Florence is a living museum – with unrivalled food, shopping and world-class art packed into its cobbled streets. Best time to go? Why don’t take the chance to visit the city during Pitti?

SEE & DO

Piazza della Signoria

An L-shaped square in the centre of town, the Piazza della Signoria has been at the heart of the city’s social and political life since Roman times. It include beautiful buildings: Palazzo Vecchio, the wide-arched Loggia dei Lanzi on top of which Medici princes once watched ceremonies in the piazza, the historic Raphael-designed Palazzo Uguccioni and the significant Tribunale della Mercanzia, the Court of Merchandise, which now houses the Gucci Museum.

Palazzo Pitti Museum

The Palazzo Pitti was originally built in 1458 as the townhouse of an ambitious Florentine banker, but is today one of Italy’s largest and most impressive museum complexes.   There are five museums in all: the Palatine Gallery, with artworks by the likes of Raphael, Rubens and Titian; the Gallery of Modern Art, which contains Italian works from the 18th century onwards; the Medici Treasury, which is home to priceless Medici family silver; the Porcelain Museum, which boasts some of the finest china in Europe; and the Costume Gallery, which contains over 600 items of Italian clothing from the last 500 years.

Uffizi Gallery

This grand palace houses the planet’s finest collection of Renaissance art, putting the Uffizi Gallery easily amongst the world’s greatest. The historic space was first built in the mid-16th century. It was later dramatically extended, and then opened to the general public by the Medici family in 1765 – making it one of Europe’s earliest large public art exhibitions.   Today, art lovers can find world-famous works like Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of Venus’ and da Vinci’s ‘Annunciation’ alongside lesser-publicised masterpieces by the likes of Raphael, Giotto, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Dürer, Titian, Uccelo and Rubens.

FASHION

Luisa Via Roma

A stunning boutique right at the heart of city’s thriving fashion scene, the world-renowned Luisa Via Roma first opened its doors more than 80 years ago. Since then, it has gained an enviable reputation as the finest designer fashion store in Florence, bringing ever-changing, cutting-edge style to the city’s streets.    With luxury men’s and women’s clothing items – from beaded Chloé handbags to Burberry trenches – along with a killer selection of shoes, wallets, hats, perfumes and more from the biggest designers (Dior, McQueen, Valentino and hundreds more), it offers a list of coveted items.

Cellerini

For true lovers of leather, there’s nowhere better in the city than Cellerini. A high class leather goods store right in the heart of Florence, it sells an enormous selection of classic designer handbags, briefcases, holdalls, suitcases, purses, wallets, passport-holders, key-cases and much more besides.    All the 100 percent Italian products are handmade in store from the very highest quality leather and, while not exactly cheap, they offer fantastic value for the time, skill and raw materials that go into every item.

Fratelli Piccini

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind memento from Italy to take back home with you, head straight for Fratelli Piccini. A family jewellers and goldsmiths that has been open on the Ponte Vecchio in the heart of the city for over 100 years, the owners utilise the old Florentine artisan tradition to create their own innovative, custom-designed, super-high-quality jewellery.     Not only do they have their own breathtaking creations on display – from beautiful gold wedding rings to sparkling diamond brooches to pretty pearl earrings – but they’ll also create any piece of jewellery to your personal specifications.

 DEPARTMENT STORES & MALLS 

Gerard Loft

The original Gerard store opened in Florence in 1969 and garnered an international reputation for what was, at the time, a revolutionary mix of ultra-luxe accessories (Louis Vuitton luggage) and street-smart apparel (501s, American army gear). Gerard is still operating – it now deals solely in high-end fashion – but its offspring, Gerard Loft, generates all the buzz these days.    Here you’ll find fashion-forward pieces from heavyweights like Marc Jacobs, Levi’s Vintage, Pringle of Scotland, and Adidas, as well as a smattering of Italian designers. It’s a skilfully edited range that oozes class while retaining an urban edge, and it sets the blueprint for Florence’s hip young things season after season.

La Rinascente

In a city surprisingly bereft of department stores, La Rinascente stands like a shining beacon. Housed in a historic palazzo right beside the Piazza della Repubblica, this upmarket shopping haven boasts six huge floors selling a wide range of designer fashion and accessories – from suits, skirts and stilletos to scarves, sunglasses and handbags – along with perfumes, jewellery, home furnishings and even food. It also boasts a stunning view of Florence’s famous Duomo.

The Mall

If you’re more into your focused labels shopping than sauntering between boutiques casually, this mini-outlet centre should tick your boxes. With a variety of high-end fashion stores – from Gucci and Georgio Armani to Valentino, Fendi and Tod’s – it’s the perfect place to pick up the very best designer Italian threads at affordable prices.
The Mall is also home to an exceptional gourmet restaurant, cafe and bar, so you can enjoy a great lunch while you’re here. Which is lucky, really, because it’s located over 30 miles from the eateries of Florence.

