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Visit the Oltrarno for an Aperitivo
The Piazza Santo Spirito, San Niccolò and Sant’Ambrogio areas are three of the city’s neighborhoods where residents have been enjoying aperitivos for centuries.
The trendiest area right now is San Frediano, where several cool new bars have opened, breathing new life into what was once a poor, working-class area of the city. Its colorful life was even featured in a 1940s novel called “Le ragazze di San Frediano” by Florentine writer Vasco Pratolini.
Get lost in the books at the library
When you get tired of seeing all the sights, don’t miss the opportunity to take a break in one of the area’s many bookstores, where you can enjoy its vibrant cultural life. To make the experience even better, you can also grab a coffee while you’re here.
Head to Borgo San Frediano where you will find Libreriacafè La Cité, a lovely bookstore and coffee shop in one, filled with books written in Italian. You can also try the “Sit’N’Breakfast” on Via San Gallo, which is very popular with students. You can also enjoy reading Italian books while sipping your favorite coffee or wine at Todo Modo on Via Dei Fossi.
You can also browse the extensive collection of English books at Paperback Exchange on Via delle Oche and at Black Spring Bookshop, which is a bookstore and cafe in one that is off the beaten path.
You can also choose from a decent selection of English books at IBS on Via Cerretani. Feltrinelli Red, underneath the lodge on Piazza della Repubblica, is also a charming place to sit and relax while enjoying a light meal or a cup of coffee.
Spend your Tuesday at the Cascine Market
The Cascine Market is a true institution for all Florentines. For many decades, every Tuesday, from 7am to 2pm, the market brings noise and color to the Cascine park. Here you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, street food, shoes, cheap clothes and household items. Don’t expect to find souvenirs here, because this is a traditional, straightforward Italian market.
The Cascine is also the green space of Florence, making it the perfect place to relax and take a break from the city crowds. Although the park is not really that beautiful and well-kept, it boasts 160 hectares of lush greenery with 19,000 trees and the Arno River bordering it. It is ideal for a bike ride or even a jog, as it is located 1 kilometer from the Ponte Vecchio. It is definitely a non-touristy and healthy activity in the middle of the noisy city.