The ISI Florence Guide | Listing the Best Picks of the Month to Explore the City at its Best.
MICHELANGELO E IL POTERE
An itinerary of more than fifty works, sculptures, paintings, drawings, autograph letters and plaster casts to illustrate Michelangelo’s relationship with power, his political vision and his determination to place himself among the most powerful figures of the time.
When: Open Fri to Wed 9:00am – 7:00pm, Thu 9:00am – 2:00pm
Where: Palazzo Vecchio – Piazza della Signoria
Price: € 17.50 (€ 15.00 under 25)
INSIDE KLIMT
Immerse yourself in the world of Gustav Klimt at the Cattedrale dell’Immagine’s new multimedia show. This experience brings you closer to the artist’s life and work.
When: Open Mon to Fri 10:00am – 7:00pm
Sat & Sun 10:00am – 7:30pm
Where: Cattedrale dell’Immagine – Piazza di Santo Stefano
Price: tickets starting at € 14,00
IMPRESSIONISTI IN NORMANDIA
The exhibition features artists like Monet, Renoir, Delacroix, and Courbet, who capture the vibrancy of Normandy’s landscapes – the birthplace of Impressionism – by portraying the moods of the sky, the sparkle of water, and lush green valleys. The exhibition focuses on the Peindre en Normandie Collection alongside loans from the Musée d’Art Moderne in Le Havre and private collections.
When: Open everyday, 9:30am – 7:00pm
Where: Museo degli Innocenti, Piazza Santissima Annunziata
Price: tickets starting at € 16,00
HOKUSAI EXHIBITION IN PISA
The HOKUSAI exhibition at Palazzo Blu in Pisa showcases over 200 works, including several masterpieces that have never been exhibited before. This extraordinary collection offers visitors a rare chance to explore the artistry of Katsushika Hokusai, widely regarded as the greatest exponent of Ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese art that flourished during the Edo period. Through the exhibition, viewers can delve into the rich visual culture of Japan and appreciate the techniques and themes that made Hokusai’s work so influential, from his famous woodblock prints to his innovative use of perspective and color.
When: Open Mon to Fri, 10:00am – 7:00pm, weekend 10:00am – 8:00pm
Where: Palazzo Blu – Lungarno Gambacorti, 9
Tickets: € 14,00 (€ 12,00 under 25)
WINE WINDOWS – BUCHETTE DEL VINO
During the Renaissance, these small openings emerging from the facades of ancient noble palaces were used to sell wine, just like a wine shop would do nowadays. At the end of a work day, tired workers would knock on the wooden shutters from which a capacious glass of wine would be handed over for the price of two florins – the Florentine currency used at the time –. These windows were located precisely at elbow height so that the exchange could comfortably take place. To this day we can count 181 wine windows throughout the city, and some of them are still in operation, see how many you can spot!
Stop by Fishmood in Piazza dei Peruzzi, knock on the window, and ask for your drink to go!
ITALIAN WINTER SALES
The beloved sales season kicks off in the first week of January. You’ll find huge discounts on winter clothing as stores make room for their incoming spring collections. Keep an eye out for the word “saldi”!
When: from January 4
Where: in shops around the city
FERRIS WHEEL
During the winter, Florence’s Cascine Park is home to an impressive ferris wheel, offering breathtaking views of the city’s iconic skyline. The ferris wheel provides a unique perspective of landmarks like the Duomo and the Arno River. Nearby, food stands serve delicious snacks and drinks, making it a perfect outing.
Where: Parco delle Cascine, Piazza Vittorio Veneto
INDIPENDENZA ANTIQUARIA
Monthly flea market near the city center where you can find vintage furniture, books, paintings, fine china and all sorts of interesting objects!
When: January 18 & 19, 8:30am – 7:30pm
Where: Piazza Indipendenza
A.C. FIORENTINA – HOME GAMES
Where: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Viale Manfredo Fanti
When:
Sunday, January 19 – 12:30pm (Fiorentina vs Torino)
Sunday, February 2 – 3:00pm (Fiorentina vs Genoa)
Price: Varies
Website: https://www.bigliettifiorentina.com/en/
SIENA
A historical rival of Florence, Siena is full of art and artisanal work, as well as being known world-wide for its Palio (horserace), that takes place in July and August. The city is divided into “contrade” to this day, each having a different symbol and colours. The city is charming and can be visited easily in a day.
Getting there: There are frequent regional trains from Florence SMN station to Siena throughout the day (about 1.5 h ride + 1 mile by foot to the city center).
AREZZO
Arezzo, located 80km from Florence, isn’t a popular tourist destination, despite being one of the many gems in the Tuscan hills. The history, culture, and art, not to mention the beauty of its architecture and beautiful scenic views, make Arezzo one of Italy’s best-kept secrets!
Getting there: Take a Regionale Veloce (about 1h) or Regionale train (about 1.5 h) from Florence SMN station to Arezzo. Many trains run throughout the day.
PANINO al LAMPREDOTTO
Lampredotto is considered the king of Florentine street food. Taking its name from the lamprey (a type of fish that once inhabited the Arno river), lampredotto is usually eaten with a type of bread called “rosetta” and can be served with just salt and pepper, with hot sauce or with “salsa verde”, a condiment that includes olive oil, parsley, capers, stale bread, and anchovies. The meat is boiled for hours in a broth made with carrots, celery, bay leaves, onions, garlic, pepper, and a few juniper berries: the more it cooks the better it tastes. Despite taking its name from a fish, lampredotto comes from cows. More specifically, lampredotto is one of the four stomachs of the cow, the abomasum. Being part of the cow’s entrails, lampredotto has a particular consistency that not everyone likes, but we encourage you to try it!
Where to eat it: Tripperia Pollini (Via dei Macci, 126); I’Trippaio di Firenze (Via Gioberti); Il Trippaio di Sant’Ambrogio (Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti)
BISTECCA alla FIORENTINA
The origin of the world-renowned bistecca alla Fiorentina can be traced back to the Medici family, who ruled Florence between the 15th and the 18th century. During that time, it was tradition for the family to light up bonfires in squares around Florence to celebrate St. Lawrence (August 10th), when people would gather in the streets to admire the shooting stars that crossed the night sky. On the night of St. Lawrence, the people would gather around the bonfires and enjoy the steak, courtesy of the Medici family. The bistecca is cooked on hot coals without any condiments. Once cooked, it should be salted, put on a wooden tray, and then covered, so that the “juices” can be properly re-absorbed. It is eaten rare and asking to have it well done is often frowned upon.
Where to eat it: Trattoria Zà Zà (Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26r) – Ristorante La Giostra (Borgo Pinti, 10/16R) – Trattoria 4 Leoni (Via dei Vellutini, 1r)