2 Days in Florence: My Day by Day Itinerary for 2026
Updated: 22 hours ago
Updated November 2026. I rechecked every museum, garden and church hours on this page against official sites or current listings in early November 2026.
Two days in Florence is the sweet spot for a first visit that still feels calm. You get the classics without sprinting, and you still have a full day for the other side of the river. My one day in Florence itinerary packs David, the Duomo, lunch, the Uffizi or Oltrarno and sunset into one long day. My 3 days in Florence: a complete first timer's guide spreads those anchors across three days and leaves Day 3 open. This two day plan sits in the middle: Day 1 for the north bank highlights, Day 2 for the Oltrarno, Boboli Gardens and the hill above the city.
If you only have a long weekend, use this page. Book two timed museum slots and one dinner before you fly, then leave the rest flexible. Florence is small and walkable, and almost every stop below is a short walk from the last.
At a glance: two days in Florence
Day 1, classics: Accademia for Michelangelo's David at opening, the Duomo complex, lunch near San Lorenzo, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi in the afternoon, then aperitivo and a trattoria dinner.
Day 2, Oltrarno and the hill: Morning across the Ponte Vecchio for Santo Spirito and artisan streets, Boboli Gardens (or Pitti if you want more galleries), a long lunch, then Piazzale Michelangelo and vespers at San Miniato before a quieter dinner on the south bank.
Best days to do this: Start Day 1 on a Tuesday to Saturday so both the Accademia and the Uffizi are open. If your trip includes a Monday, put Day 2 first or swap Day 1 museums for the Duomo complex, Palazzo Vecchio and the Oltrarno streets.
Book these before you arrive
You do not need to book every hour, but these four make the trip feel easy:
Accademia (David): Book a timed entry on the official Accademia site. Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 AM. Closed Mondays. The first slot of the day is the calmest.
Uffizi: Book timed entry on the official Uffizi Galleries site for early afternoon on Day 1. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM, last entry 5:30 PM. Closed Mondays. See how to book Uffizi tickets for official channels and sites to avoid.
Duomo dome climb (optional): If you want Brunelleschi's dome, buy a pass and lock the timed slot on the official Duomo ticket site. Bring ID. The cathedral floor is free and does not need a booking. Confirm your dates: Giotto's Bell Tower is closed for maintenance from 9 to 13 November 2026, and the dome is closed from 16 to 20 November 2026. The cathedral, Baptistery and museum stay on their usual calendars unless a feast day intervenes.
Dinner: Call or book one trattoria for Day 1 before you arrive, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. I keep short lists in the best trattorias in Florence and the best restaurants in Florence.
Day 1: classics on the north bank
Day 1 is the Florence most people come for: David, the cathedral, a market lunch, the Signoria and the Uffizi. I keep the pace honest. You will walk a lot, but you will not run.
7:45 AM: Coffee standing at the bar
Start like a Florentine: a cappuccino and a pastry standing at the counter on the way to Via Ricasoli. Ten minutes, then walk. You want to be at the Accademia a few minutes before your slot.
8:15 AM: Michelangelo's David at the Accademia
The Accademia is at Via Ricasoli 58/60. Walk the Hall of the Prisoners with Michelangelo's unfinished figures, then stand under the skylight with David. Give yourself about an hour, or a little more if you want the musical instruments room.
More detail is in my Accademia and David guide. Rooms start closing late in the day, so this morning slot is the one I protect.
Local tip: On the first Sunday of the month entry is free and you cannot book. Expect a long line, or save David for another day of the week.
9:45 AM: The Duomo, Baptistery and Bell Tower
Walk down Via Ricasoli or Via dei Servi until the dome fills the street. The cathedral itself is free to enter Monday to Saturday from about 10:15 AM to 3:45 PM, and it is closed to visitors on Sunday and during celebrations. Shoulders and knees covered.
If you want the climb, the dome is 463 steps with a timed slot and ID. Giotto's Bell Tower has slightly fewer steps and views that include the dome itself. The Baptistery is open daily, though its vault mosaics are under restoration, so do not plan the morning around them.
If you only have time for one paid ticket here, I often pick the Museum of the Opera del Duomo over the climb on a hot or busy day. It holds Ghiberti's original Gates of Paradise and Michelangelo's late Pieta. My full my Duomo guide has the floor plan.
Local tip: The cathedral line moves fastest right at opening and again after lunch.
12:30 PM: Lunch at the Mercato Centrale or a trattoria
Walk five minutes to San Lorenzo. Three good choices:
Mercato Centrale food hall: the upper floor on Via dell'Ariento is open every day from morning until late evening. Shared tables, pasta, pizza and wine. Easy for a mixed group.
Da Nerbone: on the ground floor of the historic market, lunch Monday to Saturday. Lampredotto or boiled beef panino. The ground floor market keeps morning hours and is closed on Sunday.
Trattoria Mario: Via Rosina 2r, lunch only, Monday to Saturday. Arrive just before noon. my Trattoria Mario guide explains how it works.
For something on the move, the best sandwich shops in Florence are all nearby.
