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Florence in 2 days on foot: an itinerary from Santa Maria Novella

Panorama del Duomo di Firenze con il Campanile di Giotto

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Quick answer

In 2 days on foot you can see the best of Florence: on day one Santa Maria Novella, Mercato Centrale, the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio; on day two the Oltrarno, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, Santa Croce and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. Book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the Dome climb online.

Florence is compact and perfect on foot: in two well-planned days you can see the most famous masterpieces without rushing. This itinerary starts from Santa Maria Novella and Piazza Ognissanti, where our apartments are, and is designed for travellers who like to walk and hate queues.

Day 1: what to see in the morning?

  1. Basilica of Santa Maria Novella: start early with Alberti’s façade and Ghirlandaio’s frescoes in the Tornabuoni Chapel.
  2. Mercato Centrale (San Lorenzo): 10 minutes away, for a Tuscan snack upstairs.
  3. Duomo, Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower: to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome you must book a time slot in advance.
Florence Cathedral panorama with Giotto's Bell Tower
Florence Cathedral with Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower

Day 1: what to do in the afternoon?

  1. Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, with the Loggia dei Lanzi.
  2. Uffizi Gallery: allow at least 2-3 hours and book ahead.
  3. Ponte Vecchio at sunset, then walk back along the Arno to Piazza Ognissanti (about 15 minutes).

Day 2: what to see in the Oltrarno?

  1. Ponte Santa Trinita and the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno.
  2. Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens: best in the cooler hours.
  3. Santo Spirito, the liveliest square in the area, for lunch.

Day 2: where to watch the sunset in Florence?

In the afternoon cross to Santa Croce, then climb to Piazzale Michelangelo (about 20-25 minutes uphill) for the city’s most famous sunset view. If you have time, continue to San Miniato al Monte.

Ponte Vecchio over the Arno in Florence
Ponte Vecchio, a must on day one

What about the Accademia and the David?

To see Michelangelo’s David, add the Accademia on the morning of day one, right after the Mercato Centrale — it’s 5 minutes away. Booking is strongly recommended.

Practical tips for 2 days in Florence

  • Book the Uffizi, Accademia and Dome online to skip long queues.
  • Wear comfortable shoes: you’ll walk 10-15 km a day.
  • On your last day, leave your bags at Luggage Storage Hub (Via Palazzuolo 170, 7am-11pm) and explore hands-free until departure.
  • You don’t need a car: see why in our Florence ZTL guide.
  • Got a free hour? Explore the lesser-known sights near Piazza Ognissanti, like Botticelli’s tomb.

Where to stay for this itinerary?

Piazza Ognissanti is an ideal base: 5 minutes from the station and 15 from the Duomo. Our apartments L&D 51 Suites, Suite Mariasole and Suite Piccolo Principe are perfect for it.

The perfect base to explore Florence on foot

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FAQ

Are 2 days enough for Florence?

Yes. Two days are enough to see Florence’s main sights on foot if you book the busiest museums in advance.

Can you see Florence on foot?

Yes. Florence’s historic centre is compact: the main sights are 5-20 minutes’ walk from each other.

What is the best viewpoint in Florence?

The most famous viewpoint is Piazzale Michelangelo, especially at sunset.

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