Florence Favorites: Sights, Sustenance & Shopping
- Josi Hicks
- Jul 17, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025
After studying abroad in Florence, Italy for two semesters, I've made my best attempt at putting together this ultimate guide to my Florence Favorites.
From shopping to studying, this guide will help you find where to go in Florence for all of your needs. Sights, souvenirs, safety... anything you can think of—I've got you covered.
Whether you're studying abroad or simply visiting, I hope this article helps you navigate the most special place on this planet: Florence, Italy.
SIGHTS
Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is home to countless attractions that bring in curious minds from all over the world. Of those sights, here's what you must-see in this historic city, whether you're living in or traveling to Florence:
Staple Sights:
Galleria dell’Accademia—See Michelangelo's David.
Uffizi Gallery—Birth of Venus, Primavera, and Medusa.
Duomo Climb—Panoramic views of the city after climbing Brunelleschi's dome (la cupola).
Boboli & Bardini Gardens—Scenic overlook of the city skyline from Florence's famous gardens. Note: must-see Bardini's April wisteria.
Palazzo Pitti & Palazzo Vecchio—Grand Renaissance architecture and art. Boboli Gardens are a part of the Pitti complex.
Piazzale Michelangelo—Sunset views with the city on the horizon.
Ponte Vecchio—Another sunset spot. Gold jewelry vendors along the bridge.
Secondary Sights:
Gucci Garden—A famous fashion/art fusion space with a museum and boutique.
Galileo Museum & Dante’s House—Fun stops for history buffs to learn more about some of the most famous Florentine figures.
Il Porcellino—Rub the boar's snout and drop a coin from its mouth for good luck (and to return to Florence one day!).
For fun: Take photos in vintage photo booths & ride the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica.
Pro tip: Especially when touring Florence in the peak-season, it's wise to book your tickets to these attractions in-advance online:
For Study Abroad: If you're trying to figure out the best time to check these items off of your Florence bucket-list, I'd recommend going later in the Fall or earlier in the Spring (when it's less touristy). Larger museums (Uffizi/Galleria Accademia) will give student discounts when you show your Long-Stay Study Visa and Student ID.
SUSTENANCE
Florence is well-known for its meats (bistecca alla fiorentina) and red wines (Chianti), but you may also have heard to try affogato, a panino, or truffle (tartufo). Here are my recommendations for where to find all of these Florentine flavors and more:
Brunch:
Melaleuca—For their famous cinnamon rolls.
Rooster Café—For a taste of American breakfast comfort (study abroad students can come here for a Thanksgiving special).
All’Antico Vinaio—Most famous sandwich spot, slightly overrated.
Pino’s, I' Girone de' Ghiotti & 'Ino—Amazing alternatives for a panino with less of a line.
Gusta Pizza, Cico & Sons & Pizza Napoli—Best local pizza spots.
Mercato Centrale—Pasta Fresca, pastries, and a variety of food stalls on the top floor.
Rosalia—For salads.
Dinner:
Trattoria Dall’Oste—Best place for Bistecca Fiorentina.
Acqua al 2—Try the blueberry steak.
La Giostra—World-renowned; Famous for its pear ravioli.
Osteria Pastella—Known for the truffle cheese wheel pasta.
Osteria Santo Spirito & Procacci—More places that put you in truffle heaven.
Trattoria Za Za—A TikTok favorite, popular but honestly good.
Sweets:
Gelateria dei Neri & Sbrino—Best gelato spots.
Vivoli—Famous affogato.
Don Nino—Ice cream and cannoli.
Vecchio Forno—Pasteries/bakery.
Coffee:
Café/Biblioteca delle Oblate—Free public library (study spot!) with Duomo view and a café.
Ditta Artigianale—Best local coffee chain (also located at the bottom of Mercato Centrale).
Shake Café & La Milkeria—Breakfast options as well as coffee.
Vintage Café—Artsy café/study spot.
Café/Giunti Odeon—Book store, cinema, and study spot with a coffee shop attached.
Aperitivo:
Babae & Piazza degli Strozzi—Order a glass of wine through a Florence-original wine window (buchetta del vino).
View on Art—Drink with a view of the Duomo.
Bars:
The Box—Best for quick, cheap cocktails (try the orange mule!).
Red Garter—Karaoke.
Lions Fountain—Sign your school's shirt and take your school's shot.
Old Stove, Kikuya, & Michael Collins—Pubs.
Green Street, Reverse & Pink Bar—All study abroad staples.
Spirituum & The Arts Inn—Artsy cocktail bars.
Clubs:
Jazz Club—Live music & less crowded than your typical "club" (my favorite place to frequent in Florence, more-so a bar than a club).
Space—Most popular on Wednesdays.
Babylon, XO, YAB & Blue Velvet
Villa Vittoria—Only open in warmer months.
Pro tip: For most clubs in Florence, you'll need to pay a cover charge (usually €10-€15), which will often include a prepaid drink ticket (1 "free" drink). For Jazz Club, you'll need to pay a one-time €10 membership fee, which includes a "free" drink at purchase of the membership, and is valid for the year.
