What to do in Florence in a week: the perfect itinerary

Florence is the capital of the Tuscany Region, historical city of medieval origin, a fixed stop for world tourism. Every year tens of thousands of people visit what has been defined as the cradle of the Renaissance. Florence is a city overlooking the river Arno, maze of streets and alleys set in medieval and Renaissance buildings. Just walk through the historic center to be completely immersed in an ancient and extraordinary reality.

There are many things you can see in Florence and the advice is to take 7 days for a complete itinerary. To make your week in Florence even easier to organize, we suggest the Florence Pass: a customizable digital pass that includes skip-the-line entry to major museums such as the Uffizi, Accademia Gallery and Duomo Dome. A convenient and efficient solution for those who want to enjoy all the best of the city without any worries.

In this article you will see an example of a 7 days itinerary to visit one of the most famous cities in Italy and beyond.

In this article we want to suggest you an itinerary on what to do in Florence in 7 days. To visit this city, in fact, it takes a few days given the great amount of art, culture, landscapes and good food. In this week we suggest you to divide the days with some things to see, without creating too much stress to your itinerary.

First of all, we recommend that you find a hotel or accommodation in the historic center, so you have the opportunity to move on foot to reach the main attractions that we will suggest. As you will see we have divided the article into seven points, gradually inserting the various things to do.  

We suggest you visit the two main squares of the city, with its two most important buildings. We are talking about Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Afterwards, you can not miss a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous in the world. In Florence, moreover, there are very characteristic neighborhoods that we suggest you visit, such as the Oltrarno district: a real gem. Still, we will give you some tips on local cuisine and how to choose the best restaurants in Florence. 

Looking at Florence from above you will notice that it is surrounded by hills: we will advise you how to visit them for a trip in nature. You will then be able to fully enjoy this experience, you just have to finish reading and get on the road! 

Here's an overview of our one-week itinerary in Florence: 

Day 1: Visit the historic center of Florence, the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore, Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio

Day 2: Explore the city's main museums, the Uffizi, the Galleria dell'Accademia, and the Museo Galileo

Day 3: Discover the Oltrarno neighborhood, Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens, the Church of Santo Spirito, and the wine cellars

Day 4: Immerse yourself in history, the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Bargello National Museum

Day 5: Enjoy a hike in the hills surrounding Florence

Day 6: Discover the Cascine Park and the Ferris Wheel

Day 7: A breathtaking view from Piazzale Michelangelo and the Abbey of San Miniato in Monte.

On the morning of your first day in Florence, begin your adventure by wandering through the narrow streets of the historic center, arriving at the Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore, the city's main church. Here, you can admire the majesty of Brunelleschi's dome and climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city.

Walking down Via dei Calzolai, in just a few minutes, you'll reach Piazza della Signoria, where Palazzo Vecchio is located. The first thing that catches your eye is the majesty of this brick building, followed by the famous Fountain of Neptune and the sculptures surrounding the Palazzo Vecchio itself. The Palazzo is the seat of the City Council, but its rooms and frescoes are absolutely must-see, such as the Salone de' Dugento. For lunch, enjoy something light, perhaps a snack of typical products, such as schiacciata (a delicious pizza filled with various delicacies). 

After lunch, resume your itinerary and walk to the Arno River, just a few meters from Palazzo Vecchio. Here you'll see a very characteristic bridge, with artisans' workshops overlooking the river, as if they were about to fall into the water. You're on the Ponte Vecchio, the city's most characteristic bridge. Now, lose yourself among the antique shops.  

To round off the first day of your 7-day itinerary in Florence, we suggest an exclusive and delicious dinner at Ristorante Paoli, a 6-minute walk from Ponte Vecchio.

Open since 1827, this historic restaurant offers authentic traditional Tuscan recipes in a highly evocative 14th-century setting. Ristorante Paoli has been frequented by intellectuals such as Pirandello and Puccini, and is a true institution in Florence. 

For your second day, we suggest starting with a visit to Florence's main museum: the Uffizi Gallery. Here, you can admire Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli. We recommend booking your tickets well in advance, as they are always very popular. If you want to fully enjoy the museum tour, you'll spend most of the day here.

Keep in mind that you'll be walking a lot during your visit to Florence, so be prepared and always bring water and a snack for lunch. This will save you time and avoid taking up too much of your itinerary. 

Good alternatives for this museum-filled day include the Galileo Museum, to discover the evolution of the Florentine genius's scientific instruments. Or, a visit to the splendid Galleria dell'Accademia to admire Michelangelo's masterpiece, the famous David. The one you saw outside Palazzo Vecchio, near the main entrance, is a replica. 

For a delicious end to your second day, we suggest dinner at Ristorante Il Grande Nuti, just a few minutes' walk from the Gallerie dell'Accademia. 

High-quality ingredients blend with traditional Tuscan cuisine. Fresh artisanal pasta and Dalloste steaks are served in a historic restaurant in the center of Florence, which over the years has become a hub of social life.

Here we are, the third day of your 7-day itinerary in Florence. Today we'll focus on the Oltrarno neighborhood, the area of Florence located on the left bank of the Arno River, traditionally known as "beyond the Arno."

First, explore Palazzo Pitti and visit the Palatine Gallery to admire works of art by artists such as Raphael and Titian. Behind Palazzo Pitti, you'll find the stunning Boboli Gardens, ideal for a relaxing stroll, admiring the fountains, sculptures, and splendid views of Florence. It's the perfect place to take a break and enjoy a snack. 

