Florence is often described as an open-air museum, but if you’re only following the crowds to the Uffizi or the Accademia, you’re just looking at the display cases. those seeking the most unique things to do in Florence know that the city’s true soul is an "introvert." The soul of Florence is hidden behind heavy wooden doors, inside dusty 14th-century workshops, Renaissance-era binderies, secret wine windows, and workshops that served the Medici for generations.
Whether you are a first-timer looking for the essentials or a seasoned traveler seeking Florence off the beaten path, the city rewards those who stop checking boxes and start opening doors. From 18th-century silk looms to a "butcher shop" that sells books, these are the experiences that define the real Firenze. If you’re looking for an authentic experience that skips the tourist traps, here are 26 unique things to do in Florence to see the city like a local.
Note: To keep these locations quiet and preserved for the artisans, I haven't revealed every exact name or address here. To find the precise pins for every spot mentioned, you can access my Florence Google Map here.
1. Step into the "Cabinet of Curiosities" at Bizzarri
Most tourists walk right past Bizzarri, but visiting this shop is one of the most unique things to do in Florence. Since 1842, this apothecary has sold everything from rare spices and essential oils to photography chemicals and "dragon’s blood" resin. It smells of wood, history, and mystery. It’s not a souvenir shop; it’s a living museum of Florentine alchemy.
2. Watch a 7th-Generation Master Marble Paper
Watching a master artisan drop pigments into a tray of moss-based water to create intricate patterns is hypnotic. I spent time in a workshop where the family has been doing this for centuries. If you want a full itinerary dedicated to these kinds of craftspeople, check out my Florence Off the Beaten Path: 3-Day Guide to Artisans & Eats.
How to visit: To keep this workshop quiet and authentic, I’ve kept the name and location exclusive to my Florence Google Map.
3. Find the "Wine Windows" (Buchette del Vino)
Searching for unique things to do in Florence often leads you to wine windows, but the real experience is finding the quiet portals in the backstreets of Santo Spirito. These tiny portals were used during the plague to sell wine safely. Look for the small arched openings in the stone walls of old palaces, some are still active, serving glasses of Chianti to passersby.
As part of my mission to show you Florence off the beaten path, I tracked down the city's historic Buchette del Vino (Wine Windows). Currently, the most famous one on TikTok has a 45-minute line of people setting up tripods. We did not go there. I did write a deep-dive guide on the history of this tradition, the "red flags" to avoid (please don't drink from plastic cups), and my review of a few Florence wine window spots. Read the Full Guide: Drinking Through Walls – The History & Map of Florence’s Wine Windows
I found a tiny, quiet buchetta nearby where there was zero line. The owner opened the little wooden door, chatted with us, handed us two glasses of red, and we drank them in peace. Honestly? I’m terrified to put the name on the open internet. I’ve seen what happens when the masses descend on a small local spot, and I want to protect this one. So, let's make a trade. Drop your email below, and I’ll send you the name and location of this specific wine window, plus the secret of the "€2 Private River 'Club'" on the Arno and an iconic must-visit hat store, directly to your inbox.
4. The Secret Perfumery
Most people go to the big famous pharmacy (further down), but I found a perfume atelier hidden inside a Renaissance palazzo that feels like a private residence. It is filled with glass jars of essences and smells like heaven. Exploring this space is one of the most sensory and unique things to do in Florence.
How to visit: I’ve kept the name and location exclusive to my Florence Google Map.
5. Sip "The King’s Hot Chocolate" at Rivoire
Start your morning at a Florentine institution. Rivoire in Piazza della Signoria is famous for its thick, decadent hot chocolate, traditionally known as the "King’s Hot Chocolate." It was founded in 1872 by Enrico Rivoire, who was the official chocolatier to the Royal House of Savoy (the Kings of Italy). When Florence was briefly the capital of Italy, the King wanted his chocolate, so Rivoire followed the court here. It is the perfect place to sit and watch the city wake up from one of the most beautiful squares in the world.
