20 Things To Do At Least Once in Florence
1. Have a morning Cappuccino at Gilli in Piazza della Repubblica
Opened in 1733, Gilli is Florence's oldest and most historic café’s in the city center. Gilli has been attracting customers for decades not only for its breathtaking position offering some of the best front and center views of piazza della Repubblica but is also renowned for having the creamiest cappuccinos in town. A morning visit to Gilli sitting in the piazza indulging in a freshly baked pastry while savoring the best cappuccino in town is a must at least once on your visit to Florence.
If the outdoor angle of Gilli looks familiar it is because it is the place where the famous photo, “American Girl in Italy” was taken in 1951 by Ruth Orkin.
Address:
Piazza della Repubblica, 28/r
50123 Florence
Telephone:
055 213896
2. Try a Lampredotto Panino
Lampredotto Panino or tripe sandwich is a truly Florentine meal. The sandwich is made up of simmered tripe served on a fresh roll drenched with the savory cooking liquid and a dash of salsa verde (parsley and garlic paste) or salsa piccante (olive oil and chili). The lampredotto panino is available throughout the city at any one of the many street stalls and restaurants. Some of the most famous of these stalls is Da Nerbone located in Mercato Centrale and L'Antico Trippaio, located in Piazza de' Cimatori, tucked away in the side streets between Piazza Signoria and the Duomo.
3. Schiacciata alla Fiorentina from Focacceria Pugi
Schiacciata is what the Florentines call Focaccia, a flat oven baked bread that is usually seasoned with olive oil, salt, and herbs. The way they make it in Florence is like no where else in the world. It is dressed with the highest quality olive oil, fresh herbs, and just enough salt to make you savor more. The most famous place in Florence to try this baked treat is at the Focacceria Pugi.
Address:
Piazza San Marco 9/B
Via San Gallo 62r
Viale De Amicis 49r
4. Order a Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Bistecca alla Fiorentina is the crown jewel of the carnivorous Florentine menu. This T-bone steak traditionally comes from the prized white Tuscan Chianina cattle that are known for their particular tenderness and flavor.
The Bistecca is always cut thick, and always served rare. Due to their enormous size the Bistecca Fiorentina is usually shared between two or more people.
In restaurants the Bistecca alla Fiorentina is usually sold by weight. Prices are given in either the kilo (2.2lbs) or in etto (hundred grams).
If you like your meat cooked well-done, but still want to indulge in a savory piece of steak I would recommend ordering a filet or filetto in Italian, they are smaller in size and easier to cook through.
5. Go grocery shopping at Mercato Centrale
Florence's central market, Mercato Centrale was once the main shopping center in Florence, and today is still the place to find the freshest products and produce.
There are stands selling everything from all kinds of fowl, meats (including wild boar), fish and Tuscan products including wine, biscotti, cheeses, and salami. Mercato Centrale also has a handful of restaurants located inside that offer fantastic fresh meals at very inexpensive prices.
Address:
Via dell'Ariento, 87/r
Hours:
7:00am to 2:00pm
Closed Sundays and public holidays
6. Procacci
Procacci was founded in 1885 and is located on the famous shopping street Via de' Tornabuoni. Since its opening it has become a Florentine institution. Panini tartufati (tiny sandwiches filled with truffle pâté) are the specialty in this divine little boutique café. Tradition has it that these tiny truffle sandwiches are eaten alongside an ice-cold glass of tomato juice, but I recommend washing these delicate treats down with a glass of cold prosecco or white wine. Procacci is a great place to relax and have an aperitivo or enjoy an afternoon snack. The décor has changed little over the years and the beautiful green marble laid out over the bar and tabletops is the same marble used for the cities great monuments.
Address:
Via de' Tornabuoni, 64
50123 Florence, Italy
Hours:
10:00am to 8:00pm
Closed:
Sunday
Telephone:
055.211656
7. Have a Panino at I Fratellini
Opened in 1875, I Due Fratellini is a Florentine institution selling the most mouthwatering selection of panini sandwiches accompanied by some of the best wine that the Tuscan region has to offer. I Due Fratellini has created a large reputation for itself out of its small bite size location measuring only about six feet deep and six feet wide. The menu is simple, a selection of almost 30 panini sandwiches with delectable choices such as caprino e finocchiona (soft goat cheese and tuscan salame with fennel), prosciutto crudo, mozzarella, e rucola, (prosciutto, mozzarella, and rocket salad) and porchetta (freshly roasted pork shavings) to name a few.
You order your sandwich (the majority of the sandwiches costing a mere 2.50 euro) and a glass of wine from the counter and then turn around set your wine down on the numbered rack located on the wall until you are ready for another sip and enjoy your sandwich standing or sitting wherever you find space on the small cobblestone street. I Due Fratellini is a truly Italian experience and is worth a trip not only for their mouthwatering sandwiches but to experience a bit of an almost 130 year old Florentine tradition.
Address:
Via dei Cimatori 38r
Hours:
Monday – Saturday 9:00am to 8:00pm
Closed Sundays and public holidays
8. Shopping at the Mercato di San Lorenzo
The San Lorenzo market has it all, but is best known for its selection of leather accessories such as hand-bound journals, wallets, belts, and larger leather items such as hand crafted jackets and fur.
