19 Hidden Gems In Florence Off The Beaten Track You Must Visit

Florence… Where to start? It’s one of the most important historic cities not only in Italy but in Europe too. It’s the place where it all started. The birthplace of the Renaissance or what many like to call it, “the Athens of the Middle Ages”. The city has been luring tourists for years with its hidden historical secrets, stunning cathedrals, divine architecture, and of course- food and wine. Unsurprisingly, nowadays, Europe’s Renaissance capital is under a constant tourist siege but fortunately, there are still some hidden gems in Florence for people looking to stay away from the tourist crowds.

That’s what this article is all about; places in Florence that only a few other tourists know about. Places you won’t find in most tourist guides! This article is about them- the hidden gems in Florence that’ll show you a new, crowd-free perspective of the city.

Bardini Museum

We’re starting this list of hidden gems in Florence with the Bardini Museum. Stefano Bardini was a very famous art dealer who lived in Florence in the 19^th century. Throughout the years, he gathered an impressive personal collection that features an array of art masterpieces, ranging from medieval sculptures, paintings, and even armor.

After his death, the city of Florence inherited this impressive collection and opened the Bardini Museum. You might think that such a rare and impressive collection surely must get thousands of visitors every day. But that’s not true. Only a few people know about the Bardini Museum and it is actually one of the most underrated and overlooked museums in Florence.

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Museo Degli Argenti (Silverworks museum)

The museum founders might not have chosen the most descriptive name for this museum. Perhaps that’s the reason why there aren’t a lot of tourists around (yet). The Museo degli Argenti actually houses one of the most impressive collections of Florence- the collection of the treasures of the Medici family. Located in the former summer palace of the Medicis, the museum houses impressive Renaissance cameos, ancient chalices, Medici’s jeweled crowns, and impressive sculptures, to name a few. If you’re an art lover, you just can’t miss this museum!

Buonomini Di San Martino

Tucked away in an unsuspecting street, the Buonomini di San Martino is one of Florence’s best-kept secrets. This 700-year-old church might not be the most significant and most beautiful cathedral in Florence. However, it was and still is an important medieval complex. If you’re passing by, you might even miss this cathedral if you’re not paying attention, as it’s almost assimilated into the surrounding buildings.

At first glance, it seems modest, but this cathedral actually houses an organization that has been helping the “ashamed poor” (people who were once wealthy but went bankrupt and are too ashamed to ask for help) for over seven centuries. If you’re looking for a different experience, you should definitely check out Buonomini di San Martino. You probably won’t find many tourists around.

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L’importuno Di Michelangelo

A lot of people pass by the Palazzo Vecchio but only a few notice this simple but expressive caricature. And even fewer people know that this caricature is the work of Michelangelo. It’s very strange that the famous sculptor decided to commit what appears to be an act of vandalism (back then) and little is known about the origin of this drawing.

Some people say that Michelangelo did this because of a dare. Others say that the artist drew this when he saw an execution on the square. Whatever the reason might be, this is a rare opportunity to see some of Michelangelo’s work for free. Keep this in mind when roaming around Palazzo Vecchio.

Michelangelo’s Prisoner Graffiti

Back in the 16^th century, Michelangelo was one of the main supporters of Florence’s protests for a more democratic system of governance. However, that didn’t end well and he had no choice but to hide in a secret room under the Medici Chapel in attempts to escape the Pope’s wrath. He was here for more than three months and during this time, covered the walls of the room with his (let’s call it) prisoner graffiti. No one knew about this secret room until 1976 when it was discovered by accident.

Today, the room is more often closed than it is open. Because of the sensitive nature of the drawings, they can’t handle too many visitors. However, if you’re in the area, try your luck. Perhaps you’ll be one of the few lucky tourists who get the chance to see Michelangelo’s prisoner graffiti.

See Galileo’s Middle Finger

For reasons unknown to the public, Galileo’s middle finger was removed by Anton Francesco Gori 95 years after his death. Couple of hundred years later, the middle finger found its home in Florence’s Science Museum. In 2009, a few more of Galileo’s fingers were discovered at an auction and were reunited with their middle counterpart in what’s today known as Museo Galileo.

The museum is one of the most impressive collections of scientific instruments in the world. Understandably, most people come to visit for this particular reason. That’s why most of them aren’t aware that they can actually find a few of Galileo’s fingers inside the museum.

