Embarking on a day trip to Florence from Rome will most definitely be tiring, and by the end of the day, all you will want to do is rest your head on a pillow–but it’s so worth it.
Here’s everything you need to know in order to take an incredible, independent day trip from Rome to Florence!
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- Getting to Florence from Rome Independently
- What to Do on a Day Trip to Florence from Rome
- Essential Florence Day Trip Tips
Getting to Florence from Rome Independently
Taking a day trip to Florence from Rome is relatively easy. The biggest obstacle you will have to plan out, is how to get to and from Florence. The easiest and best way to do so is by train.
Trains leave regularly from Rome throughout the day. All you have to do is choose a time and get your tickets. The train ride from Rome to Florence takes around an hour and a half. We always suggest taking the fast train as the regional trains can take twice as long. By using the fast train, you will have plenty of time to explore on your day trip to Florence!
We HIGHLY recommend booking up train tickets ahead of time, as the fast train tickets from Rome to Florence can get very pricey, and do rise in price as your dates get closer. Not only will you save money, but you also will be able to plan out your day trip better as you will know when your arrival time is and when you need to leave.
Our go-to company to book with is Trenitalia, and we have never had any issues with them. If you are new to getting train tickets in Italy, read this guide.
Your train will arrive at Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, which is only a short walk to many attractions that Florence has to offer!
What to Do on a Day Trip to Florence from Rome
Even though just one day in Florence is no way near enough time to cover everything Florence has to offer, there’s definitely time to see enough to make the trip worth it!
Here are a few things we think you absolutely shouldn’t miss during your day trip to Florence, Italy.
Visit Piazza del Duomo
One of my personal favorite places to visit in Florence is the Piazza del Duomo–home of the magnificent Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. This piazza has been admired by many and is a must-see during your day trip to Florence from Rome.
One thing to note about the famous cathedral is that a lot of the art and important pieces were moved to the Duomo Museum after the 1966 flood in Florence. I think it is still worth a quick look only if the lines aren’t crazy long. Our suggestion would be to visit first thing in the morning right when your train gets in.
See the Famous David Statue at the Galleria dell’Accademia
If you’re like me and have been wanting to see the infamous David statue, then the next stop should be the Galleria dell’Accademia. The gallery is small as it was specifically made for Michelangelo’s David but is absolutely beautiful and definitely worth seeing.
As this is a compact gallery and quite famous, to ensure you get in and don’t waste time, be sure to schedule your visit with David in advance.
Read: 5 Best Day Trips from Rome, Italy
Check out Mercato Centrale and the San Lorenzo Market
Looking for a place to enjoy great food and great views? Then the Mercato Centrale is the perfect place for you! Being Florence’s central food market, you can go there to enjoy an array of Italian delicacies while enjoying great city views and stocking up on souvenirs.
Since you’re in a food market, you should get food! On the top floor, you can find all kinds of prepared food to get a quick bite.
Just outside the market is the San Lorenzo Market, a great place to shop for souvenirs and leather goods of all kinds. One thing to note is the leather items are typically not of amazing quality but are definitely worth a stroll, and checking out what they have while on your Florence day trip from Rome.
Walk across the Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s oldest bridge and is famous for the buildings that are built on it. These buildings are filled with goldsmiths and jewelers and have been since Grand Duke Ferdinando brought them in 400 years ago.
While you must walk the bridge and admire it from the inside while you look at the shops, it’s best to also see its beauty off the bridge as well. We recommend viewing it from the nearby Ponte Santa Trinita during your day trip to Florence.
Check out the Uffizi Gallery
Depending on how you lay out your Rome to Florence day trip, you might have time to visit the Uffizi Gallery.
If you’re an art lover like me – The Uffizi Gallery will be top of your to-see list. The gallery is home to one of the top Renaissance art collections in the world. While you explore you will find plenty of works by famous artists such as Botticelli and Da Vinci.
One of the only drawbacks of including this stop is that it requires several hours to complete, and it is essential to pre-book skip-the-line tickets to visit.
If you’re a Renaissance lover and the Uffizi Gallery is a must for your day trip from Rome, plan ahead and visit – but understand you may have to cut a few other things from your day trip to Florence.
Read: Pompeii Day Trip From Rome
Admire Piazza Signoria
Another stop during their day trip to Florence from Rome is to stop by the Piazza Signoria! This is one of Florence’s most significant and beautiful piazzas.
Not only is the Uffizi nearby, so you can easily do both, but the square holds the Palazzo Vecchio, which still operates as Florence’s town hall today.
If the town hall isn’t enough for you to visit, it also has the impressive Neptune’s Fountain, along with a free open-air collection of incredible statues.
Read more: Tivoli Day Trip From Rome
Take in the views from the Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte
Want a fabulous view of Florence, with views of the Duomo, the Arno River, and the Ponte Vecchio? Then you must go to the popular Piazzale Michelangelo.
The views are spectacular, and If you have a little extra time during your day trip to Florence from Rome, consider climbing a few extra minutes to San Miniato al Monte. This 1000-year-old church has a bird’s eye view of Florence.
This spot isn’t exactly secret anymore, but it is less crowded than Piazzale Michelangelo and offers another beautiful view of Florence.
Read: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Vatican City
Essential Florence Day Trip Tips
Below is our top tips so you make the most out of your day trip!
Start Early in the Day
The earlier you can get yourself ready and on the train to Florence, the better. Every hour counts on day trips, and this is no expectation when it comes to your day trip from Florence to Rome. Making sure you can get every hour out of your day will be worth it!
Since you’re in Italy, start the day with a cappuccino in Rome, it’ll help you wake up and be ready for the exciting day ahead.
Plan ahead for your Florence day trip
Remember that the train tickets between Florence and Rome will increase in price as the dates get closer. Booking farther out from your date helps you to save money.
Shop train tickets for your day trip to Florence today!
Book attractions in advance
If you plan to visit Galleria dell’Accademia and the Uffizi, it is a wise decision to book your tickets ahead of time. This will save you a lot of time since you won’t have to wait in the ticket lane.
If you are really looking to save time and cram in all you can on your day trip from Florence to Rome, purchase a skip-the-line ticket.
Purchase your tickets to the Galleria dell’Accademia or the Uffizi today!
Only do one sit-down meal
Limiting yourself to only one sit-down meal is crucial in making sure you have enough time. Florence has many amazing quick bite options to choose from, so don’t worry about going hungry!