If you’re a connoisseur of hidden gems like I am, you probably search for the eccentric, atypical things to do in a new city.

I like to see everything a city has to offer and explore beyond just the typical museums, historic sites and cultural activities. There are so many unique things to do in Florence!

Having the opportunity to live in Florence granted me unlimited access to Florence’s unique activities and attractions – I investigated the off-the-beaten-path side of Florence, discovering local artisan workshops, exploring artwork beyond the museum walls, and experiencing Florence like a local!

I’ve curated a detailed list of my favorite unique activities and hidden gems in Florence so you can explore the Renaissance city how it is meant to be explored – from a local’s perspective!

10+ Hidden Gems in Florence – Unique Things to Do for Every Traveler

An Expert Guide From a Traveler Who Lived There!

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1. Visit a Local Mosaic Workshop (I Mosaici Di Lastrucci)

One of my most memorable experiences in Florence was visiting a local Florentine mosaic workshop. I Mosaici di Lastrucci specializes in the art of traditional commesso mosaic techniques that involve piecing together small beautiful stones to form an intricate, decorative art piece. 

The mosaics made at I Mosaici di Lastrucci are entirely handmade using traditional techniques dating back to the 16th century. This meticulous and awe-inspiring art form showcases the natural beauty of stones found all over the world. Each stone is cut, piece by piece, to form a beautiful work of art.

I had the unique opportunity to visit the workshop of Iacopo and Bruno Lastrucci as a student, where I gained a deeper appreciation for this historic art form. I highly recommend you visit this local mosaic workshop to understand the mastery, patience, and complexity that goes into each of these beautiful mosaics. It was a vivid reminder of the incredible craftsmanship woven throughout the city of Florence!

2. Tour the Olive Oil Groves in the Tuscan Hills Just Outside of Florence

Most travelers barely scratch the surface of the intricate culture woven into the city of Florence and the beautiful rolling hillsides of Tuscany that surround it. The longer you linger, the more this region reveals its intricacy and complexity. 

Before you decide to journey along to another Italian city, consider venturing into the vibrant rolling Tuscan hillside to explore its bountiful offerings – rustic vineyards, medieval cities, and unique traditions waiting to be discovered.

As a student, I had the opportunity to take a private tour of Antico Frantoio Doglia, a historic farmhouse with hills and hills of olive groves. This local family farm makes flavorful, peppery olive oil from scratch. And you can have the opportunity to see the process.

I found the process of making olive oil to be quite interesting, especially with my background in Chemical Engineering! 

Fresh olive oil usually makes it to the market shelves around November. Any oils purchased before November are harvested in the previous season. The olive oil made at Antico Frantoio Doglia is some of the first to sell out in local markets in Florence!

3. Relax and Take in the Views at Biblioteca delle Oblate

As a student, I was always looking for peaceful places to study and read. My favorite place in Florence was a local library called Biblioteca delle Oblate.

Located just a short walk from Piazza del Duomo along Via dell’Oriuolo, Biblioteca delle Oblate is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the Florentine skyline. Caffetteria delle Oblate, the peaceful library’s rooftop cafeteria provides visitors with incredible views of the Duomo, free of charge!

Register for a free membership to Biblioteca delle Oblate at the information desk to gain access to the historic library – the former site of a Florentine convent – and to enjoy the beautiful views of Brunelleschi’s Duomo!

4. Drink an Italian Frappé

You’ve probably added “eat buckets of gelato” to your Florence bucket list, so might I suggest a frothy, mouthwateringly sweet alternative? The frappé, an airy italian milkshake is a must-try dessert in Florence. 

There’s only ONE authentic place in Florence to get a frappé (that I know of!). 

Just outside the city center on the east side of Florence is the haven for frozen, drinkable delicacies. Chiosco del Frappé, a small frappé stand conveniently located near my homestay, is the place to get authentic Italian frappés topped with creamy whipped cream. 

Every Monday after my art history classes, I would walk to Chiosco del Frappé, order a chocolate frappé, and venture to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset. This was my favorite way to enjoy the warm Florentine evenings in the summer!

5. Watch a Performance at Teatro Verdi

As a self-proclaimed “patron of the arts” – especially Renaissance frescoes in the Uffizi Gallery – I would be lying if I said I didn’t also love theater! 

One random, late summer day in Florence – when I was enjoying my “hot girl walk” to class – I saw a poster for a Mamma Mia! performance at Teatro Verdi and I knew it was fate. I booked two tickets the moment I got home, and marked my calendar for a night of singing and dancing to my favorite musical. 

Teatro Verdi, a local theater in the Santa Croce area, is the place where locals gather for performances of all kinds. Though every song was sung in Italian – which was expected given that Teatro Verdi isn’t often visited by tourists – I had an incredible time dancing to the familiar beats of my childhood.

I highly recommend adding a performance at Teatro Verdi to your Florence itinerary! Seeing a play or musical, in Italian, is a truly awesome experience – one of the BEST hidden gems in Florence! I was so excited to hear particular phrases and words I had been studying in my Italian language class during the performance!

