Florence in 4 Days: everything you need to know

If you travel to Florence for four days, you're in luck because you'll have the opportunity to see everything you need to see: museums, palaces, churches, markets... You'll also be able to soak up the atmosphere of the city, and you can even take a day trip to a nearby city such as Siena, Pisa or San Gimignano. Here is a possible itinerary for your four-day stay:

And if you are looking for more information for your trip to Florence, don't hesitate to read the post What to see and do in Florence.

Start your four-day trip to the city of Florence and what better way to start it than with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, the most visited museum in the city. The art gallery opens first thing in the morning and I recommend you be there at 8:15am in order to make the most of the first day, during which you'll also have the opportunity to visit the Accademia Gallery, the Oltrarno district, Santa Maria Nouvella and San Lorenzo.

Start with energy at the Uffizi Gallery

Wake up very early with the idea of being at the Uffizi Gallery as soon as it opens. This way you will avoid running into the large groups of tourists that visit the gallery throughout the day and you will be able to enjoy its great artistic heritage at your leisure. Don't forget that the Uffizi is the Italian museum with the highest number of visitors throughout the year.

• The Birth of Venus' and 'Primavera' by Botticelli
• Michelangelo's 'Tondo Doni
• The 'Madonna of the Goldfinch' by Raphael
• 'The Maestà di Ognissanti' by Giotto
• The Madonna and Child with two Angels' by Filippo Lippi

These are just some of the works you can see during your visit. However, don't hesitate to check out the best works in the Uffizi Gallery before you go, and you can buy tickets for the Uffizi Gallery in advance to avoid wasting unnecessary time at the ticket office. Prices start from €37.

Visit the Basilica of Santo Spirito

After your visit to the Uffizi Gallery don't hesitate to cross the Arno river, visit the Oltrarno district and enter the Basilica of Santo Spirito, a work by Brunelleschi on whose high altar is Michelangelo's 'Wooden Crucifix'. The visit can be made from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm. The price of the ticket is 2€.

Lunch at Oltrarno

And to recharge your batteries, don't hesitate to have lunch in Santo Spirito square. You can try a piadina, a traditional Italian dish similar to a wheat omelette filled with various ingredients. It's quick, so you can get back to your itinerary as soon as possible. And before crossing the Arno again, enjoy a gelato at Gelateria La Carraia, which is located in Piazza Nazario Sauro, next to the Carraia Bridge. They have a wide variety of flavours and the prices are surprisingly cheap.

Venture into the neighbourhood of Santa Maria Nouvella

The Santa Maria Nouvella neighbourhood is popularly known for its pleasant and quirky atmosphere. Its nerve centre is Piazza Santa Maria Nouvella, where you will find the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, which dates back to the 14th century and is one of the main churches in Florence. You can buy your tickets to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in advance, and the visiting hours from Monday to Saturday are from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 12 - 1 pm to 5 pm. Afterwards, be sure to visit the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy on Via della Scala, which sells remedies and perfumes made with traditional formulas.

Visit the Basilica of San Lorenzo

The first cathedral in Florence before the construction of Santa Maria del Fiore was the Basilica of San Lorenzo where the Medici Chapel is located. Admission costs approximately 7€ and visiting hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 1.30pm to 5.30pm.

Find the best gifts at the San Lorenzo Market

The San Lorenzo Market is a must on your trip to Florence. In this market, where tourists and Florentines mingle, you can blend into the hustle and bustle and authentic atmosphere of the city. What's more, you can buy the best souvenirs of your trip at one of the hundreds of stalls that line both the interior and the streets outside. Leather goods, textiles, handicrafts, food... Everything you can imagine.

Be dazzled by the Accademia Gallery

And to end the day, visit the Accademia Gallery, the second most visited Florentine museum, which does not close until 6.45 pm. You will have access to the 'David', Michelangelo's work par excellence, but you will also be able to see other works by the sculptor such as 'San Matteo' and the 'Paletina'. I recommend you to buy your ticket for the Accademia Gallery online for a price starting from 26€.

