We will have one day to see Florence. We plan on seeing "David" and visiting the Uffizi Museum. Any other "must see" items you recommend?
You will spend a at least 1.5 hours at Accademia and at least 2 hours at Ufizzi - take a leisurely walk from one to the other finding lunch and a break. It's a very overwhelming day.
Climb to the top of the Duomo for a not to be missed view of Florence. Walk the Ponte Vecchio to window shop. Find the open air market to shop for leathers and other souveniers (weekends are best for this)
Watch the sunset from the Piazzale Michaelangelo, and visit the Pitti Palace-we were overwhelmed with the amount of art!
I wouldn't do anymore inside. Florence's central areas are compact enough to do lots of nice walking. You'll regret not saving time to stroll along with a gelato near the river Arno. BTW, the Uffizi is rather long; the Accademia is much smaller with really "David" as the main event (But well worth it!).
We climbed the dome and though it was worth it, but go early or late and remember it's 360 steps and in cramped quarters.
Florence is a beautiful city! Enjoy!
Jonah
One day is too rushed to take in 2 museums but doable. Please make sure you get the tickets in advance because the ticket to the Uffizi is usually for the next day.
Just stroll along the main course take in the feel and enjoy the italian ice.
If you did not make it to the museums the walking tour will take one whole day.
Try to have dinner at Il Latini...fun atmosphere, great food, worth the wait. And I love the gelato at Vivoli, a few blocks from the Uffizi.
The Accademia is a must. If you really like religious renaissance art, you will like the Ufizzi. It simply has tons of paintings of the Madonna con il Bambino or Christ being crucified. If you are so-so on the art, I would skip the Ufizzi. The Duomo dome has something like 463 stairs and if you want to do that, it opens at 8:30 (I think). Go early. It's cooler. A suggestion of a museum not to be missed is the Duomo Museum that is behind the Duomo and across the street. It's fabulous. It's about 300 feet from the door up to the dome. The rest is walking, shops and gelato.
I agree with larry the Duomo museum is a great. It has the original architectural drawings of the cathedral - amazing. OK I admit I'm a heathen but I've been to the Uffizi twice and I think there are other much better museums to visit. I love the Bargello. Have a coffe on the roof top and look out over Florence. Also the Medici tombs are amazing with Michelangelo's sculptures. I also loved the Medici palace gardens. Lovely on a nice day. What ever you do I'm sure you will enjoy it.