The ISI Florence Guide | Listing the Best Picks of the Month to Explore the City at its Best.
REPUBLIC DAY: FREE ENTRANCE TO MUSEUMS
Experience some of Florence’s most beautiful museums for free in honor of Italy’s Republic Day, a national holiday which commemorates the June 2, 1946 referendum when the Italian people voted to abolish the monarchy, opting instead to create a national government with representatives voted by citizens. Take advantage of free entrance to a selection of museums: Galleria degli Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia, Museo delle Cappelle Medicee, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, and Palazzo Davanzati.
When: Sunday, June 2 – all day
Price: Free
UFFIZI BY NIGHT ON TUESDAYS
When: Every Tuesday
Every Tuesday evening the Uffizi gallery is open until 10:00pm (last admission at 8:30pm), offering visitors the opportunity to admire the art masterpieces in the sunset light. The closing operations of the Gallery start at 9:30pm. Find out more at:
https://www.uffizi.it/en/news/uffizi-by-night-2024
CANDLELIGHT CONCERT – MOVIE SOUNDTRACK IN FIESOLE
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: Saturday, June 8
Where: Teatro Romano di Fiesole – Via Portigiani, 1
Price: Tickets starting at € 33.00
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: Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16 9:00am – 7:00pm
Where: Piazza Indipendenza
Price: FREE
NOTTURNA DI SAN GIOVANNI – 4K AND 10K RUN
Runners, walkers, joggers, and their families are welcome to come explore and appreciate the exquisite views of Florence at night in a race to celebrate the patron saint of Florence, St. John the Baptist. Two races will be offered this year, a competitive 10k open to adults over 18 who belong to professional running associations and possess a doctor’s certificate confirming ability, and a non-competitive family 4k or 10k for athletes of all ages and speeds. To take part in either, registration and payment are required at Firenze Marathon, online at www.firenzemarathon.it.
When: Saturday, June 22 – meeting at 7:00pm, race starts at 9:00pm
Where: Piazza del Duomo
Price: €15 registration fee
Website: www.firenzemarathon.it
FIRENZE ROCKS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Italy’s biggest music festival comes back to Florence once again! Get ready for three days of great music in Florence’s Ippodromo delle Cascine.
When: Thursday, June 13 – Saturday, June 15
Where: Ippodromo delle Cascine – Viale Visarno, 14
Price: Varies
Website: https://www.firenzerocks.it/
MIMMO JODICE. SENZA TEMPO
An exhibition exploring the work of one of the leading masters of Italian photography, on display in Florence for the very first time. The exhibition also includes a new section showcasing Jodice’s images of Michelangelo Buonarroti’s Florentine sculptures, which are emerging from the great photographer’s archives for the first time in thirty years.
When: Open Tue to Sun, 10:00am – 7:30pm
Price: Tickets €10.00
SPECIAL FREE ENTRANCE – from June 5 to 9
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
CALCIO STORICO
Florence’s Calcio Storico, a sport rich in history and tradition, holds a significant place in the hearts of the city’s residents. Its precise origins are debated, with some tracing its roots back to the ancient Roman game of “harpastum.” However, the Calcio Storico as it is known today began to take shape in the 16th century and has become a cherished tradition for many Florentines. Every June, Piazza Santa Croce becomes the venue for this exciting event. The rectangular field hosts four teams representing Florence’s neighborhoods: red for Santa Maria Novella, green for San Giovanni, light blue for Santa Croce, and white for Santo Spirito. Two teams, each consisting of 27 players known as “calcianti”, compete in a 50-minute match. Players use both hands and feet to move the ball, creating a dynamic and intense atmosphere on the field. Wearing uniforms inspired by Renaissance-era warriors, the players engage in physical contact, including tackles, punches, and grappling, as they strive to score by placing the ball in the opposing team’s net. The Calcio Storico tournament features two semi-finals, held this year on June 1 and 2, followed by the final on June 15. This sport’s historical significance is so profound that even some members of the Medici family, including Tuscany’s first Grand Duke Cosimo I, once took to the field as players. For those seeking to experience a unique aspect of Florence, attending a Calcio Storico match is highly recommended. The energy, skill, and determination displayed by the players offer a captivating glimpse into the traditions and passions that define this remarkable city.
