The ISI Florence Guide | Listing the Best Picks of the Month to Explore the City at its Best.
CANDLELIGHT CONCERT: COLDPLAY and IMAGINE DRAGONS Candlelight concerts go beyond the traditional concert format: as the spectators enjoy the music, they are enveloped in the warm light of candles. The result is a breathtaking and utterly unique event.
When: Friday, September 5 – 7:30pm
Where: Cattedrale dell’Immagine – Piazza di Santo Stefano
Tickets starting at € 20.00
CREATIVE FACTORY URBAN MARKET
This independent design market celebrates handmade craftsmanship and limited-edition creations, with a special focus on sustainability. Artisans, designers, and illustrators showcase unique pieces, from jewelry to home decor, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics.
When: Saturday, September 13 – 9:30am to 8:00pm
Where: Piazza dei Ciompi
FREE
THE JURY EXPERIENCE
Step into the heart of a high-stakes trial with The Jury Experience. As a juror, you’ll witness testimonies, interrogations, and forensic evidence firsthand before delivering the final verdict. Will justice be served? It’s up to you. An unforgettable immersive theater experience in Florence!
When: Friday, September 19 – 6:30pm & 9:00pm
Where: Teatro di Fiesole – Largo Piero Farulli, 1 (Fiesole)
Tickets starting at € 22.00
DOMENICA AL MUSEO: FREE ENTRANCE TO MUSEUMS
When: Sunday, September 7 – all day
Take advantage of free entrance to a selection of museums: Galleria degli Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia, Museo delle Cappelle Medicee, Palazzo Pitti, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Palazzo Davanzati, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Casa Martelli, Museo di Orsanmichele, Villa Medicea di Castello, Villa il Ventaglio, Villa Corsini, Villa Medicea della Petraia.
DA VINCI EXPERIENCE
Immerse yourself in the world of Leonardo da Vinci at the Cattedrale dell’Immagine’s new multimedia show. Through stunning visuals and sound, this immersive experience explores the life, art, and inventions of the Tuscan genius.
When: Open everyday 10:00am – 7:00pm
Where: Cattedrale dell’Immagine – Piazza di Santo Stefano
Tickets starting at € 12.00
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO 1898-1960
This retrospective celebrates Salvatore Ferragamo’s extraordinary journey from a humble shoemaker to an international fashion icon, showcasing his Hollywood ties, innovative designs, and lasting influence on global fashion.
When: Open everyday 10:30am – 7:30pm
Where: Museo Ferragamo – Piazza S. Trinita, 5R
Price: Tickets € 10.00
A.C. FIORENTINA – HOME GAMES
Where: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Viale Manfredo Fanti
When:
Saturday, September 13 – 8:45pm (Fiorentina vs Napoli)
Sunday, September 21 – TBD (Fiorentina vs Como)
Buy your tickets online at https://www.acffiorentina.com/en/ticketing or at the Fiorentina Store under the train station (show your ISI Florence card for a discount on Fiorentina merch!)
STIBBERT MUSEUM
The museum contains over 36,000 artifacts, including a vast collection of armour from Eastern and Western civilizations. The villa, which was once Stibbert’s home, has 57 rooms that exhibit all of his collections from around the world. Most of the walls are covered in leather and tapestries and the rooms are filled with artifacts.
Paintings are displayed throughout every room, including still lifes and portraits. There is also valuable furniture, porcelains, Tuscan crucifixes, Etruscan artifacts, and an outfit worn by Napoleon I of France.
Open Mon to Wed 10:00am – 2:00pm;
Fri to Sun 10:00am – 6:00pm
Via Federigo Stibbert, 26
Tickets: €10.00
In Christian tradition, September 8 marks the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Florence has a special celebration associated with this date: on the eve of the Nativity, the city holds the Festa della Rificolona, the Festival of Paper Lanterns. During the Renaissance, peasants and farmers from neighboring villages would travel into the city to attend the feast and sell their produce at the markets. To arrive on time for Mass, many set off before sunrise, carrying lanterns to light the way before gathering in front of the Church of Santissima Annunziata.
Today, “pilgrims” join a procession through the streets of Florence, carrying candle-lit paper lanterns and led by the Cardinal. This year, the parade begins at 8 pm in Piazza Santa Croce and winds its way through Piazza della Signoria, via Calzaiuoli, Piazza del Duomo, and via dei Servi before reaching Piazza Santissima Annunziata. There, city officials and the Archbishop of Florence will give speeches, followed by music, entertainment, and celebrations.
Later in the evening, starting at 9 pm from the Società Canottieri on Lungarno de’ Medici near Ponte Vecchio, illuminated boats will float down the Arno decorated with paper lanterns.
The tradition remains beloved by Florentines young and old. It is not uncommon for families to make their own lanterns together the day before the procession, and while the festival has Christian origins, many now enjoy it in a more secular way, gathering in public parks to celebrate with children.
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 hr 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 1hr) or Regionale train (about 1.5 hr.) from Florence SMN station to Arezzo. There are many trains running throughout the day.
LUCCA
Lucca is a charming old city with a rich history, beautiful churches and Renaissance-era city walls that are almost perfectly intact to this day. We suggest you take a stroll on the walls to have a great view of the city, as well as a visit to Torre Giunigi (Giunigi Tower) and the garden situated on the top. Inside the city you must see Piazza Anfiteatro, built on the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre.
Getting there: there are frequent regional trains from Florence SMN station to Lucca throughout the day (about 1.5 hr. ride)
PANZANELLA
Panzanella is a salad of stale bread and vegetables, a traditional Tuscan dish particularly suitable for summer.
Recipe: 200 g stale white Tuscan bread (unsalted) – 1 cucumber 200 g coppery tomatoes – 1 Tropea onion 1 liter water – 40 g apple vinegar – Olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper.
To prepare the Panzanella, cut the bread into coarse pieces and place in a large bowl. Add water (some recipes also add vinegar at this stage), just enough to wet it and leave it to soak for 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, peel the vegetables and cut the onion into slices, the cucumber and the tomato into chunks. Then, squeeze the bread well with your hands, it should not be too wet. Combine the tomatoes, cucumber and onion in a large salad bowl. Add the pieces of bread and the basil leaves, chopped with your hands. Season with plenty of oil, vinegar, salt and a sprinkle of pepper. Mix well and let the panzanella rest for a couple of hours before serving.
PAPPA AL POMODORO
One of the symbolic recipes of Tuscan cuisine, made with leftover Tuscan “stale” bread and beautiful red and ripe tomatoes. A first course that can be enjoyed both hot and at room temperature.
Recipe: 150 g stale white Tuscan bread (unsalted) – 1 garlic clove 250 g ripe tomatoes – 1 Tropea onion – ½ liter vegetable broth – Olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper.
To prepare the Pappa al Pomodoro, peel the tomatoes and chop them coarsely. In a saucepan heat the extra virgin olive oil with a clove of garlic over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Remove the garlic and add the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, cook for a few minutes and cover with a lid. Meanwhile, cut the bread into chunks and put in a bowl, cover with boiling broth until the crust has softened. Add the bread in the saucepan with the tomato, stir constantly, until the bread is completely undone. If the Pappa gets too dry, add some broth a little at a time. Season with salt and pepper and add the fresh basil leaves. Let the Pappa al Pomodoro rest and garnish it with fresh basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.