Best Spots in Florence for The Unhurried Travellers
Home · Florence · The Unhurried Traveller
For a relaxed pace
From the classic Ponte Vecchio and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
★ 4.7 · 154,929 reviews
Cross Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge that defines the Florence skyline. Stroll past the jeweller-lined shopfronts and stop at the river's edge for views along the Arno.
★ 4.8 · 112,089 reviews
Stand before the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence's marble landmark beneath Brunelleschi's dome. Circle the polychrome exterior, then step inside and take in the vast interior.
★ 4.8 · 143,777 reviews
Stand in Piazza del Duomo, where marble facades and Brunelleschi's dome rise above the crowds. Circle the cathedral, baptistery and bell tower, and decide which monument to climb or enter.
★ 4.8 · 12,135 reviews
Climb Brunelleschi's dome, the Renaissance engineering feat that crowns Florence. Squeeze up the narrow stairs between its shells and finish with a view over the city's rooftops.
★ 4.8 · 8,110 reviews
Climb Giotto's Bell Tower for a close look at the Duomo from above. Work your way up the narrow stairs, pausing at each level for views, until you reach the open terrace over Florence.
★ 4.6 · 9,845 reviews
Step inside the Baptistery of St. John, the octagonal landmark facing Florence's cathedral. Study the bronze doors outside, then tilt your head back to read the gold mosaic ceiling above.
★ 4.8 · 114,651 reviews
Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo for the classic panorama of Florence. Take in the Duomo and Arno from the terrace, and see the bronze David standing above the city.
★ 4.8 · 87,796 reviews
Enter Piazza della Signoria, the beating heart of Florence beneath the Palazzo Vecchio tower. Walk among the statues and fountain, then take a seat nearby to watch the square come alive.
★ 4.8 · 42,773 reviews
Walk into Basilica of Santa Croce, where Florence honours its greatest minds. Find the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo and study the Giotto frescoes in the side chapels.
★ 4.3 · 1,711 reviews
Grab a sandwich at All'Antico Vinaio, the Florence takeaway shop with a perpetual queue. Pick your fillings, wait your turn in the quick-moving line, and eat a stuffed schiacciata on the go.
★ 4.6 · 3,780 reviews
Step into Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, Florence's famed pharmacy-perfumery. Wander past antique bottles and distilling equipment, then browse the fragrances and cosmetics in a beautifully preserved setting.
★ 4.5 · 34,948 reviews
Discover Trattoria Zà Zà, a Tuscan favourite with frescoed, brick-walled rooms. Try the calamari, a Caprese salad and the grilled Florentine steak in a relaxed, characterful setting.
★ 4.6 · 3,309 reviews
Squeeze into I Fratellini, the postage-stamp sandwich bar that has fed Florence for generations. Pick a schiacciata filling at the counter, add a glass of wine, and eat it street-side.
★ 4.5 · 1,184 reviews
Secure a table at Trattoria Sostanza, the Florence classic built around chicken sizzled in butter. Share the signature chicken, an artichoke pie and pasta in its traditional, fast-moving dining room.
★ 3.5 · 2,616 reviews
Take a break at Caffè Scudieri, a 1939 cafe facing the main entrance of the Duomo. Settle on the terrace with coffee and a pastry, or an Aperol Spritz later, and watch Florence pass by.
★ 4.3 · 11,511 reviews
Pause at Caffè Gilli, Florence's oldest cafe, serving since 1733 beneath wood-paneled Belle Epoque interiors. Settle onto the covered terrace with coffee and a pastry such as a chocolate eclair or tiramisu while you watch the piazza.
★ 4.9 · 2,761 reviews
Cross the river to Oltrarno Ristorante Toscano for a Tuscan meal in a cosy, well-run dining room. Order the truffle ravioli or a Florentine steak and enjoy a glass of Chianti Classico at an outdoor table.
