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When traveling to a tourist-heavy city, staying RIGHT in the city center isn’t always best. We love the location of the Hoxton Florence - a perfect 15 minute brisk walk to the Duomo and everything happening in the city (but just far enough). Their Florence location is truly a haven in the city, with a stunning and expansive outdoor courtyard area with enough common-spaces to fill your downtime.
From the central lounge/lobby area to the bars and restaurants, we felt lucky to have our hotel be such a safe space for us at the end of each day’s jaunts around Florence. Our room was filled with soft pinks and greens for the coziest place to land - with the most stunning view out of our window with the Duomo’s dome right in plain sight.
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When we were planning our trip, it quickly became clear to us that we needed to book Camillo as our first dinner in Florence. Recommended to make reservations in advance - we loved the classic Italian interior filled with white cloth tablecloths, arched ceilings and warmth from years past. The ragu was our favorite dish, paired perfectly with the simple but perfectly executed caprese salad.
Though not technically in the “pizza region”...you’re still in Italy! You need a good pizza! This classic wood-fired pizza spot was a perfect right lunch on our journey, and the warm interior allowed us to have a long lunch (that was needed to finish our individual pizzas). Super fresh ingredients and left uncut - what more could you want?
If Florentine steak is your thing…cozy up to a table at this spot. They’re also serving up delicious pasta and comforting bean dishes for a classic Florentine lunch break. Come for the cozy rustic interior that will make you want to linger for hours.
Remember the hotel restaurant spaces we mentioned? Sitting down for breakfast one morning in the light-filled Alassio space was exactly what was needed to fuel up for another packed day. You can go for the continental (that is actually way more than a continental) breakfast, or choose to order a la carte from other spaces in the hotel’s first floor - you can’t go wrong! Grab a glass of wine or a late-night snack from the evening menus for a special treat.
The big sister restaurant to their wine bar next door, this upscale spot is dishing out elevated versions of Italian classics. Their tortellini is something dreams are made of.
There will come a time in your trip when you need an on-the-go lunch in between all of your shopping and museum-going. This panini spot is classic & old school and they’ll serve up glasses of wine even though it’s a to-go window. Grab one of their giant sammies and head down the street to eat al fresco.
We’ve never traveled to a new city without hitting up the old-school food markets… Il Mercato Centrale Firenze is everything you want and more with a food market. You’ll find grocery items on the floor level and restaurants with tables to taste everything you’ve been shopping downstairs, just one level up!
We’ll be dreaming of our meal at Cibreo for a long time… The restaurant's cafe location just across the street is the perfect long lunch featuring their iconic tagliolino cacio e burro pasta (pasta cooked in cheese, butter and carrot).
We loved this peaceful and chic spot to pop-down and grab an espresso and ham sammie. A spot to rest your legs with delicious Italian provisions for your shopping pleasure (which are great souvenirs for your friends!)
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There are so many great gelato shops in Florence, but there are only so many days and so many opportunities to stop and get ice cream between meals - here are the top 4 spots we tried during our trip.
If you’re craving raspberry granita and olive oil gelato equally - stop here and get both. This underrated spot is serving up a small selection of carefully curated flavors that are 10/10/
This might have been our favorite gelato of the trip…the mint chocolate chip and pistachio were the creamiest we found. We also loved the tiny ice cream cones to go, for snacking later.
Right in the thick of it, this spot is making the freshest strawberry gelato in town. Pair it with a scoop of classic cream and you’ll be happy.
You’ll see Vivoli on all of the lists for best affogato, and while they’re probably right, it doesn’t feel right to wait in a line that long on vacation. Act like a local and head to the gelato only line and grab a scoop of their orange cream.
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Sitting pretty at the top of the city, right by the Hoxton, this is a true locals spot complete with chocolate pastries, ham sandwiches and a great shot of espresso.
