How To Spend 24 Hours In Florence Without Missing A Thing
Ciao bella!
When planning a Europe trip, especially as an Australian, we try to squeeze in as many locations as possible to ensure our trip is worthwhile, so it’s always good to get the insider goss on how long you need in each city to really maximise your time. Because, let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than booking somewhere for a day and feeling rushed to see everything.
However, Florence is definitely one of those places where you can spend as little or as long as you want. Despite being the capital city of Tuscany, locals will tell you it’s really just a big town, meaning it has a laid-back, sleepy feel to it, which I loved because it makes it easier to see and do everything.
So without further adieu, here’s my guide to spending 24 hours in this iconic, Tuscan city.
@sarah_kennedy19 Some of my favourite scenes from Florence 🥹🥹 #fyp #foryou #florence #travel #italy #europe #eurosummer #summertravel
Where to stay
Before we get into it, you need to know where to stay. The city itself is quite compact and easily accessible to get around on foot, so anywhere you book you’re pretty much guaranteed to be in a good location. I stayed at Hotel Kraft and cannot recommend it enough! Located a 20-minute walk from the city hub, it offers a 360-degree view of Florence from its rooftop, as well as a terrace pool. After a long travel day, sitting on the rooftop with a limoncello spritz in hand was the perfect welcome to Italy. The hotel concierge was incredibly knowledgeable and made our time there that much more enjoyable, not to mention the gorgeous interiors, it sets the perfect scene for your time in Florence.
@sarah_kennedy19 📍Hotel Kraft is a must if you’re going to Florence! We loved having aperitivo hour here every afternoon 🍋 #fyp #foryou #florence #hotelkraft #tuscany #travel
MORNING
Piazzale Michelangelo & Ponte Vecchio
If you’re planning on travelling in the summer, it’s going to be hot, so my tip is to do most of your sightseeing in the morning so you can spend the afternoon relaxing. We started our morning by visiting Piazzale Michelangelo which is a lookout with panoramic views over the city. While it can be quite the trek up, the views are absolutely breathtaking. And if you’re like me and up early, you’ll beat the crowds and have the whole place to yourself which is even more magical. After taking it all in, we wandered back down along the river and found ourselves at Ponte Vecchio which you may know as the bridge with shops built along it. So, that’s two things to do in Florence that you can tick off your bucket list before 10am!
Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
From Ponte Vecchio, we made our way over to Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze and grabbed a croissant for breakfast before joining the long line to get into the museum. Home to Michelangelo’s sculpture David, the museum draws huge crowds, especially in the summer. But don’t let that put you off – having waited 2.5 hours in line myself, it’s definitely worth the wait to get in to see not just David, but the numerous other Italian artworks.
Top Tip: Pre-book your tickets on the official website in advance to avoid lining up in the sun for 2.5 hours like I did!
AFTERNOON
La Schiacciateria de I’Fratellini
By this point in the day, you’re probably ready for some food and thankfully, you’re in the right place. Florence has an abundance of sandwich shops around the city that are both delicious and budget-friendly. Be warned, they are often just a hole in the wall, so you may find yourself sitting in the gutter enjoying your focaccia, but that just makes it all the more authentic, right? That’s what I’m telling myself anyway. If you walk past an alleyway with a mass of people sitting on the road, this is most likely La Schiacciateria de I’Fratellini. Don’t be fooled by its unassuming exterior, this sandwich shop has 30 different sandwich combinations as well as, you guessed it, cocktails! After a morning spent on our feet sightseeing, a refreshing Aperol Spritz and focaccia were very much appreciated.
Shopping
After refuelling, you’ve probably got just enough energy for some shopping! As the leather capital of Italy, it’s only fitting that you buy yourself a new handbag or pair of shoes. With leather boutiques lining the streets and the dedicated San Lorenzo Leather Market, your options are endless. If leather isn’t your thing and you happen to be in the market for a new perfume, a visit to Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is a must! Dating all the way back to 1221, it’s actually the oldest pharmacy in the world. With a range of unique scents and a setting that feels almost like an art museum, it offers a memorable keepsake to remember your time in Florence.
Top Tip: You’ll often find the same leather products at various sellers, so make sure they’re genuine by looking for the “Made in Italy” embossing on the product.
Wine windows
One of my favourite things about Italy would have to be the takeaway cocktails. While you can find these in most cities, Florence does it a little differently. As you wander through the streets, you may notice small wine windows scattered across the city, dating all the way back to the 16th century. While a lot of these are not in operation anymore, a few still are! Simply knock on the window, order your drink and it will re-open again with a wine in hand. It makes the perfect spot for aperitivo hour with a side of entertainment. I’ll cin cin to that!
EVENING
Dinner at Sabatini
If you’ve only got one day in Florence, make sure you visit Sabatini for dinner. We were recommended this restaurant by our hotel and were truly blown away with the experience. Not your typical restaurant, the building was built in 1955 using the furniture of a deconstructed church from the 1500s. It’s also the only Italian restaurant protected by the Fine Arts, making it a truly unique dining destination. We tried their signature Florentine steak, as well as the fresh truffle ravioli (which was divine) but the showstopper would have to be the Spaghetti Flambè which is freshly prepared on an open fire at your table.
@sarah_kennedy19 The most incredible dining experience at Sabatini, Florence 🤌🏼 This restaurant was recommended by our hotel and it did not disappoint #fyp #foryou #florence #italy #travel #restaurant #florencerestaurant
Evening stroll & gelato
Now that you’re feeling content, it’s the perfect opportunity to wander the streets in a post-food daze (while in search of dessert of course!). With a city rich in history and architecture, you won’t be at a loss for places to explore. I suggest making your way to Piazza Del Duomo. The streets here come alive with people enjoying the sunset and you might even spot marionettes scattered across the city, which always draw in a crowd. As for dessert, grab a cannoli or gelato and enjoy what the city has to offer.