The San Lorenzo Market also has a great selection of souvenir clothing, stationary, ceramics, shoes, vintage clothing, and scarves. If you are looking for a deal it is most likely that you will find it here!
Hours:
9:00am - 8:00pm
The hours may vary slightly depending on the weather and season.
9. Climb to the top of the Duomo
Brunelleschi’s massive dome or cupola can be seen from almost any street in Florence, and towering over 300 ft (20 ft higher than the Campanile di Giotto) it is undoubtedly the highest structure in the Florentine skyline.
While climbing up to the top, the climber is treated with a bird’s eye view of the interior of the cathedral with magnificent views of the nave and breathtaking views of the frescoed ceilings including works by Paolo Uccello, Andrea del Castagno, and Giorgio Vasari.
Climbing up the 463 stairs is physically demanding, but the climb is well worth the workout.
Address:
Piazza del Duomo
Florence 50123
Hours:
Hours: 8:30am to 7:30pm
Cost:
8 Euro
10. See Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and “Primavera” at the Uffizi
The great Early Renaissance painter Sandro Filipepi was born in Florence in 1444, his famous nickname “Botticelli” was given to him by his family members that would tease him about his round figure by calling him “Little Barrel”. The nickname stuck and Boticcelli he remained.
Botticelli perfected a style of lipid colors, flowing lines, and elegant figures that made him an instant success among the courts and one of the most sought after painters of his day. Botticelli managed to create some of the most glorious, analogy packed mythological scenes that have come to define the early Renaissance.
Primavera and Birth of Venus are two masterpieces that can be found affixed to almost any tourist memorabilia or postcard, but to see them in person is a completely overwhelming experience that is worth waiting in line for.
Tip: Buy your tickets ahead of time online to avoid the long lines upon entering the Uffizi.
| Address: | Opening Hours: |
| Piazzale degli Uffizi | 8:15 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. |
| 50122 Firenze (FI) | Tuesdays through Sunday |
| Ticket Price: | Days of Closure: |
| Full euro 6,50 | Closed on Mondays |
| Reduced euro 3,25 |
11. Enjoy the view from the top of Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is located on the Oltrarno and provides some of the most breathtaking and unobstructed panoramic views of the city. Its view has been showcased on countless postcards, calendars, and is a must while visiting. The view encompasses the heart of Florence from Forte Belvedere to Santa Croce, providing a breathtaking vantage point of the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the bridges crossing the Arno, including the Ponte Vecchio.
How to get there:
Piazzale Michelangelo can be reached by car, tour bus, or by foot. If it is a nice day outside I definitely recommend walking. It is a fabulous walk through the San Niccolò area passing through the lush Piazza Poggi and vibrant gardens. (Takes about 30 minutes on foot from the center of the city).
12. Have an Italian aperitivo and order a Negroni
The experience of the aperitivo is a consolidated Italian tradition! An aperitivo is a pre-dinner drink meant to “open” the palate and give you a chance to socialize, relax, and nibble as dinner time approaches.
A good rule of thumb for evening aperitivo is from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. What is offered with your aperitivo drink really depends on the bar. A few olives and potato chips are the classic offering, though some places get very elaborate with fresh pizza, fruit salads, roasts, hot pasta, and cold cuts like prosciutto and salame.
The most popular and famous of these aperitivo drinks in Florence is the Negroni that was actually invented in Florence at Caffè Casoni, now called Caffè Giacosa in 1919. The cocktail is made from one part gin, one part sweet vermouth, and one part Campari. Count Camillo Negroni invented it by asking the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to strengthen his favorite cocktail, the Americano (Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water) by adding gin rather than the normal soda water. The bartender added an orange garnish rather than the typical lemon garnish of the Americano to signify that it was a different drink, and so the tradition was born!
13. Go Jogging along the Cascine
The Cascine park stretching out over a spacious 118 hectares located along the Arno river. The views from the Cascine are some of the most beautiful sights of the city. After a day of walking through the cobblestone streets and awing at the amazing architecture it is hard to believe that a green park such as the Cascine exists so close to the city center. Some of the sights that you are guaranteed to see is the Ippodromo delle Muline where horse races take place, the tennis club, an amphitheatre, an array of historic statues, and not to mention some of the most beautiful views of the Arno river.
In Italy people prefer to jog in parks not only for the pollution found along the roads and but also to avoid the dangerous traffic. For those of you that need a day off from the fast pace of city life or just want to marvel at some of the sights and sounds of the great outdoors the Cascine is the place to come.
How to get there:
The easiest way to access the Cascine from the city center is by taking the Tramvia (from the Santa Maria Novella Station). It is the second stop and takes all of 5 minutes, the stop is “Cascine” so there is no confusion. If you would like to walk to the Cascine from the city center just follow the Arno river down past Ponte della Vittoria bridge and you have arrived (takes about 25 minutes).
