Florence in one day: need advice

For my thoughts, you can indeed visit the Academia and the Uffizi in one day assuming that you plan your time and get your tickets in advance. As for the Boboli gardens we were a bit disappointed. Its a very large hillside garden of mostly trees and bushes. We visit gardens in every country we visit and this was nothing special. I kept telling my wife that our backyard looked better. Beautiful views of Florence and il Duomo, however.

Read Kent's comments below at 4/17/09 12:29 PM.

We spent a comfortable day in Florence that included tours of the Uffizi, the Galleria del'Accademia (David), the duomo and Sante Croce. We followed a walking tour we found in Lonely Planet. The key seemed to be to have reservations for the Uffizi and David -- in both cases, we completely avoided huge long lines and got right in.(BTW We found it cheaper to call the museums directly for reservations -- the museum surcharge was just a few euros -- as opposed to using one of the booking services that charge much more). We also had time for one of the best dinners we had in Italy, shopping around the Ponte Vecchio and a bus ride to Piazzale Michelangelo (great view). It was a long day, but a great one fore sure.

I agree with others that the Uffizi and Accademia can be done if you have rservations. Don't try to see everything. Have a plan and don't be ashamed if all you want to do is see the biggies - David, the Slaves, Botticelli's Venus, etc.

I also agree that the Boboli Gardens are overrated and I wouldn't worry about the Pitti Palace.

Do stroll through the Oltrarno and have lunch there.

You do want to drop in on the Duomo and Santa Croce. And in the evening, walk up to the Piazza Michelangelo for the magical view.

The Accademia doesn't take that long as it is not so large (don't miss the Musical Instruments part of the museum). Be sure to have a reservation though as the lines get really long. For me, doing both the Accademia and the Uffizi in one day is too much - the Uffizi is huge and lends itself to "culture overload", at least for me.

I would say, go to either the Accademia (if the Davide is high on your list), then to the Duomo (magnificent), climb the bell tower (magnificent), then head to Piazza della Signoria to have lunch, soak in atmosphere, look at all the sculptures in the Loggia and the Piazza and the Palazzo Vecchio (also worthy of a visit), then walk down to the Arno and view the Ponte Vecchio (though you can't cross unless you have a reservation, I think), then see how you feel in terms of crossing to the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens (I have never been to either so I can't recommend one way or the other).

Sometimes too much of a plan can hinder the enjoyment, so this loose itinerary is my humble suggestion :-)

I love art history and museums and spend many hours in them but for my money if time is short I would see the Uffizi and skip the Accademia...the "faux David" in the square is OK by me, and a lot cheaper than entrance to the Acc for 2. The Pitti is huge,rambling and stuffed with art. It was very busy and slow going the day we were there in late Sept. The Boboli Gardens didn't seem that easy to get to (long walk/uphill?) but not really certain. Many of Italy's greatest treasures are in the Uffizi and it might be enough for you...walking in Oltrano or other pursuits could be a better use of your limited time, but of course your preferences will determine what you do. It's all wonderful.