Best Italian schools in Florence by category - student age group, leisure/fun
17 language schools in Florence from 380€ for a 4 week Italian course
Florence ratings & opinions
How our students rated their experience in Florence
What our students said about Florence
Florence is definitely worth a visit! You just have to take into account that many people think so - in June and July the city was very full of tourists; you have to put up with very long queues at certain panini or ice cream stands. It is also very hot at this time of year and there are few green spaces. The landmarks are of course a dream, but are somewhat spoilt by the high prices and crowds. I was there for a fortnight and tried to get a spot to climb the cathedral on the very first day - unfortunately there were no more places available.
I didn't see that much of Florence because I was only there for a week. If you are interested in art, you can lose yourself in many interesting places here. You can easily reach the airport and the train station by tram. But you should also be aware that Florence is overrun by tourists. This means that if you want to see a tourist attraction, you probably have to queue and many restaurants seem to be geared towards tourists. They are overpriced and don't necessarily offer the fantastic food you would normally expect in Italy.
The city is suffocating in mass tourism, in rubbish, the public transport with buses is an adventure and a disaster. Gentle and sustainable tourism for those really interested in culture is not offered, appreciated or established enough. Online booking for Galeria degli Uffizi and Galeria Academia and museums is too complicated and tedious, sometimes it doesn't work properly. With some shops and restaurants you have to be careful not to get ripped off, but with most of them it's not a problem.
Florence is a wonderful city, I feel very much at home here. However, I would advise against travelling to Florence in the summer months. It feels like there are 5 million tourists here and that can be a bit exhausting after a while. I was here from 8 August to 4 October. As I will continue to learn Italian privately at home, I will definitely come back to Florence, but not before mid-September. I'm not very sensitive to heat, but in August it was really too much (who would have thought it).
I wasn't that interested in nightlife, nor in shopping. Florence is a very beautiful city. It's a pity that you have to walk a long way to get to the river and that the city is not very green. Florence is something for the rich when it comes to shopping. But I like to wander the streets and breathe in the atmosphere. The Parco delle Rose is very beautiful and the Oltrano district and some places where not all the money tourists walk around.
The school management does not realise that some colleagues do not feel that their concerns are being taken seriously or that they no longer feel comfortable, which leads to an increasing deterioration in the climate in general and in motivation and morale. There is perhaps a lack of empathy and leadership skills here, which - admittedly - are required of teachers.
Beautiful city that we already knew. Public transport is generally good, but sometimes a VERY long wait. Florence is not cheap (but which city is), in the center even really expensive, but if you go more to the suburbs it is doable. Groceries are more expensive than in the Netherlands. And with regard to safety: PAY ATTENTION -> there are plenty of pickpockets!
Florence has always been a beautiful multi-faceted city. Saturday crowds in the centre are like those at Disneyworld. It is over-touristed, which the locals accept with tired grace. Everyone switches into English. So a student of Italian gets less chance to practice. One has to look for out of the way places to speak to locals in Italian.
A very lively, vibrant, multicultural city with an incredible number of sights - unfortunately, this means that there are far too many tourists in the centre.... Unfortunately, my bike was stolen and an acquaintance's wallet was stolen... unfortunately, that also comes with the crowds. Nevertheless, I had a super nice, inspiring time.
As a tourist, I can say that there are too many tourists!!! The city is a good size for me to get to know it in peace and quiet and certainly has several sides that are very exciting to get to know. I was overwhelmed at the beginning and got to like this city over time. I will definitely be back.
What language school directors said about Florence
It is a safe city and an "open air museum". The city of Florence is used to welcome students and tourists from all over the world and during the whole year.
Florence is well known all over the world for its monuments and artistic masterpieces.It is culturally very lively in all seasons but it is also a people-orientated and love-able town. Florence is beautiful 365 days per year.
We are proud and very fortunate to have the whole city as a single, great classroom available to us and to our students. An open-air museum, a three-dimensional encyclopedia of art, a miracle of beauty and harmony; in reality, Florence is much more: it is a living and breathing place, in which the word culture acquires a wider meaning, merging with the lifestyle and with the very idea of humanism.
Florence is the most important Italian city to learn Italian thanks to its great literary heritage and to the cultural patrimony of the Renaissance.
Because it's one of the most beautiful city in the world and above all it is unique.
Most recent student reviews of language schools in Florence
The location and the teachers and the staff.
28 October 2024
Course: Standard Course - 1 week
Student age: 54 years
Friendly teachers, relaxed atmosphere, free course booklet, afternoon activities e.g. guided tours of the city.
