Our Perfect 2 Days in Florence, Italy
There’s something about Florence that makes even an ordinary day feel cinematic. Maybe it’s the golden light bouncing off the stone buildings, the smell of fresh bread drifting through tiny alleyways, or the way every street seems to lead to another beautiful piazza. Our 2 days in Florence were packed with incredible food, art, relaxation, and one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten in my life.
Day 1 of Our 2 Days in Florence
We traveled from Rome to Florence, and after checking in and getting settled, we headed out to explore the city. We wandered through the city toward the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. Florence feels almost unreal when you walk through it. Every few blocks, there’s another church, another sculpture, another building covered in centuries of history. We spent part of the afternoon ducking into churches just to admire the architecture and escape the heat for a few minutes. Even the smaller churches felt grand and peaceful.
Galleria dell’Accademia During Our 2 Days in Florence
Beyond Michelangelo, the museum houses an impressive collection of Florentine paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries, plus a fascinating museum of historic musical instruments. Although smaller than Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia feels more intimate and focused, allowing visitors to slow down and truly absorb the masterpieces around them.
For travelers, the gallery is more than a checklist attraction — it’s an emotional experience. Seeing David’s enormous scale, detailed anatomy, and calm expression up close explains why the sculpture became a symbol of Florence itself. Even seasoned travelers often leave, calling it one of the most awe-inspiring works of art they’ve ever encountered
Of course, the highlight of the Accademia was seeing Michelangelo’s David in person. No photo can prepare you for the scale of it. The detail is unbelievable — every muscle, every expression, every angle feels alive. Even in a crowded gallery, the statue somehow commands complete silence and attention.
Our Culinary Adventures with Towns of Italy Experience Makers
We took a cooking class in Florence with Towns of Italy Experience Makers, and what I originally booked as a fun experience for Daniel became something far more meaningful than we ever expected. As we stood there cooking together — learning new techniques, laughing, tasting fresh ingredients, and simply being present in that moment — we both became emotional.
Our son Ryan had been attending culinary school, and he never got the chance to finish his final semester before he became sick. Sitting in that kitchen in Florence, surrounded by food and the joy of creating something with your hands, we couldn’t stop thinking about how much he would have loved being there. It was one of those rare moments when joy and heartbreak somehow exist together.
The class itself was incredible — hands-on, welcoming, and such a unique way to experience Florence beyond the museums and crowds. But for us, it became something deeper. It became a way to feel close to Ryan, to honor his passion, and to carry a piece of him with us in a city he would have absolutely adored.
I’ve been wearing a necklace with his ashes and thumbprint and have been taking a photo in each place we visit. So if you see a photo of me holding my necklace, just know ….that’s a Ryan Moment. He’s going with us everywhere we go
Travel has a way of opening your heart in unexpected ways. Sometimes it shows you beauty, and sometimes it gives you space to remember, reflect, and feel everything at once. This is one of those experiences we’ll carry with us forever.
Sandwiches in Florence
But as amazing as the art was, Florence may have won us over most with its sandwiches.
Before arriving, we had heard nonstop about All’Antico Vinaio and Pino’s Sandwiches thanks to TikTok and travel videos. We ended up trying Pino’s first. Their sandwiches were definitely good — huge portions piled high with meats, cheeses, and toppings. Like many famous Florence sandwich shops, they serve schiacciata sandwiches. These are made with Tuscan flatbread that’s crispy outside and airy inside. The flavors were fresh and savory, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.
I Girone de Ghiotti was Truly Sensational
But then we went to I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti.
And suddenly we understood what everyone means when they talk about unforgettable food experiences.
The sandwiches there were also made on schiacciata bread, but somehow everything tasted even better. Maybe it was the freshness, maybe the quality of the ingredients, but honestly, it all came down to the bread. The bread had the perfect texture. It was crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, salty in the best way possible. It held everything together without overpowering the fillings.
I ordered the #9 Discordia, packed with Tuscan salami and pecorino cheese, and added balsamic glaze. It was the kind of meal that goes quiet after the first bite. The salty salami, sharp pecorino, and sweet-tart balsamic balanced perfectly, while every ingredient tasted exceptionally fresh and full of flavor.
As good as Pino’s was, I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti completely stole the show. Easily the best sandwiches we had in Florence — maybe the best sandwiches we’ve ever had anywhere.
Later that afternoon, we wandered over to Vivoli for affogato, and it was absolutely worth it. The hot espresso melting into creamy gelato created the perfect dessert after a long day of walking around Florence. Rich, sweet, cold, bitter — somehow all at once. “Soooo good,” honestly still feels like an understatement.
Great Dining Options During 2 Days in Florence
Traditional Tuscan Cuisine
For classic Florentine comfort food, spots such as Osteria Vecchio Cancello and La Tenda Rossa serve handmade pasta, rich ragù, rustic soups, and locally sourced ingredients that capture the heart of Tuscany’s culinary tradition.
