As part of our Italian roadtrip my boyfriend and I decided to pay Florence (also known as Firenze) a visit. Florence wasn’t really on our radar so we went there without any expectations. The only reason why we planned a few days in Florence was the fact that my boyfriend really wanted to eat a bistecca alla fiorentina, or in other words a huge steak from a specific type of cow (not kidding). Sometimes the trips you plan without expectations turn out to be the best ones, because we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and all the amazing food places Florence has to offer. I hope you enjoy reading our recommendations in this Florence guide.
Where to eat/ have a drink
- Quinoa, an adorable gluten free restaurant. The restaurant is located in a courtyard and has a really cosy feel. At quinoa you can get the traditional Italian dishes but fish and chips or pad thai are also on the menu.
- La Ménagère, is probably the most instagrammable restaurant in Florence. The interior is stunning and although we did not eat there, the food looked amazing as well.
- Shake Cafe, the perfect place when you need something healthier than pasta. Here you can get smoothies, bowls and good coffee (as you can almost everywhere in Italy)
- Grom, a well-known ice cream parlor with several locations in Italy. Grom is completely gluten free (yes also the cones) and the gelato is delicious.
- Gosh*, a bar with a boutique hotel kind of vibe; perfect for after dinner drinks.
What to see/do
- Santa Maria del Fiore, is a stunning cathedral covered in marble. The outside is so stunning that it almost feels like you are looking at a painting.
- Ponte Vecchio, is the famous bridge in Florence covered with yellow houses. No visit to Florence is complete without a stroll on this bridge.
- Gucci Garden, is the Gucci museum accompanied by an amazing Gucci shop. We only went to the shop that was gorgeous due to its unique design and use of colors. If I am ever on a girls trip to Florence I will for sure plan a visit to the museum.
- Piazalle Michelangelo, is a square overlooking the whole city. Go around sunset and enjoy the stunning view. You can get there by bus or by foot, but be prepared for quite a climb.
- Bistecca alla Florentina, is as mentioned above an enormous steak and the most well-known dish in Florence. We shared one and still struggled to eat it all so save it for a day when you are really hungry.
Where to shop
- Sephora, now if you are visiting Florence from the USA or Canada this might not be that interesting for you. But since Sephora stores a rare in Europe I was very happy to see one in Florence.
- Bialetti, is the brand well known by their coffeemaker; a moka express. In Florence you will find a brandstore, ideal when you want to buy yourself or your family a typical Italian souvenir.
- La Ménagère, yes besides being an amazing bistro, restaurant and bar, La Ménagère is also a flower shop and concept store with some amazing home decor items.
Looking for some more inspiration? Be sure to check out my Lisbon and Copenhagen guide.
Love, Meryl