28 October 2024
Course: Standard Intensive - Gold - 1 week
Student age: 35 years
Excellent teacher, brilliant location in centre of Florence, very nice class mates. All was excellent.
Super school.
15 October 2024
Course: Intensive Course - 1 week
Student age: 56 years
Openness and commitment of the teacher (Daniela), good mix of the group, helpfulness of the staff, good learning books. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming.
2 October 2024
Course: Standard Intensive - Gold - 2 weeks
Student age: 49 years
Number of people per group, nice people.
There are better schools!
30 September 2024
Course: Standard Intensive - Gold - 1 week
Student age: 68 years
Information about Florence
- Safest city in Italy.
- Fantastic art, history and culture to explore.
- Lots of good shopping spots.
- Great location to explore the North of Italy with large cities nearby.
- Long queues for popular attractions.
- Can feel very hot and sticky in the summer months.
Key Facts about Florence
- Price index excluding rent: 85* (15% cheaper than New York)
- Price index including rent: 59* (41% cheaper than New York)
- Price index food only:73* (27% cheaper than New York)
- Big Mac price (Italy average):
4.54 € (7% cheaper than in USA)
- Residential voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Weather in Florence
Events in Florence
22 January 2025 - 24 January 2025The Pitti Immagine events are among the most important ones in the fashion industry. Pitti Immagine Bimbo is dedicated to clothing tendencies for children ages 0-14. Two editions yearly: winter and summer.
January 2025Pitti Immagine events are among the most important ones in the fashion industry. Pitti Immagine Filati is a trade show dedicated to yarn of all types and for all uses, from clothing manufacture to home knitting and fiber art.
21 February 2025 - 23 February 2025Publicized as a trade fair and show, Danza in Fiera is Italy's main dance event focusing on dancing and ballroom dancing in particular. There are competitions, masterclasses, castings, and open lessons as well as stands selling some on the best related products on the market.
February 2025TourismA - International Archaeological Exhibition is a yearly event where important figures from the world or archaeology can meet to present their findings, consult with others, and exchange ideas and information about anything and everything to do with ancient history.
12 April 2025 - 14 April 2025A weekend festival in Cascine park dedicated to bicycles of all types with events, tests, demonstrations, shows and even an expo village where you can acquire all your biking needs. Family friendly event for the eco-conscious who truly believe that bicycles set you free.
20 April 2025One of the loudest folk traditions of the Easter season in Italy, the "explosion of the cart" is literally that, a wagon filled with fireworks that is set alight. The fuse runs from the alter of the cathedral and is lit by the priest.
April 2025A week of tango, passion and the good life in Florence. Take lessons or attend milongas hosted by guest DJs in some truly spectacular locations. Mingle with the artists, and dance with new friends from around the globe.
April 2025 - May 2025Annual handicrafts trade fair that has been running for well over 70 years. With crafts of all types, be inspired by the creativity and craftsmanship of hundreds of artisans. There is literally something here for everyone.
01 May 2025 - 31 May 2025The first music festival ever in Italy, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino began as an opera festival in 1933. It attracts some of the biggest names of the classical music genre from Italy and around the world.
14 June 2025 - 17 June 2025Pitti Immagine events are among the most important ones in the fashion industry. Pitti Immagine Uomo is a fashion fair entirely dedicated to the latest trends and innovations in menswear. Presented twice yearly, once in the winter and then again in summer.
24 June 2025Feast of Saint John, the patron saint of Florence. Countless events are organised around the city including boat races on the Arno, a historical parade, the final match of the Calcio Storico and even a nighttime marathon. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display.
24 June 2025Florence celebrates its patron saint, John, with a game of Calcio Storico, an early form of football. The game is played in period dress with competing teams representing the four quarters of the city.
07 September 2025The festa della Rificolona is a folk festival held every year in the heart of Florence. It includes a popular parade, music and myriad paper lanterns carried by children. The tradition dates back to the 12th century and celebrates the birthday of the Virgin Mary.
What to do in Florence
Arrival airports
Public transportation to city center:
Every 15 minutes, 12 minutes.
Main stops: Faccioli, Vivaldi
Taxi: 10 minutes drive to city center of Florence
Public transportation to city center:
Every 60 minutes, 75 minutes.
Main stops: Pisa Central Station, S. Frediano A Settimo, S. Miniato F., Montelupo Caprala, Le Piagge, Firenze Santa Maria Novella
Taxi: 80 minutes drive to city center of Florence
Public transportation to city center:
Every 15 minutes, 110 minutes.
