The title says it all
What are the 'must sees' for someone who visits Florence only for a day?

Hi cristine,

Too bad that you are getting only a day for Florence.

If you arrive at the train station,

walk up to the mercato centrale
walk down to the Duomo
walk up to the Accademia
walk down to the Museo delle Opera
continue on to the Bargello
Cross over to the Pza de Signoria
walk down to the Uffizi
Walk over to the Ponte Vecchio
Cross the bridge to the Pitti Palace
Take the 11 or 37 bus to the trin station.
Take the 7 bus to Fiesole and watch the sun set over the city.

Return to the train station.

PS

Bus routes, schedules and maps are at http://www.ataf.net/Default_EN.asp

Thanks ira!
I would also like to visit Galleria degli Uffizi or Galleria dell'Accademia also, but i've heard that the queues are...big!! Do you know maybe how much time i'll have to wait in order to get in? Does it worth it or should i do it another time when i have more days in Florence?

Hi C,

"Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 1.60 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services."

At the Uffizi, they will tell you to go to door no. 4. There might be a line there, but it will be shorter and faster than the entrance without reservations.

If, when you get to the museums, there is not a line, just go in. You won't be charged if you don't use the reservation.

Enjoy your day. Too bad you can't do an overnight.

If you have only one day, make reservations at the Uffizi in the morning, visit the Duomo at midday and make a reservation at the Accademia in the afternoon. See the David and spend the rest of the afternoon just wandering around Florence.

What day? I hope it's not a day when the museums are closed.

I'm going to Rome for 5 days, (second time), so i thought a day trip to Florence would be nice. That's why i can't stay overnight
Thanks for the reservation tips. I wouldn't like to spend my entire day in museums, so i'll visit only one of them. (probably Galleria degli Uffici).

One more question though.. Does it worth it to visit Florence only for a day? Or would you suggest me to go for a daytrip nearby Rome? (or someplace in Rome off the beaten track?)
Any suggestion are more than welcome!!

Hi C,

>... worth it to visit Florence only for a day?

I recommend against it.

>... a daytrip nearby Rome?

You could go to Orvieto or Hadrian's Palace or the ruins at Ostia Antica

Thanks ira!
I'm not so sure about one day in Florence anymore ;-)
I posted a new message for things to do in Rome off the beaten track.

I have a similar situation with basically one day to spend. I'm also not a huge Renaissance person but I would like to see the main items.

With that in mind, how long do you think it would take to skim the Uffize and the Accademia.

I ask because I want to do the reservation route and I want to see them both.

I basically have the afternoon but if I need to, I can take the next morning.

Duggan, you could "skim" them in an hour or less each. Fifteen minutes in the Accademia if you are only seeing David.

Statia is correct.

15 min for the Accademia, 1 hr for the Uffizi.

Thanks