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What kind of shoes do I need for Florence, Italy early March?

Hello! I am new to this Forum. Our college aged daughter is doing a study abroad in Florence this semester and my husband, 16 year old daughter, and I are going over for spring break. We have booked accommodations in Florence from March 4-14th. I have no idea what type of clothes I will be wearing and therefore what type of shoes. I am thinking leggings and tunic type tops but I don't know. I think if that is the case I will probably want some type of ankle bootie. Please help! Am I on the right track with the type of outfit and if so, what shoes do you recommend? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Posted by
11294 posts

Wear whatever shoes you have that are comfortable, will work on cobblestones (no spike heels or the like) and, most important of all, are well broken in. You will be doing more walking in Europe than you can possibly imagine. In particular, the center of Florence has only a few minibuses, so you'll be walking everywhere.

If you have several pairs that meet the above criteria, then choose based on what goes with your outfits best. But you're going as tourists, not fashion models; no one will care what you wear, but if your feet aren't comfortable, you'll be miserable for the whole trip.

Posted by
13800 posts

Yes!! Agree totally with Harold.

You've got what, 6 weeks? It's too late to break anything in now unless it's athletic shoes. You'll need to be able to walk 4-6 miles in whatever you take. If you do buy anything you need to try to walk quite a bit in them now. Hope you live where the weather is nice and you can walk outside.

Posted by
5835 posts

Cobblestones! "Rubber" traction soles, not leather. Smooth leather soled shoes are slippery on wet cobblestones. Function should always Trump fashion if you need to walk.

Posted by
15560 posts

Harold is so right.

Thick soles are best for uneven surfaces.

Posted by
71 posts

And you know what? Should you mis/underpack and need something, you can buy it there.

Posted by
71 posts

And you know what? Should you mis/underpack and need something, you can buy it there.

Posted by
13800 posts

Shoes are sometimes difficult to buy other places. In the shoes I have looked at in Italy, the Italian foot is not shaped like my very wide forefoot and very large American foot. Birkinstocks? YES! Gorgeous Italian leather shoes? Nope, ;-( !! Even the Mephistos in France were not wide enough for me.

Posted by
63 posts

Hi Peggy, completely understand your dilemma. Shoes are key on a European adventure! I walk a lot (at least 5-7 miles/day) and like Born boots (for colder months). I just used Born boots in London in Dec, for example. Since you'll be in Florence in the Spring you might do well with something like Ahnu Gracie. I spent 3 weeks in Italy and ONLY wore these. They hold up well and even do good in rain. You can dress them up or down too. My mom likes closed toed Birkenstocks. Good luck and enjoy your Italian adventure!

Posted by
11 posts

Check the weather. That time of year is known for being cold and wet.