Weekend Getaway to Florence

If you only have the weekend in Florence, it pays to have a planned itinerary. There is just so much to see and do in this picturesque city that you cannot fit it all into a few days. Whether you are coming for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Three days and two nights in Florence can be packed with a culture like museums, galleries, and theatres or full of fun such as boating and playing at the park. Couples will love an evening boat ride on the River Arno or a romantic dinner at a rooftop restaurant.

Regardless of why you are in Florence, if you want to see as much as you can from Friday night when you arrive on Sunday when you leave, we want to help. We have some suggestions for everyone. Remember, when out and about in the city, don’t drag along heavy shopping parcels and bags. Leave them in a luggage storage locker in Florence while you tour around. 

Friday Night

Salino Restaurant & Wine Bar

After arriving and dropping off your bags, you may want to kick back and relax or enjoy some nightlife. You can do both at Salino Restaurant & Wine Bar. Found on Via Ghibellina, this place is just as well-known for its food as its bar scene. They have everything from Chianti with a thick T-bone or ribeye steak to gin and tonic with wild boar stew. 

Saturday

Breakfast at Leonardo’s

Leonardo’s artisanal bakery is well-known for its handmade biscuits, flatbread, and amazing cantucci, which are Italian almond cookies. Located in the Sant'ambrogio neighbourhood, enjoy watching the bakers at work as you choose your breakfast items. 

Florence Cathedral and the Duomo

In the Piazza del Duomo, start out at the Cathedral, built between 1296 and 1436. It is the most well-known landmark in the city with its 376-foot tall dome. Crowned with a lantern and cross, you can see the dome from anywhere in the city.

Inside, you can find a collection of artistry such as the huge clock made by Paolo Uccello, the Divine Comedy painting by Domenico di Michelino, and the equestrian statue of Niccolo da Tolentino. And the details of the artwork under the dome are also exquisite including the Last Judgement.
Florence Baptistry (Baptistry of St. John)

Also in the Piazza del Duomo, the Florence Baptistery is one of the oldest structures in Florence, constructed between 1059 and 1128. Built in a Romanesque style, the Baptistry has some of the most beautiful architectural designs as well as its famous detailed bronze doors.

Many notable residents were baptized here, including poet Dante Alighieri and the Medici family. It also contains the tomb of Antipope John XXIII designed by Michelozzo Michelozzi and Donatello. Do not miss the mosaic floors and ceiling, which are works of art as well.
Giotto’s Campanile (Bell Tower)

Also known as Giotto’s Bell Tower, the campanile is part of the Florence Cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo. At 279 feet high, it is divided into five sections. The bells section and four sections of works of art. The tower has no elevators, so plan to walk up the 414 steps to the top.

The first section is the hexagonal panels on the lower level that celebrates the creation of man. The lozenges on the second level have four sections: Planets, Theological Virtues, Liberal Arts, and the Seven Sacraments. The next level features four statues in each niche. The last section includes the next three levels of the tower. 

Lunch at the Shake Café

The Shake Café has three locations in Florence so you can find one nearby no matter where you are. Start with a salad or salmon toast and fill up with a turkey BLT, club sandwich, or Kimchi grilled cheese. Or you can have one of their six wrap flavors. Don’t forget to try one of their famous shakes or smoothies. 

Accademia Galleria

Although it is the smaller of the two main art galleries, Accademia Galleria holds the most famous sculpture in the world, David by Michelangelo. The rest of the collection is nothing to scoff at either, with four other works by Michelangelo as well as Orcagna, Alessandro Allori, and Pontormo.
Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is a major art gallery located in the Piazza della Signoria. Built in the late 1500s, the complex holds some of the most important artworks in the world. You can see Self-Portrait as a Young Man by Rembrandt, Flora by Titian, The Annunciation by Da Vinci, and the Holy Family by Michelangelo.
Dinner at Osteria del Porcellino

Osteria del Porcellino is right across the street from the Porcellino Fountain where you can make a wish by putting a coin in the boar’s mouth and rubbing his snout for luck. At this beautiful establishment, you can find stewed boar, fried lamb, and Florentine veal ossobuco. Don’t miss the tiramisu or zuccotto for dessert. 

Pink Club

Stop in for a nightcap and some fun at Pink Club. Whether you want to dance to the beats hosted by famous DJs or sit at one of the comfy booths and enjoy some drinks before bed, Pink has what you want. On certain nights they even have themes with lights and entertainment. 

Sunday

Boboli Gardens

After breakfast, take a stroll through the Boboli Gardens and Park behind the Pitti Palace. Besides rose and crocus gardens, the park has some amazing fountains here, including the Fountain of the Ocean and the Fountain of Neptune. Don’t miss the Apollo, Ceres, and Jupiter sculptures by Baccio Bandinelli from the 1500s.

Shopping

Since it is your last day in Florence, be sure to do some shopping for souvenirs. The Florence Gift Shop on Via de’ Neri is a nice small place to find inexpensive souvenirs. But if you want to shop at a mall with lots of choices, try the Firenze Mall. It has over 35 shops like Versace and Gucci and two eateries for lunch.

Make sure you try some of the Italian and Tuscan cuisines while you are in town. Naked ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta, lampredotto (tripe sandwich), and prosciutto are all very popular. And you cannot leave without trying their gelato. They are famous for it, after all.


Sources

https://www.visitflorence.com/itineraries-in-florence/a-weekend-in-florence.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/tuscany/florence/articles/florence-travel-guide/
https://www.roughguides.com/articles/a-day-by-day-itinerary-for-the-perfect-weekend-in-florence/
https://www.heatheronhertravels.com/a-perfect-weekend-in-florence/
https://www.comune.fi.it/
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/15-foods-you-must-try-in-florence-italy/