Free entertainment in Florence

Бесплатные развлечения во Флоренции

Florence ranks third among the most expensive Italian cities, behind only Venice and Milan. But that doesn’t mean that finding affordable housing options is impossible: Ostrovok has handled much more difficult situations! Now, let’s explore the top things to do in the city of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello without spending too much money.

Contents

  • See David
  • Admire the Cathedral
  • Walk across the Arno bridges
  • Visit the best viewpoints
  • Take free tours
  • Try Florentine street food
  • Go on a budget-friendly trip outside the city

Main

  • How to get there: The most convenient way is to fly to Rome with a stopover in Yerevan or Istanbul. High-speed trains leave Rome for Florence every 10 minutes (the journey takes only 1.5 hours, and tickets start at €25).
  • How to get a visa: general recommendations are provided in the article. You can register for the application process through VMS centers (for residents of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and northern European regions) or Almaviva (for residents of other regions of Russia). Please note that when applying through Almaviva, you must pay the service fee (3,850 rubles) when you register online. In the case of VMS, you can pay in cash or by card at the time of document submission. The consular fee (90 € in rubles at the exchange rate on the day of payment) must be paid in advance at the Intesa Bank. 
  • How and what to pay: by foreign card or in cash.
  • Where to stay: Public transport (buses and trams) is well-developed in Florence. The fare is 1.70 € with the possibility of transferring without additional payment within 90 minutes. If you don’t want to spend time on transfers, book a hotel in Florence in the city center. It is convenient to do this on Ostrovok, paying for the order with any Russian card.

See David

One of the main attractions in Florence is the statue of David by Michelangelo, which is located in the Accademia di Belle Arti. The ticket costs 16 euros and must be purchased online in advance. Although the statue of David always attracts a large number of visitors, similar to the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, there is not much to see in the Accademia. A thorough tour of the exhibition will take no more than an hour.

If you want to save money on a ticket, you can go to Piazza della Signoria, near Palazzo Vecchio, where there is an exact replica of the statue. The original David stood in this location from the early 16th century to the late 19th century, before being moved to the Accademia. The replica looks just like the original, and the location adds to its atmosphere.

On Piazza della Signoria and the adjacent Loggia della Signoria, visitors can see replicas of other sculptural masterpieces that are now housed in various museums around the city. For example, there is a replica of Giambologna’s “Abduction of the Sabine Women,” which is also on display at the Accademia di Belle Arti. Additionally, visitors can enter the courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio for free, which is decorated in a rich Mannerist style.

Бесплатные развлечения во Флоренции

One of the main attractions in Florence is the statue of David by Michelangelo. Photo: Todamo/Shutterstock.com

Admire the Cathedral

The entrance to Florence’s main cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, is free. However, after waiting in line for a long time, visitors may find themselves disappointed by the austere medieval-style interior, which appears rather empty. The only thing you can admire here is the painted dome, created by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. You should also pay attention to the clock above the entrance, which was designed by Paolo Uccello and has hands that move in the opposite direction.

For a fee, you can climb the tower and dome of the cathedral, as well as visit the baptistery. However, the best way to appreciate these architectural masterpieces is from the observation decks, such as the one in the Biblioteca dell’Oblate. Climb to the second floor and go to the cafe located on the terrace with a beautiful view of the dome of the cathedral. The entrance to the library is free, and the prices in the cafe are low. 

Бесплатные развлечения во Флоренции

Admission to Florence’s main cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, is free. Photo: Vunav/Shutterstock.com

Free Days at the Museums of Florence

Every first Sunday of the month, admission to public museums, palaces, galleries, and parks throughout Italy is free. This event is called Domenica al Museo (“Sunday at the Museum”). In Florence, the promotion includes places such as the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, Accademia di Belle Arti, the Medici Chapel, Boboli Gardens, and other famous landmarks. Keep in mind that admission is based on a first-come, first-served basis, so be prepared for long waiting times. Free admission is also available on public holidays, including April 25, June 2, and November 4.

Walk the Bridges of the Arno River

Visitors to the Uffizi Gallery are invited to purchase a ticket to the Vasari Corridor, a hidden passage above the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence. This corridor connects the two main palaces of the city, Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti. However, the interior of the Vasari Corridor is a modest passageway with a simple design and paintings on the walls.

