You’ve seen the photos: the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and historic cobblestone streets laying low underneath an unmistakable skyline. But pictures only tell part of the story, so you may be wondering, what is it actually like to study abroad in Florence?
Living in Florence while you study abroad means experiencing those famous sights alongside the everyday moments that eventually make the city feel familiar. You’ll go to class, figure out where to buy groceries, find your favorite café, meet up with friends, and slowly start to see a side of the city that goes far beyond any tourist guides.
Here’s what you should know about student life in Florence before you study abroad.
What Is Student Life Like in Florence?
Florence is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but living here gives you the chance to experience a side of the city that most visitors will never see. In part because many tourists are racing from one landmark to another trying to see the city’s most famous sights in a limited time. And can you blame them?
How can you travel to Florence and not visit the iconic, terracotta-tiled Duomo and its vaulted ceilings, adorned with masterpieces; the famed Uffizi Gallery with some of the best-known artworks in the world; or Piazzale Michangelo with its stunning view of the city below?
But when you study abroad in Florence, you discover there is so much more in addition to the major tourist attractions. On your daily walk to class, you might discover a local gelateria tucked into an alleyway, a café that sells the best cup of espresso, or the most cost-effective place for your favorite pasta dish.And because Florence is packed with history, art and culture, learning doesn’t necessarily stop when class ends. Depending on what you’re studying, a museum, historic site, local business or even a neighborhood could become part of the day’s lesson.
Is Florence a Walkable City for Students?
One of the best parts of living in Florence is how much of the city you can explore on foot.
Instead of relying on a car to get everywhere, you can walk to class, cafés, restaurants, markets, museums, and many of the city’s best-known landmarks. Walking is a great way to soak in all of Florence’s sights and get to know the city on a deeper level.It’s how you’ll discover the bakery you didn’t know was there, the piazza you want to come back to, or the view that makes you stop for a minute on your way home.
In addition to walkable streets, Florence is also home to reliable public transportation such as buses and trams that make it even easier to get around.
Do You Need to Speak Italian to Study Abroad in Florence?
No, you don’t need to speak fluent Italian to study abroad in Florence with AIFS Abroad. Courses are taught in English, and you can also choose to study Italian while you’re there.
Even if you’re starting from scratch, learning some Italian can make everyday life more rewarding. Ordering food, greeting someone, or asking a simple question gives you a chance to use what you’ve learned outside the classroom.
Don’t worry about getting everything perfect: locals often appreciate an honest effort, even if you’re still practicing the basics.
What Are Classes Like in Florence?
That depends on what you choose to study.
AIFS Abroad offers coursework across a variety of academic interests in Florence, from art and fashion to business, marketing, communications, psychology, and more.
At the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center (GEC) in Florence, you’ll take classes in the heart of the old city, just steps from the Ponte Vecchio. Classes focus on hands-on, experiential learning that aims to incorporate the local history and culture into your coursework.
Whether you’re an art history student taking field trips to famed galleries, a photography student snapping pictures of the city’s world-renowned architecture, or a business student learning about the history and financial strategy of the wealthy Medici family, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect what you learn in class to the city itself.To learn more about what the courses you’re interested in will be like, browse AIFS Abroad courses in Florence.
What Do Students Do in Florence Outside of Class?
Fancy yourself a Renaissance man or woman? Because there’s tons to do in Florence outside of class.
If you’re interested in art you can visit the Uffizi (or countless other galleries); if you love history, there are museums everywhere; if you like to shop, there are fantastic markets and artisanal shopping districts; and if you love food, you’ll find no end to delicious options (gelato, pizza, pasta, and so much more!).
You’ll enjoy plenty of free time in Florence to explore by yourself or with friends. Experiencing the beauty and culture of the city is an experience in and of itself—even if it’s just a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio or watching a plaza come to life over an aperitivo with a friend.
And don’t forget about AIFS Abroad’s activities and excursions! These valuable program inclusions are designed to help you meet fellow students while you learn more about your program destination through engaging day trips and local cultural activities.
From spontaneous past times to planned excursions—there’s truly no end to things to do in Florence.
What’s the Food Like in Florence?
Florentine food is something we can all get excited about. Florence is the capital of Tuscany, a region with a strong food culture built around local ingredients and traditions, where vineyard-covered hills, aromatic markets, and generational recipes influence everything from simple snacks to holiday feasts.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample Italian favorites like pizza, pasta, panini, and gelato, alongside Tuscan specialties such as ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and regional wines and olive oils from the surrounding countryside.
But food can also be part of learning how to live somewhere new. You’ll figure out how Italian grocery stores work, learn what to order at a café (and not to order cappuccino after noon), and probably discover a few foods you hadn’t tried before.
And yes, you will develop opinions about where to get the best gelato.
Can You Travel While Studying Abroad in Florence?
Yes, Florence’s convenient location and transportation connections make it easy to explore other parts of Italy and Europe during your time abroad.
But here’s one piece of advice: don’t spend every free weekend somewhere else.
It can be tempting to make a list of every destination you want to visit while you’re in Europe, but leave room for Florence. Remember, people travel from across the world to spend a single weekend in the city, so don’t leave the first chance you get.
While it’s perfectly okay to travel to neighboring countries or visit other cities across Italy, give yourself enough time to really get to know Florence. Chances are that those local day trips or Saturday afternoons spent discovering new neighborhoods will be some of the most rewarding experiences from your time abroad.
You chose Florence for a reason, so give yourself enough time to really know it!
What Is It Like Living in a City with So Much History?
At first, living in Florence can feel nothing short of surreal. For example, as you rub sleep from your eyes on your morning walk to class, it can be almost jarring to look up and see world-class architecture that transports you to the Renaissance. During daily moments like that, it’s easy to wonder whether you’re still in bed dreaming, or you’re really living your dream abroad.
Known as the Cradle of the Renaissance, reminders of Florence’s history are everywhere—in its architecture, cobblestone streets, churches, museums, piazzas, and artwork.
While living in such a beautiful city may never get old, something interesting tends to happen. You let the city in, and rather than the disbelief you first experienced upon arrival, you become accustomed to walking past buildings and places you once only saw in textbooks or online. The Duomo becomes a familiar sight, and a centuries-old piazza becomes the place where you meet your friends.
The impact of living in such an historic and aesthetic city is something you really have to experience for yourself. But in a word, it’s extraordinary.
What Should You Know Before Studying Abroad in Florence?
Living as a student in Florence is different from visiting it on vacation. You’ll be figuring out a new academic environment, a new city, and a different culture at the same time. So, give yourself time to adjust.
You won’t understand everything immediately. You might take a wrong turn. Your Italian might not come out exactly how you planned, and some days will be more exciting than others. That’s all part of the study abroad experience.
The best advice we can give you is to be open and curious: ask questions, try new things, get to know Florence beyond the places you’ve seen on social media, and don’t put pressure on yourself to have someone else’s version of the perfect study abroad experience.
So, What’s It Really Like to Study Abroad in Florence?
Studying abroad in Florence is like a Raphael painting: it’s beautiful, colorful, full of life, and grounded in reality—yet there’s something more that alludes interpretation, an indescribable feeling that exists in the mind and heart, a knowledge that what you’re seeing and experiencing is something that can’t be pinned down or replicated.
It’s viewing Renaissance masterpieces after class and grocery bags filled with delicious local foods, it’s classes in historic neighborhoods, espresso-fueled study sessions, weekend adventures with new friends to Rome, Venice, and Cinque Terre, as well as “ordinary” walks home under the shadows of iconic landmarks.
What’s it really like to study abroad in Florence? It’s something you have to experience for yourself.