14. Spend the day wondering through the Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens were designed and built after the Medici family moved to the Pitti Palace around 1550, and are among some of the most beautiful gardens in Italy. The Gardens are complete with fountains, statues, amphitheater, lake, and the famous Grotta di Buontalenti. It is the perfect place to spend the day marveling at the classic beauty of the outdoors.
| Address: | Hours: | Cost: |
| Piazza de' Pitti, 1 | 8:15am to 5:30pm | 6 Euro |
| 50125 Firenze | Closed the first and last Monday of the month |
15. Rub the snout of the Porcellino
Il Porcellino is located right behind Mercato Nuovo, steps away from Piazza Signoria and attracts many a visitor. Visitors to Il Porcellino put a coin into the gaping boar's jaws with the intent to let it fall through the underlying grating below for good luck. The visitors also rub the boar's snout to ensure a return trip to Florence.
16. Walk in the Footsteps of a Duke through the Vasari Corridor
The Vasari Corridor was commissioned by Duke Cosimo de’ Medici I in 1564 and carried out in 5 short months by architect Giorgio Vasari. The corridor is an enclosed walkway that connects Palazzo Pitti to the Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio (Florence’s town hall) via the Ponte Vecchio. The corridor was designed to protect the Duke on his daily trip from his home, Palazzo Pitti, to Palazzo Vecchio where he worked.
From the passageway visitors can enjoy some of the most magnificent and little known views of the city from its round peephole windows. The passageway contains over 1,000 paintings, all dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as an important collection of self-portraits by some of the most famous masters of the 16th to the 20th century including Rembrandt, Fillipino Lippi, Peter Paul Rubens, and Diego Velazquez.
The view from the Corridor over the Ponte Vecchio can be described as one of the most beautiful views of the city. Benito Mussolini in 1939 ordered the Corridor's small windows be enlarged so that this panoramic view of the Arno and the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge would be readily available for Adolf Hitler's official visit to Florence. It is said that Hitler was so impressed by this magnificent panorama that he ordered that the bridge be saved from the Germans bombing during World War II. Incidentally, all the other bridges in Florence were destroyed.
If you have the opportunity book your tickets and go!! At the end of October 2011 the Vasari Corridor will be closed for 3 years for major reconstruction. The Vasari Corridor is available by tour and in small groups only, it is a very intimate and once in a lifetime experience.
Opening Hours:
Tuesdays and Fridays at 3:30pm in March from April to October the corridor is also open on Sundays
In October 2011 the Vasari Corridor will be closed for 3 years for major reconstruction
Museum available by tour only
Cost:
95 Euro
17. David at the Galleria della Accademia
Michelangelo's David arrived at the Galleria della Accademia in 1873 from Piazza della Signoria, the move was done in order to better conserve the priceless masterpiece. A copy of the statue still stands in Piazza della Signoria where it formerly was displayed. Despite the familiarity of the statue's image, the sheer size of the marble statue comes as a surprise. Commissioned by the Opera del Duomo in 1501, the work was deliberately designed to symbolize the virtues of Republican Florence and freedom from foreign and papal domination.
Tip: Buy your tickets ahead of time online to avoid the long lines upon entering.
Address:
Via Ricasoli, 58-60/r
50123, Florence
Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday 8:15am to 6:50 pm
Closed:
Monday, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th
Cost:
6.50 Euro
18. Relax and order a coffee at the famous literary café Giubbe Rosse
Giubbe Rosse is the famous literary cafe in Florence. Giubbe Rosse served as an intellectual meeting point during the 19th century for many famous poets, artist, and intellectuals. The idea of the futurist movement took seed and expanded with the ideas of Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. The English poet and painter Mina Loy, poet Eugenio Montale, poet Charles Simic, and Pulitzer Prize–winner Charles Wright were frequent visitors. Solaria, an important anti-Fascist literary journal was even written in Giubbe Rosse in the 1920s.
Giubbe Rosse is a great place to come and enjoy a glass of wine, partake in great conversation, and enjoy the beauty of Piazza della Reppublica.
Address:
Piazza della Repubblica 14/r
50123, Florence
Telephone:
055.212280
19. See how the historic Florentines lived while visiting Palazzo Davanzati
The Museum of Palazzo Davanzati, also known as the Museo dell’Antica Casa Fiorentina, was built by the Davizzi family in the 14th century. The house was then purchased in 1578 by the Davanzati family (their coat of arms is still visible on the facade) and remained in their possession until 1838.
The house was opened to the public in 1910 as a museum and is one of the few intimate examples that illustrates the comforts and extravagance of the life of a noble family in mediaeval Florence.
Address:
Museo della Casa Fiorentina Antica (Palazzo Davanzati)
Via Porta Rossa 13
Hours:
Monday to Sunday 8:15am – 1:50 pm
Telephone:
055.2388610
Cost:
2 Euro
20. Have a beer on the terrace of the Old Stove Duomo
Situated right in the breathtaking Piazza Duomo, Old Stove Duomo is one of the best drinking spots in all of Florence boasting a great atmosphere, good beer, and a stunning front and center view of some of the world’s most beautiful architecture. The most covered drinking spot in the center of Florence has to be the small balcony located on the second floor.
