There have been people living on the site of Florence since the 10th century BC. However, the city itself started as a retirement village for veterans. It was created by the Roman Empire in 59 BC and has survived an array of hardships and leaders over the years since.
Unfortunately, despite there being many tributes and monuments from the past, the city evolved so quickly that many of the original Roman elements are no longer present. There are still plenty of other fascinating peeks into the past offered by this city.
Of course, it is also considered the birthplace of Renaissance art and is recognised as one of the most culturally significant cities in the world today.
If you want to experience Florence properly, you’re going to need a little help.
Get A Guided Tour
The simplest way to see any city like a local is to visit it with a local. While it’s not generally an option to have a friend in every city, you don’t need one.
Instead, you can visit web site and choose which guided tour you want to take to appreciate the full Florence experience.
Guided tours are run by locals. Your guide will be a local Italian and this will help to ensure you get a genuine taste of Florence. They know all the tourist spots and all the best routes to get to them.
More importantly, they are local and know the local spots which a tourist is unlikely to find by themselves. You won’t just experience Florence like a local, you’ll experience the spots that only locals know.
Get Off The Beaten Path
To get the best experience in Florence you’ll need to get off the beaten path. Sure, there will be some sights that you have to see. That’s the sights that all the other tourists are visiting. However, once you’ve done them, you should take the opportunity to explore the city. Go where you want and you’ll be surprised at where you may end up.
After all, exploring by yourself helps you appreciate what Florence really has to offer.
Embrace The Locals
While you’re finding your way off the beaten path, you’ll find plenty of locals who are happy to share time with you. Embrace any conversation, you never know when you’ll meet someone or find out something that most people don’t know.
The locals are the ones who know Florence the best. If you want to experience the city like a local, then speak to them!
Use Public Transport
Don’t rent a car or try walking everywhere in Florence, although it is possible. Instead, use public transport. It’s a great opportunity to meet the locals, chat with them, and draw on their opinions of the city they live in. It will help you find new and exciting locations and experiences.
The Bottom Line
If you want to experience Florence like a local you need to think and operate like a local. Adopting this attitude will allow you to see more of one of the best cities in the world.
Published by HOLR Magazine.