🎨 Florence Without Barriers

In this article, I’ll guide you through the most accessible (and most beautiful) streets that connect the city’s main attractions.

Because yes, Renaissance art here is a must: every street feels like an open-air museum but sometimes, the charm of cobblestones and historical streets can be a little tricky for those exploring the city on wheels: sudden steps, narrowing sidewalks, unexpected slopes.

Luckily, there are alternative (easier, yet still beautiful) routes that let you enjoy the city without worries. Moving around, pausing in front of a church, stopping for a coffee… all with greater peace of mind. #artforeveryone

I’ve included a screenshot of the alternative guide (based on local tourist sources), highlighting in green and yellow the most accessible routes.

And if you’d like to explore on your own, below you’ll also find the link to FeelFlorence’s illustrated map: you can zoom in on your favorite spots and easily choose the best ways to reach them.

https://www.feelflorence.it/sites/default/files/2025-07/Mappa%20Firenze%20Accessible.pdf

… and a link with easier alternative roads to reach the attractions

Classical route
(For accessible bathrooms, you can find them at the entrance of the city center in Piazza Santa Maria Novella or at the InfoPoint in front of the station; in the center, in Piazza San Giovanni near the Duomo; and towards the other end of the center at the Palazzo Vecchio Museum, the Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Pitti, as well as in the San Lorenzo area (Via della Stufa)

🛤 Route 1 – From Piazza Unità d’Italia to Ponte Vecchio
Starting point: Santa Maria Novella Station.

With the platforms behind you, turn left towards Piazza della Stazione: this way you avoid crossing busy streets and can reach Piazza Unità d’Italia.

And from here… your adventure begins.

Continue straight along ‘Via de’ Panzani’ and then ‘Via de’ Cerretani’: this is the easiest way to reach the Duomo, simply following the flow of tourists. The pavement is quite flat (for Florentine standards), and there are no uphill sections. The only real obstacle? The groups stopping for photos right in the middle of the way.

Itinerary:  Piazza Unità d’Italia → Via de’ Panzani → Via de’ Cerretani→Duomo

Stop 1 – Duomo → Piazza della Repubblica
After being stunned by the Duomo, head back towards the Baptistery and take ‘Via Roma’. This quieter street leads you straight to Piazza della Repubblica, the more modern and “chic” side of Florence.

Here, the contrast with the Renaissance is evident: elegant historic cafés, international boutiques, and side streets filled with refined shops.

Itinerary: Duomo → Via Roma → Piazza della Repubblica

Stop 2 – Piazza della Repubblica → Ponte Vecchio
With the Duomo behind you, walk perpendicularly across the square—either through ‘Via Orsanmichele’ or ‘Via degli Speziali’—and you’ll find yourself in ‘Via de’ Calzaiuoli’, one of Florence’s most famous pedestrian streets. It takes you straight to Piazza della Signoria, a true open-air museum with statues, the replica of Michelangelo’s David, the Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, and the entrance to the Uffizi Gallery.
From here, follow ‘Via Vacchereccia’ and ‘Via Por Santa Maria’ until you reach the legendary Ponte Vecchio .
Tip: The Ponte Vecchio is even more magical when admired from the nearby Ponte Santa Trinita. The street connecting the two bridges, ‘Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli’, is lined with cafés with outdoor seating—perfect for a relaxing break with a view of the Ponte Vecchio.
Itinerary: Piazza della Repubblica → Via de’ Calzaiuoli → Piazza della Signoria → Via Vacchereccia → Via Por Santa Maria → Ponte Vecchio

Stop 3 – Ponte Vecchio → Boboli Gardens
After crossing the Ponte Vecchio, continue along ‘Via Guicciardini’ until you reach Piazza Pitti, square of the grand Palazzo Pitti, today a hub for exhibitions and a symbol of Italian fashion but not to forget the ancient residence of the medici family.
Beyond the square, head towards Piazza San Felice and take ‘Via Romana’. Halfway along, you’ll find the entrance to the vast Boboli Gardens—a green paradise that seems to go on forever.
Itinerary: Ponte Vecchio → Via Guicciardini → Piazza Pitti → Piazza San Felice → Via Romana → Boboli Gardens

🏛 Route 2 – Medici Chapels and San Lorenzo
Itinerary: Starting again from Piazza Unità d’Italia  this time cross the square and take ‘Via Melarancio’ → Piazza Madonna Aldobrandini (Medici Chapels) → Piazza San Lorenzo (Basilica of San Lorenzo).