Main stops: Beer, San Felice, Central Staton, Bologna Centrale, Firenze Santa Maria Novella – Unita'Italian/Farmacia Stazion, Rome Duomo, Orsanmichele, Canto Alla Quarconia, Ghibellina/Baiana Viaggi
Taxi: 90 minutes drive to city center of Florence
Q&A - Questions about Italian courses and schools in Florence
- What if I want to book a 50+ course but there are not enough senior students enrolled for that date?“In this case, you will attend classes with younger students, but the activities organised in the afternoons will be for senior students only.”Rubén De Haro, LanguageCourse.Net - Jul 05, 2024Is it easy to get to Florence from Pisa airport?“From Pisa airport, you would need to get to Pisa Centrale train station (it's close to the airport, there are buses, trains and taxis that can take you there). From there, trains for Florence leave every hour or so. The train journey takes about 50 minutes.”Gosia Mazur, LanguageCourse.Net - Oct 19, 2023Are there any language schools offering English courses in Florence?“All of our partner schools in Florence offer only Italian language courses and do not provide English courses.”Andy Fukutome, LanguageCourse.Net - Apr 16, 2023I would like to attend a school in Florence. I really like the ABC School, but I don't know how to enrol. Can you register me for the course?“ABC School is a very good choice! We personally cannot do the registration, but we will be happy to help you and prepare a registration link for you. In the link you will be guided through the steps of registration and don't worry, it's not difficult! ”Lisa Schiwy, LanguageCourse.Net - Mar 17, 2023I would like more information regarding the Italian course for doctors and the qualifications obtained at the end of such a course. I know Italian at B1-B2 level.“In Florence, the ABC school offers a course in general Italian combined with 5 or 10 individual lessons focused on the Italian language used in the medical sector.
Upon completion of the course, the student receives a certificate of attendance, but this does not give them any official credentials.
If you need an official document/certificate, we cooperate with schools in Rome and Milan which offer preparation courses for the IMAT exam.
”Gosia Mazur, LanguageCourse.net - Mar 10, 2022I am looking for an Italian course with accommodation. I am 65 years old.“We offer a range of Senior Programmes in Florence. Most of these courses start on specific dates. ”Madly Simba, LanguageCourse.net - Sep 23, 2021FAQ - Frequently asked questions about Italian courses in Florence
- I am looking for an academy for an intensive Italian course + accommodation. If there are leisure and cultural activities, the better.“We have several partner schools in Florence that offer intensive language courses, accommodation (in student residences, single rooms or host families) and a varied activity programme that focuses on discovering the beauty of the Tuscan countryside. Contact our agents for recommendations on the best options. ”Veronica Romualdi, Language Travel Consultant from LanguageCourse.Net - Mar 27, 2024My sister is 41 and she wants to study cooking in Florence. Can she get a student visa?“Courses that qualify for a student visa are required to meet certain conditions (number of courses per week and total number of booked weeks) and you will need to consult the embassy for confirmation.
Some of our partner schools in Florence offer a combination of language and cooking courses, which are usually qualified for a student visa.
At the top of the page, select "Italian & Cooking" and click Calculate Price Comparison to see all the relevant courses in Florence.”Susan Wang, Language Travel Consultant from LanguageCourse.Net - Feb 03, 2023Didn't find what you are looking for?Interested in a specific type of course? See our reviews of Italian courses & camps for teenager and children in Florence or other 39 different Italian course types in Florence.Interested in language travel to other cities? Have a look at Italian language schools in other cities in Italy such as Alberobello, Alghero (Sardinia), Arezzo, Ascoli Piceno, Bagno di Romagna ..., Bari, Bologna, Brindisi, Cagliari (Sardinia), Calabria, Castiglioncello, Catania (Sicily), Cefalù (Sicily), Città di Castello, Como, Cosenza, Genoa, Island of Elba, La Maddalena (Sardinia), Lucca, Milan, Milazzo (Sicily), Modena, Montepulciano, Naples, Orbetello, Palermo (Sicily), Pescara, Pisa, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Rome, Salerno, Sanremo, Santa Domenica, Sestri Levante, Siena, Siracusa (Sicily), Sorrento, Taormina (Sicily), Todi, Trapani (Sicily), Trieste, Tropea, Turin, Urbania, Venice, Verona, Viareggio, Vibo Valentia or see our list of all schools in Italy. You may also want to consult options outside Italy for learning Italian.Show moreLanguage School Destinations
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