museum with belongings of the Ricasoli family and picturesque views from the castle. To visit the Gardens and Museum is 8 euros with wine tasting included. The classic tour is 28 euros, and it lasts for 2 hours. It requires booking, like all wineries in the region.
2. Lunch + Castello di Ama
The medieval castle sits on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards north of Chianti. Castello di Ama is from the 18th century, and its views are stunning, so this is a perfect place to enjoy lunch with a wine tasting. A wine-tasting program includes a 1-hour guided tour of the Winery, a daily prepared menu, and Castello di Ama wine tasting of a selection for 90 euros per person.
3. Badia a Coltibuono
After lunch, drive 30 minutes to Badia a Coltibuono, an ancient monastery that turned into a winery. It is about a thousand years old and was home to Benedictine monks. The Badia a Coltibuono has a beautiful. The picturesque botanical garden surrounds this gorgeous wine resort. A tour of the whole property and wine tasting costs 22 Euros per person.
4. Greve in Chianti and Panzano Towns along the way
On the way to the last winery for the day and to Florence, you will go through two lovely and tiny old towns. It is an excellent opportunity to make small stops, walk through these cities, and make some pictures and memories.
The first city you will reach is Panzano, a Roman settlement developed during the Dark Age. Like almost all towns in Tuscany, it is on a hilltop with stunning views! When you finish photographing the lovely scenery, drive to the Greve in Chianti town.
Greve in Chianti is a famous “Chianti Road” stop surrounded by kilometers of Chianti Classico vineyards. This old town has a renowned triangle-shaped square famous for itsSaturday markets. It is a small town filled with beautiful trattorias and cafes, so having coffee here to sober up before the last wine-tasting experience is a good idea.
5. Dinner + Castello di Gabbiano
One of the most beautiful wine estates in the region is the Castello di Gabbiano. It produces high-quality wines with a tradition of three hundred years! They provide many different wine experiences, but the “Tour and Gourmet Dinner” is the best for this Itinerary.
It includes visiting the historic wine cellar and introducing the Chianti Classico winemaking techniques. The dinner consists of a 4-course wine-tasting menu, costing 135 euros. After dinner, you are ready to return to Florence, just 30 minutes away. The route was circular, starting and ending in Florence, driving through Tuscany’s beautiful wonders.
Day 4: Academia Gallery and Food Tour
1. Breakfast and visit the Accademia Gallery
The last day of your 4 days in Florence ends beautifully – eating and drinking. But before that, we have one more art museum to visit. As you know, the morning starts with a croissant and a coffee. Go to the Vecchio Forno and enjoy their beautiful pastries. After breakfast, walk to the Academia Gallery, just 2 minutes away.
The Academia Gallery is an art museum best known for Michelangelo’s sculpture David. But that is not the only sculpture by Michelangelo; you can find a few. There is an extensive collection of paintings by Florentine artists, mainly from 1300–1600. There are also musical instruments on display, which belonged to the Lorraine and Medici family.
Whether you are an art lover or not, this academy is a must, as it has some of the most important paintings in the world and history. You can buy a ticket here for 13 euros.
2. Mercato Centrale and San Lorenzo Market
The last day of the is dedicated to the culinary delights of the Tuscany Region. Explore the Mercato Centrale for fresh produce and local specialties. Italian food is all about fresh seasonal ingredients, so you will find many new, locally produced food here.
Have a snack, try food on the go, and feel like a local. When you finish with the Mercato Centrale, head to the nearby San Lorenzo Market for leather goods and shop for some souvenirs.
3. Cooking Class or a Food Tour on your own
Immerse yourself in the Tuscan culinary scene with a cooking class or a food tour, exploring local markets and trying regional dishes. There is an exciting and affordable cooking classfor making homemade pasta, at 40 euros per person, which you can find here.
List of restaurants and fast food places for your own food tour:
1. All’Antico Vinaio – A sandwich place that became popular on social media because of the long lines. People sometimes wait even for 2 hours to enter here. If you have luck, you can try some Italian sandwiches in focaccia with fresh local ingredients.
2. Osteria dell’Agnolo – A traditional food restaurant with authentic Florentine dishes, opened in 1580. The idea was that housewives from the rural parts would cook all the local dishes, as their dishes are the tastiest.