🖼 Route 3 – Palazzo Medici & Accademia Gallery → Piazza Santissima Annunziata
From Piazza San Lorenzo, take ‘Via Cavour’ to reach Palazzo Medici Riccardi (my favourite museum)and Piazza San Marco.
From here:

• Via Ricasoli → Accademia Gallery (home to Michelangelo’s original David)
• Via Battisti → Piazza Santissima Annunziata (with the Basilica, Archaeological Museum, and the historic Spedale degli Innocenti)

Accademia to Santissima Annunziata

And I’ll leave you with some other useful links where you can explore the various attractions I had inspiration from .

• Beyond the river arno “oltrarno”  From Santa croce to Bargello
•  FeelFlorence

Joy

These are the YellowSquare tips for the things you could do in Florence!
Straight from our team and friends to your to-do list.

1) Every Tuesday Run

This time we give an unusual tip for the runners or for those who like to keep active when travelling. Is there a better way to see a city rather than moving your body and getting to know locals and new travellers? …. NO, RIGHT!?
Meet up at YellowSquare Florence every Thursday with our friends from Runners of Florence. Rain or shine, summer or winter, they never skip a run — and you’re welcome to join it!

Run start: 7.45 PM
After run happy hour: 8.45 PM
Duration: 45 min Running Session in collaboration with Runners Of Florence
8 KM + Music Run + 1 km Warm-up
Run at your own pace — no matter how fast or slow you go, there’ll be someone keeping pace with you.
To enjoy it fully, you should feel comfortable running at least 5K.
Don’t worry though, the run captains (look for the ones carrying the speakers!) will be there to guide and support everyone.

Meet up: YellowSquare Florence (Viale Francesco Redi, 19)
Every Tuesday – 7.30 PM
Check more about it here

2) Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
(passing by Ponte Vecchio)

Classic move, and for a reason. Watching the sun go down over the Florence skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo hits different. Start from YellowSquare, head toward the city center and pass by Ponte Vecchio — grab a gelato on the way if you want to be cliché in the best way.

How to get there from YellowSquare Florence passing by Ponte Vecchio:
Walk toward the Ponte Vecchio:
it’s a beautiful walk through Via Nazionale → Piazza della Repubblica → Via Calimala → Via Por Santa Maria → and boom, you’re on Ponte Vecchio.
Distance: ~2 km
Time: Around 25-30 mins
Cross Ponte Vecchio. Then head left onto Via dei Bardi, and walk to Piazza dei Mozzi (around 5 mins). Take Bus 12 from “Piazza dei Mozzi”
Get on Bus 12 direction “Piazzale Michelangiolo”. Ride is around 10 minutes, and it takes you right up the hill. Get off in the “Piazzale Michelangiolo” stop (where everyone gets off)

Another options to go straight way to Piazza Michelangelo:

• Walk 40 mins (if you’re in the mood)
• Take Tram T2 from “Redi” to “Unità” and then bus 12 from “Piazza San Marco” straight up. Get off at “Piazzale Michelangelo.”

3) Bookstore + Theater Giunti al Punto

Inside A Renaissance Palace: A Bookstore + Cinema Combo. Not your regular movie night. Tucked inside the Strozzi Palace, this independent bookstore doubles as a cinema with curated films, old-school interiors, and the charm only a Renaissance setting can offer.
On the 14th of December 1922, the building was finally inaugurated. After alternating periods as theatre and then cinema, in 2023 the Odeon, which had never lost its splendid Art Nouveau style, was renovated by the Benaim studio and reopened as the Giunti Odeon. Bookshop and cinema.

How to get there from YellowSquare Florence:
Tram T2 to “Unità” stop, then walk 10 minutes to Palazzo Strozzi.

Pro tip: check what’s playing before going. You might end up watching a 1960s Fellini film with a glass of Chianti in hand. Not bad.

4) Uffizi Gallery

You’ve seen the paintings in schoolbooks. Seeing them in real life? Whole different story. Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio. The Uffizi is the heavyweight champ of Renaissance art. Book in advance — it’s busy all year round. It’s totally worth paying for the tickets or going on the first Sunday of the month when its free. However a must see museum in Italy.

How to get there from YellowSquare Florence:
Tram T2 to “Unità” and walk 12 mins. Entrance is at Piazzale degli Uffizi, right next to Palazzo Vecchio.

5) Cooking Class at YellowSquare Florence

Learn how to make pasta the way nonna intended. Our cooking classes happen inside YellowSquare, so it’s the easiest thing to add to your day. Meet people, get messy with flour, and eat what you make. Bonus for glass of wine + limoncello toast + coffee. Not bad for a day in.