Specola Museum

If you’re a fan of quirky museums, you’ll surely love the Specola Museum. In a city with so many museums and art galleries, it’s not unusual for many interesting museums to be completely overlooked by most visitors. Specola is one of them, despite the fact it’s the oldest scientific museum in Europe. The museum houses the largest collection of anatomy waxes of animals in the whole world. There are more than three million of them!

Cimitero Delle Porte Sante

Located at the top of one of the highest hills around Florence, the Delle Porte Sante Cemetery has one of the nicest views of Florence. Not a lot of people know about it because most people have no interest in visiting cemeteries while traveling. So, if you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a magnificent crowd-free view of Florence, you should definitely visit.

The graveyard houses the graves of many notable residents of Florence and most of the tombs are ornamented, making Delle Porte Sante one of the most notable and beautiful graveyards of Florence (as bizarre as that might sound).

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Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

Another peaceful and quiet place where you can enjoy a lovely view of the city is the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory. This old observatory was a property of Galileo Galilei and a place where he spent the last few years of his life. After his death, the villa became an astrophysical observatory. Having in mind the history of this place, it’s a real surprise how most tourists aren’t aware that this place even exists.

Buontalenti Grotto

Boboli Gardens might be one of Florence’s main tourist attractions, but most people stroll around it without noticing the Buontalenti. Located in the far northern part of the garden, the whole structure is overlaid with concretions that look like stalagmites. This grotto is easily one of the most spectacular sights in the gardens but still remains unnoticed by most tourists who visit the Boboli Gardens.

At the entrance, you’ll see sculptures of Apollo and Ceres, but this isn’t the most impressive thing about this grotto. It’s just the beginning. After you go inside, you’ll discover three rooms decorated with what appears to be stalactites, stalagmites, and frescoes with designs that are meant to resemble a natural grotto. If you visit the Boboli Gardens, this is one place you don’t want to miss!

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Oltrarno- The Other Florence

If you’re tired of rubbing elbows with tourists, head to the other side of the Arno River and you’ll discover Oltrarno. This untouristy neighborhood, or “the other Florence” has always been the most traditional part of the city. It’s a perfect place to observe the daily life of locals without coming across an army of tourists with their selfie sticks.

Oltrano is one of the quietest parts of Florence that hides a myriad of hidden gems in Florence, tucked away in the labyrinth of narrow, winding streets. This neighborhood is where the iconic artisan labs of Florence were located. It’s also a place where you can taste some of the best food in Florence. Last but not least, Oltrano hides a lot of tiny shops where potters, goldsmiths, and shoemakers still maintain their old traditions…

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Ponte Alle Grazie

This list of hidden gems in Florence couldn’t be complete without Ponte Alle Grazie, Ponte Vecchio’s less famous cousing. This bridge that was also reconstructed after World War II, elegantly extends over the Arno River, reflecting both Florence’s spirit of endurance and historical dimensions. Ponte Alle Grazie, unlike the Ponte Vecchio which is more famous, is peaceful, contemplative, and rarely flooded by tourists. 

It is a place where locals as well as the adventurous tourists take in the stunning views of the river and the city but without the crowds. This bridge requires you to stop and mediate on the multifaceted history of Florence, from its first building in the 13th century to its rebuilding, reflecting on the city’s forever renewal.

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

Located on the hills that envelop Florence, the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory is not only a scientific expedition into the stars but historical gem; once the residence of Galileo Galilei in the last years of his life. Now it remains a testimony of the meeting of science, history and fantastic panoramas. 

A visitor can dive into the universe of astrophysics while admiring the panoramic view of Florence below. This hidden treasure brings to a single place the wonder of cosmic search wits the live history of one of the brightest minds of sciences, making it an unavoidable stop for those seeking for deeper understanding of the universe and Florence – the city rich for its scientific heritage.

La Rinascente’s Hidden Terrace

Situated in the centre of Florence, on the roof of the La Rinascente department store, is a secret terrace that provides Florence’s best-kept secret. This hidden retreat is beyond compare when it comes to the Piazza della Repubblica and the symbol of Duomo. This is a nice private place to find peace and have a nice cup of coffee or an aperitivo in this usually noisy city (discovering such vantage points is a rarity for msot tourist tourists). It’s a great place for someone who just needs to enjoy the architectural beauty of Florence but in a calm, peaceful environment.

