Florence, like most of medieval towns, used to have a thriving Jewish community. Over the centuries, the city assimilated the community and its members spread all over the town. However, despite most of the Jews having moved away, the Jewish quartier (ghetto) stayed right where it was for a long time. The area was pretty dark and densely populated, with narrow streets and tall buildings fostering a high crime rate. Most of the ghetto was torn down when Florence became the capital of reunited Italy (1865-71) and replaced it with an elegant square (Piazza della Repubblica).
Nevertheless, part of it still exists, hidden in a courtyard. For decades it’s been left aside, neglected and almost forgotten. Recently, the municipality of Florence decided to clean up this spot and gave it in concession to a private company (Serre Torrigiani), which runs an important garden in town (Giardino Torrigiani). The company placed a lot of plants, some tables and a kiosk that sells drinks and snacks in the courtyard.
I have to admit that the outcome is very good: when I was there I had this nice sensation of "green chill" in a calm environment, feeling protected from the surrounding din, despite being only few steps away from it.
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"Piccola Farmacia Letteraria" in Florence is a small bookshop run by Elena which everyone, including me, describes as special. Go there & then for a beer!
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The garments at Pesci Che Volano are meticulously crafted by hand, embracing small-scale production and handmade textiles from natural fabrics...
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Their pizzas are nothing short of incredible, thanks to a carefully crafted dough left to rise for 36 hours. But remember to save room for dessert!
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"Cantina Pacini": a wine and oil shop (est. 1935) in Florence I like to visit. If you're lucky, you'll be visiting when they have fresh oil from the mill.
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"Babae" in Florence is a restaurant with an ancient 'buchetta del vino', a traditional wine window used to offer wine to wayfarers. It's beautiful inside!
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"Alla Sosta dei Papi" Florence it's not just a bar and not just a wine shop: it's the kind of place I visit once/week for an aperitivo & the relaxed vibe.
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"La Raccolta" was the firs natural foods shop and café that I found in Florence and still I love. The bakery is probably my favorite part of this shop...
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"Caffè Lietta" in Piazza della Libertà in Florence has delicious cakes & you can even find a bunch of flowers inside. It's just really relaxing & cozy...
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Everybody knows "Banki Ramen" in Florence. This Japanese/Italian restaurant seems really cheap, as if stuck in the '80s, but the food wins everyone over!
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"Sdrucciolo de' Pitti" in Florence is a vintage street that has kept the neighborhood's old-time attractiveness! Come discover its secrets...
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"Caffè del Verone" in Florence is literally on the balcony where they'd hang the clothes when this place was an orphanage. But what a view and atmosphere!
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"Burro & Acciughe" in Florence is a place to experience some of the best fish in the city. Their bread and butter and anchovies are just amazing...
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108 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 108 Insider Tips from our local Spotters