Day 1 – arriving in Florence
Touching down at Florence Airport was a breeze, and so was the short 20-minute taxi ride into the city. Our home for the next few nights was Room Mate Luca, a boutique hotel that felt more like a stylish Florentine apartment than a hotel. The best part? It was just a 10-minute stroll from the Duomo.
Once we’d settled in and freshened up, it was time for a late lunch. We headed to Cacio e Pepe, tucked just far enough from the Duomo to avoid the tourist rush, yet close enough to still feel in the heart of it all. The carbonara was so good and we couldn’t leave without trying the tiramisu.
By the time we got back to the hotel, the city had already worked its magic on us – and we were ready for a good night’s sleep before our first full day.
Day 2 – exploring Florence on foot
We kicked off day two with a leisurely breakfast before heading out. Florence is best explored slowly, and our morning wander took us through charming side streets toward the iconic Ponte Vecchio. We dipped into boutiques, admired the views from the riverbanks and soaked up the city’s grand vibe.
For lunch, Café dell’ Oro delivered in every way – riverside seats, classy vibes and unreal calamari. In the afternoon, we did some more exploring of the Ponte Vecchio, followed by a spontaneous stop at one of Florence’s charming wine windows and a slow stroll back to our side of town.
In the evening, we went for sunset drinks at Loggia Roof Bar. We soaked up the golden hour sunshine, sipped prosecco and indulged in aperitivo while enjoying the panoramic views over the city.
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Day 3 – day trip to Cinque Terre and Pisa
It was an early start for a trip to Cinque Terre and Pisa by train, but so worth setting the alarm for. By 7.15am, we were on our way to Cinque Terre, the postcard-perfect fishing villages that line Italy’s northern coast.
The first stop was Manarola. We walked along the cliffside path to the scenic viewpoint and stopped at Il Porticciolo for coffee and pastries. From there, it was a quick train to Monterosso, where we roamed around local shops and ate fresh seafood at Da Eraldo – the oysters and prawns were yum.
In the afternoon, we swapped the seaside for city sights and made our way to Pisa. We saw the iconic Leaning Tower, browsed the markets and grabbed a gelato before heading back to Florence. It was a busy day, so we opted for a chilled evening at the hotel.
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Day 4 – chilled day in Florence
We took the morning easy, then spent the rest of it checking out the San Lorenzo leather market, admiring the soft leather bags and picking up a few gifts.
Lunch was at Osteria Belle Donne, a tiny, tucked-away spot with big flavours. We ordered an Aperol spritz and tried the beef tartare. The restaurant is also well known for its beautifully decorated wine window, which had a queue of people lined up outside.
After some more city strolling, we were in need of something sweet, so we popped into My Bakery on Via Della Spada for a slice of tiramisu.
For our final dinner, we went all out at Antico Ristorante Paoli 1827, one of Florence’s oldest restaurants. Think classic Florentine steak, silky risotto and a bottle of bold Tuscan red – all served in a setting that felt straight out of a historic painting.
Day 5 – final moments in Florence
It was our last morning in Florence, so we made the most of it with a long brunch and a final walk to the Duomo. Then, it was time to check out and head to the airport. Until next time, Firenze!
If @lian_ireri’s trip sounds like a bit of you, have a look at our Florence holidays and you can find all their picks on our Insiders Hub.
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Author: @lian_ireri
Last updated: 17/06/2025
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