A curated 3-day Florence itinerary with the best hotels,

restaurants, museums, shops and cultural spots to visit

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Florence is one of those cities that stays with you, a place where art, food and everyday life blend effortlessly, shaping a rhythm that feels both historic and deeply lived-in.

This curated 72-hour Florence 2026 guide brings together where to stay, where to eat, what to see and where to shop. A considered edit of design-led places to experience over three days, whether it’s your first visit or a return to the city.

Where to Stay in Florence – Milu Hotel

A boutique stay in the heart of Florence, Hotel Milù is set within a 14th-century palazzo on Via de’ Tornabuoni. Spanning five floors, it blends historic character with a more contemporary, design-led approach.

Part hotel, part art space, interiors double as a curated gallery, creating a stay that feels both intimate and cultural.
The aperitivo in the lobby is a must to ease into the Florentine rhythm.

Where to Grab a Morning Coffee in Florence – Caffè Gilli

For a classic Florentine start, Caffè Gilli is the city’s oldest historic café.

Set on Piazza della Repubblica, it’s the kind of place you can’t miss.
The perfect spot for a morning coffee, it’s also known for its excellent pastries, fresh bakes and Tuscan chocolate.

Where to Eat Lunch in Florence – Angel Roofbar & Dining

Set above the city, Angel Roofbar & Dining offers one of the most striking lunch settings in Florence. With panoramic views over the skyline, it’s a space that feels both elevated and relaxed.

The menu leans into modern Italian, with a fine-casual approach that works just as well for a long lunch as it does for a mid-afternoon pause with a cocktail.
Ps… if you’re staying at Hotel Milù, you’ll get 10% off at the rooftop, part of their sister property Hotel Calimala.

Where to Eat Dinner and Drink in Florence – Locale Firenze

For a more elevated night out, Locale Firenze blends fine dining and cocktail culture inside a 15th-century palace.

The menu is seasonal and expressive, built around ingredients treated with care, balancing tradition with contemporary care.
The bar follows the same philosophy, with cocktails rooted in local flavours and shaped through ongoing experimentation.
Recognised 22nd among The World’s 50 Best Bars, it’s a space that moves between heritage and innovation.
For something more intimate, their experimental concept, Labo-ttega, explores fermentation, distillation and pairings in a more research-led setting.

Where to Go for Aperitivo in Florence – Loggia Roof Bar

Set above the city, Loggia Roof Bar at Hotel Palazzo Guadagni offers one of the most atmospheric aperitivo spots in Florence.

Overlooking Piazza Santo Spirito and the surrounding rooftops, the panoramic terrace combines a relaxed, romantic setting with views that stretch across the city.
The perfect place to end the day with a drink as Florence slowly shifts into evening.

What Museums to Visit in Florence (Part 1) – La Specola

Also known as the Museum of Zoology and Natural History, La Specola is the oldest scientific museum in Europe, best known for its extraordinary collection of 18th-century wax anatomical models.

It offers one of Florence’s most unexpected museum experiences, where intricate wax figures and preserved specimens create an almost cinematic archive of the natural world, blurring the line between science and visual storytelling.
This one is a Design Hunger team favourite and a must-visit.

What Museums to Visit in Florence (Part 2) – Palazzo Gucci

For a more contemporary perspective, Gucci Galleria offers a journey through over a century of creativity and craftsmanship.

Set within Palazzo Gucci, the exhibition traces the House’s evolution from its founding in Florence in 1921 to its role today as a global symbol of Italian design.
An immersive journey through fashion, archives and storytelling.

Where to Shop for Perfumes in Florence

You’re in one of the world’s capitals of fragrance, picking up a scent here isn’t optional, it’s part of the experience.

Stop 1: Erbario Toscano

For a scent to take home, Erbario Toscano captures the essence of Tuscany through fragrance.

Rooted in the region’s landscape and slower rhythm of life, the brand blends natural ingredients with craftsmanship to create timeless, understated scents.

Stop 2: Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

If there’s one place to experience Florence through scent, it's here.

Founded in 1221, it is considered the oldest pharmacy in the world, with a legacy rooted in centuries of apothecary, craftsmanship and botanical knowledge.
It feels like stepping into history, where perfumes, candles and “ancient preparations” are still created with the same spirit that began with Dominican friars cultivating herbs just outside the city walls.

Where to Shop in Florence For Local Produce – Mercato Centrale

For a more local take on shopping, Mercato Centrale Firenze is the place to go.

Set inside the historic San Lorenzo market, it brings together over 20 artisan stalls.
It’s where to pick up essentials to take home: risotto, parmesan, fresh pasta, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and souvenirs.

Where to Shop in Florence for Handcrafted Bags – The Bridge Firenze

For Italian leather goods, The Bridge Firenze is a classic.

Rooted in Tuscan craftsmanship, the brand is known for its full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather, designed to age naturally over time.
From bags to accessories, each item carries that sense of durability and Italian character. A great gift option for those waiting for you at home.

Some More Must-Do Stops in Florence

To round out your time in Florence, make sure to also visit:

See the Florence Duomo at night: without the crowds, its presence becomes even more striking.
Grab a pistachio gelato and walk across the Ponte Vecchio.
Visit the Uffizi Gallery, home to Renaissance masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset, one of the best panoramic views in Florence.
Shop along Via de' Tornabuoni for Italian fashion and luxury boutiques.
Visit Novo Rosso Vintage Store for jewelry, clothes and accessories.