Where: Piazza Santa Croce
Price: Varies
Get your tickets from May 23 at 12:00pm on www.ticketone.it
SAN GIOVANNI FIREWORKS
On June 24, Florence celebrates its patron saint, St. John the Baptist. On this day, you may see a procession of foot soldiers, flag throwers, and equestrians dressed in Renaissance costumes proceed from via del Corso to Palazzo Vecchio starting at 9:00am. The procession, joined by the mayor and city officials, will arrive at the Baptistery to participate in a ceremony in the saint’s honor at 10:00am. Across the square, Mass will be celebrated inside the Duomo, with music performed by the Maggio Musicale Orchestra and Chorus, starting at 10:30am. In the afternoon, a parade starting in Piazza Santa Maria Novella at 4:00pm will make its way through the city and arrive in Piazza Santa Croce. The highlight of the Feast of St. John is a stunning fireworks display over Piazzale Michelangelo starting at 10:00pm. The fireworks are best seen from the Lungarno or closer to the river in the green areas of Habana 500 (Lungarno Guglielmo Pecori Giraldi). This event is beloved by Florentines, so you can expect a great number of people heading to the area to secure the best spot to watch the fireworks!
VIAREGGIO
By far the easiest seaside location to reach, Viareggio offers sandy beaches equipped with everything you might need but also long stretches of so-called “free beach” where you can sunbathe without paying for a sun umbrella and deck chairs. Along the seafront you can find restaurants and shops to have a quick bite for lunch.
Getting there: Viareggio is easy to reach with frequent regional trains from Firenze S.M.N.
CASTIGLIONCELLO
Castiglioncello is beloved both by Tuscans and tourists, it is easy to reach and offers beautiful beaches and a lively atmosphere. This seaside town has everything you need for a lovely day or weekend trip.
Getting there: Castiglioncello is easy to reach from Firenze S.M.N.: book the train on Trenitalia and with just one train change in Pisa you’ll be there in no time!
ELBA ISLAND
Nestled in the picturesque Tuscan Archipelago, the island offers an unforgettable experience. While the journey from Florence is a little longer than the other locations, it is well worth it as Elba offers some of the most beautiful sights in Tuscany, with clear water and white rocky beaches.
Getting there: Getting to Elba is not the easiest as you will need to get the train from Firenze S.M.N. to Piombino Marittima and then get the ferry, which will take you to the island.
There are many beautiful beaches all over the island that can be reached by bus. We recommend: Spiaggia delle Ghiaie, Spiaggia di Padulella, Spiaggia di Sansone, Marina di Campo, Spiaggia di Cavoli, Fetovaia, and Procchio.
Summers in Florence can get very hot. That’s why we always suggest cooling off in one of Florence’s many public swimming pool. If the sea is not for you, you can find everything you need to relax and sunbathe right in the city.
PISCINA IL POGGETTO – Via Michele Mercati, 24
Open Everyday 10:00am – 7:00pm
Daily ticket: €9.00 on weekdays and €12.00 on weekends. Swimming cap required.
PISCINA LE PAVONIERE – Viale della Catena, 2
Open Mon to Fri 9:30am – 7:30pm; Sat & Sun 9:00am – 7:30pm
Daily ticket: €9.00 on weekdays and €12.00 on weekends. Swimming cap required.
PISCINA COSTOLI – Piazzale Berlinguer, 2
Open Mon 2:00pm – 6:00pm (reduced price); Tue to Fri 10:00am – 6:00pm; Sat & Sun 10:00am – 7:00pm
Daily ticket: €8.00 on weekdays and €9.00 on weekends. Swimming cap required.
HIDRON WATER PARK – Via di Gramignano (Campi Bisenzio)
Small waterpark in the neighboring town of Campi Bisenzio. You can get there by taking bus 30 from Via delle Porte Nuove.
Open Everyday 9:00am – 6:30pm
Daily ticket: €15.00 Swimming cap required.
ASMANA WELLNESS CENTER – Via Salvator Allende, 10 (Campi Bisenzio)
Enjoy a relaxing day in a spa with thermal water and sauna! You can book massages and treatments.
Open Mon to Thu 10:00am – midnight, Fri 10:00am – 1:00am, Sat 9:00am – 1:00am & Sun 9:00am – midnight.
Daily ticket: €43.00 on weekdays and €49.00 on weekends.
Many locals enjoy summer evenings along the river, eating and meeting with friends for a drink in one of the many restaurants, bars and food trucks that open their doors from the end of May to September. Just remember to bring your bug repellent as there are a great number of hungry mosquitoes near to the water!
LA TORAIA – Lungarno del Tempio
Open Everyday 6:00pm – 11:45pm
IL MOLO FIRENZE – Lungarno Cristoforo Colombo
Open Everyday 5:00pm – 1:00am
GIARDINO ARTE CULTURA – Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 4
Open Everyday 10:00am – midnight
SANTAROSA BISTROT – Lungarno di Santa Rosa
Open Mon to Fri 8:00am – midnight; Sat & Sun 10:00am – midnight
HABANA 500 & FIORINO SULL’ARNO – Lungarno Pecori Giraldi
Open Everyday 12:30pm – midnight
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.