Pro tip: If you want to take it from an Italian instead, here's a longer list by Chef Marco Cinotti (my culinary professor at LdM) with his food-related Florence Favorites:
SHOPPING
While Milan might be seen as the fashion capital of the Italy, Florence falls as a close second. Did you know that Florence is where famous fashion brands Gucci, Ferragamo, Pucci, and Cavalli all originated? With its history, you'll no doubt be able to spend in this city . If you are going to go on a spree, then here's where to shop:
Luxury:
Via dei Tornabuoni—Florence's Fifth Avenue; every luxury designer imaginable (Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Ferragamo, Pucci, Isabel Marant, etc.).
La Rinascente—Designer department store with rooftop café.
Bric's—Recommend to look for this brand if purchasing luggage.
Leather:
Mercato San Lorenzo & Mercato del Porcellino—Haggle for a good deal ($).
Massimo Leather—Reliable, good-quality ($$).
Valentina Calzature—Local Italian leather shoe store ($$).
Scuola del Cuoio—Highest-end handmade leather; Optional engraving for no extra charge ($$$).
Pro tip: When haggling for prices, I'd always recommend starting at 1/3 of the original asking price. If you can speak any Italian, you might raise your chances at striking a bargain. Paying in cash (euro) will always allow you better deals, and some vendors will only take cash.
Clothing:
International chains:
H&M—Affordable basics ($—$$).
Zara—Slightly more elevated than H&M ($—$$).
Mango—Similar to Zara but more European chic ($$).
Italian-based chains (also international):
Brandy Melville—Timeless basics and in-store only Florence merchandise; Best price for quality (~100% cotton) ($—$$).
Intimissimi—Italian lingerie and cashmere basics ($—$$).
Subdued—Similar to Brandy but slightly more expensive ($$).
Calzedonia—Tights, socks, swim ($$).
Vintage:
Humana People & Humana Vintage—Thrifting ($).
Street Doing, Dolce Vita, Melrose, Desii—Vintage/designer ($$—$$$).
Vinted app—Like Depop, but for Europe ($—$$$).
Pro tip: Humana People has a station where you can get cheap, simple fixes for your clothing items. Also, if you do want to use Vinted, you must have an Italian phone number to do so.
Beauty:
Caddy’s—Closest thing to a CVS/Walgreens.
Italian Pharmacies—Best beauty/skincare (try Caudalie & Nuxe).
L’Occitane—Personal favorite for body soaps & oils.
Kiko Milano—Italian makeup store.
Sephora—If you need to find any of your signature products, there is a Sephora.
Jewelry:
Vestopazzo—Affordable and doesn't tarnish ($).
Marlu—Don't try waiting in line: You can buy the brand in other shops ($).
Nomination—Iconic Italian charm bracelets ($$).
Ponte Vecchio shops—Real gold and fine jewelry ($$$).
For Study Abroad: Nomination charm bracelets make the best keepsake from your time abroad. You can customize your bracelet with travel charms from your trips.
Souvenirs:
Signum—Postcards, magnets, pens.
Miato Firenze—Cute totes + prints (similar to CB Positano/Vera Bradley).
Aquaflor & Santa Maria Novella—Luxe scents & soaps.
Markets:
Leather Markets—Daily; San Lorenzo & Porcellino.
Mercato Centrale—Daily; Bottom floor produce/top floor food court.
Santo Spirito—Sundays 9-6.
Piazza Indipendenza—Every 3rd Sat/Sun.
Cascine Market—Tuesdays 8-3.
Santa Croce Pop-Ups—Vary by season: Christmas, chocolate festival, French festival, etc.
Pro tip: While the Santo Spirito Market has gained its popularity for a good reason, my favorite market was the Piazza Indipendenza Market. This market was less picked-over and was where I found my vintage Fendi leather jacket for just €60.
Home:
Satur—Best option for home goods (pillows, mattress topper, hangers, storage).
Flying Tiger—Great for smaller decor/travel necessities.
Tutto 99 Cent & Libraccio—For school supplies.
Groceries:
Conad—Go-to grocery store (biggest by the train station).
Carrefour & Pam—More grocery stores, but can be slightly pricier than Conad.
Mercato Centrale—Bottom floor for fresh produce & speciality items (truffle, EVOO).
***SAFETY & SCAMS***
Don’t accept flowers, bracelets, flying toys or photos.
Avoid the shell game (ball hidden under cup).
Watch where you're walking (don't step on street art).
Wear a crossbody bag.
Be mindful around the train station.
Only withdraw cash from ATMs attached to banks (i.e. Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena).
Pro tip: If you need help navigating, check out my article on How to: Navigate Transportation in Italy.
Final Thoughts
This go-to guide is a living list, as Florence is always evolving with new experiences. That being said, use this as a reference, but feel free to find your own favorites as well!
Whether you’re just passing through or calling it home for the semester, there’s no shortage of ways to...
Fall in love with Firenze.
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