Florence - what a beautiful city it is. The winding streets filled with history at every step, something always ready to pique your interest, whether it's a window full of balsamic vinegars, gorgeous religious artworks on each corner, or small local cafes filled with Italians talking with their hands, drinking espressos, and eating the most delicious pastries- visiting Florence is like watching the best kind of movie.
This was my second time visiting, and this time I was exploring possible options for moving there to study culinary arts (amongst other reasons!). I went for 5 days, did extensive research beforehand, and booked all my meetings during this time frame, so it was a very intense visit. However, I did get to enjoy a lot of the local gems, and so I put together a list of things that I believe are definitely worth seeing if you visit. They are none of the typical tourist attractions - I think many blog posts have enough of those. Here I share a few of the places and activities I truly enjoyed myself and are those that you have to search a little deeper to find.
I hope you enjoy my selection, and if you are visiting this season, be sure to check out these places and let me know what you think!
🛏️ To Stay: A Dreamy Palazzo
I don't have many options to share here because this time around I stayed at one place - but oh my, what a place it was! Le Tre Stanze is a beautiful accommodation offering four rooms within a private palazzo just steps away from the main attraction, the Duomo. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom, and there's a shared kitchen for all to use. The owner lives in the palazzo with you, and it's a lovely way to meet a few people if you're traveling solo. But most importantly, the actual property is like walking back in time. The interior design is something out of The World Interiors magazine, and each piece chosen has a story to tell, almost waiting to tell it. Each morning, I woke up to the sound of birds and then the 7 am Duomo bells. It was like waking up in a dream. It really made my visit extra special, and I will definitely be staying there again if and when I go next.
🍽️ Eat, Drink & Coffee: My Top Picks
Well, for this topic, if anyone knows me, I could write a list an arm long. However, I'm going to write the few that I really think are a must-try.
S.Forno Bakery - I started my mornings walking over the bridge to S.Forno to sit and have something fresh from their selection. For pastry lovers, this is definitely the spot. For coffee lovers, maybe not so much, as they pride themselves on 'being a bakery and not a cafe,' so they only serve Americano coffee that you serve yourself. Maybe a bit of a bummer, especially for someone like me who loves coffee; however, their pastries and offerings are so delicious that they make up for it. Look out for the monthly Florentine newspaper, which is an English newspaper offering lots of current activities and information about the city.
Trattoria Cammillo - A woman-run, three-generation restaurant: Trattoria Cammillo (Borgo San Jacopo, 57/r). Very traditional, white tablecloths, waiters dressed in sophisticated uniforms (but not so much that you feel uptight), and you can watch the chefs making the food as you wait (the food takes a while, meaning that it is absolutely fresh!).
For evening drinks, I would undoubtedly direct you to Il Santino Bar! This place is a must! It's a small bar with 3–4 tables and a bar inside; however, everyone who goes spills out into the streets in the summer, and it gathers the who's who of the local crowd and also fun tourists looking for some local connection. The selection of wines is all well thought out with great local options, and their snacks... oh my, well, if I were you, I would try their open sandwich with melted pecorino, thinly sliced porchetta with honey and balsamic vinegar (the good kind)-it literally melts in your mouth. If you don't eat and drink and meet great people here-then I will give you your money back! ;)
Trattoria del Carmine - After an aperitif, I would walk 4 minutes to Trattoria del Carmine (Piazza del Carmine, 18R). I found this spot on my walk towards an art gallery, and it looked so inviting that I booked a table there. I ended up eating dinner with a lovely American lady who was also visiting (that I met at Il Santino!) and tried the famous Florentine Steak, which was out of this world! Definitely the perfect dinner location.
For dessert, to be honest, there are so many incredible ice cream parlors to choose from that just walking off your dinner, you will find one.
🎨 To Do: Markets, Museums & More
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio - My Saturday morning is my saint day, and no matter where I am in the world, it's market day. So I spent mine at Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, which has both indoor and outdoor market stalls and a variety of organic farmers bringing their items up from the countryside. I have to say I was very surprised at how affordable all the food was compared to Hungary. There was olive oil made by locals, freshly prepared tortelloni, vegetables and salads that you could take pictures of all day, and prepared meats that I'd never seen before. You can even eat freshly made snacks at the market for 5–8 Euros, and they are one of the best snacks to try.
Cibreo Cafe & Teatro del Sale - After this, you could stop by Cibreo Cafe (Via del Verrocchio, 5r) for a delicious brunch or just coffee. If you love dining events and have the time to book one in, then pop over the road to Teatro del Sale (Via dei Macci, 111r) and check if they have an event, as it's definitely something to try out too.
Museum of Costume and Fashion - Next, I'd suggest the Museum of Costume and Fashion (Piazza de' Pitti, 1). I saw some of the most incredible dresses dating back 100 years with so much handwork and detail and design that I had never seen before -it is a definite visit for those who love this topic.
Fabio Figus Knives - My next suggestion would be Fabio Figus Knives (Piazza dei Ciompi, 7) a knife workshop for those who love to cook. All the knives here are made by Fabio, and he has an incredible selection of handles to choose from. Just visit; it won't let you down.
Giuseppe Giusti Modena - My favorite shop to purchase balsamic vinegar—the real stuff - which makes nice gifts to take home or even just to learn about if you are not familiar with them, is Giuseppe Giusti Modena.
Studio Galleria Romanelli - For art lovers, go and pop into the Studio Galleria Romanelli (Borgo San Frediano, 70) - an art and sculpture school and also a studio of the current sculptor too—just gorgeous.
Perfume Tour with Rose Byfleet - If you want to enjoy a unique perfume tour, I would suggest contacting Rose Byfleet, known as @medicifangirl on Instagram, who is currently studying her PhD in perfumery made by the Medici women, which is just fascinating, and her tours sound wonderful too. I got the chance to meet her in person and chat a bit about her work, and I will definitely be taking one of her tours on my next visit.
The Coolest Supper Club in Town - if you love supper clubs then this is the one to look out for. I spontaneously met Ata (outside Il Santino, I'm telling you, it's the best bar to go!), the founder of Dolce Club - a supper club that brings together Florence’s creative crowd over good food, wine, and old-world Italian charm. Ata himself is a brilliant photographer with an incredible eye, and you get the sense that he’s completely in the know when it comes to what’s cool in the city. If you’re lucky enough to catch one of his supper clubs while you’re in town, definitely go. Even if you don’t make it to an event, give Dolce Club a follow — it’s a great way to keep a finger on the pulse of Florence’s modern cultural scene.
Flo Concept Store
One of my favourite stops in Florence was Flo Concept Store, founded by Elisabetta and Giua. For the past 15 years, they’ve been running a seamstress workshop that not only produces beautiful garments but also offers training and job opportunities to underprivileged communities in the city. Their store is filled with thoughtfully made pieces — if you’re looking to take something home that’s both stylish and meaningful, I’d absolutely recommend a visit. It’s a beautiful way to support local craftsmanship and social impact all at once.
Final Thoughts
Florence is one of those cities that doesn’t ask you to rush. It invites you to stroll, to observe, to take in its layers at your own pace. I went for research and work, but I left feeling deeply inspired - by the dedication of its artisans, the quality of its food, and the effortless way beauty lives in the details there.
I’ll be back, that’s for sure. Maybe even for longer next time. And when I go, I’ll likely be revisiting many of these same places. Hopefully this list makes your visit to Florence a little more special too.
If you have any personal Florence favorites, I’d love to hear - send them my way.
Con affetto,
Maxine.