Ready-made trips · Italy
Florence in 4 days
The Uffizi and Santa Croce, Brunelleschi's Dome and the Medici, and Michelangelo's David at the Accademia.
- Length
- 4 days
- Best time
- April to June, September to October
- Pace
- Moderate
- Day trips
- None, all in the city
Four days in Florence: The Dome and the Medici; Uffizi to Santa Croce. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1First Evening in FlorenceArrival
- When you arrivePonte VecchioMedieval bridge with shops.Tip: Florence's iconic bridge, lined with jewelry shops — go early morning or evening for photos without the genuine crowds that build through the day.
Lunch nearby: Trattoria 4 Leoni or Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori
Dinner: Il Rifrullo or All'Antico Vinaio
2The Dome and the Medici
- MorningBrunelleschi's DomeClimb 463 steps inside Brunelleschi’s dome to the lantern.Tip: Book the first timed slot of the day — the Brunelleschi Pass also covers the bell tower, baptistery and cathedral museum.
- AfternoonPalazzo Medici RiccardiThe first Medici palace, with Gozzoli’s glowing Chapel of the Magi.Tip: The chapel admits small groups at a time — go early in the day to see it without a queue.
- If you have timeAccademia GalleryHome of Michelangelo’s David.Tip: Michelangelo's David is the main draw, but the unfinished 'Prisoners' sculptures leading up to it are genuinely worth slowing down for.
Lunch nearby: Trattoria Zà Zà or Caffè Gilli
Dinner: Carabé or Pugi
3Uffizi to Santa Croce
- MorningUffizi GalleryWorld-class Renaissance art museum.Tip: Book a timed slot online well in advance — walk-up wait times in summer regularly exceed 2-3 hours without a reservation.
- AfternoonBargello MuseumRenaissance sculpture museum.Tip: Home to genuinely significant early Renaissance sculpture, including works by Donatello — less crowded than Florence's more famous museums.
- If you have timeSanta Croce BasilicaBurial site of Michelangelo and Galileo.Tip: Home to the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli — genuinely significant beyond its striking Gothic architecture.
Lunch nearby: Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori or Ristorante Del Fagioli
Dinner: Cibrèo Trattoria or Zeb
4A Last Morning by the StationLast morning
- Before you leaveDuomo CathedralIconic cathedral with Brunelleschi’s dome.Tip: Climbing to the dome offers one of the best views in Florence, including the famous Brunelleschi dome from up close — book timed entry in advance as capacity is limited.
Lunch nearby: Caffè Gilli or Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori
Dinner: Sostanza or Il Francescano
Where to stay
Santa Croce
Lively streets around the great Franciscan church, full of wine bars and trattorias.
20 min walk from Santa Maria Novella station, or buses C1 and C3; 10 min walk to the Duomo.
Duomo & San Lorenzo
The centre of everything: the cathedral, the Medici quarter and the food market, all within five minutes.
5–10 min walk from Santa Maria Novella station; the whole centre is walkable.
Oltrarno
Across the Ponte Vecchio: artisans’ workshops, local trattorias and calmer evenings.
10–15 min walk to the Duomo; buses C3 and D; 20 min walk from Santa Maria Novella station.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
Open the full plan →Want different dates, a slower pace or something specific? Plan your own Florence trip in about a minute.