6. Find the "Hidden Michelangelo"
While everyone lines up for the David, there is a secret Michelangelo hiding in plain sight. In Piazza della Signoria, carved into the stone of the Palazzo Vecchio, is a small profile known as L’Importuno. Legend says Michelangelo carved it with his hands behind his back while being bored by a local chatterbox.
7. Visit the "Butcher Who Sold Books"
One of the most unique things to do in Florence is to step into a space that looks like a traditional butcher shop but sells rare literature. In the heart of the Oltrarno, an artisan has transformed a former macelleria, called Antica Macelleria di Alfredo, into a workshop of paper and ink. It is a testament to the city’s ability to reinvent itself while staying traditional.
But here’s the thing: This bookstore was just the tip of the iceberg. I spent the next few hours tracking down 12 other rare bookshops, binderies, and artisan weavers hidden in these backstreets. I can't list them all here without turning this article into a novel. If you’re short on time and want the curated version, check out my Maker’s Itinerary: A Guide to 3 Essential Oltrarno Workshops. If you want to dive deeper into the "Maker" side of Florence, I’ve pinned all 155+ locations, including the weavers, the paper marblers, and the vintage dealers, on my Florence off the beaten path Google Map. It’s the full directory that I actually use when I’m here.
8. The "Locals Only" Lunch Spot
For lunch, we headed into the heart of Sant'Ambrogio to a spot that I fell in love with immediately. The menu was handwritten and the decor was a mix of vintage lamps, odd paintings and super funny tableware. But the best part of this stroller-friendly dining in Florence was the welcome. The owners were incredibly sweet, stopping by our table constantly to entertain Sibby. At the end of the meal, they even brought her a little mini-affogato on the house. It looked so good that Patrick and I immediately ordered our own.
I’m going to be selfish and gatekeep the name of this one. It’s small, it’s special, and I want to keep it that way for the locals (and you). I’ve pinned the exact location of this bistro, along with 30+ other restaurant recommendations, on my curated Florence off the beaten path Map.
9. Find the "Curled" Wool of Tuscany at TACs
Casentino Wool: The IYKYK Guide to TACS Florence
Casentino wool is the ultimate "IYKYK" Tuscan staple. Recognizable by its "curled" texture and bold colors like becco d'oca (orange), it was originally worn by 14th-century monks. The TACS shop is where you find the real deal. Originally developed in the Middle Ages for shepherds and monks who needed to survive the brutal Apennine winters, Panno Casentino is nearly indestructible and water-repellent. The signature "bobbly" or curly texture, created by a process called rattinatura (brushing the wool with steel teeth), was designed to make the fabric last longer against the elements.
Today, wearing a TACS jacket in "goose-beak orange" (arancio becco d'oca) or "flag green" is the sartorial equivalent of a secret handshake among Florentine aristocrats.
10. Coffee at a Florentine Institution: Caffè Cibreo
For a true taste of local life, head to Caffè Cibreo. It’s a cultural landmark. Whether you are there for a morning espresso or a late-afternoon glass of wine, the atmosphere is "aggressively authentic." It’s where the city’s thinkers and locals congregate, away from the tourist-heavy center.
11. Browse Libreria Brac
Libreria Brac is a hidden vegetarian cafe and bookstore tucked away in a quiet courtyard. It’s an intellectual sanctuary where the architecture is as creative as the books on the shelves. It’s the perfect place for a slow lunch away from the city noise.
If you find the Renaissance weight of the city is starting to feel a bit heavy (it happens to the best of us), I’ve curated a separate 'hush-hush' guide to my 4 favorite bookstores in Florence for introverts. It’s the ultimate list for when you need to swap the tour groups for a glass of wine and a quiet corner, including a 1920s cinema that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a film set.
