A Full Guide to Florence

I had an apartment in Florence for one month during the summer to discover all that the city had to offer. It was full of life - filled with history, good food, good wine, and quaint streets. I could definitely go back and stay for a while. Here are some of my favorite things I know you’ll love…

Where to Eat

1. La Giostra

   This was my favorite restaurant in Florence! The food in Florence is so good, it was honestly hard to pick a favorite, but the fact that this one stood out tells you it really is that good! This is a family spot where you’ll see photos on the walls with the owners. Everyone there was so welcoming, I really felt at home. The pasta is to die for, and so was the Stracciatella di Burrata Pugliese appetizer. Make sure you come hungry because you will want to get something for every course!

2. Angiolino - Ai 13 Arrosti

   I stumbled upon this restaurant when walking home one night. It’s on the cutest little street where all the restaurants set up tables outside for dinner. I highly recommend coming here for dinner. You will want to make a reservation or come early and be prepared to wait because it is always packed. The atmosphere was surreal sitting on the cobble stone street with a small candle burning. The pasta is fresh and delicious and the wine was incredible, of course.

3. Osteria Delle Tre Panche

   Make sure you reserve a roof patio table when you go to this Osteria! The view over the Arno river is beautiful! This restaurant is known for everything truffle! Every dish I had was topped with fresh truffle and was mouth-wateringly delicious! In the land of truffles, you have to take advantage of the freshness and put it on everything! Eating here is a must-do while in Florence.

4. Procacci

   This cute little patio on a street in the heart of Florence is a great place to grab a bite and some coffee for lunch. The menu has small sandwiches. Each one is just a couple of bites, so pick out a few to try!

5. Trattoria Sostanza

   This little hole in the wall is known for their “artichoke pie” and their chicken. I can verify that both are delicious and worth grabbing for lunch one day while you are in Florence. It’s a small space, so try to go close to when they open to make sure you don’t have a long wait.

6. Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura

   The Gucci Osteria is a fine dining experience in the lively Piazza della Signoria. Reservations are required. The food was creative and tasty. I highly recommend getting the lobster roll which my server called “The best lobster roll in the world.” You can be the judge. Charlie’s Dream for dessert was also a great decision.

7. Gelateria dei Neri

   I ate gelato almost every day during my month's stay in Florence, trying every shop I saw. When in Rome, right? Out of all the places I tried, this is the one that stood out. Definitely make sure you get a scoop or two here during your stay in Florence.

8. All’Antico Vinaio

   This sandwich spot is very well known and highly recommended. It’s great for a quick lunch, but I suggest going during off-peak hours otherwise the line gets very, very long.

What To Do

1. Truffle Hunting

   You can’t go to Tuscany without getting some fresh truffle. One of my favorite things I did while in Florence, was an Airbnb Experience hunting for truffles in the Tuscan hills on a family’s farm. Here is the link to the experience I booked that I highly recommend. The family was a great host, and the food was to die for. Also, the view from the Tuscan hills is unmatched.

2. Watch Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo

   If you’ve read any of my other blogs, you know just how much I love a good view for sunset. Piazzale Michelangelo is set up on a hill with an incredible view of the whole city, from the Arno to the Duomo. Watching the sunset from this spot is a must.

3. Wine Tasting

   Who doesn’t love a good Italian wine? While in Florence, you have to do a wine tour in Tuscany. I went to one through this Airbnb Experience, however there are many to choose from, so you can take your pick. Mine was in the hills of Tuscany where we toured multiple wineries and had lunch at a wine maker’s home that was one of the best meals I had with endless cheese and fresh, homemade pasta.

4. Duomo

   The famous Duomo in Florence has amazing architecture. It’s a quick stop to see it. Make sure if you plan to go inside that you are not wearing shorts and that your shoulders are covered, as there is a dress code. Sometimes the line can be long, so going in off-peak hours is best. You may want to go inside just to check it off the list, however, I’ll give you a heads up that, in my opinion, the exterior architecture is the most amazing part, and the inside is a bit underwhelming.

5. The Boboli Gardens & Palazzo Pitti

   I loved taking an afternoon stroll through the Boboli Gardens and Palazzo Pitti. Imagining living in that palace with those gardens as your backyard was a dream. You could spend a whole afternoon there wandering around or sitting in the grass. Make sure you budget enough time to go slow and relax and take it all in.

6. Uffizi Gallery

   One of the top museums in Florence is Uffizi. It’s huge with so much amazing and historical artwork. Take a couple hours and walk through the gallery. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid a long line.

7. Galleria dell’Accademia

   While in Florence, it’s a must to see the famous statue of David. It truly is incredible to see this perfect work of art. The gallery has many statues you can also check out, however it’s not too large, so it only took about an hour to walk through. Make sure you book your ticket in advance for this one, too.

Extra Tips

• Coworking

  My favorite coworking spaces were TSH Collab and Nana Bianca. I went to Nana Bianca quite often and used their café space for free to work from. I will warn that at night, it gets a bit lively so it’s not great if you have to take calls, but it was nice to be able to work into the evening since I was working in a different time zone. They also have office space with desks away from the noise, however, it requires getting a longer pass since they do not offer day passes.

• A Local Sunset Spot :)

  One of my favorite places I watched sunset was down inside the Arno. Yes, you heard that right. Inside the river. I noticed people down in the river sitting on this stone part that cuts across and one afternoon, I decided to figure out how to climb down onto it. It’s a bit adventurous but sitting down there with the locals at water level was so beautiful and my favorite way to watch the sunset.