Florence
Weekend in Florence: 2-Day Itinerary, Budget Tips and Where to Stay
Quick answer: a weekend in Florence works best as two well-paced days: day one for the historic centre (Duomo, Signoria, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio), day two for the Oltrarno (Palazzo Pitti, Boboli, Santo Spirito) and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. Book the Uffizi and the Dome online, arrive by train if you can, and stay within walking distance of the centre but away from the crowds: Hotel Firenze 2000 is in the Oltrarno, about 20 minutes on foot from Ponte Vecchio, with rooms for 1 to 5 guests.
Florence is compact, walkable and rewards even a short stay. The real risk on a weekend is trying to see everything and going home more tired than you arrived. This itinerary comes from people who live in the city every day: realistic pacing, proper breaks and the things you must book before you go.
Before you go: 4 things to sort out
- Tickets. The Uffizi, the Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David) and the Brunelleschi Dome climb are booked online. At weekends the best time slots go quickly.
- Train, car or plane. By train you arrive at Santa Maria Novella, already in town. By car, remember the centre is a ZTL restricted zone: pick a hotel outside it (see our guide to a Florence hotel with parking outside the ZTL). Flying into Florence? The airport tram connects to the city; details below.
- Comfortable shoes. The cobbles are as beautiful as they are tiring.
- Where to sleep. Decide whether you want to be in the middle of the crowds or in a lived-in neighbourhood a short walk away. More on that below.
Day 1: the historic centre
Morning. Start at Piazza del Duomo: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery. If you booked the Dome, go up early, when queues are shorter.
Lunch. Skip the places with menus in ten languages in front of the monuments: walk a couple of streets away.
Afternoon. Piazza della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi, then the Uffizi. Allow at least two to three hours and decide in advance which rooms you don’t want to miss.
Evening. Cross Ponte Vecchio at sunset, when the goldsmiths’ windows light up, and have dinner in the Oltrarno. From the hotel the Arno is about 9 minutes on foot, so getting back is a stroll, not a trip.
Day 2: the Oltrarno and the view over the city
Morning. Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, under 20 minutes on foot from the hotel. Boboli is great with children too: avenues, fountains, statues and glimpses of the city.
Lunch. Piazza Santo Spirito, about 10 minutes from the hotel: the square where Florentines actually spend their time, with Brunelleschi’s basilica and neighbourhood trattorias.
Afternoon. Artisan workshops along Via Maggio, Borgo San Jacopo and San Frediano: leather, furniture restorers, antiques. Art lovers should stop at the Brancacci Chapel in Piazza del Carmine.
Sunset. Piazzale Michelangelo, the postcard view over the Duomo, the Arno and the hills. From the hotel it takes 15–25 minutes by public transport, or a pleasant uphill walk.
Visiting in November or December? Add the Florence Christmas market in Santa Croce and the city lights. With a third day, follow our 3-day Florence itinerary.
How much does a weekend in Florence cost?
Your budget depends mostly on when you go and where you sleep:
- Hotel: the heart of the centre costs more at weekends and on holiday weekends; staying about 20 minutes’ walk away, as in the Oltrarno, usually saves money without giving up walking everywhere. Prices vary a lot by date, so check availability for your nights.
- Museums: budget for Uffizi and Dome tickets and booking fees.
- Transport: you’ll walk almost everywhere; a city bus and tram ticket is valid for 90 minutes from validation.
- Car: if you drive, factor in parking. Our partner garage costs €30 per 24 hours, with valet pick-up.
Where to stay for a weekend in Florence
| Hotel in the tourist core | Hotel Firenze 2000, Oltrarno | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to landmarks | A few steps | Ponte Vecchio about 20 minutes on foot |
| Evenings | Crowds and noise | Residential street, quieter |
| Arriving by train | Walking with luggage | T1 from Santa Maria Novella to Paolo Uccello, then about 9 minutes on foot |
| Arriving by car | ZTL and expensive parking | Outside the ZTL, partner garage €30/24h |
| Rooms for 3–5 guests | Rare | Triple, Quadruple and 5-guest rooms |
The right room for your weekend:
- As a couple: the Double Room with a double bed.
- With friends: the Twin Room or the Triple.
- As a family: the Quadruple or the 5-guest room, everyone together. A cot is available on request (€10 per night, ages 0–2). More tips in where to stay in Florence with kids.
All rooms have a private bathroom, air conditioning, heating and free Wi-Fi. In the morning there’s a homemade sweet and savoury breakfast buffet, served in the breakfast room or the courtyard in good weather.
Tip for your last day
If your train or flight leaves in the afternoon, ask for late check-out: when you book on the official website it’s free, subject to availability, and saves you dragging bags around town. Flying? See our guide to a hotel near Florence airport with the tram route.
Book your weekend
- Check exhibitions and events for your dates.
- Choose your room by the number of guests.
- Book on the official website: best rate guaranteed, no commission, free late check-out when available. See our rooms.
- Questions about arrival or rooms? Contact us.
Want to know the neighbourhood better? Read our Santo Spirito and Oltrarno guide or where to stay in Florence.
