Leave the famous streets to find something hidden.
We chatted with Florence blogger Daphne Palmitessa of the popular blog mydaphne to get the local, inside scoop about what this wonderful city has to offer. We also learned some valuable tips on how you can make the most of your time there, with a little bit of fashion advice thrown in for good measure.
As Florence is a very touristic town, my advice for capturing the best corners of the city is to leave the famous streets to find something hidden. It’s not easy, but there are still some places where it’s possible to speak with Florentine locals, to eat authentic Tuscany dishes, to shoot new forms of street art, etc. Go to the little streets in Sant’Ambrogio or in San Frediano: you will find little restaurants, art gallery or artisan shops.
Florence is famous throughout the world for its fashion companies such as Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada, etc. as well as the very important Pitti Immagine festival. The city is greatly influenced by the foreigners who live here, and by the many fashion academies. The coolest and trendiest styles right now are ones that are international and open to different cultures. My favorite items right now are kimonos and artisanal shoes made of wood. I love that in Florence, it’s possible to find classic styles with fancy details. Everything is also made in the top quality, Florentine fashion district, so it’s all local.
SHOP: The Florence Factory Concept Store.
This beautiful shop close to piazza Santa Croce is a place where you can buy anything from clothes, accessories, jewelry, and hats. Everything there is selected by local craftsmen and artists with contemporary designs. Available here are Damai’s bags; my favorite, 100% made-in-Florence brand.
EAT: Rivarno
This little restaurant and bar is located in front of the Arno river. You can have a delicious coffee, homemade juice, handcrafted bread, and just healthy food in general. The location is very nice, and the atmosphere is quiet and hospitable.
DO: Stibbert Museum and Park
This museum is a little bit out of the way of most touristic tours in Florence, in Via Frederico Stibbert. There you can find many strange and rare objects, swords and even armor. The museum’s park is one of the most beautiful in Florence. It’s very relaxing and free to access!
SHOP: Essére Atelier
This small tailor on Via Pandolfini has all handmade clothes. Ilaria and her team are very nice and they can help the customer choose amongst many fabrics and patterns. Every item can be personalized according to the customer’s requests.
SHOP: Lo Specchio Dei Tempi
This is a quaint vintage shop in Via Carducci. Here you’ll find a wonderful selection of vintage clothes and accessories, including old Ferragamo boots, Fendi bags, and Gucci foulards. The shop also organises sewing courses and other events.
