Top 5 Florence spots away from tourist areas

Planning a holiday in Tuscany and want to visit Florence off the beaten tracks? Here is a selection of 5 wonderful sights away from the tourist areas.

1. Bobolino Garden

Bobolino is located just past Porta Romana, way up the wide avenue Viale Niccolo’ Machiavelli. As historical as his stories were, so is this fantastic road leading you to a setting where it is serene. There are little parks with peaceful benches and fountains along the way to the top of the hill.

From Bobolino there is curvy path that takes you through Piazzale Galileo and onwards toward the famous Basilica San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale Michelangelo, which besides having gorgeous views, many buses congregate at this point.

Nearest accommodation to Boboli Garden, Florence : Hotel Villa Carlotta

2. Porta Romana

This is an area that encompasses the traditional Tuscan lifestyle. In this square there is a pharmacy, ice cream shops, Il forno (bakery), and a man who sells flowers right out of his truck. It is a grand place to see one of the entrances of Florence. This gate to the town is part of the original walled in city, dating back to the 14th Century. Porta Romana is the largest and best-kept gate of the city. It has maintained the original iron doors and the Medici Family coat of arms on a marble plaque. It is located at the end of Viale del Poggio Imperiale and Viale Galilei and introduces you to Via Romana that takes you towards the historical center.

In the center of the roundabout, stands a statue created by an contemporary artist, Michelangelo Pistoletto. It is cast in marble and entitled “Dietrofronte” which literally means, Back Front. The statue represents a woman whose imaginary movement southwards to leave the city is hindered by a heavy bundle on her head which points in the opposite direction towards Florence’s city center. So I guess it means that even if you try to escape you can’t possibly leave this city full of wonderment and renaissance beauty.

Nearest accommodation to Porta Romana, Florence : Bed & Breakfast Residenza Cantagalli

3. Borgo San Frediano

San Frediano is known as the most popular part of ‘Old Florence’. There are many old style shops such as woodworking, artisans, which are still in their original structure and character. For example, the butcher shops have marble covered walls and brass accessories that were typical Florentine decoration in the Middle Ages.

If you pass the famous Piazza del Carmine, which contains Florentine jewels such as the Brancacci Chapel, you will end up in a piazza where calcio (soccer) is regularly played. Piazza Tasso, in the past five years, has turned its concrete soccer field into a turf field but a bit harder. The piazza is very quiet and quaint.

If you follow the ancient walls all the way around you can end up at another gate of the city, Porta San Frediano. It is another historical part of Florence that most people don’t see. This area is so peaceful and true Florentine. There are many fabulous restaurants in this area that are still untapped. Venture to this area when you want to experience authentic Italian cuisine.

Accommodation in Borgo San Frediano, Florence: Bead & Breakfast San Frediano Mansion

4. San Niccolo’

San Niccolo’ has many facets that not many people know about. There are unknown restaurants that are very rarely mentioned in such guidebooks, such as Osteria San Niccolo’. It is a small locale, and worth a stop for a lunch or dinner. I really like this restaurant because it has a small menu with selections of the season. This is another jewel of the Oltrarno that is hidden amongst the Florentines.

There is also the Church of San Niccolo’, one of oldest churches in Florence. Being close to the Arno, it has gone through two devastating floods, one in 1557, and the infamous 1966 flood. It was severely damaged in both but is still standing.

A nice walk that I once traveled, one lazy early evening as the sun started to set, began in Piazza de’ Mozzi and I took a right onto Via de’ Bardi. You will then meet a fork in the road heading up two different hills. Take the immediate left on Costa Scarpuccia, follow this around and you will run into a Church, with a simple looking facade. Then take a left past the church and head up on Costa di San Giorgio. To your right as you reach Porta San Giorgio, will be the entrance to Forte Belvedere. If you walk through Porta San Giorgio, take the long road called Via di Belvedere you will capture gorgeous views of the other side of Florence. I suggest going at sunset. The reflections of light on the buildings are spectacular.

Accommodation in San Niccolo’, Florence : Hotel Silla

5. Le Cascine Park

Le Cascine Park became part of the Medici family in the 16th century. It was purchased by Alessandro de’ Medici, first Duke of Florence. After Alessandro died in 1537, Cosimo I de’ Medici, expanded the area. He changed the estates into a beautiful park. There were other boulevards constructed with flowing flowerbeds as well as a forest of different types of trees. When the last descendant of the Medici line passed away, the park was passed to the new Grand Dukes of Tuscany who granted it to the city for the enjoyment of it’s citizens.

Today, there is a great Market every Tuesday from 8 am to 2 pm. It is the largest open market in Florence. The market provides everything imaginable from flowers, fruits, and vegetables to general groceries like housewares, clothing, accessories, shoes, and antiquities. There are also discos/clubs that are based in and around this park. Stay away from this park at night; it is known for illegal prostitution.

From the center you can take the #17C bus to the end of the line. The main entrance of the park begins in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. This is the biggest park in Florence along the Arno River.

Nearest hotel to Le Cascine Park, Florence : Starhotels Michelangelo

Topic:  Top five Monday | 6 Comments
Tags:  Florence, Tuscany

Share this article:

About the author

Katie has a true obsession with Italy and she has lived in Florence on and off for the past 5 years. She has been a tourist, vacationer, student, and an au pair. All of these experiences have made her into the person she is today. This is a place she documents her life with her own thoughts and audacious lifestyle: http://www.katerinafiore.com