The 5 Best Florence Day Trips From Rome [2024 Reviews]

While Rome is certainly the place to be for ancient history and Roman architecture, Florence is the art capital of the world, and the center of the Renaissance! Not only that, but it’s less hectic than Rome, and a great way to catch your breath while learning about classic Italian culture.

The great news? That you can take a day trip with all of your transportation and guide covered so you learn and see a ton without the hassle of all the separate bookings! We have the top day trips from Rome to Florence tours right here, so let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Tours of the Vatican, Colosseum Tours and Tuscany Day Trips.

Best Day Trips from Rome to Florence

	Small-Group Tour: Florence and Pisa Day Trip from Rome	Florence and Pisa Private Tour with Tower of Pisa From Rome	Florence and Pisa Full-Day Small Group Tour From Rome
	Best Small-Group Tour	Best Private Tour	Best Budget Tour
Departure:	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Start:	7:00 AM	6:30 AM	7:30 AM
Duration:	12 hours	14 hours	12-14 hours
Includes:	Free transfer offered by Welcome Italy in climate-controlled minivan, 2 hours Professional Guide in Florence, Admission ticket to the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Assistant during entire trip	Transportation in an air-conditioned minivan, Entrance tickets for Leaning Tower of Pisa, 2 hour guided tour in Florence, Accademia Gallery entrance fee	Driver/guide, transportation for the entire day
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Day Trips from Rome to Florence For 2024

1. Small-Group Tour: Florence and Pisa Day Trip from Rome
2. Florence and Pisa Private Tour with Tower of Pisa From Rome
3. Florence and Pisa Full-Day Small Group Tour From Rome
4. Day Trip to Florence with Lunch & Accademia Entry From Rome
5. Day Trip from Rome to Florence and Pisa

Day Trips from Rome to Florence Tour Reviews

1. Small-Group Tour: Florence and Pisa Day Trip from Rome

How would you like a local friend to pick you up and show you all the best sites Florence and Pisa have to offer? Well, that’s almost exactly what you’ll discover with the Small-Group Tour: Florence and Pisa Day Trip from Rome!

This 12-hour adventure covers it all, with plenty of sites to see while enjoying a chilled, laid-back town vibe with both cities. Start your day early with a 7:00 am pickup right from your hotel lobby – no need to get up earlier to travel to a meetup point or anything like that.

Your transportation will be in a climate-controlled minivan, which we found to be smooth, spacious, with large windows for unobstructed views of the Italian scenery. Your first stop of the day is Pisa, starting out at the sacred Piazza del Duomo.

In the piazza, you’ll find 3 extremely important Catholic buildings: the Pisa Cathedral, Baptistry, and the Campanile. Check out the inside and outside of each, learning about the Romanesque structures and their significance throughout the decades. Of course, no trip to Pisa is complete without the classic Leaning Tower of Pisa shot!

Next, head to the stunning Florence, where you’ll have a delicious traditional lunch before heading to the academy gallery, home to the famous “David” by Michelangelo. Visit Giotto’s Bell Tower, the medieval Ponte Vecchio crossing over the Arno River, and the center of it all: the Piazza della Signoria.

The guides are so knowledgeable and entertaining, teaching you about how the Piazza is the center of the Florentine Republic, and how it still maintains incredible significance to this day.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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2. Florence and Pisa Private Tour with Tower of Pisa From Rome

While some people are satisfied catching the famously-tilted Leaning Tower of Pisa from the outside, many are interested in exploring the inside of the 800-year-old bell tower and its rich history!

You can do just that and more with the Florence and Pisa Private Tour with Tower of Pisa from Rome! With expert local guides, you’ll get personalized attention and get to see some hidden gems that most tourists don’t!

Get picked up at your hotel in Rome in your comfy, air-conditioned minivan with your guide who will entertain you and the rest of your group along the way with funny anecdotes and interesting historical background of the region.

You’ll arrive in Pisa first, where you’ll get to see the important Piazza Dei Miracoli, followed by the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Your entrance tickets are included and you’ll learn all about how at one point the tower wasn’t even leaning, how Galileo used it for experiments, and Mussolini “ruined” it.