Day two starts your itinerary in Piazza del Duomo, where you can visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Museo dell'Opera, the crypt of Santa Reparata, Brunelleschi's Dome and the Campanille. Also, explore the Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti. Cross over the Arno on the Ponte Vecchio and enjoy the best views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte.

Traveller's tip

If you're staying in Florence for four days, you're in luck, as you can visit all the must-see sights and even take a day trip to a nearby city such as Pisa, Siena or San Gimignano.

Start your day with energy in the Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Du omo is an open-air museum. I recommend that as soon as you arrive you stop for a moment to take a good look at everything around you. It is truly amazing. Then, dive into each of the plans offered by the most popular enclave of the Florentine city.

• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: It is the third largest cathedral in Europe after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London. It dates back to the beginning of the 15th century and its white and green marble façade is dazzling. As soon as you enter you will see the tomb of Filippo Brunelleschi, the architect of the dome.
• Crypt of Santa Reparata: The entrance to the Duomo also gives access to the crypt, which is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. If you decide to visit it you can book a tour of the Duomo where everything will be explained to you.
• Brunelleschi's Dome: The views from the dome are truly breathtaking. It is one of the best viewpoints in the city. Moreover, with a diameter of 46 metres and a height of 114 metres, it is an engineering challenge. The climb takes place between the two domes and the interior decoration depicts a series of scenes from the Last Judgement by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari.
• Battistero di San Giovanni: This is the oldest building in the square and its exterior decoration is in white and green marble like the Cathedral. The most characteristic feature of this octagonal monument are its doors, especially the Door of Paradise, which is decorated with 10 bronze panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament. The entrance fee is approximately €5 for adults and €3 for children aged 7-14.
• Giotto's Campanile: You can visit it from 8.15am to 7pm, although if you visit the dome it may be redundant as you will have the same view. It is Giotto's work, although he could not see it finished and it was finished by Andrea Pisano in 1359.
• Museo dell'Opera del Duomo: A collection of models and original sketches of the cathedral and the dome, as well as original pieces from the Duomo, the Battisterio and the Campanile.

Touch the nose of the porcellino

After visiting the surroundings of the Piazza del Duomo, visit the Mercato Nuovo and recharge your batteries with a panino or a pizza taglio as you browse the various stalls. Don't resist and take the opportunity to do some of your shopping. And then touch the snout of the porcellino, one of the symbols of the Florentine city. It is said that if you touch it you will have the chance to return to Florence.

Browse the various jewellery shops on the Ponte Vechio

The Ponte Vechio is another of the emblems of the city of Florence. A stone suspension bridge, dating from the mid-14th century, where you can visit numerous jewellery and goldsmiths' shops.

Visit the Pitti Palace

Next stop is the Pitti Palace, where you can visit the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Silver Museum, the Costume Museum and the Porcelain Museum. Tickets are available online from €27. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am to 6.30pm.

Discover the Boboli Gardens

Once you have finished your visit to the palace, don't miss the chance to stroll around this beautiful place by purchasing your tickets to the Boboli Gardens. They cover an area of 4.5 square kilometres and are open to the public every day of the week from 8.15 am to 4.30 pm. - 19 h.. Admission costs from €6.

Discover the best viewpoint, the Piazzale Michelangelo

A must on your trip to Florence is to go up to the Piazzale Michelangelo, a viewpoint from which you will have the best views of the city of Florence. To make the journey as easy as possible, you can take the bus up and walk down. The bus lines that go up are 12 and 13. Don't forget your camera.

Be dazzled by San Miniato al Monte

One of my favourite things to do in Florence is to visit the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. I recommend you to go when there is a Eucharistic celebration which is performed in both Latin and Gregorian chant and takes place from Monday to Saturday at 6pm and on Sundays and holidays at 5.30pm.

