florence resources
GETTING AROUND
Firenzecard. Purchase at ten different locations throughout the city. 72 musuems for 72 euros in 72 hours. Includes many cathedrals and gardens, too. Additional five euros if you want to include free bus passes. www.firenzecard.it
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel David, Viale Michelangiolo n,1 Tel: +39-055681-1695 Highest guest rated hotel in Florence. www.hoteldavid.com
Hotel Toree Guelfa, Borgo SS. Apostoli, 8. Tel: +39-055-239-6338 Beautiful castle-like hotel. www.hoteltorreguelfa.com
Westin Excelsior, Piazza Ognissanti 3. Tel: +39055-27151 Friendly, luxurious-rooftop bar/restaurant with 360 degree views of Florence. www.westinflorence.com
PIAZZAS
Piazza del Duomo is an iconic Florentine Cathedral complex. www.firenze-tourism.com
Piazza della Repubblica is the central plaza with a charming merry-go-round and surrounded by restaurants. www.visitflorence.com
Piazza della Signoria is a very popular square with a bounty of restaurants, outdoor statues and it houses several attractions including the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. www.visitflorence.com
Piazza Santo Spirito is a beautiful square in the Oltrarno with great restaurants and flea markets. www.visitflorence.com
Piazza Santa Maria Novella is a tranquil and beautiful, surrounded by museums, hotels and restaurants. www.visitflorence.com
CATHEDRALS AND CHUCHES
The Baptistery of Saint John, Piazza Del Duomo. Here are the bronze doors recreating the stories of the life and passions of Christ were created by Lorenzo Ghiberti. www.visitflorence.com
Campanile, Piazza del Duomo. The bell tower designed by Giotto. www.museumflorence.com
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza del Duomo. The main centerpiece within the Duomo. www.visitflorence.com
Convent of San Marco, Via A. Manzon/Piazza San Marco +39-055-23320 Home of Fra Angelico’s magnificent frescoes. www.visitflorence.com
Santa Maria Novella, Piazza Santa Maria Novella, a must see Church and museum, which includes Giotto’s Crucifix. www.visitflorence.com
TOURS AND DAYTRIP
LovexFood, Via Vecchia Pisana 22, Lastra a Signa. Tel: +39-348-606-9987 Cooking with Luca & Lorenzo at their farm in the Chianti hills. www.lovexfood.com
Urban Adventures Florence – Aperitivo Time! Florence Wine Tour Tel: +39-345-088-2826 Excellent orientation to local restaurants and bars. www.florenceurbanadventures.com
THE MUSEUMS
Accademia Museum Via Ricasoli, 58/60. Tel: +39 055-238-8609. Probably best known for Michelangelo’s statue of David. www.accademia.org
Palazzo Pitti Palace, de’ Pitti, 1. Tel: +39-055294883. with amazing permanent and rotating exhibits. www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en
Palazzo Vecchio Piazza della Signoria. Pallazo V Piazza della Signoria, 50122. A magnificent palace, it’s also home to Florence’s town hall. www.visitflorence.com
Uffizi Museum, Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122. Tel: +39-055-23885 Piazza della Signoria. One of the most important and extensive museums in Florence. www.uffizi.com
RESTAURANTS
Osteria dell’ Enoctica, Via Romana 70r. Tel: +39055-228-6018. If this restaurant were in New York City it would definitely be my weekly go-to! www.osteriadellenoteca.com
Procacci Via Tornabuoni, 64/r. Tel: +39055-211656 Elegant wine and truffle bar. www.procacci1885.it/en/florence
La Procuitteria, Via dei Neri 54 rosso. Tel: +39-055 265-4472 Rustic and lively, eat with the locals. www.laprosciutteria.com/firenze
Il Ristoro. 48R Borgo San Jacopo. Tel: +39-055-2645569. Best views of Arno and inexpensive café for coffee, drinks, lunch or dinner. www.facebook.com/ilristorodeiperditempo
Trattoria Borgo Antico, Piazza Santo Spirito. Tel: +39-055-210-437 My favorite restaurant in Piazza Spirito. www.borgoanticofirenze.com
GARDENS
Boboli Gardens, located behind the Palazzo Pitti. www.visitflorence.com
Piazzale Michelangelo, stunning views of the city of Florence from this outlook. www.visitflorence.com
