Florence in One Day: A Walking Itinerary You Can't Miss

Florence has been called a little city with lots of big things, and while seeing Florence in a one day may seem totally impossible, I promise you that it's not! This article will walk you through my personal experience so that you too can maximize your time in this one-of-a-kind Renaissance city.

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Florence: The Center of the Universe
Start at Basilica Santa Maria Novella
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Make your way to Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Venture to Piazza della Signoria
Arrive at The Uffizi Gallery
Experience Oltrarno
Places to Go in Your "Oltrarno" Florence in One Day Itinerary
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Florence: The Center of the Universe

For many of us, we often get immersed in daily life and lose sight of the beauty all around us. We have gathered here today to be reminded of the beauty of Florence, a Tuscan city that ought to be experienced by everyone.

I love Florence's cosmopolitan spirit, the grace of its Renaissance structures, and the cathedral architecture that houses masterpieces by notable painters, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo's sculptures.

Every time, Florence continues to wow me.

In this article, I will be crossing the Arno on foot and exploring a livelier Florence away from the traditional tourist routes. Therefore, I am pleased to provide my walking itinerary from Oltrarno to Piazza Santa Maria Novella to all of you.

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Start at Basilica Santa Maria Novella

I pause to take in the beauty of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, which faces the plaza with the same name, before moving on to the Oltrarno.

From the Florence Central Station, it's only a short walk away. The Basilica's front, which is made of light and dark marble, is magnificent. An excellent illustration of the Renaissance in Florence.

It is highly recommended that you visit it if you have at least thirty minutes to spare in order to see the renowned Crucifix by Giotto (which is situated in the center of the nave) and the Botticelli fresco, the Adoration of the Child.

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Make your way to Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

From Piazza Santa Maria Novella, I go to Piazza del Duomo. I've just arrived in Florence's historic center.

If you don't have a stiff neck, look up and see the incomparable grandeur of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni.

The colossal structure is totally covered with expensive Carrara, Prato, and Siena marble, which has distinctive white, red, and green colors. If you only have a few days in Florence, I suggest scheduling a visit to the Duomo Museum. It stands on the north-east side of the Piazza and has notable works by Donatello as well as Michelangelo's famed "Pietà Bandini."

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Venture to Piazza della Signoria

Via dei Calzaiuoli, the perfect retail street, is what I pass on my way from Piazza Duomo to Piazza della Signoria. The plaza has long been seen as a representation of the political might of classical Florence.

You can even get perplexed by the square's overwhelming splendor. Because of this, I advise you to do what I did and take a seat in one of the classy cafés to enjoy a little leisure time.

Due to its size, Palazzo Vecchio is the main feature of the plaza. It was formerly home to the Florentine magistrates who presided over the city in the fourteenth century. The Loggia dei Lanzi is a must-see location while visiting Piazza della Signoria, in my view.

This is where you can see the well-known bronze statue of Benvenuto Cellini clutching the head of a Medusa, as well as Giambologna's painting of the Sabine Women.

Curiously, neither the well-known Michelangelo David at the palace entrance nor the two Donatello pieces by the door—the bronze Judith and Holofernes and the stone lion—are the originals. The Academy Gallery is home to the original David. "Il Marzocco," Donatello's lion, is housed at Florence's Bargello Museum. And the original painting of Judith and Holofernes is located in the Sala dei Gigli at Palazzo Vecchio.

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Arrive at The Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi is one of the most significant museums on the planet. From Piazza della Signoria, you can be there in less than five minutes.

To ensure that you don't miss any of the most exquisite examples of Italian Renaissance art, ranging from Michelangelo to Raphael and Titian to Botticelli, it is highly recommended to stop here in order to take in a meticulously guided tour.

After, the moment has arrived to speed up and cross the Arno. You can stroll between historic structures and charming outdoor bars for 20 minutes. I pass under the congested Ponte Vecchio, one of Florence's most famous and "instagrammed" locations. I quickly arrive at the Oltrarno by strolling down Via de' Guicciardini.

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Experience Oltrarno

The neighborhood "beyond" the Arno is called Oltrarno. Squares, churches, and gardens abound in this bustling neighborhood. Here are the top leather artists with their hospitable "workshops" where they showcase their distinctive and unmistakably "made in Italy" products, ranging from leather gloves to handcrafted shoes, purses to belts. Without doubt, if asked what Florence smells like, I would respond leather. A timeless scent that is both harsh and sweet at the same time.

In addition to gastronomy, Oltrarno offers history, art, architecture, shopping, and more. It will be challenging to decide where to dine since there are so many trattorias and bars. Don't hesitate, however; every decision you make will be superb.

In addition to fresh handmade pasta, seasonal vegetables, and the irresistible appetizers based on Tuscan cured meats, I suggest you sample the house specialties, which include wild boar plates for meat aficionados.

Take a stroll between Piazza Santo Spirito and Borgo San Frediano as a present to yourself now. Continue down Via Sant'Agostino after leaving the Santo Spirito area, which is flanked by pubs, clubs, and restaurants and has a tree-lined plaza.

Reach Borgo San Frediano in fifteen minutes, a quarter retaining its authentic, popular vibe. The city's greatest workshops for Florentine craftsmen may be found here, where the turmoil of the city has subsided.

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Places to Go in Your "Oltrarno" Florence in One Day Itinerary

The following are some of the must-visit places in Oltrarno:

Check Out Palazzo Pitti

I was standing in front of Palazzo Pitti, the most opulent Florentine mansion located in the Oltrarno neighborhood. Back in the mid-1400s, Luca Pitti, a Florentine merchant with wealth as deep as a philosopher's ideas, was the guy behind this 200-meter-long structure. A century later, Cosimo I de' Medici turned it into a hub with four museums featuring sculptures and Neoclassical paintings.

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Make a Pilgrimage to The Basilica of Santo Spirito

This place is traditionally considered to be Brunelleschi's Florentine masterpiece. And inside you'll discover the wooden Crucifix shaped by none other than Michelangelo himself!

Stoll Around Boboli's Garden

The Medici dynasty constructed the Boboli Gardens, which are located behind the Pitti Palace. The Lorraines and the Savoys thereafter looked for the upkeep of this magnificent Italian park. Known as a "monumental garden" for its massive sculptures like Buontalenti Grotto and Bacchino Fountain.

A few hours are needed at minimum to visit it. Make your way to Piazzale Michelangelo for a breathtaking aerial perspective of the park. Considering the distance, I advise either public transportation or a vehicle.

Go See The Church of Santa Felicita

Among Florence's oldest churches. It has several significant Renaissance masterpieces, such as Pontorno's Altarpiece of the Deposition. A light above the altar has to be turned on in order to properly see the artwork. To do so, place one euro into the designated slot.

Visit The Church of San Frediano in Cestello

San Frediano is among the churches I liked the most. Within lies the Madonna, a venerated wooden figure that dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries.

It is now time to bid the Oltrarno farewell. As I approach the Santa Trinita Bridge, I take my time and casually stroll. Considerably less congested than Ponte Vecchio, and maybe for this reason, Florentines like it best, particularly in the evening.

It offers you a different and somewhat less touristic viewpoint of Florence, maybe because you can enjoy a more serene view of the Ponte Vecchio from here, or perhaps because you can quickly return to the center.

Cross the Arno at nightfall to experience the evening's soft hues flowing beneath, as I did. It's the perfect spot for an aperitif or to eat pizza with fresh cherry tomatoes while strolling along one of Italy's most picturesque bridges.