From classic to contemporary, five unmissable spots in the city
Word of Mouth: Florence
From classic to contemporary, five unmissable spots in the city
Walking through Florence is like traversing a painting, with tints of ochre and terracotta that only enhance as the golden hour begins. Though it’s a city with medieval references still evident in the remnants of its walls and towers, it was in the Renaissance era that Florence reached the height of its cultural, artistic and architectural achievements—exemplified by the works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and other great artists and thinkers. Many examples of its past are still ingrained, including museums and landmarks, but the city now also flourishes with places that look toward the future. In this guide, we have narrowed down five sites that either reflect Florence’s heritage or hone in on a newer perspective, encompassing an international touch to the very traditional Italian city.
Stella d’Italia
Matteo Perduca and Betty Soldi count four fabulous boutique hotels in their portfolio; the duo restores historical palazzi to their finest splendor. In November, they opened the doors to their latest property, Stella d’Italia, named after the symbol of the Italian Republic. This hotel—which could perhaps best described as a cozy, 24-room guesthouse—brings different styles which together to create harmony. Here, Renaissance-styled frescoed lounges, vintage paintings and musky green and ochre colors blend with corals, pinks, purples and Soldi’s beautiful calligraphy. Stella d’Italia lives within a 16th century Palazzo along Via de’ Tornabuoni, between Prada and Balenciaga stores. Although more than fashionable, we would describe it as an outlier with its own unique guise that represents both the building’s heritage as the Palazzo del Circolo dell’Unione (a Renaissance gem designed by Tuscan architect and painter Giorgio Vasari) and the fun, curious personality of its designer, and owner, Matteo. Within these walls, up and down the grand stone staircases, you travel the world, from African fabrics to hints of late 18th century frescoes, contemporary pop to vintage finds, all seamlessly integrated with over 500 paintings along the corridors.
Museo Casa Martelli
Tucked along Via Zanetti a few minutes from the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral stands Museo Casa Martelli, a house-museum that offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Martelli family, an influential Florentine dynasty. The museum, housed in their 18th century palazzo, showcases a collection of Baroque and Rococo art, period furniture, sculptures and decorative arts across the rooms. From the ballroom to the private chapel, each space is a treasure; but two of the most enchanting rooms are the Winter Garden, adorned with floor-to-ceiling frescoes that simulate an ivy-covered pergola and, interestingly, the ground floor bathroom, which was entirely frescoed in the 19th century by Niccolò Contestabile. You can only visit with a guided tour and on select days so booking in advance is necessary.
Il Gusto di Xinge
Xin Ge Liu was raised in a power plant near Beijing—in a section built for the families of those who worked there. From these humble beginnings, she turned her childhood dreams into reality after watching the film “Under the Tuscan Sun” and deciding to move to Florence to study fashion at Polimoda in 2012. Although her mind was initially set on fashion design, she shifted into translating her creativity to the gastronomic business, opening Il Gusto di Xinge in 2019. The space is like something out of a video game, with bright terracotta interiors that contrast with cobalt blue; further, these interiors complement her dishes. Xin Ge’s dishes are conceptualized from visions, chromatic suggestions, memories, and sometimes dreams with the use of Italian ingredients. Quirky (natural) colors and fun presentations express Xin Ge’s creativity, accompanied by a curated list of cocktails.
The 22
Despite its very central location, The 22 is a holistic center that, behind closed doors, feels a universe away. Founded in 2020 by Aparna Thadani and Lucinda Pasi, this urban sanctuary combines yoga, pilates, functional training and barre classes with holistic practices inspired by the principles of Ayurveda. Thadani and Pasi, business partners and close friends, seek to foster long-lasting friendships in this intimate space, offering special events and workshops such as face yoga, reflexology, sound baths and more, welcoming both members and non-members. The classes, which vary in level from beginner to challenging, are open tp visitors and locals; whether they’re coming for the day or committing with a monthly or yearly membership. In the lounge, visitors are invited to stay for a cup of coffee pre- or post-class; members are free to use the space for co-working throughout the open hours, as well.
Saporium Lounge
When it comes to cocktail bars in Florence, we can surely name a few, but how many of these can tick off the boxes of carefully researched, foraged and balanced concoctions? Saporium Lounge is an intimate venue and neighbor to its Michelin-starred brother, Saporium Firenze. Both are part of the Tuscan wonderland Borgo Santo Pietro. The drinks list is finely crafted by bar manager Nicola Spaggiari, who brings a little show-mixing as part of the experience. Cocktails follow the seasons, with a shift in herbs and garnishes that Spaggiari picks from the country estate. He also experiments with Tuscan-sourced spirits. Aligned with this concept is a specially curated tapas menu designed to complement your mixology experience with a fun, international outlook: hot dogs, gyozas, tataki and buns revisited with a refined presentation and local, or home-grown ingredients.