Florence in 3 days 🇮🇹

✨ FLORENCE IN 3 DAYS ✨

Just got back from the most amazing long weekend visiting my daughter who’s studying abroad—and packed SO much into 3 days! Here’s a quick guide if you’re planning a trip 💛👇

Quick note: This post isn’t sponsored. I paid for everything myself and just want to share what we loved so you can have the best trip possible.

🛏️ Where I Stayed

I stayed at the Globus Hotel in the historic district. It was clean, modern, priced right, and super convenient. The staff was kind and helpful, housekeeping was quick and consistent (fresh towels before 11am every day!), and they offered a daily breakfast from 7–10am. The day I left, they even made me a to-go breakfast box. Highly recommend!

Getting there tip: I took the tram from the airport to the city center—less than $2 vs. a $32 taxi. Easy, quick, and efficient. Just make sure you buy a ticket and stamp it once onboard.

🥾 Tours I Loved: I booked everything through the Viator app. It’s an app where you will find all tours available around the world host by different companies in one place. They are all legit and a great app to have so you get all your tickets, vouchers, and communication to each company in one place! Oh! Also you get directions to places in there. After I left my reviews they gave me 15% off for anyone who books for the first time, so I’m leaving the code here for you:

https://mention-me.com/m/ol/nr7yo-carla-bushey

• Walking tour with My Green Tour Italy

As soon as I arrived, I did a 2-hour walking tour to get my bearings. It covered the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistry, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio. Great overview with rich history.

• Sunset Food Tour – Eating Europe 

This was fabulous. We made 7 delicious stops with local eats and drinks you won’t find on restaurant menus—cheese, gelato, wine windows, and even a proper Negroni. A great way to get a taste (literally) of Florentine life.

• Tuscany Day Trip – Pisa, Chianti, San Gimignano, Siena through Towns of Italy

• Pisa: We went early to beat the crowds. You can go up the tower, but we explored outside and took photos.
• Chianti Wine Region: Wine tasting + lunch (antipasto, pasta, dessert) at a vineyard—absolutely dreamy.
• San Gimignano: Charming, scenic, and great for shopping.
• Siena: Ended the day with a tour and dinner.
• Bonus Stop: Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset views of Florence. Musicians playing, drinks at the rooftop bar… unreal.

• Cinque Terre Tour – Avventure Bellissimo we explore 3 of the 5 islands. The other two are Corniglia and Riomaggiore. 

Manarola: Jaw-dropping views. We didn’t have time for a pesto class at Nessun Dorma, but if you do—go! Plus they have the best views of the island 

Monterosso: Iconic orange and green beach umbrellas. We rented one and enjoyed limoncello spritzes, pesto bruschetta, and prosciutto with melon by the sea.

Vernazza: Swam again, grabbed a famous Frito Misto cone, and tried the local Trofie al Pesto at Il Gambero Rosso.

• Cooking Class – The Roman Food Tour

We wrapped our trip with a cooking class through The Roman Food Tour and learned to make tagliatelle, ravioli, and tiramisu. You leave with full bellies, recipes, and a little prosecco buzz!

🍷 Wine Windows We Visited

Babae • Cantina de’ Pucci • First Glass • Osteria San Fiorenzo • Cafe Odeon

🥪 Sandwich Spots

Panetteria De Neri (get La Golosona!)

Pino’s • All’Antico Vinaio

🍝 Pasta Restaurants

Trattoria Cammillo • Osteria Santo Spirito • Mamma Gina

🍕 Pizza

Da Cesare • Di Napoli Firenze • O Munaciello

🥩 Fiorentina Steak

Trattoria Dall’Oste • Il Latini • Bordino

🍦 Gelato

Vivoli (try the affogato!)

Carraia • Gelateria dei Neri

🍫 Chocolates

Venchi • Nino and Friends

📍Must-Sees

Duomo • Ponte Vecchio • Uffizi • Piazza Signoria • Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset • Academia (David!) • Boboli Gardens

I hope this helps you plan your own magical time in Florence. Whether you’re there for a weekend or a week, there’s no shortage of beauty, food, and unforgettable experiences. If you’ve been or are planning to go, I’d love to hear your favorites too!

Ciao,

Carla 💛