Ana's Guide to Secret Florence
Neighborhoods
Discover the different neighborhoods of Florence and what they have to offer!
Cross the river and enter the locals neighborhood. Here you will find a bit less tourists and more Italians- having an aperitivo, gelato, great restaurants in the area, and shopping!
Always something new to discover in this area, just take a turn down any ally that peaks your interest, and you'll be rewarded with a sweet new find!
locals take a bottle of wine and sit on the steps in front of the church to enjoy the evening as well.
270 residents recomanen
Santo Spirito
Cross the river and enter the locals neighborhood. Here you will find a bit less tourists and more Italians- having an aperitivo, gelato, great restaurants in the area, and shopping!
Always something new to discover in this area, just take a turn down any ally that peaks your interest, and you'll be rewarded with a sweet new find!
locals take a bottle of wine and sit on the steps in front of the church to enjoy the evening as well.
Local Italian vibe, great shopping
In the morning you can discover a market with fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh cheese, fresh meats, olive oil, wine, and even vintage clothes!
10 residents recomanen
Church of Saint Ambrose
1 Via Giosuè CarducciLocal Italian vibe, great shopping
In the morning you can discover a market with fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh cheese, fresh meats, olive oil, wine, and even vintage clothes!
Mercato Centrale, 50123 Firenze FI, Itàlia
Shop leather, bags, scarves, belts, and more!
Food Scene
Tuscan food and local delicacies to try!
The vibe is very charming, tables close together, family style, an overall classy place to eat and really enjoy the food, price for value is on point.
Here you can enjoy un "assaggio" tasting menu! Taste all the delicious pastas portioned out so each guest can try them. also they have an assaggio di carne! tiramisu is pretty good here as well.
49 residents recomanen
Acqua Al 2
40r Via della Vigna VecchiaThe vibe is very charming, tables close together, family style, an overall classy place to eat and really enjoy the food, price for value is on point.
Here you can enjoy un "assaggio" tasting menu! Taste all the delicious pastas portioned out so each guest can try them. also they have an assaggio di carne! tiramisu is pretty good here as well.
vibe here is unmatched. I go here for drinks and snacks. dinner is sometimes hit or miss... but it's still worth a visit because it has that italian simplicity charm that is insatiable!
74 residents recomanen
Santarosa Bistrot
Lungarno di Santa Rosavibe here is unmatched. I go here for drinks and snacks. dinner is sometimes hit or miss... but it's still worth a visit because it has that italian simplicity charm that is insatiable!
superb gelato. yes.. not all gelato is created equal! very good quality here. They also sell gelato in a "cup" made from its fruit flavor. For example, lemon sorbet inside a real lemon. Kiwi gelato inside of a kiwi. you get it. So it's delicious and you need that photo ;)
79 residents recomanen
Gelateria De 'Medici
3/5r Via dello Statutosuperb gelato. yes.. not all gelato is created equal! very good quality here. They also sell gelato in a "cup" made from its fruit flavor. For example, lemon sorbet inside a real lemon. Kiwi gelato inside of a kiwi. you get it. So it's delicious and you need that photo ;)
Another great gelato place! Here they let you sample for than 1 flavor ;) buy a mini cone for 1 euro after dinner!
263 residents recomanen
Gelateria La Carraia
25 Piazza Nazario SauroAnother great gelato place! Here they let you sample for than 1 flavor ;) buy a mini cone for 1 euro after dinner!
Very scenic and cool rooftop bar. Snacks, drinks, and dinner are available. Call ahead!
Hotel Calimala
5 Via dei LambertiVery scenic and cool rooftop bar. Snacks, drinks, and dinner are available. Call ahead!
La Ménagère
8 Via de' GinoriA beautiful place for breakfast or aperitivo.
La Giostra
10 Borgo PintiThe food is AMAZING
Gustapizza
46r Via MaggioDelicious pizza!
The downstairs offers a fresh market, local typical Tuscan products, souvenirs, and more. Go upstairs to find street food style restaurantswith everything you can imagine! yum!
963 residents recomanen
Mercat Central
Via dell'ArientoThe downstairs offers a fresh market, local typical Tuscan products, souvenirs, and more. Go upstairs to find street food style restaurantswith everything you can imagine! yum!
Il Latini
6R Via dei PalchettiExcellent place to try the famous Florentine Steak !
This is a beautiful breakfast place. A great place to take a nice picture 📸 you can also come for aperitivo. In the basement, they have a pool table and a cigar-smoking lounge. classy drinks 🍸 👌
227 residents recomanen
La Ménagère
8 Via de' GinoriThis is a beautiful breakfast place. A great place to take a nice picture 📸 you can also come for aperitivo. In the basement, they have a pool table and a cigar-smoking lounge. classy drinks 🍸 👌
Cibrèo Caffè
Super cute place to have a nice breakfast and cappuccino!
Sightseeing
Come here and find a spot on the steps with a bottle of prosecco or some other refreshment, most likely, listen to a talented street performer serenade you while you watch the most beautiful sunset of your life unfold in front of your eyes; and realize you can fall in love with a city.
1543 residents recomanen
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale MichelangeloCome here and find a spot on the steps with a bottle of prosecco or some other refreshment, most likely, listen to a talented street performer serenade you while you watch the most beautiful sunset of your life unfold in front of your eyes; and realize you can fall in love with a city.
