ROME - ONE DAY TRIP - FLORENCE

TYPE: ITALIAN EXPERIENCE, OPEN AIR

TIME: 1 DAY TRIP

DEGREE: MUST SEE

Are you in Rome wondering which place or city could you visit on a day trip?

Here you will find a helpful route out of the city that you can have in one day: 

POSITION

HOW TO REACH IT?

The best way to reach Florence for a day trip is the fast trains (1.5 h) from Roma Termini and Tiburtina stations. Choosing trains with departure at about 8.00 AM, you could get there in the morning, in order to have all day do visit the city and came back to Rome in the evening.

The Santa Maria Novella station is located at just 10 minutes of walk to the real cultural center of the city.

Train tickets can be bought ONLINE

WHAT MAKES THIS TOWN SPECIAL?

• Florence is known to have been the city of the renaissance;
• A good destination to combine culture, history, and food;
• It is the house of universal masterpieces;
• Easily reachable from Rome it allowed you to add more cities to your trip itinerary.

WHAT TO SEE:

ACCADEMIA GALLERY

It is definitely a must-go stop for a day trip to Florence.

This museum was built to host the magnificent Michelangelo’s David, and it contains a little but representative artwork collection that makes it easy to visit not taking too much time to your day trip.

Price: 12.00 €, reduced 2.00 €  (children and students).

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.15 AM to 6.50 PM.

PIAZZA DUOMO

Known for its great cupola, Santa Maria del Fiore is the architectonic gem of all Florence and the undisputed symbol of the birth of the renaissance.

This big square is also the house of the beautifully marbled baptistery.

For a day trip, it is not suggested to enter these two monuments, it would take too much time.

But if you cannot renounce to the climb to the top of the dome, get prepared to 463 steps. 

In addition, do not forget that in Rome there is the St. Peter’s one that has nothing to envy to Florence one.

UFFIZI GALLERY and PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA

In one day: visit or not visit one of the most famous art gallery in the world?

It depends on your priorities. The visit to the Uffizi gallery, with its wonderful and big collection, will take you about 3 or 4 hours.

It worth it, many masterpieces are preserved here: Botticelli, Raffaello, Leonardo are just some of the prominent artists whom artworks enrich this Collection.

Even its architecture represents an artwork: it was built by Giorgio Vasari starting from 1560 on the behavior of the Medici family, to house the 13 florentine magistracies, known as “uffici” (offices), in order to have them near Palazzo della Signoria, the new seat of government. 

The building has an “u” structure with the shorter side towards the river Arno, and the exterior is marked by niches with the sculptures of illustrious men.

You could buy a skip the line ticket in advance to optimize time and have your visit during this a day trip, choosing what to see with the time lefts or just enjoying its outside nearby Piazza della Signoria and go on with your city tour.

Price: 12.00 €, reduced 2.00 €  (children and students).

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.15 AM to 6.50 PM.

PONTE VECCHIO

It is the oldest bridge in Florence. Originally populated by many butcheries (butchers used to throw the meat scraps directly into the river below), during the 1500s it became, and still remains,  the street of jewelers. It is completely crossed in the upper part by a piece of the Vasari corridor that linked Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti, passing through the Uffizi. 

PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO

This square is famous for its stunning view of Florence: from here you can see the Dome, the Arno river and Ponte Vecchio.

It is a long walk to get there but you will be repaid.

WHAT TO EAT?

Tuscany and Florence have a great food tradition: extra virgin olive oil, no-salt bread, wine, and meat are the main cooking ingredients in a florentine kitchen. Bistecca alla fiorentina or a panino con lampredotto, are just some of the typical dishes of this city. The first one is an about 2 inches thick steak that always comes with its bone; the second is a sandwich filled with a local special recipe cooked using part of the final part of the cow’s stomach, with tomato, onion, and parsley.

Suggested restaurants:

• All’Antico Vinaio, Via Dei Neri 76R, Firenze; POSITION
• Da' Vinattieri, Via Santa Margherita 4R Firenze;POSITION
• Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento Firenze.POSITION

RECOMMENDED ITINERARY:

• Train from Rome To Florence Santa Maria Novella in the early morning;
• Visit Accademia Gallery;
• Take a Walk around Piazza Duomo;
• Visit Piazza della Signoria and Uffizi outside;
• Have your lunch break at Osteria all’Antico Vinaio;
• Visit Ponte Vecchio;
• Take a walk around Piazza Pitti;
• Get to Piazzale Michelangelo ad enjoy its stunning view at sunset;
• Take a Walk back to central station for your train back to Rome.