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The Perfect Three-Day Florence Escape: Art, Aperitivos, and Hidden Alleys
With the stylish Hotel Calimala as your home base, Florence becomes an effortlessly walkable playground. You are positioned at the literal intersection of the city’s ancient history and its modern soul. To help you navigate the overwhelming amount of beauty this city offers, here is a curated three-day itinerary that balances the “must-sees” with the “must-dos.”
Day 1: The Heart of the Renaissance
Your first morning begins just a three-minute stroll from your hotel lobby to the Piazza del Duomo. Standing before the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, you’ll truly appreciate the scale of Brunelleschi’s Dome. If you’re feeling energetic, climb the 463 steps for a panoramic view that justifies the workout, or simply admire the “Gates of Paradise” on the Baptistery. For lunch, wander toward the Mercato Centrale, where the upstairs food hall offers everything from fresh truffles to handmade pasta.
Spend your afternoon in the Piazza della Signoria, an open-air sculpture gallery where you can see a replica of David and the staggering “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” under the Loggia dei Lanzi. As the sun begins to dip, retreat to your hotel’s Angel Roofbar. There is no better way to toast to your arrival than with a Negroni in hand, watching the sky turn pink behind the Arnolfo Tower of the Palazzo Vecchio.
Day 2: Masterpieces and the Oltrarno
Day two is for the icons. Start early at the Uffizi Gallery pre-booking is essential to witness Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” before the mid-day crowds arrive. After a morning of high art, cross the jewelry-lined Ponte Vecchio, but don’t linger too long on the bridge itself. Instead, head into the Oltrarno, the “other side” of the Arno river, which feels like the true, local Florence.
The Oltrarno is home to the massive Pitti Palace and the sprawling Boboli Gardens, a perfect spot for a quiet afternoon walk among 16th-century statues and grottos. This neighborhood is also famous for its artisans; look into the small workshops where leather is still hand-tooled and paper is marbled by hand. For dinner, stay on this side of the river to find authentic, family-run trattorias that serve the legendary Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak).
Day 3: Sunsets and Secret Windows
On your final day, take a scenic 20-minute walk (or a quick taxi) up to Piazzale Michelangelo. This is the classic postcard view of Florence, offering a sweeping look at the river, the bridges, and the Duomo. After soaking in the vista, head back down to the Santa Croce district to visit the Basilica where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried.
Before heading back to Hotel Calimala for your final night, keep an eye out for the city’s famous Buchette del Vino(Wine Windows). These tiny openings in the stone walls of old Palazzos were once used to sell wine during the plague, and many have been reopened today. Knock on the shutter, order a glass of Chianti, and enjoy a uniquely Florentine tradition. It’s the perfect, low-key end to a whirlwind three days in the world’s most beautiful city.
