Florence is considered the capital of the arts. Why? According to the UNESCO World Heritage Organization, 60% of the world’s most famous works are in Italy, and half of those are in Florence. As you walk through the tiny streets it’s clear why. The city is teeming with statues, museums, and of course religious sites (filled with art). Whether this is your first or tenth time in Florence, we’ve found a few hidden gems. What’s great is that you can squeeze these in amongst the top tourist attractions or any busy itinerary. Keep reading for our list of unique things to do in Florence.
Unique Things to Do in Florence #1: Take a Sunset Yoga Class Overlooking the Duomo
I’ve talked about this in other articles – but the first thing I do when researching activities to do in a city is hit Airbnb Experiences. I always find more unique experiences. We booked a sunset yoga class on a rooftop overlooking the Duomo. The experience also included a communal-style dinner on the rooftop afterward. The team provides the yoga mats so you only have to bring yourself!
- Price: Varies depending on the day you book but ranges from $42 – $53
- Pro Tip: This is an ideal experience for meeting travelers (especially if you’re solo traveling).
Another note: The next day we headed up to Piazzale Michelangelo to picnic and catch the sunset as it’s considered a top activity. We found that 1) it was way too packed and 2) the city view from this rooftop blew the other one out of the water!
Unique Things to Do in Florence #2: Catch an outdoor movie at Bardini Gardens
You may have heard of Bardini Gardens through TikTok as it is mostly famous for its wisteria pergola which bloom from April to May. Whether you’re visiting Florence in the spring or winter, it is a must-add to your agenda. The garden overlooks the city and has a wonderful panoramic view.
We opted to grab an afternoon snack/drink at the La Loggetta di Villa Bardini next to the “Cinema in Villa” set up on the Belvedere Terrace. If you visit from July to August you can catch an outdoor movie. The movies vary from new international releases to Italian releases.
- Admission: €5 (includes entrance to gardens)
- Season: July – August
- Pro Tip: Buy your tickets in advance as it is known to sell out.
Unique Things to Do in Florence #3: Order Wine from a Wine Window
I’ve been to Florence a couple of times and had never noticed the wine windows (buchette del vino) located all over the city. However, once you notice them, you’ll see them everywhere. The buchette del vino date back to 1559 when Cosimo de Medici allowed noble families to sell wine out of their homes. The story of Tuscany and wine dates back to 3,000+ years ago which is the estimated amount of time that the region has been cultivating wine.
Today you’ll find functioning (and not) windows all over the city, you just have to pay attention. We found a wine window at Osteria Belle Donne down the street from our hotel and opted to try that one. There are wine windows located all over the city, so you can find the best one for your itinerary.
What to Expect: You knock or ring a bell outside the window, order, and pay. Then you can either get your drink to go or to enjoy on the street. This is more of a novelty than something comfortable – but it’s super fun!
- Location: Osteria Belle Donne (Via delle Belle Donne, 16R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy)
- Price: Can range from €5-€10 depending on location
- Pro Tip: Go during an off time as the streets can get quite crowded with people sipping their drinks.
Unique Things to Do in Florence #4: Take Photos in a Vintage Photo Booth
To be completely transparent: if there’s one of these gems you can skip if you’re short on time, it’s this one. Mainly for one reason – it can take a while! After getting into what appeared to be a short line, we realized that each photo takes 4.5 minutes to print (you can learn more about the printing process here). So there’s a lot of time being spent waiting to take your photos and then waiting for them. It does however make for a fun souvenir.
- Location: There are a few throughout the city – Via dell’Agnolo, Via del Proconsolo, Piazza Stazione , Largo Fratelli Alinari, Via Santa Monaca, The Student Hotel.
- Price: €2 for a 4-photo print.
Unique Things to Do in Florence #5: Pick up a Souvenir & visit Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella 1221
The Officina Profumeria was first opened in 1221 by Dominican Friars and is considered one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. Over the centuries it grew in fame worldwide with over 75 stores. Most notably in the 1600s, the head of the pharmacy was awarded a royal title by the Grand Duke of Italy. It was also in the 17th century that Queen Catherine de’ Medici commissioned a perfume that is still sold by the pharmacy today – Acqua di Santa Maria Novella.
What I love is that the original location also doubles as a free museum. You can pop in and explore the various rooms of the profumeria. As someone that paid quite a bit to get into different residences and castles, this was just as good as any of the others! This spot also makes for a wonderful place to pick up souvenirs. I recommend the soaps and potpourri.
- Location: Via della Scala, 16, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy (there are a couple of locations in Florence but make sure you go to the original)
- Pro tip: When picking out your goodies, be sure to ask the sales associate for the story of the Officina. They’ll happily give you information about the history.
For More Florence Travel Tips:
5 Free Things to Do in Florence
