Spending a weekend in Florence doesn’t have to mean rushing from one museum to another or following the same well-worn routes everyone else takes. There are many things to do in Florence – especially if you’re willing to experience it at a different pace.
If you have two days and want to step away from the most touristy paths, Florence is ideal: it’s compact, easy to navigate, and full of neighborhoods, spaces, and everyday moments that reveal how the city actually lives.
In this article you’ll find 5 real, concrete experiences to enjoy over a weekend in Florence — perfect for those who want to eat well, walk without stress, discover quieter areas, and experience the city as it is today, not just as it appears in guidebooks.
1. Things to do in Florence outside the Historic Center and Change Pace
The first choice is simple: don’t stay confined to the Duomo–Uffizi–Signoria triangle.
Just a few minutes are enough to completely change the atmosphere. Areas such as Porta al Prato, Belfiore, San Salvi, or Gavinana offer a slower rhythm, less crowded sidewalks, and a more readable everyday life.
It’s not about escaping the center. It’s about breathing better and seeing Florence from a different perspective.
2. Start the Day with a Slow Morning
A weekend isn’t meant for rushing – and you don’t have to come to Florence to “see everything.”
A long breakfast or a relaxed brunch immediately sets a different tone for the day. Sitting down, eating calmly, watching people pass by, deciding what to do next without a rigid plan is one of the easiest ways to truly get into the city’s rhythm.
In Florence, mornings are the most authentic moment: less noise, more light, more space.
3. Eat Well Without Chasing the “Famous Spot”
One of the most common weekend mistakes is chasing the “must-visit” restaurant and ending up in long lines, with fixed time slots and menus designed for large crowds.
Eating well in Florence doesn’t mean eating where everyone else eats. It means choosing a place that respects your time and your appetite.
Outside the historic center, it’s easier to find restaurants offering contemporary Italian cuisine: recognisable but not predictable dishes, seasonal ingredients, and a relaxed atmosphere. Places where the meal becomes part of the experience – not an obstacle between one activity and the next.
4. Walk Without an Itinerary (But in the Right Areas)
Florence lends itself to aimless walking like few other cities. Choose an area, start strolling, and stop whenever something catches your eye: a small bookstore, a neighborhood café, a quiet square.
There’s no need to “get somewhere.” The city reveals itself in the details – inside streets, hidden corners, and conversations happening on old doorsteps.
5. End the Day with a Proper Dinner, Without Rushing
How you end the day often determines how you’ll remember the entire weekend.
A comfortable, well-thought-out dinner – without loud music and without being rushed out of your seat – is far better than a chaotic night made of compromises.
Eating well, talking, slowing down: that’s what makes a weekend in Florence truly memorable.
Ammodino: A Natural Stop During Your Things to do in Florence
With this way of experiencing the weekend, Ammodino fits in naturally.
The restaurant is located on Viale Belfiore, inside The Social Hub Belfiore, in a well-connected area that’s far from the most tourist-crowded zones.
It’s a place to stop for a Sunday brunch, a relaxed lunch, or a dinner enjoyed at an unhurried pace.
The cuisine is contemporary Italian, with creative comfort food, seasonal ingredients, and dishes designed to follow people’s time – not to fill it.
It’s not a mandatory stop. It’s simply the right place, at the right moment.
Explore our dinner menu
Explore our lunch menu