Hidden Gems of Florence: Discover the City’s Best-Kept Secrets

Florence, a historically rich, Renaissance-glorious city, is known for all the big monuments—the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery. 

Beyond the famous landscape lie hidden gems in Florence to discover, places that speak to the city’s art and cultural history. 

These lesser-known sites provide a more intimate view of the city’s heart and a vision of Florence that goes beyond its postcard-worthy facades.

Artistic Treasures Off the Beaten Path

Florence’s artistic legacy is second to none, but some of its most intriguing collections tend to be overlooked. The Bargello Museum, located in a former medieval prison, has an extraordinary collection of Renaissance sculptures, including works by Donatello and Michelangelo. 

Set in a 15th-century Dominican convent, the San Marco Museum is home to glorious frescoes by Fra Angelico, each a meditative approach to faith and art.

Serene Green Spaces and Panoramic Views

As streets crammed with tourists bustle in Florence, peaceful gardens offer respite in nature’s arms. The Bardini Garden, with its draping wisteria tunnel and terraced landscaping, provides sweeping views of the city’s terracotta rooftops.

Beneath the well-trod, Piazzale Michelangelo is the Rose Garden (Giardino delle Rose), a peaceful retreat with more than 400 species of roses and fanciful sculptures by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon.

The recently opened Horticultural Garden (Giardino dell’Orticoltura) wows with its stunning 19th-century greenhouse, a remnant of Florence’s botanical past, providing an ideal escape from the tourist juggernaut.

Culinary Delights in Hidden Corners

Florence’s food scene is famous around the globe, but real culinary magic happens in spots where local people congregate. The Sant’Ambrogio Market, much less touristy than Mercato Centrale, brims with pristine produce and cheeses and traditional Tuscan specialties like lampredotto, classic street food, and slow-cooked tripe.

Tucked away from the main thoroughfares,Trattoria Sabatino has been dishing up hearty Florentine fare since 1956, with ribollita and pappa al pomodoro as comforting as ever. If you’re looking to explore Florence’s food scene with a modern eye, La Ménagère, a chic hybrid restaurant, café and flower shop, intersects both worlds.

Fashion and Artisanal Discoveries

Florence has always been a centre for craftsmanship, and its artisan shops keep centuries-old skills alive. In the Oltrarno district, small ateliers craft handmade leather goods, jewellery, and marbled paper using centuries-old skill sets. 

The Scuola del Cuoio, located inside the Santa Croce complex, teaches artisans to make leather goods, and you can find beautifully made items there as one-of-a-kind souvenirs. The Gucci Garden, an experiential museum in the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia, traces the evolution of the luxury name.

Unveiling Florence’s Hidden Charms

Florence has so much more to uncover beyond its iconic landmarks. These places are not-so-secret pearls to get an authentic taste of the artistic, culinary and cultural soul of the city.

From hidden gardens and boutique workshops, each gem adds another thread to Florence’s tapestry, a reminder that genuine discovery is in the detail. This means you travel like a local, not ticking off the next tourist site, and with each departure from the well-beaten path, discover that timeless beauty in a way you didn’t before.