A Digital Nomad's Guide to Florence, Italy
I’ve been to Florence twice; prior to the second trip, I didn’t want to go back because I recalled the city being ‘too touristy.’ I was wrong. (Have you heard Billy Joel’s song, Vienna? Florence is my Vienna.) My second trip to Florence gave me the time to wander through local streets, find new restaurants, explore fresh produce, and meet locals; I even felt that I could live in Florence, which is rare for me. I met one gentleman on the steps of a coffee shop on Ponte Vecchio: he was 70, and had lived on the bridge his entire life. I came to find out that he and his friends frequented this small spot for their afternoon espresso daily, and that Florence had more to give.
Getting there
There are direct international flights to Florence, so if you want to avoid the bustle of Rome, don’t forget to Florence as a fly-in option. I took the train from France. Once you arrive at the train station, you can take a taxi or Uber. Your taxi shouldn’t cost more than 20 euros into town from the train station.
Where to stay
There are 3 neighborhoods that I love in Florence, because each one has a different energy:
- San Frediano and Santo Spirito: located in the heart of the best restaurants, bars, and music
- Santa Croce: old Jewish quarter, residential streets, bar & cafe culture is ‘hip’
- San Niccolo: rolling farmland, but still within 20 minutes of the city
Here is my Airbnb list.
Where to eat
Florence boasts wine, pasta, and seasonal ingredients all within a pandora’s box of history. You can find local spots, pubs, wine bars, vegan hot spots, gelato, and sandwiches coated in cured ham from a literal hole in a wall. Eating out in Florence is sexy; connecting your palette with the soil of Tuscany.
Restaurant highlights below, and Google Maps link here
- Best pizza: Gusta Pizza
- Best Michelin lunch: Zeb
- Best dinner: Il Santo Bevitore
- Best gelato: Grom
Where to art
My favorite museum is the Ufuzzi, because it’s a stunning building on the riverfront, and Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” lives here. In addition, one ticket purchase grants you free entry to a few select other museums, such as the Archaeological Museum.
If you want to see naked David, then you also should head to The Accademia Gallery.
