Florence questions

For the popular sights that sell advance tickets you risk not being able to get in if you don’t purchase in advance. We were in Florence on a Friday a couple weeks ago and were able to get tickets to the Uffizi the night before but it will be more crowded in April. I suggest picking out one or two things that you most want to do and buying timed entry tickets for them in advance, then just enjoy the rest of the time. Good luck with the trip!

So is it timed entree tickets or skip the line tickets that I’m looking for?

The Uffizi is timed tickets. Go for as early a slot as you can manage.
The piazza is a wonderful place to sit, eat and people watch.
Another major site is the Duomo. This is a good option, as there is a great food market nearby where you can have great snacks.

Thank you. On it today looking for tickets.

So is it timed entree tickets or skip the line tickets that I’m
looking for?

They are the same thing. A timed-entry ticket means you enter an attraction at specific time and specific day, avoiding all but security check queues that NO one circumvents. There isn't a ticket that just lets you in whenever it is you wish to; if you want to avoid the worst of queues, you buy a timed-entry ticket in advance.

Which tickets you should purchase in advance depends on what you want to see. For instance, if it's the Uffizi, you definitely want advance, timed-entry tickets.

There isn't really a ticket for the duomo as it's free so lines to get in can be long. With such limited time, I'd settle for seeing the exterior of the church, baptistry (interior is under restoration) and the bell tower. The interior or the church isn't as impressive as many others in Italy.

Last April I showed my friends Florence (their first time) in a day and a half. So trimming that down, I’d suggest:

• Timed entry tickets for Uffizi (morning) and the David (late afternoon).
• From the inside corridor of the Uffizi don’t miss the great view of the Ponte Vecchio.
• From the Brunelleschi terrace of the Uffizi you have a great closeup view of Palazzo Vecchio.
  
• Admire the outside of the Duomo, Baptistery, and Campanile.
• Enjoy gelato at Perché No!
• For a rooftop view of Firenze including the Duomo, consider a snack at the Caffè del Verone atop the Museum of the Innocents (free access, very near the David) or aperitivo on the rooftop terrace of La Rinascente department store on Piazza della Repubblica.

I would add Michelangelo's David. It does not take long and is such a joy to see. Probably my favorite place in Florence is the Museum of San Marco and the art of Fra' Angelico. It's a peaceful oasis in a very busy city!

Thank you. I think we will do as suggested and go with Uffizi and David then outside Duomo, catch some views coffee, maybe do that garden. Can't remember the name.

I highly recommend Ristorante Borgo Antico in front of Santo Spirito church. Excellent pizza and pasta options--friendly staff, lively outdoor seating, we've been going there for 10+ years. Just a short walk over the Arno river, in an authentic neighborhood, less touristy.

Two places we like to eat in Florenece are:

Giglio Rosso located at 35 via Panzani. Their web site is
https://www.ristorantegigliorosso.com/en/about/

Olio & Convivium Gastronomia Restaurant. It's on the Pitti Palace side of the river on Via di Santo Spirito. Wonderful atmosphere, excellent food, and good wine. A bit pricy, but well worth it. The web site is https://oliorestaurant.it/.

Here is a list of the sites in Florence from our 2023 trip. We spent several days in Florence. We also did a day trip to Bologna and one to Siena.

1. Piazza Santa Spirito
2. Basilica di Santo Spirito
3. Oltrarno neighborhood
4. San Miniato Basilica
5. Michelangelo Square
6. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
7. Baptistery of St John (included in the cathedral ticket)
8. Basilica of Santa Croce
9. Palazzo Vecchio
10. Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio
11. Pitti Palace
12. Accademia Gallery: Abduction of Sabine Women, Hall of Prisoners and Michelangelo's David

I am also a big fan of Museo San Marco. It's a rare opportunity to see art in its original location and in my experience, it is a quiet oasis in the midst of the crowds.