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For Lonely Planet and local press, borgo San Frediano is the drive du jour, but we’ve got via San Niccolò on the brain. The lifeblood of a district that’s simultaneously ...
Lorenzo Bartolini was a Neoclassical sculptor who counted Napoleon Bonaparte among his patrons. You’d never know it from his namesake street in San Frediano—a dead-quiet, dusty drive, the kind of ...
A familiar Florentine refrain kept playing as we explored via Gioberti on our latest Streetsmart mission: “It’s not what it once was,” said many a shopkeeper. Chain stores notwithstanding, area ...
The Lulù collection, new from Florentine jewelry atelier Fratelli Piccini, is a contemporary cut on the classical costume donned by Harlequin.
For all the romantic talk of the Renaissance’s permanent grip on Florence and the unchanging nature of the Florentine “essence,” the historic center sees a revolving door of shops and ...
Besides having the coolest street name this side of the Arno—or perhaps the Atlantic—Sdrucciolo dei Pitti sees its fair share of foot traffic. The street’s unofficial sindaco Renzo Regoli (see ...
*Editorial update, September 2, 2017: Lonely Planet has named borgo San Frediano one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods to explore right now! View the full list here. Via Pisana’s geographic ...
From eco-kidswear purveyors to long-treasured toymakers, these children’s boutiques seamlessly balance modern-day innovation and old-school charm.
I’m partial to via il Prato, having had my hair rescued by the team at Tommy’s (17r). It’s an unassuming and underpriced salon, and was seemingly the only place in ...
It’s that time of the year when we start hunting around for gift inspiration, for loved ones here in Florence and (much) farther afield on the ...
Via dei Serragli isn’t flashy: see its subdued colors, its southernmost end reaching Porta Romana and its refreshing lack of ultra-branded, Brooklyn-esque bars. With their curated storefronts and crowded restaurants, ...
Perennially skipped over for borgo San Jacopo and piazza della Passera, via dello Sprone may be one of Florence’s last semi-kept secrets—even Ditta Artigianale 2.0 sees some downtime. When viewed ...
Florence is famous for its leather goods. Many of us come here hoping to secure an authentic, quality product, but are left bamboozled by the sheer quantity of wares on ...
For the past two years, we’ve stayed busy getting Streetsmart in our monthly column of the same name, exploring a mix of under-the-radar and locally legendary spots in central Florence. ...
As cynical as it may sound, for many Florence residents, dodging is the name of the game when crossing piazza del Duomo: avoiding eye contact with portrait painters, weaving around ...
Flanked by Santissima Annunziata and a straight-on view of Brunelleschi’s dome, via dei Servi isn’t exactly “off the beaten path.” But the imported leather and souvenir stands lining many of ...
Via Nazionale is a major thoroughfare, with all the noisy traffic and scummy sidewalks that such a designation entails. Blinded by the quainter quarters of bella Firenze, it’s easy to overlook ...
Via del Parione is classic Florentine eye candy: think colorful storefronts, guidebook-glorified eateries and camera-ready shop owners taking smoke breaks on the sidewalk. It’s acquired an increasingly international feel, but ...
An unfortunate Florentine truth: the fixed menus, faux leather and overly friendly vendors of San Lorenzo prompt some to steer clear of this vibrant neighborhood. But amid a sprinkling of ...
Borgo Pinti is a special brand of Florentine street: far enough from the frenzied pace of pieno centro to feel like a members-only walkway
Bordered by via de’ Benci and a clear-cut path to piazza della Signoria, via de’ Neri is not exactly ‘off the beaten track.’ Its TripAdvisor fame precedes it, with household-name sandwich shops and chic coffee haunts cementing its popularity. But this always-busy strip
Forgive the Robert Frost reference, but via dei Federighi just may be Florence’s proverbial road less traveled. Connecting via della vigna Nuova with via della Spada, this forgotten street has a number of funky and fashionable shops guaranteed to bring out your inner ‘kid in a candy
Being a savvy sightseer in Florence is all about being ‘streetsmart’—taking note of the shops, sounds, scents and smiles that add atmosphere to a given area and lend a street its spirit. Bridging piazza Santa Maria Novella with via Cerretani, via dei Banchi isn’
Piazza Tasso wears many hats: family park, foodie haven, nightlife hub. Though it’s often glossed over in favor of glitzier Oltrarno hangouts, this vibrant slice of San Frediano paints a full portrait of Florentine life. Sit on the benches for just a few minutes and you’re
