Florence isn’t just a destination it’s a feeling.
The cobbled streets, the scent of fresh espresso in the air, the golden glow of Renaissance art, and the passion of its people make it a city that lives and breathes history, culture, and charm.
f you want to experience Florence not just as a tourist but as a true Italian, these eight unforgettable experiences will immerse you in the city’s authentic soul.
1. Start Your Day Like a Florentine With an Espresso and Cornetto
In Florence, mornings are sacred and they always start with a quick espresso at the local bar.
Italians don’t linger over a long breakfast; instead, they stand at the counter sipping their shot of strong coffee, often accompanied by a buttery cornetto (Italian croissant), either plain or filled with jam or cream.
Join the locals at places like Caffè Gilli or La Ménagère, and you’ll notice how the ritual is about more than caffeine it’s about community, energy, and simplicity.
You’ll quickly realize that even a two-minute coffee break can feel like a cherished moment of Italian living. Try speaking a few Italian phrases with the barista for a truly local experience.
- Cost: €1.10–€1.30 for an espresso; €1.50–€2.50 for a cornetto.
- Tip: Avoid sitting down unless you’re ready to pay a “coperto” (table service fee), which can double the price. Stand at the bar like the locals do.
2. Wander the Markets and Shop Like a Local
Florence is home to some of Italy’s most vibrant markets, and to truly feel like a local, you need to experience them firsthand.
Head to Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, a lesser-known gem where real Florentines do their shopping. Stalls are piled high with seasonal produce, handmade pastas, local cheeses, and Tuscan meats like finocchiona and prosciutto.
Unlike the tourist-packed Mercato Centrale, Sant’Ambrogio offers a more genuine look at Florentine daily life.
Don’t be shy chat with the vendors, ask for samples, and watch how locals choose the ripest tomatoes or bargain for fresh pecorino.
This kind of immersion is the true Italian way of connecting through food.
- Cost: Fresh produce from €1–€3/kg; pecorino cheese ~€2–€4 per 100g; local wine ~€4–€8/bottle.
- Tip: Bring a reusable shopping bag and a few coins; many vendors don’t take cards.
3. Learn to Cook a Classic Tuscan Meal
Nothing will make you feel more Italian than learning how to cook like one.
Florence offers a range of hands-on cooking classes that take you from market to table.
One popular option is the Florence Cooking Class by Walkabout Tours, where you start by shopping for fresh ingredients at a local market before heading to a farmhouse to cook a full Tuscan meal.
You’ll learn to make handmade pasta, roast meats, bruschetta, and a rich tiramisù all while sipping Chianti wine.
Cooking is a cornerstone of Italian culture, and learning traditional techniques straight from a local chef gives you a deeper appreciation for the cuisine and the love that goes into it.
- Cost: Around €130 per person for a 5-hour class (with food, wine, and recipes included).
- Tip: Book early—these classes fill up fast, especially during spring and fall. Wear comfortable shoes, as part of the experience includes walking through markets.
4. Enjoy a Slow Aperitivo With a View
In Italy, evenings begin with an aperitivo a pre-dinner drink meant to awaken your appetite and encourage conversation.
In Florence, this ritual is elevated by the city’s stunning skyline. Head to rooftop bars like La Terrazza at Hotel Continentale or View on Art for a spritz or a Negroni (which was famously invented in Florence), served alongside small bites like olives, crostini, and cheeses.
Italians believe in savoring every moment, and an aperitivo with a sunset view over the Duomo or Palazzo Vecchio captures that spirit perfectly.
Take your time, soak in the golden light, and toast to la dolce vita.
- Cost: Cocktails range from €10–€16; some aperitivo lounges offer fixed-price deals around €12 with a generous buffet.
- Tip: Arrive by 6:00 p.m. to grab a good seat, especially in summer. No need to tip heavily rounding up is appreciated but not expected.
5. Explore Florence on Foot Without a Map
The best way to uncover Florence’s secrets is to put away your phone, ditch the map, and simply wander.
Every alley and street corner reveals something beautiful: a hidden fresco, a tiny piazza, a hole-in-the-wall trattoria.