Next, check out the Duomo and the Baptistery – both of which are renowned around the world for their architecture, before heading over to cultured Florence. This charming Renaissance city is the perfect place to immerse yourself in history, art, and architecture.

Meet up with an expert guide for a private tour of the Accademia Museum, where you’ll get to witness the majesty of works by Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Botticelli (among many other masterpieces).

After, head out into the fresh air for a captivating tour of the city center, where the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Basilica of the Holy Cross, and various important museums reside. One of the highlights of the experience is the tour of Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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3. Florence and Pisa Full-Day Small Group Tour From Rome

Next up, we have one the most popular tours of its kind for those who are on a budget. The From Rome: Florence and Pisa Full-Day Small Group Tour is perfect for families who don’t want to do a traditional guided tour but still want to be able to see both Pisa and Florence without the hassle of booking everything separately.

Your tour will start at the exact time you prefer, making it easy to fit along with the rest of your schedule. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Rome by a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle as you make your journey through the beautiful Italian countryside to Tuscany.

Once you arrive in Florence, known as the place of the birth of the Renaissance. Your first stop is the Piazzale Michelangelo: the city’s most impressive viewpoint with a panoramic view that allows you to enjoy this city’s enthralling history.

Next, head on over to the Ponte Vecchio or “Old Bridge”, which is aptly-named seeing as it was actually the only one at the time to cross the Arno River unil 1218!

Take a leisurely stroll through the beguiling streets to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and admire the phenomenal architecture of the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower, located nearby.

The Piazza della Signoria is a unique, W-shaped square features many important governmental and religious buildings, dating back past the 14th century, along with the replica of the David and fountain of Neptune.

After all that exploring, take a break for lunch and refuel before heading over to the the city’s most famous outdoor market of San Lorenzo. Here, you’ll find incredible deals on silk, leather, jewelry, and much more at an affordable price.

Then, head on over to Pisa where you’ll receive an interesting guided tour of the Piazza dei Miracoli, and have time to check out the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery, and the Duomo – again, while this isn’t a completely guided tour it’s an absolutely fantastic way to see this region if you’re on a budget!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Day Trip to Florence with Lunch & Accademia Entry From Rome

Are you or someone else in your party a history buff or art nerd? Perhaps you’d just like to explore Italian history and culture in all its splendor?

Then our next tour is for you – the From Rome: Day Trip to Florence with Lunch & Accademia Entry Tour is a full-day excursion that will take you back from before the Renaissance to present-day.

This VIP tour is such a breeze, with everything taken care of, starting off with you being picked up from your hotel lobby first thing in the morning. All transportation takes place in a spacious, comfortable minivan with enough room for the rest of your small group.

As you drive through the beautiful Italian countryside, your guide will fill you with fun facts and explain the history of the region in a way that is anything but boring (make a stop for some tasty breakfast along the way).

The driver will drop everyone off at the Piazzale Michelangelo, which, if you ask me is the best way to start off any tour of Florence. The Piazzale Michelangelo allows you to fully appreciate the phenomenal architecture of Florence, with expansive views over the entire city – perfect for photos.

Next up, soak up the uncomparable talent of da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli at the legendary Accademia Museum, where you’ll get to see their magnificent Renaissance masterpieces!

After all that walking, you deserve a delicious lunch with a full wine tasting, where you’ll learn about the history of traditional wines from Tuscany. Honestly, this is one of the best guided tours we’ve ever been on, not just in Tuscany, but of any tour we’ve done.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Day Trip from Rome to Florence and Pisa

We couldn’t leave out the most VIP, luxe tour of them all: the Day Trip from Rome to Florence and Pisa Tour! No need to deal with minivans, people in your group that you don’t know, or being shuffled around as just another person in the crowd.

This tour is all about you and your specific interests, customizing the tour to suit you and whomever you’re traveling with so that you have the best possible experience.

Starting off at 8:00 am, you’ll board a comfortable high-speed train to Florence, and upon arrival, will skip past the long lines to see Michelangelo’s David and other renowned Renaissance masterpieces.