6. Search for Gold “Stumbling Stones”

Chances are, you’re gazing up at the sky, marveling at the monumental orange Duomo dominating the Florentine skyline. But I suggest you occasionally glance down at the cobblestones beneath your feet—because every so often, you’ll spot a gold one. These are Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” quietly commemorating victims of the Holocaust.

Designed by a German artist, Gunter Demnig, who hoped to commemorate victims of the Holocaust in a memorable way, “stumbling stones” make travelers “stumble” as a reminder of the tragedies that occurred during the German occupation. 

I saw stumbling stones all over Italy, and each time I couldn’t help but stop and think about the tragedies that unfolded at the very place I stood. 

7. Learn How Leather is Handcrafted at a Traditional Workshop

Leather craftsmanship is a Florentine tradition dating back to the 13th century. The formation of trade guilds for craftsmanship – Arti – saw the creation of 14 art guilds which included Arte dei Cuoiai e Galigai – the leather workers guild.

Prior to the construction of the Uffizi Gallery and other museums, tanning and leather processing was done near Piazza di Santa Trinita and Palazzo Vecchio. However tanneries eventually migrated out of the city to Fucecchio, a small town about an hour drive from Florence. 

Florentine leather is still very much interwoven into the city’s culture, with leather stores and workshops all over the city. When I studied in Florence, I visited Scuola del Cuoio to learn about the history and production of leather in Florence. At Scuola del Cuoio you can learn stitching techniques and purchase a variety of handmade leather goods. 

I highly recommend visiting Scuola del Cuoio to explore the craftsmanship that goes into local leather goods! Otherwise, Benheart is a great store to purchase Florentine leather!

8. Enjoy a cappuccino at La Cité, my FAVORITE Local Café

Everyone has their happy place. A place that feels like home away from home, where all your worries melt away. My happy place was a little café south of the Arno River called La Cité. 

This local café, off-the-beaten-path for many tourists, serves delectable cappuccinos and pastries in a homey, comfortable art-deco setting. La Cité is the kind of place where time slows down – a peaceful refuge from the bustling tourist scene. Suddenly, with a cappuccino and a book written in Italian, you feel like a local! 

I spent a lot of time exploring the local café and bar scene and La Cité was my favorite place in the city of Florence to enjoy a slow morning with a book!

9. Visit Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio and Try Coccoli, a Tuscan Delicacy

A visit to the Renaissance capital of Italy would not be complete without exploring Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, Florence’s local market!

Tucked away from the well-known tourist areas of Florence, in the Santa Croce neighborhood, Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is a hive of booths providing locals with fresh produce, aromatic cheeses and cured meats, and traditional Florentine snacks. Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is at the center of local restaurants and cafés, a great area to venture for lunch or dinner in Florence.

My Italian professor brought my class here to practice speaking with the locals and I enjoyed every interaction, despite my limited (but growing!) knowledge of the language. We also enjoyed a traditional Florentine snack, coccoli, a bite-sized fried dough ball served with fresh stracchino and prosciutto. 

10. Visit the Oldest Pharmacy in Florence

Even older than the monumental orange Duomo is a magical place to get handcrafted fragrances tailored to your heart’s desire. This magical place called Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is the oldest pharmacy in Florence.

The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella traces its origins back to the time when Dominican friars established the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. In the 14th century, their herbal concoctions and tinctures gained popularity for their healing properties. It was believed that these natural remedies could ward off illness and promote well-being—a tradition that continues in this historic pharmacy today.

The pharmacy was originally built as a chapel by Dardano Acciaioli to thank the Dominican Friars for their healing efforts. Chapel of San Niccolò eventually became an ornately decorated perfumery with historical fragrance formulations still used to this day. Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is a great place for a unique, handcrafted Florentine souvenir!

If you want to learn how to MAKE your own fragrance I highly recommend booking a perfume masterclass held at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone! Though not as old as ancient as Officina Profumo, Antica Spezieria Erboristeria is a great place to bring home a handmade perfume made specifically by YOU!

11. Street Art Scavenger Hunt

Look closely and you’ll find art outside the walls of famous Florence museums! All over the Renaissance city of Florence there are hints of modern street art intertwined with the historic sculptures and medieval architecture. A street art scavenger hunt is a great way to explore the cobblestone streets of Florence, without spending a dime!

12. Visit the Galileo Museum

Florence is more than just jaw-dropping Renaissance art and medieval architecture! In the heart of Florence is a museum for nerds who like the technical sides of life: science and technology. The Galileo Museum is an awesome place to learn about scientific innovations of the 15th and 16th century. Complete with actual prototypes and two of Galileo’s very own telescopes, this museum is a great place to visit if you want to explore the scientific side of Florence!

13. Explore Fiesole, a Scenic Hillside Town Outside of Florence

Just a short bus ride away from the Renaissance city of Florence is a picturesque hillside town with beautiful views of Tuscany. When I moved into my homestay, the first thing my host mom did was bring my roommate and I to Fiesole to explore the Etruscan ruins.

Located only three miles from Florence, Fiesole is the perfect way to spend half a day exploring!

Enjoy all these hidden gems in Florence! I can’t wait to go back and discover even more!