Walk along the Oltrarno district, where artisans still craft leather, gold, and paper goods using centuries-old methods.
Visit lesser-known churches like Santo Spirito or San Miniato al Monte, which offer quiet beauty without the crowds.
As you stroll, stop for gelato at Gelateria dei Neri or a quick bite of schiacciata (flatbread) at All’Antico Vinaio. Florence was made for walking and Italians know that the best finds are often accidental.
- Cost: Free, unless you stop for snacks or shopping. Artisan goods like leather wallets cost €15–€30, custom notebooks around €10–€20.
- Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Florence’s streets are mostly stone and uneven. Early mornings or late afternoons are best for cooler walks.
6. Experience Italian Art Like a Florentine
While the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia are on every tourist’s list, Italians have a more relaxed, intimate relationship with their city’s art.
Instead of rushing through the galleries, try choosing just a few works to study in depth. Admire the fluid grace of Botticelli’s Primavera, or gaze at Michelangelo’s David, not as an icon, but as the triumph of human creativity.
Even better, visit lesser-known spots like the Bargello Museum, which holds Donatello’s original bronze David, or the Brancacci Chapel, home to stunning frescoes by Masaccio.
True Italians don’t treat art as a checklist they treat it as a lifelong companion, revisited often, and appreciated deeply.
- Cost:
- Uffizi: €25 (€12 in winter)
- Accademia: €16
- Bargello/Brancacci: €9–€11
- Tip: Buy a Firenze Card (€85 for 3 days) to skip the lines and access 50+ museums. Always reserve online in peak season to avoid long waits.
7. Take Part in the Passeggiata
The passeggiata is one of Italy’s most beloved traditions. In the early evening, locals dress well and take to the streets for a leisurely stroll no destination in mind, just a walk to see and be seen.
Join this elegant ritual on Via de’ Tornabuoni, Florence’s high-fashion boulevard, or meander through Piazza della Repubblica and the Arno River promenade.
You’ll see couples holding hands, families chatting, and elders greeting neighbors. It’s a moment of beauty and social life where time slows down and appearances matter.
Dress neatly, walk with intention, and enjoy simply being a part of the rhythm of Italian life.
- Cost: Free.
- Tip: Dress well, even for casual strolls. Italians notice style and appreciate clean, classic looks. Grab a gelato (about €2.50–€3.50) during your walk for the full experience.
8. Dine Late at a Family-Owned Trattoria
To eat like a true Italian in Florence, skip the touristy spots and find a small, family-run trattoria ideally one with a handwritten menu and a few tables filled with locals.
Italians eat late, usually around 8 or 9 p.m., and meals are meant to be savored, not rushed.
Order classics like bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak), pappa al pomodoro, or ribollita dishes rooted in Tuscan traditions.
Pair your meal with a local red like Chianti Classico or Brunello di Montalcino. Dining in Italy isn’t just about food; it’s about family, conversation, and connection.
That cozy trattoria with soft lights and friendly owners? That’s where you’ll truly feel Italian.
Cost:
- Pasta: €10–€15
- Bistecca for two: €45–€70
- House wine: €4–€6 per glass
Tip: Most restaurants open at 7:30–8:00 p.m. Always make reservations for dinner tables fill quickly, especially in popular trattorias.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Italian Spirit
Florence offers more than art, architecture, and food it offers a way of life that balances beauty, pleasure, and community.
To feel like a true Italian, you don’t need to speak perfect Italian or know every historical fact.
You just need to embrace the rhythm of the city: drink the coffee, taste the wine, talk to the locals, and walk slowly through its streets. As the Italians say, “Piano piano” slowly, slowly. That’s the true magic of Florence.
Florence isn’t just a city to visit it’s a lifestyle to absorb.
To feel like a true Italian, slow down, connect with people, and appreciate the beauty in everyday rituals.
Whether it’s sipping a morning espresso, exchanging a smile with your waiter, or wandering the Oltrarno at twilight, Florence offers infinite ways to embrace the Italianità.
Be present, eat well, walk slow, and speak softly but passionately. That’s the real Florence.