2:00 PM: Piazza della Signoria
Cut through to Piazza della Signoria. The Loggia dei Lanzi is a free open air sculpture gallery. Palazzo Vecchio rises over the square, and the copy of David stands where the original stood for centuries. Ten or fifteen minutes here is enough before the Uffizi.
If you prefer the tower or apartments instead of the Uffizi this afternoon, see the secrets of Palazzo Vecchio. Palazzo Vecchio often closes earlier on Thursdays, so check hours that morning.
2:30 PM: The Uffizi Galleries
Book an early afternoon slot and give yourself at least two focused hours. My short list: Giotto and Cimabue, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo's Annunciation, Michelangelo's Doni Tondo, and the corridor windows over the Arno.
Last entry is 5:30 PM and the museum closes at 6:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. If your slot is later than about 3:00 PM, tighten the list and skip the side rooms.
Local tip: Coffee on the rooftop terrace cafe before the last rooms. The view of Palazzo Vecchio's tower from up there is one of my favorites.
5:30 PM: Aperitivo near the river
Leave the Uffizi by the river and walk onto the Ponte Vecchio as the light softens. Keep it light: one glass of wine or a spritz, then save room for dinner.
Le Volpi e l'Uva in Piazza dei Rossi, just over the bridge, is my favorite small wine bar stop. It is open Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. More rooftop ideas are in the best rooftop bars for sunset and wine bars in Florence wine bars.
8:00 PM: Dinner at a trattoria
Florentines eat at 8:00 PM or later. Stay near the center or cross into the Oltrarno if you have already booked.
Trattoria La Casalinga: Via dei Michelozzi 9r, off Santo Spirito. Family run, Monday to Saturday.
Trattoria 4 Leoni: Via de' Vellutini 1r, open every day. Ask for the pear and pecorino pasta.
Trattoria Sostanza: Via del Porcellana 25r, near Santa Maria Novella. The butter chicken is famous. Closed Sunday, some listings also show Saturday closed, and you must book by phone.
More options in the best trattorias in Florence and the best restaurants in Florence.
Local tip: After dinner, walk to the middle of Ponte Santa Trinita and look back at the Ponte Vecchio lit over the Arno.
Day 2: Oltrarno, gardens and the hill
Day 2 is why two days beats one. You cross the river, slow down, walk artisan streets, sit in Boboli, then climb for the view that makes people book a return trip. No Accademia or Uffizi today, so Mondays work if Boboli is open.
9:00 AM: Coffee, then across the Ponte Vecchio
Start with coffee on either bank, then cross the Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno. Walk Via Guicciardini past the shops, then cut toward Piazza Santo Spirito. Brunelleschi's plain church facade looks over a square that still feels local in the morning.
9:30 AM: Santo Spirito and artisan streets
Step into Santo Spirito if Mass or a visit window allows, then wander Via Maggio, Via dei Serragli and the lanes around Via Toscanella. This is the artisan side: workshops, paper, leather and quiet courtyards.
Do not rush to buy on the first shop. Walk a loop, note what you like, and come back after Boboli if something still pulls you. Gelateria Della Passera on Via Toscanella is a good mid morning gelato stop when it is open (closed Monday).
10:30 AM: Boboli Gardens (or Palazzo Pitti)
From Piazza Santo Spirito it is a short walk to Palazzo Pitti. For Day 2 I usually choose the Boboli Gardens over another gallery morning, unless rain forces you indoors.
In November through February the gardens open from 8:15 AM and close at 4:30 PM, with last entry one hour before closing, per the official Boboli Gardens page. They are closed on the first and last Monday of each month, and on 25 December. Confirm the exact day on the official page before you go. More context is in my Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens guide.
Walk up toward the Forte di Belvedere end for city views, then loop back down. An hour and a half is enough for a first visit without turning it into a trek.
Local tip: If it rains, swap Boboli for the Palatine Gallery inside Pitti (closed Mondays) or for more church and artisan time, then an early lunch.
1:00 PM: Long lunch in the Oltrarno
Stay on the south bank for lunch. Trattoria La Casalinga near Santo Spirito is my default if you did not eat there last night. Otherwise pick a simple osteria on or near the square and take your time. Day 2 should feel different from Day 1's market pace.
If you want a sandwich and keep walking, use the best sandwich shops in Florence. For gelato after, La Sorbettiera on Piazza Tasso is open every day, and more shops are in my favorite gelato in Florence.
3:00 PM: Optional: shopping loop or a second church
After lunch you have room for a slower loop: paper and notebooks on Via Guicciardini or Via Maggio, a browse of Santo Spirito market days if it is the right morning, or Santa Felicita just beside the Ponte Vecchio for Pontormo's Deposition if the church is open.
Skip trying to add another major museum unless the weather is bad. The hill is the point of this afternoon.
Sunset: Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato
Walk east through San Niccolo and climb the Rampe del Poggi to Piazzale Michelangelo, about 20 minutes uphill. Buses 12 and 13 go up if your legs are done. From the top the whole city sits in front of you: the dome, Palazzo Vecchio's tower, the bridges and the hills behind.
Time this for sunset. In November and December the sun sets around 5:00 PM, while in June it is close to 9:00 PM, so check your date and arrive half an hour early.
