Firenze, pearl of the Renaissance, a beautiful and very dear city. It is not a cliché that it paints it as one of the least cheap destinations. However, knowing it a little, keeping a safe distance from the more touristic circuits, it turns out that here too quality can go hand in hand with the convenience.
Where to eat:
strong> Wander: To the neighborhood of San Nicolò find some delicious places for a break with typical Tuscan flavors: from Vinaino you can for example taste one of the bruschetta of the house (the ones with porcini mushrooms or Tuscan ham are very good). But if you want to know the truest Florence, stay on this shore and continue towards Santo Spirito and San Frediano. Here you will find artisan shops and ancient trattorias. For a truly low cost lunch, the restaurant cannot be beaten from Sabatino (right next to Porta San Frediano), while if you opt for a quick snack, then you cannot miss it crushed with oil of one of the many ovens you find around. From the famous (and expensive) Pugi who also opened one in Piazza San Marco al Galli oven, also present in many parts of the city, even just before Piazza Santo Spirito, one of the busiest meeting places on summer evenings.
Luca: A place to eat e spend very little (for Florence) is At my home, an easy place, normal quality but considering the price it is more than fair.
Wander - Steak: If it is the beef steak that you want to eat, know that the shopping cannot be too low cost, but you will find it tender and succulent at honest prices from Boccanegra: rustic atmosphere, very nice waiter / sommelier. You can find the place nearby Piazza Santa Croce, in front of the Verdi theater. Other good addresses at low prices are The farmer in via Palazzuolo (menu around € 10 for lunch and dinner) and I'Toscano in via Guelfa, downtown area.
Pizza - Do you want to treat yourself to a pizza in the evening? One of the best is Spera, in via Cernaia, but not everyone likes the simple environment, the tables and the omnipresent crowding, there you will also find the winning pizza of 1 prize at the 2005 world championships, Elena, 3 flavors in one pizza. High, soft, Neapolitan style. And quite a wide choice. After all, you go there to eat only pizza, there is nothing else on the menu, but it is already a challenge to leave the plate empty.
Right in the center, one of the most popular is the Italian coffee: here the choice is even narrower. Only 3 pizzas (Marinara, Margherita and Naples) but it is proof of connoisseurs. With 10€ for a pizza, covered and to drink you get by in both places.
If you want a slightly different pizza instead, thinner but no less good, just outside the center near Porta al Prato it has been open for 7 months The Templars: good prices (a 5 € margherita) and high quality. The dough is left to rise for 2 days and is composed of a mixture of durum grains and Kamut, the desserts are exquisite (from 3.5 to 4.5 €, more expensive but worth it).
Aperitif - For the summer not to be missed is a appetizer on one of the terraces overlooking Florence: very trendy is the Kitsch near Piazza Beccaria (€ 8,50 for a buffet aperitif with a wide choice) while in the center, behind Piazza della Signoria, a good choice isAngel: modern furniture that contrasts with the frescoed vaults, elegant without exaggeration, quite quiet, only 6 €.
Gelato - A ice cream to fight the scorching heat? Not only for the excellent quality / price ratio, but just because it is good good, I recommend it Carraia ice cream parlor, the only one in the center of Florence where we are cones for 1 euro. And they are not minicones ... you can choose up to 2 flavors (the 2 euro ice cream is very abundant) and if you have never tasted it, try the Buontalenti.
To relax:
Luca: Regarding the historic houses parks, a beautiful place to visit (just outside Florence, about 10 km) is the park of Villa Demidoff. The park is free and inside you can find the giant of the Giambologna Apennines.
Another park to go to to escape the heat of Florence is the garden of Villa il Ventaglio, right in Florence. This too is free.
Where to sleep: One of the beauties of Florence are undoubtedly his colline. Sleeping up here and seeing all of Florence in the morning must be spectacular, but also sleep in the historic center of Florence has its advantages. In both cases the positives are conceivable, it just depends on what kind of holiday you are looking for. In any case to sleep well a b & b in Florence it is always an opportunity to meet local people who can also advise us on activities to do in the city, not bad right?
La mini guide of Florence is done in collaboration with Girovagate e Luca.
