Florence is undoubtedly known for its world-class art and architecture, it also boasts a rich and quirky culture that can be explored in a variety of unique ways. From visiting a secret pharmacy that dates back centuries to climbing the hill where Leonardo da Vinci once attempted to fly (unsuccessfully), there are plenty of unusual things to do in Florence. So, in this article we get away from the most famous sight in Florence and uncover a more quirky side of the city.
Helpful Resources For Visiting Florence
Take advantage of the special discount offer by Qatar Airways to get the most economical flights to Florence. This deal has been personally tested and recommended.
It is essential to have travel insurance when traveling to Italy, and if you don’t have any, SafetyWing offers affordable plans that cover not only medical expenses but also other miscellaneous travel expenses.
You can rent a car in Florence with a special offer by Auto Europe, which can give you up to 25% off. Check out my Auto Europe review for more info.
For bus and train rides in Italy, use Busbud (for more info, check out our review), which offers up to a 10% discount on transportation bookings to and from Florence.
If you want to save money on accommodation, use our Booking special offer, which can save you up to 15% on all properties in town.
Don’t forget to obtain a visa if required. You can apply for one through Ivisa, and they will take care of all the necessary arrangements for you. For more information, you can also check out our iVisa review.
For discovering more hidden gems across the country, check out our guide to hidden gems in Italy and our list of things you can find only in Italy.
To help you budget your trip to Italy, we also prepared a guide to visiting Italy on a budget and if you’re looking for a place to stay in Florence, you may find this Hotel Lungarno review helpful.
Now that we covered some basics, let’s see which are some of the most unusual things to do in Florence.
Try Quirky Florentine Street Food
We start off this list of unusual things to do in Florence with its unique street food scene that can give you an adventurous food experience. I’m not talking about regular pizza joints but things like Lampredotto: a sandwich made from the fourth stomach of a cow, slow-cooked in a savory broth (I know it sounds gross but its delish), Trippa which is another offal delicacy stewed in tomato sauce, os Schiacciata all’olio- a fluffy savoury flatbread drizzled with olive oil and coarse salt.
Explore The Street Art
Florence is known for its rich history and beautiful art, but the city also has a vibrant street art scene A few unconventional works of street art that always fall on my mind include Clet Abraham’s street signs: the quirky additions to the city’s traffic signs that everyone knows and loves, the Exit/Enter by Blug- underwater themed murals that can be spotted at a few different locations, and the Stencil Gallery- Florence’s largest collection of stencil art pieces.
Shop At The Sant’Ambrogio Market
If you’re looking for an authentic shopping experience in Florence, Sant’Ambrogio Market is a must-visit destination. Here, you can find fresh local produce, artisanal goods, handmade crafts, and of course, the highlights- cured meats and local cheeses. You can also find unique Tuscan products like olive oil, truffles, and wine, as well as traditional Florentine treats like cantucci and panforte.
If you like to explore this unique market, I warmly recommend this awesome walking tour of the area.
Hear The Song Of The Monks Of San Miniato
If you’re looking for a different experience in Florence, make your way to the basilica of San Miniato al Monte and listen to the Gregorian chants of the monks who reside there. The harmonious melodies of the monks’ chants have been echoing through the ancient basilica for centuries. The music is beautiful but so is the basilica’s architecture- it’s one of the most underrated pieces of Romanesque architecture in Florence, and since it’s on top of a hill, the views are amazing too.
See Centuries-Old Eerily Realistic Anatomical Wax Models
If you want to do some of the most unusual things to do in Florence, visiting La Specola museum and seeing its collection of eerily realistic anatomical wax models should definitely be at the top of your list (but only if your stomach is strong enough to bear it). The museum’s collection dates back to the 18th century and features a wide range of models, including human organs, body parts, and even entire dissected bodies.
Walk The Medici Secret Hallways
This list of unusual things to do in Florence couldn’t be complete without the Medicci family secret passage. This hidden gem was built in the 16th century as a private (more like secret) walkway for the Medici family, allowing them to travel between their residence at Palazzo Pitti and the government palace in Piazza della Signoria without being seen by the anyone. Today, the corridor is open to visitors with appointment and you can visit this once great passage decorated with pretty paintings and views of the river.
