Florence in One Day: What to See, Do & Skip (First-Timer’s Guide)
- Akshay Umashankar
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
We arrived in Florence by train from Pisa, bright and early because yes, we’re those annoying early birds. First impressions? Florence feels like a perfect mash-up of Renaissance grandeur and modern European energy. Think vibrant colours, cobblestoned streets, buzzing piazzas, and this instantly tells you: this city knows its history and wears it well!
A quick FYI: Florence is always busy. No matter the season, expect crowds, especially around major attractions. A little patience goes a long way here.
Our expectations were sky-high, and honestly, Florence didn’t disappoint. Since we were hauling our bags around, our first stop was luggage storage.
Pro tip: Florence has plenty of luggage storage options scattered across the city, just choose one that’s convenient for getting to your accommodation later. Trust me, dragging suitcases over cobblestones is a full-body workout you didn’t sign up for.
Piazza della Repubblica: Beautiful but Pricey
We found ourselves right in the heart of the city at Piazza della Repubblica, one of Florence’s most stunning squares. Lined with elegant cafés and historic buildings, it’s undeniably photogenic.
That said, budget travellers, beware. The cafés here are classic tourist traps. Gorgeous? Yes. Wallet-friendly? Not really. It’s a lovely place to soak in the vibe, snap photos, and move on.
The Crown Jewel: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo)
Now to the absolute showstopper of Florence—the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, aka The Duomo. Photos do not do this place justice.
The cathedral is massive, jaw-dropping, and almost unbelievable in scale until you’re standing right in front of it. The crowds here are intense, and the lines can be overwhelming.
Important Duomo Tips:
• Entry to the cathedral itself is free
• Tickets are required to climb the Dome (Cupola)
• Book tickets well in advance
• Pro tip: Book afternoon slots (around lunchtime).It’s slightly less chaotic
The Dome climb is absolutely worth it. Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, it solved one of the greatest architectural problems of its time and remains a masterpiece of engineering. The views from the top are some of the best in Italy.
Honest take:
The interior of the cathedral felt a bit underwhelming compared to the jaw-dropping exterior. If you don’t have Dome tickets, I wouldn’t recommend standing in line for hours just to step inside.
Other Must-See Places in Florence (Next Time!)
Florence is packed with iconic attractions, and while we couldn’t do it all this time, these are high on our next-visit list:
• Uffizi Gallery – Home to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus
• Ponte Vecchio – Florence’s famous medieval bridge lined with jewellery shops
• Palazzo Vecchio – The city’s historic town hall
• Michelangelo’s David (Galleria dell’Accademia) - Needs no introduction
Florence definitely deserves more than one visit.
Let’s Talk About Food: All’Antico Vinaio
If there’s one food experience you must try in Florence, it’s a schiacciata sandwich from All’Antico Vinaio—arguably the most famous sandwich shop in the city.
There’s almost always a line, even in the afternoon, but it moves fast. We waited about 10 minutes, and the staff were incredibly friendly.
Our Order: La Paradiso
• Mortadella
• Creamy stracciatella cheese
• Pistachio cream
The filling? Delicious and generous. Easily enough for two people to share one sandwich.
However (and here’s the honest part):
The schiacciata bread was quite tough and hard, which made eating it a bit of a struggle. No matter how good the filling is, if the bread fights back, it takes away from the experience.
⭐ Rating: 3.5 / 5
Affordable, filling, iconic, but not perfect. Still, it’s cheap by Florence standards, which is saying something.
Where We Stayed (Budget Win 💰)
We chose to stay slightly outside the city, and it worked perfectly for us.
Public transport in Florence is mainly buses, generally reliable and we scored a fantastic deal at:👉 https://firenze.huopenair.com/
Around €50 per night, clean, comfortable, and perfect for explorers who just need a place to crash after long days of walking.
Tips for Visiting Florence
• Wear comfortable shoes – Florence is best explored on foot
• Expect a LOT of walking
• Most attractions are within walking distance
• Many areas are vehicle-free, adding to the charm
Final Thoughts
Florence: More Than Just a City: Florence isn’t just beautiful. It’s historically legendary. This is the city where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked, where art, science, and architecture changed the world forever.
We stayed in Florence for three nights, but honestly, it deserved more, especially considering the incredible day trips from Florence (Val d’Orcia, Pisa, Siena, Chianti… the list goes on).
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