Continue and stop at the Church of Santo Spirito to admire its Renaissance architecture: you'll be struck by the completely bare façade. Wander among the artisan workshops in one of the city's most characteristic neighborhoods, discovering its secrets, such as the wine holes.

These are called wine holes, small nooks in the walls of buildings, where, if you're lucky, someone will serve you a drink after knocking. And in a flash, you're back in the Middle Ages. Many locals stop in this neighborhood for an aperitivo, especially in the summer. If you're visiting Florence in the summer, it could be a great way to end the day in an unusual and fun way. 

Today, day four of your 7-day itinerary, dedicate the day to discovering the history of Florence. One of Italy's most interesting cities.

To do so, begin with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce, where the tombs of illustrious figures such as Michelangelo and Galileo rest. The façade will seem familiar; it is, in fact, one of the most famous churches.

Fun fact: in the middle of the square, every year in June, stands are built around a sand field. This is the arena for the Calcio Storico: a challenge between the four neighborhoods of Florence. It's a reenactment, but the competition, consisting of two semifinal matches and a final, is deeply felt by the city center residents every year. If you happen to visit Florence during this period, the final is always played on June 24th, the day of the patron saint, San Giovanni. Try to get tickets so you don't miss the show! 

In the afternoon, visit the Bargello National Museum, known for its Renaissance sculptures and works by Donatello and Michelangelo.

For dinner, if you want to try a real Florentine steak, sit down at Trattoria dell’Oste. Ranked in the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants, this trattoria with a typically Tuscan atmosphere offers the world’s finest meats: a vast selection of steaks, crafted from the finest cuts.

Trattoria dell’Oste has 4 locations, all in the center of Florence; one is on Via dei Cerchi, a three-minute walk from the Bargello Museum. 

After spending a few days in the city it is time to take a breath of fresh air in the nature. We recommend that you leave the city and explore the surrounding hills. You have many options: you can stop in the hills of Fiesole, Settignano, Vincigliata. In Fiesole, a charming village on the hills, you can admire the Roman ruins and the panoramic view of Florence.

You can continue along the roads that wind through the countryside and reach Mugello. Or visit Chianti, famous for its vineyards and wine cellars. From Florence we advise you to take the road Florence - Siena: along it you will enter the Tuscan countryside and many of the towns that will face represent an excellent example of Chianti.

Among all, you might like to visit the village of Monteriggioni, with its medieval walls, or the village of Radda in Chianti, famous for its excellent wine. There are really many places, even less known but very characterful, that you can visit in a day from Florence. 

Upon returning to the city, we suggest you avoid over-planning your penultimate day. This could be a free day, dedicated to a relaxing stroll through the city center, revisiting the works that most impressed you, and taking the opportunity to purchase some souvenirs and local products to take home—don't leave this activity until the last day.

For local food and wine, don't miss a stop at the Central Market.

If you still have some time in the afternoon, you can head to Parco delle Cascine. Either on foot (it's about thirty minutes from the historic center) or by bus. This is the largest park in the city, where many Florentines go for a walk or bike ride. Here, you'll also find the Florence Eye wheel, offering a different view of the city from above. 

Dedicate your last day of your Florence itinerary to exploring some of this city's hidden gems. Visit the Laurentian Library to admire Michelangelo's architecture, then head to the San Marco Museum to admire the works of Fra Angelico.

Conclude your day with a memorable sunset stroll to Piazzale Michelangelo for a breathtaking view of the city. You can sit on the steps overlooking the city center: go wild with selfies and photos! Here, too, you'll find a replica of Michelangelo's David, the original of which you saw at the Galleria dell'Accademia. 

Just above Piazzale Michelangelo, you'll find the splendid Abbey of San Miniato al Monte, an exceptional example of Romanesque art. The breathtaking view from the abbey will be one of the unforgettable memories of your 7-day Florence itinerary.

For dinner, choose a nearby restaurant or trattoria and try a typical dish you haven't tried yet, like pappa al pomodoro, a simple, tasty, and light recipe that will help you sleep well. 

You have reached the end of your 7 days itinerary in Florence. To move out of the city we remind you that there are various solutions. If you have to travel by train there is the Santa Maria Novella Station which is the main one, it is located in the center, a few minutes walk from Piazza Duomo. But the other city stations are also well connected, such as Campo di Marte, Statuto.

If you travel by plane, there is Amerigo Vespucci Airport, reachable by tramway. Or, in thirty minutes by train, you can reach Galileo Galilei International Airport, in Pisa.

Finally, if you travel by car, you can take either the A1 motorway to the South or the North of Italy, or the A11 motorway, the so-called Firenze Mare to reach the coast and arrive in Liguria. 

Choose quality restaurants and trattorias in Florence's historic center, where you can enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine. Check out the ranking of the 10 best restaurants in Florence in 2025.

We suggest choosing a location in the historic center, so you can explore the main attractions on foot. Check out the best neighborhoods and hotels in Florence.

Due to its high tourist traffic, Florence can be considered an expensive destination for a week's stay. Consider a guideline budget of €800-900 per person. However, if you plan your trip well in advance and make smart choices, you can save money.

Before packing, it's a good idea to check the weather forecast; Florence can be surprising. A good tip, considering you'll be walking a lot, is to pack layers of clothing, which you can remove or add depending on the weather. Another tip that's always valid for all trips is to avoid bringing valuables. Among other accessories, a universal adapter is useful if you're traveling from a country with different electrical outlets, a book for relaxing, and an umbrella for changeable weather.