1 day in Florence is a concentration of genius. Within 500 meters: the Duomo (Brunelleschi's impossible dome), the David (Michelangelo's impossible perfection), the Uffizi (the impossible density of masterpieces), and Ponte Vecchio (the impossible survival of a medieval bridge full of goldsmiths). 8 hours. Every minute saturated with 600 years of art that changed the world.
8:15am: Accademia — David (pre-booked, €16). Enter at opening. 45 min. The David is at the end of a corridor lined with Michelangelo's unfinished Prisoners — slaves emerging from marble. The contrast between the struggling Prisoners and the perfect David is the lesson: genius is liberation from stone. 9:15am: Duomo dome climb (pre-booked Brunelleschi Pass, €30, 9:30am slot). 463 steps. Vasari frescoes at arm's length. Florence from 90m. 1h. 10:30am: Duomo interior (free, 15 min) + Giotto Campanile exterior (admire from below, or climb if legs survive — the BEST dome photo angle). Baptistery (included in pass — Ghiberti Gates of Paradise, golden mosaic ceiling).
11:30am: Walk to Uffizi (5 min via Via dei Calzaiuoli). 2pm pre-booked entry. Meanwhile: lunch at Mercato Centrale (ground floor traditional market — lampredotto €4.50 at Nerbone) or All'Antico Vinaio (Via dei Neri — €5 schiacciata sandwich, queue 15 min, the most famous sandwich in Florence). 2:00pm: Uffizi speed route (2h — Botticelli Rooms → Leonardo → Raphael → Caravaggio). 4:00pm: Ponte Vecchio (5 min walk — cross it, admire goldsmiths' windows, continue to Oltrarno). 4:30pm: Oltrarno walk — artisan workshops, Santo Spirito piazza, gelato (La Sorbettiera, Via dei Serragli — the best in Florence, €2.50). 5:30pm: Piazzale Michelangelo sunset (bus 12 or walk 25 min uphill). 6:30pm: Dinner in Oltrarno — Il Latini, Trattoria Sabatino, or 4 Leoni.