Budget Florence

Our Local Expert Says:

"A peaceful place to read a book or write away from the bustle of the center."

Description:

Giardino dell'Orticoltura was built by Giacomo Roster in 1879 for the Società Toscana di Orticoltura (the Tuscan Horticultural Society), this impressive steel and glass pavilion is used to display the flowers and plants that are grown each year. Marquis Pietro Torrigiani, the chief of the Georgofili Academia, founded the Tuscan society of Horticultural in 1859. Since then, the Florentines come to admire the flowers and plants grown during the month of April where there are exhibitions. The grounds surrounding the pavilion are very serene with a playground for the children on a fall day.

Description:

Mercato Centrale built in 1874 and is one of the largest indoor markets in Italy. Located in the zone of San Lorenzo, tourist center of Florence, people seem to just pass through the San Lorenzo market instead of stepping inside the Mercato Centrale. With 2 floors of fresh meat, cheese and restaurants of the delicious kind, you must stop by and see what catches your eye. Mercato Centrale is open from 7am-2pm everyday except Sunday. A busy market inside in the morning after 2pm the San Lorenzo market outside takes over and is thriving with tourists and local vendors.

Description:

Just off the busiest tourist thoroughfare lies one of the last of a dying breed: a fiaschitteria (derived from the word for a flask of wine). It's the proverbial hole in the wall, a doorway about 1.5m (5 ft.) deep with rows of wine bottles against the back wall and Armando and Michele Perrino busy behind the counter, fixing sandwiches and pouring glasses of vino. You stand, munching and sipping, on the cobblestones of the narrow street surrounded by Florentines on their lunch break and a few bemused tourists. The cinghiale piccante con caprino (spicy raw wild boar sausage with creamy goat cheese) is excellent. Otherwise, choose your poison from among 30 stuffing combinations -- the menu posted on the doorjamb has English translations -- and accompany it with either a basic rosso (red) wine or point to any bottle to try un bicchiere (a glass).

Our Local Expert Says:

"A peaceful place for a picnic, a jog or a stroll through the market."

Description:

Cascine park is a favorite with joggers, horse riders and families with young children, especially on Sundays and Tuesday mornings, when it's market day. On the park's east side is an open-air swimming pool (open during the summer months) attached are a bar and restaurant used on the warm summer evenings. The west of the park holds an amphitheater, a popular summertime venue for dance performances and concerts. At the end of the 18th century important buildings such as the Palazzina Reale, currently home to the Faculty of Agriculture of the Università degli Studi di Firenze (Florence University) were added. The park finally became public at the start of the 19th century. The Cascine Park opens daily from 8 am to 6 pm (autumn and winter) and from 7 am to 9 pm (spring and summer).

Description:

The Loggia dei Lanzi or Loggia della Signoria is a wide-open gallery of great works of art and sculpture. It brings together the piazza with the Uffizi Gallery flowing down into the Arno River. As the Florentines adored this masterpiece, Michelangelo suggested having loggia encompass the whole Piazza della Signoria. The artist or designer of the Loggia dei Lanzi was Orcagna. He built it between 1376 and 1382 when Benci di Cione and Simone Talenti took over. The name Loggia dei Lanzi came from the years the Grand Duke Cosimo I was in power, it was used to keep his Lanzichenecchi(Italian) or Landsknechts(German). Shortening it to Lanzi, these were German mercenary pikemen. As the Uffizi was nearly complete, the Loggia's roof was constructed as a terrace for the Medici so they could watch ceremonies in the piazza away from the peasants. The Loggia's roof was designed by Bernardo Buontalenti. Today, the sculptures of divine beauty that are located inside are Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus, Giambologna's Rape of the Sabine Woman and the Rape of Polyxena by Pio Fedi. Loggia dei Lanzi is gorgeous at night. Take a stroll after dinner... read more

Description:

It is a room full of warmth and the scents of a seasonal menu. Coquinarius has a small menu of different types of bruschette for antipasti, tasty meats and fish. Salads are a forte here; creative choices include toppings such as sun-dried tomatoes, eggplant, sunflower seeds, zucchini flowers or pear. This elegant and striking enoteca has a wide range of wines from Italy, California, Argentina, Austria and Chile. The camerieri(waitstaff) are very kind and full of life. It is a great place to sit for the afternoon, bring a book, enjoy the chiacchiere(chatter) of the other patrons, or get lost in the glass of wine. Wines are served by the glass or bottle in this relaxed, inexpensive experience of true Italian style.

Our Local Expert Says:

"Neptune Fountain was not well-liked by most Florentines when it was first displayed."

