Florence is packed with overwhelming beauty around every corner and has barely changed since the Renaissance, it’s no surprise that the entire city is a Unesco World Heritage site. Whether you’re searching for world-class art or mouth-watering cuisines, Florence doesn’t disappoint! From bucket-list-worthy experiences, like seeing Michelangelo’s most famous statue or eating all the Tuscan food your heart can take. Deciding what to do in Florence at night can be a daunting task and requires a bit of advance planning. But, fear not, this guide to the best things to do in Florence at night has everything you need to kickstart your adventure. Whatever your travel style is, you definitely won’t want to end your sightseeing as soon as the sun sets in Florence. Here are the best things to do in Florence at night.
Sip on a Negroni
The Negroni cocktail is a popular apéritif, said to have first been mixed in Florence at Caffè Casoni on Via de’ Tornabuoni in 1919. The Negroni is made of one part gin, one part Vermouth Rosso, and one part Campari with an orange peel garnish. The concoction was first created by the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, when Count Camillo Negroni asked him to make a stronger version of his favorite cocktail, the Americano, by substituting the soda water for some gin. Scarselli added an orange peel garnish rather than the Americano’s typical lemon garnish to indicate that it was a different drink, and thus the Negroni was born!
Hike up to San Miniato al Monte in time for sunset
Piazzale Michelangelo may be the most popular place to watch day melt into the night in Florence, but it’s arguably not the very best. If you climb another 5 minutes or so past Piazzale Michelangelo, you’ll come to the beautiful Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte has tranquil front gardens that offer absolutely stunning views of Florence below. If you time your visit right you may even get to experience the local monks taking part in Gregorian chants during vespers.
Rub the nose of the Porcellino
You simply can’t leave Florence without rubbing the nose of the Porcellino to ensure your eventual return to the city! Unfortunately, the popular statue is often extremely crowded during the day with other tourists hoping to have the same moment with the Porcellino–by visiting at night, though, ideally after the Mercato Nuovo has closed for the day, you may just get to have the statue all to yourself.
Relax at Piazza Signoria
The Piazza Signoria, home to the Palazzo Vecchio and located right next door to the Uffizi Gallery, is one of our local hosts’ favorite places to simply sit and relax in Florence at night. As evening falls in Florence, the piazza becomes alive with people looking to check out the impressive artwork in the piazza. It’s the perfect place to listen to one of the many buskers who are usually nearby or simply people-watch. The atmosphere is delightful, and makes the piazza a fantastic place to sit and enjoy a pre-or-post dinner scoop of gelato!
Grab end-of-day bargains at Florence’s tourist markets
If you’d like to pick up a souvenir from Florence’s touristy markets like Mercato San Lorenzo and Mercato Nuovo, we recommend heading there just before they close in the early evening when you can up your odds with negotiating a good discount! If you’re planning on buying an expensive, investment piece of leather like a large bag or a jacket, you’ll generally find better quality inside a boutique but the outdoor markets can be fun places to shop too especially for smaller items like belts and wallets!
Take in an exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi
Palazzo Strozzi is not only a palace and an art gallery but a beautiful example of the architecture of the Florentine Renaissance. The Palazzo was built during the 15th and 16th centuries an offers a full program of impressive exhibitions and cultural events. This magnificent setting is open till 11 pm on Thursdays and 8 pm every other night of the week so it’s the perfect place to enjoy a night out without the busy crowds.
Take a Moonlight Stroll Through the Historic Center
Florence is undeniably one of the world’s most beautiful cities but it could be argued that it’s even more beautiful after the sun dips over the horizon. The historic center is the perfect place for a moonlight stroll with its romantic streets and winding alleyways lined with breathtaking architecture that will transport you back in time. The Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo, Piazza Santa Croce, and Piazza Santo Spirito are some of our favorite sights to see at night.
Dodge the crowds and visit David at night
Michelangelo’s most celebrated statue is housed in the Gallerie dell’Accademia, and if you’d rather not fight the crowds to see him, consider visiting at night! With an opportunity like this, you can enjoy the museum at night and leave another half-day open to enjoy more of the incredible things to see in Florence.
Dance the Night Away
Florence has an abundance of chic aperitivo hangouts and historic wine bars but it also has a few options if you’re looking to party the night away. Places like the Blob Club is a cozy, quirky two-story lounge and club in Santa Croce. You can dance away to a variety of music from ‘60s to hip-hop to alternative rock, and it attracts a crowd from all over the world. If you’re looking for something more exclusive then Flo Lounge Bar is the place to go. The outdoor dance bar and garden lounge offers a classier option for a night out, with a strict dresscode to go along, but get there early and grab an aperitivo because it can be hard to get into later when it fills up.
Mercato Centrale
End off your day exploring the best things to do in Florence with a spot of shopping at a traditional Italian market. This colorful, vibrant market is home to a number of artisan shops full of high quality products and it’s the perfect place to mingle with the locals. You can also find a library, a wine shop and many cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals so it’s a great place to stop at for a quick bite to eat after a busy day of exploring.
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