Three Days In Florence, Italy: What To See & Do On A Budget

This post will share how to spend three days in Florence, Italy, on a budget.

For my last trip of 2022, I decided to head back to one of my favourite countries, Italy.

This would officially be my fourth time this year in Italy.

So far, I’ve visited all the major cities, including Milan, Rome, Venice, and Florence, and I have not forgotten the Vatican.

One of my travel goals is to spend three months exploring the entire country from the North down to the South.

Until I can do that, I’d have to manage to explore the county in bits.

For my last trip of the year in 2021, I was in Edinburgh.

So, I wanted a similar destination with great festive vibes to relax and keep my mind off reality.

Naturally, I wanted to experience one of the German Christmas markets, but shockingly, the flight prices gave me Summer prices.

Even though I was disappointed, I made a detour and found a destination that was exciting enough.

What better one than Tuscany?

Perhaps the most striking thing about Florence is how amiable the locals were.

Of all the cities I’ve visited in Italy, the Florentines were the most friendly.

From the young to the old, regardless of their ages, everyone was genuinely happy to help you.

This gesture made me feel at home, and I almost did not want to leave.

Italy sometimes gets a bad rap for People of Color, but I was hoping you could try Florence before completely writing off the entire country.

I spent four nights in Florence and will share all the details.

Here’s How To Spend 3 Days In Florence, Italy, On A Budget As A Solo Traveller.

Florence is the largest city in Tuscany, a region in central Italy which is history, artistic legacy and wine.

I remember watching a few movies in the past where Tuscany always came up as having the best wine.

I also remember how many artistic people love to study in Florence as a rite of passage.

It’s safe to say Tuscany has been on my bucket list for a while now.

Even though I could only visit two (Florence & Pisa) of the four (Lucca & Siena significant cities in Tuscany, I’m already looking forward to returning.

It is also interesting to know that Tuscany has eight World Heritage Sites across the cities and towns.

So, if you plan to go, be ready to soak up a lot of history.

As always, I’ll be breaking down the details that made this trip successful.

Return Flights

Cost – £34/€39 return

While there are direct flights to Florence, at this point, it was cheaper for me to fly into Milan and take the 2-hour train to Florence.

So, I flew into Milan Malpensa, took the Malpensa Express train to Milan Centrale and then took a direct train to Florence.

When returning, I took the train from Florence to Milan Centrale and the Shuttle Bus from the train station to Milan Bergamo.

I believe I was exhausted after this itinerary.

Also, I think the adrenaline from travel days is part of the experience, so I planned it well, with enough space between each journey.

While my flight back to Manchester was delayed by about an hour, I returned home in time to rest for work the next day.

Train Transfer

Cost – £64/€73 return

After travelling extensively around Europe for about a year now, I can categorically say the best method around train prices is to buy as early in advance as possible.

Train tickets can get expensive quickly and sometimes are not worth cheap flights.

So buy your tickets early enough.

You can always get a refund if you change your mind.

I bought my return tickets in October on Trainline, and I still spent £64.

Imagine if I bought it in November or the week before my trip.

It definitely would be a lot more expensive.

Always buy your tickets in advance.

Accommodation

Cost – €94/£82

Since I knew my trip would be about four hours one way, I ensured that my hostel was close enough to Florence’s Santa Maria train station.

There’s nothing worse than being exhausted after a journey and still having to find your way to the hostel.

Apart from ticking all my essential hostel checkboxes, I chose YellowSquare Florence because it was a 15-minute walk from the train station.

Even when I arrived pretty lazy and exhausted, I could still hop on the tram and get there in under ten minutes.

Apart from that, the staff – particularly the one who checked me in and the few I spoke to were warm and lovely.

I never really paid attention to the hostel staff’s customer service, which is now essential after my horrible experience in Copenhagen.

The hostel has tons of facilities that ensure your comfort throughout your stay.

The rooms are also spacious enough, which is excellent if you want to stay for an extended period, which I recommend.

You could easily stay here for a month without any problems.

Despite being situated on a busy road and having a bar on the ground floor, the rooms are well-soundproofed, and you can barely hear a thing.

Honestly, I had a restful sleep throughout my stay.

