My roommates and I were lucky enough to be able to call the “local” side of Florence our home for the semester. As everyone described it to us, it was a little less touristy and more peaceful which can be a nice break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Florence. Walking back to a quiet neighborhood each day after class has truly been a blessing and I want more people to experience it. Most students are placed in the busy, central part of Florence and often don’t venture out to where we live. Here are a few places you MUST visit on our side of the river:

Forno Pierguidi

This bakery is where you go to truly feel like a local. Each day, my roommates and I grab a croissant here before class. The woman who works the front greets us each day with a, “buongiorno!” paired with the biggest smile. Italians love polite and respectful American students. If you make an effort to speak Italian, they will love it and help you. This bakery has delicious pastries as well as many different kinds of bread and sandwiches. I highly recommend stopping by.

“Un panino” from Forno Pierguidi

Il Rifrullo

Il Rifrullo is right down the street from the bakery and there are always people hanging out here. If you want to blend in with the local Italians, try going there for aperitivo. Aperitivo is before dinner where Italians sit down with a friend, have a drink, and have access to a buffet of delicious, authentic food. This is a great time to unwind before dinner and relax from a day of classes and walking around!

A view of our quaint street

Piazzale Michelangelo

This is one of the hidden treasures on this side of the river. The hike up to the Piazzale Michelangelo is about 5-10 minutes which is not long, but it is steep. Definitely wear some walking shoes and head up to watch the sunset. You will get the best view of Florence from here and some amazing pictures to send to your family & friends back home. It is also a great workout if you can’t make it to the gym!

The view from the Piazzale Michelangelo

Beautiful sunset at the Piazzale Michelangelo

This gelateria is one of the best in Florence hands down! It is a must while you visit Florence since the gelato is real unlike many of the places around Florence that try to attract tourists. Here is a pro tip: the gelato that is piled high in the window is not authentic! That gelato is filled with preservatives and will not taste like the real thing. This gelateria creates their gelato fresh each day and they are constantly switching out the flavors, so you can try a new one each time you go. The woman who works there is also very sweet and will let you taste as many as you would like!

Gelato from Gelateria Cioccolateria Vivaldi

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Kristina is an SAI Florence spring 2019 student from the University of Kentucky.