Florence is a city that truly surprises you, even beyond the iconic art and architecture. Over a couple of days, you can delve into its rich culinary scene, from places recognized by Michelin to small, beloved spots that the locals frequent. Beyond the famous palaces, you’ll find an artisan soul alive in crafts passed down for generations. This guide is designed to take you on a journey through extraordinary dining and local treasures, showing you a side of the city that goes deeper than the usual tourist path.
Where to Make Your Home Base
Florence offers a wide selection of hotels, with many having been checked by inspectors. For a short visit where you want to see a lot, staying in the central, walkable area makes the most sense. You’ll find places like Residenza D’Epoca, a luxurious stay in a 15th-century palace that aims to blend historical romance with modern comforts. It’s conveniently close to the Florence Cathedral, and its suites offer contemporary amenities while keeping Renaissance aesthetics. A highlight is its Michelin-starred restaurant, Atto di Vito Mollica, and the Vita Nova spa.
Another option that balances luxury with some boutique charm is the Helvetia & Bristol. It features top-notch dining and a choice between modern rooms or more traditional, stately accommodations in a wing that was once a bank. For something a bit more approachable in price but still stylish, and Stella d’Italia offer boutique hotels with a mix of contemporary and historic interiors on the elegant Via de’ Tornabuoni. If you’re looking for a mid-range boutique hotel with a bohemian, vintage feel, SoprArno Suites in the Oltrarno neighborhood offers a cozy, lived-in atmosphere.
Day One Immersing Yourself in Florence
Morning Palatial Pleasures
After dropping your bags, head straight to Palazzo Pitti. This grand ducal residence is packed with Renaissance masterpieces. Wandering through the Palatine Gallery, you get a real sense of what life might have been like for the powerful Medici family back in the mid-1500s. You’ll see works by artists like Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio. It’s especially rewarding with a guide who knows the palace well.
Don’t miss the fashion museum in the palace’s southern wing, which showcases a dazzling array of antique and contemporary apparel. With a combined ticket, you can then explore the beautiful Boboli Gardens. These are classic Italian gardens with meticulously laid out green spaces, dotted with statues, grottoes, fountains, and impressive tree-lined paths. It’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours, and the kids might enjoy spotting some of the hidden statues.
Lunch With Local Flavor
For lunch, try Il Santo Bevitore, which is located nearby. They serve thoughtfully prepared seasonal dishes that offer more variety than typical Florentine restaurants, with good options for fish and vegetables. Fitting for its name, which translates to “the holy drunkard,” the restaurant boasts an extensive list of natural and conventional wines. This popular spot in the Santo Spirito neighborhood has also inspired the cozy wine bar Santino next door and the S.Forno bakery, which offers small lunch items and sourdough bread.
Afternoon Artisan Discoveries
Begin your afternoon by exploring some of Florence’s renowned establishments. The Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella is a must-visit. Founded in 1221 by Dominican friars, this pharmacy sells soaps and potions made from old recipes within what feels like the most magnificent old monastery turned shop. Nearby, Il Bisonte offers beautifully crafted bags made from vegetable-dyed leather.
For Italian porcelain, Ginori 1735 has been a maker of fine pieces since the Medici era. It’s situated on Via de’ Tornabuoni, Florence’s luxury shopping street, which is also home to the original Salvatore Ferragamo headquarters. On your way, make sure to see the Santa Trinità church. For a small fee, you can illuminate Domenico Ghirlandaio’s stunning frescoes from 1485.
Shopping for Unique Finds
Continue your exploration into the artisan workshops, vintage boutiques, and niche stores that make shopping in Florence so special. For sunglasses from independent designers, places like I Visionari, Bottega di Sguardi, or Tuscan brand L.G.R are great spots. If you’re looking for handcrafted leather goods, steer clear of the mass-produced items and seek out Misuri or Il Bussetto.
For contemporary clothing, check out local boutiques like Nadine, Bjork, or Splen. If you love knitwear, Maglificiogrp is worth a visit. Excellent vintage finds can be discovered at Vannaty (by appointment only, often via Instagram), Momo, and Albrici. You can also pick up handmade treasures such as wheel-ground drinking glasses at Moleria Locchi, carved wooden figures and frames at Castorina 1895, or fine-art etchings hand-painted with watercolors at L’Ippogrifo Stampe d’Arte.
The Romanelli gallery offers impressive sculptures of all sizes, and they even provide sculpture lessons if you have the time. For fine jewelry made using Renaissance-era Florentine goldsmithing techniques, Nerdi Orafi, located just off the Ponte Vecchio, is the place to go. When I was browsing here, I found a delicate necklace that reminded me of the historical pieces we’d seen earlier in the day.
