We will be in Florence the last week of September. We will be there with children and grandparents. If we have one evening, no children, to go for a stroll, maybe dinner and gelato, see a museum late at night, spend time in a square, etc, What would be your recommendation for the best evening experiences in Florence. Or maybe an area that offers multiple options (delicious gelato and a view).
Thank you for your ideas!
Jesse
Its a bit of a climb up the hill, but we headed up to the church of San Miniato where there is a great view of the city and a nice square for strolling. Not sure about gelato in the area, but there are some restaurants at the bottom of the hill.
As suggested, San Miniato and Piazzale Michelangelo is a good option. You could even take a bus or taxi up and then walk down to the San Niccolo neighborhood for dinner. Along the way, you'll pass a good gelato shop on the right just before you arrive (I think the name is Fico).
Another good option would be a stroll around the Oltrarno, then dinner in Piazza Santo Spirito or at one of the many good restaurants nearby. After dinner, stop at Bar Ricchi or Gelateria della Passera for good gelato and end with a walk across the Ponte Vecchio when it's not crowded.
Edit: It just hit me that you could also continue along the Arno from San Niccolo and walk across an uncrowded Ponte Vecchio after dinner.
We had a memorable evening stroll after dinner one chilly February night, with the highlights being a solo flautist playing the theme from 'Beauty & The Beast' on the narrow street in front of the Uffizi, the sound reverberating up and around the buildings, the perfect echo.
Then we walked over the Giotto's Campanile near the Duomo, and with nobody there we were able to walk right up to the front edifice and rub our hands on the stone detail. Incredible.
Then of course, we finished the evening at our favorite gelato stand near our apartment at Santa Maria Novella, with a small cup of crema flavor. Yum!
Jesse - Forte di Belvedere is also another option. It's an old fort sitting high atop of Florence with panoramic views of the city. It's also not too far from the famous Boboli Gardens. you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone Jess.
https://girlinflorence.com/2013/07/21/discovering-forte-belvedere-in-florence/
Any street in the historical center is full of people strolling.
Local Florentines in summer generally like to stroll at the Piazzale Michelangelo, primarily because it’s a bit cooler there, up the hill, than in the historical center. But also because they can drive to it (parking is however another story). The historical center is closed to traffic, also at night during summer weekends (and it’s hotter).
Another place where locals hang out is along the river, especially on the Eastern side of the historical center. Pretty much all the way to the Verrazano bridge. There are several restaurants, bars on the river away from the city center too, such as the Ristorante Chalet Bellariva (great). The area along the river is also a few degrees cooler.
Another vote for Piazzale Michaelangelo.
Just below the main terrace is another, with a surprisingly good little cafe with outdoor tables and featuring panoramic views over the city - had lunch there several times on our recent visit to Florence. The food and drink were quite good and very reasonably priced given the location. Can grab a gelato and coffee there too, or meander down the walkway into the San Niccolo neighborhood as others have suggested. It's a very pleasant stroll all the way down to the Ponte Vecchio.
If you're particularly adventurous you could also take the bus up to Fiesole. There's a very pretty Panoramic walk thru a section of forest that features spectacular views out over the city of Florence if you're up for a bit of a longer walk. The park is called Monte Ceceri. There's a small monument to Leonardo da Vinci up there - memorializing the first test flight of a manned aircraft that he conducted with one of his designs in 1506 ... 400 years before Kitty Hawk.
Aaaaand another vote for San Miniato and Piazzale Michelangelo; hard to find a better view than that one!
Just a follow up to the good suggestion for Forte di Belvedere? Last I knew it was only open when having an art exhibition (and it shows none at the moment) so I'd check the website before venturing up:
http://museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it/en/fortebelvedere/informazioni.html
I enjoyed walking up the hill to see the city and to have a gelato along the way.
In the evening my wife and I enjoy the area where the Piazza del Signore and the Uffizi meet to listen to the music from the street musicians. The quality of these performers is really first rate and you are right in the center of nightlife. There are many cafes and bars in the area, so after you are finished listening you can patronize the nearby establishments.
Buon Viaggio,
Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions!
I would highly recommend reaching out to (company name)....
IMHO? There's no need to pay a "travel coach" to plan a one evening in Florence. It's not difficult. :O)
Jessalvis17 seems to be fixed in recommending a specific consultant as an answer to every question. I have reported this as a possible violation of the guidelines.
Jessalvis17 seems to be fixed in recommending a specific consultant as
an answer to every question
I'm thinking the same as Laurel and had reported that poster for advertising.