Then, enjoy a walking tour taking in the entire city center where you’ll see the main cathedral, Baptistery, and Ponte Vecchio that’s been there for over an impressive 800 years!

We had a great time at the open-air gallery of Loggia dei Lanzi, where you’ll see statues such as Neptune, The Marzocco Lion, Hercules and Cacus, Perseus with the Head of Medusa, and many more.

The Palazzo Vecchio is quite opulent, and always attracts attention, but was once the home of the Medici and many other powerful people. Today, it’s much calmer and is quite interesting to see and learn about – with a free admission ticket, you’ll get to explore it from the inside-out!

Next, hop into your own private car with a professional chauffeur, and head towards the wonderful town of Pisa. Your first stop here is the unmistakable Leaning Tower of Pisa with your guide who’s an expert on this nearly 200-foot-tall tower.

Learn how it took almost 200 years to even be built due to the wars that were constantly setting construction back, and how Mussolini tried to fix the tower’s lean – ultimately damaging the base. After, check out the Battistero di San Giovanni and Camposanto – both of which offering impressive artistry.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Sites to See in Day Trips to Florence & Pisa

While we know that Florence and Pisa are both some of the top European destinations for vacationers, what can you expect to see on these tours? Let’s get into the specific sites you will be able to learn about and explore.

Florence

1. Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

Also colloquially known as the “Duomo” due to the characteristic dome that helps create  Florence’s unique skyline, the Cathedral is also the city’s very centrepoint. Constructed in the 15th century, it was the biggest church at the time and still remains the 3rd largest in all of Europe. As it’s also the highest point in all of Florence, climbing to the top rewards you with magnificent views.

2. Baptistery of Saint John

Situated across from the Cathedral, sits the Baptistery, which is dedicated to St. John the Baptist: the Patron Saint of Florence and actually who invented the practice of baptism! The baptistery is the only place where locals were baptized up until the 18th century. It also features the famous “Gates of Paradise” – 17-foot gilded doors weighing 4.5 tons.

3. The Uffizi

While we do recommend a dedicated tour to the Uffizi in order to see some of the most phenomenal artworks throughout history, just seeing the oldest museum in the world’s stunning exterior is worth a visit.

4. Galleria dell’Accademia

Yet another impressive museum, here is where you’ll find the famous Statue of David by Michelangelo, as well as many other Renaissance-era sculptures and paintings. It’s a smaller museum, so you can realistically see it all in around 30 minutes.

5. Piazzale Michelangelo

As we’ve detailed various times throughout this guide, the Piazzale Michelangelo offers arguably the best views of the entire city. Looking out over the terracotta-topped, centuries-old buildings is simply magical.

6. Cappelle Medicee/ the Medici Chapels

Completed in 1523, these 2 structures at the Basilica of San Lorenzo were built simply with the purpose of celebrating the Medici family. The sculptures featured here are sublime, created by Michelangelo in the New Sacristy. Oh, and did we mention it’s also the burial place of the Medici family?

7. Piazza della Signoria and the Loggia dei Lanzi

This long-time social center features the Neptune Fountain and the Palazzo Vecchio, which still houses the city’s government. The Loggia dei Lanzi is a phenomenal outdoor sculptuer gallery with even more notable sculptures, including the famous Perseus with the Head of Medusa.

8. Santa Croce

A work of art in itself, the church and mausoleum is filled with some of Giotto’s and Gaddi’s major frescoes, along with Cimabue’s Crucifix. The tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Ghiberti, Gioacchino Rossini, Machiavelli, and others are located here.

9. Ponte Vecchio

Literally meaning “old bridge”, this structure was once home to countless goldsmiths, displaying all kinds of glittery jewelry. However, its real purpose was to connect both sides of the Arno River, as the Medici had to frequently visit both sides due to their various offices being located on opposite banks.

Pisa

1. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Probably the first thing that comes to mind when you mention the city, the Pisa tower is actually officially named “La Torre Pendente”. Construction originally began in 1733, when Pisa was the country’s most powerful maritime republic.

Throughout centuries, many attempted to fix the tilt, but it wasn’t until 1990 when an expensive restoration was undergone to reduce the tilt about 1.5 degrees and allow tourists to continue climbing to the top of the tower.

2. Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

A fine example of Pisan architectural style, this basilica constructed of white marble has been around almost 1000 years! The oval dome is very impressive, featuring an approximately 13-century mosaic of Christ enthroned between the Virgin and John the Evangelist, painted by Cimabue.

3. Baptistery

While this Baptistery was begun almost a centruy after the cathedral, it still features the same building material and overall design. However, as it took over 200 years to be completed, it starts transitioning from Romanesque to Gothic design between the levels, which is pretty cool to see. The marble pulpit by Pisano is one of the most popular attractions, along with the New Testament relief panels.

4. Campo Santo

Local legend says that when Archbishop Ubaldo dei Lanfranchi came back from the 4th Crusade with various tons of earth from Golgotha so the citizens could be buried in holy soil, they stored it in a large cloister. This is when the construction of Campo Santo began, in order to hold the soil. Here, you’ll find the graves of various local patricians, with walls decorated with frescoes (unfortunately badly damaged during WWII).

5. Museo dell’Opera del Duomo/Cathedral Museum

If you’re curious about Tuscan art, this is one of the most well-curated in the entire country. Here, you’ll discover countless masterpieces from jewelry, to tombs, sculptures, paintings, and so much more. Not to mention, from the vantage point of the massive 2nd-story windows, you’ll have one of the best views of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

FAQS About Florence Day Trips

Why should I do Florence Day Trip?

A Florence Day Trip from Rome is a great way to see another side of Italy and experience the culture and art of the Renaissance. In Florence you will see famous attractions like the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and the David statue.  On the way you can enjoy scenic views of the city and the countryside. If you do a guided tour, which we recommend they can tell you interesting facts and stories about the places you will visit.

How can I choose the best Florence day trip?

There are different options for Florence Day Trips from Rome, depending on your preferences and budget. You can choose between a small-group or a private tour, which will affect the size and the price of the tour.

If you have time the Uffizi Gallery has some of the most renowned paintings in the world. You can also customize your tour by choosing your departure time, your meeting point, and your lunch option.

How much do the Florence Day Trips cost?

The prices vary depending on the tour option, the duration, and the number of attractions included. Generally, the Florence Day Trips cost between $100 and $200 per person. Some tours may also include transportation, entrance fees, guide fees, or lunch.

How long do the Florence Day Trips last?

The Florence Day Trips are about 12 hours, a good portion of this is just getting there. It will take you about an hour and a half to get there. Doing a walking tour of the historic center takes about 2 hours. The visit to the Accademia Gallery takes about 1 hour. The free time in Florence takes about 1 hour. The optional visit to the Uffizi Gallery takes about 2 hours.

How can I book a Florence Day Trip from Rome?

You can book a Florence Day Trip from Rome online through various platforms, such as Viator, GetYourGuide, or Tripadvisor. We have our favorite choices above. You should book your tour in advance to secure a spot.

What is the best way to get to Florence?

Train: The best way to get to Florence is the high-speed train. The train takes about 90 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day. You can book your tickets online or at the station, and enjoy a comfortable and scenic ride.

Bus: You also get to Florence from Rome is by taking a bus. The bus takes about 3 hours and costs less than the train. The bus may be cheaper, but it is not as comfortable!

Car: A third way to get to Florence from Rome is by renting a car. The car gives you more flexibility and freedom to explore the city and its surroundings. By driving you can stop at other places along the way, such as Siena, Pisa or San Gimignano. Keep in mind that driving in Italy can be a challenge! You also have to pay for gas, tolls and worry about getting your car towed!

What are some tips for doing a Florence Day Trip from Rome?

• Keep in mind that if you go during the summer tourist season you may be waiting in lines to see some of the more popular attractions. We recommend you get skip-the-line tickets to make the most of your time.
• Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather and the activities. Wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Bring a jacket or a sweater for the train and the coach.
• Bring your camera, water bottle, snacks, and some cash for souvenirs or tips.
• Ask questions and learn from your guide. They are usually very knowledgeable and passionate about Florence and its art and history.
• Have fun and enjoy the beauty and charm of Florence.