Are your friends currently studying in other cities, or even from home, planning a weekend visit to Florence to see you? Are your parents or family planning to visit your new home? Or, have you finished your term abroad, returned home, and now have been flooded with questions from anyone and everyone planning to visit the city?
Here are some tips, tricks, and advice for anyone who needs to advise on their host city of Florence!

The first step is always to break down your audience. Florence is a city with a little bit of everything. History, art, culture, food, sights, geography, architecture, nightlife, picture-perfect photo-ops, you name it! Knowing your audience, or in this case, who you are providing advice and “must-see spots” to, is crucial. Below, I have added my top recommendations for visitors, no matter the age!

My Top 5 Must-See Florence Spots
*Tip: pencil in a lot of time to visit some of the main attractions, and perhaps purchase tickets ahead of time to avoid long springtime lines!

1. Piazzale Michelangelo at Sunset
-Free, beautiful, and the best view of all of Florence!
2. The Duomo Cathedral
-Bonus: Climb the Dome and Bell Tower if you have time; however, it is a high and potentially challenging climb up depending on your visitors.
3. Uffizi Museum/Galleries
-Buy a skip-the-line or entrance ticket online; tours can be purchased, but I personally recommend doing a self-tour!
4. Ponte Vecchio & the Arno River
-Most evenings around sunset, live performers will sing! This was my family’s favorite spot when they came to visit.
5. Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens
-Small entrance fee, beautiful interior, and a great outdoor activity to stroll the gardens.

My Top Breakfast & Brunch Spots
Ditta Artigianale
Rooster Cafe Firenze
Melaleuca
Wild Buns Bakery
La Milkeria

My Top Lunch Panini Shops
Panini Toscana
Pino’s Sandwiches
All’Antico Vinaio
*Tip: go earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid long lines!

My Top Dinner Restaurants
Aqua Al 2
-Try the Chef Pasta and Steak Samplers!
Trattoria Zaza
-Affordable pasta, beautiful, and very large interior
La Giostra
Gusta Pizza
Osteria delle Tre Panche
-Rooftop view of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio!

My final hosting tip would be to make sure to save time simply to walk around the city. Florence is amazing in the fact that it is full of hidden gems, rich culture, and is extremely walkable. Some of our favorite memories during our time abroad began with my roommates and me simply getting outside with no destination in mind and walking around the city. Make an itinerary with free-time gaps, always keep your phone charged for Google Maps, and take your time exploring and showing your visitors the beauty of Firenze!

Written by: Emma, Spring 2025 Florence student from University of South Carolina