Florence is what one dreams of when they think of Italy. The architecture, the cobblestone streets, the food, the art, and the elegance. It’s like an Italian painting that you just magically jumped into. Each time I go to Florence I fall in love with it a little bit more. Here is my mini-city guide for just a few magical days in Florence on things to do and where to eat, drink and sleep! Crucial essentials to a fabulous weekend.
What NOT to Miss in Florence
Uffizi Museum
Sure, this is obvious but needs to be stated. There are so many museums in Europe that you “must go to”, so when having a quick weekend it’s fair to say that you may skip a statue for a spritz, but this one is a must. I did the latter the first time I came to Florence and forever felt like an ignorant asshole until I returned and left with some culture. It’s fabulous and necessary if you ever want to hold a conversation with anyone in the art world without looking like an idiot.
Gucci Museum
The one I did do the first time I came to Florence cause there was no line and like a said, I was an uncultured asshole. We all hopefully grow in time. But… if you love fashion it’s a cool museum. Guccio Gucci, founder, and family are originally from Florence and the museum showcases fashion by the decade. There is also the legendary Massimo Bottura’s work of art, Michelin star restaurant inside the museum. Fashion AND food, good reason enough to go.
Mercato Centrale
NOTE: Must go before 2 pm. There is a huge warehouse market that sells fresh food downstairs and has New York-style food stands and mini restaurants upstairs. Downstairs is my favorite. You can find a Florence deli selling cheese and meats with fresh truffle dips connected to a little wine bar with a small seating area. They also have hot cooked Italian food as well but I prefer the mixed dips on bruschetta with a glass (or 3) of really good red wine. Really, the most perfect lunch in town.
San Lorenzo Leather Market
Just in front of Mercado Centrale is a large outdoor leather market selling mostly leather bags as well as scarves and souvenirs. You can score a beautiful Italian, Gucci-style leather purse (without the fake GG) for under 40 Euros. Bargaining is a skill one should acquire before shopping. Excellent place for expensive looking, but budget-friendly gifts.
Climb the Steps of the Duomo
As long as you do not suffer claustrophobia, climbing the steps of the duomo to the balcony of the dome is so magnificent and incredibly rewarding. It’s by far the best view of Florence and will pre-burn all the calories of the wine and cheese you are about to eat for dinner. Please note, the steps go up in a single file line (normally very crowded) with people coming in both directions and at one point going up the dome, the ceiling slants diagonally. Now I am not claustrophobic and I am a very adventurous person but I will never forget the strange feeling of panic that struck my heart when that ceiling went sideways and there were people all around me with no way out lol. Just a friendly warning but the view is totally fantastic!
Where to Sleep in Florence
Hotel Calimala
A 4-star hotel in the real-deal heart and dead center of Florence. Incredibly stylish hotel with a fantastic rooftop bar with an awesome 365-degree view of the city. Reasonably priced for such a chìc hotel. A great choice for a luxurious weekend stay.
Airbnb
I really can’t tell you why, but Florence is incredibly cheap for being one of the best cities in Europe. Especially for accommodations. Airbnb is full of stylish, well run, perfect apartments. If you are new to Airbnb and use this link to sign up and book, you will get $40 off your first booking! You can save this and use it for any time you are ready to use Airbnb for anywhere you go -You’re welcome.
Where to Eat in Florence
La Prosciutteria
A young, hip deli-like bar with the best happy hour in town serving a glass of Amarone and a buffet of delicious Italian snacks for only 8 euros. Total score.
Il Santo Bevitore
THE BEST AND COOLEST RESTAURANT and bar in town. I sincerely give this place my 5-star rating and approval. I come here for dinner every time I am in Florence. It’s elegant and chìc with gourmet Italian food yet with friendly, hip servers and absolutely affordable prices. If this restaurant were in NYC the bill would easily be over $200 for 2 people. Here it’s only around 80 euros. They even have an awesome bar next door where you can have an aperitivo before dinner.
Il Cantinone
Close to Santo Bevitore, this hidden little gem in Oltrarno (the other side of the river) is tucked away down the stairs of a small quiet street. An adorable traditional trattoria surrounded by wine barrels down in the cellar gives you a great appetite to guzzle a bottle of red wine down with your lunch.
Trattoria 13 Gobbi
Italian chìc den-like, cozy yet super hip restaurant. Candlelit old Italy with a jet-set vibe. Seems like the ideal setting for a Scorsese film. Just be aware, vegetarianism is not the way to go when coming here and don’t try to be fancy like me and order the 35 euro truffle pasta… Worst idea ever and I actually sent it back to the kitchen, but I still love this place. So go hungry for a good Florentine steak or go home.
All’Antico Vinaio
This is a sandwich shop at its finest. The traditional Florence sandwich is called a schiaccia, which is a fat toasted Focaccia-type bread stuffed with meat, cheese, and homemade cream spreads. This place is so famous they opened three shops all right next to each other on the same block. You will know you’re there when you find a street packed with people eating giant sandwiches at lunchtime. Did I mention you pay and pour your own wine in a plastic cup to-go? My kind of fast-food!
Please comment below if there are any other fabulous spots in Florence that you have found! I will forever go visit this amazing city and I’m always looking for new places!
Enjoy, A presto,
Lyla
