Things to do in Florence for Young Adults: Our Experience
Unless you've been living under a rock (just kidding) or have come across us organically via Google, in Summer 2022, we went to Italy for 9 days and spent the final 4 evenings in Florence.
The city was one of the best we've been to, and we believe we uncovered some absolute hidden gems.
This blog gives a complete guide to things to do in Florence for young adults based on our experience. So make sure you read to the end to find the best restaurant and activities in this stunning city.
If you're reading this, you may also be interested in how we travelled to Italy and back for only £2 - this was without any fake methods or tactics. We shared exactly how to do it in our previous blog.
Piazzale Michelangelo (explained below!)
Giving away hidden gems for free is one of the reasons why we wanted to start this blog. We'll be travelling the world and experiencing unique experiences anyway, so why not share our story and work with brands along the way!
If we have missed anything from this list, feel free to get in touch and follow our TikTok to see things as they happen.
The 15 Best Things to do in Florence for Young Adults and Couples
We all know that Italy has a rich history and culture. The city of Florence has plenty to offer for people of all ages. But what are the best things to do in Florence for young adults and couples?
We hit the jackpot with some of these gems, so be sure to read to the bottom, where we will share the best Airbnb in Florence.
Many people include the leather markets in these guides, but who wants to look at thousands of stalls filled with the same stuff?
#1 Go on a vineyard tour
Did you really go to Italy if you didn't go on a vineyard tour? This is one of the best things to do in Florence, Tuscany, for young adults and couples.
You've basically got two options:
Get a group tour: This is what we did. You can essentially get a tour with 20-50 people around a vineyard (or two), which will consist of a tour, wine tasting session and then food. Because you go on a coach, it's worth vetting out the tour first - the last thing you want is getting stuck on a sweaty coach with weirdos.
Get a private tour: You can get a private tour around a vineyard for £500-800. Now, this is a lot of there's two of you, but if there's a small group (4-6 people), we would 100% recommend doing this as the experience will be much better.
We have linked the one we went on here to save your pain.
We wanted to go on a tour for many reasons; it's a great chance to learn more about wine, see some fantastic scenery and meet some people you could go out with afterwards.
We were surprised at how close the vineyards are to Florence - you essentially get a coach over the hills around Florence, and you're there.
We’d say a private tour would be better because you're able to ask more questions and learn about the type of wine you like. We wanted to learn more about wine and ask lots of questions to the tour guide, but didn't get to do this as much on our trip.
Nevertheless, our tour was amazing. You have to visit a vineyard in Florence, whether you're looking for things to do in Florence as a couple or as a young adult.
#2 Walk up Piazzale Michelangelo
When we saw this fancy name, we thought it must be some sort of museum or artwork, but it's actually a hill (above!) with the best view over Florence. You probably will have seen the below view on different postcards and guides, and it's better in real life.
We headed to this spot in the morning before it got too hot, but if you go at night, the sunset is meant to be amazing.
If you're heading to Florence, then this has to make your must-do things to do in Florence. While it's quite touristy, this is one of those spots where you can easily stand for 20 minutes just taking in the view.
#3 Eat at La Giostra - The Best Restaurant in Florence
La Giostra is the best restaurant in Florence. If you're heading to the city (particularly if you're going for a special occasion), you have to go to this place.
While the start of the experience wasn't too good (about 10 tables were waiting outside, and the owner was just sitting down seemingly disinterested - more on him later), this soon left our mind as we got taken to our table and took in the atmosphere.
As you will have seen before in our Italy guide and our what to do in Como for the day, we absolutely love an Italian restaurant, but La Giostra really was next level.
Henry had an amazing pasta dish, and Robyn had a fillet steak; we both washed down our food with a bottle of organic red wine. As we learnt in our wine tour, organic wine stops you from getting a hangover!
Basically, anyone famous has been to La Giostra - as you can see below, the place is set up for the stars, with photos all over the walls and the ceiling filled with star lights.
There's even an "in case of Ed Sheeran" box in the entrance if the UK star ever visits the restaurant (below).
This is probably the restaurant's only downfall; they seem a bit too bothered about the next "big star" that will walk through their doors, as opposed to the normal people who are just looking for amazing food and things to do in Florence for couples.
