It’s no secret that Florence is a wonderful travel destination. With the colorful Ponte Vecchio bridge, to the magnificent orange dome of the Duomo, it’s one of the most artistic and romantic cities in the world. The most popular time to visit Florence is during the summertime – when the streets are crowded with al fresco dining, and the sweltering Italian sunshine motivates the downing of a cold Aperol spritz (or two). And while there are strong merits to a summer Italian getaway, the good weather naturally comes with higher hotel rates and larger crowds. I’ve been to Florence four times now, and I can honestly say that my favorite time to visit the city is during the winter season…when the crowds have dispersed and the city twinkles with festive lights. Here are my recommendations for planning a winter trip to Florence.
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FUN FACT: Florence was the first city to have paved streets in Europe, and is the birth place to the piano, Opera, the brand Gucci, and Florence Nightingale (one of the world’s most famous nurses).
Where to Stay in Florence
Planning a winter trip to Florence? For a memorable stay in Florence, I highly recommend booking a few nights at La Terrazza sul Duomo – this has got to be one of my favorite hotel stays ever. It’s fairly affordable (around 100 Euros a night) and conveniently located in the heart of the city. Best of all, check out that unbeatable view!
Each stay also includes a free bottle of wine (which you can enjoy on the private hotel balcony, and a light breakfast spread.
TIP: La Terrazza sul Duomo is extremely popular so if you can, try to book in advance (at least 6 months).
There’s also no shortage of great AirBnBs in Florence. Some great options can be found here and here.
Where to Eat in Florence
La Menagere
For a cute sit-down breakfast spot, visit La Menagere. They have delicious coffee and pastries, and you can also browse an assortment of curated home goods, and visit a local florist. The ambiance in this cafe is lovely!
All’antico Vinaio
You can’t visit Florence without trying the famous sandwiches/paninis at All’antico Vinaio. The lines can be very intimidating at this ‘hole-in-the-wall’ food establishment, but they move very quickly. It’s cash only, so be prepared! It’s a perfect on-the-go lunch option – warm toasted bread slathered with various oils and vinegars, and generously stuffed with thick and juicy deli meats and warm vegetables. Yum!
There are so many delicious sandwich combinations available at All’antico Vinaio that we couldn’t choose just one (we ended up ordering 3 to share)! The Favoloso (grilled eggplant with artichoke cream) and The Dante (spicy salami with truffle cream) were our favorites.
Eataly
Another easy and convenient lunch spot is Eataly. This small deli/bakery/retail outlet is dedicated to selling the best of Italian food and wine. With a mouthwatering assortment of olive oils, vinegars, hard cheeses, crackers, chocolate, and other desserts…it’s also a great place to stop for some food-based souvenirs to take home.
Locanda Fiorentina
Florence is a city for meat-lovers, and ordering a large Bistecca all Fiorentina while in the region is la ‘must-do’! This T-bone steak is a special cut of meat from the Chianina cow (a breed specific to the region of Tuscany), and is specially cooked on a wood grill. These steaks are so large that they are meant to be shared between 2-3 people. Order it with a glass of red Chianti, and your stomach will be a happy camper. It’s the perfect hearty dinner to celebrate a fun winter getaway. You can find Bistecca all Fiorentina at almost any restaurant in Florence, but I can definitely recommend the following restaurants: Locanda Fiorentina and Osteria dell’Osso.
Finally, you can’t visit Florence without having some gelato (yes, even in the wintertime). There are hundreds of articles debating where the best gelato in Florence can be found…and all of them are probably right. 🙂 But, my personal favorite (one I’ve been to a handful times, and make an effort to visit) is called Gelateria Santa Trinita. It’s near the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
FUN FACT: Despite its creamy taste, gelato is much lower in both fat and sugar compared to regular ice cream. This is due to the slow-churning process which results in a thicker texture and more intense flavor.
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Winter Activities in Florence
Visit a Christmas Market
It’s cold in the winter in Florence, and so it’s best to bundle up before you head out to explore the city. There are several Christmas markets that take place in December, so if you happen to visit during that month, check out the markets at the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Santa Croce (biggest Christmas market in Florence).
Peruse local foods at San Lorenzo Market
The San Lorenzo market is actually composed of two markets – and outdoor section and an indoor market. The indoor market (known as the Mercato Centrale) is where you can find a huge variety of foods – fresh produce, locally produced meats, organic wines, cured meats and cheeses. The outdoor section is where you can browse for souvenirs. You may be tempted to buy some leather goods at these stalls…but don’t! The quality of leather goods is not great, and most of the items are mass produced from factories in Asia. For tips on where to find the best leather goods in Florence, read on!