Description:

At the end of Via dei Calzaiuoli, Piazza della Signoria welcomes you into it's arms. This 13th century piazza houses the Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, and the replica of the David by Michelangelo. Daily tourist groups travel to and fro, capturing photos of every inch of Piazza della Signoria. As a common meeting place for locals, there is much history jammed into this L-shaped meeting point. The Fountain of Neptune sits right in front of the very spot Girolamo Savonrola was burned at the stake for burning some of Florence's best art and literature. Thus after the Palazzo Vecchio was constructed it grew as the political center for Florence. Piazza della Signoria is lined with cafes, restaurants and gelaterias. Enjoy a late afternoon beer or a evening walk through this mesmerizing Piazza della Signoria.

Description:

This little enoteca off the beaten path is just the place for people looking to get away from those crowded Piazze(squares). It is located in a tiny piazza called Piazza dei Rossi. It has a homey feeling and welcoming atmosphere. The staff is very helpful and kind. If you don't know what you type of wine to try, they will suggest something perfect for you. And to munch on from a long morning of walking, there is an array of cheese plates, salumi, and caprese. In addition, there are typical panini and schiachiatte made with fresh ingredients with superb flavor to add to the experience. They provide a hearty list of wines from small producers throughout Italy. You will find wines in this shop that you won't find anywhere else in Florence.

Our Local Expert Says:

"You can see the hill town Fiesole and end of the Appennine Mountains from the Piazzale."

Description:

The vista which one can see the whole valley of Florence and of the surrounding hills is a must see. The climb up is rewarding, the view is breathtaking. There are buses available to take you to Piazzale Michelangelo. Tourists, tourist groups and tour buses all congregate at this panoramic view. Vendors set up early in the morning with cool beverages for the parched tourists and souvenirs for the eager shoppers. A sunset visit is for the romantics, bringing a wine bottle and gazing at the Florentine sky as it ends another day. There is never a bad time to visit Piazzale Michelangelo, there is always something to see from this height

Our Local Expert Says:

"You can buy fruit at a low, low price."

Description:

Located in Piazza Ghiberti, Mercato Sant' Ambrogio is a hidden gem of Florence. The mornings bring the fresh fruit and vegetables stands surrounding the market and paired with the scent of fresh flowers that awaken the senses. Mercato Sant' Ambrogio is opened for business from 7am to 2pm every day except Sunday. Walking into the market, which was built in 1860's, you will find market explode with sounds of dishes clattering from one of the many restaurants, the chit chat of Italian banter and of course the smells. Meat, cheese, wine, fresh herbs, you name it you can smell it. Although Mercato Sant' Ambrogio isn't as big and glorified as the Mercato Centrale, it is all about your preference. Having a small compact market like Mercato Sant' Ambrogio can bring you closer to the Italian lifestyle.

Description:

il Bovaro opened on January 3rd, 2000. It is the first of its kind, having a microbrewery right inside the restaurant. Located right outside Porta San Frediano(one of the doors to the old city), the people that frequent this birreria are off all ages. From the carpaccio to the bruchette, you will always leave this place satisfied. As for the beer, they make a special brew. The Riki is the birra chiara, then there is Axel, birra chiara doppio malto(double malt) and finally the big one, the Titan, birra rossa. Ask the waitstaff which they recommend and enjoy an evening outside the city walls.

Description:

The white cafe has a comfortable feeling as you enter. Located right over Ponte della Carraria, you would not normally see this hidden cucina(kitchen). With white tables and walls, the atmosphere is calm and relaxed. The entrance has tables chairs outside for smokers and there is also a back room for private functions or parties. The rooms are filled with books from child size to all the cooking books you can imagine. They serve every meal, Brunch is a common thing nowadays and they offer it for only 10euro. The aperitivi are originally done. For only 6euro for your drink, there is a buffet of chicken with rice, veggies, and potato like casseroles. They have on display Art from locals and special chocolate in the pastry window. Brunch in Florence, now that is a great idea.

Description:

This is a wonderful way of discovering the traditional district of San Niccolo. The restaurant serves classic local dishes and flavours. You should try unusual dishes such as budelline in umido intestines), tongue, cimalino in salsa verde or cavolo verzo rifatto (savoy cabbage). Dishes such as pappa al pomodoro (bread soup with tomato) or spezzatino ai porcini (mushroom stew) are also excellent. Good Tuscan wine is available. This fascinating ancient osteria is located in a crypt which dates back to the 11th century, and is at the back of the Chiesa di San Niccolo. You only have to go up the stairs on the inside of the establishment to visit the church.