Florence, Italy, is an enriching destination for the solo traveler, but only when you know where to go and how to live it up. Follow these five travel tips to enjoy Florence by yourself.
Visit the Hottest Bars, Cafés, and Clubs in the City
The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, including some local favorite spots where you can meet Florence natives and enjoy drinks and conversations. These are a few spots where you’ll feel right at home as a solo traveler:
- La Cité: This café attracts Florence students and artists. Visit during the day for some peace and quiet, and visit at night for live music and drinks with new friends.
- Hangar: For a rowdier nightlife experience, go to Hangar. You can catch a concert or a poetry event or enjoy a night of dancing and drinking.
- Amblé: For something quieter and perfect for sparking conversations, visit Amblé. This spot is known for its vintage furniture, unique atmosphere, outdoor seating, and excellent cocktails.
Explore the City
If you’re a first-time visitor to the city, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to see the most popular landmarks in town. The Historic Centre of Florence, for example, is an essential stop for any tourist. Create an itinerary of all the places you want to see, or follow a Florence guide to exploring the cityf to ensure you make the most of your time traveling.
Buy Food at Mercato Centrale
To save on meals out while learning more about life in Florence, pick up fresh groceries at Mercato Centrale. This market features dozens of vendors and restaurants and is a popular spot in the city for purchasing local foods and souvenirs.
Attend Free Museum Days
Florence has so many historic sites and museums that you could easily spend your entire vacation budget trying to see them all. To save while still seeing everything you want, attend free museum days. For example, every March 8th, civic museums offer free entry for women to celebrate women’s day. Admission to state museums in Italy is free the first Sunday of every month.
Give Yourself Time to Rest
When you’re traveling solo and don’t have to rely on anyone else to go out and do something, it can be hard to say no and just stay in or do something quiet and relaxing. But it’s important that you don’t overexert yourself and end your trip feeling exhausted. Instead, plan some activities that are all about recharging.
Also, break up the routine during your trip. Instead of going to bars every night, pick a few days to wake up early, watch the sunrise, and grab a cup of coffee. Note that many businesses in Florence close Mondays, so you can use that time to enjoy some peace and quiet in nature or to catch up on sleep since most shops will be closed anyway.
With a little preparation, exploring Florence on your own is amazing. Follow these tips to see the best of the city and thrive as a solo traveler in Italy.