The David is here! Michelangelo created this masterpiece at 26 years old. Still blows my mind.
Here's what the internet has to say:
"The pose of Michelangelo's David is unlike that of earlier Renaissance depictions of David. The bronze statues by Donatello and Verrocchio represented the hero standing victorious over the head of Goliath, and the painter Andrea del Castagno had shown the boy in mid-swing, even as Goliath's head rested between his feet, but no earlier Florentine artist had omitted the giant altogether. According to most scholars, David is depicted before his battle with Goliath. Instead of being shown victorious over a foe much larger than he, David looks tense and ready for battle after he has made the decision to fight Goliath, but, before the battle has actually taken place. His brow is drawn, his neck tense, and the veins bulge out of his lowered right hand. His left hand holds a sling that is draped over his shoulder and down to his right hand, which holds the handle of the sling.
Michelangelo's David has become one of the most recognized works of Renaissance sculpture; a symbol of strength and youthful beauty."
-Wikipedia
1077 residents recomanen
Acadèmia de Belles Arts
58 Via RicasoliThe David is here! Michelangelo created this masterpiece at 26 years old. Still blows my mind.
Here's what the internet has to say:
"The pose of Michelangelo's David is unlike that of earlier Renaissance depictions of David. The bronze statues by Donatello and Verrocchio represented the hero standing victorious over the head of Goliath, and the painter Andrea del Castagno had shown the boy in mid-swing, even as Goliath's head rested between his feet, but no earlier Florentine artist had omitted the giant altogether. According to most scholars, David is depicted before his battle with Goliath. Instead of being shown victorious over a foe much larger than he, David looks tense and ready for battle after he has made the decision to fight Goliath, but, before the battle has actually taken place. His brow is drawn, his neck tense, and the veins bulge out of his lowered right hand. His left hand holds a sling that is draped over his shoulder and down to his right hand, which holds the handle of the sling.
Michelangelo's David has become one of the most recognized works of Renaissance sculpture; a symbol of strength and youthful beauty."
-Wikipedia
What started off as offices (uffizi) for the medici, turned into an incredible showcase of Renaissance art. Florence is honored to host the most masterpieces per square foot in the world. Come to Uffizi to ponder the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo's only movable painting, and more!
fun facts:
Did you know there is a secret passage (Vasari Corridor) running from palazzo vecchio through uffizi gallery, across ponte vecchio, and arriving to pitting palace? You will understand when you see it!
Anna Maria Luisa dé Medici was the final member of the dynasty and without male heirs, she decided to donate the entire collection of art (worth billions) and property back to the very city that made it possible; Florence.
1671 residents recomanen
Galeria Uffizi
6 Piazzale degli UffiziWhat started off as offices (uffizi) for the medici, turned into an incredible showcase of Renaissance art. Florence is honored to host the most masterpieces per square foot in the world. Come to Uffizi to ponder the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo's only movable painting, and more!
fun facts:
Did you know there is a secret passage (Vasari Corridor) running from palazzo vecchio through uffizi gallery, across ponte vecchio, and arriving to pitting palace? You will understand when you see it!
Anna Maria Luisa dé Medici was the final member of the dynasty and without male heirs, she decided to donate the entire collection of art (worth billions) and property back to the very city that made it possible; Florence.
City/town information
Get a tour away from the city and discover the Tuscan hills of Chinati from panoramic views in San Gimignano! I've been so many times and still, nothing tops that panoramic. You will easily find tours for wine or exploring here from Florence, or you can rent a car to reach it yourself.
583 residents recomanen
San Gimignano
Piazza Sant'AgostinoGet a tour away from the city and discover the Tuscan hills of Chinati from panoramic views in San Gimignano! I've been so many times and still, nothing tops that panoramic. You will easily find tours for wine or exploring here from Florence, or you can rent a car to reach it yourself.
Relax vibes
Oh, this place might be exactly what your back and feet need after a few days of walking around Florence! Open all year, hot and cold baths, swim-up bar, sauna, steam, everything you name it. Peaceful getaway near the airport of Florence.
53 residents recomanen
Asmana Wellness World Firenze
10 Via Salvator AllendeOh, this place might be exactly what your back and feet need after a few days of walking around Florence! Open all year, hot and cold baths, swim-up bar, sauna, steam, everything you name it. Peaceful getaway near the airport of Florence.
Fun around Florence!
Selfie Museum Firenze
Great place to take pictures and bring kids!
Museo Leonardo Da Vinci Experience
19 Via della ConciliazioneVery interesting and kids love it!
A great place for kids, groups, or couples! Super fun place to take pictures! check it out !
Museo delle illusioni Firenze / Museum of illusions Florence
A great place for kids, groups, or couples! Super fun place to take pictures! check it out !
Nightlife
Come here for dancing! they have 3 different rooms. they play international music and Latino! they have a coat check as well.
8 residents recomanen
Babylon Club
26r Via dei PandolfiniCome here for dancing! they have 3 different rooms. they play international music and Latino! they have a coat check as well.
Space Club
37 Via PalazzuoloThe biggest club in Florence! Lots of space and super fun!
This club is open in summer and is a must-see! Views from the top of the city as it's located next to Piazzale Michelangelo!
74 residents recomanen
Flo Lounge Bar
84 Viale MichelangioloThis club is open in summer and is a must-see! Views from the top of the city as it's located next to Piazzale Michelangelo!