Speaking from personal experience, we decided on Italy as our honeymoon destination. (This was long a non-negotiable even before the words ‘wedding’ were part of our vocabulary, and my (now) husband and I always joked it would be our post-wedding/goodbye wedding-stress-see-ya-never decompressor.)

Food, art, culture, history, coffee, oh, and did I mention food? What more could you ask for … Not to mention Italy itself is one of the most beautiful countries in existence — FACT! 

After travelling around all of Italy (barring Sicily, but any Sicilian will tell you they are NOT Italian anyway, but that’s a whole other story altogether. We’ll save it for a rainy day), we came to the conclusion that Florence was destined for lovers. 

Funny in hindsight when you think of all the torturous antics led by the infamous Medicis. However, that aside, the city of Firenze truly stole my heart. And I have returned multiple times ever since. 

If you’re planning a honeymoon in Italy, and are considering part of it spent in the Toscana region, here’s a dreamy 3D2N Florence Italy Itinerary for those in love. 

Day 1

For ease’s sake, we’re taking Day 1 post-arrival date, unless you do land here super early in the morning. We caught the train from Naples to Florence, and we arrived mid-morning. 

The second time round travelling from South Africa to Italy, we arrived in Florence in the mid-afternoon. 

Flight tip: Florence does have an international airport, however, most major airlines such as Emirates don’t land in Firenze. Instead, you’ll have to fly into an airport such as Bologna or Pisa. We flew into Bologna. 

1. Brekkie 
2. The Uffizi 
3. Sant’ambrogio Market (lunch included) 
4. Espresso refuel 
5. Shopping expedition
6. Find a wine window 
7. Piazzale Michelangelo
8. Dinner plans 

Morning Vibes

If you’re a super early riser, you’ll probably notice that most of the city is still asleep at this time — unless you’re a nonna at the early morning market! Once you’re up and about, start off your first of your 3 Day Florence Italy Itinerary with a scrumptious brekkie.

The typical Italian way is pastry and a strong-ass coffee. But we’re not all Italian. If breakfast is your fave meal of the day, here are some lovely options:

• Ditta Artigianale & Hario Cafe (my personal best). Try the smashed avo! 
• Simbiosi Organic Cafè for a fresh and fun take on Italian
• Wanda Caffè’s checkered floor and blush pink interiors are super pretty
• Caffè Lietta is fab for a pastry and espresso 

Next, it’s off to none other than 16th-century The Uffizi (by Piazza della Signoria), where all your da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli dreams are about to come true. I would 100000% recommend purchasing skip-the-line tickets in advance and totally savour this one for the morning. Even with these tickets, you’ll still wait in some queues. 

Midday Calling 

After a couple of hours at one of the world’s most famous museums, it’s off to the market; the Sant’ambrogio Market to be exact! We chose this market over Mercato Centrale for our Florence Italy itinerary as it’s not as touristy and the fewer crowds are welcomed after the museum! 

But not before an espresso refuel. You’re going to need it after The Uffizi, trust me. Grab a quick one to go, pull up a table at one of the dozens of cute little sidewalk cafes for a 15-minute breaker, or if you can wait, grab one at the market! Then, meander between the aisles selling all sorts of mouth-watering antipasti, meats, cheeses, fresh produce, breads, dried pastas, and goods to take home (like truffle olive oil or tapenade). 

There are a few spots here for lunch (like little restaurants inside the market), where turnaround time is super quick. We visited the market multiple times as we love cooking, and enjoyed a hyper-local meal here. Or, if you’re keen on a fancier option, just outside the market is L’Ortone. Listed by the Michelin, it’s one of my very best restaurants in Florence! I’ve returned multiple times. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the pigeon OR the deconstructed Caprese is out of this world!!!

Bellies full, it’s onto filling up those suitcases. Cities like Florence, Rome, and Milan are fantastico for shopping, so take advantage during your Florence Italy itinerary. Firenze is a treasure trove of vintage shops (I’m talking real Chanel’s) but they are pricey. There’s the famed Leather Market, but #traveltip, if you’re searching for affordable leather goods, there’s a spot right near the Apple store where a few carts sell bags, wallets, purses, etc. for half the price. Another one of my ultimate shopping experiences here was the Zara Man! The first of its kind ANYWHERE; it sells a special capsule collection you’ll only find in the City of the Renaissance. I went gaga over the clothes here for my hubby!  

Late Arvie 

Hunt down one of Florence’s famous wine windows! A wine window? Yup, it’s exactly as it reads. These little hidden gems are famous in the city, and it’s a hole-in-the-wall type situation. You go to the window, order your wine (whatever is the house white (bianco) or red (rosso), and voila. There are even FREE wine windows. 

After a glass or two of vino during lunch and then the window, finish this off with a pre-dinner aperitivo — one of my ultimate things to love about this country! One of our top spots for an aperitif and a side crudo board of meat and cheese was at NOTE DI VINO, directly opposite Piazza di Santa Croce. 

Then, it’s off to drink in the views (and one last Spritz before dinner time) at the Piazzale Michelangelo. The panoramic vistas from up here are unparalleled. Walk off the booze on a romantic stroll along the river crossing over to the other side to the historic San Niccolò neighborhood. Then climb the stairs and arrive at the famed viewpoint this way. Or, hire a Vespa and drive up from the other side through a romantic Cypress tree-lined street. Of course, there’s always the taxi option, too. 

Enjoy one last Aperol at the official cafe here, then head back to your hotel. 

Dinner Time

Dinner plans? Revel in a short bit of downtime back at your stay before getting ready for dinner. 

Seeing as you are on honeymoon, I say treat yourselves to one fanciful dinner while you’re in Firenze. And you’re in luck! The city is home to amazinggggg Michelin-starred restaurants!!

• One-star Il Palagio at the Four Seasons (go figure).
• Three-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri
• One-star Borgo San Jacopo on the Arno 
• One-star Saporium Firenze for elevated farm-to-table inspo 

Day 2

If time is of the essence, I would highly recommend skipping Day 2’s plans and heading out into the Tuscan countryside. Go wine-tasting, hop between the medieval towns (you CANNOT miss San Gimignano nor Siena), visiting the farms for olive oil tastings and just sightseeing the Chianti Region. 

1. Breakfast @ La Ménagère
2. Amble the streets and lap up a Renaissance photo-taking session 
3. Sightsee the Duomo 
4. Coffee refuel 
5. Lunch 
6. Museo Leonardo Da Vinci
7. Aria Rooftop Bar @ Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi Firenze Hotel
8. Dinner plans
9. Nightcap @ Soul Kitchen

Day 3

I couldn’t bear to leave Florence on Day 3 (but luckily we’ve returned back here a few times since on different trips). Plus, we chose to veer into the Tuscan countryside for five days after our 3D2N Florence Italy Itinerary.

Keen to do the same? I’d recommend hiring a car in Florence and then driving back to the city when your time in Toscana is up to return your vehicle. If you’re off elsewhere but still have a few hours to kill, here’s a few more things to do in Florence for your last morning.

1. Breakfast o’clock
2. Cross the Ponte Vecchio Bridge over the Arno River
3. Stroll along the river and explore the Oltrarno (which literally means “on the other side of the Arno”) ‘hood.
4. Final espresso

Keen to learn more about Day 2 and Day 3? Get in touch, or let us create your own Florence Italy Itinerary, whether it’s for your honeymoon or simply your next vacation. We cater to your exact specific needs, with recommendations of places to wine and dine, the best area to stay according to your travel persona/budget, and a whole bunch of EPIC things to do in between, from sightseeing to hidden treasures.

Love, Team Paperback