Florence

Florence, Italy is known for its meat, leather, and gold. The city is the birthplace of the Renaissance, offering rich culture, art, architecture, and more. I would 100% recommend Florence to students wanting to study abroad or travel in general. Many locals speak English, the city is walkable and safe, and there are many institutions that host American students. After spending a semester here, these are some of my top recommendations for experiencing the romance and wonder of the Tuscan capital. Buon Viaggio!

Museums, Cathedrals, and Palaces:

• Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi (Most famous Italian paintings)

• Duomo di Firenze (Cathedral Dome of Florence)

• Palazzo Pitti 

• Bobboli Gardens

• Galleria dell’Accademia (Michelangelo’s Statue of David)

• Museo dell’Opera Duomo (Original pieces of the Duomo)

• Museo Galileo

• Museo Bargello

• Museo Salvatore Ferragamo (Fashion history)

• Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

• Basilica di Santa Croce (Funeral tombs of Michelangelo, Dante, Galileo, Ghiberti, and Machiavelli)

• Basilica di San Lorenzo (Medici Chapels designed by Michelangelo)

Cafes and Restaurants:

• Mercato Centrale

• Schiacciamatta (Best panini!)

• Trattoria 4 Leoni

• Gustapanino

• Caffe La Milkeria

• Caffe Scudieri

• Caffe Rivoire

• La Giostra

• Ristorante Buca San Giovanni (inside a 1300’s church)

• Osteria Santo Spirito

• Antico Ristoro di Cambi

• Golden View (Along the Arno River)

• Parione

• La Menagere (Beautiful floral shop, great study spot upstairs)

• Rooster’s Cafe (American food and study spot)

• All’Antico Vinaio (Most famous panini in Florence, use the kiosk computers to order on the street if the lines are too long)

Gelato:

• La Carraia (My top pick!)

• Gelateria dei Neri

• Vivoli (Famous for their affogato)

• Grom

Views and Sites:

• Piazzale Michelangelo (Lookout spot over Florence)

• Piazza Santa Croce (Street markets and Medieval Florentine soccer games)

• Piazza Santo Spirito (Street markets and great restaurants here)

• Piazza della Signoria 

• Ponte Vecchio (Buy your gold jewelry here)

• Odeon Cinema (Great study spot, bookstore and movie theater)

• Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella  (600 yr old perfumery/pharmacy)

Clubs and Bars:

• Space (My top pick!)

• The Red Garter (Popular karaoke spot for international students)

• Babylon

• Blue Velvet

• The Lion’s Fountain (Go here for St. Patrick’s Day, American universities have their own drinks!)

• Flo (Great views, open in summer months)

• Yab

• The Old Stove Irish Pub

• The Box (Cheapest drinks!)

Shopping and Souvenirs:

• Marlu (My favorite jewelry!)

• Ponte Vecchio

• Le Mie Ceramiche (Hand painted ceramics)

• La Bottega d’Arte Lastrucci

• Il Papiro

• La Casa Della Stampa Di Sarubbi Lorenzo

• Rinascimento Fiorentino di Ladisa Patrizia (Jewelry in the Piazza della Repubblica)

• S.Forno

• Gucci Garden

• Flying Tiger Copenhagen

• Signum (Beautiful stationery store)

• San Lorenzo Leather Market (The kiosks sell fake leather; the shops will have real leather. Pay in cash for a discounted price. I got a leather purse from I Medici di Firenze on Via dell’Ariento- told them I was a student and practiced my Italian with them and got even more of a discount!)

• Humana Vintage (Thrifted a leather jacket here!)

• Tartan Vintage

• Epoca Vintage

Guided Tours and Activities:

• Visit Smart Trip to find guided tours in and outside of Florence: https://www.smarttrip.it/en

• Chianti wine tasting

• Spa and thermal baths (Don't wear any jewelry in the hot springs, it'll get ruined!)

• Pasta making classes

• Vespa tour in Tuscan countryside