Florence on this side of the Arno and Florence on the other side of the Arno in a perfect three-day itinerary.

Don’t be in a rush… there’s so much to see… trust me! Ready to walk 👟?

Day 1: Panoramas and Medieval Heart

Morning: Fiesole and the View from Above

If you want to get a sense of how beautiful the historic center, the city, and the hills surrounding Florence are, our advice is to start from a panoramic viewpoint. You’re in luck because you’re staying here and can begin right from the campsite. The first move? Go straight to discover our terrace!

Those who choose Camping Panoramico Fiesole enjoy the privilege of experiencing the tranquility of Fiesole while at the same time having Florence within easy reach: for many, it’s the true Camping of Florence .

Step-by-step route: At the end of our private road, turn right onto Via Corsica and follow it all the way to the junction, then turn left, via Poeti, via Mari, via di Monte Ceceri, via Verdi, and right here a fabulous view of Florence from above opens up: a marvel!! You can see the entire city center and the Arno River dividing the city and flowing into the hills. At the end, you'll arrive at Piazza Mino da Fiesole.

In Fiesole you take bus 7 to Florence - here make sure to grab a seat on the left side to enjoy unique views of the hill and the city. Get off at Piazza della Libertà and take tram T2, and the stop will be at Piazza San Marco.

Afternoon: from the Duomo to Piazza della Signoria

Piazza San Marco is home to the church, the convent , and the Museum of San Marco , which houses the world’s largest collection of Renaissance works by Beato Angelico. Just a few steps away on Via Ricasoli stands the Galleria dell’Accademia , home to Michelangelo’s David — tickets should be booked well in advance.

I recommend reaching Piazza Duomo from Piazza SS Annunziata . In this square, stand with your back to the church: on the left is the Palazzo degli Innocenti, and above the loggia you’ll see “the window that’s always open” — no one is allowed to close it. Try also to count the bees on the statue of Ferdinando I de’ Medici — it’s impossible!

Take Via dei Servi, where you’ll start to truly “understand” the city. You’ll reach the Cathedral , and you won’t be able to take your eyes off this extraordinary monument.

Take a walk around the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore — it’s an overwhelming experience. Pause and you’ll discover so many details; look up and admire the dome. The remarkable innovation introduced by Brunelleschi was building it without the use of supporting scaffolding — no wooden structure could have borne such weight. We Florentines still say, “even today, we don’t know how he did it.”

Cathedral curiosity: on the façade, you’ll notice a bull’s head — want to know why it’s there? The head is said to honor the animals that helped transport materials during construction, but legend tells a different story. On Via Ricasoli lived a tailor, fiercely jealous of his wife, who was secretly enjoying the company of a master builder. When the tailor discovered the affair and reported them, the builder quickly placed the bull’s head facing the tailor’s windows — a lasting reminder that he was a betrayed husband.

From here, head straight to Piazza della Signoria — the heart of Florence’s political life and a magnificent open-air museum. You’ll find the Loggia dei Lanzi , the Palazzo Vecchio , and the Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati, known to Florentines as the “Biancone” , made from precious Carrara marble — the whitest statue of them all.

Evening: First Views of the Arno

Continue toward the Ponte Vecchio , passing by the Uffizi Gallery . Take in Florence from the Ponte Vecchio — the “bridge of gold” that connects the two sides of the Arno River. From here, you can glimpse Piazzale Michelangelo , the Church of San Miniato al Monte , the river with its bridges, and the Lungarni lined with charming palaces.

If you are still in the center eat a homemade ice cream, have an aperitif with a view and wait for the sunset because in the dark the city is different and very beautiful! On Lungarno Acciaioli you can take fantastic photos with really particular lights and shadows.

Day 2: Renaissance and Hidden Treasures

Morning: the Uffizi and the Renaissance Churches

Start your day early with a visit to the Uffizi —it goes without saying what an incredible museum it is! News: after years of closure, the Vasari Corridor has reopened, allowing you to walk above Ponte Vecchio to reach the other side of the Arno, the Boboli Gardens , and Palazzo Pitti.

Afternoon: the Wonders of the Center

🟡 Church of Santa Maria Novella: an elegant façade with green and white marble in the typical Renaissance style. Inside, you’ll find Giotto’s Crucifix, Brunelleschi’s Crucifix, Masaccio’s Trinity , and Ghirlandaio’s frescoes.

🟡 Basilica of San Lorenzo: Florence’s cathedral, consecrated by Saint Ambrose in 393 AD and rebuilt by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15th century. Michelangelo’s design for the façade was never carried out. Inside, you’ll find the Old Sacristy. Don’t miss the Medicean Laurentian Library (designed by Michelangelo and completed by Vasari and Ammannati, commissioned by the Medici family to safeguard their treasure of papyri, manuscripts, and volumes) and the Medici Chapels (the burial place of many members of the Medici family, including Michelangelo’s New Sacristy and the Chapel of the Princes).

