Florence in 5 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

A five-day trip to Florence is ideal for getting to know all the must-see sights. Its museums, gardens and palaces, basilicas and churches, markets and, of course, immerse yourself in the life and atmosphere of the city. You will also have the opportunity to take a trip to a nearby city such as Siena, Pisa or San Gimignano. Here is an itinerary for your five-day stay in Florence. Would you like to join me?

Also, before you start your trip, don't hesitate to read the post What to see and do in Florence and create the best itinerary possible.

In your five-day trip to the city of Florence, I recommend you to visit the essential places of the capital of Tuscany: the Duomo Square, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Pitti Palace, the Ponte Vecchio and, of course, enjoy the best views from the Piazzale Michelangelo.

If you're staying in Florence for five days, you're in luck, as you'll be able to see the city in depth and have the opportunity to take a day trip to a nearby city such as Pisa.

Start your day at the Duomo Square

Described by many as an open-air museum, Piazza del Duomo is an amazing place. Read the post all the plans in Florence's Piazza del Duomo and make a list of the best ones according to your preferences. Still, here are the must-sees:

• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: It dates back to the early 15th century and is the third largest cathedral in Europe. You will be impressed as soon as you enter the square, as it is a symbol of the splendour of the city of Florence. Its white, green and red marble façade is dazzling. Find out all the information in this post about the entrances to the Duomo.
• Brunelleschi's Dome: Climbing the dome is a must. From the top you will have one of the best views of the city of Florence. And it is an architectural challenge for its time. On the climb, which takes place between the two domes, you can see the interior decoration depicting a series of scenes of the Last Judgement created by the artists Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari.
• Battistero di San Giovanni: This is the oldest monument in Piazza del Duomo. Its exterior decoration is, like that of the Cathedral, in white, red and green marble. Do not hesitate to have your photo taken next to the Gate of Paradise. The entrance fee is €5 for adults and €3 for children aged 7-14.
• Giotto's Campanile: The visit is open to the public from 8.15 am to 7 pm.

Take a break in the Piazza della Signoria

Next, on your way to the Pitti Palace, don't hesitate to take a break in Piazza della Signoria. Take a seat in the Loggia della Signoria and let yourself be dazzled by the different statues, as well as the Neptune Fountain. You can also enter the Palazzo Vecchio, which is open until 7pm, except on Thursdays when it closes at 2pm, by buying your tickets online.

Have a picnic in the Boboli Gardens

And after an intense morning in Florence's Duomo Square, don't hesitate to visit the Boboli Gardens and have a picnic to regain your strength. Then, wander around and discover each and every one of its corners, statues, fountains... The entrance fee starts at 6€.

Enter the Pitti Palace

Next, with your batteries recharged after a fantastic picnic and a pleasant stroll through the Boboli Gardens, make your next stop at the Pitti Palace. Inside you can visit the Gallery of Modern Art, the Palatine Gallery, the Costume Museum, the Silver Museum and the Porcelain Museum. Tickets can be purchased online from 10€ and opening hours are from 8:15am to 6:30pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

See the best views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo

And after exploring the different rooms of the Pitti Palace, what better plan than to see the best views of the city from the Piazzale Michelangelo. You can also take a short break while you have an ice cream on one of the steps or a refreshment in one of the cafés.

Enjoy a Eucharistic celebration in San Miniato al Monte

And, of course, once you get to the top, you have to enter the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. You can also coincide your visit with one of the Eucharistic celebrations that take place in Latin and Gregorian chant. The opening hours are from Monday to Saturday at 6 p.m. and on Sundays and public holidays at 5.30 p.m.

Look for good luck by touching the porcellino's snout

Afterwards, take the opportunity to go downstairs while you enjoy a pleasant stroll and get to know the city. Once downstairs, head towards the New Market area, visit the various leather goods and tourist stalls and buy some souvenirs. Also, and most importantly, touch the snout of the porcellino. This way, you will be sure to have good luck and return to the city.

Marvel at the Ponte Vechio (Old Bridge)

To end the day after dark, head to the Ponte Vechio and see the most characteristic landmark of the city of Florence. This stone suspension bridge is even more beautiful by day than at night under the moonlight.

On the second day, don't hesitate to visit the Uffizi Gallery, the most visited museum in the city of Florence and one of the most visited art galleries in Italy, for which you can buy your tickets here. Also, take the opportunity to visit the Accademia Gallery and see the 'David', Michelangelo's masterpiece, as well as the Oltrarno neighbourhood and Santa Maria Nouvella, which you can get to know in detail by hiring a tour. Also, enjoy all the atmosphere of San Lorenzo.