Check Out The Craft Shops Of Oltrarno
If you’re looking for a unique shopping experience in Florence, head across the Arno River to the Oltrarno district where you can find many authentic crafts shops. This historic neighborhood is home to a thriving community of artisans/craftspeople. You can even watch them as they work in their workshops which is a great experience on its own. Plus, if you buy something, you’re supporting local artisans and a historically important artisan neighborhood.
See One Of The Largest Armor Collections In Europe
For an armor-azing experience in Florence, visit the Stibbert Museum which is home to one of the largest armor collections in Europe. The museum’s founder, Frederick Stibbert, was a passionate collector of arms and armor (as it can be seen from the collection), and managed to collect an incredibly impressive collection that features armors from different centuries and different continents. From suits of armor worn by medieval knights to ornate samurai helmets and intricate Mughal shields, this collection is one you mustn’t miss.
Climb The Hill Where Leonardo Was Trying To Fly
Speaking of unusual things to do in Florence, we just have to mention the Monte Ceceri Hill. Located in the Oltrarno district, Monte Ceceri was the site of da Vinci’s experiments with flight in the late 15th century (note: all of them were unsuccessful but he did do a lot of other cool things very well). While his flying machine may not have been a success, the hill offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding countryside, making it a great spot for a hike.
Buy Medicines From The World’s Oldest Pharmacy
Did you know that Florence is home to the world’s oldest pharmacy? The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (I know it’s a tongue twister) was founded by Dominican friars in the 13th century and has been running without interruptions for over 800 years. The building itself is a work of art, with ornate frescoes, marble floors, and intricate stucco decorations and you can even take a tour of the pharmacy’s historic rooms and gardens.
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.
Discover The First Orphanage In Europe
The Hospital of the Innocents, located in the heart of Florence was founded in the early 15th century, and officially it was the first orphanage in Europe. The building itself is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture (like most buildings in Florence) but what makes it truly unusual is its unique method of abandoning babies. The hospital had a “foundling wheel,” a revolving door where unwanted babies could just be dropped anonymously without talking to anyone. The door would spin, and the baby would be taken in.
If you’re like to learn more about the quirky, and somewhat sad history of the hospital, I warmly recommend this great tour of the complex.
Go On An Eating Spree In The Small Bakeries Of Florence
Florence is a city that takes its food very, very seriously, and one of the best ways to indulge in its cuisine is through its small bakeries. They usually have many different things, ranging from sweet and savory treats to salty, and from freshly baked bread to delicious pastries. So why not go on an eating spree and take the best of what Florence has to offer?
Relax In Europe’s Oldest Spa Town
Located a short drive away from Florence, Montecatini Terme is one of the oldest spa towns in Tuscany and for that matter, in Europe too. It has been attracting visitors for its healing waters since the 16th century (early on, it was mostly elites). The spa is connected to a spring of thermal waters that are said to have a range of therapeutic benefits. And since we are in Tuscany, of course that the building will have a stunning (in this case Art Nouveau) architecture with intricate mosaics, frescoes, and marble statues.
Have A Unique Shopping Experience At The Antique Flea Market
The Florence Antique Flea Market is held monthly in the Piazza dei Ciompi, and here, you can find practically anything, from antique and vintage finds to furniture and home decor. It’s a great place to find one-of-a-kind (and relatively cheap) souvenirs or to add a touch of vintage charm to your home or to make awesome gifts for loved ones, your choice.
Try To Spot The Famous Wine Windows Of Florence
Florence is a city full of hidden gems and quirky features, and one of the most charming and unusual of these is the famous wine windows. It’s simple, as the name suggests, they’re windows usually wooden and decorated with wine bottles. The significance is that once wine merchants used this approach to sell their wines without direct contact with customers, mainly in the times of plague. There are still a handful of these around Florence, can you spot them? Let us know in the comments below.
