Florence - Renaissance Roots, Local Soul
Florence needs little introduction: a city where Renaissance architecture, world-class art, and centuries-old craft traditions unfold around every corner. Wander from the Duomo’s soaring dome through cobbled streets to the artisan workshops of Oltrarno, and you’ll see why this compact city rewards curiosity with both iconic landmarks and hidden local gems.
Consider this your insider key to experiencing Florence with style, depth, and ease.
What follows is a curated preview of the full Wild Herz Travel guide, created exclusively for our travellers.
Start with the pillars of Renaissance genius. Brunelleschi’s Duomo dominates the skyline, and stepping inside, or climbing to the top, gives a powerful perspective on why Florence shaped the course of art history. Wander the Uffizi and Accademia, the former for Botticelli, the latter for Michelangelo’s David, then slip into lesser-known gems like the Bargello, home to Donatello’s bronze David, or the lush Bardini Gardens for sweeping city views.
Shopping here is a dialogue between luxury and craftsmanship. Via de’ Tornabuoni showcases flagship boutiques and Italian fashion houses, while the artisan lanes of Oltrarno and Santa Croce reveal hand-tooled leather, marbled paper, and heritage porcelain from names like Ginori 1735. Antique dealers, goldsmiths, and quietly brilliant design boutiques reward the curious browser. Keep an eye out for Florence’s delightful wine windows - tiny buchette del vino once used to sell wine directly from palaces, now revived as playful aperitivo stops.
Things to Do & Places to Shop
Best Local Food (and Where to Find It)
Florentine cuisine is unapologetically Tuscan: seasonal, hearty, and unfussy. At its heart is bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick T-bone steak served rare - as much ritual as meal. Try it at historic Buca Lapi or in neighbourhood institutions like Trattoria Sabatino in Oltrarno.
Seek out lampredotto, Florence’s iconic street-food sandwich, from traditional stalls around the Mercato Centrale for a true local bite. Meanwhile, trattorie tables fill daily with ribollita (bread and vegetable stew) and pappa al pomodoro (tomato-bread soup) - humble dishes that taste are comfort, nourishment and history combined.
Best Places for Atmospheric Local Drinks
Evenings begin with aperitivo, when wine bars spill onto streets and the city light is golden - it hits differently in Florence.
Caffè Giacosa is legendary, widely associated with the birth of the Negroni, and still delivers old-school Florentine glamour. In Oltrarno, Mad Souls & Spirits serves expertly balanced cocktails in a low-lit, intimate space, while Le Volpi e l’Uva is beloved for small-producer Italian wines in a snug, convivial setting. For something uniquely Florentine, order through a revived wine window like Babae in Santo Spirito.
Where to Stay - Stellar Choices & New Openings
For a true sense of place, choose hotels with personality: historic palazzi with frescoed salons or polished boutique stays within walking distance of everything. Wild Herz favourites include The Place Firenze and Portrait Firenze, the latter owned by the Ferragamo family, both known for impeccable service and stylish, considered design.
Excitement is building around Borgo Pignano’s upcoming Florence opening - the city counterpart to their dreamy Tuscan estate.
Florence is a city of discovery: see the familiar icons, but also let yourself get delightfully lost in its wine bars, artisan studios and tucked-away trattorie. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, there’s always a new Florentine corner to surprise you.
Ready to experience Florence this way?
Wild Herz Travel will design every detail, unlocking the city’s hidden corners along the way.
