Piazza Santo Spirito

Sure, the area around Piazza Santa Croce is a happening spot by night with its plethora of bars and high student population. Yes, the Duomo is a nice area due to its proximity to most of the major nightclubs in the city. Ok, Piazzale Michelangelo has breathtaking views of the city. But if you want to see what Florence is really like, away from the throngs of tour groups and money-belts, you must venture to the little square across the Arno river called Piazza Santo Spirito. Better at night when the scores of Italian and foreign students adorn the steps of the church, Piazza Santo Spirito captures the essence of Italian life. The Piazza has a life on to its own. Not to mention, the restaurants, cafes, and bars here are some of the best in the city. Want the best pizza in town? Go to Gusta Pizza. How about a fabulous aperitivo? Calibra or Pop Cafe are the places to go. Hip bar like you would find in NYC? Volume is calling your name. Delicious restaurant? Borgo Antico. However, one of the most fun things to do is just grab a few bottles of wine before and sit on the steps, drinking it with friends, chatting another beautiful day in Florence that has passed by, and watching calm, yet warm night scene of Piazza Santo Spirito, its charming character, seduce you like it has done to so many before. One night in Piazza Santo Spirito is required for all those who are visiting and/or living in Florence. The tourist menus at restaurants and hip hop playing nightclubs can wait.

Piazza Santo Spirito has it all. During the day go for a visit inside of the Chiesa di Santo Spirito, one of Florence’s best-kept secrets. The church is fairly plain on the outside but the beautiful frescoes inside are well worth the visit. After stopping to admire the church, grab a seat outside and have un café at one of the many cafés in the piazza; my favorite is Volume. At night the square comes alive with young locals who enjoy the many bars located in the area. See more at: http://www.studyabroadspotlight.com/blog/top-10-florence/#sthash.6Fgs3OQJ.dpuf

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.