3 Days in Florence and Tuscany: The Perfect Itinerary
This travel guide explains how to spend 3 days in Florence and Tuscany, splitting time in the thriving city and in the rural countryside.
Italy is one of those places I can keep visiting time and again and never get bored. There are many different regions of Italy that are well-worth seeing and will keep you coming back to the country.
In the past, I’ve been to Rome multiple times, Venice, Positano, and Capri to name a few. Two of the places at the top of my Italian bucket list were Lake Como and Tuscany, which I was able to visit this time around.
Florence is one of my favorite cities in the world. There is amazing art, food, and culture. It’s also a simply stunning city. In fact, the city center is an UNESCO World Heritage site. It is well worth spending time here during your vacation to Tuscany.
The Tuscany wine region ended up being one of my favorite areas. I love the historic villages, luxury villas, and of course the wine.
During my recent trip to the area, I stayed at an old hunting villa, explored two historic towns, and tried amazing wine from two local wineries. I also had delicious food and some relaxing time by the pool.
If any of this sounds appealing to you, keep reading for a guide to where to stay and what to do in the Tuscany region of Italy. To learn about where I went following Tuscany, read my guide to two days in Lake Como.
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Three Day Florence and Tuscany Itinerary
The below Florence and Tuscany three-day itinerary is the perfect way to get a taste of the region. You will spend one day and night in Florence followed by two days and two nights near Cortona.
It has a balanced mix of sightseeing and relaxation. As usual, this itinerary can be tailored based on your preferences.
Day 1 – Arrive in Florence by train or plane, then head to the city center and check into your hotel. In the morning, take a walking tour of the city through a free walking tour or the above itinerary.
For lunch, get a sandwich at All’antica Vinaio. In the afternoon, visit the Uffizi gallery to see some amazing works of art.
2 – In the morning, pick up a rental car and take the scenic road trip into the Tuscan countryside. Check into your hotel and spend the day at your leisure – by the pool, in a cooking class, or a bike ride.
In the early evening, head to historic Cortona for sightseeing and dinner at Ristorante La Loggetta.
3 – Day three is all about wine tasting. In the late morning, visit La Braccesca winery for a tour and tasting. Then, drive towards Montepulciano and grab lunch at Borgo San Vincenzo.
This restaurant was one of the best meals of our trip and is conveniently located next to your second winery, Boscarelli. After a day of wine tasting, enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Where to Stay in Florence
There is no shortage of luxury hotels in Florence. With this 3 days in Florence and Tuscany itinerary, there is only one night in Florence, so I recommend staying near the city center for the easiest access to the sights. Below are three of the top places to stay in Florence.
St Regis Florence – Only a 10-minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio, this hotel is in a great location. There is a spa, restaurant, and library on site.
Sina Villa Medici, Autograph Collection – This hotel is the least expensive on the list, without sacrificing quality or location. There is a seasonal outdoor pool, shopping, garden, and coffee shop on the property.
Four Seasons – I’ve never been disappointed by a stay at a Four Seasons resort. This one is a 14 minute walk to the tourist center, and directly next to the main train station. There’s an outdoor pool, shopping, spa, and three restaurants at this resort.
Where to Stay in Tuscany
The first decision of where to stay in Tuscany is what small town to stay in. Tuscany is a large region with a lot of different options. For this itinerary, I recommend staying near Cortona or Montepulciano, both of which are great wine regions and less than two hours from Florence.
My personal favorite town is Cortona. It’s a small medieval town set on top of a hill, with many great restaurants and great views of the area. Below are two of my favorite luxury hotels near Cortona.
Villa di Piazzano – this villa was one of the first things that kickstarted my trip to Tuscany. I saw pictures of it on social media and knew I had to visit. The Villa di Piazzano is an old hunting cabin that has been converted into a five-star resort. The hotel has a beautiful pool, gourmet restaurant, and great service. Its also conveniently located 15 minutes from Cortona.
