Florence 1-Day Itinerary 2026: Duomo, Uffizi, and Where to Stay

After finishing my Rome trip, I moved on to Florence.

I only stayed one night in Florence,

as my schedule had me heading straight to Tuscany the very next day,

so I essentially only had one full day for sightseeing.

From the Duomo to the Uffizi Gallery and Piazzale Michelangelo,

I was still able to visit most of the major attractions!

Traveling from Rome to Florence

I took a train from Roma Termini station

on Trenitalia to Florence.

The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes,

so you arrive quickly, even though it's an intercity trip!

It's always best to book European train tickets early!

Prices can get significantly higher closer to the departure date,

so if your itinerary is set, make sure to book in advance.

>Check Train Prices from Rome to Florence<

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Florence 1-Night, 2-Day Itinerary

Florence Duomo

The first place I visited after arriving in Florence was

the Florence Cathedral, the Duomo!

The huge dome peeking through the alleyways is beautiful,

but the facade from the front is truly spectacular.

With its exterior walls mixing white, green, and pink,

and intricate decorations covering every inch,

you'll find yourself admiring it both up close and from afar.

It's the kind of place that truly makes you feel like you've arrived in Florence...

If you're planning to visit multiple places in one day like I did,

it's a good idea to decide beforehand how much time you'll spend at the Duomo.

If you include exploring the interior or climbing the dome,

you'll need to adjust your allocated time for later museum visits.

So, just pick what you most want to see!

Lunch at Il Grande Nuti Trattoria

At 12 PM, I headed for lunch

to Il Grande Nuti Trattoria.

You can watch them making fresh pasta,

and they even toss the pasta inside a giant cheese wheel,

which is quite a show!

The prices were reasonable, and the staff were very friendly.

Most importantly, the food was delicious!

You can also get a discount with TheFork, making it excellent value for money ☺️

Piazza della Repubblica

After lunch, I took a stroll

over to Piazza della Repubblica.

There's a carousel in the piazza,

and street performers often entertain the crowds,

making it a lovely spot for a short walk and some people-watching.

Osteria Belle Donne

A wine window is a unique experience you should try at least once in Florence!

It's a system where you receive wine through a small window in the wall,

and it offers a completely different vibe than just drinking at a regular restaurant.

When I visited, it was full of locals.

The price was around 7 euros.

Ponte Santa Trinita and Accommodation

After enjoying the wine,

I walked towards Ponte Santa Trinita.

Buildings line the riverside,

so not only on the bridge but also along the surrounding paths,

it's perfect for a leisurely stroll and sightseeing.

Hotel Torre Guelfa Palazzo

In the afternoon, after visiting the Uffizi Gallery,

Since we had quite a journey to Piazzale Michelangelo,

we decided to factor in some rest time along the way!

The reason we decided to stay at this particular spot in Florence wasn't just because

of its fantastic location near the Uffizi Gallery, but also...

you can soak in an incredible Duomo view right from the rooftop!

However, our grand plans to enjoy that rooftop view...

sadly fell through due to sheer exhaustion, lol.

While I did get to see it as a night view, personally,

I think the Duomo view truly shines and is much more beautiful during the day.

I booked it for ~$168, but sometimes, when deals are available,

you might even find it for around ~$131.

Keep in mind that even for the same hotel, prices can fluctuate quite a bit based on the dates and room types,

so make sure to compare options before you book!

📌 Hotel Torre Guelfa Palazzo Prices

Uffizi Gallery

After a refreshing break at the hotel, we headed out around 4 PM

to the Uffizi Gallery.

It was an absolutely incredible experience to see world-renowned masterpieces like The Birth of Venus and Medusa

up close and in person!

However, because I booked my visit somewhat last-minute, I ended up going without a guided tour, and that's where I hit a snag:

my mobile data didn't work inside the Uffizi Gallery!

I really should have done my homework beforehand. If I'd known this,

I definitely would have opted for a guided tour...

If you're like me and want to truly understand and appreciate the stories behind each masterpiece,

I highly recommend comparing guided tour options as well!

📌 Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour

[Indigo Travel] Florence Uffizi Gallery Official Guided Morning & Afternoon Tour (Ticket Purchase Agency)3ha.in

Piazzale Michelangelo

After our visit to the Uffizi Gallery,

we made our way to Piazzale Michelangelo.

If you're only going to take one photo in Florence,

I absolutely recommend capturing it right here!

From this vantage point, you'll see a breathtaking panorama of red rooftops stretching across the Arno River,

with the magnificent Duomo rising majestically amidst them,

giving you the entire Florence cityscape at a glance.

My favorite spot is definitely where the Duomo peeks out between the trees! ❤️

The lush green leaves create a natural frame, making it

an absolutely gorgeous photo opportunity.

I visited around 6:30 PM, but keep in mind that

sunset times vary with the seasons.

If you're hoping to catch a spectacular sunset, be sure to check the exact sunset time before you head there!

Antico Ristorante Paoli 1827

For dinner, we indulged in a T-bone steak,

and let me tell you, the portion was absolutely massive!

We started off strong, digging in with gusto, but

Later on, it did feel a little bit much.

If you're planning to order several dishes together,

make sure to check the meat portion first

and adjust the quantity accordingly – it's probably a good idea!

Here too, you can get a 50% discount with TheFork!

On the morning of Day 2, after a delightful breakfast, we made our way to Tuscany.

Even though we explored this itinerary in practically just one day,

we packed in so much: the majestic Duomo, incredible art museums, squares boasting breathtaking views,

and even delicious pasta and steak! It was an incredibly fulfilling itinerary!

If your journey takes you from Rome, with an overnight stay in Florence,

before heading over to Tuscany,

then this route could be a perfect guide for your adventure!

📌 Italy Tuscany Travel Tour

Comparing Italy Tuscany Travel Tour Operators and Florence Itineraryblog.naver.com