Florence

Looks good, busy but OK

I’d try to add Santa Croce

Agree with Santa Croce. Also Duomo Museum

Personally, I'd skip Pisa. With only 2 days in Florence - I'd stay in Florence. Of if you want to see part of Tuscany - hit up Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca - we just found Pisa so UNDERwhelming.

Don't miss Santa Croce Basillica in Florence - it is spectacular (Michelangelo is buried there). It's actually more amazing inside than the Duomo.

Be sure to cross the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge and explore that area.

A lot of things and a lot of climbing. Feeling already tired for you :-)

Agree--skip Pisa and go straight to Lucca. If you can, get to the Mercato before 2 as there is a lunch area just to the right of the entrance where your spouse can have (what I think) is the Porchetta sandwich in Florence-it also has a pretty varied menu of other food. It's the entrance down the street from the Baptistry.

There is nothing to see on Piazza della Repubblica, unless you are interested in seeing the corner of the iconic photo “An American girl in Italy” (that would be in front of the bar “Gilli”). The Piazza was built in the 1860s as part of the gentrification of the Jewish ghetto, which was located in that area. You can see it while you walk toward Ponte Vecchio.

If you must absolutely go to Pisa and Lucca, given your short time available, you should do Lucca first, which is more interesting, then, at the end of the day trip, go to Pisa for the last couple of hours before taking your train back to Florence.

Thanks to everyone for sharing insight/info!

IMO a visit to the Bargello should not be "short"...the sculptures are just breathtaking...one of my favorite museums to wander around.
Definitely make your way to Santa Croce neighborhood...the cathedral is amazing...leather school behind the church is so interesting..and you can enter the church from there as well. Some of the best gelato in Firenze is at Vivoli (not far from the Santa Croce piazza). A neighborhood worth exploring for sure. Be aware the walk to piazzale Michelangelo is all uphill....But after all that climbing, maybe not an issue. I always take a bus up (SO fun!) then walk down. The San Miniato church and cemetery behind the church is further up from the piazzale is also worth a visit. Enjoy your stay!

June, thanks. I wondered about the leather school on a map. Sounds very cool!

So with just 3 days I would skip Piazza della Repubblica, Medici Palace, the market and Palazzo Vecchio and replace them with Piazza della Signoria, Duomo Museum, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and San Marco. There’s great art in the Pitti Palace but it’s hard to fully appreciate it the way it’s arranged, so with just 3 days I would skip it. I would skip Lucca, if you must do a day trip then go to Pisa around 3pm or 4pm and come back in the evening. The Torre Guinigi is Lucca’s best attraction but the Pisa tower, duomo and baptistery are all much better attractions.

Thanks, Marco.

I spent a month in Florence in May of this year and did everything you have listed as well as the other sites folks have suggested. I think you are packing in way to much to really enjoy and appreciate the experiences . Remember you can always go back again. Following are my comments regarding your itinerary for your consideration:

1. Skip the trips outside of Florence. You do not have enough time and you will not get back by 3 or 4pm. Focus on Florence you won’t regret it. Consider adding the sites suggested by others.

2. Spread the tower visits over 3 days. Each tower is at least 400+ steps one way. The Giotto tower is not by reservation. If you do both on the same day you will be waiting at least an hour to 2 hours to start your climb. Consider showing up early on day 2 to climb the tower. The line moves quickly early in the morning. Additionally if you want to tour the Duomo itself that line is even longer. The reservation cover’s only the cupola. The Duomo itself is free.

3. Take a cab to piazza . The mile you mention is mostly uphill. The time and energy you save vs the cost is well worth it. The walk down is nice and easy to do.

I hope you have a great time. We were sad to leave.Not sure when in May you are going. May 1st is a national holiday. Additionally keep and eye out for train strikes. Another reason to stay in Florence.

Thank you, srochford95.

We were there in June 2023 and stayed right outside of the Palazzo Vecchio and I agree with others regarding focusing on Florence and coming back to explore outside of the city (which we did as we stayed longer and it is well worth it but not with this limited time). Santa Croce is a must. I love the Boboli Gardens to relax and look out over the city, see the sculpture. It is a reprieve from the crowds and highly recommend even if you don't go in the palace (we did not on this trip, but have in the past and it is a lot). If you do walk up to Piazelle Michelangelo, which we did, the rose garden on the way up is lovely, as well as San MIniato church, just a little further up. Explore the oltoarno; It is my favorite part of the city. and just a tip, David in the morning is a great way to start the day. Get the earliest time, you see him almost on your own and it is doesn't take too much time in this museum and then you have a whole day to explore other things in Florence. Enjoy! It is a wonderful city, even if so much more crowded than it was 25 years ago when I first went there.

lisajford22, appreciate your advice! Thank you.

