7 Best Cheap Things to Do in Florence, Italy in Just 1.5 Days

Have you been wondering if you should add Florence, Italy, to your Italian itinerary and if it’s worth visiting for just 1.5 days? You’re not alone.

With so many dreamy spots in Italy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to fit it all in, especially on a budget.

When we visited, we only had a short window, but I was determined to experience the magic of Florence without overspending.

If you’re a first-time traveller looking to immerse yourself in art, culture, and history without haste or financial strain, you’ll appreciate this affordable guide to Florence.

What is Florence, Italy, best known for?

Most people think of Renaissance art and architecture when they hear Florence, Italy, and I agree.

Located in Tuscany, a region in central Italy, the ancient city of Florence serves as the regional administration capital. The history of the city goes back to Roman times, like most cities in Italy.

The layout and architecture of the city today show its long and rich history.

Some travellers also visit Florence as part of their journey across Tuscany or northeastern Italy.

I recommend starting in places like Venice, Florence, and Pisa before moving on to Rome.

You could also start your trip in a different direction, depending on where you want to start your Italian journey.

How to Get to Florence, Italy, By Train

Florence is in central Italy, so your route depends on where you start.

Overall, the city is well-connected. If you’re coming from Venice, many trains can get you there in two hours.

To make the most of our time in Florence, we boarded an early morning train and arrived at the less busy Rifredi station at approximately midday.

(Pro tip: Look for early offers on train tickets on Trenitalia if you’re on a tight budget.). You can also use Omio and Trainline to plan your train trips in Italy and Europe.

Getting Around Florence, Italy

Spending time learning how to use the public transport in Florence is not something you should do. Florence is a small city without a train system.

But buses are available, though they aren’t always on time—a story about how we almost got stranded at the bus stop! is coming up shortly. Continue reading!

Walking was, in my opinion, the most convenient way to get around Florence. The majority of the most breathtaking views were conveniently located close to one another.

Personal Tip: After arriving in Florence at noon, we were exhausted and wanted to get to our hotel. As we left the train station and walked for about ten minutes to find the bus stop that would transport us to our accommodation, we encountered an obstacle.

Consider this: I stood at the bus stop, carrying a heavy backpack. Approximately five locals were waiting for the bus while I checked the time on my phone. After a 10- to 15-minute wait, the bus came.

 We boarded the bus, attempted to pay the driver in cash for tickets, and discovered, to our dismay, that you cannot purchase bus tickets on the bus itself! So there we were, standing at the bus stop again, confused and ticketless.

Uncertain of how to interpret my first encounter in Florence, Italy, I searched the bus station to see if we could purchase tickets there while my spouse searched online. We were unable to purchase tickets from our current location. "Rifredi" is a quiet neighbourhood in Florence.

In the street across from us, a grown man was crossing to get to the bus stop. He seemed ideal to ask about the convenient bus ticket-buying place. My spouse then proceeded to speak with him.

We eventually found a cafe nearby where we could purchase tickets, but this small hiccup taught me one of my first travel lessons in Florence—always buy your bus tickets in advance.

The catch: When travelling in Italy, expect these challenges. In Florence, you can buy bus tickets at cafes, newsstands, or even some vending machines at the train station. It’s a minor inconvenience, but it’s part of the experience!

Best Area to Stay in Florence for 1.5 Days

For this itinerary, I don’t recommend staying too far from the centre. Of course, Florence’s central area might be expensive, but there are several reasonably priced places to stay near the centre for those on a tight budget.

Our Airbnb flat was a pleasant place to stay, just 500 metres from the well-known Piazzale Michelangelo.

It was conveniently located within 5 minutes of San Niccolò, a mediaeval quarter in Florence with quick access to the city’s main attractions.

The Best 7 Cheap Things to Do/See in Florence, Italy Your First Time

It’s wonderful how many of Florence’s most popular sights you can see for a small fee or even for free.

Let’s begin! Before I start, you should know that if you want to enjoy Florence, you should start exploring the day you arrive.

Naturally, it depends on your arrival time and post-trip feel. We did, however, have a somewhat flexible schedule, which allowed us more time to spend in the city on the day of departure.

So we didn’t have to start exploring as soon as we arrived in Florence. We also visited in late winter, so seeing the city was much more enjoyable and calm.

Here are some activities we did that you could potentially incorporate into your itinerary for a day and a half in Florence.

1. Take a stroll at Iconic Ponte Vecchio

A stroll around the well-known Ponte Vecchio is a wonderful way to start the day. Gold jewellery shops line the route.

Walking across this historic bridge is free and a must-do in Florence, even if you don’t buy anything. To get an even better view, walk across the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge.

Tip: Depending on where you're staying and what top attractions are at the top of your list, your day may begin differently from ours. This was a simpler way to start the day from where we stayed.