As alluded to earlier, the owner just sat chilled in the entrance, despite a huge queue - this seems to be mirrored in quite a few bad Trip Advisor reviews.
That being said, it's still (from what we experienced) the best restaurant in Florence, so don't be put off! Of course, if you believe somewhere else should take the spot, feel free to get in touch.
#4 Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (i.e. Florence Cathedral)
As you might have read in our Liverpool guide, we're not massive fans of visiting historical sites for long. We love to see things and experience history, but we're not big fans of all the crowds and queues.
In the case of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, this really was worth the wait. The detail of the building and the sheer lasting impression it made on us was incredible.
More commonly known as the Duomo di Firenze, it is the city's centre, which really helps when getting around!
As you can see below, we loved the Cathedral, and found the best bar with a view of it. The pub was called JJ Cathedral Irish Pub - while Irish bars abroad are pretty much always tacky, the view of the Duomo made up for it.
@acouplethingstodo This balcony in this irish bar in Florence had the best view in the city ✨🍺 #florence #italy #irishbar #bestview #duomo #travel #couplethingstodo #traveltok #traveltiktok #fyp #travelbucketlist #traveltips ♬ Cool Kids (Sped-Up Version) - Echosmith
In terms of going inside the Duomo, you can get a skip-the-line tour for ~£80 each. This famous dome is a must-see if you don't mind the 463 stairs. It was the tallest man-made dome in the world until 1881, and as long as you can handle the tight spots where you may have to squeeze past people, then you'll fall in love with the view at the top.
Something we didn't visit but is also meant to be amazing is the adjacent Giotto's Campanile (bell tower) where you will get another spectacular view of the city and the Duomo itself.
#5 Walk over Ponte Vecchio
Vecchio is the bridge which goes over the River Arno. You can get to it by a 5-minute walk from the Duomo, and while being very touristy, it was great to take in and had amazing views.
Ponte Vecchio, was the only bridge in Florence that wasn't destroyed by the Germans as they fled the city. It, unfortunately, had to be rebuilt in 1345 after a flood, but it still stands strong today as one of the most popular tourist spots in the city.
Ponte Vecchio in the distance
Now, the shops that sit on top of the bridge are all jewellers. If you're into your watches, there are fantastic watch shops on the bridge where you can sit and enjoy the view while trying on some stunning timepieces.
If just enjoying the view is what you want, then if you get half way along the bridge, the sides open up, and you have an unrestricted view over the River Arno.
#6 Try a Pasta Making Class
We have always wanted to do a cooking class together, and here we think we have found the best pasta-making class in Florence.
We found the activity through Airbnb and saw that it had amazing reviews - something we recommend you always take the time to do.
When we got there, we immediately felt relaxed by the welcoming staff before sitting down and drinking a cold glass of water with snacks.
Pasta & Friends Cooking Class was he class we went to. Our class only had 12 people which were all so lovely. They were from all over the world, South Africa, USA, Canda and mexico! One of the reasons we love travelling is to meet new people and this was a perfect example of that.
The teacher was so lovely, chatty and informative. We made 3 different types of pasta, tortellini, ravioli and tagliatelle. Watch our TikTok where we filmed the whole experience! Once we made the pasta we got to eat it while enjoying some red wine! Just perfect.
An incredible pasta-making masterclass, making 3 different types of pasta and learning some of the traditional techniques to make this classic Italian staple.
@acouplethingstodo A must-do acitivity for couples Italy 🍝 🇮🇹 #florence #pasta #pastaclass #italy #couples #acouplesthingtodo #traveltiktok #traveltok #fyp #travel #couplethingstodo #traveltips #travelbucketlist ♬ original sound - acouplethingstodo
One of the things that surprised us was how you make tagliatelle. After rolling out the sheet of pasta (which Henry was dreadful at 👀), we pressed it through metal lines which created the shape, before then pinging the strings like a guitar, which made the pasta drop through into the box (below).
This experience really has to be done if you're looking for a thing to do in Florence for young adults and couples.
#7 Drink Aperol Spritz
We can't lie, at times, we can be typical British tourists - most of the trip, you could find us at a local bar at midday, enjoying drinks and playing cards.
