Florence itinerary advice

As much as I love Renaissance art, 3 art museums on the last day is too many. And your schedule for the other days looks tiring to me. I think everything will just jumble together in your memory.

I couldn’t agree more. You’ll be blowing through the Uffizi, one of the finest museums in the world. At least spring for a guided tour which will allow you to see the masterpieces and save time aimlessly wandering trying to find this and that.

HI Don,
I totally get the enthusiasm and the desire to see as much as possible. But the joy of Florence really is in the wandering and exploring. It is a beautiful, walkable city. You need to leave time to stroll, and to dip in and out of places that catch your eye. I agree with the other commenters that your plan feels jammed. Maybe book one "activity" a day, and make a reservation for your main meal (September will be crowded as well as hot). Then leave the rest to unfold as it will.

One little thing I'd add: the Mercato Centrale is really busy at lunchtime. You may find it more pleasant earlier in the day.
Best wishes for your trip.

Yeah... I had a feeling it was a bit much. But I wonder if you would say the same about Rick and Gene's suggested plans:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/florence-itinerary
Anyway, thanks for your advice. I have to figure out when to book the Uffizi and the Accademia. I figured they would both be less crowded on Tuesday than Sunday (both are closed on Mondays).
And thanks for the advice on the Mercato Centrale being busy at noon. It's funny because I don't even eat at noon at work for that reason. Back to the drawing board!

I think your last day looks fine to me. Everyone has a different travel style. I am a “seize the day” kind of person, making the most of my precious travel time. I am an early riser, completely energized by the excitement of new wonders, and will continue on for about 10-12 hours a day. (This is the reason my husband stayed behind)

Here is my copied itinerary from Saturday, October 5, 2024. I was able to add on a few churches and the Orsanmichel (which was amazing!!) It was my 60th birthday and I wanted it to be a David/Michelangelo themed day. The cards were in my favor that day. Everything went smoothly and made for the most memorable birthday celebration spent seeing places I had been dreaming off since I was a teenager.

ACCADEMIA - 8:15AM RESERVATION

SAN MARCO BASILICA/MUSEUM

CASA BUONARROTI

SANTA CROCE BASILICA

CHIESA SI SAN FILLIPO NERI

CHIESA DI BADIA FLORENTINA

ORSANMICHEL CHIESA & MUSEUM

UFFIZI 430PM RESERVATION

Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti

You might want to re-think the Renaissance Walk on Day 1? Looking at the rest of your itinerary, you'll be at or very near many of the locations listed on the walk when visiting some of the other locations on your list. For instance, you can see Piazza Signoria and Savonarola plaque when you do Palazzo Vecchio, and Uffizi Courtyard when you do the museum. Arno River and Ponte Vecchio? You can cross the river via the bridge en route to the Pitti. Duomo dome, bell tower and church (exteriors only) can be combined with the Duomo Museum.

The plus is eliminating some backtracking, and giving you more time for the Pitti and Boboli Gardens...which involves many rooms, multiple museums and a lot of exterior ground. I'd do it all before San Miniato with lunch in between. We've not eaten there but there is a cafeteria at the Pitti that may be a convenient choice for resting your heels and filling your stomach in the middle of taking on the complex!
https://www.uffizi.it/en/pitti-palace#services
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d1518916-Reviews-Ristorante_Caffe_Pitti-Florence_Tuscany.html

I'll agree that Tuesday is a LOT. Honestly? I wouldn't spend a lot of time at the Mercado or lunch to get it all in. I'd just grab a quick sit-down and sammie somewhere en route from San Marco to the Uffizi.

Thank you NNV and Kathy. VERY Helpful. I'm taking it all in. I know what you mean about backtracking but one of my fave things to do everywhere I go is to take Rick's self-guided walking tours to get acclimated. I try and do them first thing. Years ago, in Lucerne, Switzerland I was in a grumpy mood because it rained all day and I didn't get around to the walking tour until the evening. Suddenly someone bumped into me and excused himself. And then he kept looking at me and smiling. Guess who? The man himself! He saw that I was standing there holding one of his guidebooks. I told him I had just come to the very end of his Lucerne walk. One thing I remember about our chat was that he looked around and said, "you know something? You CAN do the walks at night." I got the impression it wasn't something he usually did either.
Thanks again to both of you.