DESIGN STORE

Flair

I love to collect things, and the interiors shop Flair has rarities from the thirties, forties, and fifties.  Founded 10 years ago by the husband and wife team of Franco Mariotti and Alessandra Tabacchi, Flair originally started in a small store in an historic district on the banks of the Arno River. The furnishings at Flair are reflections of various eras, presented together in a fresh, confident, and timeless way. The fabulous design shop also has branches in Rome, Milan and New York and it is a must-visit for visitors to the city.

BEAUTY  SOS

Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Founded in 1221 by a group of Dominican friars, it was originally used to create balms, pomades and other medications (from herbs grown in the monastic gardens) for the monks in residence, but by the early 17th century its reputation for quality led to it being opened to the general public. Now, in the 21st century, it’s considered Florence’s foremost apothecary.  Enjoy some retail therapy here by purchasing their tried-and-tested products, from perfumes and candles to herbal remedies. There’s also a hugely popular herbal medicine, perfume and soap museum, which offers a fascinating look through the history of pharmaceuticals.

White Iris Beauty Spa

Daniela Steiner’s city spa st the Hotel Continentale is about as pretty as they come. All bare brick, white walls and cozy chairs, the luxurious surroundings are matched only by Steiner’s signature White Gold treatments utilising gold dust and pearls – just the thing after a hard day’s sight-seeing or shopping. Once you are fully pampered, don’t forget to pop upstairs to the continentale’s roofbar for an aperitivo complete with one of the most stunning views in Florence…

BAR

Colle Bereto Cafè

Florence’s reputation for glamour and refinement is not always reflected in its after-hours venues – but at Colle Bereto, the city’s world-class pedigree is on full display. This chic hangout on the fancy Piazza Strozzi is favoured by the city’s fashion and media sets, as well as visiting celebrities, so change into your proper clothes and steel yourself for a highly charged atmosphere.   The best people-watching is on the outdoor terrace, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the sophisticated Italians, there are some quiet corners to be found inside. Refreshingly for a bar of this sort, the staff are down-to-earth and generous with their drinks (ask for the ‘Colle Fashion’ cocktail if you’re after something special).

Fusion Bar

It might be located in the middle of an ancient city, but Fusion Bar is all about contemporary style. With an excellent assortment of fine wines, exotic cocktails and tasty bar snacks, all served in a fittingly avant-garde atmosphere (heavily influenced by local art and fashion), it’s no surprise that Fusion Bar is one of Florence’s most popular hangouts for the rich and famous.   If you have the appetite for it, you will also find a top-class restaurant here, serving a unique and award-winning blend of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine.

RESTAURANTS

La Giostra

One of Florence’s finest dining experiences, La Giostra is a gourmet trattoria serving up traditional Tuscan fare with a modern twist. Founded two decades ago by the princes of the Hapsburg Lorena nobility, this exceptional eatery boasts a plethora of mouthwatering local dishes accompanied by a wonderful wine menu, super friendly service and a beautiful cellar setting.  PS: Unlike many Florentine restaurants, La Giostra offers a wide variety of vegetarian options.

Cibrèo

Traditionally refined Tuscan cuisine, understated elegant decor and wonderfully friendly service: these are just three reasons why Ristorante Cibrèo has been a local favourite since it opened more than three decades ago. There’s no pasta or Florentine steak in sight either – this atypical eatery focuses on the more historic regional specialties, from marinated chicken giblets to roasted duck with raisins.
Just across from the restaurant you’ll find Caffè Cibrèo, ideal for a light lunch or coffee break in the sunny outdoor seating area, or around the corner is the more casual Trattoria, Cibrèino (Via de’ Macci, 122r), which is also about half the price of the ristorante.

VIEW

Take it in at the Campanile di Giotto—from above, the city seems almost cradled by the Tuscan hills or from the Ponte Vecchio: it’s so breathtaking at sunset that you forget your sense of time, like in this pictures taken from a gorgeous terrace of the Four Seasons Hotel. Eventually sink into one of the outdoor terrace’s comfy sofas at SE.STO, order Prosecco and snacks, and spend the afternoon simply soaking up the scene: it’s the 360-degree vista that people flock here for – all the rest is just a bonus 😉

OUTDOOR MARKET

There are dozens of great markets held every day in the city, from San Lorenzo to Delle Cascine, but there’s none better than Mercato delle Pulci. Located in the Piazza dei Ciompi, right in the heart of the city, you’ll find antique furnishings, prints, coins, jewellery, books, cutlery and more for bargain prices in this fascinating market. Charmingly muddled and disorganised, it’s the kind of place you are always guaranteed to find a treasure in the morning.