3. Golden View – You can relax here for some drinks before continuing with the culinary exploration. However, if you want to try something, they offer delicious food too! This restaurant sets apart the fantastic view over the Ponte Vecchio and sits beside the Arno River.
4. Schiacciateria De’ Neri 18r – Delicious Italian pizzas, focaccias, and sandwiches on the go at affordable prices.
5. L’ Antico Trippaio – A food stand with delicious sandwiches. What sets this place apart is that they marinate almost all ingredients in the sandwich, making it very juicy, tasty, and full of flavors.
Gelato is good everywhere in Italy, but these are some of the Gelato shops you should try out while in Florence:
- Mordilatte
- Gelateria de’ Neri
- Procopio
- Rivareno
- Gelateria De’ Medici
Understanding Traditional Tuscan Cuisine
Florence is celebrated for its simplicity, high-quality seasonal ingredients, and deep connection to the region’s agricultural heritage. Here’s a brief overview of some traditional foods you should consider trying for your 4 days in Florence itinerary:
- Schiacciata. – Italian name for a sandwich in focaccia
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina – T-bone steak
- Ribollita – A strong Tuscan soup made with vegetables and bread
- Pappa al Pomodoro – A rustic Tuscan soup made with tomatoes, olive oil, basil and garlic
- Panzanella – A salad with bread chunks, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and basil, dressed with basil and olive oil.
- Crostini di Fegato – A traditional appetizer with chicken liver spread, served with toasted bread slices.
- Cantucci e Vin Santo – An almond biscotti usually dipped in a dessert wine, Vin Santo. It is served after the main dish as a dessert.
- Ravioli Nudi (Naked Ravioli) – Creamy Ricotta and spinach served without the pasta.
- Fettunta – the original garlic bread
- Pappardelle sulla Lepre – A Tuscan hare ragu
- Peposo alla Fiorentina – A beef stew cooked with black pepper and Tuscan wine
- Pecorino Cheese: – Locally made, usually served with fruit and honey.
Best places to stay for your 4 days in Florence
Here are the best accommodations year round to stay at while you are in Florence!
- B&B Hotel Firenze Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio
- La Mandorla studio apartment in Piazza del Duomo
- II Guelfo Bianco
- Palazzo Guicciardini
- Mamo Florence – Venere & Zefiro Apartments
Day trips from Florence
If you are looking to explore more of Italy during your trip, you are in luck! There are many beautiful towns in close proximity to Florence that are very easily accessible by car or by train.
These are the best day trips from Florence:
- Pisa– A day trip from Florence to Pisa is incredibly easy to plan! A direct train only takes approximately 1 hour! In Pisa, don’t forget to check out the leaning tower of Pisa!
- Rome– Planning a day trip to Rome is very easy. The train takes approximately 2 hours, so be sure to leave early to maximize your time! The Colosseum is a must see (its one of the 7 wonders of the world!)
Tips for 4 days in Florence:
- Many local traditional Italian restaurants work two shifts, so plan your lunch and dinner time well. Italians typically eat lunch between 1 and 2:30 pm. After that, most restaurants close until 7 pm. Restaurants that work the whole afternoon are mainly fast food, international chains, or some tourist places. This Itinerary is designed to have lunch as early as possible.
- Book all wineries in advance.
- By buying museum passes in advance you avoid waiting in long lines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
When is the best time to spend 4 days in Florence?
Considering the weather, April to October is the best time to visit Florence. However, those are also the most expensive and busy months to visit.
Tuscany has a hot and humid summer, up to 32 °C. Winters are cold, but the temperature rarely drops below 0° C. However, because of humidity, it can feel freezing. So, early spring or autumn sounds like the best time to spend 4 days in Florence.
Do I need to book restaurants in Florence in advance?
It is recommended to book all restaurants in advance.
Do I need to book winery reservations in advance?
Absolutely. Especially if you are visiting during the busy season from April- September. Book in advance to ensure they are open and that there is space for you?
Do I need a car for 4 days in Florence?
Florence’s sights are within walking distance, so you don’t need a car or public transportation.
What is Florence famous for?
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany Region and is famous for being an epicenter of Renaissance art and architecture. Florence has numerous art galleries, museums, and churches. It was the favorite city of Michelangelo, whose art you can see in Florence.
Is 4 days in Florence enough?
Yes, four days are perfect for visiting all crucial spots in Florence and exploring some of the Tuscany wine regions.