In this city, we just couldn't help ourselves. So we explored the streets looking for the nicest bars, and pitched up until we fancied moving on.
When you get a spot with a view, we think you just can't beat it.
Robyn also lost 42 points to 8 across the whole holiday… so when she reads this, hopefully, she'll remember she still owes £30…
FYI, Aperol Spritz is a Venetian wine-based cocktail created in Venice in 1920. It consists of prosecco, digestive bitters and soda water. Italians will typically drink it when going for an "aperitif", which is drinks before a meal.
#8 Explore the Ice Cream Shops
We ate ice cream every. single. Day.
Florence has some of the best ice creams we have ever had, and we made sure that after our evening meal (and sometimes even our lunch, too), we would head to an ice cream shop to wash our food down.
When looking for the perfect ice cream shop we did find that the first one we saw was never the best. We were always disappointed when we just went to the first one for some reason, so much so that we came up with a rule that we had to see 3 different shops before eating at one.
As with any tourist hot spot, you will always get some tacky places that just get rubbish ingredients with a very high markup.
While you may be laughing thinking there isn't a secret to finding the perfect ice cream shop, trust us on this one!
#9 Things to do in Florence for Young Adults: Explore the Markets
Markets can be a massive hit or miss - there are lots of street markets you can walk around in Florence, but to be honest, a lot of them sell the same stuff.
Florence has a history for leather and a big percentage of the stalls in Florence will be selling leather goods such as bags, belts and wallets. To be honest, we got extremely bored of seeing these stalls - they all sell the same stuff and they're literally on every street you walk down.
That being said, when you find a good market, you will be surprised at how good they are. One thing that Florence is known for is its designer goods - you can actually find several markets throughout the city with second hand designer goods at a massive discount.
We recommend bartering when you go to these. The listed price may not be too far away from if you bought them for new, but if you push the price down through negotiation, you can pick up a bargain.
The two markets below were ones we found which had lots of second-hand designer gear (such as Mulberry, Stone Island and Burberry) and great food nearby too:
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio - Located to the east of the city, it's probably a 15-20 minute walk from the central Duomo, and filled with food stalls and old clothes
Florence Antique Market - Located west of the city, this market is a bit of a walk from the Duomo, so it might be best to get a scooter.
There is also Mercato Centrale, but we'll be covering that in a bit more detail below.
#10 Explore The Boboli Gardens
Right next to the Pitti Palace (featured on many lists of things to do in Florence for young adults), you can find Boboli Gardens.
This very European garden is situated behind the palace and features lots of beautifully manicured green, old oak trees, sculptures, and fountains. In the heat of the day in Florence, it's an oasis.
Like with the Piazzale Michelangelo, we recommend heading to this spot when it's a bit cooler (in the morning or in the evening), as in the summer, Florence can get to over 32 degrees.
#11 Go Shopping (hidden designer outlet)
You may have seen some of the shopping malls in and around Florence on TikTok - they're famous for having the most famous designer brands, at discounted prices. The two malls/outlets you want to go to are:
Fashion brands like Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, and Roberto Cavalli at some of the lowest prices ever can be found at Mall Firenze. While you do have to drive over 40 minutes outside of Florence to get to this mall, you won't be disappointed - you can even get a bus from the city centre directly to this place.
If you prefer to stay closer to Florence, you can visit Outlet Barberino. Barberino is a shopping village made up of 100+ stores who offer discounted Italian and international branded fashion (up to 70% off).
We didn't buy anything while we were at these spots, as designer brands aren't really for us (why pay thousands for a bag when you can go on holiday), but you can still enjoy the shops and see the amazing stuff on discount.
Fun fact: The stuff is so discounted at these two places that they will cut the tags and price tags off the clothes so that some of the best prices don't get leaked!
#12 Go on a Food Tour
If you're looking for things to do in Florence for young adults and couples, and you love food as much as us, then you have to go on a food tour.
You can easily book food tours in Florence on TripAdvisor, which will take you through the back streets to uncover the best restaurants, stalls and ice cream parlours the city has to offer.
Florence and the Tuscany region, in general, is known for its steaks, particularly t-bone steaks, so if you get the chance, make sure you get one.