This cool-kid cafe will make you feel like you’re in the know. It’s trendy and casual with an ever-present classic Italian flair. The outdoor tables are perfect for taking a load off for a few minutes (and they’ve got great merch inside!)
A historic cafe situated in Piazza della Signoria - Rivoire is the most stunning cafe we stepped foot in. With walls covered in Italian portraits and a giant pastry case full of cookies and cornettos, you can sit and stay a while inside or in the city’s main square.
It felt like we struck gold when we stumbled upon this wine bar before a dinner reservation. Inside you’ll find tiny tables in the old cafe’s nooks, with ham being sliced barside, and outside people are spilling out onto the street with glasses of wine and conversation.
When you’re ready for aperitivo hour, head here for a perfect negroni and spot to play cards. The snack tray that comes with your drink will hold you over until dinner.
We’ll never turn down a good view of a new city. This hotel roof bar is small and intimate, with vast views of Florence’s mountainous skyline below. The drinks are a bit more pricey here, but it’s all worth it for the cool atmosphere above street level.
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You’ll hear that this is a must-see spot, and that is 100% correct. This heritage perfumery/pharmacy dates back to 1221 and is still creating the same great product today. The pharmacy is located in a part of the convent belonging to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, and each room in the shop is even more beautiful than the next. Don’t forget to look up!
The Florentine tradition of marbled paper began at Il Papiro, and the world is still lucky enough to be shopping their colorful paper creations now. From handmade cards to journals covered in marbled goodness, this is a good spot for souvenirs to bring back home.
It’s hard to turn down a specialty grocery in Italy, so don’t miss out on Penga dal 1860. Another great heritage spot, filled with every pasta you can imagine and the occasional chic mouthwash.
The coolstuff team are big fans of Ginori ceramics, so the flagship here in Florence blew us away. Each room holds a different pattern collection and allows you to wander around and dream of these spaces being your own Florentine home.
This brand's iconic patterned fabric lines the walls of their Florence shop and we couldn’t get enough. A fabric covered journal came home with us as a small memory of their beautiful yardage and pillows.
This theater/bookstore hybrid (complete with a cafe inside), is a 1 stop shop. Even just a quick pop-in is worth it to see this iconic space!
Stop by this old-school spot for all of your art supply needs. Branded watercolor pads and luxe handmade paint tubes make for perfect gifts.
This store is filled with a sea of intricate wood carving into objects that will fool the eye. Snap photos (they encourage it!), and revel in this old craft!
This interior design showroom is more of a source of inspiration than a shop but one loop around this space and you’ll have fun ideas to bring back home. Make sure you get a sneak peak of their cute shop dog on your way out.
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For outdoor sightseeing head straight to the back of the Pitti Palace for a massive dose of Tuscan chic in the Giardino di Boboli. This isn’t your average park but instead a maximalist, open-air museum filled with grottos, statues, and the most incredible cypress-lined paths. Grab an espresso at the eighteenth-century Kaffeehaus at the top for the best possible view of Florence’s terracotta skyline.
While everyone else is elbowing their way into the Uffizi, you should be seeking spiritual-art cool at the Museo di San Marco, a former convent decorated by monk and painter, Fra Angelico. His famous Annunciation frescos are all throughout the 15th century building. This is one of those perfect, serene spots where you can skip the crowds and have a major Renaissance moment all to yourself.
Sometimes there are just things you need to see, and the Duomo is certainly one of them. Towering above the city as its largest structure, glimpses of the church can be caught from almost every vista in Florence, from the Boboli gardens to the Piazzale Michelangelo.
You can’t go wrong in Florence with the sightseeing in Florence. A short walk around the city will lead you to spots like Basilica di San Lorenzo and Pitti Palace. Stop and admire from afar if you’re on a mission!
Remaining a must see in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio iconic, centuries-old piece of architecture that still functions as an active bridge. It’s a remarkable landmark where the city's history feels most alive (even with all the tourists) and has some fantastic views along the Arno River.
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