Start the day at the Uffizi Gallery

Start the day early and energetically at the Uffizi Gallery in order to avoid the long queues that form throughout the morning and to see the best works of the Uffizi Gallery at your leisure. The Uffizi is the Italian museum that registers the highest number of visitors throughout the year and you will have to get used to the idea that it is always crowded, but you can always try to go during the times of the day when there are fewer tourists. Ticket prices for the Uffizi Gallery start at €12.

Go inside the Oltrarno

Once you've seen the best works of the Uffizi, cross the Arno River and visit the Oltrarno neighbourhood, one of the most lively areas of Florence. You can take the opportunity to have a piadina or a focaccia to recharge your batteries and then visit the Basilica of Santo Spirito, which houses Michelangelo's 'Wooden Crucifix'. Visiting hours are from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm and from 3pm to 6pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 11:30am to 1:30pm and from 3pm to 6pm. The entrance fee is 2€. And before crossing the Arno again to Santa Maria Nouvella, our next stop, enjoy the best Italian gelato at Gelateria La Carraia, next to the Carraia Bridge, in Piazza Nazario Sauro. They have a wide variety of flavours and the prices are very affordable.

Visit Santa Maria Nouvella

In Piazza Santa Maria Nouvella you have an unmissable visit to book a tour: the 14th century Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, which is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from 12 - 1pm to 5pm. Then head to the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy on Via della Scala, which sells perfumes and remedies made with traditional formulas.

Get to know the San Lorenzo quarter

Before the construction of Santa Maria del Fiore, the city's cathedral was located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo where the Medici Chapel is located. Admission is from 7€ and visiting hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 1:30pm to 5:30pm. After your visit, head to the San Lorenzo Market where you can buy souvenirs of your trip: leather goods, textiles, handicrafts, food...

See the 'David' in the Accademia Gallery

And the tour of this second exhibition continues in the Accademia Gallery, which you can visit until 6:45 pm and where you can see the 'David', Michelangelo's work par excellence. I recommend you buy your tickets in advance and online. The price starts at 25€.

See the impressive Piazza della Repubblica by moonlight

The Piazza della Repubblica is an impressive square that if you have the opportunity I recommend you visit after sunset when the Arc de Triomphe and the Column of Plenty are illuminated. Throughout history, this has been the focal point of the city of Florence.

End the day at the Palazzo Strozzi

If you cross the Arc de Triomphe, you will find yourself facing the Renaissance Palazzo Strozzi. This stone palace was designed by Filippo Strozzi and can be visited until 8 pm, except on Thursdays when it is open until 11 pm. The entrance fee starts at 15€.

The itinerary of the third day will also be quite complete and includes Santa Croce and the Florence Synagogue. In addition, you can enjoy a delicious lunch at Le Carcelie and get to know the surroundings of Santissima Annunziata.

Discover Santa Croce

Book your tickets for the Church of Santa Croce because it is a must-see on your trip to Florence. It is the largest Franciscan church in the world and houses more than 300 tombs of great historical figures such as Galileo Galiei, Michelangelo, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Machiavelli. The entrance fee starts at 8€ and the visit can be made on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and on Sundays and holidays from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Visit the Synagogue of Florence

Very close to Santa Croce is the Synagogue of Florence, whose green bronze dome can be seen from different parts of the city such as Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Campanile or Piazzale Michelangelo. You can get in for €6.50 and it's a visit that will really surprise you.

Lunch at Le Carceri

And after several days in Florence, I recommend that you don't leave without visiting Le Carceri, a perfect restaurant to taste the bistecca alla fiorentina, one of the most popular dishes in the region. But if you don't like meat, don't worry, as you can also try their wood-fired pizzas, which are a real treat. This restaurant is located in a former convent that was once a men's prison and preserves original 18th century frescoes and details of the cells.

Meet Santissima Annunziata

After recharging your batteries, don't hesitate to continue your itinerary at the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata. This free visit is open in the afternoon from 4 pm to 6.30 pm. Then you can enter the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the first official residence of the Medici family. Visiting hours are from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.

On the fourth day of your trip to Florence I recommend a morning excursion to Fiesole. In addition, in the afternoon you can discover other museums in Florence such as the Museo Galileo, the Museo Casa Di Dante or the Museo Nazionale del Bargello.

Take a trip to Fiesole

Approximately 20 minutes from Florence is Fiesole, a town located on a hill about six kilometres from the Tuscan capital, from where you will have another of the best views of the city. You can also visit the Roman theatre and baths, the Etruscan-Roman temple, the 11th-century Duomo of Fiesole, the Etruscan city walls and the Convent of San Francesco.

After a break for lunch I recommend that you continue your itinerary by visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Florence, an important museum which houses the second largest collection of Egyptian art in Italy, as well as an important collection of Etruscan art. Get your tickets in advance from this link.