Italian Fine Dining
Restaurants like Il Vezzo and Le Cappelle Medicee Restorante blend refined Italian cooking with elegant presentation, offering upscale yet relaxed dining experiences perfect for a romantic night out in Florence.
Florentine Comfort Food
No trip to Florence is complete without a stop at Trattoria Sabatino. A beloved old-school Florentine trattoria known for its authentic Tuscan comfort food, hand-typed (Olivetti typewriter) daily menus, and relaxed local atmosphere. Family-run since 1956, it’s a favorite for traditional dishes like pappa al pomodoro, peposo, and bistecca alla fiorentina served at refreshingly affordable prices. Osteria Lucignolo blends traditional Tuscan cuisine with a warm, lively atmosphere just beyond Florence’s busiest tourist streets. Known for its Florentine steak, handmade pasta, and welcoming service, it’s a cozy spot where rustic flavors meet modern charm.
Cafés & Brunch Spots
For a slower start to the day, cafés such as Rooster Cafe Firenze offer specialty coffee, fresh pastries, and hearty brunch dishes in stylish spaces that balance modern café culture with classic Italian charm. When looking for brunch in Florence, Le Vespe Cafè is a local favorite known for fluffy pancakes, eggs Benedict, smoothies, and great coffee in a cozy Santa Croce setting. For a classic Italian coffee stop, Ala Grande Caffè (Caffè Rosanò) offers excellent espresso, fresh pastries, and an authentic neighborhood café atmosphere.
Staying at Hotel Silla During Our 2 Days in Florence
We stayed at Hotel Silla for the night. After hauling luggage around Europe, one detail immediately became important: it had a lift. Tiny victories matter when you’re traveling. The hotel also had air conditioning, although it struggled a bit against the Florence May heat. Still, the location was excellent, and after an exhausting day of sightseeing and eating, we were just happy to relax.
The included breakfast buffet the next morning was another pleasant surprise. The buffet offers Italian pastries, meats, cereals, dairy products, fruit, juices, boiled eggs, and fresh Italian coffee. Breakfast is served in the dining hall or on the terrace—perfect before another day exploring Tuscany.
Other Options for Lodging During 2 Days in Florence
Florence has a strong range of hotels, especially if you split between budget comfort and more polished boutique stays. You’ll find simple but very well-located options like Hotel Dali near the Duomo, Hotel Bavaria in the Santa Croce area, and Hotel Por Santa Maria right in the historic center. These are basic but clean, often family-run, and put you within walking distance of major sights without the high price tag—perfect if you just need a comfortable place to sleep while spending most of your time exploring the city.
If you move up in price, the quality jumps noticeably while still staying very reasonable for Florence. Hotel La Fortezza offers modern rooms and a quiet stay near San Lorenzo, Hotel Pendini sits right on Piazza della Repubblica with an extremely central location and classic style, and TheWheelsFlorence provides a more contemporary boutique feel with strong amenities and comfort.
Unwinding for a Day at Asmana Wellness World During Our 2 Days in Florence
But our next day ended up being completely different from the first.
Instead of museums and crowded streets, we spent nearly seven hours unwinding at Asmana Wellness World Florence, which felt like entering an entirely different universe.
We only did the day spa portion, but it was more than enough. The place is enormous, filled with pools, waterfalls, saunas, steam rooms, relaxation spaces, rain showers, thermal experiences, red light therapies, and countless wellness areas designed to make you lose track of time. After days of nonstop travel, it was exactly what we needed.
The atmosphere felt peaceful and luxurious without being pretentious. One minute we were floating in warm pools; the next we were sitting in a steam room, completely relaxed and wondering why every city doesn’t have something like this. Hours disappeared without us noticing.
One of the coolest details was outside the spa itself. Wild bunnies roamed the hillside surrounding the property, hopping through the grass and occasionally flopping down to rest. Watching them wander around while we relaxed outside made the whole experience feel even more surreal and peaceful.
Our 2 Days in Florence Were Everything We Hoped For
Florence ended up being one of those destinations that gives you the best of everything. Incredible art, unforgettable food, beautiful streets, amazing coffee, and moments of total relaxation all packed into just a couple of days.
What surprised me most, though, was how many of my favorite memories weren’t the huge, famous landmarks everyone talks about. They were smaller moments: wandering into random churches to cool off, sitting with an affogato after sunset, eating giant sandwiches in the shop, watching wild bunnies outside a spa in Tuscany, and discovering that the secret to an unforgettable sandwich really is the bread.
Florence has a way of making simple experiences feel magical. And long after the museums and landmarks blur together, I still know I’ll remember that Discordia sandwich.
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