Study Abroad in Florence, Italy: The Ultimate Guide

There’s no better city to experience Italy as a student than the country’s cultural and artistic hub of Florence. The most famous of figures throughout history have flocked to experience the magic of the city’s charm, from Machiavelli to Dante. To be in the midst of your college career and be able to have the same opportunity is why Florence is one of the best places to study abroad!

To help you have the best study abroad experience in Florence, this guide lays out different Florence study abroad programs, top things to do, and the best places to eat and go out with friends. Plus, you’ll find extra helpful tips all throughout. 

Ready to start planning your Florence study abroad adventure? Keep reading for the ultimate guide to studying abroad in Florence!

This post was written by Michela from She Goes the Distance.

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Why study abroad in Florence?

Florence is ideal for students who are interested in learning about Italian culture (translation: eating incredible Italian food every day,) inspired by art and history, and want to study abroad somewhere centrally-located and easily-connected to other parts of Italy and Europe.

Florence’s Size

Florence is the eighth largest city in Italy, meaning it’s well-connected to the rest of the country, yet small enough to easily navigate as a new student.

The historic center of Florence allows nearly no car traffic and making your way around the different neighborhoods of the city is easily done by foot. No need to worry about public transportation to make it to class!

Studying Abroad in Florence: The Location

Florence is located in the idyllic region of Tuscany, one of the most geographically beautiful parts of Italy. Being in central Italy, it’s easy to reach other major cities by train and fit in tons of day trips during your study abroad semester!

A couple hours from Milan to the south, Venice to the southwest, and Rome to the north means it will be easy to explore the rest of the country and make the most of your time abroad!

Florence’s Culture

Florence is the cultural capital of Italy. Some of the most famous artistic works are held at the Uffizi Gallery, while Michelangelo’s David is just across town at the Accademia Gallery. 

Not to mention, the huge cathedral that is the centerpiece of the city, colloquially known as The Duomo, is centuries old and one of the most beautiful churches in the world. It’s one of the most famous landmarks in Europe.

You will constantly be inspired by things as small as the cobblestones on the streets to those larger-than-life like Brunelleschi’s dome.

How to Study Abroad in Florence

University Study Abroad Programs

First, check out if your university already has a study abroad program offered in Florence. The city is one of the most student-friendly in Italy in which many universities even host a branch of their campus!

Programs hosted through your university may be cheaper than outside programs, and your tuition at your home school may transfer directly to your university in Florence.

You may even be able to take classes in Florence that are taught by professors from your home school, which is great for networking and securing future letters of recommendation. Studying abroad with a professor is one of the best ways to get to know them!

Check out your university’s international programs or study abroad office office to see if your school offers any Florence study abroad programs!

CEA Study Abroad

CEA Study Abroad offers a variety of options for your course of study in Florence and the semester in which you study abroad! They have programs in different areas of study like studio art, marketing, and agriculture as well as internships and research opportunities. They also offer flight vouchers and scholarships as incentives to keep costs down.

If you want to study something specific while in Florence and find a customized program, CEA is a good option for you. 

AIFS Abroad

Take your study abroad experience to the next level by interning abroad!

An international internship looks impressive on any resume and AIFS offers both traditional study abroad courses as well as an internship option, so you can choose which is most beneficial to your future career.

CIS Abroad

Offering a variety of courses, program lengths, and the opportunity to take Italian language classes, CIS Abroad is the best option for students who want a flexible and immersive program.

Courses are offered in 8 different areas of study, making it easy to find courses that will fit your major requirements.

These are just a handful of potential study abroad programs that can take you to Florence. If none of these work for you, check with your school’s study abroad office or international center to see what other programs might be available.

Things You Must Do While Studying Abroad in Florence

Piazzale Michelangelo

There are few things better than taking in the best view of Florence at Piazzale Michelangelo.

Unfortunately, everyone else knows it’s the best view too! I highly recommend making time to go during the week, or if you want to catch an epic sunset over the city, arriving early so you can snag a spot along the plaza walls. 

The walk through the San Niccolò neighborhood to visit Piazzale Michelangelo gets a bit steep, but make it worth your effort by climbing a bit higher and visiting San Miniato al Monte. This storied church overlooks the city and offers another incredible view to take in.

Rose Garden

One of the best spots for students to enjoy is the “Giardino delle Rose,” or Rose Garden.

This spot is tucked away right below the Piazzale Michelangelo, but if you’re not paying attention on your walk up the long staircase, you might miss the entrance!

These gardens are a perfect place to relax with friends or study while being surrounded by flowers and another view of the characteristic Duomo and city center.

Ponte Vecchio

No trip to Florence is complete without visiting Ponte Vecchio, one of the most famous landmarks of the city. This historic bridge dates back to the 1400s and is characterized by the jumble of buildings that sit on top of it.

All of the bridges in Florence once looked like this, but damage from World War II caused other bridges to be rebuilt – Ponte Vecchio being the only one still surviving.

Visit the Duomo

Like Ponte Vecchio, a visit to the Duomo is a must-do in Florence. You can wait it out in the long lines, but I recommend you go when it’s both free and more intimate to enter – Sunday during mass.

Mass is open to the public so if you feel comfortable, you can go and experience the church in the least touristy way possible. Of course, you won’t get to climb the dome or see any of the secret rooms, so if those are your priorities, set aside a free day where you can arrive at the church early!

