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.

IN ITALY EVERY FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH THE MUSEUMS ARE FOR FREE!

FLORENCE

#domenicalmuseo is now a fixed appointment with Free museums Florence. Every first Sunday of the month it is possible to get a free ticket to visit the most important state monuments of the city. Both you are planning a weekend in the next month and you are thinking of a year-end holiday you have to know that there is always the possibility of free admission to the museums on the first Sunday of the calendar.

Usually the state free museums Florence participating in the initiative are the following:

• Uffizi Gallery
  Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6 – Florence
• Museums of Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens
  Piazza Pitti, 1 – Florence
• Accademy’s Gallery
  Via Ricasoli, 58-60 – Florence
• Garden of the Medici Villa of Castello
  Via di Castello, 44 – Florence
• MAF National Archaeological Museum of Florence
  S.S. Annunziata, 9 – Florence
• Last Supper by Andrea del Sarto in San Salvi
  via di San Salvi, 16 – 50135 Florence (FI)
• Bargello National Museum
  Via del Proconsolo, 4 – Florence
• Park of Villa Il Ventaglio
  Via G. Aldini, 10/12 – Florence
• Medici Villa of Cerreto Guidi and Historical Museum of Hunting and the Territory
  via Ponti Medicei, 7 – 50050 Cerreto Guidi (FI)

ROME

Public museums free of charge for all visitors

The museums free of charge for everybody on the first Sunday of the month are:

• Colosseum and Forum (access subject to quota)
• Galleria Borghese (mandatory booking, 2 €)
• GNAM Galleria Nazionale Arte Moderna (Modern Art National Gallery)
• Museo nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia (Etruscan national museum)
• Museo HC Andersen, Museo M. Praz, Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi per le Arti decorative e il Costume
• Museo nazionale Romano (Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Crypta Balbi, Terme di Diocleziano)
• Galleria nazionale d’Arte Antica Palazzo Barberini (national gallery of ancient art Palazzo Barberini)
• Galleria nazionale d’Arte Antica Palazzo Corsini (national gallery of ancient palazzo Corsini)
• Galleria Spada
• Museo nazionale di Palazzo Venezia (national museum of Piazza Venezia)
• Museo nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo (National museum of Castel Sant’Angelo – access subject to quota)
• Museo nazionale d’Arte Orientale “G. Tucci” (Eastern art national museum G. Tucci)
• Museo nazionale Preistorico Etnografico “L. Pigorini”(prehistoric national museum L. Pigorini)
• Museo nazionale delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari (National Museum of people’s traditions and art)
• Museo nazionale dell’Alto Medioevo (Middle Age national museum)
• Museo nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali (Musical instrument national museum)
• Scavi di Ostia Antica (Ostia Antica digs)
• Museo Ostiense
• Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella
• Terme di Caracalla
• Villa dei Quintili
• Villa Adriana in Tivoli
• Villa d’Este in Tivoli

Also Maxxi belongs to this category. It’s the national museum of modern art (XXI century) where access is always free for the permanent collection (gallery 4) from Tuesday to Friday besides the first Sunday of the month..

MILAN

Here is a list of the museums which have adhered to the initiative up to now:

• Cenacolo Vinciano
  Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2 (booking required)
• Galleria d’arte moderna di Milano, Museo dell’ottocento, Villa Reale, Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte
  Via Palestro 16
• Gallerie d’Italia
  Piazza della Scala 6   
• Acquario e civica stazione idrobiologica – municipal aquariumViale Gadio 2
• Casa museo Boschi-di Stefano
  Via Giorgio Jan 15
• Castello Sforzesco
  Piazzale Castello
• Museo Studio Francesco Messina
  Via S. Sisto 4a
• Museo archeologico di Milano
  Corso Magenta 15
• Museo civico di storia naturale di Milano
  Corso Venezia 55
• Museo del Risorgimento and workshop of modern and contemporary history
  Via Borgonuovo 23
• Museo diocesano di Milano
  Corso di Porta Ticinese 95
• Palazzo Morando – traditions and fashion
  Via Sant’Andrea 6