Where: Inside YellowSquare Florence
Ask at the reception for more information or check the blackboard in the lobby.
You can always check availability and book here your spot

BONUS TIP:
Babae Wine Window
Yes, you can drink wine straight from a tiny hole in the wall. It’s called a buchetta del vino, and it’s a Florentine tradition that came back during the pandemic. Head to Babae on Via Santo Spirito, knock, and voilà — wine appears.

How to get there:
Tram T2 to “Unità” then a 15-minute walk across the Arno to Via Santo Spirito, 21.
More on Atlas Obscura

We hope you like it! Have a good one =)

Let me take a wild guess: you’ve just stepped off the train at Santa Maria Novella, it’s your first time in Florence, and you’re strolling through the enchanting streets, your eyes drinking in the beauty all around you…But by the time you reach the hostel, you find yourself eager for some incredible vintage shopping.

-I understand this might not be everybody’s first thought, but if you clicked here, then it’s definitely yours- Well you are in for a treat!

Florence is home to some fantastic vintage and secondhand markets, but finding them can be a bit of a challenge (as with many things in Italy, finding them isn’t always straightforward, is it?)

So I’m here today and with one goal only: to make things easy for all of you, once and for all. And yes, you can thank me later!

Let’s break it down, shall we?

As most events do, secondhand and vintage markets primarily take place on weekends. With that being said, if you find yourself in Florence during the week, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!

We are going to start by listing the spots you can find from Monday to Friday, and then move on to the ones you will find on the weekends, divided by Sundays (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th…yep, it’s a thing here)

MONDAY-FRIDAY VINTAGE MARKETS:

1. Mercato delle Pulci

• Location: Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti
• Hours: Mon-Fri 7 AM – 2 PM; Sat 7 AM – 5 PM
• What to Expect: A delightful mix of antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry, bags, and unique finds. Perfect for those who love to rummage through history!

#UNRELATED: I highly suggest making a quick stop at Mercato di Sant’ambrogio for your lunch. It’s the oldest market in Florence (since 1873) and it features traditional vendors of Tuscan specialty food.
Remember: “Se non esci a stomaco pieno, non sei mai entrato!” (literally: “If you don’t get out of here feeling extremely full, you never even got it!”)

2. Mercato delle Cascine

• Location: Viale dei Lecci
• Hours: Tuesday (only) 7 AM – 2 PM
• What to Expect: The largest market in Florence, it boasts a diverse selection of produce, plants, clothing, and more. It’s an excellent spot for both shopping and soaking in the local atmosphere.
  

3. Mercato San Lorenzo

• Location: Piazza del Mercato Centrale
• Hours: Mon-Sun 9 AM – 7:30 PM
• What to Expect: A bustling market filled with leather goods, clothing, and artisan products. It’s great for finding quality items and souvenirs. It is absolutely mandatory to bargain here, trust a local!

4. Mercato del Porcellino

• Location: Piazza del Mercato Nuovo
• Hours: Daily
• What to Expect: Known for its iconic bronze pig statue, this market offers a mix of leather goods, crafts, and local food products.

WEEKENDS VINTAGE MARKETS:
The markets I am about to list all offer a unique mix of antiques, clothing, and generally cool stuff.

1st Sunday of the month: 

• Piazza Savonarola
  Hours: 9 AM -18 PM

• Piazza Mino (Fiesole)
  Hours: 9 AM -18 PM

2nd Sunday of the month: 

• Piazza Santo Spirito
  Hours: 9 AM -18 PM

3rd Sunday of the month:

• Piazza indipendenza
  Hours: (also on Saturday) 9AM – 18 PM

• Piazza Santo Spirito
  Hours: 9 AM -18 PM

4th Sunday of the month:

• Piazza Ghiberti
  Hours: 9 AM -18 PM

(Keep an eye out for occasional flea markets and vintage fairs that pop up around the city, especially in places like Piazza Ciompi or along the Arno River)

Tips for Vintage Shopping in Florence

• Bargaining: Don’t be shy about negotiating prices—many vendors expect it!
• Cash: Always have some cash on hand, as not all vendors accept cards.
• Explore: Take your time! Some of the best finds are hidden away, so allow yourself to wander and browse.

Whether you’re hunting for unique fashion pieces, vintage decor, or just enjoying the vibrant market atmosphere, Florence’s vintage scene has something for everyone. Happy shopping!

Have you ever thought about embarking on a Gelatour in Italy, or even better, in Florence?

