Too much for one day in Florence?
 

While it's obviously not ideal, we will only have one full day to spend in Florence.

We'll arrive by train at night, probably just getting some dinner and walking around that night.

The next day my itinerary is:

9 a.m. Uffizi Gallery (reserv.)
11:30 a.m. Accademia (reserv.)
12:30 p.m. Lunch
2 p.m. Duomo
3 p.m. Pitti Palace/Boboli Gardens
5:30 p.m. Piazella Michelangelo
6:30 p.m. Dinner
8 p.m. train to Rome

I realiza this plan is extremely ambitious and that most don't like this much running around in one day.

However, I'm determined to make the most out of my one day in Florence, and at 26 shouldn't have a problem getting around.

I read that the Uffizi and Accademia are alone 15 min. away by foot, is this correct?

Assuming the Accademia can be done in an hour (which I also read), I think this itinerary can work.

I only plan on using the Duomo (exterior only) and Piazella Michelangelo visits for photos, so that explains the little amount of time spent at those two places.

I'm wondering of anyone other than myself thinks this can work.

It will be a little hectic, but yes, I think it's doable.

You've given yourself a decent break for lunch, and if you take the bus to/from Piazzale Michelangelo (note spelling) you'll save yourself both some travel time and physical effort. If you can squeeze in a quick look at the church of San Miniato al Monte before you head back down to dinner, it's only a 5-minute walk from P. Michelangelo and is lovely.

As you said, this may not be ideal, but if one day is all you've got and you're up to the challenge, I say go for it!

It will work just fine. With your early resrvs at Uffizi you will be done by 10 unless your a real rennaisance art buff. The walk to Accademia is 10-15 minutes, so you will have time to walk around, on the way, check-out the main square with the statues (forget the name). We found that after the Uffizi the Accademia was just more of the same type art, except for the big draw, David. You will be ahead of schedule. Have fun!

Given your schedule, I agree that it's doable. If you haven't already, however, consider the Bargello, which is a museum with only statues; I love it! I would pick it over the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, but that decision depends on how much you like statues.

I think it's fine but I'd be prepared to drop something in case you fall behind. As much as I loved the Boboli Gardens, I'd drop that. You don't want to leave Florence feeling like it was one big blur.

Certainly hectic but I suppose you can manage it. But there is no time for shopping! Or strolling the Ponte Vecchio with a gelato. Also, if you intend on going to a restaurant or trattoria for lunch as opposed to a sandwich somewhere, some places can drag out lunch to two or even three hours. Not a bad thing certainly, but not so great if you are on a tight schedule.

Better yet, grab a panino and beer (or your favorite beverage) for lunch and eat it by the side of the wall on Ponte Vecchio while you people-watch. Then grab the aforementioned gelato and eat it while you walk up to the Pitti Palace. Have fun!

Sounds great.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts, especially being that everyone seems to think that all I have planned can be accomplished in one day.

Lexma, another poster mentioned the Bargello to me, and I do plan on checking it out.

Vita, you're right on about dropping the Boboli Gardens. I've thought about it, and if I do get behind that will be the site to get cut.

Grinisa, great point about the gelatto!! I'll definitely be making time for that.

Thanks again everyone.

For a relative newcomer, I've received a ton of wonderful advice from this forum and I sincerely appreciate it.

I'd drop the Boboli Gardens in favor of a little "just strolling around Florence" time, including a walk across the Ponte Vecchio.
Two photo tips:
1. You can get some great shots of the Ponte Vecchio itself, as well as taking some from the bridge looking out over the Arno River.
2. It's just about impossible to take a decent photo of the entire duomo. Instead, if you have a zoom lens on your camera, get some closeups of segments of the magnificent edifice.

If i dock in Livorno at 8 am and either take a taxi or train into florence, would there be enough time to go to the city and walk around? this is just a day trip because we'd leave the port of livorno around 6pm.. or is Pisa and Lucca a better trip to take?

Hi ray,

There are trains leaving Livorno at 8:5 and 10:00 for Florence. Takes about 1 1/2 hr.

The 15:35 gets you back at 5:00PM. The 16:25 gets back at 6:00 PM.

I agree with dropping the Bobboli Gardens and Pitti Palace, for me they would not be in my top ten of places in Florence mostly because Florence is so full of treasures
Don't miss seeing the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, which you can pass through on your walk.
And get some gelato, at Vivoli if you can.

Let us know how this works out, this might be a "keeper" for a suggested one-day visit.

Hi Kelston,

If you drop the Pitti Palace (which I agree with), you'll have time to go inside the Duomo rather than only taking pix of the outside. You'll also be able to fit in a short tour of the San Marco Museum which is near the Duomo and which is usually not crowded. Great Fra Angelico frescoes.

Take a cab to Piazella Michelangelo rather than a bus - that will save time and cabs aren't very expensive. There should be cabs waiting there to take you to dinner or you can ask the cabbie to come back for you in 45 minutes (give him a good tip).

adrienne

If you want to see the Duomo Museum, you need to try to find out the hours. That museum and the Bargello close up fairly early in the afternoon. But - there is still plenty to see in the area, as I'm sure you know.

Don't miss the Baptistry, which is a few steps from the Duomo. The doors are fabulous, but do go inside--it won't take long, and it's well worth it. If you get the audioguide at the Uffizi (worthwhile), you will spend 2 hours there. The Boboli Gardens are nice (some hidden surprises), with nice views of Florence, but not particularly memorable. A look at the Ponte Vecchio is worth 5 minutes before or after your Uffizi visit (in fact, you can see it from inside the Uffizi, which is enough). You will be exhausted at the end of the day!

I've never seen Florence as crowded as it has been lately. This may make a difference to your plans.

Be prepared for possibly missing the inside of the Duomo. The line in the summer can be brutal. I spent the month of August in Florence a couple of years ago and never got inside. I had been inside a few years before, but my sister hadn't. When we returned last April with our husbands, we walked right in. Also, I agree about passing on the Piti Palace and Boboli Gardens. The Bargello is better and allows you more time to enjoy Florence. I also agree not to eat in a restaurant. A panini and sitting somewhere is more enjoyable.