Choose your location

usa

Europe

Venice

Thu / Jun 20

London
Paris
Rome
New York
Los Angeles
More Cities
Close

Square

Piazza Santo Spirito A charming square with lots of personality – and refreshingly removed from the main tourist areas – Piazza Santo Spirito is a popular hangout for Italians of all ages. Florence Italy 43.766637 11.247388

3.88 10

Piazza Santo Spirito - Landmark | Outdoor Activity | Park | Square in Florence.

See all 7 photos

Collapse map / See photo gallery

Expand map / See nearby venues

Venues Events

Expand map / See nearby venues

Collapse map / See photo gallery

6 User Reviews

Add to list

User Reviews (6)

Ratings:

Lucas

Adriana

Jonah

Emma

Party Earth Review A charming square with lots of personality – and refreshingly removed from the main tourist areas – Piazza Santo Spirito is a popular hangout for Italians of all ages. What differentiates this square from others in the... ... read full review

Neighborhood:

Oltrarno
Address:

Piazza Santo Spirito
50125 Florence

Get Directions

Hours:

24/7
Recommended as:
- Night Spot

First to review Claire M.

Write your review

Party Earth Piazza Santo Spirito Review

The Scene

A charming square with lots of personality – and refreshingly removed from the main tourist areas – Piazza Santo Spirito is a popular hangout for Italians of all ages.

Oltrarno, Florence –

A charming square with lots of personality – and refreshingly removed from the main tourist areas – Piazza Santo Spirito is a popular hangout for Italians of all ages.

What differentiates this square from others in the city is the more bohemian crowd it attracts and that generally gathers on the steps of the basilica to enjoy gelato, pizza, and some good conversation among friends.

Adding to the laid-back atmosphere are the wandering street musicians who entertain the passersby and get together for spontaneous jam sessions and performances.

Café culture is also alive and well in Santo Spirito, as evidenced by the numerous cozy cafés and bars that surround the square and offer a diverse selection of food and beverages.

And if visitors prefer strolling to lounging, Piazza Santo Spirito is also home to a lovely park full of towering old trees and featuring a marble stage and an octagonal fountain that gently flows throughout the evening.

read less

Tip from Jonah:

The Chinese market off the southwest corner of the square sells beer and wine at great prices! Pick up some refreshments there before finding the perfect lounging spot in the square.

Crowd

Artistic and bohemian types and international students, early 20s+.
Entertainment / Music

Live music most nights, tends to be light and jazzy.
Food / Miscellaneous

Several nearby bars, cafés, and eateries serve sandwiches, pizza, and gelato.

Prices

Varies depending on venue.
What to Wear / Dress Code

Casual.
Hot Nights / When to Go

Any summer evening.

Tags:: 20s and upAll AgesAll TypesArtistsBohemianCafésCasualConversationalDiverseGroupsJazzLaid backLive BandLive EntertainmentLive MusicLocalsMusiciansPeople WatchingPerformancePizzaSandwichesSightseeingStreet PerformersStudentsTourists

Piazza Santo Spirito User Reviews

Cody Portin May 18, 2013 3.0 stars Hidden Gem I was fortunate enough to spend three months studying in Florence. Where were my classes held but in Piazza Santo Spirito. This little square on the far side of the Arno River from the city center and I became well acquainted, more so than many of my fellow students to be quite honest (my morning class hours were longer therefore I had less time to wander before afternoon sessions). It is unlike other squares I experienced in the city. Less touristy, yet many shop owners still speak moderate English. But beyond that fact, it makes one feel as if they are a part of Italian culture. Tiny coffee shops are spread throughout the square (yes, it is literally a square). In the center is a quaint little fountain with a few benches and trees that provide moderate shade from the hot sun. The Osteria and Trattoria that bear the squares name are also quite delicious, if a bit pricey (for dinner anyway). One can choose to eat outdoors or in depending on the weather but either choice welcomes a more "Italian" feel than other restaurants that reside towards the center, more touristy areas. The square is also in an ideal location if one wishes to wander. The surrounding maze of side streets leads to all sorts of interesting shops, bakeries, food stands, etc - including my favorite breakfast place right around the corner from the Osteria! Although the square may be difficult to find, I recommend walking through and enjoying a meal on a sunny day (or a rainy one, as I had many and they were just as fun!). The evenings, the coffee shops turn into aperitifs and a drink before wandering on the town is always welcome! Enjoy Firenze