Let yourself be impressed by the Piazza della Repubblica

The tour continues on to the Place de la République, an impressive square which now houses elegant cafés and top brand shops and which I recommend you visit at night when it is illuminated. Throughout history, Piazza della Repubblica has been a focal point of the city of Florence. In fact, in the centre of the square is the Column of Plenty, which in Roman times was the point where the roads of the ancient city crossed. When you visit at the end of the day, you can see the square illuminated.

Visit the Palazzo Strozzi

If you cross the Arc de Triomphe and continue onwards, the Palazzo Strozzi will soon rise up before you. An exponent of Renaissance architecture, it is an imposing stone palace designed by Filippo Strozzi. You can visit it until 8 p.m. and if your visit coincides with Thursday, bear in mind that it closes at 11 p.m., so you will have more time for your visit. Tickets can be purchased online from €15.

The itinerary of the third day will also be quite complete and includes a visit to the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, for which you can book your tickets in advance, the Galileo Museum, the Casa Di Dante Museum or the Archaeological Museum, among other museums. You will also stroll around Santissima Annunziata and visit Santa Croce, an essential part of your trip to Florence.

Dive into the history of science at the Galileo Museum

Buying tickets to the Galileo Museum is always a good idea, as it houses a collection of experimental objects, Galileo's first telescope and thermometers from the Accademia del Cimento. It also houses a library with 150,000 works and a multimedia laboratory. The opening hours are from 9:30 am to 6 pm and the entrance fee is from 9€ per adult and from 5,5€ for reduced admission.

Visit the Orsanmichele Church

The Church of Orsanmichele is located on Via Dell'arte della lana. It dates back to the 14th century and is characterised by its exterior arches and statues, as well as its beautiful interior decoration. The opening hours are from 10 am to 5 pm and the entrance fee is 2€.

Get to know Dante's work

In the Museo Casa Di Dante you can learn all the details of the life and work of the author of the 'Divine Comedy'. Admission costs from €8 for adults and reduced admission costs from €3 - €5.

Take a break at the Piazza della Signoria

The Piazza della Signoria is one of the most beautiful places in Florence and I recommend you to take a seat in the Loggia della Signoria and let yourself be dazzled by every single detail of the square, from the Fountain of Neptune to the different statues such as Perseus with the head of Medusa, Michelangelo's David, Cosimo I de Medici... Moreover, you can take the opportunity to enter the Palazzo Vecchio which is open every day of the week from 9 am to 7 pm, except Thursdays when it closes at 2 pm, except on Thursdays when it closes at 2 pm.

Delve into the work of Donatello at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello

The Museo Nazionale del Bargello houses a series of sculptures from the 14th to 16th centuries, a military collection and other valuable art objects. In addition, the Sala di Donatello houses important works by the artist. The entrance fee starts at €10 and is open every day of the week until 5pm.

Discover Santa Croce, the world's largest Franciscan church

The Church of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world and a must-see on your trip to Florence. Its cloister is impressive and inside there are more than 300 tombs of historical figures such as Machiavelli, Galileo Galiei, Michelangelo and Lorenzo Ghiberti. The entrance fee is around 8€ and it is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 5.30pm and Sundays and public holidays from 1pm to 5.30pm. You can also book a guided tour of the Church of Santa Croce to get to know it in detail.

Enter the Synagogue of Florence

The Synagogue of Florence is located in Via Farini, very close to Santa Croce, and from the first moment I was curious about it because its green dome was one of the most striking when contemplating the city from Brunelleschi's Dome, the Piazzale Michelangelo or Giotto's Campanile. The entrance fee starts at 6,50€.

Pay your respects at Le Carceri

Le Carceri is a restaurant located on the remains of a former convent that was a men's prison until 1985. It is one of the most peculiar places to eat in Florence because it preserves original 18th century frescoes and details of the cells. A perfect choice to taste the main dishes of Tuscan gastronomy such as bistecca alla fiorentina, wood-fired pizzas or delicious pastas.