2. Gaze at the Basilica of Santa Croce

From the Ponte Santa Trinita Bridge, it’s only a short walk to the Basilica of Santa Croce. Its tall, beautiful white and green marble front will catch your eye from far away.

You’ll want to stop and admire it for a while—a few extra minutes before continuing your walk through the small streets that lead to Florence’s main squares.

3. Admire the Art at Piazza Della Signoria & Uffizi Gallery

Next, go to Piazza della Signoria to see some wonderful statues, like Michelangelo’s David (the replica) and Perseus with the Head of Medusa—all for free.

Another free place to see more Renaissance art is the Uffizi Gallery Courtyard, which is just around the corner.

All in all, this square has the atmosphere of an outdoor museum.

Quick Tip:

Don’t forget to grab lunch at Gusto Leo, which is one of the best pizza places in Florence, for a cheap and tasty meal. They serve fresh pizzas and other Italian dishes with local flavours for €8–€25.

4. Take a walk around Piazza del Duomo

Next, go to the Duomo, which is one of the most famous sights in the city. Even from the outside, the cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is stunning.

The marble front is a mix of white, green, and pink that makes it look like it’s glowing in the sun.

As you stand under its giant dome and look at the complex design carved into every corner, you can’t help but feel small.

The cathedral is free to enter, but if you don’t have time to go inside like we didn’t, you can spend an hour or two just looking at the building and the area around it from the outside.

Another thing that many people have said is that the views from the top of the Duomo are truly wonderful. That’s one reason I’d go back to Florence someday.

Tip: If you want to climb the Duomo during your one-and-a-half-day visit, look into the Duomo Cathedral Skip-the-Line ticket to avoid wasting even more time in the long lines outside, which we saw when we visited.

5. People-Watch at Piazza della Repubblica (free!) 

As we kept walking around, following the ambient sound from the street performers, we soon arrived at the Piazza della Repubblica.

It is a lovely place to stop by and take in the local scene. The best part is that you don’t have to pay anything to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Furthermore, it’s only a three- to five-minute walk from the Florence Duomo.

6. Soak Up the Sunset & Stunning Views at Piazzale Michelangelo

In the evening, one of the best free things to do in Florence is to enjoy the city’s beauty from Piazzale Michelangelo.

Since we went in the winter and stayed close to this Florence landmark, the first thing we did after a long day of exploring the city was to relax at our accommodation.

There was no need for us to rush, as we wouldn’t miss the sunset due to its absence. Keep in mind that you’ll have to walk up some stairs, but the views are worth it.

Here, you can see the Duomo, the Arno River, and the whole city of Florence. This spot is a wonderful place to take a selfie and buy souvenirs (but bring cash). It’s also free!

7. Explore Oltrarno & Piazza Pitti Palace

If your schedule is similar to ours (as in, you leave in the evening on the day you depart), and you’d like to make the most of your half-day in the city,

I would recommend that you visit the Oltrarno district. If you want to escape the crowds and end your half-day in Florence in a less crowded area, you can visit the Oltrarno district.

With its craft shops, quieter streets, and lots of charm, this area has a more local feel. You can walk around the streets and visit the Pitti Palace.

One place we did spend some money on was the Pitti Palace.

With its craft shops, quieter streets, and lots of character, this area has a more local feel.

You can walk the streets and visit the Pitti Palace. The place we did spend some money was the Pitti Palace.

Going to Pitti Palace is like entering a fantastical realm of Renaissance splendour— the enormous palace and its art collection will astound you.

At the time of our visit, tickets for adults were €10 P/P, which made it a cheap way to get a close look at Florence’s royal past.

And you can buy the tickets on-site, so there’s no need to purchase a skip-the-line ticket in advance.

Where to Eat in Florence, Italy, on a Budget

Florence is home to a large number of cheap eateries that offer delicious Tuscan cuisine at affordable prices.

Don’t hesitate to steer clear of the popular tourist areas and instead seek out local eateries. Typically, you’ll find lower prices and more authentic flavours.

Sadly, as a result of our short stay in the city, we didn’t go on many food tours in Florence

For a reasonable price of €15 to €25, you can get a full Italian meal at Trattoria al Ponte Vecchio, which is a restaurant I can suggest.

On our first night, we had dinner here. In addition to the restaurant I previously mentioned, we also prepared light meals in our accommodations using ingredients we purchased from a nearby store.

Final Thoughts: Is Visiting Florence, Italy, for 1.5 Days Worth It?

So, is 1.5 days in Florence worth it? Yes, it can be! Even with a short time and a small budget, you can still see wonderful art, eat tasty food, and walk through beautiful streets.

It’s all about planning smart and choosing the things that matter most to you. Also, consider it to be an intro to the city; you can always go back. I know I’d for sure.

Florence is full of charm, and even just a little time there can leave a big memory.

If you’re planning your first trip to Italy and want more ideas for where to go and what to do, check out my other Italy travel tips and budget-friendly guides for exploring Europe.

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