I'm looking for recommendations for Florence that might be a little less known......I will be there for 3 full days and am an artist. I have a reservation for the Uffizi .......and have seen most of the major sights in past 2 visits. I'll be staying 5 minutes from the train station and, from what I have read here, Mercato centrale is on the radar. As I am going on to a painting workshop, I'll have my "stuff" with me so if you know a place that begs to be painted and not too tourist filled let me know. I am also looking at the day trips on the website Viator......Sienna, been there but it's been awhile, with a side of San Gimignano looks interesting.......I've been to Pisa, Lucca, CT......but am interested in other day trip locals......as always, thanks in advance, jw
Posted by
Charleston, SC, USA
927 posts
There are a couple of parks/piazzas in the area of the Basillica Santo Spirito in Altrarno. Also, we stayed at the Hotel Loggiato Dei Serviti which has a neat piazza out front. Neither of these locations will be tourist filled. You can take a look at the street view on Google maps.
Posted by
2014 posts
San Miniato gets overlooked by many due to location.
Posted by
North Carolina
2513 posts
Painting and other types of workshops are offered at the Giardino Torrigiani, or you might want to just take a private tour of the place (the only way to see it if not taking a workshop).
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16575 posts
There are countless choices, but anywhere in the city center there will be tourists for sure, unless you intend to paint at 4 or 5 in the morning.
The best view of Florence is from Forte di Belvedere, which I don't think is always open to the public anymore after some unpleasant incident years ago (some teenagers fell down from the rampart while playing idiots). Unless there is an exhibit you may not be able to enter the Fort, but I don't know, maybe things changed recently, haven't checked.
If not, just below it, I'm sure you can find a spot in the Giardino di Boboli. There are some areas closer to the Forte which are higher up and permit a view of the city. The gardens are large, therefore the crowds are not as suffocating. San Miniato church or the area nearby is good too.
Other than that, there are hidden corners everywhere. Your artistic eye should be able to pick one to your liking.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
488 posts
San Miniato al Monte is a bus ride out of Florence, a bit touristed, but beautiful view of the city.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1825 posts
Piazza Michelangelo or either bridge looking at the Ponte Vecchio with the sun at your back.