Discover the surroundings of Santissima Annunziata

After lunch, take the opportunity to visit the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata. It is free and open in the morning from 7.30 am to 12.30 pm and in the afternoon from 4 pm to 6.30 pm. Also, take a break and sit on one of the steps in the square and contemplate this beautiful setting. Afterwards, discover the work of Leonardo da Vinci by purchasing tickets for the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, an interactive experience ideal for the whole family, with reproductions of some of his main inventions. Ticket prices start from €8.

Visit the Medici Riccardi Palace

Next, visit the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, which was the first official residence of this influential family in the city of Florence. Visiting hours are from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm.

End of the day at the National Archaeological Museum of Florence

And to round off the third day, buy your tickets to the National Archaeological Museum of Florence, which houses the second most important collection of Egyptian art in the country and an important collection of Etruscan art.

On the fourth and final day of your trip, I recommend you book a day trip to Pisa, which is just over 80 kilometres from Florence. Here are all the must-see sights in the city of the Leaning Tower. However, if you prefer to visit other cities such as Siena or San Gimignano, be sure to read the post What to see in Florence in seven days and learn about other itineraries.

Stroll around the Piazza dei Miracoli

As soon as you arrive in Pisa, head to Piazza dei Miracoli, also known as Piazza del Duomo. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, it is the site of Pisa's main monuments: the Cathedral, the Tower, the Baptistery and the Monumental Cemetery.

Take a typical photo next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The must-see of the city is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, it is approximately 56 metres high and has almost 300 steps. It is one of the most visited monuments in the country and its inclination is due to a miscalculation in the foundations of the building. Don't hesitate to get a good repertoire of photos from different angles.

Enter the Cathedral of Pisa

Located in the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Pisa Duomo is another must-see on your trip to Pisa. It dates back to the 11th century and is the greatest exponent of Pisan Romanesque art. Its exterior stands out for its impressive bronze door and its dazzling marble façade decorated with black and white stripes. The interior is notable for its pulpit, the work of Giovanni Pisano, and two lines of Corinthian-style columns made from granite from the island of Elba. You can also visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Visit the largest Baptistery in Italy

The Baptistery of Pisa stands out for being the largest in Italy. Made of white marble, it is almost the same height as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and more than 30 metres in diameter. Inside, its octagonal-shaped baptismal font, dating from the 13th century, stands out.

Visit the Cemetery

The Cemetery or Monumental Cemetery of Pisa is another of the monuments in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Pisa's most illustrious personalities are buried in this place that stands out for its Gothic cloister and 14th and 15th century frescoes by artists such as Taddeo Gaddi, Benozzo Gozzoli, Antonio Veneziano or Andrea de Bonaiuto.

Visit the Church of Santa Maria della Spina

Situated on the banks of the river Arno, the Church of Santa Maria della Spina is one of the most beautiful places in the city of Pisa. A Gothic church, dating back to the 13th century, it stands out for its exterior ornamentation by artists such as Andrea Pisano, Giovanni Pisano, Giovanni di Balduccio or Lupo di Francesco, among others.

Cross the Ponte di Mezzo

Walking along the banks of the Arno River is another of the essential plans on your trip to Pisa and in this pleasant walk one of the major points of interest is the Ponte di Mezzo, one of the most photographed places in the city of Pisa along with the Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli for the beauty of its surroundings.

Walk around the Piazza dei Cavalieri

The Piazza dei Cavalieri is the site of important buildings such as the Palazzo dell'Orologio, the Palazzo della Carovana, the Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici and the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri. In addition, in the centre of the square stands a statue of Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici, who was the founder of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen, whose headquarters were located in this square since the 16th century. It was also the seat of civil power during the Middle Ages. It currently houses the Scuola normale di Pisa.

End the day with a visit to the National Museum of San Matteo

This museum, housed in a medieval convent in Gothic style, houses a series of works by important Tuscan artists from the 12th to the 17th century including a bust-reliquary of 'San Rossore' by Donatello, the 'Croce di Fucecchio' by Berlinghieri Berlinghiero, the statue 'Madonna del latte' by Nino Pisano, 'San Paolo' by Masaccio, 'Madonna col bambino' by Gentile da Fabriano.