Episode #326: A perfect day in Florence with a Local

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How to spend a day in Florence like a local, from spring gardens and artisan workshops to Renaissance churches and scenic viewpoints, and discover ways to experience the city beyond the crowds.

Contents

Summary

In this episode, host Katy Clarke is joined by Florence tour guide Francesca Ermini for an insider’s guide to a perfect day in the city. Moving from quiet neighbourhood streets and seasonal green spaces to craft workshops, historic churches, and sweeping city views. It highlights a more grounded, everyday rhythm to the Renaissance city away from the busiest sights.

What you'll learn in this episode

Florence’s identity is shaped by its link to the goddess Flora, with flowers like the iris and lily playing a central role in its culture, from seasonal blooms to gardens and city traditions
Francesca Ermini shares her background in tourism and cultural studies, alongside her passion for guiding visitors through her home city of Florence’s history and everyday life
The city is described as compact and highly walkable, with an unusually dense concentration of art, plus easy access to surrounding hills, countryside, and olive groves
Florence’s UNESCO status covers both the historic centre and its wider landscape, reflecting the cultural importance of the city and surrounding areas tied to figures like Galileo and Leonardo da Vinci
A full-day itinerary blends major landmarks with quieter areas like Oltrarno, artisan workshops, churches, gardens, and viewpoints, with an emphasis on pacing, timing, and avoiding crowds.

Timeline Overview

05:28 The significance of Florence’s iris gardens and spring blooming season, including how flowers are tied to the city’s identity and atmosphere
09:32 What makes Florence feel like a small town despite its global fame, from walkable streets to local neighbourhood life
15:39 How to plan the perfect day in Florence, balancing famous landmarks with quieter experiences and hidden corners
24:30 A visit to a local artisan studio and a deeper look at Florence’s long tradition of craftsmanship and creativity
38:28 Practical tips for avoiding crowds, choosing the best times to visit attractions, and why spring is one of the best seasons to experience Florence.

About our guest – Francesca Ermini

Francesca Ermini is a licensed city guide of Florence and an international tour leader with more than 20 years of experience leading travelers through Tuscany and across Italy. Fluent in Italian, English, French and Spanish, she is known for combining cultural insight, storytelling and local knowledge to create memorable travel experiences.

Based in Florence, Francesca has worked extensively as a tour leader, cruise excursion manager and coordinator for historic Italian tourist trains, including the Treno di Dante. With a background in sustainable tourism and a passion for Slow Food, she loves sharing Italy’s history, food traditions and local culture with visitors from around the world.

Follow Francesca here

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Santa Maria Novella – iconic area and church in Florence, renowned for its stunning façade
Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella – historic pharmacy creating unique and high quality scents
Ognissanti (All Saints) – Florentine church and neighborhood, site of the Vespucci family chapel and Botticelli’s tomb
Oltrarno – district “beyond the Arno” river in Florence, famous for artisan workshops, markets, and local ambiance
Santo Spirito – Renaissance church and lively square in Florence’s Oltrarno, linked to Brunelleschi and Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo – panoramic terrace above Florence offering sweeping views over the city and surrounding hills
Fiesole – picturesque town in the hills north of Florence, boasting Etruscan and Roman roots
Iris Garden (Giardino dell’Iris) – exclusive seasonal garden in Florence, open late April to mid-May, dedicated to irises
Rose Garden – tranquil hillside garden in Florence, below Piazzale Michelangelo, filled with roses and outdoor art
Piazza della Signoria – main civic square in Florence, open-air museum with statues and the city hall
Ponte Vecchio – historic medieval bridge over the Arno River, lined with jewelry shops and offering city views
Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) – legendary Florence museum, home to Michelangelo’s David
Uffizi Gallery – world-renowned Florence museum with a vast collection of Renaissance masterpieces
Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) – grand Renaissance palace in Florence, housing museums and the Boboli Gardens
Boboli Gardens – expansive historic gardens behind the Pitti Palace, known for sculptures and landscaping
Palatine Gallery – opulent art gallery within the Pitti Palace, featuring works by Raphael, Titian, and Rubens
Bargello Museum – former barracks and prison turned museum, showcasing sculptures by Donatello, Michelangelo, and more
Galileo Museum – Florence museum devoted to the history of science and astronomical instruments
Stibbert Museum – eclectic villa-museum in Florence, famed for armor collections, including samurai armor
San Frediano – vibrant neighborhood at the bottom of the Rose Garden, noted for artisan shops and local life
Commesso Fiorentino Workshops – traditional Florentine inlay studios specializing in semi-precious stone art
Alessandro Dari – unique, artisan jewelry maker with store and museum in Florence
Il Papiro – artisanal papermaking shop with locations in Florence and worldwide, offering marbling workshops

Food / Drink

Budino di Riso – Florenc's famous rice pudding tart

Words / Concepts

Lorraine dynasty – Habsburg-Lorraine ruling family of Tuscany during the mid-18th century to 1859 (end of the Grand Duchy)
A Room with a View – 1980s movie set in Florence and Tuscany, based on the EM Forster novel
sinopia – a reddish-brown preliminary sketch drawn directly onto a wall before a Renaissance fresco was painted
Gianni Raffaelli – a renowned Florentine master artist and engraver for over 40 years

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