There is something quietly compelling about visiting a city in its colder months. For some, it is even the most rewarding time to go as crowds thin compared to a Spring/Summer/Autumn season. January in Florence, in particular, is far from dormant. With Pitti Uomo anchoring the calendar, the streets come to life. Yet in the weeks after Christmas, a gentler mood settles in; it’s an invitation to rediscover the city from the inside out: museums, art galleries, experiences, wellness treatments; things that when the sun is high, one almost guiltily postpones. Whether you’re planning a visit in the coming weeks or call Florence home, here are a few carefully chosen ways to make the most of the city this winter.
1
Book a massage at Nine Vita
Hotel Numbernine is one of the city’s most multifaceted lifestyle hotels, conceived by Ginevra Moretti as a place where hospitality, culture and wellbeing intersect. Open not only to guests but also to locals in the know, the property unfolds into a series of distinct yet seamlessly connected worlds: Daisy’s, the hotel’s gastronomic hub where refined comfort food meets live music, DJ sets and late-night parties; the Members’ Club, House of Nine; and the wellness center, Nine Vita. Here, you can spend your time between the sauna, ice plunge, jacuzzi and the theatre (yes you can watch a movie while drinking your tea). Alongside the relaxation rituals runs an impressive programme of medical and advanced wellness treatments. Standouts include the signature facial, which begins with a high-tech skin analysis to pinpoint areas in need of attention, before a tailored treatment designed to boost circulation, eliminate impurities and restore luminosity. WEBSITE
2
Enjoy brunch at the newest Wild Buns outlet
Wild Buns began as a corner-side bun-shop. You know Kanelbullar? those perfectly spiced cinnamon buns that you would expect to find in a Copenhagen? Yes. Upon entry, the baking-station takes center stage, with only a few little seats for you to perch while you wait to take-away this delicious, soft dough. Recently, Wild Buns opened a larger outlet in the San Marco neighbourhood where you can sit-in for breakfast, lunch or day-time merenda. From perfectly soft doughs and flaky pastries to more substantial dishes such as brioche brunch buns, wraps, sourdough sandwiches and French toasts, there are a lot of things to savour and warm up with in these cold-winter mornings. WEBSITE
3
Afternoon Tea at Collegio alla Querce
What better way to warm up this season than with a hot tea and indulgent treats? At Collegio alla Querce, between Monday and Saturday at 3pm you can dive into a British-inspired tradition revisited with a Florentine twist. Sweet and savoury delights accompany your favourite tea, hot chocolate, coffee or Champagne presented on the beautiful Secret Garden porcelain collection of Aquazzura Casa. WEBSITE
4
Dinner at the newly opened Akira Back
Akira Back’s long-awaited Italian debut lands in Florence inside the newly opened W Florence, introducing the chef’s globally recognised vision of Japanese cuisine to the Tuscan capital. Back, a former professional snowboarder born in Seoul and raised in Aspen, channels his past experiences into a menu that is rooted in technique but unafraid of indulgence. Signature dishes such as the cult-favourite AB Tuna Pizza—bluefin tuna, umami aioli and white truffle oil on a crisp tortilla—or the extravagantly layered Brother From Another Mother Roll set the tone, alongside impeccably executed sushi and sashimi. WEBSITE
5
Visit the Beato Angelico at Palazzo Strozzi & Museo di San Marco, Florence
Seventy years on from Florence’s last major tribute, this landmark exhibition reunites masterpieces by Beato Angelico across two historic venues. Paintings, drawings and sculptures—many newly restored—chart the artist’s luminous synthesis of late Gothic grace and early Renaissance innovation. In dialogue with figures such as Masaccio, Filippo Lippi and Lorenzo Ghiberti, the exhibition reveals Angelico’s mastery of light, perspective and spiritual intimacy. Rare altarpieces, separated for centuries, are brought together in an ambitious project that reaffirms Florence as the beating heart of the Renaissance. WEBSITE
Until 25/01/2026
Photo: Ela Bialkowska, OKNO Studio
6
book A Fitness class at Hara club
Well, after the Christmas holidays aren’t we all looking to sweat-out a little panettone? well. In Florence, this cool club has opened, and it’s everything we’ve been looking for. Beautiful interiors, hardcore classes and a mindful approach. Founded by Amar and Martyna, Hara is built around a simple but rigorous idea: true strength comes from training balance, power and stillness together. Classes blend controlled movement, breath work and discipline, designed to rebuild and strengthen the body from the inside out. Choose between Functional Training, Muay Thai, Circuits, Pilates and Barre. You will have to purchase a membership (25 euros) before purchasing the classes so it won’t work if you’re only visiting for a couple of days however it’s always a great excuse to come back. WEBSITE
7
Cocktails at 1564 Lounge Bar
1564 Lounge Bar is inside The James Hotel, the newest kid on the block. It’s a deeply personal project from designer James Cavagnari, who has transformed his childhood Renaissance palazzo into a 14-roomed boutique hotel. The bar is visually extraordinary: velvet sofas, pastel pinks and greens, murano lighting, large antique mirrors and vaulted ceilings. Then there’s the cocktail list – equally compelling; where mixology becomes an alchemy of rare spirits, exotic flavours and homemade botanical infusions. WEBSITE