Evening Aperitivo
As the capital of a major winemaking region, Florence has a growing appreciation for natural wines. For your evening aperitivo, consider Vineria Sonora, known for its free-spirited selection, or the intimate Enoteca Spontanea. Meno, located just outside the center, offers a new and relaxed vibe, while Casa del Vino, open only on weekend nights, provides a more classic, if sometimes crotchety, experience.
Dinner at a Fashionable Address
For dinner, Florence’s Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura is a truly unique experience. This restaurant, a collaboration between the Gucci fashion brand and the renowned Italian chef Massimo Bottura, offers a Michelin-starred culinary journey inside the Palazzo Gucci. Despite having branches worldwide, this original location is infused with strong chef personality.
You can find Bottura’s signature tortellini from Modena here, alongside other inventive dishes. The menu reflects a global influence, with contributions from head chefs Karime López from Mexico and Takahiko Kondo from Japan, blending flavors from three culinary powerhouses. The dining room itself is set within the 1359 Merchants’ Tribunal, with original carved stone guild crests still visible.
Day Two Exploring More Treasures
Morning at the Duomo
Start your second day at the Duomo, Florence’s monumental heart. Brunelleschi’s incredible dome, completed in 1436, is a marvel of engineering and a sight that dominates the city skyline. While visits to the church itself are free and it opens later on Sundays, you’ll need to book tickets if you want to visit the baptistry and the bell tower, which open earlier. If you’re not afraid of heights, the rooftop terraces offer spectacular views.
Panoramic Views Over the City
For a moment of quiet and an incredible city view, visit the Museo degli Innocenti. While the museum is worthwhile if you have time, the adjacent Santissima Annunziata church also hosts a little-known rooftop café. It offers breathtaking panoramic views across the entire city, a perfect spot for a quiet moment.
Discovering Sculpture
Next, head to the Bargello National Museum. This museum houses one of Florence’s significant art collections, including Donatello’s David statue. It’s quite different from Michelangelo’s more famous version and is often overlooked by the crowds. It’s a great place to appreciate the nuances of Renaissance sculpture away from the main tourist throngs.
Lunch Like a Local
Finding authentic food in a tourist-heavy city can be a challenge, but Del Fagioli is a great option. This cozy, wood-paneled restaurant stays true to what locals love: hearty, high-quality traditional dishes. You can enjoy classics like bistecca alla fiorentina or pappa al pomodoro, along with seasonal vegetable sides. It feels like a true taste of Florentine home cooking.
Art and History Lessons
A truly mesmerizing experience awaits at the Magi Chapel in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi museum. The frescoes here, painted around 1459 by Benito Gozzoli, depict the procession of the Three Kings but are transformed into a lavish scene set in Medici-era Florence. The chapel, designed by Michelozzo, features hundreds of figures with incredibly detailed faces and sumptuous clothing. You can even spot the artist himself, wearing a red cap, in a corner of the paintings.
The Perfect Sweet Treat
Florence has an abundance of excellent gelato, and finding the best scoop is a delightful mission. For those who prefer bold, intense flavors, Sbrino is recommended. On the other hand, Gelateria della Passera offers more delicate and nuanced creations. Lily insisted we try at least one place each day, and these were her favorites.
Masterpieces at the Uffizi
No visit to Florence is complete without a trip to the Uffizi Gallery, a supreme temple of Renaissance art and a former Medici office. Here you’ll have up-close encounters with masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo, Caravaggio’s Medusa, and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. Downloading the Uffizi’s audio app is highly recommended. Don’t miss the recently restored Vasari Corridor, a protected passage used by the Medici to travel between buildings, offering unique views of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio from above.
Sunset Views and Aperitivo
As the day winds down, head to one of Florence’s rooftop bars for an aperitivo with stunning views of the medieval cityscape at dusk. Palazzo Guadagni is a local favorite. For even more dramatic vistas, consider the Hotel Continentale, Hotel Baglioni, or the Grand . Enjoying a drink while watching the light change over the rooftops is a perfect way to end the day.
A Royal Dining Experience
For dinner, Cibrèo is a true Florentine institution, founded in 1979 by the acclaimed local chef Fabio Picchi. Picchi was dedicated to using natural ingredients from small farms long before it was common. This commitment led to a series of outstanding dining spots, starting with the upscale yet cozy restaurant on Piazza Sant’Ambrogio. Its neighbor, the more casual Cibrèo Caffè, is also a beloved local haunt, as is Ciblèo Tosco-Orientale, which offers Korean and Japanese-inspired dishes.
Today, Picchi’s son Giulio runs the family business and has launched a fine-dining Cibrèo outpost at the Helvetia & Bristol hotel, offering another fantastic culinary option. You can also enjoy a cocktail at its distinctive yellow marble bar afterward.
Florence is a city that rewards exploration, offering layers of history, art, and incredible food at every turn. I hope these suggestions help you plan your own memorable visit.