The YellowSquare Hostel did! And there is a FREE Gelatour activity for the hostel guests to explore the city as a local while tasting the best ice creams! 

See the Duomo, the old bridge and the charming small lanes as you get to discover the ice cream shop a true Italian would go for on a hot summer day or in a cold winter (who can resist it!).
Check our map road of the gelato tour here.

So let’s point out the 5 best ice cream shops you should be aware of when visiting Florence.

1. DONAMALINA San Jacopino
Donamalina San Jacopino Cioccolateria-Gelateria is the nearest ice cream shop nearby YellowSquare Florence. Though it is still pretty much a central zone, it is a less touristic place and very known as the neighbourhood ice cream shop.


Why do we recommend it?
They use 100% natural ingredients for their gelato, so you can also taste the real pieces of the flavor you get. The staff is super friendly, by far this is my favorite one! It’s a cool spot to relax, not in the crowd. A plus is that they also produce their own chocolates and also have courses available for those who want to learn!
How to get there: DONAMALINA San Jacopino Cioccolateria-Gelateria
Check their Instagram: donamalina_sjacopino

2. My Sugar gelato artigianale
Between the Accademia Gallery it is a perfect stop before or after visiting Michelangelo’s David and only 7 minutes from the Florence Duomo, the next gelateria stop is My Sugar gelato artigianale.

Why do we recommend it?
They offer unique flavours like fiordilatte with mint and basil, and black sesame. Plus, the friendly, passionate owners add a personal touch to your gelato experience.
The price is very standard to be in the city centre.
How to get there: My Sugar gelato artigianale
Check their Instagram: mysugarfirenze

3.Gelateria Edoardo Piazza Duomo
Check out Gelateria Edoardo in Piazza Duomo for its organic, locally-sourced gelato. Located right next to the Duomo, it’s perfect for a delicious break while sightseeing.

Why do we recommend it?
They have homemade cones and unique flavors, which change with the seasons based on available products. The commitment to quality and freshness makes every scoop a delight. Also, they have a good price for been in the main square =)
How to get there: Gelateria Edoardo Piazza Duomo
Check their Instagram: edoardo_gelato_bio

4. Amorino Gelateria
Very known on social media, instagram and tiktok, for its flower-shaped cones. Each petal is crafted with precision, creating a floral design that makes it delicate and enjoyable to eat. The price is a bit higher for its quality and design, however it’s worth the experience!

Why do we recommend it?
Even popular tourist spots hold surprises, they offer a unique treat: “Gelato Macarons”! Known for keeping high-quality ingredients without overloading on sugar, it’s perfect for a memorable photo near the Duomo—a sweet taste and snapshot of Florence.
How to get there: Amorino Gelato – Firenze Cerretani
Check their Instagram: amorino_firenze

5. Gelateria Neri
Another unbeaten gelateria, loved by the locals. Situated in the San Giovanni district, it’s a short walk from landmarks like Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery. Be aware though, you might find a line during summer timer!

Why do we recommend it?
First of all, because it’s super creamy! Flavors are both classic and unique, and the service is very good, they make you feel at home. 
How to get there: Gelateria dei Neri
Check their Instagram: gelateriadeinerifirenze

Once you’ve found your favourite, you’ll know exactly where to go whenever you crave a delicious gelato!

What about experiencing the subtle scents of caramel, vanilla and grapefruit of an imperial rum after enjoying a morning walk through the charming streets of Firenze? Or discovering the complexity of a 10 years-old rum with toasted coffee reminiscences?


The rum

Rum is an alcoholic spirit distilled from sugarcane juice, molasses or sugarcane honey. It’s largely produced around the tropics where the sugarcane grow efficiently at 25ºC to 35ºC temperature, as well as it finds best conditions to age. Most famous producers are found in the Caribbean like Jamaica or Dominican Republic.


The rum tasting

So, on your way back to the hostel after enjoying a creamy cappuccino, an astonishing view from Firenze’s river and an incredible visit to Uffizi Gallery, you are invited to join a rum tasting where you rediscover a drink that was once your Saturday’s favorite – Rum and Coke.

On a chill atmosphere, the rum is served on its neat version. A thick and aromatic sip of different kinds of rums aged on a variety of barrels. A chance to experience a silky palate creamy beverage, ideal to pair with a milky dessert or to go through the thoughness of a classic golden rum ideal to accompany with your next Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

All of that before joining some of the night events. Standup comedy or a wild karaoke along guests from all over the world? YellowSquare Florence provides and you decide.