Arnolfo Tower

Next on our list of hidden gems in Florence, we have the Arnolfo Tower. Why wait in the long lines of the Duomo complex when you can admire its beauty from this underrated and often forgotten tower? The Arnolfo Tower is located on the Palazzo Vecchio and gives the most spectacular view of the Duomo. It has “only” 233 steps which might sound like a lot, but it’s still significantly less than Giotto’s Bell Tower. You’ll still come across tourists while climbing the tower but there’s a guard at the entrance that makes sure there aren’t too many people inside at once.

Vincigliata Castle

Vincigliata is a medieval castle atop a rocky hill not too far from the city center. This 11th-century castle was the stronghold of the Visdomini family for decades. Throughout the years, the ownership of the castle was changed multiple times and it was very popular among artists and writers during the Romantic era until it became a prison camp during WWII.

Today, this castle with a rich history is one of the oldest surviving ones in Florence. However, it’s not very popular among tourists probably because of its location. If you want to visit an old, unfrequented castle museum with a spectacular view of Florence and the surrounding area, definitely consider visiting Vincigliata.

Clet’s Street Art

Next on our list of hidden gems in Florence, we have Clet’s street art. Clet is the pseudonym of a French street artist who has made the Florence his adoptive home and canvas over the last couple of decades. His subtle street art can be found on the walls and utility boxes across the whole city. Usually painted in just two colors, Clet’s art depicts playful, occasionally irreverent riffs on the famous artworks like the Mona Lisa or The Birth of Venus. A pair of cartoonish eyes or a mouth may be added to these very iconic images.

Other popular Clet characters are “Mr. Invader,” a small man poking his helmeted head where he does not belong, and also elongated human figures stretched into abstract shapes. For visitors looking to get off Florence’s beaten path, Clet’s street art offers many whimsical surprises tucked into the everyday streetscapes. Half the fun is keeping one’s eyes peeled for his subtle signatures that lend a quirky charm to city wanderings. Tracking down Clet’s public artwork offers a creative scavenger hunt for the enterprising walkers that delivers the visitors away from crowded museums to uncover Florence’s contemporary pulse one wall at a time.

Piazza Santissima Annunziata

Piazza Santissima Annunziata is probably one of the least frequented squares in Florence, despite its rich history and the important role it played in the past. This square is where Bartolomeo painted one of the most impressive art masterpieces of all time- the Annunciation. Bartolomeo was struggling to complete his work on time and completely exhausted, he fell asleep.

After waking up, he noticed the painting was completed and he accredited this masterpiece to the “work of an angel”. This story gave birth to one of Florence’s greatest mysteries and most famous legends. However, although many people know about this legend, most tourists don’t know that the Annunciation is displayed in the small church on Piazza Santissima Annunziata.

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Fiesole- Where Leonardo Tried To Fly

We’ll round up this list of hidden gems in Florence with a small village near the city where Leonardo da Vinci was trying to fly. The hill town of Fiesole was once a rival city of Florence and is home to many impressive sights. However, today this place remains off the beaten track while Florence is under a constant siege of tourists.

If you ever get the chance to visit Fiesole, don’t miss the chance to climb Monte Ceceri, where you’ll discover a small plaque at the place where Leonardo tested one of his first flying machines. This was one of his biggest failures and he barely survived. However, this was one of the earliest flying attempts and today is one of Fiesole’s most important historic places.

Every year, more than 16 million tourists visit Florence to explore its history and artistic heritage. Without any doubt, Florence is one of the most touristy cities in Europe. But as you can see, there are still some hidden places you can explore away from the crowds. Are you planning to visit but don’t know where to start?

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Helpful Tips For Finding Hidden Gems In Florence

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If you want to rent a car in Florence, get up to 25% off by using this special offer by Auto Europe (for more info, you can check out our honest Auto Europe review).

For transportation bookings to and from Florence, use Busbud (for more info, check out our Busbud review) and save up to 10% on all bus and train rides in Italy.

Finally, if you want to save some money on accommodation, you can use my Booking special offer and get up to 15% off on all properties in town.

And last but not least, don’t forget about your visa; if you require one, you can get it via Ivisa– all you have to do is apply and they’ll do all the ground work for you.

Did you ever visit Florence? Maybe you think we didn’t mention some other hidden gems in Florence? Let us know in the comments!

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