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Florence 1 day itinerary help

We are based in Bologna and expect to take a train and arrive in Florence at 9:30 Am
We would like to see the following not in any specific order.
I am figuring walks between destinations to be 30 minutes and probably 1 to 2 hours per site
Which destination should I purchase timed tickets? Or just do it for all sites.

  1. academia 1 hour , I was planning to do last in the afternoon so not to rush timed tickets 3:00 pm
  2. Bargello museum would be the first museum to see walk to Ponte Vecchio 2-3 hours tickets 10:00am
  3. Doumo museum second 1-2 hours tickets at 1 pm
  4. Mercado San Lorenzo 2 hours or add Uffizi

Train back 18:00 train back Bologna. Should I pre book the train rides? Or on my phone app?
Any real life input walking to and from and visiting the various locations is it too much ?
Should I add Uffizi for 2 hours? Not thinking it’s feasible but curious to hear input
Any ideas appreciated
Thanks
Thanks
Greg

Posted by
11831 posts

I would be on museum overload with those and the Uffizi would put me in a trance on top of all that.

We spent about 90 minutes in the Bargello, I think. If your train is on time and you take a cab, you should be there by 10:00.

The Duomo museum, unless you look at every item or it is very crowded, 60 to 90 minutes is enough. Maybe Bargello, early lunch, then Duomo Museum at 1:00 will work for you.

The Accademia is not complicated and even if you tour it all, I think an hour is enough. Most of your time will be spent at The David, no doubt.

Can you fit in the Uffizi? Not in my opinion. Too much there: even a cursory tour is 2 hours.

The Mercado San Lorenzo? Perhaps you have time after the Accademia. Why not leave that open and see what appeals to you? You might just want a stroll, a coffee, a gelato. If this is in summer, the heat may cave you.

I would prebook trains to save money and I would probably go earlier just to have time to walk through the city, have coffee, and browse, but I am an early morning person,

Posted by
1586 posts

Add the Uffizi. It's a must see. If you have time go to Piazzale Michelangelo. You will have a great view of florence

Posted by
4105 posts

I'm not a morning person, but I agree with Laurel, I'd in fact, get there earlier and leave later.
Aside from the Museums, the amount of art and architecture as you walk around this fabulous city is amazing. I don't think you've accounted enough for just stopping along the way.
As for the Ufifizi, I'd be cross eyed if I tried to include it. Save it for your next trip.

Posted by
16688 posts

Definitely voting with Laurel and Gerri to get into Florence earlier, stay later, and skip the Uffizi! Even an art geek like myself would have been overwhelmed trying to do all 4 museums in one day, and the Uffizi really deserves a dedicated 1/2 day all by itself.

You also wouldn't be taking fuller advantage of chunk of your duomo ticket by just visiting the museum. Your ticket covers all other parts of the complex as well and while you might not be interested in climbing the campanile or dome, the baptistry is a seriously impressive piece of work: I'd highly recommend at least seeing that one.

Where I'd end the day? Up on Piazzale Michelangelo, where you can admire the golden late afternoon/early evening sun on the rooftops of Florence Go early enough to climb a bit further up for a peep into San Miniato al Monte:

https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-monuments/piazzale-michelangelo.html
https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/san-miniato.html

There are a couple of casual so-so little cafes on or very near the the piazzale that, while I wouldn't eat at the them, are fine for a drink and resting of the toes. The more upscale La Loggia is supposed to be very good, though.

https://loggiapiazzalemichelangelo.com/la-loggia/

Posted by
187 posts

O thanks for the input. One more question

I am selecting times tickets for entering

I know Acadameia is required to avoid lines. Is the afternoon any different than morning?

I am sure Doumo Museum needs times entry.

But do I need timed entry for the Bargello Museum and Medici Chapel?

Thanks

Posted by
3112 posts

By Mercato San Lorenzo, do you mean the actual market building or the street market? If you want to visit the shops on the ground floor of the market building, keep in mind that those shops close at 2pm M-F, 5pm on Saturday (although many shops close earlier) and all day on Sunday. The street market is open until about 7pm and the food court on the upper floor of the market building is open until midnight.

Since you want to visit the Bargello first, it might make sense to next visit the San Lorenzo Market, eating lunch in or near the market building, then visit the Duomo Museum and finally the Accademia. However, I think scheduling the Bargello for 10am and the Accademia for 3pm means you'd be rushing your visits to the market and Duomo Museum. I'd suggest booking 4pm for the Accademia and planning to spend only an hour there before heading to the train station to catch your 6pm train.

Posted by
16688 posts

I am sure Doumo Museum needs times entry.

No, there's no timed entry for the Duomo museum or anything else in the complex except the dome.

But do I need timed entry for the Bargello Museum and Medici Chapel?

I wouldn't think so but, personally, I'd skip the Medici Chapel if you only have 1 day.