Florence is a city of contrasts. At aperitivo hour, enjoy a perfectly proportioned Spritz with some local bites such as Tuscan liver pate on a crostini toscani (Italian cheese toasties).
The Accademia and Uffizi Galleries offer artistic grandeur from another era, while Michelangelo’s David stands as an iconic representation of power and beauty.
Cross the Ponte Vecchio to discover Florence’s “Left Bank,” Oltrarno.
Food
Florence offers an abundance of delectable cuisine, from rustic peasant dishes to innovative modern takes on traditional Tuscan flavors by Michelin-star chefs. Additionally, Florence is known as one of Italy’s premier wine regions, and you can sample Chianti or another delicious dry red from its many wineries throughout Florence. As for dessert options, try schiacciata all’uva–juicy grapes baked between pieces of focaccia bread–or authentic Italian gelato (gelato).
Florence’s rich cultural legacy has given rise to a cuisine as diverse as its city itself. Florentines make use of local ingredients like tomatoes, aromatic mushrooms, earthy truffles and fragrant herbs while complementing them with Tuscan olive oil and various cheeses for dishes that are both simple and elegant.
Lampredotto, one of the signature Florentine dishes, is an irresistibly mouthwatering street food staple. Crafted from thinly sliced beef tripe cooked until tender and served in sandwiches with either herby green sauce or spicy red tomato sauce, lampredotto has either become beloved by locals or reviled by them alike. Thought to have originated during medieval times as working-class families experimented with more affordable cuts of meat for experimentation purposes, lampredotto continues its popularity today.
Pappardelle al cinghiale is an exquisite dish featuring wild boar’s meat for an irresistibly rich, gamey sauce that coats silken ribbons of pappardelle pasta–a favorite regional variety–in an irresistibly elegant fashion. Enjoy this versatile pasta as both main course or appetizer for maximum enjoyment!
If you’re a carnivore, don’t miss the bistecca fiorentina: an exquisite steak traditionally served rare. To achieve true authenticity, this delectable meal must come from an exclusively raised Chianina breed cow from Tuscany.
Breakfast in Italy typically involves a cornetto, an Italian croissant stuffed with either apricot jam (albicocca), blackberry jam (mora) or wildberry preserves (frutti di bosco). Complete your meal with either cappuccino, macchiato (shot of espresso mixed with milk steamed until creamy), thick hot chocolate or an Italian coffee shop serving normale, macchiato or cappuccino according to personal taste. A visit to Florence wouldn’t be complete without stopping by one of Florence’s many coffee shops serving normale, macchiato or cappuccino based upon individual preference!
Shopping
Florence is renowned for both its craftsmen and artists; this creativity can also be found in fashion and gifts. From its grand promenades like Via Tornabuoni and Piazza Antinori with high-end shopping temples to artisan workshops and street bazaars, Florence offers something to satisfy anyone who enjoys shopping.
Shoppers looking to discover Florence’s hidden treasures should venture off of Florence’s main streets and venture further afield, specifically into Oltrarno and Sant’Ambrogio neighborhoods where there are independent boutiques offering handmade clothing from both new and established designers.
If you prefer more traditional offerings, be sure to visit Feltrinelli and Parione’s marbled paper shops, as well as leather goods stores dedicated to supporting local artisanal skills and honoring Made in Italy.
Florence offers numerous opportunities for purchasing leather jackets, bags and accessories on a budget. The market at Mercato di San Lorenzo provides unique finds from just EUR1, while jewelry store Aprosio features elegant yet chunky designs with Bohemian crystals and Murano glass that pay homage to Florence artisans’ heritage.
Aqua Flor perfumery shop should also be on your itinerary. As the original store of Sileno Cheloni, an award-winning master perfumer who has created some of the world’s bestselling scents, here you will find an excellent selection of fragrances, candles, products as well as hand-crafted soaps and lotions from Florence and Tuscany made by Sileno himself.