The only problem is the lack of privacy curtains and inadequate bedding.

The duvet was flimsy and better suited for the warmer months, so you must layer up in thermals and thick socks to prevent freezing overnight.

You don’t always want to speak to your roommates and have anyone in your business, so privacy curtains should be a bare minimum for hostels from now on.

Overall, I give YellowSquare Florence a 9/10, and I’ll go back when I return to Florence.

If you want to spend up to three days in Florence, I recommend this hostel.

Transportation

I found moving around Florence to be super easy.

My hostel was near the train station, so I didn’t need to take the tram except if I wanted to.

The city is rich in history and culture, so walking around is the best way to take it all in.

It is a flat city so you can walk extensively without feeling tired.

Buses and trams can take you around if you decide not to walk.

Just be aware that they don’t get close enough to certain attractions.

You may still have to walk.

Overall, the best way to explore Florence is on foot.

Meals & Shopping

One of my favourite things about Italy is the availability of affordable meals.

You will always find cheap restaurants for good meals regardless of your budget.

You’ll always get a decent meal for a reasonable price if you don’t buy in or around the popular tourist attractions.

One of my Florentine discoveries was this cosy restaurant, La Capannina Bistrot, right in the city centre but close to the train station.

It serves authentic Tuscan dishes at reasonable prices and in massive portions.

As a picky eater, I usually try to go with regular meals.

So, I was overjoyed when I found pasta that I would enjoy.

The owner was charming, as were most people I encountered in Florence.

He spoke a bit of English.

The best part about the restaurant is that the meals are prepared in your presence, so you must be patient.

Also worth trying is the famous Florentine Lampredotto sandwich, which I wasn’t particularly a fan of.

At the end of the day, whatever your dietary needs are, you’ll find something to eat in Florence.

Like every other major Italian city, you can do a lot of shopping in Florence, especially for designer brands.

The city is also home to authentic leather goods, wine and olive oil.

Make sure you get as many souvenirs as you can.

Attractions

There’s so much to see and explore in Florence, especially if you’re an art or architecture enthusiast.

Even if you aren’t, there’s enough to appreciate.

So, don’t feel daunted or left out about not being able to practice painting Michelangelo.

Explore, enjoy and keep it moving.

As always, here are some must-see attractions in Florence that you shouldn’t miss.

Iconic Landmarks

• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, aka Florence Cathedral: The iconic 14th-century Gothic cathedral famous for its red dome dominates the skyline and marble architecture. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Uffizi Gallery: A 16th-century art museum with the most extensive collection of Italian Renaissance art founded by the last member of the Medici family.
• Palazzo Vecchio: A 13th-century town hall and art museum.
• Accademia Gallery: Another art museum home to the official Michelangelo’s David statue and an extensive collection of paintings by Florentine artists.
• Mercato Centrale: An indoor central market selling local produce.
• Ponte Vecchio: A medieval stone arch bridge lined with jewellers and art dealers. It is also the only bridge that has survived World War II intact.
• Piazzale Michelangelo: 19th-century piazza which offers a panoramic view of the city. Watch the sunset here, but be ready to hike up to the top.
• Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence: 14th-century Basilica, the final resting place of Michelangelo and other famous Italians.
• Palazzo Pitti: 14th-century Renaissance palace with the largest museum complex in Florence, including part of the private collection. Of the famous Medici family.
• St. Trinity Bridge: A 16th-century arch bridge is the oldest elliptic arch bridge in the world.
• Basilica di San Lorenzo: One of the largest and oldest churches in Florence, the final resting place of the principal members of the Medici family, the most powerful family in Florence from the 15th to 18th century.
• Bargello National Museum: A former barracks and prison, now an art museum housing sculptural works of notable Italian artists.
• Boboli Gardens: 17th-century historical park elaborately landscaped and lined with numerous sculptures.

Like Rome, Florence is also comprised of various public squares, the biggest being the Piazza del Duomo and the other notable ones being Piazza Della Repubblica, Palazzo Medici, and Piazza Della Signoria.

In Summary

If you decide to spend a few days in Florence, there’s no doubt that you will have a fantastic time.