The PERFECT Florence Half-Day Itinerary: Must-See Highlights
If you only have a few hours in Florence and want to see the MAIN highlights in the city, this Florence Half-Day Itinerary is the PERFECT guide for you!
If you’re reading this post, it’s likely that you’re just like me and want to make the most of your day trip to Florence.
I know that when I visit somewhere new, I want to make sure that I see all of the main highlights in the city, even if I can only do so in just a few hours.
That’s why I put together this Florence half-day itinerary so you can see most of the major attractions in Florence in just half a day!
This post is all about the perfect Florence half-day itinerary.
Florence Half-Day Itinerary: How to Spend Half a Day in Florence
Accademia Gallery, First Stop on Your Half-Day Florence Itinerary
Your Florence half-day itinerary starts with a visit to the famous Accademia Gallery. The gallery can get pretty busy, and it’s nice to get this attraction checked off your list first thing!
The Accademia Gallery is relatively small and can be explored in about 1 hour. The main attraction you’re here to see is Michelangelo’s Statue of David, which is one of the most famous sculptures in the world!
PRO TIP: BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE! As soon as you find out you’re going to Florence, go ahead and get the tickets booked. The Accademia Gallery is one of the most popular places to visit in Florence and they only allow a limited number of people in at a time. It’s best to buy your tickets and reserve a time slot ahead of time on their website. If you’re booking last minute and can’t find tickets, we found luck by purchasing tickets with a tour group online!
related post
Ultimate 1-Day Florence Itinerary
If you have a FULL day to dedicate to exploring Florence, my other blog post may be more fitting for you! It’s a lot more action-packed than this one. 😉
Visit Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral Square
Next, walk over to Piazza del Duomo to see some of the most iconic buildings in all of Florence. The main highlights of this historic center include:
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Duomo) – go inside if you have time
- Baptistery of Saint John (Florence Baptistery) – quick stop inside if you have time, but it’s not as much of a priority as the Duomo
- Giotto’s Bell Tower – pass by
- Museo dell’Opera del Duomo – pass by (but there’s not much to see from outside)
- Loggia del Bigallo – pass by
How much you get to explore the inside of the buildings mainly depends on your time constraints for the day. If you’re pressed for time, I recommend just walking by each building to admire the architecture from the outside. If you have a little more time, I would definitely recommend you at least go inside the Florence Duomo.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Duomo)
The most famous building in all of Florence is the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, also known as the Florence Duomo. It’s INCREDIBLE to see in person. Construction started in 1296 and took nearly 150 years to complete. The dome, designed by Brunelleschi, is the largest masonry dome ever built, combining Gothic and Renaissance styles.
If you only have time to see one of the highlights in the Piazza del Duomo area, THIS IS THE ONE!
Also, there will likely be a line outside the Duomo, but it moves pretty quickly. If you’re wearing a tank top, be sure to cover your shoulders before going in – they’re strict about that since it’s a church and I saw them turning people away.
PRO TIP: Watch out for scammers with artwork on the ground in high-traffic areas. They hope people will step on the artwork so they can demand payment. Keep an eye on where you’re walking and you’ll be fine!
Florence Baptistery
Right next door to the Duomo is the Florence Baptistery, also known as the Baptistery of Saint John. Built between 1059 and 1128, it’s one of the oldest churches in Florence, even older than the Cathedral itself!
Dante Alighieri and members of the Medici family were baptized here, and it even has the tomb of Antipope John XXIII, crafted by Donatello.
The Baptistery doors, known as the Gates of Paradise and Bronze Doors, are architectural highlights (image shown above!). Several of the original doors are now in the Opera del Duomo Museum, making the museum worth a visit too.
A visit to the Baptistery only takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Again, going inside really depends on how much time you have available on your half-day itinerary. We personally only walked by and saw the Bronze Doors from the outside and never went inside.
Walk Through Piazza della Signoria
Next, head over to Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of Florence. The main attraction in this area is Palazzo Vecchio, the city’s town hall since the 14th century. The building is beautiful and filled with history.
The square features sculptures worth checking out, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David and the Fountain of Neptune. Be sure to check out the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air museum in the corner Piazza della Signoria with unique Renaissance sculptures.
The square is always busy with lots of people, and sometimes even street performers and musicians. While you may not have time to stick around, it’s a nice place to quickly pass through and enjoy some of the local energy.
If you need a quick break, there are plenty of places around the square to grab a snack or a drink before continuing your Florence half-day itinerary.
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Florence Wine Windows Map
If you have extra time in your Florence half-day itinerary to explore around the city, you should absolutely check out the famous Florence Wine Windows.
Visit All’Antico Vinaio, A Famous Sandwich Shop in Florence
If you have extra time in your Florence half-day itinerary, stop by All’Antico Vinaio for one of the famous sandwiches in Florence. The line here is always massive, so be sure that you actually have the extra time to dedicate! Although the line is usually long, it tends to move pretty quickly. All’Antico Vinaio is just one of those famous spots in Florence that you can’t pass up!
Ponte Vecchio (Famous Bridge in Florence)
The last stop on your Florence half-day itinerary is at Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge in Florence. The bridge is full of different shops and provides great views of the Arno River.
If you’re a history nerd like me, you’ll appreciate the unique history of the bridge. The Ponte Vecchio survived World War II and has been a symbol of Florence ever since. Originally, the bridge housed butcher shops, but in the 16th century, the Medici family replaced them with jewelry shops, which are still there today.
The Ponte Vecchio bridge is one of the most photo-worthy spots in Florence. The colorful buildings, upbeat atmosphere, and beautiful river views make it a must-see.
Don’t forget to check out the Vasari Corridor – an elevated walkway built for the Medici family that runs above the shops. It’s another unique historical element that adds to the charm of this bridge.
This post was all about the perfect Florence Half-Day Itinerary.
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