Precise Tale Poggio Alla Sala – This is a great option closer to Montepulciano. It has an onsite spa, indoor pool, bar, and gorgeous rooms ranging from a standard studio to a variety of suites. I haven’t personally stayed here but it looks beautiful.
What to Do in Florence
Take a Walking Tour
With a short amount of time in a city, my favorite thing to do is a walking tour. I love taking free walking tours because they are hosted by locals and provide a good overview of the city for only the price of tips (15-30 dollars per person).
Alternatively, you could take a self-guided walking tour. In that case, below is an easy two-hour route that will hit the highlights of Florence.
- Florence Cathedral (Duomo): Start your tour at the impressive Florence Cathedral, also known as the Duomo. Admire the stunning Gothic architecture and the famous dome.
- Baptistery of St. John: Adjacent to the Duomo is the Baptistery of St. John, known for its beautiful bronze doors, including the famous “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti.
- Piazza della Signoria: Walk to Piazza della Signoria, the political and social heart of Florence. Marvel at the statues in the square, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David and the Fountain of Neptune.
- Ponte Vecchio: Head towards the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge, a medieval bridge lined with shops.
- Piazza Pitti: Cross the Ponte Vecchio and make your way to Piazza Pitti. The square is dominated by the Palazzo Pitti, a grand Renaissance palace. (visit the Boboli gardens if you have extra time).
- Santa Maria Novella: Walk back towards the city center and visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.
- San Lorenzo Market: End your tour at the San Lorenzo Market, a bustling market where you can find local produce, leather goods, clothing, and more.
Eat the Best Sandwich in the World
When the sandwich shop All’antico Vinaio went viral on TikTok I knew I had to try it. When I tell you this sandwich changed my life, I’m not kidding. It was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten and I still dream about it today.
The sandwiches are on their fresh homemade bread that is soft, salty, and the perfect thickness. There are a bunch of different sandwiches to choose from, all made with the best quality local ingredients.
I ordered La Paradiso which is stracciatella, pistachio cream, and mortadella. It is amazing! My boyfriend ordered the Joe Bastianich which had pancetta, pecorino cream, sun dried tomato, and arugula. It was also very tasty.
Visit Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is one of the most famous art galleries in the world. You can see artwork by renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Giotto.
It is recommended to book your ticket ahead of time to avoid long lines. This skip the line pass will help save some time in your tight itinerary.
In the gallery, some of the best things to see are:
- Room 2: The Birth of Venus and Primavera by Sandro Botticelli
- Room 7: The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci
- Room 8: Adoration of the Magi by Gentile da Fabriano
- Room 10: Doni Tondo by Michelangelo
- Room 15: Portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino by Piero della Francesca
- Room 28: The Annunciation and The Baptism of Christ by Leonardo da Vinci
- Room 35: Venus of Urbino by Titian
What to Do in Rural Tuscany
In rural Tuscany, time is best spent leisurely, soaking in the atmosphere. Some of the most popular things to do are cooking classes, bike rides, and truffle hunting. These activities are usually run by local hotels or small companies. To book, I suggest reaching out to your hotel for recommendations.
The other most popular thing to do in rural Tuscany is wine tasting. Below, I’ll list some of the best wineries to visit. Wine tasting in Tuscany was very similar to what I’ve experienced in Napa California or Cape Town South Africa. Reservations are highly recommended and typically include a winery tour and tasting. The tastings are usually leisurely and take around two hours. I recommend visiting two wineries in a day.
The Best Wineries to Visit Near Cortona
I visited two wineries during my time in Cortona – La Braccesca and Boscarelli. They are located within an hour of Villa di Piazzano, making it easy to visit both in a day.
La Braccesca – This is a huge winery that is owned by a large wine corporation and exports a ton of wine across Europe and North America. The estate is hundreds of acres and very beautiful. The visit starts with a quick tour of the grounds to see the vines and a great photo spot. After that, you will visit the underground barrel room where the wines are aged. Following the tour, you can try four of their most popular wines paired with bread, cheese, and chocolate. This winery had some of my favorite wine I’ve ever tasted and the service was excellent, so I’d definitely return.
