All Italy Florence

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Florence

30 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Florence, Italy

Updated June 18, 2024

Email

Unusual Attractions in Florence

See All 30 Things To Do in Florence

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Florence

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Trips

NEW - Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia

Whimsical architecture, outstanding olive oil, and gorgeous landscapes.

Learn More

Explore Florence, Italy

Art 6
Museums 6
Statues 4
Architecture 4
Sculptures 4
Architectural Oddities 4
Sacred Spaces 4

Florence Leaderboard

Recent Florence Activity

Stories About Florence

A 500-Year-Old Record of the Aztec Empire Comes to Life

The Digital Florentine Codex’s three languages and thousands of hand-painted illustrations provide a window into culture, war, and daily life.
by Roxanne Hoorn

Podcast: Galileo’s Middle Finger

Investigating a renowned scientist's iconic digit.
by The Podcast Team
Hiker Emily Ford borrowed her friend's dog, a retired sled dog named Diggins, on her grueling hike on Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail.

6 Groundbreaking Women You Didn’t Learn About in History Class

Meet the painter, the pilot, the author, and other "firsts" who paved the way.
by Sarah Durn
These woodcuts are from the Decameron, a collection of novellas in which young people fleeing plague-ridden Florence tell stories that often provide accounts of life during the pandemic.

In 14th-Century Florence, Some Residents Socially Distanced While Others Hit the Bars

A contemporary debate would feel familiar to Europeans alive when the Bubonic plague arrived.
by Rachel Ashcroft
Babae’s wine window was the first of Florence's put into use—even before the pandemic.

The Coronavirus Is Bringing Back Florence's Wine Windows

This isn't the first time they've come in handy during a pandemic.
by Matthew Taub
Demogorgon was never a deity in Greek or Roman mythology. In fact, “Demogorgon” wasn’t even a real word. The character's popularity dates back to the 1300s, when he began appearing in Latin literature.

The Many Lives of Demogorgon, From Scribal Error to 'Stranger Things'

How vague and various descriptions made a medieval mistake into a lasting horror.
by Daniel A. Gross
Nelli’s Christ and Saint John, restored.

A Nun's 450-Year-Old 'Last Supper' Makes Its Museum Debut in Florence

Plautilla Nelli was likely the first woman in history to paint the iconic biblical scene.
by Karen Chernick
Babae's wine window is open an hour each day.

One of Florence's 'Wine Windows' Is Open Once More

It's a reminder of when Florentine families sold wine from their palace cellars.
by Lisa Harvey

Lists Featuring Florence

Bolivia's Witch Market
Dubrovnik Maskeron
The Statue of St. Anthony's Pig
The Guardhouse Monkey

15 Unlikely Places to Re-Up Your Luck

Luck be a... llama fetus?

15

Including Bolivia's Witch Market, Dubrovnik Maskeron, and Statue of St. Anthony's Pig

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More