Its that time, the end of my visit to this extraordinary city in Tuscany. What a magical place. I have barely scratched the surface and know I will return over and over, there is that much to experience. Here are 5 free things to do in Florence Italy that I hope you will find as interesting as I have.
Rose Garden
On your way to Piazzale Michelangelo, enter into this fairyland of blossoms and views. The Rose Garden is completely free to walk around and is as romantic as it gets. Sit on one of many benches and enjoy those views of the Florentine skyline.
Its autumn now, and most of the roses are dormant, but come spring and early summer, this garden will be a cacophony of fragrance and colour. The lily pond is charming as are the statues scattered throughout the property. This is such an enjoyable and quiet space to relax if you need a break from the bustling city streets.
Ponte Vecchio
The oldest bridge in the city and the only one not demolished in WWII is the Ponte Vecchio. Spanning the picturesque Arno River, the shops that line either side were once the meat district. Butchers filled this space but were replaced by jewellers once the Medici family came into power.
The Vasari Corridor is the upper portion that can be seen above the old medieval shops. Explore early in the morning for the best experience, before the crowds arrive. At this time, the jewellery stores are closed and you can see the gorgeous old wood and metal hardware of the doors and protective outer walls.
Giunti Odeon Cinema
One of my favourite places in Florence is the Giunti Odeon, an old theatre turned bookstore. Enter this massive space and be amazed at the creative combination. At no cost, visitors can walk upstairs to the original plush gold velvet seating and watch a full movie!
Order a cappuccino or a cocktail, bring your laptop and sit on the second or third tier while you work. Peruse the thousands of books, walk around and admire the architectural details. It’s the perfect oasis on a rainy day or a pleasant respite if you are needing a break.
Markets at Sant’ambrogio
The Mercato Sant’ambrogio is the oldest market in Florence. Around since the mid 19th century, there are several aspects that make this such a special place. Firstly, the original building houses eateries offering local dishes that actual locals are dining at. Outside of this building is the fruits and veg and all things food area. Listen to the vendors sing song to entice shoppers to their stall. It’s an authentic cultural experience that is vivid and entertaining.
Next walk over to the flea market and right beside that the antique market. Both of these will give you a real sense of Florentine and Italy’s history. Seeing the bounty of treasures, one can spend hours perusing all things vintage.
Cimitero della Porte Sante
For an outdoor museum like experience and the best views of the city, head to this incredible cemetery. It’s definitely a workout to climb the hill but your reward is waiting. After reaching the top, the views of the skyline are breathtaking, even better than Piazzale Michelangelo.
The cemetery itself is full of family mausoleums of various architectural styles. Wander around this peaceful and quiet space to see the sculptures and statuary. Have you wondered why you have noticed Pinocchio all around the city? The author of the original children’s story is buried here; in fact, his family mausoleum is decorated with commemorative items.
Florence is an incredible door to Tuscany. I had no idea before my arrival that the city was this beautiful. I can walk around day after day, and explore new areas and always find interesting things to see, for free. It’s been an absolute pleasure to visit and I am not sad to be leaving, for I know without a doubt, I will return one day for more.
