13 Unmissable Things To Do In Florence At Night

Florence, Italy is a major art hub with a variety of masterpieces including paintings, sculptures, and architecture. You can find all sorts of things to do in Florence during the day but many people have no idea what things to do in Florence at night. After all the daytime attractions close, there is a whole new Florence to enjoy.

Take a walk along the banks of the Arno River with all its breathtaking Rennaisance beauty to behold. You can also rent a motorized bike to see the city. Another way to enjoy the river is to take a 90-minute boat ride on the Arno River. Be sure to walk over the Ponte Vecchio bridge while you are there for the best photos. Getting around Florence is not difficult, and you can learn how in our guide.

Historic Center Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seeing Florence at night will make you think you are in a whole different city as the nightlife comes alive. Enjoy freshly prepared meals, historic wine bars, and just watch the Florence skyline as the sun goes down.

While you are in Florence, your days are probably filled with exciting activities like exploring the Pitti Palace, the Galileo Museum Florence, and the Uffizi Palace and Gallery. But instead of just heading back to the hotel after, why not find some things to do in Florence at night?

If you are with your honey, you can spend unforgettable moments at some of the more romantic nighttime activities. Some of the more romantic ideas include taking a Florence River Cruise or enjoying Tuscan cuisine at one of the many cafes in the Tuscan countryside.

You can also do some shopping at one of Florence's tourist markets like Mercato San Lorenzo and Mercato Nuovo. But first, you need to leave your bags at a luggage storage site nearby so you can have your hands free for all your purchases. Then, enjoy your night out!

Uffizi Gallery

Make the Uffizi Gallery your first stop in the early evening in this beautiful city because it closes at 6:30 PM. Be sure to get there with enough time to explore. This art gallery is one of the most prominent in Italy, located next to the Piazza della Signoria.

Some of the most famous works include several by Rembrandt, two by Leonardo da Vinci, and the 1507 Holy Family painting by Michelangelo. The gallery often holds cultural events as well as temporary exhibitions year-round.

Odeon Firenze Cinehall

Are you ready to experience the most beautiful theater to watch a movie? Settle in a seat at Cinema Teatro Odeon, which opened in 1922. If you are near Piazza della Signoria, you'll find this cinema nearby. It is an incredible place to see and to enjoy foreign films, current movies and replays of older movies and classics.

Conferences and events are also held here. The Odeon Firenze Cinehall is in the historic center of Florence, near luxury hotels and great restaurants.

San Miniato al Monte

The San Miniato al Monte is a Romanesque church on one of the highest spots in Florence just past Piazzale Michelangelo, making it the perfect place to view the Florence skyline at night. Enjoy the enchanting views of the city center, and meander between the palazzos that hide priceless masterpieces and world-class art.

Known as one of the most scenic churches in Italy, its views over Florence and the Tuscan countryside at nightfall are stunning. The historic monolith of San Miniato al Monte was constructed in 1090, with the crypt being the oldest part. It is said to have the bones of St. Minias who was executed here, ordered by the Emperor.

Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio stays open until 10 PM so you can enjoy the town hall and everything it has to offer all evening. There are three courtyards to explore but it is the first one that holds several fountains like the Putto with Dolphin and Samson and Philistine as well as the frescoes that cover the walls.

Located in the city center of Florence, the Palazzo Vecchio also features the Hall of the Five Hundred with several works by Michelangelo including the Genio della Vittoria. But don't miss the apartments on the second floor.

Santa Croce

Located in the historic center of Florence, Italy, the Basilica di Santa Croce is the main Franciscan church of the city. But what makes this one so special is that it is the resting place for many of the renowned Italians like Rossini the composer, poet Foscolo, and philosopher Gentile as well as Galileo and Michelangelo.

It was completed in 1385 on the Piazza Santa Croce where you can also find dance spots, chic aperitivo hangouts, and wine bars. They even have an outdoor dance bar so you can dance the night away in the shadows of the basilica.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Besides having the most stunning view of the city skyline at night, the Piazzale Michelangelo is also home to one of the most famous statues in the world. Visit David by Michelangelo for free anytime here instead of having to go to the Accademia Gallery, which closes at 6 PM.

