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Florence is a major renaissance art hub. With more pieces of art housed here then any other city in the world, it is a great place to study art and be cultured in the historically romantic ambiance. This picturesque, love drunk city, with its enchanting architecture and cobblestone lined streets is reason enough to lure you in. But wait, there is so much more to this city to love and admire. Since the time of the Medici Family to present, Florence has been, and continue’s to be, an artist’s escape with endless possibilities.

Florence Pictures

Things to do in Florence

Art galleries and museums are the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of what to do in Florence. This old renaissance city boasts several world famous museums, including the Uffizi Gallery, which alone holds the most paintings than any other museum in the world. The Acadamia is where you will find Michelangelo’s masterpiece ‘David’ sculpture. There are also several “fake Davids” throughout the city that you can spot on your own. The Bargello has sculptures and paintings from famous artists like Michelangelo, Donatello, Ammannati, Bandinelli, Andrea and Jacopo Sansovino, Desiderio da Settignano, Giambologna, and Antonio Rossellino. Donatello’s ‘David and Goliath’ bronze sculpture is here as well. Pitti Palace, located across the Arno (river), was once home to the famous Medici family who were rulers of Florence for many generations back in the 1400’s and 1500’s. It is now a museum and gallery surrounded by the lovely Boboli gardens.

The Duomo, which is the single largest church in the city, sits in the middle of a very busy square in the center of Florence. Trust me, you can’t miss this enormous building, and it is absolutely breathtaking. You can go inside or climb up either the tower or the Dome itself. The Dome gives a better view of the city from the top because it’s taller, however the tower is a little easier to climb. There are several other wonderful churches in Florence that shouldn’t be missed including Santa Croche, San Lorenzo, Santa Maria Novella, and San Miniato al Monte. All have famous frescoes on the walls by famous artists.

The squares of the city themselves are equally as famous as some of the sites inside of them. Piazza Signoria was where Hitler first addressed the people of Italy and is also where one of the Fake David’s resides, along with several other sculptures. Piazza Michelangelo is across the river and has a gorgeous view of the city from the top of the hill. And lastly, make sure not to miss the Ponte Vecchio. This bridge that crosses the Arno River is historical as well as captivating. Once a tool used in WWII, this landmark is now where you can find the best gold and fine jewelry in the city. At night the bridge is all lit up in a glow over the river.

Nightlife in Florence

Florence has an array of nightclubs and bars to suit all interests. For college students studying abroad be advised about the punch card system. In Florence at many night clubs, a punch card is issued at the entrance door. Every time you get a drink at the bar, they hole punch your card and at the end of the night you submit your card and pay for your drinks. Some places have been known to double punch, especially to those who are visibly intoxicated. Also losing your card can mean paying very high fines. So be advised and hold onto your card. The best nights to go clubbing are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and sometimes Fridays. This city comes to life at night during semesters when abroad students are there. Since so many college students take weekend trips to other places, the best nights for clubs are actually during the week. Maracana, the hottest nightclub in the city is located close to the Duomo and has weekly live musical appearances from such artists as Chammilionaire, Chingy, and the Ying Yang Twins. Other night clubs like Yab, BeBop, Astor Cafe, Space Electronica, and Salamanca will have you up on the tables dancing to the loud pounding music in no time.

A lot of people opt for a more casual scene, like you’ll see at some of the bars. It makes for a nice alternative to the clubs as well. Slowly, Red Garter, The Lion Fountain, Dublin Pub, Tommy Collins, and Moyo have more laid back seating and plenty of good drinks. Although Moyo and Slowly can be a tad more on the expensive side. Also remember that here in Florence, public drinking is legal and you may see people around the city with open bottles of wine and beer. It offers you a great opportunity to try something new.

Colleges and Classes in Florence

Many schools offer specific programs abroad through their school affiliations, although there are a few who let you choose your school. Some of the most popular abroad schools in Florence are Lorenzo De Medici, which is the largest abroad school in the city, with classes taught in English, and mostly American students. There is also the University of Florence, which is actual largest university in the city. And there are dozens of art schools, TEFL schools, and cooking and hospitality schools.

As for classes in Florence, this is a perfect opportunity to take an art class; maybe painting or sculpting? Or an art history class, since there are so many wonderful museums right at your disposal. A lot of college students abroad partake in Wine Tasting and Wine Appreciation courses, which allow students to gain a better sense of the Tuscan culture as they emerge themselves.

Travel From Florence

From the city of Florence there are many easy to get to destinations right around the area. The cool part about how Italy is set up is that the Italian train system is very detailed and intricate, with many stops in almost all cities. In Florence, the Santa Maria Novella Train station lies right outside the main part of the city and is in walking distance from most. From there, you can go practically anywhere. The easiest and fastest to get to are Pisa, Fiesole, Livorno, Siena, and Arrezo. These are all places located in Tuscany as well. Fiesole is the easiest to get to since it is actually part of Florence itself, directly north of the city, about fifteen minutes away by bus. The bus stop is across the street from the train station and will take you up the steep hills until you reach the top. It has a very nice view of the city of Florence. The other destinations are easily accessed by train and can cost anywhere from 5 – 20 euro.

Outside of Tuscany, popular destinations include Rome, Venice, Milan, and Naples. You can get to all of these by train, just keep in mind they will take longer to get to. Rome and Venice are each about two to three hours from Florence and all offer a nice scenic train ride. Milan is more like a 4-5 hour train ride. Depending on what type of train you take will also determine how long the trip takes you. There are two types, the local train which makes frequent stops and takes longer (however is much cheaper) and the eurostar, which is more like an express train and takes a lot less time. However, you will pay for it. There are also many over night trains that can take you into the South of France (Nice, Cannes, Monaco), Switzerland, and even Sicily. Make sure to buy these tickets the day before to ensure your seat or bed.

Florence Study Abroad Tips

• Be aware of the punch card system at night clubs. If you lose your card, you will have to pay a steep fee.
• Cab drivers can be found in and around every piazza, even late into night.
• Gypsies linger near the train station, so keep valuables close to you at all times.