See Michelangelo’s Revolutionary Laurentian Library
If you’re a lover of art and architecture, then the Laurentian Library in Florence is one of the best unusual things to do in Florence. Designed by the Renaissance master Michelangelo, every inch of this library is just spectacular. For starters, it’s decorated with gorgeous statues and frescoes, it has a grand staircase that leads to the intricately carved vertical bookcases, and the atmosphere inside feels just right.
The best way to experience this architectural gem is through a knowledgeable guide and no one does it better than these guys (personally recommend).
Try To Find L’importuno Di Michelangelo
One of the most unusual and striking works of art in Florence is “L’importuno” (The Intruder), a statue by Michelangelo that depicts a naked man straining to escape from a block of marble. This unfinished masterpiece has been the subject of much speculation and interpretation over the years, with some art historians suggesting that the figure represents the struggle of the artist to free his ideas from the constraints of the material world.
See The Maps Of Medici Hall Of Maps
If you’re a lover of maps and history, then a visit to the Medici Hall of Maps in Florence is an absolute must. This stunning collection of maps, commissioned by the powerful Medici family in the 16th century, is not only an invaluable resource for scholars and historians, but also a feast for the eyes.
The maps are exquisitely detailed and beautifully rendered, depicting not only the geography of the world but also the customs, cultures, and beliefs of the people who inhabited it. And with its opulent decor and lavish furnishings, the Medici Hall of Maps is a testament to the power and influence of one of history’s most remarkable dynasties.
Rub Il Porcellino
If you’re looking for a bit of luck in Florence, then a visit to Il Porcellino is a must. This bronze statue of a wild boar has been a fixture in the city since the 17th century, and legend has it that rubbing its snout will bring good luck and a guaranteed return to Florence. But be warned: the competition to rub the boar’s nose can be fierce, so you may need to queue up and wait your turn. And who knows, maybe the luck will be on your side and you’ll return home with more than just a souvenir from your trip to Florence!
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our list of hidden gems in Northern Italy.
See Wax Medical Deformities At The Florence Museum of Pathological Anatomy
The Florence Museum of Pathological Anatomy is for people with a curious mind but not for the faint hearted. This unusual museum is home to one of Florence’s quirkiest collections; one of wax medical models that depict different forms of deformities, diseases, and abnormalities. Yes, they’re wax but the details are eerily realistic.
See The Mummified Relic of St. Antoninus
If you’re looking for macabre unusual things to do in Florence, look no further than the mummified relic of St. Antoninus. This ancient religious artifact is said to contain the remains of the 15th-century archbishop of Florence. You can find the relic in a small chapel in the Basilica of San Marco, where visitors can see the remarkably well-preserved body on display.
See The Beautiful Funerary Art Of Cimitero delle Porte Sante
The Cimitero delle Porte Sante is a quirky cemetery with some of the most gorgeous funerary art (I didn’t even know that was a thing until visiting). Located on a hillside just outside of Florence’s historic center, the cemetery is a great place to visit for art lovers but it also offers breathtaking views of the city and surrounding hills.
Find A Cabinet Of Curiosities In The Heart Of Florence
If you’re a lover of all things strange and wonderful, the Massimo Listri Foundation is an absolute must-visit. This museum/cabinet of curiosities is located in the heart of Florence but it remains out of most tourists radars. It houses an incredible collection of oddities and wonders from around the world, including exotic taxidermy specimens, quirky photos, and a bunch of other interesting things.
Pay Your Respects At Platform 16 Holocaust Deportation Memorials
At last, we round up this list of unusual things to do in Florence with Platform 16 at the Santa Maria Novella station in Florence which is a bitter reminder of the city’s darkest hour. It was from this platform that thousands of Jewish residents of Florence were deported to concentration camps during World War II. Today, the platform is a memorial with plaques and sculptures commemorating those who lost their lives.
How did you like this list of unusual things to do in Florence? Did you ever visit any of these places? Would you like to visit some of them? Are there any other non-touristy things to do in Florence you believe we should have mentioned in this article? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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