northfork

My husband and I will be in Florence for 1 day. What are some things we should do for our first visit?

Jean

I would do a little research and then decide which few of the many treasures of Florence interest you the most. You'll probably want to see the David sculpture at the Accademia, and for this you'll want a reservation. After that, it's up to you.

allib123

Florence is so beautiful! Walk from the Duomo or Sante Croce,
stop at the jewel of a museum, the Bargello,
then through the Piazza Signoria (by Uffizi Gallery - save the museum for next time)
viewing the David replica (in case you're too tired to see the original, which made me cry - I am a sap, even now thinking of it - he is amazing- read the Agony and the Ecstacy re: Michaleangelo) and
across from him are several other important sculptures in the Loggia dei Lanzi (Cellini's Perseus is breathtaking), then
you have to see the Ponte Vecchio, and then sit and soak it all in. You will be back. I only made it six weeks, and I returned to do the rest. I'd move tomorrow if someone could convince my three children that it would be a good idea.

allib123

Before I get blasted, let me add that this was assuming you only had a day, and not a night also. And that it is summertime, my experience, and the heat is brutal. And that you would enjoy after walking through the city, to sit with a glass of Chianti Classico in the Piazza Signoria and just soak in Florence. There is alot to see and do, don't get me wrong, but the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio with it's turret (piazza Sig), David, and the Ponte Vecchio are visuals, in my opinion, you would not regret.

Ramblero

Spending 1 day in Florence would be like spending 30 minutes at the Smithsonian. What's the point? I'd rearrange my trip to spend AT LEAST 2 days in Florence; 1 day at the Duomo and Santa Croce and 1 day at the Uffizi/Ponte Vecchio.

kybourbon

The Florence Tourist Board has a 24 hour itinerary. Perhaps you will find something useful on it.
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/in-f...-24-hours.html

Jean

I think the OP will be on a cruise, hence the single day. Or, more accurately, less than one day.

allib123

kybourbon, great site! Yes, If you can fit in the Pitti Palace then, ride up to Piazza Michaelangelo you will have a beautiful view of this city.
Ramblero is being honest, it's hard do it justice in a day, but, it is special.
This may not be true, but one of the locals I spoke with offered that Florence is inhabited by many Etruscans, which are very different from the Romans and Venetians, etc. Hence, it has a more gentle atmosphere. Maybe.?

jmct714

bookmarking

InFlorence

For one day in Florence just walk around and take in all the sights. Cross the bridges, see the churches and piazzas, etc. It is an amazing place to do this in - there is so much to see. With the time constraints of one day, I really couldn't imagine what one place I would choose to enter when there is so much to see from the outside... I think seeing Santa Croce, Piazza Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio, Santo Spirito, etc. etc. etc. is more than enough.

regionetoscana

We understand that sometimes you only have one day to see Florence, and it's okay! Hopefully you will love it so much you'll be back soon.

There are various approaches to the one-day itinerary. Rick Steves has a very simple list on his website with the hours that he suggests you do each thing. Some people will suggest working in either the Uffizi or the Accademia, while I would suggest you try to see some churches and one of the smaller museums. This means any combination of:

churches) santa croce or santa maria novella, and san lorenzo

small museums) bargello or opera del duomo museum

+ wander around the duomo area and main shopping streets, and the san lorenzo market

When planning your day in Florence keep in mind: (1) the order in which you do things - plan it on a map to waste less time getting lost and wandering "inefficiently"; (2) the opening hours of what you want to see. Sunday mornings most churches are open only for services, while mondays the state museums are closed, except for the bargello which is closed alternate mondays and sundays.

With proper planning you can see a lot in one day - for this purpose i've created a google map that shows all the points i've mentioned here. I hope this helps!
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,0.044117&z=15

k9korps

You can cover a lot in one day if you're organized. First, use the telephone service to order tix ahead of time for the Acaddemia and the Uffizzi. If you want to climb the Duomo, go early in the a.m. and avoid the lines. Finish your day with a bus ride to Piazzale Michelangelo, and have dinner and a drink watching the sun set on the city.

taconictraveler

I agree with those who say to walk around and see Piazza Signoria, and walk across the Ponte Vecchio and walk around the Duomo and view the magnificant Ghiberti doors. Always assuming you will stop to at least window shop, and stop for gelato or cappucino in a square. Just drink in the flavor.

I have been to Florence about 5 times, and I will always be grateful to my friend, the Art History major I was with the first time, who took me, NOT to the Uffizi, not to the Accademia, but first to Santa Trinita to view Ghirlandaio's Adoration of the Shepherds, then a little sandwich in the street, then to the Medici Riccardi Museum (small) to view the unforgettable Gozzoli frescoes in the tiny chapel, then for gelato in Pza. Signoria,and to sit a while, then across the Ponte Vecchio to see the Pontormos in Santa Felicita.
That was all.
It was enough.
If you could get to the view from Piazza Michaelangelo or from San Miniato, so much the better.

There is a real art in trying to absorb Florence rather than to try to see everything possible.

You will love it.

Vttraveler

Here is a link to another thread from last year answering the same question (and in it is a link to yet a third thread)
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rence-help.cfm

mamcalice

This fall, we will be staying at a farmhouse near Greve in Chianti and plan to visit Florence for a day. It will be our sixth trip to Florence and it is so hard, even after 5 trips, to decide what to do in one day. We plan to visit the Accademia to see the David - IMO a must for any trip to Florence; walk around the Duomo; visit the Piazza della Signoria for a cappucino and a marmalade croissant (a little French, but delicious); cross the Arno on one of the bridges so we can view the Ponte Vecchio from the bridge; have lunch in the Oltrarno and, if we have time, visit Santa Croce especially to see the cloisters.

Vttraveler

more ideas
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...op-10-list.cfm