Walk across the Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio, or ‘Old Bridge’ is one of the most famous landmarks in Florence. This medieval stone bridge is a beauty, and connects the city center with the artsy district of Otrano. Built in 1345, this bridge was built as a defensive structure, and then converted into a series of shops featuring local craftsman. It’s a great place to shop for vintage jewelry, watches, gold, and art.
Shop for real Italian leather
Every time I visit Florence, I go crazy with buying leather goods. My first REALLY expensive personal purchase was from my first trip to Florence – I had just started my first job out of college…my family and I were on a tour of Italy during the summertime, and I decided to “invest” in a red leather bag from Misuri (engraved with my initials and everything!). That bag is really something special and is one of my most prized possessions…probably because of it’s celebration of the start of my career and financial independence. It’s still sitting in the dust bag in my closet because I refuse to wear it out..but I’ll occasionally take it out and admire it.
It’s hard to know where to shop for real quality leather goods in Florence, and I had to do a LOT of research to find places that were local, good quality, and offered good value for money. My favorite place to buy leather goods in Florence is at Chris Skarmus Leather – you won’t find this tiny hole-in-the-wall shop on ANY of the popular travel websites. I bought a black leather jacket from Chris on my 2nd visit to Florence, and loved it so much (SERIOUSLY, I wear it ALL THE TIME) that I bought a second leather jacket from him on my next visit to the city. And then, I made him take a picture with me (which he graciously did, but also…he probably thought I was a total creeper!). La Pelle also has some great quality leather jackets.
Drinks at the top of Rinascente
The Rinascente is a department store in Florence. Skip the shopping and make your way to the top floor of Rinascente for a nice cocktail and impressive view. There are only a few tables at the top, so be prepared to wait 20-30 minutes (or go between meal times!). This is a hidden spot that a friend I met from Instagram recommended to me (thanks simonafidi@!)
Take a pasta-making class
Is there anything better than loading up on carbs (hello pasta! hello wine!), while meeting new friends, when the weather is frighteningly cold outside? A pasta-making class is a great indoor activity for any winter trip to Florence.
We signed up for this pasta-making class in Florence, and had a total blast! This was a super hands-on course where we learned how to make a variety of pastas and sauces…and then rewarded our efforts with a multi-course dinner and unlimited wine! It was super fun getting to meet other travelers (there were two other couples taking the class – one from Brazil, another from France), and we also had a lot of fun getting to know our instructor Michele (a local aspiring chef who was teaching lessons, and saving up to buy his own restaurant).
Marvel at Christmas lights across the city
Every winter, the city of Florence lights up with twinkling Christmas lights. We spent hours roaming through the city, sipping mulled wine and enjoying the festive atmosphere. Florence also holds an annual F-Light Festival during this time (early Dec to mid Jan), where most of the main city towers and buildings are illuminated with creative video projections and artistic light installations. This is a ‘must-do’ on any winter trip to Florence!
TIP: Most of the main streets in each district will feature colorful light displays – check out piazza Leon Battista Alberti in Zone 2, viale Europa in Zone 3, piazza Pier Vettori in Zone 4, and piazza Leopoldo in Zone 5.
Climb to the top of the Duomo
The ‘Il Duomo’ of Florence took almost 140 years to build – and one can see why. The detail on the buildings is exquisite, and the enormous red-tiled roof dominates the city skyline. If you’re physically fit, and not afraid of heights, then I’d highly recommend taking the 463 steps up to the top of the dome for sweeping views of the city.
Enjoy world-class museums
Finally, you can’t make a winter trip to Florence (or any trip for that matter), without taking advantage of the collection of world-class museums scattered across the city. According to UNESCO, almost 1/3 of the world’s most historical treasures can be found in Florence. The two most famous museums in Florence are the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria Dell’Accademia.
The Uffizi Gallery has an unparalleled collection of Italian sculptures and paintings by famous artists such as Correggio, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. The Galleria Dell’Accademia is best known for the original David statue, created by Michelangelo.
TIP: Skip-the-line and purchase your entry tickets to both museums in advance. There’s a dedicated line for online ticket holders, and it’s always significantly shorter.
Appreciate views of Florence skyline
Burn off those calories and make the hefty climb to the Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views of the Florence skyline. It’s about a 20-30 minute hike uphill from the city center (cross Ponte Vecchio into the neighborhood of Ostrano).
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Have questions, or need help planning a winter trip to Florence? Leave me a comment below!
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