The best solution for Ponte Vecchio is toFirst, admire it from the neighboring bridges over the Arno River — Ponte alle Grazie and Santa Trinita. And then cross the Arno along the Ponte Vecchio itself and get lost among the numerous shops of local artisans. On the other side of the Arno, feel free to go into one of the pastry shops and use the money you save to take a cannoli tube with cream.

Бесплатные развлечения во Флоренции

The best solution in the situation with the Ponte Vecchio is to first admire it from the neighboring bridges over the Arno River. Photo: Patrick Kerwin/Shutterstock.com

To get to the best viewing platforms

Florence offers many view terraces and viewing platforms. Do you want to admire the most iconic views of the city for free? To do this, just go to the other side of the river and climb up the hill to Michelangelo Square.

The square was built at the end of the 19th century. In its center there is a replica of the statue of David, as well as four allegories from the collection of the Medici Chapel (which is paid to visit) — all works by Michelangelo. However, the sculptures here are not made of marble, like the originals, but of bronze. The square offers scenic views of both banks of the Arno River and the main attractions of the city.

Бесплатные развлечения во Флоренции

The square offers scenic views of both banks of the Arno River and the main attractions of the city. Photo: Alberto Zamorano/Shutterstock.com

5 things not to do in Italy

Are you going to Italy for the first time? Find out from the article what you should never do in the country, in addition to ordering pizza with pineapple. 

Go on free guided tours

In Florence, you can take a free city tour, both sightseeing and thematic, related to art, history or unusual places of the city. They do not formally charge for such excursions, but at the end they ask you to leave a tip to the guide at your discretion (the minimum recommended amount is 10 euros). It is better to book seats in advance, but you can look for an excursion from Florence Free Tour-Tale or La Bussola.

Try Florentine street food

Food prices in Florence are quite high even in unassuming cafes and restaurants. How can you try all the most iconic dishes of the region and not overpay? Go to the food markets — in addition to stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses and olives, there will be many shops with local street food. The most popular such place in Florence is the central market (Il Mercato Centrale). Here, on the ground floor, you can buy local gastronomic delicacies, and on the second floor, you can relax in the food court.

The most popular street food in Florence is called lampredotto. It’s a kind of panini with rennet (part of a cow’s stomach). Or trippa tripe sandwiches. They can be found in the same markets, on mobile street food stalls and in specialized cafes — search by names with the words lampredotto e trippai. The cost of meals is about 6 euros.

Бесплатные развлечения во Флоренции

The most popular street food in Florence is called lampredotto. Photo: RossHelen/Shutterstock.com

Arrange a budget trip out of the city

Pisa

It is a real crime to come to Florence and not go to the famous tower in neighboring Pisa. Moreover, the entrance to its territory is absolutely free! A ticket is only required to climb to the observation deck and enter the tower, as well as to visit the Cathedral of Pisa next door. If you refuse to buy a ticket, you will lose little — inside the tower is a hollow stone tube, but from its top there is an absolutely unimpressive view of the surrounding villages.

So feel free to get on the train connecting Pisa with Florence (about an hour on the way) and go for that legendary photo with the leaning tower (spoiler: it really falls and looks just mesmerizing from the outside).

Бесплатные развлечения во Флоренции

It is a real crime to come to Florence and not go to the famous tower in neighboring Pisa. Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock.com

Siena

Another must—visit place in the vicinity of Florence is Siena. It is more convenient and cheaper to get here by buses departing almost every half hour from the bus station next to the main railway station of the city. 

Siena is a real open—air museum. It is pleasant to stroll through the ornate medieval streets and sit on the Piazza del Campo, which resembles either an amphitheater or a huge funnel. You can visit the Basilica of St. Dominic and the house of St. Catherine of Siena, the patroness of the city, for free. In the latter, be sure to go to the small balcony opposite the main entrance — there are wonderful views from there. By the way, you can stay here for the night — see the options on the Island.

Бесплатные развлечения во Флоренции

It is pleasant to stroll through the ornate medieval streets and sit on the Piazza del Campo. Photo: Viliam.M/Shutterstock.com

Has the cultural program for the trip to Florence been adjusted and several hundred euros saved? It’s time to spend the money you’ve saved and choose a cool room on the Island in one of the most beautiful cities in Italy.

Cover photo: Davide Trolli/Shutterstock.com

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top