12. Spot the Art of Clet Abraham
While Florence is known for the Renaissance, it also has a vibrant contemporary side. For those seeking more contemporary and unique things to do in Florence, look closely at the street signs around the city, and you’ll see the work of Clet Abraham, who adds whimsical stickers to the signs. You can even visit his studio in San Niccolò to see where he works and pick up a unique piece of modern Florentine art.
13. Take an Analog Photo in a "Fotoautomatica"
Spread throughout the city are vintage Fotoautomatica booths. These aren't those modern digital booths that apply a "vintage filter." These are the real deal. They are original analog machines from the 1960s and 70s. A local set designer named Matteo Sani saved these machines from the dump, restored their original mechanics, and placed them back on the streets of Florence.
The experience is a time capsule. You put in your coins, the flash blinds you, and then you wait. It takes exactly 4.5 minutes for the machine to develop the strip using real liquid chemicals. The result is a wet, smelling-of-developer black-and-white strip. It’s the ultimate non-digital souvenir.
14. Explore the World’s Oldest Pharmacy
As the world’s oldest pharmacy (dating back to 1221), the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is a mandatory sensory experience. It blends dramatic Renaissance architecture with the intoxicating history of monastic remedies and artisanal scent. Buying 13th-century soaps inside a deconsecrated chapel is an essential Florentine ritual.
Fun Fact
You can still buy the ‘Vinegar of the Seven Thieves’ here. Legend says grave robbers used this herbal concoction to protect themselves from the Black Death while stealing from corpses. Chic, right? They even sell ‘Acqua di Santa Maria Novella’ (formerly known as Anti-Hysteria Water). And honestly, after dodging the wall-to-wall tourists on the Ponte Vecchio all day... I’ll take two bottles.
The Insider Flex: Buy the Acqua di Santa Maria Novella. It’s the exact citrus fragrance created for Catherine de’ Medici in 1533.
15. Discover the Ancient Art of Gold Tooling
In a small, quiet workshop near the river, you can witness the meticulous art of gold tooling. This is where leather covers are decorated by hand using heated brass tools and 22-karat gold leaf. It is a slow, rhythmic process that has remained unchanged since the Renaissance. Witnessing this craft is consistently ranked as one of the most unique things to do in Florence by design lovers.
How to visit: This specific artisan is a hidden gem. You can find the exact pin on my Florence Google Map.
16. Step into the "Cathedral of Silence" at Biblioteca Marucelliana
Located right on Via Cavour, yet completely silent, the Biblioteca Marucelliana is a hidden masterpiece. Unlike the Medici libraries built for elite egos, this was the first library in Florence opened for the public, specifically "for the use of the public, especially the poor."
Inside, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling wood shelves, the intoxicating smell of centuries-old paper, and the "Mare Magnum," a massive encyclopedia of knowledge. It is a sanctuary for true book aficionados.
17. Experience Cinema and Literature at Giunti Odeon
The Giunti Odeon is perhaps the most beautiful bookstore in the world. It’s a 1920s cinema that has been transformed into a cultural hub where you can browse books under a stained-glass dome while films play silently on the massive original screen. d. For the last century (since 1922), this was the Cinema Odeon, Florence's most prestigious movie palace. Before that? It was the Palazzo dello Strozzino, a Renaissance palace designed by none other than Brunelleschi (yes, the Duomo guy). It used to be the only place in town to catch a film in its original language. Now, after a massive restoration, they have removed the stalls to add the bookstore but kept the original velvet circle seats, the stained glass dome, and the screen. You can grab a book, order a Spritz, and watch a movie all in the same breath. Do not skip this.
18. Treasure Hunt at the Local Flea Market
Skip the souvenir shops and head to the Mercato delle Pulci (The Flea Market). This is where locals go to find vintage Italian magazines, mid-century furniture, and quirky collectibles. It’s the best place to find a gift with a real story. Browsing for antiques here is one of those unique things to do in Florence that makes you feel like a resident rather than a tourist.
