Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
for places outside of the historical center. Dine where the locals
would dine. Most of the tourist restaurants, especially in the Mer-
cato di San Lorenzo neighborhood will tend to be overpriced. In-
stead, check out the Santa Croce district.
Travel Tip:
If you're looking for local pizza places, try looking
for small pizza parlors around the Duomo.
Budget Dining:
From pizza being sold by weight to numerous cafes and delis, you'll definitely be able to
still find delicious food even if you're on a budget in while visiting Florence. There's also
the Mercato Centrale and many local supermarkets where you can pick up snacks, meals,
or the fixings to make a meal if you plan on backpacking or walking through the city and
need a bit of nourishment along the way. Remember to keep in mind that the closer you are
to historic old town, where many of the tourist destinations are, the higher the price of food
is going to be.
Nightlife:
If you're looking for an exciting night out on the town while staying in Florence, there are
some great bar and club options. If you're looking for a great seasonal club that has the hip
feel of a New York City night club, then you'll have to be sure to check out Central Park
Club. It's only open during late spring and in summer but boasts a large dance floor and
an exciting DJ. If fashion is more your thing, then you need to check out the chic Cavalli
Club. It's owned by none other than famed fashion designer Roberto Cavalli and the mod-
ern interior has a black and leopard design. There's also a constant stage projector playing
Cavalli's fashion shows as well. For the house music/electronic vibe, check out Tenax. It's
a two story club on the outskirts of the city and features DJ's from around the world, in-
cluding Australia, Europe, and the US.
Where to Stay:
Staying in Florence can get expensive, but there are budget options for those who prefer
to watch what they spend during their stay. If you plan on staying anywhere in or near the
historic center, then you can expect to be paying a lot more than if you were to stay some-
where a bit further away from all of the tourist spots. So where you stay in Florence really
depends on how close to the tourist destinations you want to be and how much you want to
spend.
