To be honest: visiting Florence in 2 days is almost impossible…you would need at least 2 months… we have been living here for 30 years and we still haven’t seen it all.
But if you don’t have any other possibilities, we can give you a couple of tips to don’t miss anything in 2 days in Florence. Arriving early in the morning is a good start, leave your luggage (if you sleep in one of the Residences in Florence we can easily recommend you where) and start walking. Florence, if you walk around, is really small. The peculiarity is that it has so many beauties, places full of art and history that there are millions of things to see… but let’s not loose time.
Two days in Florence: what not to miss
We start from the Central Station of Florence Santa Maria Novella, the ideal point to begin our walk.
From the station of Florence we proceed towards the Duomo of Florence along Via Panzani. Immediately on the right is the church of Santa Maria Novella, just to give you an idea of what is waiting for you… well, as Florentines, we suggest a little detour… it’s only a few steps and then you can go back to your program. Stop to see the square and the facade of one of the most beautiful churches in Florence: Santa Maria Novella.
Let’s return to our steps. Continue along Via Panzani, a very busy street especially for the number of stores. Around the corner you should already see the cupola of the Duomo and if you are like us, should have already enchanted you.
Continue straight and enjoy the effect of the Duomo and the Baptistery of Florence that slowly emerge in all their magnificence… and you are in Piazza Duomo. Take your time for photos, lots of photos ( if you would like to share with us, it would be just a pleasure: the first time at the Cathedral of Florence – #leresidenzeafirenze) and then again towards Via Roma until Piazza della Repubblica and the obelisk the true center of the city of Florence.
Going straight ahead you will find on your left the church of Orsanmichele, originally the granary of the city of Florence, and you will arrive at the New Market Square also known as the Market of Straw – because here merchants sold the famous straw hats of Florence. The square is all known as the Porcellino Market so called for the famous fountain of the Porcellino, one of the most important monuments of Florence that represents a wild boar. If you don’t find it, you just have to look for it in the crowd of people who usually group there for photographs or to touch the nose of the little pig which, according to local tradition, seems to bring good luck: that’s why the nose is shinier than the rest of the statue! The way to obtain a good auspice would be to put a coin in the Porcellino’s mouth after rubbing his nose: if the coin falls over the grate, where the water falls, it will bring good luck, otherwise not.
Palazzo Vecchio: even if you have only 2 days in Florence, you can't miss the seat of the municipality of Florence
After the Porcellino you will want to go straight because surely you will have already caught a glimpse of the famous Ponte Vecchio, but no, we have another stop first. Walk towards Via Calimaruzza and you’ll find yourself in Piazza della Signoria, the civil power in Florence. In front of you the majestic Palazzo della Signoria, on the left the statue of Biancone and to your right the Loggia dei Lanzi.
An extraordinary square! Here, if you want, there is time for a stop at the Revoir bar one of the oldest bars in the history of Florence.
Are you refreshed? Let’s go!
From here, if you were in the 1500’s as part of the Medici family, you could cross in great secrecy the entire city of Florence to reach the Boboli Gardens thanks to the Vasari corridor. But we’re in the 21st century and, considering that we’re just ordinary citizens, we have to wait until at least 2021 to see it when the corridor reopens with a whole new museum itinerary. So let us be guided by the walls of the Uffizi Gallery and let’s go all straight to our river, the Arno. It is not wonderful to see how Florence reflects in its waters isn’t it? And there it is, on the right Ponte Vecchio the only bridge in Florence that was not destroyed during World War II.
95 meters long, it is the site of the ancient goldsmith workshops of Florence and runs to the Arno River to Piazza Pitti and Palazzo Pitti, which was the residence of the Medici family. In palazzo Pitti there is one of the most incredible gardens in Florence: Boboli. We are lucky enough to have one of our residences nearby – Residenza Benizzi, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Boboli Gardens… and not only!
We have enjoyed all the most important places in Florence, to be completely satisfied we would miss only two important stops: Piazza Santa Croce and Piazzale Michelangelo.
Santa Croce where you can breathe the Bella Vita Fiorentina
But first we would recommend a good Florentine lunch!
A sandwich or schiacciata in one of the stores of Florence, and then leave towards the church of Santa Croce or Piazzale Michelangelo.
The church of Santa Croce is a symbol of Florence and a meeting place for great artists, theologians, literary scholars, humanists. The great statue of Dante just in front of the facade of the church proves it. Today Santa Croce remains a meeting place for young and old Florentines and foreigners for aperitifs and dinners.
Breathtaking skyline that perfectly captures your 2 days in Florence
Instead Piazzale Michelangelo gives you one of the most incredible views of Florence.
For those who are not tired of walking, you can climb from the Rampe del Poggi, behind Torre San Niccolò, on the other side of the Arno.
Not exactly an easy walk but, the fountains, waterfalls and water games that you can admire, repay the efforts. Not to mention what awaits you at the end of the climb …
For those who prefer not to walk you can take a cab, a private driver or public transport (line 12 or 13 ataf – December 2020)
From Piazzale Michelangelo, if you are able not to fall into the Stendhal syndrome, you could easily reach the church of San Miniato.
Now you should be tired and satisfied enough to return to your accommodation.
For the second day we always suggest to book in advance a couple of museums that you would like to visit (the Cathedral complex of Florence – including the dome and the Giotto bell tower – the Uffizi and the Boboli garden with Palazzo Pitti) or, if you are staying in one of our Residences, you can choose one of our experience to enjoy your vacation in Florence
At the end of these 2 days you should have with you a nice long list of things to do and see on your next trip to Florence!
BUONA VISITA!!