Misuri is also home to an esteemed leather school where young students continue the centuries-old tradition of crafting leather goods by hand, offering handcrafted jackets or bags at bargain prices that you’ll treasure forever. They even allow visitors to customize them by engraving names and initials – the ideal souvenirs!
Nightlife
After dark, Florence comes alive with vibrant nightlife scenes. Trendy bars, lively dance clubs and charming wine bars and pubs become lively hubs of activity, packed with young Florentines until early hours. Florence’s historic setting adds an authentic charm to its clubs and bar-scene; some clubs even boast Renaissance decor while others feature electronic music and dance floors for maximum dancing pleasure!
Santa Croce is one of the city’s hottest spots, where locals and students party into the early morning. If you prefer an international atmosphere, try Irish pub The Lion’s Fountain for pre-drinks prior to hitting local clubs such as Bamboo and Babylon. Drink prices were fairly standard for city center bars (EUR5/6 for draft beer and EUR2/3 for shots). Entertainment consisted of mostly Anglo-American music with one memorable rendition of Mr Brightside just prior to closing time. If you’re still feeling energetic, head to Tenax Club – named for an Italian pop hit and housed within an industrial warehouse Berlin style venue with vast dance floors and elevated metal rafters for an unforgettable experience.
YAB attracts an attractive, youthful crowd in their 20s with its mix of electro, hip hop, and commercial music. Additionally, themed nights and drag performances take place here; as does charging a cover fee. For something a bit more elegant Full Up offers lounge-like atmosphere with burlesque shows as well as an enforced dress code – both options will definitely keep the party going until late night!
Visitors who seek more tranquil surroundings to sip cocktails in can find several lounges, some offering jazz or classical music. If live music is more your speed, bars along Via de’ Benci are great places to find it; young people gather here, laughing over drinks such as Florence-born Negroni (gin, vermouth and Campari) or Aperol Spritz cocktails.
Blue Velvet, with its sophisticated cocktail bar feel and jazzy ambience, provides the ideal setting for 30+ crowds looking for a relaxing lounge environment. Additionally, there are several wine bars specializing in sampling Italian wines alongside cheeses and meats for an enjoyable yet sophisticated night out without dancing.
Sightseeing
Florence is home to some acclaimed art museums (Uffizi and Accademia), but there’s also Renaissance-era architecture to admire – the two standout examples being Duomo with its terra-cotta tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and bell tower by Giotto; as well as Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture in Accademia. Both locations attract millions of visitors annually and advance ticketing is highly recommended to avoid disappointment!
Pitti Palace is one of Florence’s must-sees, boasting an incredible collection of Renaissance paintings and sculptures by such masters as Botticelli, Caravaggio, Raphael and Tintoretto.
Discovering Florence’s neighborhoods and countryside can be equally enlightening. Strolling along narrow cobblestone streets reveals Florentines going about their daily lives–be it relaxing over espresso in a cafe, playing an animated bocce game or making their own wine at an agricultural coop.
River Arno, a silvery ribbon winding through the city’s heart, adds much to its allure. A stroll along its water at sunset offers a special enchantment; its gentle glow combined with sparkling lights reflecting off its surface creates an arresting tableau that never ceases to amaze visitors.
On their strolls through Florence, tourists may also discover traditional craftsmanship workshops. A visit to Oltrarno district – on the other side of Arno from central sights–reveals artisans restoring antiques, making marbled paper or creating jewelry from centuries-old traditions, keeping these traditions alive.
Other top attractions include Piazzale Michelangelo for breathtaking city views. Another top vantage point is atop Torre della Vecchio – a medieval tower with illuminated windows which illuminate its intricate relief carvings of mythological creatures and historical figures.
Florence is a paradise for antiques enthusiasts and interior design enthusiasts, as it boasts numerous world-renowned galleries with high-end merchandise. Near Piazza del Duomo lies Via dei Calzaiuoli – an internationally famous street that showcases everything from Chanel luxury goods to department store shopping at Coin (similar to Macy’s in the US). Furthermore, Via dei Calzaiuoli includes leather shops like Rive Gauche e Nadine as well as jewelry stores like Furla.