Our Travel Guide to Florence, Italy

Ciao bellas! This week, our summer city guide series is taking us to the birthplace of the Renaissance – Florence, Italy. This gorgeous Tuscan city is filled with magnificent art and architecture and, in our opinion, the most incredible food scene in all of Europe. If you read our guide to Vienna, you know that is saying a lot! Our weekend guide will ensure you get the best of both worlds during your stay in this pretty city!

Saturday

8:30 AM-Coffee @ La Loggia degli Albizi

One of our favorite things about Italy is how serious Italians take their coffee. Skip your traditional breakfast while in Florence and instead opt for an espresso and pastry at one of Florence’s acclaimed caffés, like La Loggia delgi Albizi. This coffee bar is a favorite due to the fact that the owner is from Naples – the city said to have the best coffee in Italy. Also, that we still can’t stop dreaming about the pastries to this day! P.S. carbs don’t count when in Florence!

9:30 AM Climb the Duomo di Firenze

It’s not a trip to Florence without making your way up the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo di Firenze for the breathtaking view. I recommend going in the morning to escape the crowds and to beat the heat. Tickets are 15€ and include access to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Opera Museum. You can purchase them online or just outside the Cathedral.

12:00 PM-Lunch @ All’antico Vinaio

It doesn’t get much better than a panini from the acclaimed All’antico Vinaio! I tell everyone who makes a stop in Florence that this is a spot they absolutely cannot miss. What to order? The La Summer Del Boss, which consists of prosciutto, ricotta, truffle cream, zucchini, artichokes spicy eggplant, tomato, mint, and basil on freshly baked focaccia bread. Don’t let the long lines scare you away, as these 5€ paninis are worth the wait and the line moves rather quickly!

1:00 PM Visit David @ The Accademia Gallery

Famed for its collection of sculptures by Michelangelo, including the striking statue of David, The Accademia Gallery is the perfect post-lunch stop. The main halls of the museum are covered in works both commissioned and collected by the great Medici family. Spend a couple of hours getting lost in the works of the artists that helped define Italy’s influential art scene.

4:00 PM Window shop along Via de’ Tornabuoni

Via de’ Tornabuoni is to Florence what 5th Ave. is to New York and Champs Elysee is to Paris. Home to the high fashion boutiques of designer brands, Via de’ Tornabuoni, is a fun street to wander along and window shop. The historic facades and creative window displays are so dreamy and will have you wishing for a Pretty Woman shopping spree moment.

6:30 PM-Dinner @ Osteria Santo Spirito

I can’t say enough amazing things about Osteria Santo Spirito! I insist that all the friends and family who visit Florence snag a bite to eat here! The atmosphere is authentic and homely, the servers are friendly and attentive, and the food is out of this world! Order the truffle gnocchi and I promise you’ll be raving about it, just like me, for years to come.

8:00 PM-Gelato @ Gelateria Santa Trinita

A day in Italy is never complete without gelato. Pop into Gelateria Santa Trinita for an array of delicious flavors made using the absolute best quality of ingredients. The more scoops the merrier 🙂

Sunday

9:00 AM Cooking Class @ Food & Wine Academy Florence

Now that you’ve spent your Saturday exploring Florence’s cultural and culinary scene, it’s time for you to learn the ins and outs of Italian cooking with a cooking class at Food & Wine Academy Florence. The class starts with a trip to Central Market, where you’ll pick out only the freshest of ingredients for your lunch. You’ll then spend the remainder of the morning preparing a lunch of bruschetta, two types of homemade pasta-ravioli and fettuccini, and tiramisu. Finally, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labor paired with local wines. The chefs who teach the class are wonderful and insightful and will leave you feeling inspired to recreate this meal for your friends back home!

3:00 PM-Shopping @ San Lorenzo Market

Just down the street from Food & Wine Academy Florence is San Lorenzo Market. You will have stopped into the indoor portion of the market earlier in the day for your ingredients, but the outdoor portion is worth visiting too! Here you will find an assortment of leather goods and souvenirs to bring home. The selection is wide and the prices are great and can be bargained down.

7:00 PM Dinner @ La Giostra

Enjoy your final meal in Florence at one of the 16 tables that compose La Giostra. Here, you will experience the authentic flavors of Tuscany, an extensive wine list, and refined hospitality. The entire menu is fabulous and you will never want to leave the enchanting atmosphere.

8:30 PM Gelato @ Geletaria La Carraia

You can’t leave Florence without one last gelato! Geletaria La Carraia is one of the prettiest gelato shops you’ll step into! It not only specializes in gelato, but also carries a variety of gorgeous pastry creations. We fully advocate for both a pastry and gelato while you’re here 🙂

What city do you want us to explore next?