12 viral things to do in Florence, save this for your trip.
1. Vivoli Affogato — most famous affogato in Florence since 1930. 6 euros. Go at 8am, zero queue.
2. Giunti Odeon Bookstore — bookshop inside a 1922 cinema, free to browse. Evening screenings in original language, 5–12 euros. Book ahead.
3. Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy — one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, founded in 1221. Free entry, stunning frescoed rooms.
4. Osteria Pastella — they flambé a Grana Padano wheel at your table and mix the pasta in it, finished with shaved truffle. Book weeks ahead (other food is good too).
5. KIKO Lipstick Engraving — pick your shade, engrave your name onto the lipstick, then pay. Go at opening (9:30am) to beat the queue.
6. Fotoautomatica Photobooth — restored analogue booths from the 1950s–80s. 3 euros, bring coins.
7. Porcellino Fountain Wish — rub a coin on the boar’s nose, place it in the mouth, let it fall through the grate. Wish granted.
8. Sunset + Live Music at Piazzale Michelangelo — best view in Florence. After sunset, musicians take over the steps. Just show up.
9. Caffè Gilli Breakfast — open since 1733. Incredible pastries. Stand at the bar like a local, sitting down costs 2 to 3 times more.
10. View on Art Rooftop — direct Duomo view from the 6th floor. Book ahead around sunset.
11. All’Antico Vinaio — Florence’s most famous schiacciata. 4 locations on the same street, pick the shortest queue.
12. Wine Window — arched hatches in palace walls used since the 1600s to sell wine to the street. Best active one: Babae.
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Standard checklist done before (Duomo with dome climb and bell tower, Galleria dell’Accademia for David, the Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens). All worth doing, but eventually you stop doing museums and start doing the city. This list is what that looks like.
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