Florence & Pisa Weekend Escape

Best time to go: May, June, September and August are better weather wise, as July and August can get too hot. If you decide to organise your trip during the winter you will come across less tourists.

General Advice: it is easier to fly to Pisa airport than to Florence airport given that there are not that many international flights, however Pisa's airport is super close to Pisa city centre and super well connected with Florence. Both cities are very easy to get around just walking.

Day 1: Pisa

Arrival at Pisa in the evening.

Recommended hotel at Pisa "Il Giardino Dei Semplici" – just 5 minutes walk from Pisa Tower.

Dinner at "Osteria dei Cavalieri".

Day 2: Pisa – Florence

Wake up early to go to see the Pisa tower and surrounding area. This will take you approximately one hour.

After the visit take the train from Pisa Centralle to Florence (around 11 am or 12 pm). The train takes approximately 1 hour.

Check in at the selected hotel in Florence.

Lunch at the "Mercato Centrale Firenze" where you can choose from a variety of very nice restaurants and have a nice pasta or a good charcuterie platter.

Sightseeing in the afternoon in the following order: Basilica Santa María Novella, Piazza del Duomo, Battistero di San Giovanni, Piazza della Signoria, Galleria Uffizi Basilica de Santa Croce and Galleria dell'Accademia.

Note: If you would like to get into one of the galleries you will have to book the tickets at least 2 weeks in advance. If you are following this plan you will only have time to get into one of them.

Dinner at "Trattoria lo Stracotto" where you can have a fantastic Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Recommended hotel: "B&B La Marmora 39" – It was a wonderful bed and breakfast super big rooms, fantastic decoration and a great a la carte breakfast.

If you prefer a classic hotel " Hotel Bernini Palace" is a good option.

Day 3: Florence

Sightseeing in the morning including: Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo (from where you can enjoy a panoramic photograph of Florence) and visit Giardino delle Rose a beautiful garden overseeing the city.

Lunch at "Santarosa Bistrot" a very good restaurant with a set up lunch menu in a beautiful garden.

After lunch take the direct bus from Florence city centre to Pisa Airport.

Do you have more days? You can either explore Tuscany or spend more time in Florence visiting the galleries mentioned above.