If I only had 48 hours in Florence, I would take my time and not try to do everything. When I first got here–even with 4 months ahead of me–I felt like I needed to see every landmark, try all the best food, and fit everything into such a short amount of time. 

If I did it again, I would approach it completely differently–slower, less planned, and more focused on just being in the city.

Saturday Morning – Start Simple

The first thing I would do is find a small café, stand at the bar, and order a cappuccino and bombolone. You use can use some of our personal favorites as guidance.

Afterwards, walk around the city center with no plans. You will end up passing places like the Duomo, the David, and the Uffizi Gallery, but it feels very different when you aren’t rushing to get to these places.

Saturday Midday – Don’t Overthink Lunch 

For lunch, try to find a place to grab a quick bite without overthinking it. Early on, I tried to find the best sandwich place, so I tried All’Antico Vinaio, which was great. Over time, though, I started going to a small bakery that makes delicious paninis, Le Botteghe de Il Fornaio. 

Here, you can build your own sandwich for about 7 euros! You can eat inside the bakery or take it to Piazza Santo Spirito to eat your sandwich outside.

The experience is always better when you stop overthinking it.

Saturday Afternoon – Explore Without a Plan

After lunch, spend time exploring areas like Santo Spirito and along the Arno.

There are great vintage stores like Arte Spazio 34, Nadine Boutique, and Melrose Vintage. The luxury stores are extremely close to the Arno and walking through them is like walking through a museum. 

After walking around, take a break for aperitivo. You can have a glass of Chianti, a red Tuscan wine paired with some light snacks to slow down and enjoy the afternoon. 

Saturday Evening – Let Dinner Take Time 

Dinner should be your main event of the first day. 

Take your time sitting down with friends or family, order a few things to share, and don’t rush. In Italy, dinner can last a while, and that’s part of the experience. 

You should embrace it: start with olive oil and bread, order a spritz, try a new dish, and finish with gelato or a digestivo. 

The best part of dinner isn’t just the food–it’s how long you stay.

After dinner, walk around the city and see how it transitions into nighttime. 

Saturday Night – Go Out or Keep It Easy

If you want to take advantage of the nightlife or grab a cocktail, Florence has plenty of options. Some of my favorite cocktail places are Spiritum, Loggia Rooftop, NOF, Green Street, and Osteria Filetto d’Oro. 

If you want more nightlife, you can go to Red Garter for karaoke, Old Stove to play cards, or Blue Velvet for a typical Florentine club atmosphere.

Sunday Morning – Repeat the Routine

Start the day the same way: go to another café, have a quick coffee and pastry, and start the day slowly again.

After eating, visit one of the local markets in Florence. The Santo Spirito and Santa Croce markets are great places with everything from jewelry and clothing to food and art. 

These markets give you a better look into everyday life in Florence. 

Sunday Midday – Don’t Try to Do It All 

If there are a couple major sites you want to see like the Galleria dell’Accademia, the Ponte Vecchio, or Palazzo Pitti, this is a great time to do it. 

Depending on what you want to visit, you may only have time for one experience, but that is okay. 

Trying to fit too much into this part of the day takes away from the experience.

Sunday Afternoon – Leave It Open

Keep your second afternoon open. This is a good time to visit a site you didn’t have time to see earlier, grab gelato, sit along the Arno, or revisit a place you loved. 

Sunday Evening – End It Right

For your last evening, grab some simple food–cheese, prosciutto, sandwiches, fruit–pair it with a bottle of wine and go to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset. 

Sit, eat, and take your time. There are usually street performers, and it’s a great way to end your time in Florence. 

Final Thought – Less Planning, More Experiencing

If I only had 48 hours in Florence, I would plan less and spend more time actually experiencing each moment. 

That’s what makes Florence feel different from anywhere else and why 48 hours can still feel like enough.

By: Makinley Mastal, Elizabeth Ripley, and Sacha Burns