Take a Day Trip to Pisa or Fiesole

Two quick and easy must-do day trips from Florence are to world-famous Pisa and the little known gem of Fiesole. 

Pisa is easy to reach by train and your visit shouldn’t take more than half a day. Besides seeing the iconic Leaning Tower and the accompanying Basilica, there’s not much to do in Pisa – so remember that while planning your day!

Fiesole is close to Florence, best reached by bus. Head to the Santa Maria Novella Train Station and before crossing the street, continue left to the bus station, Autostazione Busitalia. You can buy a ticket there for around 2 Euros and take the ATAF bus number 7 to Fiesole.

Here you can explore ancient Etruscan ruins and take in a stunning view of the entire Arno River Valley.

While you’ve made it all that way, treat yourself to a meal with a view at Ristorante La Reggia.

Piazza della Repubblica

Once you arrive in Florence, you’ll realize a lot of the things to do are discovered by walking around and getting to know the streets. You’ll realize quickly that the best place to go shopping in Florence is Piazza della Repubblica.

This entire area of the historic center has stores as common as Zara or Apple to the most luxurious of Italian designers such as Ferragamo (which is also a museum by the way) and Versace.

Uffizi Gallery & Accademia

The last must-do for students studying abroad is to soak up some of the cultural significance of Florence at two of its most famous museums.

The Uffizi Gallery is not only a beautiful building, but boasts a grand collection of art, including the famous paintings of Da Vinci and Botticelli. Don’t forget to see The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, the museum’s most prized piece of artwork.

The Accademia is a can’t miss attraction in Florence, where Michelangelo’s David is on display.

Always check beforehand if you can purchase a ticket at a discounted price for students, and make sure to carry your student ID or ISIC card with you!

Where to Eat in Florence

All’Antico Vinaio

The panino is an Italian lunch staple and the best in town are made at All’Antico Vinaio.

Whether you’re taking your lunch break or grabbing a sandwich for dinner, there will be a line of people out the door and in the street for the tasty combinations this sandwich shop creates.

Golden View

When you’re feeling like having a fancy dinner (and not like a broke college student) have a memorable experience at Golden View.

The restaurant is right along the Arno River, with floor-to-ceiling window views of Ponte Vecchio. A meal here is worth every Euro!

Gusta Pizza

Back to student favorites, grab the best takeaway pizza at Gusta Pizza.

Across the Arno and near to the lively Piazza Santo Spirito, Gusta Pizza is the best spot for soft, doughy deliciousness – and it’s easy on the student wallet.

Take your pizza to the piazza or head the other direction down the street and eat in the large courtyard in front of Palazzo Pitti – otherwise known as dining with a view for cheap!

Florence Rooftop Bars

The last place you must seek out is a rooftop bar with a striking view. The best way to enjoy rooftop bars is to participate in the Italian tradition of “aperitivo,” light snacks and cocktails before dinner.

Some of the best in the city are View on Art and Divina Terrazza at Grand Hotel Cavour.

Studying Abroad in Florence: Where to Go Out with Friends

One of the best parts about studying abroad is meeting friends along the way – other students and locals alike! These are some of the best places to have a night out in Florence. 

Lion’s Fountain

The easiest place to go out for students is Lion’s Fountain, known for being a place where students hang out (their entire ceiling is covered in college t-shirts.)

The bar is much like an American bar, so it can be an easy transition to go out here while still learning about the city!

Red Garter

For the most fun, head to Red Garter, a karaoke bar! You can hang out in the “quieter” front room or head to the back and take your chance on stage! Locals and students go out here alike so it’s the perfect crowd to entertain and get to know. 

Flo

If you want the experience of true Italian nightlife, not to mention a place with a view, then you should go out to Flo.

Located next to Piazzale Michelangelo, this outdoor lounge bar looks over the entire city. Mostly locals come here so it’s a perfect place for insight into the Italian lifestyle. 

Safety and Extra Tips for Studying Abroad in Florence

Florence is overall a safe city to travel to but there are a few things to be aware of, as with preparing for any international travel, and extra tips that can help navigating your new place of study easier. 

• The biggest threat in Florence is pickpocketing. People will try to distract you because they know you’re not from there and then do their best to steal what you have on you, especially in extremely busy areas like Ponte Vecchio. Have an anti-theft backpack or purse and keep it in front of you in crowded areas.
• Invest in comfortable walking shoes. As mentioned, Florence is not a city where you’ll use public transportation – instead you’ll get around mostly by walking. The cobblestones can take a toll on your feet and footwear, so pack shoes you feel comfortable walking around in for long periods of time.
• Make sure to pack a universal outlet adapter. The plugs in Italy are type C, F, and L – any universal adapter should work, but just double-check before you purchase.
• Have copies of all of your important documents with you while abroad – passport, birth certificate (if you lose your passport, having a backup proof of citizenship can save a lot of hassle), and visas – and keep them in a safe place. 

Studying abroad in Florence will be one of the best experiences of your life. Keep these tips and top things to do in mind while preparing for your Florence study abroad experience!

About the Author: Michela is a female travel blogger at She Goes The Distance, empowering young women to travel through curated resources and tips. Now based in Bergamo, Italy, she loves to share hidden gem places, budget travel guides, and travel photography tips. For more, follow Michela on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

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