10 things to do in Florence without spending 1 euro

1) The week of culture 2012

First of all, don’t forget that from 14th to 22nd April 2012, for the week of culture, the entry to all Florentine Museums will be free of charge (advanced booking possible on request).

2) Local markets in florence

A stroll through the local markets do not really cost anything but always gives a wave of joy to your day. Here is a wide selection of Florentine typical markets.

• SAN LORENZO MARKET: it extends from Piazza S. Lorenzo to Ariento Street, all around the Basilica of San Lorenzo (in the historic center of Florence). It is the most important market of the city where you will find clothing, leather goods, souvenirs, local food products and much more. It is open every day except on Sundays and Mondays.
• SANT’AMBROGIO MARKET: it is set up in Piazza Ghiberti and Piazza Sant'Ambrogio. It has an indoor and an outdoor space where you will find fresh fruit, vegetables, clothes, flowers, shoes and appliance stalls. Are you looking for food? Enter then, and you will find meat or fresh fish, pasta, general groceries and good cheese. And if you get hungry try the restaurant inside the market, very good and cheap. The market is open every weekend (except Sunday) from 7 to 14.
• MERCATO DELLE CASCINE (Farmstead market): it is located in the beautiful Parco delle Cascine (the largest park in Florence) and it is open every Tuesday morning from 7 to 14. It's probably the biggest and cheapest market in town! And after shopping do not forget to take a walk through the park.
• MERCATO DELLE PULCI (Flea market): the famous ‘flea market’ is located in Piazza dei Ciompi and it is open daily from 9 to 19.30. Last Sunday of each month the stalls are also extended in the surrounding streets and you will find whatever you can imagine. Here you can find any furniture, paintings, ancient coins and jewelry. You can also find real treasures and many antiques at affordable price. It is well worth it for a spin ... you will feel like going back in time.
• THE FIERUCOLINA "The Fierucolina" is an organic market that promotes organic farming and biodynamic agriculture, with food, wine and handmade bio-manufactured products. It takes place every third Sunday of the month (except August) in Santo Spirito Square (Oltrarno).
• THE CURE MARKET, Piazza delle Cure, every morning except Sunday and bank holidays;
• THE PIGGY MARKET, Florentine straw objects, handmade embroideries, leather goods, wooden objects, flowers. Address: Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, from 8.00 to 19.00 every day except Sunday and Monday morning;
• THE STRAW MARKET, Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, from 9.00 to 18.30 every day except Sunday and holidays;
• THE MARKET OF RARE BOOKS, Loggia del Grano, from Thursday to Saturday, from 10 to 18;
• THE FLOWER MARKET, under the porch of Piazza della Repubblica, every Thursday morning from 10 to 19.

For further information please get in touch with Florence tourist office (all details at the end of this article).

3) Florence free walking tour

This tour is the original walking tour of Florence. It is FREE, no fee is applied.

It is arranged by local professional guides working on a tips-only basis ( and your generosity will allow them to continue these beautiful service).

They offer 2 daily tours starting from the Central Railway Station (Santa Maria Novella): you will be able to choose between the Renaissance Tour and Medici Family Tour (or both, of course).

See the map and find more details on www.florencefreetour.com 

4) Thursday evening: invitation to the palace

Strozzi Palace is the perfect example of Renaissance mansion and appears like a small fortress in the heart of the city. Every Thursday evening from 18 to 22 free entry is allowed to the Exhibition of Contemporary Art fitted out in the Palace rooms.

More details on www.palazzostrozzi.org 

5) The oblate cafeteria (the place you hoped to find !)

On the second floor of the famous Oblate Library, the Cafeteria is open to the public by May 2009 and has already become an important place of the city's social and cultural life. The interior decoration is just as modern and fresh; every little detail is chosen with care and therefore allows spending your time at the library in a happy, safe and pleasing surrounding, unique in its atmosphere.

Almost every evening there will be a ‘theme wise’ musical event with free admission and optional drink (unless you sit at the table).

For more details please CLICK HERE

6) Santa Maria Novella and its pharmacy

Florence is very rich in churches and in most of them free access is provided. These include the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, one of the most beautiful churches in the city which houses works by Giotto, Masaccio and Ghirlandaio. Inside the basilica there is a real pharmaceutical shop founded by Dominican friars in 1221: in their gardens they cultivated medicinal herbs that were used to prepare medications, balms and ointments for the small infirmary of their monastery. Today they go on following the same procedures for the preparation of spices, liquor, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals drugs.

All details about the church on: www.chiesasantamarianovella.it 
All details abouth the pharmacy on: www.smnovella.it

7) The cathedral of Florence

Admission is free to Santa Maria del Fiore (the Cathedral), the third biggest church in the world after St Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London.

For details and opening hours CLICK HERE

8) St Benedict church

Entrance is free also in the beautiful church of St. Benedict, whose first news date back to 1002. St. Benedict is the only church in Florence dedicated to the Holy Founder of Monasticism - now also the patron of Europe - Benedict from Norcia (480-547).

For more details and opening hours CLICK HERE 

9) Squares of Florence

Do you have little time and want to choose a theme-wise-tour ?

Make the round of the squares of Florence.

For more details please CLICK HERE 

10) Green Florence

Do you prefer to relax in the greenery?

Choose among the many parks and gardens of the city the ones with free entrance as the Garden of Cascine, the Iris Garden, the Etruscan tomb of Montagnola, Torrigiani Garden, the Rose Garden or Villa Favard.

11) 1 night for free at our youth hostel in Florence

Well, we do adapt ourselves to the no-cost trend offering a free overnight stay in the beautiful Villa Camerata Youth Hostel, in Florence. For those who book three nights stay at the hostel between 10th January and 10th March 2012 the third night will be free of charge (you will just required to pay 1 € per day for the tourist tax).

Y.H. EUROPA, VILLA CAMERATA
Viale Augusto Righi 4
50137 Florence
Tel + 39 055 601451
E-Mail: firenze@aighostels.com 

FLORENCE TOURIST OFFICE:
Piazza San Giovanni 1 (Dome)
Ph. + 39 - 055 – 288 496
bigallo@comune.fi.it 
or
Piazza Stazione 4
Ph. + 39 - 055 – 21 22 45 or + 39 - 055 – 27 28 208
turismo3@comune.fi.it

***Both offices are open from Monday to Saturday from 8,30 to 19 (7 pm) and Sunday from 8,30 to 14 (2 pm).