Then climb five more minutes to San Miniato al Monte. The monks sing vespers in Gregorian chant every evening at 6:30 PM, according to San Miniato al Monte. Entry is free. It is the most peaceful half hour in Florence. my Piazzale Michelangelo tips has more on the walk and the views.
Local tip: Bring a drink from a shop in San Niccolo and sit on the steps. The vendors are fine, but the local move is to arrive with your own.
8:00 PM: Quiet dinner back in the Oltrarno
Walk back down into Santo Spirito or San Niccolo for dinner. Keep it neighborhood: a trattoria you have not tried yet, or the same table if Day 1 was elsewhere.
End with a slow walk along the river. Two days is enough to feel Florence, and short enough that you will want a third.
Day of the week traps
Mondays: The Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello and the Palatine Gallery at Palazzo Pitti are closed. Use a Monday for the Duomo complex, Palazzo Vecchio, markets, artisan streets and Boboli (except the first and last Monday of the month).
Thursdays: Palazzo Vecchio often closes earlier than other weekdays. If the tower or apartments are on your list, check hours that morning.
Sundays: The cathedral is closed to visitors. The dome opens only in the afternoon. The ground floor of the Mercato Centrale is shut, and many trattorias including Mario, Sostanza and La Casalinga are closed. Trattoria 4 Leoni is open.
First Sunday of the month: State museums are often free and crowded. Book another day for the Uffizi and Accademia when you can.
November 2026 Duomo complex: Giotto's Bell Tower is closed from 9 to 13 November 2026. Brunelleschi's dome is closed from 16 to 20 November 2026. Confirm on the official Duomo ticket site before you buy.
Museum of the Opera del Duomo: Closed on the first Tuesday of each month.
Boboli Gardens: Closed on the first and last Monday of each month. Winter hours end at 4:30 PM with last entry an hour earlier.
For other short term closures, start with Florence travel alerts for November and December 2026.
Where to stay for these two days
Sleep in the historic center or the Oltrarno so both mornings are a short walk. Day 1 favors a base north of the river near the Duomo or San Lorenzo. Day 2 favors the Oltrarno. Either works if you are willing to cross the bridge once each day. I break the city down by neighborhood, with luxury plus mid range and budget friendly picks, in where to stay in Florence by neighborhood. For the wider hotel shortlist, see my Florence hotel guides.
Map of key stops
Tap a name to open it in Google Maps. These are the anchors behind both days.
Keep exploring
FAQ
Is 2 days in Florence enough?
Yes for a first visit that covers the highlights without sprinting. Day 1 handles David, the Duomo and the Uffizi. Day 2 handles the Oltrarno, Boboli and the hill. You will not see every museum, and that is fine.
How is this 2 day plan different from the one day and 3 day itineraries?
The one day guide packs the classics into a single long day. The three day guide spreads them out and leaves Day 3 open for hills, a second museum or shopping. This two day plan keeps Day 1 for the north bank classics and Day 2 for the Oltrarno, Boboli and San Miniato.
What should I book before a 2 day trip to Florence?
Book timed entries for the Accademia and the Uffizi on their official sites, a Duomo dome slot if you want the climb, and at least one dinner. The cathedral floor is free. Leave Mondays free of Uffizi and Accademia bookings.
What is closed on Mondays in Florence?
The Uffizi, the Accademia, the Bargello and the Palatine Gallery at Palazzo Pitti are closed on Monday. The Duomo complex, Palazzo Vecchio and most churches stay open. Boboli is open except on the first and last Monday of the month.
Is the Duomo dome open in November 2026?
Yes, except from 16 to 20 November 2026, when the dome closes for maintenance. Giotto's Bell Tower closes earlier, from 9 to 13 November 2026. Confirm your exact dates on the official Duomo ticket site before you pay.
Where should I stay for a 2 day visit?
Stay near the Duomo, Santa Croce or in the Oltrarno so you can walk to both days. I map luxury, mid range and budget friendly hotels by neighborhood in my where to stay guide, and I keep a wider hotel shortlist on the Hotels page.
Can I do Boboli Gardens in November?
Yes. In November through February Boboli opens at 8:15 AM and closes at 4:30 PM, with last entry an hour earlier. It is closed on the first and last Monday of each month. Confirm on the official Uffizi Boboli page the morning you go.
What time are vespers at San Miniato al Monte?
The monks sing vespers in Gregorian chant every evening at 6:30 PM, according to San Miniato's own contact page. Entry is free. Pair it with sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo, a short walk below.
Should I visit the Uffizi on Day 1 or Day 2?
Put the Uffizi on Day 1 with the Accademia and the Duomo, then keep Day 2 for the river, Boboli and the hill. If your only open museum day is Day 2, swap the plan and do museums then.
Do I need a car for 2 days in Florence?
No. The historic center is a ZTL limited traffic zone, parking is hard, and every stop on this plan is walkable or a short bus ride up to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Planning a tighter or longer trip? Start with my one day in Florence itinerary or 3 days in Florence: a complete first timer's guide, and lock a neighborhood with where to stay in Florence by neighborhood.
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