Besides Michelangelo's David, the square is also sandwiched between the Rose Garden and Iris Garden, which are both free to visit anytime. While you are there, stop by the Chalet il Boschetto for dinner or grab a cocktail at the Playbar or Pablito Panorama Bar.

Piazza della Signoria

As the gateway of the Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi, and several other palaces and historical monuments, Piazza Signoria was constructed in the 1300s. It has had other names over the years including the Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo dei Priori, and Palazzo dei Popolo.

In the Loggia del Lanzi, you can see the Medici Lions, the Four Virtues trefoils, a bronze statue of Perseus by Cellini, and the Fountain of Neptune. Enjoy a nice meal at Rivoire, il Bargello, or il David Ristorante.

The Blob Club

Located on Via Vinegia right in front of Palazzo Vecchio, the Blob Club is a two-story club and lounge in Santa Croce. The disc jockeys spin all sorts of genres of music including alternative rock, hip hop, and even some 50s and 60s picks.

You can only dance on the first floor, which means you can stand on the second floor and watch the action if you do not want to dance. The bar is staffed with mixology experts and it stays open until morning so you can party all night.

Flo Lounge Bar

Flo Lounge Bar is more exclusive than the Blob Club and has a strict dress code so be sure to find out the rules before heading out. Besides being the most popular club in Florence, it also has some of the best views of the city and the Arno River.

Located in the Iris Garden on Piazzale Michelangelo, the garden lounge offers awesome scenery too. This fun dance club can be extremely crowded since it is only open during the summer, so you may want to get there early. In fact, they have a happy hour and buffet before the crowd comes.

Palazzo Strozzi

Palazzo Strozzi was constructed in 1489 by the rival of the Medici family, Filippo Strozzi the Elder. His family had been exiled from Florence in 1434 but came back in 1466 with a mission to build a larger and better estate than the Medicis.

Although the building was inspired by the Palazzo Medici, it was freestanding. The architecture of the place is Florentine Renaissance with the perfect combination of mullioned windows and arches. The building is also adorned with wrought-iron items called Ferro. Some of these include sconces, lanterns, hitches, and torch stands.

Piazza della Repubblica

This city square in Florence, Italy was built in what was once the old ghetto to improve the area. In the middle of the plaza, the 1431 Column of Abundance marks the spot where the Roman forum stood.

In Medieval Times, the square was packed with churches, tabernacles, and markets, and today is packed with cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy. The Savoy Hotel, Hard Rock Cafe, and the Arch of Triumph can also be found here.

San Lorenzo Market

This is one of Florence's touristy markets that are also a favorite with the locals. Not only do they sell souvenirs and handmade items but you can also find all the Tuscan food you have been wanting. It's located in the center of the city surrounded by basilicas, museums, and palaces.

Besides being a huge indoor market, it is also one of the most popular outdoor markets. The Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, Piazza della Passera, the Accademia Gallery, and San Marco Museum all surround the market so you can enjoy the artisan shops, celebrated statues, and the bell tower of Giotto as well. Get ready to buy when you shop at this market!

Cascine Park

Also known as Parco delle Cascine, this park is open 24/7 so you can hang out here all night. Take a moonlight stroll, watch the day finish as the sun sets, or head straight to the banks of the Arno River. You will also see a number of statues and sculptures throughout the park.

With 395 acres of space to enjoy, you can meander through the oaks and elms on one of the peaceful paths in the park. In the middle, the Vittorio Emanuele II bronze statue stands guard over the whole place.

Florence at Night

Be sure to see the Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is Florence's most famous bridge. These are just a handful of the most popular things to do in Florence at night. You could also take a moonlight stroll around to see the Piazza Santo Spirito or Ponte Vecchio.

Whether you are interested in visiting the famous statue in Piazzale Michelangelo, checking out the Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza Signoria, or taking a walking tour on the romantic streets of Florence at night, you will find it all just waiting for you. But do not leave Florence without trying a glass or two at the wine shop in the city center.