Florence in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Florence is a city that will sweep you off your feet. Its museums, churches and palaces, as well as its squares and streets, make it a unique destination. However, if you are only going to be there for one day, you will need to plan your time carefully and stick to a tight itinerary. My recommendation is to visit the Duomo first thing in the morning and then explore the city on foot, following the route I describe below. Get ready for a magical journey!

Piazza del Duomo is the nerve centre of Florence, so booking a tour of Florence Cathedral is an ideal way to discover this area, home to Florence Cathedral, Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Baptistery of San Giovanni. It is also, without a doubt, the busiest place in the Tuscan capital. It is worth sitting down and taking a good look at this open-air museum. In this square, you can also visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and the Loggia del Bigallo. There are many things to do in Florence's Piazza del Duomo.

If you're only spending a day in Florence, I recommend taking a stroll and letting yourself be dazzled by every corner of the city. However, if you want to visit a monument, book tickets for the Cathedral, popularly known as the Duomo. Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful and impressive cathedrals in Europe, as well as the third largest after St. Peter's (Rome) and St. Paul's (London).

Dating back to the early 15th century, it was designed by the architect Arnolfo di Cambio and is characterised by its white and green marble façade. Inside is the tomb of Filippo Brunelleschi, the architect of the dome. And if you want to explore it in more depth, I recommend these options:

• Guided tour of the Duomo with access to Brunelleschi's dome—from S$32
• Private tour of the Florence Duomo complex— from S$237
• Tour of Florence Cathedral with access to the cathedral, dome, baptistery and Opera Museum—from 225

I recommend that you don't miss a moment and purchase your tickets for the Florence Duomo in advance. There is a lot to see inside Florence Cathedral and it's not worth wasting any time.

Climbing Brunelleschi's dome is one of the must-see attractions in Florence. To do so, you'll have to climb a total of 463 steps, but believe me, it's worth it.

The dome of the Duomo is one of the most spectacular works of the Renaissance, with a diameter of 46 metres and a height of 114 metres. The interior decoration features scenes from the Last Judgement by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari.

If you want to visit, you can choose between:

• Guided tour of Brunelleschi's dome and the Florence Opera Museum—from S$116
• Guided tour of the Duomo with access to Brunelleschi's dome—from 32
• Ascent to Brunelleschi's dome with a visit to the museum and the Florence Baptistery—from S$109
• Guided tour of Florence Cathedral with access to the terraces and dome —from S$121

I recommend booking tickets for Brunelleschi's Dome in advance to avoid disappointment and get ready to enjoy one of the best views of the city of Florence.

Opposite the Duomo is the Battistero di San Giovanni. Considered the oldest building in Piazza del Duomo, it is characterised by its white and green marble façade.

If possible, because it is always very crowded, be sure to find a spot and take a photo in front of the Gate of Paradise, one of the three entrance doors, which is characterised by its ten bronze panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament. On your day trip to Florence, I don't recommend going inside, but an ideal plan is to book a tour of the Baptistery and Brunelleschi's dome in Florence.

If you're only spending a day in Florence, you can skip climbing Giotto's Bell Tower, especially if you've already climbed Brunelleschi's dome. However, don't forget to take a selfie with the Campanile in the background, a work begun by Giotto and completed by Andrea Pisano in 1359. If you do decide to climb up, be aware that there are more than 400 steps. As from the dome, you will have one of the best views of the city of Florence.

After exploring the Duomo area in depth, I recommend heading to the Central Market, also known as San Lorenzo Market, and taking a break to eat a panino de lampredotto, a typical regional sandwich made with highly spiced beef tripe. Afterwards, take the opportunity to browse the market's many stalls and buy some souvenirs of your trip. This market is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. Another option is to book a food tour of Florence.

Next to the market, in Piazza San Lorenzo, you will find another of the essential visits on your trip, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, designed by Michelangelo and Brunelleschi. You can visit it from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Inside, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Medici Chapel, a crypt where the remains of Lorenzo the Magnificent and another fifty members of this popular Florentine family lie. Book a guided tour of Florence and enjoy this and other places that will captivate you.

Continue your walking tour to the recently renovated Piazza Santa Maria Novella, where you will find the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, one of the most important churches in Florence. Construction began in the mid-13th century and was completed a century later, combining Gothic and Renaissance styles.

After enjoying your visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, I recommend stopping at the Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella, located on Via della Scala, just a two-minute walk from the square. It sells perfumes and remedies made from traditional formulas. This pharmacy is not listed in the guidebooks and is a real gem. The visit will take no more than half an hour.

Very close to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, you can stop, take some photos and enter the Strozzi Palace, one of the greatest examples of Renaissance architecture in the city of Florence. Promoted by Filippo Strozzi, a member of one of the most influential Florentine families, it is an imposing stone building.