Danny dePasquale Apr 4, 2013 3.0 stars Escape the Tourists Just on the other side of the Arno is the quiet Piazza Santo Spirito. If you are looking for a less touristic part of the city, look no further. Here in the Piazza you can get a small sense of true Florentine lifestyle as you listen to the locals jabber in Italian and watch their kids or dogs run around the square. Also in the evening, you may be lucky enough to find some live music in the center of the square.

Emilia Gambardella Jan 13, 2013 3.0 stars Authenticity I try and find places that aren't swarmed with American college students. I want to use my Italian, meet locals, and Piazza Santo Spirito is the place. It is a relaxed but fun vibe, a number of bars and restaurants. It's also not uncommon for people to be entertaining themselves on the steps of the church- a must do for an evening in Florence! Definitely check out Volume on a Friday or Saturday night.

samthecolonel Dec 13, 2012 3.0 stars nice square I always get this one mixed up with the Croce square across the river but this one’s the cooler one. The people here are more relaxed. Its a nice blend of tourists and young Italians, and the Italian men aren’t as creepy here, they’re more interested in having a good evening than trying to pull the foreign girls. There are some nice bars on this square and its nice as a place to pass the evening. Its also nice to sit on the church steps and watch the locals play music and chat. I don’t speak Italian but its easy to tell what they’re saying coz they use their hands a lot.

tartars Dec 6, 2012 4.0 stars Awesome Piazza I sing the praises of this Piazza to anyone who will listen. There's a panini shop next to Santo Spirito that makes cheap, mouthwatering paninis, there’s a café/ bar that I spent almost every weekend when I was in Florence, there’s a selection of sketchy characters, study abroads, and local Italians at the university who give the Piazza an unpretentious, laid-back feel. There are almost always musicians playing on the steps in front of the church, and there are always people drinking wine out of bottled containers in the center of the piazza. I love this place.

comurp12 Dec 4, 2012 3.0 stars Fun area with great restaurant options Some of my favorite restaurants are in the area, and it's a great nighttime environment especially on warm summer nights when a movie is playing outside. It's a better spot in the warmer months because of all the outdoor seating from restaurants and the church steps, but the piazza stays pretty lively even when the temperature starts to drop. The area is a great place to start your night by grabbing dinner, then hanging out on the church steps with a bottle of wine before heading down to Dolce Vita or across the river for a livelier bar and club scene.

Upcoming Events in Florence

Jun 20 Pitti Immagine Uomo 2013 (Florence Fashion Week)

Jun

20

Pitti Immagine Uomo 2013 (Florence Fashion Week)
Fashion Event
Jun

21

Maggio Musicale Florentino Festival 76
Music Festival
Jun

22

Notturna di San Giovanni 2013
Running / Sports
Jun

23

Jovanotti
Concert
Jun

24

Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2013
Sports

See more upcoming events
in Florence →

Piazza Santo Spirito Landmark / Outdoor Activity / Park / Square

See all 7 photos

Expand map / See nearby venues

Collapse map / See photo gallery

Ratings:

Neighborhood:

Address:

Get Directions

Hours:

Recommended as:

Party Earth Piazza Santo Spirito Review

The Scene

Tip from Jonah:

Crowd

Entertainment / Music

Food / Miscellaneous

Prices

What to Wear / Dress Code

Hot Nights / When to Go

Piazza Santo Spirito User Reviews

Similar Venues

Upcoming Events in Florence

Recent Articles