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Florence and the Arno seen from Piazzale Michelangelo
Florence · Weekend plan

A first weekend in Florence: Duomo, Uffizi and Oltrarno

Give each day one main reservation, with time for food and an unhurried walk. Put the market lunch on Saturday, then keep Sunday flexible for the Uffizi and the south bank.

01

Saturday morning: one Duomo experience

Start with the cathedral exterior, then choose a booked climb or the Opera del Duomo Museum. Leave the other for another visit if time is short. Check the current dress rules and named-ticket requirements before arriving. The Baptistery remains worth seeing, but its vault mosaics were not visible during restoration at our 9 October 2026 review; do not make them the promised highlight of the morning.

02

Saturday lunch and afternoon: east of the centre

Walk towards Sant’Ambrogio with enough time for Trattoria Da Rocco inside the market. Its Monday–Saturday lunch service and traditional dishes make this a useful Saturday choice; ask about today’s peposo or another dish that suits you. Afterwards, visit Santa Croce if you want another interior, including the Bardi Chapel’s restored Giotto frescoes, or keep just the square and a slower neighbourhood walk.

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

03

Sunday morning: Uffizi with a small set of priorities

Use a booked Uffizi entry or guided visit, and choose a few paintings to look at properly. Keep time for security and a break; do not book a second major museum immediately after the guided portion. The cathedral’s tourist interior is closed on Sunday under current rules, so placing the Uffizi here gives the weekend a clearer rhythm.

If you would like someone to explain the paintings, consider the Uffizi small-group guided tour with admission. The listed 90-minute visit includes Uffizi admission and headsets. It does not include other Florence museums, meals or hotel transfers; security checks remain necessary. Confirm your selected language and group option, and arrive at the booked meeting point early.

04

Sunday afternoon: cross the river

After a meal break, cross Ponte Vecchio to Piazza Pitti, then continue through Santo Spirito and return over Ponte Santa Trinita. Add Pitti or Boboli only if energy, tickets and current access allow. At our 9 October review, the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Porcelain Museum and Iliad room were closed. Packtricia will recheck; readers should always check before travelling. The public bridge-and-square route remains the shorter alternative.

05

Dates and packing that affect the plan

The Uffizi Galleries warned of disruption on 14 October 2026, guaranteeing Uffizi opening only from 13:30 to 18:30 and Boboli for its normal day; confirm any booking for that date. November Duomo maintenance also affects climb choices. Pack grippy shoes for old paving, a church-appropriate layer and a compact day bag. In summer, move longer exposed walks away from the hottest afternoon period; in rain, give the reserved museum more time.

Check before you go

Opening arrangements and visitor rules can change. Check the official information before your trip.

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