Continue your walk until you reach Piazza della Repubblica, which you will enter through a large arch. In this square, impressive for its size, stands the Column of Abundance, where two of the main roads of the ancient Roman city crossed. There is also a merry-go-round that is a big hit with the little ones.

Take the opportunity to rest and have a coffee in one of the elegant cafés located in the arcades of the square. If you are passionate about fashion, you should know that this is where you will find top brand shops such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana.

And from square to square: your next stop will be Piazza della Signoria, located between Piazza del Duomo and the Arno River. This enclave has always been linked to the civil power of the city. In fact, it became the site of trials and executions.

The most characteristic building in the square is the Palazzo Vecchio, dating back to the 14th century. On one side of the door you can see a replica of Michelangelo's statue of David, and on the other, the statue of Hercules and Cacus. Inside, you can see works by artists such as Giorgio Vasari, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Bronzino. My favourite rooms are the Sala dei Cinquecento and the Sala delle Mappe Geografiche, where you can look for your city throughout the different centuries. Book a guided tour of the Palazzo Vecchio and get to know it in depth.

The square also features the Loggia della Signoria, a 14th-century porticoed gallery combining Gothic and classical elements, and the 16th-century Fountain of Neptune, which was the first public fountain in the city of Florence. You can also see other statues, such as Perseus with the Head of Medusa and Cosimo I de' Medici.

The Uffizi Gallery is a must-see in Florence, but if you only have one day, it is not recommended to go inside because the estimated duration is at least three hours. However, if you have time, I recommend:

• Guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery—from S$89
• Private guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery—from S$187
• Tickets to the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens—from S$97

Of course, you can always just book skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery and take a quick tour to see the best works in the Uffizi Gallery, such as Filippo Lippi's The Virgin and Child with Two Angels and Botticelli's Primavera. To do this, it is a good idea to study the route beforehand. Also, don't hesitate to visit the article on tickets to the Uffizi Gallery for all the details.

If you want to return to Florence, and considering that your visit is only for one day, I recommend that you go and touch the snout of the porcellino. Tradition says that if you touch it, you'll return to Florence, and it also brings good luck. Don't hesitate! What's more, the porcellino is located next to the New Market, so you can take the opportunity to pick up some local handicrafts such as leather goods or other souvenirs.

And after touching the snout of the porcellino, your next stop will be one of the most emblematic places in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio. Dating back to the mid-14th century, it is the oldest and most historic stone bridge in Europe. Its hanging houses and shops have had different uses over the years: in the 15th and 16th centuries they were occupied by butchers and later by jewellers and goldsmiths, who have remained there to this day.

Crossing the Ponte Vecchio, you will arrive in front of the Pitti Palace, a large Renaissance-style building dating back to the mid-15th century, located south of the Arno River.

It has been the residence of several influential families in Florentine life, such as the Pitti, the Medici and the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Today, it houses an important collection of works of art, as well as porcelain, period costumes and more. In fact, it comprises a series of museums: the Palatine Gallery, the Modern Art Gallery, the Costume Museum, the Silver Museum and the Porcelain Museum. In addition, the Boboli Gardens are located inside the palace. If you have time, I suggest you opt for:

• Guided tour of the Boboli Gardens and the Palatine Gallery of the Pitti Palace—from S$161
• Tickets to the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens—from 97

If you were staying for more than a day, I would recommend booking tickets for the Pitti Palace and enjoying each of the collections it houses, but with so little time, I would advise you to limit yourself to admiring the architecture of the building.

And to round off a spectacular day, climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo and enjoy spectacular views of the city of Florence. You can get there easily by booking the Florence tourist bus. If you look closely, you'll see that it's the image on many postcards of the city of Florence, as the panoramic view is truly impressive. This square is located on a hill south of the Arno River and also houses a bronze replica of Michelangelo's David.

If you're only going to be in Florence for one day, you need to be prepared for a race against the clock. Here are some tips to keep in mind for this express trip:

• Don't get hung up on getting into places: If you're only going to be in Florence for one day, it's better to walk around as much as possible and soak up the city: its streets, its architecture, its people, its atmosphere...
• Take advantage of any break to enjoy an ice cream: they are a delight for the palate.
• Wear comfortable shoes, such as ankle boots.
• Don't forget your camera.
• Don't sit down for lunch in a restaurant: The best thing to do is to eat something quick, as we've detailed in this one-day guide, so you don't waste any time and can make the most of your day.
• If you're only spending one day in Florence, I recommend starting your day early in the morning at Piazza del Duomo and spending the day strolling around the main sights. Let yourself be dazzled by each of the palaces, churches, museums and every corner of the city of Florence.
• And if you want to delve deeper into each of the suggestions or even discover other alternatives, visit the post on what to see and do in Florence.