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Let’s assume this is your first visit to Italy, and you want to include Florence, Italy, in your itinerary.
But if you have only 1.5 days and want to maximise your time without spending much, you’re in luck.
Florence is full of history, culture, and breathtaking sights, and you don’t have to spend lots of money to see them all.
So, whether you like art and food, or if you are someone who enjoys wandering through European cobblestone streets (I know I do! ), there is something for everyone in Florence.
However, planning a trip you can fully enjoy, which includes all the must-see places in just 36 hours, can be tricky because there is so much to see and do in this amazing Italian city.
But don’t worry! I’ll walk you through a one-and-a-half-day itinerary packed with cheap things to do in this gorgeous city—and yes, you’ll still get to soak in all the Renaissance magic for free!
And if you are wondering if it’s even worth visiting Florence for a 1.5-day visit, in my opinion, it’s worth a visit!
I hope that by the time you finish reading this post, I’ve convinced you to add it to your list of cities to visit in Italy!
But first, here’s something you should know before you go 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.
Is Florence worth visiting?
Florence was a lovely place to visit. However, careful planning will help you enjoy your trip.
As I already said, the city has a lot of interesting art and history. The centre of Florence is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For this itinerary, I’d advise you to avoid touristy activities; otherwise, you may miss Florence’s charm and be overwhelmed.
And if you’re a huge fan of the well-known Netflix romance series “From Scratch,” you’ll undoubtedly want to go to the city where some of the series was shot. (wouldn’t you?).
How to Get to Florence, Italy, By Train
Florence is located in central Italy, as I’ve mentioned above, so how you get there depends on where you begin your trip.
Overall, the city is well connected. If you’re coming from Venice like we were, there are many trains that 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 for First-Time Visitors
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. With most of the best views being fairly near 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 Florence neighbourhood.
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!
Where to Stay in Florence on a Budget?
For this itinerary, I wouldn’t advise staying too far from the centre. Of course, Florence’s central area might be expensive, but there are several reasonably priced places to stay close to 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 easy access to the city’s main attractions.
Tip: You can also use Hostelworld to find hostels in the centre of Florence that offer private or shared rooms at a fraction of the cost of hotels. If you’d like a little more privacy, you can find other cheap hotels or flats on Booking.com or Agoda. Just remember to book ahead of time, especially during busy times.
7 Cheap & Free Things to Do/See in Florence, Italy, for First-Timers
It’s amazing how many of Florence’s most popular sights you can see for a small fee or even for free.
Let’s get started! 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.
Day 1: Discover Florence’s Historic Centre (on a Budget!)
#1 Morning: Walk Across Ponte Vecchio
A stroll around the well-known Ponte Vecchio is a wonderful way to start the day. It is lined with gold jewellery shops.
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.
Free Must-Visit Piazzas in Florence, Italy
#3: Admire the Art at Piazza Della Signoria & Uffizi Gallery
Next, go to Piazza della Signoria to see some amazing 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.
Lunch: Cheap Eats at Gusto Leo
Get a pizza 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: Afternoon: 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 huge dome and look at the complex design carved into every corner, you can’t help but feel small.
The good news? 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 a lot of people have said is that the views from the top of the Duome are truly amazing. 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 great thing is that you don’t have to pay anything to enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Also, it’s only a three- to five-minute walk from the Florence Duomo.
#6 Evening: Sunset & Stunning Views at Piazzale Michelangelo
One of the best free things you can do in Florence in the evening is to take in 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. Also, 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 is a great place to take a selfie and buy saviours (but bring cash). It’s also free!
#7 Bonus: 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 suggest that you head to 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 around the streets and visit the Pitti Palace. One place we did spend some money on 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 onsite, so no need for a skip-the-line ticket!
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 be afraid to miss the big tourist streets and find restaurants where locals eat. You’ll generally 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. Besides the place I mentioned earlier, we also made light meals in our accommodations with food we bought at a store nearby.
Final Tips for Your 1.5-Day First-Time Visit to Florence, Italy
The city of Florence is truly amazing, and you can enjoy it in just a day and a half. I know I’m repeating myself, but this itinerary will save you money on your Florence trip. Before you go, don’t forget the following:
- Buy transport tickets ahead of time: Learn from my mistake and pick up your bus tickets before you hop on board! Most tickets can be bought at cafes.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Florence is a city best explored on foot, so make sure you’ve got shoes that can handle cobblestone streets.
- Consider booking tickets in advance. You can buy tickets to some of the best attractions through Get Your Guide or Viator.
- No matter how long you stay, don’t feel bad if you can’t see and do everything on your first trip to Florence. There are many beautiful places to visit in Italy, and you can always go back to some of them for a new experience. Florence is definitely one of those for me.
If you enjoyed it and found this guide helpful, check out my other budget-friendly travel guides on the blog below. Also, share it and save it on Pinterest for later!
I hope you have a great time in Florence, Italy. All the best and happy travels! xx
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