First Time in Florence - Exceeded All Expectations
Jan 21 (edited) · 153 views
I just spent 4 days in Florence as a solo traveler and I genuinely don't have the words. This city changed something in me.
I had a rough plan but ended up throwing most of it away after day one. The best moments were the unplanned ones — getting completely lost in the winding streets of Oltrarno, stumbling into a tiny workshop where a man was hand-gilding picture frames using techniques from the 1400s, sitting on the steps of Santo Spirito with a glass of wine watching the world go by.
A few highlights:
- Gelato near Santa Croce: I tried Vivoli (the famous one) and honestly? It was good but not the best I had. A tiny unnamed shop on a side street near Via dei Benci was better. Sometimes the best things in Florence don't have a name on TripAdvisor.
- Aperitivo culture: I had no idea this was a thing. For the price of a cocktail (€8-12) you get access to a whole buffet of food at many bars between 6-8pm. My favorite was a rooftop place near Piazza della Repubblica.
- The light: The golden hour light in Florence is like nothing else. The way it hits the Arno and the terracotta rooftops around 6pm in autumn... I took about 400 photos.
If you're considering going solo — do it. Florence is safe, walkable, and incredibly welcoming. I ate alone at restaurants every night and never felt awkward. The Florentines are genuinely warm once you make the effort to speak even a little Italian.
Grazie mille, Firenze. I'll be back.