After being in Florence for five weeks, there are many things I have grown to do frequently for fun. Some of these things include going on walks, going to markets, as well as museums.
Evening Walks (and a Boat Tour)
One of my favorite things to do is go for a walk in the evening when it cools down. Typically a walk along the Arno river is the best as it provides a nice breeze and is also very scenic. Most people stay on the city center side of the river, but Oltrarno (other side of the Arno) is beautiful as well. Walking along the side closer to the city can allow you to reach outdoor bars and restaurants as well as some green space in one direction, and if you are willing to walk a bit further you can find a very large park and public pool. Sunset is a really amazing time to walk along the Arno for the beautiful sky and reflection on the water. CEA CAPA also organized a boat tour of the Arno so if you are offered that I highly recommend it!
Local Markets
Another thing that I do both for fun and necessity is head to local markets. My personal favorite is the Mercato Centrale. This central market very close to the city center is perfect for getting local produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, and pretty much all of the necessities. Some of the things I get there often are fruits like peaches, olives, and also meats. Something I have really enjoyed is finding a vendor in the market that I like and then consistently going back to the same one so they remember me. Making connections like this with the locals has been a really nice experience. Another great thing about Mercato Centrale is that upstairs they have a ton of restaurants kind of food court style. I have been there for lunch many times and there is something for everyone. Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is another market in Florence slightly further out from the city center. This can be a nice experience to walk through some more residential neighborhoods. This market is also inside and outside as opposed to Mercato Centrale that is entirely inside. The produce stands are outside and then vendors with meats and cheeses are inside. Do keep in mind both of these markets are typically only open in the mornings or very early afternoons.
Amazing Museums
Given that Florence is considered the cradle of the Renaissance, you can imagine there are some amazing museums. The Uffizi houses both the Birth of Venus and Primavera as well as many other very famous paintings. If you are lucky enough to be here the first Sunday of the month, most state-owned museums and attractions like the Uffizi are free. The Pitti Palace also has world renowned art work as well as a popular garden and some more modern artwork. I really enjoyed their collection of newer pieces. One lesser known museum here that is about a ~20 minute tram ride and then a short walk from the city center is the Stibbert Museum. This was my favorite museum I visited during my time here and definitely a hidden gem. Something I really liked about this museum was the variety. They had samurai items from Japan, sarcophagi, a piece from Botticelli, and even Napoleon's coronation robe from when he became king of Italy. Tickets were only 8 euros -and with an included guided tour, I would really recommend checking it out.
