Florence sure knows how to do summer. It’s as intrinsic to the city character as knowing how to tie a scarf. Here’s our guide to Florence’s hottest hangouts this summer.
For lungarno lounging
Sunset at River Urban Beach
Escape the summer heat and head for the lungarno. Il Molo (lungarno Colombo 27) serves up live music on the floating stage, arts and crafts workshops, yoga and the like, and the Euros football games while providing food truck bites. (We’re loving the BonoBono burgers!) Toward the city centre, Habana 500 Firenze (lungarno Guglielmo Pecori Giraldi) is a Cuban-themed spot with deckchairs affording sunset Arno views, nicely mixed mojitos, Chianina burgers and fried fish, and all the Euro 2020 games. On the south side, River Urban Beach (piazza Poggi, down by the Arno) looks the part with its all-white Forte dei Marmi-style beach beds. Watch the sunset, soccer, or the locals.
For fancy dinners
Gourmet pizzas at Villa La Massa’s L’Oliveto Summer Lounge
If you’re in the market to splurge on a fancy-pants evening out, here are two top tips. Luxury hotel just south of Florence, Villa La Massa (Via della Massa 24, Candeli / 055 62611) is hosting gourmet pizza nights every Wednesday. Helmed by top pizzaiolo Marco Manzi, relax at the laidback, new poolside bistro, L’Oliveto Summer Lounge, with cocktail, Champagne, Tuscan gin or craft beer in your glass. In a historic move, Florence mainstay Harry’s Bar has opened a second location in the lush gardens of Sina Villa Medici, another five-star establishment. Enjoy signature dishes like the baked tagliolini and iconic cocktails such as new addition Pink 53, a raspberry-based concoction, at Harry’s Bar The Garden (via il Prato 42 / 055 2771704).
For cool nights out
Newly opened The Lodge in the Florence hills
Set in the hills above Torre San Niccolò, The Lodge Club (viale Giuseppe Poggi 1) brings new life to town with Peruvian-Japanese cuisine, cultural events and music, made all the more memorable by the views below. For the first time in 25 years, the site sees a return to the entertainment scene (formerly Chalet delle Rampe). On the other side of town, Villa Vittoria (viale Filippo Strozzi 2) is bursting with summer joy in the form of well-made drinks and quality fish-centric cuisine by the experienced Fishing Lab team. Oh, and you can watch the European Championships here too!
