Melih Kağan Özel In this article, we will discuss important information you can use during your trip to Florence, the capital of the Renaissance. I will talk about my favorite dining spots, unique activities beyond the general sightseeing, and accommodation options. florence travel guide
Accommodation
Unfortunately, accommodation costs in Florence are higher compared to other cities, but if you go off-season, you can still find reasonably priced places. We stayed at the Piccolo Hotel, and since we visited in February, the prices were not too high. It’s a small boutique hotel, and its central location was a huge advantage for us as we walked everywhere. We didn’t have to worry about public transportation. During our stay, there was a problem with hot water. Although the staff told us to wait five to ten minutes for hot water, it unfortunately never came, and we had to manage with lukewarm water.
Another hotel we considered, also located in the city center, is Plus Florence Hostel. It has a sauna and swimming pool operating at certain hours. You can compare both and choose the cheaper one for your visit.
Food
I can say I was satisfied with everything I ate in Florence.
The first place I want to recommend is Il Pizzaiuolo, which I can describe as a quintessential Italian restaurant. The place is very well designed, and I loved its ambiance. It’s not just a tourist spot; locals eat there too. You enjoy your meal with the laughter of large Italian families around you. You can watch the pizza chef make pizzas. The waitstaff and the owner were very polite. The pizza I had was definitely one of the best I’ve ever eaten; I might even say it was the best. In short, it’s a cozy family-run restaurant with reasonable prices. (Without a reservation, the wait time is 20-25 minutes as of February 2024.)
The second place is Gustapizza, which I haven’t personally tried, but my friends highly recommend it. The place is small, so people usually prefer to take their food to go and eat outside. If you go in the evening, the wait time can be up to an hour. It’s closed on Mondays.
The third place I recommend is Cacio E Pepe. Unlike other Italian restaurants, it doesn’t close in the afternoon. We had the chance to try dishes like tomato basil pasta, truffle mushroom pasta, four cheese pizza, and carpaccio, and we loved them all. The bread and balsamic vinegar that came to our table were also very delicious.
Lastly, don’t miss out on All’Antico Vinaio, a famous sandwich shop almost every influencer visiting Florence makes a video about. Known for its unique bread and enormous sizes, it always has a queue at the door.
Activities in Florence
In this section, I will talk about some activities you can do besides visiting art exhibitions and museums.
Cycling in the streets of Florence is very enjoyable, and you can return to your hotel by bike at night. Drivers respect cyclists, and there’s no worry about stray dogs chasing your bike in the alleys. Moreover, I rented a bike for 1.25 Euros for 20 minutes using the RideMovi app.
For the best view of Florence and a magnificent sunset, you can climb up to Michelangelo Hill. Of course, walking up will be quite strenuous, but once you get there, you’ll forget all your fatigue. You can also reach the hill by bus or taxi. If you go during the season, you can sing along with other tourists. Here’s a nice quote: “Looking at Florence from the piazzale Michelangelo hill is like someone who has never lived looking at the world. A confusion, a chaos, a monotonous uniformity, a chaos where everything looks alike. In the distance, there is the magnificent elevation of ‘Florence Duomo’.”