Delve into the history of science at the Galileo Museum

Next, you can choose to visit the Galileo Museum which houses an important collection of scientific instruments such as Galileo's first telescope, thermometers from the Academy of the Foundation and important experimental objects. Admission costs from €9 per adult and from €5.5 for reduced admission and visiting hours are from 9.30am to 6pm. Tickets for the museum can be purchased in advance.

Visit the Orsanmichele Church

The Church of Orsanmichele dates back to the 14th century and is situated in Via Dell'arte della lana. Visiting hours are from 10 am to 5 pm and the visit, priced from 2€, is a real marvel. The temple is characterised by exterior statues, arches and beautiful interior decoration.

Delve into Dante's and Donatello's work

Of course, you shouldn't leave Florence without visiting the Museo Casa Di Dante where you can delve into the life and work of the author. Admission costs from €8 for adults and reduced admission costs from €3 - €5. Another of Florence's most popular museums is the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, which features the Sala di Donatello, a room that houses important works by the artist. It also houses a collection of sculptures from the 14th to 16th centuries, a military collection, as well as other objects of great artistic value. The price starts at €10.

On the last day of your trip to Florence I recommend a day trip to Pisa. The city of the leaning tower is approximately 80 kilometres from Florence. However, if you prefer to visit other cities such as San Gimignano or Siena, visit the post what to see in Florence in seven days and learn about other possible excursions.

Look for your selfie at the Leaning Tower of Pisa

One of the essential plans of your trip to Pisa is to go to the Piazza dei Miracoli and see the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person. On your walk to this enclave of the city, you will catch a glimpse of it among the buildings and you will realise that it is just as you imagined it to be. This monument dates back to the 12th and 14th centuries and is 56 metres high and has almost 300 steps.

Visit the Cathedral of Pisa

Next, head to the Pisan Romanesque Duomo of Pisa. It is located next to the tower and dates back to the 11th century. It stands out for its bronze door, as well as for its marble façade with black and white stripes. Inside, the pulpit, by Giovanni Pisano, stands out.

Enter the largest Baptistery in Italy

The Baptistery of Pisa will leave you totally impressed. It dates back to the 13th century and is the largest building of its kind in Italy. In fact, it is similar in height to the Tower of Pisa. Inside, its baptismal font stands out. Octagonal in shape, it has a diameter of approximately 30 metres.

Get to know the Cemetery

The Cemetery or Monumental Cemetery of Pisa is the last monument left to visit in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Its cloister, in Gothic style, is a true marvel and I recommend that you take the time to contemplate the 14th and 15th century frescoes by, among other artists, Andrea de Bonaiuto, Antonio Veneziano, Taddeo Gaddi and Benozzo Gozzoli. Like Santa Croce in Florence, Pisa's most illustrious personalities can be found here.

Take a break at the Piazza dei Miracoli

After seeing all the monuments in Piazza dei Miracoli or Piazza del Duomo, don't hesitate to find a place to take a break and have a pizza taglio while taking in your surroundings. This square was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is a true marvel.

Walk around Piazza dei Cavalieri

The Palazzo dell'Orologio, the Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici, the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri or the Palazzo della Carovana are located in the Piazza dei Cavalieri, another of the essential visits on your trip to Pisa where the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen was located, which was also the seat of civil power during the Middle Ages and, today, houses the Scuola normale di Pisa. Depending on the time you have ahead of you, you can spend more or less time here, but be sure to go and admire the different buildings in the square, as well as the statue of Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici, founder of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen.

Cross the Ponte di Mezzo

The second most photographed spot in Pisa after the tower is the Ponte di Mezzo, and not surprisingly, it is an amazing sight. Be sure to take a stroll along the banks of the Arno and admire the different coloured buildings along the bridge. It is a marvellous postcard.

Let yourself be dazzled by the Church of Santa Maria della Spina

On your walk along the banks of the Arno, head towards the Church of Santa Maria della Spina, a 13th-century Gothic church whose exterior ornamentation bears the signature of artists such as Giovanni Pisano, Andrea Pisano, Lupo di Francesco and Giovanni di Balduccio, among others.

End your day in Pisa with a visit to the National Museum of San Matteo, housed in a medieval convent in Gothic style. Its collection includes works by various Tuscan artists from the 12th to the 17th centuryincluding the 'Croce di Fucecchio' by Berlinghieri Berlinghiero, a bust-reliquary of 'San Rossore' by Donatello, the statue 'Madonna del latte' by Nino Pisano, 'Madonna col bambino' by Gentile da Fabriano or 'San Paolo' by Masaccio.