NIGHTLIFE
Caffé Degli Artigiani, Via dello Sprone 16r Tel: +39055-291882. Hip and happening. www.firenzeoltrarno.net/caffeartigiani/#1
Piccolo:Borgo Santa Croce. Tel: +39-055-200-1057 Friendly gay cocktail bar best after 10:00pm. www.travelgayeurope.com/venue/piccolo-cafe
Volume, Piazza Santo Spirito. Tel: +39-055-2381460. Young and hip crowd. www.volume.fi.it
STREET ART
BLUB, www.dailyartdaily.com/florence-streetart-full-classic-art
Clet Abraham Studio, Via dell’Olmo, 8/red. www.facebook.com/clet.abraham
GAY VENUES
BARS
Hard Bar85, Via Guelfa 85/r. Located near the train station, this attracts a hardcore, edgy crowd. People are quite experimental. On Exhibitionist Friday’s you can hangout nude and express yourself sexually. Weekend hours 10:30 P .M. – 6 A.M. www.facebook.com/HardBar85FIRENZE
Piccolo Café, Borgo Santa Croce 23R. Friendly, relaxed and centrally located cocktail bar best after 10 P .M. with a very mixed crowd— twinks to daddies. www.facebook.com/piccolocafefirenze
Queer, Borgo Allegri 9, Near Piccolo. Queer plays pop/house music. Quiet enough that you can actually talk and patrons rave about the cocktails prepared by the owner , Andrea. www.facebook.com/queerfirenze
Y.A.G Bar, Via de’ Macci 8R. Gets going around midnight, offers dancing all night long and is open Thursday to Saturday. With big screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, it’s a popular hangout for all types and offers dancing continuously throughout the night.
CLUBS and SAUNA
Crisco, Via Sant’Egidio 43R. One of the newer clubs playing classic 80s music to a younger crowd. Closed Sunday and Tuesday. Note: must be on the list to get in. criscoclub.com
Fabrik, Via del Lavoro 19, Calenzano, outside of Florence. Gay club with bars, video booths, and cruising areas. Mid to older ages. www.fabrikfirenze.it/site
Fairy Gold, Via della Vigna Vecchia 23. Dance club with sometimes long lines to enter. Gay on Saturdays, September to April (busiest after 1 A.M.) Three floors of DJs, go- go boys, drag artists and special guests who perform for an audience of all types. www.facebook.com/FAIRYGOLD
Florence Baths, Via Guelfa 93R. Bring an I.D. Very popular and centrally located. They also serve drinks and food. Attracts a very mixed crowd. www.facebook.com/FlorenceBaths (Most gay cruise clubs and saunas require an ANDDOS membership card. You can purchase them at any participating club.)
Mamamia@Viper Theatre, Via Lombardia. Check their site for current events, theme nights, and club parties. Loud and on the younger side. www.facebook.com/mamaflorence
GAY-FRIENDLY HOTELS
Hotel Lungaro, Borgo San Jacopo, 14. Stunning and luxurious hotel situated overlooking the Arno River in the Oltrarno neighborhood close to Piazza Santo Spirito. www.lungarnocollection.com/hotel-lungarno
Hotel Regency, Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio 3. An authentic Florentine Villa. www.regency-hotel.com
Hotel Roma, Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 8. This ancient 18th-century palazzo isin the beautiful and peaceful Piazza Santa Maria Novella near the train station. www.hotelromaflorence.com/en
APARTMENT RENTALS
A Room With A View. Maddalena’s place is just down the street from the Duomo. It sleeps six with one bath. Museums, restaurants and shopping are all at your fingertips. www.misterbandb.com/rooms/8836
Claudia’s. I loved staying at Claudia’s apartment, which has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and is located in the Oltrarno neighborhood. She’s very helpful with tips and suggestions and I totally enjoyed her charming rooftop terrace. www.airbnb.com/rooms/8965865
La Maison At The Old Bridge, Costa dei Magnoli. Marie’s very beautiful and hip apartment has 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Located on the fringe of the central area, it offers a quiet respite from Florence’s hectic bustle. www.misterbandb.com/rooms/119964
