🌇 The Perfect 24 Hours in Florence
(With Wine, Views, and a Villa to Wake Up In)
Florence is one of those cities that gets under your skin in the best way possible. The art, the history, the food—the pace. I’ve visited more times than I can count, and somehow, each trip still feels like the first time.
If you only have 24 hours to spend in Florence and want to do it right, this is how I’d do it—starting with a peaceful wake-up call in the Tuscan hills and ending with pasta and laughter in the heart of the city.
Here’s my dream itinerary and exactly what I did:
🌿 Morning: Wake Up in a Tuscan Dream
Start your day just outside the city at the most breathtaking villa:
Residenza Il Colle.
It’s nestled in the hills, surrounded by olive trees and that signature golden light Tuscany is known for. I stayed here recently and did not want to leave. The rooms are cozy and elegant, the pool overlooks rolling hills, and breakfast is served with fresh cakes, fruit, and cappuccinos on the terrace. Absolute heaven.
Take a slow morning here—enjoy the view, sip your coffee slowly, breathe in that country air—because you’re about to dive into a wine lover’s dream day.
🍷 Late Morning – Early Afternoon: Tuscan Wine Tour in Chianti
Book the Tuscan Wine Tour with Angela Personal Tuscan Tour. This experience is so much more than your average tasting—it’s three different Chianti wineries, each with its own character, views, and pairings. You’ll be picked up directly from Florence, and trust me, it’s worth it.
Here’s how the tour went for me:
First Stop: We began at a charming, family-owned winery where we sampled three different wines alongside a gorgeous spread of local cheeses and their fresh-pressed olive oil. It was cozy, intimate, and full of those slow, meaningful moments that make Tuscany so special.
Second Stop (and my favorite): This is where we had lunch. We were served four beautiful courses, each paired with a different wine. Everything felt deeply personal and connected to the land.
Third Stop: Just when you think you can’t possibly have another sip, you arrive at the final winery. Here, you’ll try three more wines—plus chocolate. Need I say more?
By the time they drive you back into Florence, you’ll be smiling, full, and very happy you didn’t drive yourself.
🥪 Late Afternoon: The Most Iconic Sandwich in Florence
Back in Florence, take a casual stroll through the historic center and grab a sandwich from the legendary All’Antico Vinaio. Get one with prosciutto, truffle cream, and pecorino—you won’t regret it.
Grab your sandwich to go and walk a bit. Florence is best explored on foot and with a full stomach.
🍷 Aperitivo Stop: Babae Wine Window
Next, wander over to Babae on Via Santo Spirito for a glass of wine through a wine window. Yes, this is real—Florence’s historic buchette del vino have been brought back to life, and Babae is one of the best places to experience it. There’s something so romantic about sipping wine handed to you through a tiny, carved window in a centuries-old wall.
🌅 Sunset Views: Piazzale Michelangelo
One of my favorite traditions in Florence is heading up to Piazzale Michelangelo just before sunset. Bring a spritz, find a spot on the steps, and watch the city turn gold. From this hilltop piazza, you’ll see the Arno river, the Duomo glowing in the distance, and maybe even hear a street musician play something dreamy.
It’s crowded, but beautiful. A moment you won’t forget.
🍝 Dinner: A Classic Florence Meal at Il Latini
End your perfect 24 hours with dinner at Il Latini. It’s a beloved institution—bustling, homey, and full of energy. The food is rich and traditional: think ribollita, bistecca alla fiorentina, homemade pastas, and endless bottles of Chianti floating from table to table.
Make a reservation if you can (or come early to try to snag a table). The meal will feel more like a celebration than just dinner—the perfect way to close out your day in Florence.
✨ Final Thoughts
Florence has a way of staying with you. Maybe it’s the wine, maybe it’s the sunsets, maybe it’s the pasta—but if you only have one day to spend here, let it be slow, indulgent, and filled with beauty. This itinerary? It’s my love letter to the city.
Let me know if you try it—and don’t blame me if you start looking at flights back while you’re still there. 😉
🌻 Paid subscribers also get my full Florence guide with restaurant recs, aperitivo stops, rooftop bars, day trips, and wine window map. Planning a longer Tuscan stay? I’ve got you covered with hidden villa stays and countryside experiences.
Should I make a “Perfect 24 Hours” series? Venice and Rome next?
Towns near Florence:
Just got back from Florence and yep—she still slaps. But I gotta say it… All’Antico Vinaio has sorta become the Subway of schiacciata sandwiches. Good? Sure. Worth the mob scene and influencer frenzy? Debatable. You could toss a ciabatta in any direction and hit a better spot with half the wait and twice the soul. But that's me. The wine windows, I have to admit, even if Instagram crowded, still have a certain charm.
That said, nothing quite compares to Florence when the sun dips and the crowds fade. Standing in Piazza della Signoria at night, with the stone still warm under your feet, is something else. Knowing you’re in the exact spot where Jacopo de’ Pazzi dangled, where Medici dukes played PR games from balconies, where Michelangelo probably stood brooding and brilliant—it’s humbling in the best way. LED floodlights and all.
Florence isn’t just beautiful—it’s aware of its own legend. And somehow, that makes it even more intoxicating. I can't wait to go back.