Food and drink in Florence
In Italy, food and drinks are very important! This is especially true in Tuscany, where every village has its own culinary specialities. Florence has several of these, which have also spread to other countries. A popular story has it that many of what are now French national dishes, such as crêpes, macaroons and omelettes, were brought to the country from Florence by Caterina de' Medici when she became Queen of France in the 16th century.
Today, the dish most associated with Florence is unequivocally bisteccha fiorentina, a hearty t-bone steak lightly grilled over a bed of coals. Often eaten with nothing but lemon wedges to squeeze over, it also goes well with Tuscan beans and a glass of red wine. As Florence is close to the famous Chianti district, this wine is a natural choice. With any luck, it will also come in one of the classic large straw-covered bottles called fiasci.
Nightlife and entertainment in Florence
Many of Florence's nightclubs are located relatively centrally, near the northern bank of the River Arno. The larger dance venues open late, and don't tend to fill up until after 2am. Luckily, Florence also has a number of top-notch bars, especially for cocktail lovers. If you're not in the mood for either Bellinis or Dry Martinis, there's a wide selection of wine and beer bars in the old town.
Another popular pastime in Florence is going to the football. It's synonymous with watching the city's purple-clad team Fiorentina, whose home stadium Stadio Artemi Franchi is beautifully framed by green hills. With the exception of big games, tickets are usually available a few days before the match.
Excursions in the surroundings
On a hill six miles southeast of Florence lies the small walled town of San Gimignano. Although it has just over 7000 inhabitants, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reason is that San Gimignano was the medieval equivalent of Manhattan, with tall defensive and residential towers that formed, and still form, an impressive skyline. Today 13 of these remain, but at most there were 72 such towers. The city's museum has built a model of what it looked like. On the slopes outside, the white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano is grown.
Five sights you shouldn't miss in Florence
Santa Maria del Fiore
The cathedral of Florence goes by the grandiose name of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, 'Basilica of the Flowers of Saint Mary'. When it was built in the early 15th century, it was the largest church in the world. It's free to see the beautiful decorations inside, but it's also worth paying to go up to the tower, where a wonderful view awaits.
Santa Maria Novella
Even older than the cathedral is Santa Maria Novella, the church that also gave its name to the city's central station. Inside are many famous paintings by Renaissance masters such as Masaccio, Filippino Lippi and Domenico Ghirlandaio.
Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio is a building dating back to the 13th century, which serves as Florence's town hall. In front of the entrance stands a replica of Michelangelo's famous statue of David, on the same spot where the original stood between 1504 and 1873.
Basilica di Santa Croce
Basilica di Santa Croce, or 'Basilica of the Holy Cross', is another large and powerful church full of priceless works of art. Begun in the late 13th century, the church is home to Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Niccholò Macchiavelli and Gioacchino Rossini, among others.
What are the most popular accommodations in the area?
The most booked accommodations in Florence are apartment rentals and bed & breakfast rentals. We search from more than 2,333 accommodations in Florence to help you find the perfect place to stay during your trip.
How much does it cost to stay the night?
Prices start at just €61 per night. Most bed & breakfast rentals in Florence are 22 m² and apartment rentals are 80 m².
Do you offer pet-friendly apartment rentals in Florence?
If you are traveling with your pet, we have the perfect solution: Apartment rentals are the most pet-friendly accommodations in Florence. On average a pet-friendly rental costs €299 per night.
Do you offer accommodations for traveling with a group?
Yes, we definitely have accommodations for groups in Florence. On average, the apartment rentals has space for 4 guests.