Do you really want three arduous climbs? I'd do the Duomo as it is really interesting inside the dome climb and observe the dome itself from Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato at sunset if you get a nice day (and I'd take the bus up)

I'd bag Pisa and do more in Florence. Two sites I'd hate to skip are Musee San Marco (only open mornings) in which Fra Angelico painted devotional frescoes in the monk's cells -- this was Savanarolla's monastery. I'd also do Santa Croce or the Bargello

Florence is incredibly dense in artistic sites -- you need more time.

Consider a drink on the roof o the Grand Hotel Cavour -- nice drinks and wonderful views if nice weather.

Thanks, janettravels44! I especially like your idea of a drink on the roof of the Grand Hotel Cavour.

If you add a third day as others have suggested, I’d add more churches. Not that I am particularly religious. For the art.

In addition to churches already mentioned by Marco, consider

Santa Maria Carmine - the Brancacci Chapel
Santa Trinita
Ognissante

But that’s only if you want to see great art by Masaccio and Masolino who worked together and who were real pioneers (Brancacci Chapel), Ghirlandaio (under whom Michelangelo apprenticed as a painter; Ghirlandaio’s art is also on the walls of the Sistine Chapel along with Botticelli’s) (Santa Maria Novella and Sta. Trinita), and Bottecelli (Ognissanti) to name a few.

Without any info to speak of on the balance of your trip, I would not hazard to further suggest what you should and should not see and how long you should spend in Florence or other cities or towns. Your Day 1 in Florence looks exhausting IMHO, but I would nonetheless suggest that you consider the original Giotto doors in the Duomo’s Opera or the copies of those doors on the Baptisserie immediately across from the Duomo’s front entrance. And the mosaics inside the Baptisserie are pretty amazing too. That’s all right there.

Notwithstanding the suggestions for a third day in Florence, consider that smaller cities have fewer crowds and great opportunities and sights. On our second trip to Florence, we were shocked by the crowds and graffiti and that was nearly 10 years ago. And, I am just as shocked to see that now the Brancacci Chapel now has tickets that you pay for. On our first trip, we just walked in and there were only about a half a dozen tourists there.

I want a Time Machine!!!

Thank you, Fred.

Florence is my favorite place in Europe and I have been there 4 times, but have never gone to Pisa. I think your first day is nuts. I would skip the Medici palace and chapels. My favorite sight is Museo San Marco because you get to see Fra Angelico's paintings in their original environment., I also love Vivoli gelato-expensive but worth it.

I'm also exhausted already after reading your day 1 activities (and I read it while on the couch).

Also the shops at the Mercato Centrale (on the ground floor) are open only in the morning until 2 or 3pm (restaurants on top floor are open until midnight), so if you want to enjoy some food shopping (and a cheap lunch at Nerbone), you need to go there in the morning before 2pm.

OP, you are so gracious in your appreciation. At times I’ve read uncivil responses to poster’s questions. Thank YOU for keeping the Forum a nice place to visit.

Thanks, Cala. I’ll definitely think about those suggestions!

Roberto da Firenze, you made me laugh out loud. Really appreciate your info. Thanks!

Thanks, watercolorwiz. Glad I found Rick’s site and books.

Whensoever, be it now or later, you do go to Pisa, be sure to wander through charming Piazza Cavalieri on your way to or from the Campo Miracoli tower. There is no Fontana here, and no Trevi, only calm space, a soft breeze and golden sunlight. One of the most welcoming places on earth. Could this be, even without a fountain, the most beautiful square in the world...

Cherryplanter, kind of you to share that great tidbit. Thank you!

This was very helpful for my future trip, Oct 31/Nov 1

we arrive port in La Spezia and so far the consensus is to pass on Pisa other than the arch and history. Anyhow, we then are trying to figure going straight to Florence then via ? train ? Shuttles require round trip. And stay overnight in Florence for activities and touring. your itinerary was helpful I would really like a cooking class if possible as we have two days for the most part

appreciate any feedback/ideas