★ 4.9 · 16,189 reviews
Learn pasta from the very first handful of flour in a chef-led class in the centre of Florence. You will shape three kinds of pasta, sauce them and enjoy the results with Tuscan wine.
★ 4.6 · 4,656 reviews
Step into Trattoria Mario, a Florence lunch institution that has been grilling Tuscan classics since 1953. Order the celebrated steak, add a plate of ragu pasta and a glass of regional wine in its unfussy dining room.
★ 4.5 · 7,942 reviews
Treat yourself to Caffe Concerto Paszkowski, a grand cafe with historic, ornate interiors and a shaded terrace. Enjoy pastries and coffee by day, or stay for an aperitivo and, some evenings, live music and dancing.
★ 4.4 · 3,956 reviews
Discover Osteria Santo Spirito, the red-walled Oltrarno favourite with a terrace on its namesake square. Sit down to home-style Italian dishes in a room that locals and returning visitors keep coming back to.
★ 4.8 · 12,197 reviews
Grab a table at Gustapanino, the small Florence trattoria with a terrace on the square and a devoted following. Tuck into homemade lasagna and tiramisu served by a team that makes you feel at home.
★ 4.5 · 1,120 reviews
Settle into Cantinetta Antinori, a Renaissance-style mansion turned wine-led restaurant in Florence. Enjoy refined Tuscan dishes and a long list of wines under warm lamplight.
★ 4.8 · 10,100 reviews
Join the brunch crowd at Rooster Cafe, one of Florence's most popular all-day spots. Dig into a Rooster Burger or berry pancakes and linger over drinks in its buzzing, stylish dining room.
★ 4.5 · 7,530 reviews
Join the line at Gustapizza, the wood-fired pizza spot Florence queues for. Watch the pizzaioli work the open kitchen, then tuck into a soft, charred-edged pie with fresh toppings.
★ 4.6 · 3,469 reviews
Queue up with locals outside Trattoria Sabatino, a family-run Florentine favourite. Once seated, share Tuscan pastas and steak dishes in a cozy room that feels like a home kitchen.
★ 4.4 · 1,121 reviews
Book a table at Regina Bistecca for a proper introduction to Florentine steak in the heart of the city. Share a thick-cut bistecca with truffle gratin potatoes in a polished, well-run dining room.
★ 4.4 · 2,292 reviews
Reserve a table at Il Santo Bevitore, where Tuscan cooking meets a brick-vaulted, wine-lined room. Share antipasti like chicken liver with brioche before moving on to refined regional mains.
★ 4.8 · 1,721 reviews
Step under the arches of the Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence's free sculpture gallery beside the Uffizi. Look closely at the carved details and read the boards explaining each statue's story.
★ 4.8 · 1,876 reviews
Stop at Sergio Pollini's lampredotto cart for a true taste of Florentine street food. Order a juicy sandwich, plain or spicy, and eat it on the spot in the middle of the city bustle.
Florence · 🏛️ Landmark
Ponte Vecchio
20 min
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
1h30
Piazza del Duomo
30 min
Brunelleschi's dome
1h
Giotto's Bell Tower
45 min
Baptistery of St. John
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazza della Signoria
Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence
Florence · 🍽️ Food
All'Antico Vinaio
Florence · 🛍️ Shopping
Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Trattoria Zà Zà
1h15
I Fratellini
15 min
Trattoria Sostanza
Florence · 🥐 Breakfast
Caffè Scudieri Firenze
Florence · ☕ Coffeebreak
Caffè Gilli
Oltrarno Ristorante Toscano
Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine
2h30
Trattoria Mario
Caffe Concerto Paszkowski
Osteria Santo Spirito
Gustapanino
Cantinetta Antinori
Rooster Cafe Firenze
Gustapizza
Trattoria Sabatino
Regina Bistecca
Il Santo Bevitore
Loggia dei Lanzi
Sergio Pollini Lampredotto sandwhiches
