Visit Florence in One Day: Essential Tourist Guide

Alessandro
April 11, 2023
3 minutes
2

Florence is a beautiful city located in the heart of Tuscany, in Italy. It is famous for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and incredible art. If you have only one day to spend in this amazing city, here are some must-see attractions that you can visit, and the order of description of the article follows the order of travel that you will have to follow starting from Santa Maria Novella station.

The cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the symbol of the city and one of the most famous monuments in Italy. The Cathedral of Florence is a masterpiece of architecture and art, with its imposing facade in white, green and pink marble, its Giotto’s bell tower, its baptistery of San Giovanni and its Brunelleschi’s dome, the largest in the world. The Cathedral preserves inside treasures of priceless value, such as the frescoes of the Last Judgment by Vasari and Zuccari, the stained glass windows by Donatello and Ghiberti, the sculptures by Bandinelli and Michelangelo, and the remains of the church of Santa Reparata, the first Florentine cathedral. You can also climb up to the terraces of the Cathedral to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding hills. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a unique and unforgettable experience that will make you fall in love with Florence.

Distance from B&b: 1,0 km
Free entry
For religious reasons, the cathedral is closed to visitors on sundays and religious holidays.

Baptistry of San Giovanni

If you were fascinated by the Duomo of Florence, you can’t miss the Baptistry of San Giovanni, one of the oldest and most suggestive monuments of the city. The Baptistry is dedicated to the patron saint of Florence and was for centuries the place where Florentines received baptism. Admire its splendid white and green marble facade, its three bronze doors decorated with biblical scenes and its eight Saracen columns that tell the story of Florence. Enter the Baptistry and let yourself be enchanted by its magnificent golden mosaics that cover the dome and the walls, representing the Universal Judgment and the stories of San Giovanni Battista. Discover also the sarcophagus of the wine merchant, one of the oldest works of the Baptistry, and the baptismal font where Dante Alighieri was baptized. The Baptistry of San Giovanni is a treasure of art and faith that will make you live an unforgettable experience in medieval Florence.

Distance from B&b: 1,0 km

The Baptistry is part of the complex of the Opera del Duomo which includes: Baptistry, Dome of the Duomo, Bell Tower, Museum of the Opera del Duomo and Santa Reparata. Cumulative tickets may be available for all these attractions.

For information and costs here is the link to the official website: info

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is the most famous and suggestive square of Florence, seat of the civil power and heart of the social life of the city. Here you can admire the majestic Palazzo Vecchio, symbol of the republican government and residence of the Medici, with its crenellated tower and its frescoed courtyard. In front of the palace there is the Fountain of Neptune, recently restored, which represents the god of the sea with his sea horses. In the square you can also see the splendid statues of David by Michelangelo (a copy of the original), Hercules and Cacus by Bandinelli, Perseus by Cellini and the equestrian monument to Cosimo I de’ Medici. To the right of the palace opens the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air gallery with works of art of great value, such as the Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna and Medusa by Cellini. Piazza della Signoria is a place rich in history and art, where you can breathe the atmosphere of the Florentine Renaissance.

Distance from B&b: 1.4 km

Uffizi Gallery

If you liked the Piazza della Signoria, you can’t miss the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous and visited museums in the world. Here you can admire masterpieces of Italian and Western art, from the Middle Ages to the modern age, by artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio. The Gallery is located in a magnificent building designed by Giorgio Vasari in the sixteenth century to house the administrative offices of the Medici, the powerful family that ruled Florence and that gave the city its extraordinary artistic heritage. You can walk through the frescoed rooms and corridors adorned with ancient sculptures, and enjoy the view of the Arno river and the Ponte Vecchio from the windows. The Uffizi Gallery is a must-see for anyone who wants to discover the beauty and history of Florence.

Distance from B&b: 1.5 km

For information and costs here is the link to the official website: info

Ponte Vecchio

If you love art and history, you can’t miss the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence. The Ponte Vecchio crosses the Arno at its narrowest point, where there was once a Roman ford. The current bridge dates back to 1345 and has withstood floods, wars and earthquakes. On the bridge you will find the characteristic goldsmiths’ shops, which replaced the butchers by the will of the Medici in the 16th century. You can also admire the Vasari Corridor, an aerial gallery that connects Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, built by Giorgio Vasari to allow the Medici to move safely. The Ponte Vecchio is an eternal symbol of Florence and will give you a breathtaking view of the Arno and the city. I recommend you visit it in the evening, when the lights reflect on the water and create a magical and romantic atmosphere.

Distance from B&B: 1,5 km

Conclusion

Florence is a wonderful city with many attractions to discover. Even if you only have one day, you can still visit some of its most important attractions, such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Signoria, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Ponte Vecchio. These places will offer you an unforgettable experience and allow you to learn more about the history and culture of this wonderful city.