Boscarelli – This winery is family owned and much smaller. I loved seeing both sizes of wineries and learning about how they operate differently. Similarly, the visit includes a walk through the vines, visit to the barrel room, then a tasting of four wines. I also loved the wine here and the rustic feel of the winery was very fun.
Other good wineries to visit:
- Leuta
- Cantina Canaio
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Cantina Contucci
- Baldetti
Tuscany Outfit Ideas
Fashion in Italy is some of the best in the world. From the super chic outfits of Milan to the casual looks of Lake Como, each area of Italy has its own fashion identity. In Tuscany, people tend to dress more casually than in a city, but more dressy than you may be used to in the United States. It’s the perfect place for floral sundresses, white summery sets, and your favorite sandals.
Above is a collage of outfit ideas for Tuscany. These are great things to wear to wine tasting, a cooking class, or out to dinner in town.
Click here to shop these Tuscany outfits
What is Tuscany?
People often talk about wanting to visit Tuscany but aren’t clear on what it is. A state? A town? The answer is Tuscany is a region of Italy known for Italian charm, culture, and wine.
Renowned for its stunning landscapes, Tuscany boasts rolling hills adorned with picturesque vineyards, ancient olive groves, and quaint medieval villages.
The birthplace of the Renaissance, this enchanting destination offers rich history, art, and architecture. Tuscany has a quaint countryside and iconic cities like Florence, Siena, and Pisa.
Whether it’s strolling through sunflower fields, seeing world-class art, or sipping wine as the sun sets over the rolling hills, Tuscany is a region well-worth visiting on any Italian vacation.
This guide to 3 days in Florence and Tuscany will explain how to see my favorite city in the area and explore the countryside to get a taste of the region.
Getting to Tuscany
By train – If you are nearby in Italy, the easiest way to get to the Tuscany region is by train. There are major train stations in all of the big cities – Florence, Seina, and Pisa. In addition, there are some train stations in the smaller towns.
By airplane – If you are arriving from international, the best way to get to Tuscany is by flying into the Amerigo Vespucci International Airport in Florence.
Getting Around
The best way to get around Florence is by public transportation and walking. From the airport, you can take a train into the city which takes around 30 minutes and costs around 3 euros per person. Within Florence city center, almost everything is walkable.
To get to the wine region, the best way to get around is by renting a car. I recommend renting your car from the airport lot so you can avoid driving in the city center. The roads around Tuscany are easy to navigate with your phone’s GPS. Some of the small towns have narrow roads with tight corners, so be aware of your surroundings and drive carefully.
Quick Facts
Currency – Euro
Language – Italian
Safety – Be careful driving around Tuscany, drivers are notoriously fast and aggressive
Tipping – 10-15% is customary on dining or tours
Tuscany Day Trips from Florence
If the above itinerary is daunting to you, another option is to stay in Florence as a home base and visit the countryside as a day trip. Below are two good options for day tours from Florence into wine country.
Chianti Day Trip – This tour includes visits to two wineries in the Chianti wine region, food tasting of cheese, olive oil, and other local goods, and round-trip transportation. It’s also super reasonably priced around 50 dollars per person.
Tuscany Vespa Tour – For a more adventurous option, this Vespa tour is a great way to see the countryside. It includes visits to some small towns, tons of photo opportunities, and a stop for wine and cheese.
Summary of How to Spend 3 Days in Florence and Tuscany
This Tuscany travel guide includes the perfect three-day itinerary to see the highlights of Florence and the surrounding countryside. It provides a balanced trip with a ton of history, art, amazing food, and of course wine.
If you are planning a trip to Italy, I urge you to consider including a few days in this region, as it is truly spectacular. I already know I will return someday soon!
For more Italian vacation inspiration, be sure to check out my guides to Rome, Lake Como, and Venice.