My Tip
Go in the morning (around 10:00 AM). Do not go at lunchtime like I did, or you will mostly be looking at closed shutters. Even if you don't buy anything, it’s worth a quick walk through on your way to lunch.
19. Visit the Legendary Porcelain "Labyrinth"
Just around the corner from the main sights is a porcelain showroom that feels more like the Louvre. The brand is legendary (if you know, you know), and the showroom is a labyrinth of hand-painted, painfully beautiful art. Most tourists walk right past the entrance, but inside is a world of design that is non-negotiable for any lover of interiors.
How to visit: I have pinned the store on my Florence Google Map.
20. See the 18th-Century Looms of the Silk Weavers
Seeing these looms is one of the most unique things to do in Florence because it feels like a time machine. Hidden behind a residential door is a workshop where silk is still woven on 18th-century looms designed by Leonardo da Vinci. This silk has decorated palaces and royal houses for centuries. Watching the massive wooden machines clatter away is like watching history in motion.
How to visit: I have pinned the discreet entrance to this workshop on my Florence Google Map.
21. Coffee at the City's Oldest Café
For a true taste of local life, head to the oldest cafe in the city, Gilli, founded in 1733. Whether it's a quick espresso at the brass counter or a slow pastry in the elegant tea room, this is where the "intellectual" side of Florence has met for centuries.
22. Discover the "Lone Stall" of Renaissance Reproductions
While the major markets are often flooded with imports, there is a single, isolated leather stall that remains a bastion of history. This family-run spot operates exactly where the ancient Mercato Vecchio used to stand and specializes in exact Renaissance reproductions. It is the most authentic place to find leather with a true lineage. Finding it is one of the most rewarding and unique things to do in Florence.
How to find it: I’ve marked the exact spot of this lone stall on my Florence Google Map.
My Tip
Don't bother haggling. I watched some Americans do it and they failed. The owner is lovely, but he gets way too much business to argue over €5 or €10. He knows the value of his work, and honestly, for a piece of "wearable history," the price is already fair.
23. Watch a Master at "Rilegatori di Libri a Cozzi"
Rilegatore di Libri A. Cozzi smells of beeswax and aged paper, you can watch the incredible process of traditional bookbinding. Watching a master artisan hand-sew a journal or marble a cover is a rare look at the craftsmanship that defined the Renaissance and another of the unique things to do in Florence that preserves the city's soul.
24. Wellness in a Renaissance Palace: Vita Nova Spa
Florence Spa in a Renaissance Palazzo: Vita Nova
For an experience that blends history with relaxation, visit the Vita Nova Spa inside Palazzo Portinari Salviati. This was the childhood home of Beatrice, Dante’s muse. The spa and the palazzo have been meticulously restored, allowing you to experience the heights of Florentine luxury in a setting that is deeply rooted in the city's literary history.
25. Industrial Chic Reading at Todo Modo
For a more modern vibe, visit Todo Modo. This bookstore/cafe has an industrial-chic aesthetic and a curated selection of books and wine. It’s a favorite haunt for local creatives and a great place to experience the "living" culture of Florence today.
26. A Historic Dinner at Palazzo Portinari
White Truffle Season in Florence: Salotto Portinari Review
For your final evening, experience the grandeur of the Palazzo Portinari Salviati. Dining at Palazzo Portinari is one of the most luxury-focused yet unique things to do in Florence. Whether you visit for a spa treatment or a meal at their one star Michelin restaurant, you are dining in the childhood home of Beatrice, Dante’s muse. It is quiet, luxurious, and deeply rooted in Florentine history.
Experience the Real Florence
This list of unique things to do in Florence is just a glimpse into the "interior" life of the city. To make your trip truly seamless, I have compiled every gatekept workshop, hidden eatery, and secret location from this guide into my Digital Florence Google Map.
With over 155+ pins, this map allows you to navigate the city like a local, walking straight to the unmarked doors and hidden alleys that make Florence so special. Start planning your trip with these unique things to do in Florence today.
