The beautiful capital city of the Tuscany region and birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and also where everyone seems to study abroad. The city center was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982 and is home to the greatest concentration of art in the world. I’ve grouped together what I consider two perfect days to get the most of your time in Florence – with a focus on food and museums.

Day One

• Uffizi Gallery + Lunch @ All’Antico Vinaio
  • The Uffizi Gallery is one of my favorite museums in Europe and a must visit when in Florence!
  • Start your morning here and be done by lunch as this museum is well laid out and manageable to tackle in a few hours. Book timed tickets in advance on the Uffizi Galleries website.
    • Notable art: The Birth of Venus (Botticelli) and The Holy Family (Michelangelo).
    • You’ll also find the art preserved in circular frames, which is classic to Renaissance art and trademarked in Florence.
  • Work up an appetite at the museum and head over to All’Antico Vinaio for paninis. Prepare to queue along the street – but worth the wait.
  • Try ‘La Boss’ for prosciutto, pecorino cheese, and truffle spread (my favorite) or ‘La Summer’ for fresh mozzarella, tomato and arugula.

• Santa Croce Church + Scuola de Cuoio (Leather School) + Gelato @ Vivoli
  • Santa Croce Church is one of the most interesting churches in Europe. Why? Because the crypts of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli can be found here, lining the walls of the interior. Make sure to cover your knees + shoulders, and book tickets in advance for faster entry.
  • Next, stop by Florence’s leather school (~3 min walk). Florence is famous for its leather goods and Scuola de Cuoio is the school where students are learning the craft, on display for you to witness.
    • The school’s store has a collection of leather goods for purchase, including multiple rooms dedicated to leather jackets. Although on the pricier side, 200-400 Euro for leather jackets – you know you are purchasing the real deal and proceeds are invested back into the school.
    • If you purchase a leather piece from the school, they offer free same-day personalization with gold leaf.
  • Walk off the leather sticker shock at Vivoli (~5 min walk) for your mandatory afternoon gelato fix.

• Apertivo @ Golden View + Sunset @ Piazzale Michelangelo
  • Stop by Golden View’s Bar Osteria for late afternoon apertivo with window-seating overlooking the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
  • A short ~1-min walk from Golden View, visit Signorvino to pick up a bottle (or two) of wine before starting on your walk up to the piazza.
  • Walk or grab a quick car to Piazzale Michelangelo (~15 min uphill walk) for stunning, unparalleled views of the entire city – one of the most beautiful sunset spots in the world.
  • There will be live music playing and hordes of people sitting on the steps partaking in the same activity. Beware of pickpockets and tourists, but absolutely worth the visit.

• Post-Sunset Karaoke @ Red Garter
  • Walk down from Piazza Michelangelo (~15 min walk) to Red Garter, a popular study abroad karaoke bar with cheap drinks, fast friends, and excellent people watching.
  • Two floors dedicated to the karaoke room, and two subsequent rooms with top-40 hits and dancing.

Day Two

• Pitti Palace + Boboli Gardens + Lunch @ Gusta Pizza + Walk the Ponte Vecchio
  • Spend the morning exploring the beautiful Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens of the Medici family – one of the most wealthy and powerful families of the Italian renaissance – book tickets in advance to skip the queue.
  • Work up an appetite and walk over to Gusta Pizza (~2 min walk) for the absolute best pizza in Florence.
    • Don’t be deterred by the queue or small space, the crowd moves through quickly!
    • Pizzas and bottles of their house wine for under 10 Euros.
  • Walk off lunch across the Ponte Vecchio, iconic bridge, and head to the Accademia Gallery (~20 min walk). Alternatively, walk across the Ponte Santa Trinita for views of Ponte Vecchio in the distance (pictured with a stowaway bottle of Gusta wine).

• Galleria dell’Accademia + Mercato Centrale
  • A visit to Florence is not complete without beholding Michelangelo’s masterpiece – the Statue of David at the Accademia Gallery. Make sure to book ahead for a timed slot. Expect to spend less than an hour here, but worth the visit.
  • Walk to the Mercato Centrale (Central Market) (~7 min walk), and wander the various clothing and food stalls. Venture to the top floor for a gourmet food hall and a great spot for relaxing with a coffee or spritz after your museum filled day.
  • Bonus food hall visit to Eataly (~5 min walk) on your way back into the center of town. Get lost amongst the aisles of Italian meats, cheeses, pastas, cookies, wine, and food stalls for homemade pizza, pasta, gelato, and Aperol spritzes (of course!)

• Sunset @ View on Art + Dinner @ Al Acqua Duo / 2
  • Visit the View On Art bar at sunset for the most stunning up-close views of the Duomo. Do not plan to eat here, just stop by for an Aperol Spritz or two before heading to your dinner reservation.
  • Visit Al Acqua 2 (~6 min walk from View On Art) my favorite restaurant in Florence. Order the ‘sampler’ menu of homemade pasta, Florentine steak, and dessert. Order one sampler of each type for the perfect sized meal for two.
    • This spot was first recommended to me by the man who sold me my first Florentine leather jacket (grazie Jorgos!) and has become my must visit dinner spot when visiting Florence.

• Evening stroll @ The Duomo + Piazza della Signoria
  • Walk off the pasta and take a stroll from Acqua Al Duo to Piazza della Signoria (~4 min walk) and up to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, otherwise called The Duomo, (~5 min walk).
  • Make sure to visit these sites in the daytime as well, but there is something special about viewing them illuminated in the evening!
    • According to the locals, it is bad luck to climb to the top of the Duomo. Opt for touring the inside of the cathedral instead and save yourself the steps!
  • Buona notte – hope you enjoyed your two day adventure in Florence!