Florence - An Itinerary for a Perfect Day
When you experience something so enchanting and delicious that it stirs your emotions to new depths of satisfaction and adoration then surly you must share it right?! That’s why I’ve put together this itinerary for a perfectly lovely day in Florence. It has great food, gelato, shopping, sightseeing, artisans at work, churches, piazzas, and all the views you could ever ask for!
I spent this perfect day in Florence on our last trip in November of 2019. It started off with a simple plan really, as most unforgettable days probably do, but it ended up being one of the most memorable and magnificent days from our trip.
Next time you are in Florence I hope you get to recreate this day or at least fill in your own adventure with bits and pieces of it! If you do it all, it may be a full day but it will be worth it!
FIRST STOP - COFFEE, EXPLORING & Florentine SHOPPING
For this first part of the day you should set aside a couple of hours.
We started off our day with a coffee at home but I think a delicious and fancy way (and probably what I would have done if we didn’t have the kids with us) to start the day would be by enjoying a cappucino and cornetto at the oldest Caffe in Florence - Caffe Gilli (open everyday 7:30am - 1am). Located in Piazza della Republica, Caffe Gilli was founded in 1733. How incredible is that!
After a lovely coffee, check out Piazza della Republica (if you have young kids there is a carousel in this piazza that is a must) and then make your way down Via Calimala to the Marcato del Porcellino (open everyday 9am - 6:30pm). Rub the nose of the Porcellino (little pig) fountain for good luck and then take some time to peruse or do a bit of shopping.
After the Marcato del Porcellino head to Piazza Signoria, a straight shot on Via Calimaruzza. Spend some time taking in the Palazzo Vecchio, statues, fountains, and all of it’s grandness!
SECOND STOP - LUNCH AT ALL’ANTICO VINAIO
From Piazza della Signoria, pass by the statue of David and take Via della Ninna which will turn into Via dei Neri. All’Antico Vinaio is less then a 5 min walk from the piazza.
All’Antico Vinaio serves up some fantastically delicious focaccia panini to go (there is a sit down restaurant as well), stand on the corner while you enjoy your panino or take it to Piazza Santa Croce and enjoy it with some good people watching on the side. Continue on down Via Neri, take a left at the light at Via dei Benci, you can’t miss the piazza after that.
All’Antico Vinaio is open 7 days a week. The line can get long but it moves fairly quickly. Their hours have bounced around a bit so check for updated hours before you visit. They should open somewhere between 10 - 11am though.
Located at Via dei Neri 65. Phone 39-055-2382723
>>HERE<< is a link to a more detailed post I wrote about visiting
THIRD STOP - GELATERIA DEI NERI
(optional - there will be a stop for gelato later too)
If you decide to enjoy your panini in Piazza Santa Croce than you will have to backtrack a bit for this stop. But if you are craving a sweet, delicious and authentic gelato before the next stop than Gelateria dei Neri is worth it. This place is loved by both locals and tourists alike and every flavor that I have ever tried is fantastic!
Open Tues - Thurs & Sun from 10:30am to 12am, Fri & Sat from 10:30am to 1am, Closed Mon.
Located at Via dei Neri 9. Phone 39-055-210034
FOURTH STOP - SANTA CROCE CHURCH AND Leather school
This stop should be given a couple of hours at least. There is so much to see in this unique and gorgeous church. From the basilica with the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, to it’s museum, chapels and cloisters, it is true pleasure to walk around and take in all the sacred beauty. At the end of your touring make sure you don’t miss the Scuola del Cuoio (Leather school) where you will be able to watch the artists at work creating anything from hand bags to journals to small trays with gold leaf inlays. It is incredibly fascinating to watch this type of art being created before your eyes. And if you feel like splurging a bit on something truly unique then take a stroll through the leather school’s gift shop. >>HERE<< is the website if you would like to learn more about their history.
Church hours - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11am to 5:15pm. Last admission 4:15. Sunday and Religious Holidays 1pm to 5:15. Last admission 4:15.
Cost - 8 euros for adults, 18 and under is free with an adult admission, children 0 -11 enter for free. You can purchase tickets at the door or online if you will be visiting during a busy time of year. >>HERE<< is the link to purchase online
There are restrooms here, located in the courtyard near the exit.
Fifth stop - Il Gelato di Filo
Before we head to our next stop, take a few minutes to enjoy the beauty of Piazza Santa Croce and the leather shops too if you’d like. Then get ready to go on a little 10 min walk :) From Piazza Santa Croce take Via dei Benci towards the river and cross the Ponte alle Grazie bridge. From here you can continue on straight and then take a left on Via di San Niccolò. Walk for a bit until you come a Y in the road where it splits off into Via di San Niccolò and Via San Miniato. Head right, you will see the ancient stone walls of the city and Porta San Miniato. Il Gelato di filo will be on your left. There is a fontanella drinking fountain on the left as well before you cross under the Porta. This is the perfect place to fill up your water bottle.
This gelato shop is on the way to or from our next stop Piazzale Michelangelo. If you had a gelato at Gelateria Neri you might not be ready for this stop. You could hit this little delicious (and non tourist priced) gelateria on the way back down. The day we went we skipped Gelateria Neri and stopped here after Santa Croce and before climbing the steps up to Piazzale Michelangelo. If you aren’t in the mood for gelato but need a little snack before heading up the hill there are many placed to grab something quickly.
Sixth Stop - Piazzale Michelangelo
From Porta San Miniato go straight on Via del Monte alle Croci until you see a long set of stairs on your left. This is the Scalea del Monte alle Croci steps and they will take you up to Piazzale Michelangelo quickly. Take a left at the top.
The views from Piazza Michelangelo are some of the most spectacular in Florence including the duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Arno river and ancient city walls. If you are here at sunset then you are in for a real treat too! Be ready to take a few moments here to just take in all the beauty of the skyline. Grab a Spritz in a bottle from one of the vender trucks, sit, sip, take pictures, check out the bronze copy of David in the middle of the piazza, people watch, breathe it all in :)
What’s next?
After Piazzale Michelangelo there are many many things you could do. Here are a few ideas to get you dreaming!
Head up Viale Galeleo (the road the steps dropped you at) and visit the San Miniato Church. Open 9:30 to 7 (closed from 1-3). The views from this church are incredible. Different from that of Piazzale Michelangelo. The church itself as well as the surrounding cemetery are beautiful to walk around. There is a public restroom along the road to here that costs 1 euro to use. Open 10am - 8pm.
If you want to stay by Piazzale Michelangelo for a bit more you could see the rose garden (open 9-5), walk the paths back down that wind through the trees and finish in Piazza Poggi with it’s tower and fountains, or stay and dine at La Loggia del Piazzale Michelangelo (opposite side from the view. open everyday 11am - 11pm)
If you wanted to do some more sightseeing and possible shopping you could head on over to the Ponte Vecchio, about a 20 walk (shops should be open until about 7pm).
If you are up for a beautiful 25 min walk you could head to Piazza Santo Spirito to see the church and the fountains. And if you have worked up and appetite and want an incredible dinner, eat at Osteria Santo Spirito (Open everyday 12pm - 3pm and then 7pm - 11:30pm) depending on the time of year, reservations are probably necessary. Phone - +39 055 238 2383 Website - www.osteriasantospirito.it