Sightseeing in Florence - some questions

I really love museums and usually spend many hours, but a couple of hours in the P Vecchio was plenty for me.

Duomo to Uffizi is a few blocks, a 10 minute leisurely stroll.

I've spent a lot of time in Florence, but not much in Oltrano. However, one of my favorite places in Florence is just above that area. Everyone goes P Michelangelo for the view. Suggest you continue about 1/4 mile farther up the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte (wide staircase on the left side of the road); beautiful Romanesque church, wonderful views (particularly at sunset), and quieter than P Michelangelo. The monks also chant Vespers every evening in the crypt of the church, which is a lovely way to end a day.

We took about 2 hours in Palazzo Vecchio, but it was not crowded in January. Might take longer with crowds.

It's only about a 10-12 minute walk between the Duomo and the Uffizi.

Since I wouldn't spend more than 3 hours at the louvre, at Palazzo Vecchio I would ask the taxi driver to wait for me at the entrance with the engine on.

From Piazza Duomo to Piazza della Signoria it's about 500 mt (550 yds) and it's flat. I will not however dare guess how long it might take you to walk that distance because along that route there are some of Florence's fanciest shops, 2 of the best Gelaterias, the Rivoire caffe' and cioccolateria, the Coin department store and, behind it, the best bakery in town. So, some people may take the whole day to cover that distance and never make it to the Uffizi.

Hahaha, that's a good point, Roberto. You never know what will distract you on your way to your planned destination!

Great, this is all excellent advice. Thanks, everyone!

Palazzo Vecchio? Well, I was underwhelmed. The main hall has treasures but they are so badly lighted that they are hard to appreciate. The best part of it is the free bathrooms, right in the heart of town. Just go past the ticket sales and the cloak room. In less time than it takes to type this, I can think of 4 or 6 much better places to visit. . . . make that 8 by now, not counting the 2 "biggies."

I like the Palazzo Vecchio, and while I wouldn't have the taxi wait, I have never spent more than an hour inside. Be sure to visit the Baptistery (across the piazza from the Duomo) on your way.

Chani, do tell -- what were the 6 or 8 better things you were thinking of?

I have only 1.5 days in Florence and will definitely do the Duomo, the Uffizi and the Accademmia. Will also walk around Oltrarno and the San Lorenzo market. Thought Palazzo Vecchio might also be worth it, and can definitely squeeze it in if it only takes 1-2 hours. But should I pick something else instead? Pitti Palace?

Ciao,
Susan

Susan the Medici Chapels are lovely, too. Add them to your list. Less than an hour to tour, right by San Lorenzo Market.

The Museum of San Marco, just up the street from the Accademia, no lines. Frescoes by Fra Angelico. It's a small museum, can be seen in an hour.

Some have been mentioned. I very much enjoyed the Pitti Palace (the Modern Art wing is modern only by Italian standards - covers the period from roughly 1815-1915), but I didn't get to the Boboli Gardens. They are still on my list. The Bargello Museum is one of my very favorites, very good sculptures, usually not at all crowded. Almost every church is worth a stop, the Great Synagogue is very interesting historically and architecturally. The museum of the Duomo (the official name is the Museo dell' Opera de Duomo) is about a block away from the Duomo and also worth a visit.

These are all great suggestions! Oh my, I have to reconsider my itinerary!

I loved the palazzo Vecchio and the tour is pretty short and sweet. Great people watching area. I had to go to see the spot of the bonfire of the vanities and where they hung and burned Savonrola the monk( because of the TV show The Borgias)..it is marked with a round metal marker in front of the fountain to the left of the entrance.

Florence is the kind of place where you go with a general idea of the things to see, and go with the flow when you get there. Maybe most places are like that.