🟡 Medici Riccardi Palace: a Renaissance palace commissioned by Cosimo the Elder de’ Medici from Michelozzo around the mid-15th century. Inside, visit the Chapel of the Magi, frescoed by Benozzo Gozzoli—though the subject is religious ( The Journey of the Magi ), it features portraits of members of the Medici family and political figures of the time.

Afternoon/evening: shopping and traditions

🟡 Palazzo Strozzi (one of the most significant Renaissance buildings in Florence: it features a wide and majestic courtyard accessible through three large arches. Today, it hosts important art exhibitions) and Via Tornabuoni (an elegant street lined with numerous high-fashion boutiques).

🟡 Piazza della Repubblica: once Roman in style, the square’s current appearance—with 19th-century buildings and a triumphal arch—is the result of the urban redevelopment carried out when Florence was the capital of Italy. Historic cafés overlook the square.

🟡 The Fountain of the Porcellino (actually a wild boar), created by Pietro Tacca in 1633, is located beside the loggia of the Mercato Nuovo. According to popular tradition, touching the Porcellino’s snout brings good luck, and if you place a coin in the animal’s mouth and it falls through the grate, your wish will come true. The original statue is kept inside the Bardini Museum.

If you have time during these first two days:

🟡 Orsanmichele: In 1290, Arnolfo di Cambio built a loggia for the grain trade in place of the original church. After the fire of 1304, it was rebuilt even larger. In 1380, the loggia was enclosed and once again transformed into a church, while maintaining its original shape—unusual for a religious building.

🟡 Orsanmichele: In 1290, Arnolfo di Cambio built a loggia for the grain trade in place of the original church. After the fire of 1304, it was rebuilt even larger. In 1380, the loggia was enclosed and once again transformed into a church, while maintaining its original shape—unusual for a religious building.

Day 3: The Authentic Oltrarno

Morning: Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

Cross the Ponte Vecchio, leaving the Duomo behind you, and you will find yourself on the other side of the Arno.

Walk along Via Guicciardini and at the end of this elegant street, lined with beautiful historic palaces, you’ll arrive at Piazza Pitti—truly a wonder of wonders! The square is dominated by the façade of the majestic Palazzo Pitti, dating back to the 15th century, named after its first owner, the Florentine banker Luca Pitti. Later purchased by Cosimo I de’ Medici, it also became the royal residence of the Habsburg-Lorraine and Savoy dynasties.

The palace is home to numerous museums (including the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, the Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Museum of Fashion and Costume) and is enhanced by the Boboli Gardens, one of the finest examples of Italian-style gardens. Inside, among its many works, you can admire the Roman amphitheater with the Egyptian obelisk at its center, Buontalenti’s Grotto, large fountains such as those of Neptune and Ocean, and the lemon house. Next to the garden lies Forte Belvedere—well worth a visit, offering yet another view of the city.

Afternoon: the Santo Spirito District

In the middle of the square, stand with your back to the palace and slip into Sdrucciolo dei Pitti (a characteristic alley with artisan shops). Cross Via Maggio (the street of antique dealers) and you’ll find yourself in Santo Spirito: a lively, cheerful district, home to markets and artisan fairs.

There are traditional trattorias, characteristic bars, small shops where you can enjoy stuffed schiacciata, artisan workshops, and artists’ studios. The square is surrounded by beautiful 15th-century palaces and the Basilica of the same name. Step inside the Church of Santo Spirito, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1444. Inside, you’ll find remarkable works of art, including a wooden crucifix attributed to a young Michelangelo.

Afternoon/Evening: Brancacci Chapel and Hidden Corners

Now take Via Sant’Agostino and Via Santa Monaca, and you’ll arrive at Piazza del Carmine, where the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine stands—so important because it houses the Brancacci Chapel (be sure to book a visit, it’s extraordinary). It contains the famous cycle of frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St. Peter and the Original Sin, begun by Masolino and Masaccio in 1424 and completed by Filippino Lippi.

On the other side of the Arno, look for Piazza della Passera : a small square, rich in Florentine history and culture.

Panoramic Spots Not to Miss:

• Piazzale Michelangelo: the panoramic terrace overlooking Florence par excellence, built in 1869 by architect Giuseppe Poggi

• Church of San Miniato al Monte: decorated with green and white marble, Romanesque style interior and the monumental cemetery next door houses the tomb of Carlo Lorenzini (Collodi), the author of Pinocchio

Interesting facts about bridges and the Arno:

The Arno river with its bridges and its embankments full of fascinating buildings with many stories and characteristics: one example is the church of S. Iacopo Sopr'Arno (for irreverent Florentines, it is called "the church with its bottom in the Arno"): its apse rests on the architectural protuberances that support it and make it jut out over the river.

Other places to visit if you have time:

• 🟡Bargello Museum

• 🟡Badia Fiorentina

• 🟡Biblioteca delle Oblate - entra cerca e bada li che vista? (come in look and look there what sight?)

And after a full day of art, history, and walking, there’s nothing better than relaxing in our campsite swimming pool , surrounded by greenery and set in a panoramic location.