‘It can easily be explored on foot’
ZIINA – LOCAL GUIDE FLORENCE
The most surprising thing
about Florence is how much culture is packed into such a compact area. The city is very much human-sized – it can be easily explored on foot and many of its neighbourhoods still maintain a smalltown atmosphere but its invaluable Renaissance heritage in unmatched.
If you go to Florence
make sure to use your time wisely and avoid rushing through. After a year spent working on three Lonely Planet guides on Florence and Tuscany, I’ve become well aware of how easily one can get overwhelmed by the abundance of worldclass galleries, majestic cathedrals,
legendary artworks, and hidden gardens. Beyond the Uffizi and Michelangelo’s David the list of sights is nearly endless.
Don’t be guided
by the fear of missing out on great sights. Just go with the flow as Italians do. Some of the aspects that make local culture great are the lively coffee and aperitivo scene, the outdoor dining, the artisanal workshops and late night wine sips.
The best place to eat
is Cibréo, or I’brindellone, or Serre Torrigiani,. A good place to start is the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo, where you can get a taste of all that the Tuscan tradition has to offer. Beyond that there is really something for everyone. From
Florence’s street food par excellence – scrumptiously stuffed schiacciata bread, my favourite being served at Forno Becagli – to ultimate dining experiences such as the tasting menu of three-michelinstarred Enoteca Pinchiorri. Between the two extremes, are a plethora of osterie and trattorie paying tribute to the local culinary tradition.
If you like cocktails you
should definitely pay a visit to Locale, which has recently entered the World’s 50 Best Bars list after years of experimentation with unique, inventive, seasonal ingredients. If you like your drinks served with a view, get up to the rooftop of The Social Hub, where you’ll be able to enjoy a creatively made poolside drink while immersing yourself in the cosmopolitan side of Florence..