We got tempted into going to a restaurant called Trattoria Dall'Oste - you'll see them across the city as they have a huge meat fridge at the front of the restaurant in a walkway and it will have a sign "100th best steak restaurant in the world". However, we recommend against going to this place as despite all the good reviews, it's highly chainy, and the steak wasn't that good.
It's always best to go to the more local, hidden places - this is something you'll get plenty of when you're on a food tour.
#13 Visit Pisa for the Day
If you run out of things to do in Florence for young adults and couples, you can always escape the city and go to Pisa for the day.
Pisa is only an hour's train journey from Florence. We were extremely impressed with the train service in Italy - the trains are much wider and comfier than in the UK, but make sure you book in advance. Because the trains are bullet trains, you have to have a seat, so if it's full, you can't just pile on.
We didn't go and visit Pisa, as we found plenty of things to do in Florence, but if we had stayed for another day, we probably would have taken the trip.
#14 Watch Sport at Mercato Centrale
We know that watching sport isn't for everyone, but this market is one of the best markets in Florence and has TVs lining the walls meaning you can enjoy the sport while tasting incredible food.
As you may have seen in our Ludlow blog and Liverpool article, we usually go to a sports bar to watch a Liverpool game if there's one on (not that Robyn has a choice 👀). So while you may be thinking that watching sport abroad is a waste of time, we can promise you that you'll get an amazing atmosphere and meet some really interesting people.
One thing to do in Italy that we didn't get the chance to do was watch a live football game - we've spoken to a few people who have gone, and they've told us that the atmosphere was incredible.
In our things to do in Milan blog, we spoke about a sports bar we went to when Napoli was playing Liverpool - the atmosphere was incredible, and it gave us a good excuse to eat later than we otherwise would have.
#15 St Mark's English Church
The choir at St Mark's English Church, located in a part of an old Medici palace, sings an Anglican Mass every Sunday. The church also hosts concerts and opera sessions. If you're staying in Florence for more than a few days, why not check to see if they have anything on while you're there?
They host book signings, round-table talks and other cultural events that really bring the English-speaking community of Florence together.
We didn't visit this place while we were in Florence, as we were busy exploring things to do in Florence for couples. Still, we've spoken to many other people who said this was a fantastic spot to visit. You can experience things here you don't get in too many places.
The Best Airbnb in Florence
We were fortunate with our Airbnb and believe we found the best stay in Florence for the price. This mezzanine apartment had a stunning view of Basilica di San Lorenzo. This Renaissance church was the burial place of the Medici and had a library designed by Michelangelo.
Within this Airbnb, there was:
Two bathrooms, both with a shower and stunning finishings
A fully kitted-out kitchen
Convenient access
Easy-to-use keyless entry
Maps to find all the best things to do in Florence for young adults
As you can see below, you can't get much better when booking an Airbnb. After our bad experience in Milan, this was a fantastic way to end our time in Italy.
How To Get Around In Florence When You Don't Speak Italian
Before we start, we think it's worth mentioning how to get around this city - there's no point knowing where the best stuff is if you can't get to it.
If you are a tourist visiting Florence, you might not know the language. We couldn't speak a word of Italian; in fact, Henry got told by his teacher not to do his GCSE exam just a couple weeks before… so we had to get around without any Italian…
We didn't have a problem at all getting around the city. Not only are most things within walking distance, but we just got an electric scooter to most places if it was a bit further away.
As you can see above, we easily managed to get to the top of a local hill without any problems - ordering food just after was fine too.
One thing we didn't realise is that while there is Uber, Uber X is actually just a standard cab booking service - we never managed to book one, though; it took forever to load! So you will either have to pay for Uber Black/Exec, walk or get a scooter.
What is the Best Way to Spend Time at Night in Florence?
This question is not easy to answer because there are so many things to do in Florence at night. If you want to have a good time, then you should go out with friends and explore the city.
@acouplethingstodo One of the most magical places in Italy ✨ #italy #florence #travel #couplethingstodo #traveltok #traveltiktok #fyp #travelbucketlist #traveltips #itscorn ♬ It's Corn - Tariq & The Gregory Brothers & Recess Therapy
The best way to spend time at night in Florence is just to go out with friends and explore the city. There are so many things that you can do in Florence at night, but it all depends on what you want specifically.
