How to plan your first trip to Florence, Italy

Getting oriented

The historic centre (Centro Storico) is compact and largely closed to traffic, so most first-time sights sit within a 20-30 minute walk. The Duomo and Piazza della Signoria form the core, with the Uffizi just south. North of the Duomo, around San Lorenzo, is the Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David, plus the San Lorenzo market. Santa Croce lies east. Across the Arno, Oltrarno holds the Pitti Palace and most artisan workshops - calmer than the centre.

Arriving and getting around

Florence's airport, Amerigo Vespucci (FLR), is small and close in; tram line T2 reaches Santa Maria Novella station in about 20 minutes. Pisa Airport (PSA) is larger with more international routes; the PisaMover shuttle links it to Pisa Centrale, then a regional train runs to Florence in roughly an hour. There's no metro - the centre is small enough to walk, and walking beats any bus for reaching sights. ATAF buses cover the wider city but are rarely needed on a first visit.

What first-timers usually get wrong

• Showing up at the Uffizi or Accademia without a timed-entry ticket booked ahead - both routinely sell out and the walk-up line can eat half a day.
• Treating Florence as a single day trip from Rome or Venice - the centre alone rewards two to three full days.
• Arriving at a church in shorts or a sleeveless top - shoulders and knees must be covered, and it's enforced.
• Expecting Ponte Vecchio to be a quiet photo stop - it's one of the most crowded points in the centre most hours.

Shaping a first trip

Day one: the Duomo complex, Piazza della Signoria, and the Uffizi, ticket booked ahead. Day two: the Accademia before crowds build, the San Lorenzo market, then Oltrarno for the Pitti Palace or its artisan streets, ending at Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset. Santa Croce fits into either day. Save day trips - Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, or Pisa - for a third day or later.