Silvia Marchetti

When I moved to Florence five years ago, I was on a mission to try as many trattorias, market stalls, cafes and restaurants as I could. Among lots of good meals, a few great qualities stand out: Small menus, a simple and genuine concept, outstanding seasonal ingredients and a sense of generosity. Read on to discover some of my favourite spots.  How to avoid tourist traps in Florence For such a compact city, there’s a lot on offer in Florence. The problem is in telling which pappardelle with wild boar ragu or salami-stuffed schiacciata sandwich will really make your heart sing, and which is just TikTok fodder? It’s a guessing game, but there are a few clues you can follow. Pasta served from a giant wheel of parmesan? Not a thing. A certain sandwich shop with a queue along the street? Not worth the hype. Touts on the street yelling out with the promise of prosecco on the house? You guessed it. Meander away from the main piazzas to seek out those charming family-run hidden gems, or get a head start by heading straight to the places below.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Discover our ultimate guide to eating in Florence Phoebe Hunt is a writer based in Florence. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Wherever you choose to stay in Florence, we can promise it’ll be magical. But each area of this marvellous city offers something a little different, from the tavern-packed streets of San Frediano to the aperitivo kingdom of Sant’Ambrogio.  After all, Florence’s attractions are where it’s at, but staying too near to them isn’t always the best idea – especially if you want to avoid tourist crowds and sky-high rates on hotels and Airbnbs. Instead, we’ve compiled the ultimate neighbourhood guide for your stay in Florence, so you can browse local Airbnbs, hotels and more.  RECOMMENDED:⛲️ The best things to do in Florence🍝 The best restaurants in Florence🏡 The best Airbnbs in Florence🖼 The best museums in Florence🏨 The best hotels in Florence Silvia Marchetti is a writer based in Rome, Italy. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

New for 2025: Milan is keeping busy, with a new museum, Palazzo Citterio; an eclectic new cultural space, the NAMA; shiny urban spa complex Terme Milano set to open in April opposite the San Siro Stadium, and the unveiling of a restored Roman archaeological park in June.  After two years living in Milan, I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else. Milan might not be as visually stunning as other Italian cities, but it has a quiet, elegant allure. You’ll see it in the hidden courtyards of its early 20th century buildings; the stylish shops that dot the city; the sophisticated architecture of its prettiest neighbourhoods; the slow pace of its old-fashioned streetcars. Italy’s most European city, Milan is a little secretive, very cool, and a joy to discover. Trust me on that one. Here are its best things to do.  How expensive is Milan?  The short answer? Pretty expensive. Over the last few years prices have increased everywhere in the city (and not just food, the real estate market has skyrocketed too), almost reaching London or Paris levels – but not quite. In short, a glass of wine might set you back €10, and a meal for two in a good restaurant can easily cost €40-50 per person with drinks. Entrances to museums aren’t cheap either: expect to spend around €20 for most tickets. Luckily, there are still plenty of places charging €5-7 for a wine or a Spritz, and you’ll always have the humble espresso, which remains cheap across Milan.  RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Milan?

What is it and why is it famous? Piazza San Marco is the social hub of Venice, and its most famous iconic landmark. The view stretches out across the Venice Lagoon, dotted with bouncing gondolas and surrounded by palazzos, museums and cafés. We Venetians meet here for aperitivo and coffee; tourists meet here for selfies.  Is it worth visiting? Missing Piazza San Marco is like going to Rome and not seeing the Colosseum. It’s impossible, as nearly all the Ca’ and calle (the traditional alleys) lead here. And if you happen to visit in February, you’ll find the masked Carnival revellers from around the world gather in their bright costumes.  What is there to do on San Marco Square? Other than sitting at an outdoor café sipping an espresso and admiring the busy Canal Grande, the Byzantine St. Mark’s Basilica is a must-see. There’s also Venice’s archaeological museum and the Museo Correr with historical antiquities, plus Doges’ Palace in the far corner. Where should I eat nearby?  Osteria Enoteca San Marco, a few steps from the piazza, serves traditional dishes and is also a wine bar. For a quick brunch there’s the lavish Caffé Florian, one of the oldest coffee houses in Italy. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Venice

What is it and why is it famous? Doge’s Palace where the rulers (Dogi) of Venice once lived and was the seat of power of the ‘floating republic’, as Venice was dubbed. It has undergone various renovations in time, initially built as a fortified castle, it was later turned into the Dogi residence, and also into a Venetian prison.  Is it worth visiting? The architecture and artwork inside make Doge’s Palace a must-place to visit. The palace combines three different styles: Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance, and its rooms are full of works from great masters like Bellini, Titian and Tintoretto. Plus the prisons are seriously spooky; don’t miss the secret arched passageway called ‘the Bridge of Sighs’ where sentenced prisoners used to walk, that crosses over a canal.  How long will I spend there?  To fully soak up the vibe of the Palazzo, including the museum, the Dogi’s apartments, the lavish courtyard and loggias and the picture gallery, you’ll probably need somewhere between three to four hours. Trust us, it’s worth taking it slowly! Where should I eat nearby? Cantina Canaletto, hidden in a nearby alley, is a no-frills tavern ideal for a quick lunch with iconic risotto recipes and meat delicacies. Ingredients are locally-sourced and dishes are prepared the authentic Venetian-way.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Venice🚣 The best attractions in Venice✨ Ultimate guide to what to do in Venice

What is it and why is it famous? The Basilica San Marco is Venice’s most popular site, and one of the most visited Catholic cathedrals in the world. Tourists flock here no matter their religion,.perhaps the world’s most visited Catholic cathedral after St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Famous for its lavish Italo-Byzantine design, it boasts a 10.000 square-feet patchwork of bright mosaics. Is it worth visiting? The architecture is mesmerizing, and stepping inside is like walking through a museum. There are five domes combining to create a Latin cross design, regal spires, arches and golden façades. First built in the 11th century, it features the famous Pala d’Oro altarpiece and intricate carvings. On the front balcony, above the portal, four bronze horses (now replicas of the originals), brought from Constantinople during the Crusades look over Piazza San Marco.  Do you need tickets for Basilica San Marco? The basilica is free to visit year-round, seven days a week, and you can attend mass. To avoid queues, there are guided tours, skip the line tickets and more with optional audio guide.  Where should I eat nearby? Osteria n.1, tucked in an alley behind the basilica, serves typical seafood specialties in an elegant setting. 📍 The best things to do in Venice🚣 The best attractions in Venice🇮🇹 Ultimate guide to what to do in Venice