Things to do in Florence for Young Couples FAQs
Is Florence good for young people?
Florence is surprisingly good for young people as one of Europe's oldest cities. From its stunning architecture to natural beauty, there is something for everyone. There are many affordable restaurants and fun bars, and it's easy to get around if you're looking to save money while travelling.
Does Florence have nightlife?
Florence has countless wine bars, pubs, clubs and cocktail bars, meaning there is an option for everyone. Whether you want a chilled evening with friends or a more wild night into the morning, you'll be safe and bump into interesting people along the way while enjoying the nightlife.
How can I have fun in Florence?
Florence is easy to have fun in, and it's easy to get around. Below are 5 things you can do to have fun in Florence.
Do a pasta-making class
Admire the amazing Duomos and statues
Visit a vineyard
Walk up Piazzale Michelangelo
Go on a street food tour
Check out the above guide of things to do in Florence for young adults to see a list of 15 activities and attractions.
Is 2 full days in Florence enough?
Spending 2 days in Florence is the perfect amount of time to explore this Tuscan city. You'll be able to see all of the major sights, including Duomo di Firenze, a vineyard and even climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo for an awe-inspiring view over the whole city.
How do you relax in Florence?
Despite having a population of 380,000, Florence is a good city to relax. You can escape to a quiet vineyard or even explore a hidden oasis in the city. Top spots include Corsini garden, Piazzale Michelangelo, Parco Delle Cascine, The Boboli Gardens or even take a dip in Goffredo Nannini di Bellariva or Costolo.
Is it safe to live in Florence Italy?
Travelling to Florence? It's a generally safe city, and there are no areas that you should avoid. As with anywhere, though, it is always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings.
Is Florence expensive?
Florence is like most Italian cities; you can spend until you drop or choose the more cost-effective options and live comfortably for around $2,000 per month.
Is Florence, Italy a party city?
We wouldn't say that Florence is a party city, but it definitely isn't a boring city either. There are plenty of bars and clubs that you can enjoy, or you can relax in a pub with a view. Check out our blog for hidden gems.
Is there Uber in Italy Florence?
Uber does operate in the city of Florence. As we covered in our Milan blog, it can be tricky to get an Uber X, so if you need a lift immediately, be prepared to pay a little more to get a lift in an Uber Black or Uber Exec. You can also hail a cab if needed on the street.
What should you not miss in Florence?
The top places and things to do in Florence that you should not miss include:
A pasta-making class
Admire the amazing Duomos and statues
Visit a vineyard
Walk up Piazzale Michelangelo
Go on a street food tour
Explore The Boboli Gardens
Eat at La Giostra
Visit Mercato Centrale
Is Florence safe to walk at night?
We had no problem in Florence, even at night outside of the city. There is a low crime rate and travellers are rarely hassled.
How many days do I need in Florence?
We stayed in Florence for 4 days, and think this is the ideal amount of time to explore Florence and some nearby vineyards. If you stay for longer and get bored, you can always visit Pisa for the day, or even travel to designer outlets outside the city on the bus or via taxi.
What is the best month to visit Florence Italy?
We believe the best time to visit Florence is after the first week of September. During this time, the streets are less busy as kids are back to school, and it isn't too hot to explore the city. This means you can see all the sights and don't have to pay sky-high accommodation costs.
Is a week in Florence too long?
Florence is packed with stunning attractions, but you don't need more than 4 days to see the best sites. If you need to, you could pack the must-do activities and sights within a day, but it might be rushed!
Do you need tickets to visit the Duomo in Florence?
The inside of the Cathedral is free to visit, for all other sights of the Cathedral (dome, baptistery) it is necessary to separate book tickets. Only limited groups can enter at a time, so we recommend booking in advance to not miss out or wait in long queues.
Conclusion & Travelling for Free
We had an incredible time in Florence. It was a great way to end our trip, and we found some incredible things to do in Florence that we're sure you'll love.
Florence was more enjoyable because we got to fly to Italy for basically free. No, really, we got 2 return tickets from Heathrow to Milan for £2. Check out this blog to see how we did it and fly for free using credit cards.
If you have any questions or want to learn about the things to do in Florence for young adults that we haven't added to this list, please get in touch.
