Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Repubblica
4.1
About
This square marks the ancient heart of Florence and is the site of the Giubbe Rosse café where intellectuals and artists met in the early years of the 20th century.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Duomo
Florentia, as it was called by Latins, is permeated by an eternal beauty spread in all corners of the city. The historic center is characterized by the immensity of the Duomo, able to transport tourists into the brightest age of Florence: the Renaissance. Who does not know the Brunelleschi Dome, San Giovanni Baptistery and the Giotto’s Campanile? Everything is enclosed here and it would be easy to imagine the city as it was in ancient times, with maids walking in the main square and horses carrying coaches. Nowadays, roads are busy with street artists. Rustic Tuscan bakeries give way to fashion shops; just stop for a few minutes in the middle of Piazza della Repubblica to enjoy the colors and sweet melody of the carousel that will bring back great memories from anyone’s childhood.
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2,734 within 3 miles
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895 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Rebecca EPittsburgh, Pennsylvania35 contributionsMy husband and I stayed literally around the corner from the Piazza della Repubblica! Almost every day/night musicians would be playing right in the center! There are great restaurants to go eat at in this piazza, as well as getting a few drinks and sitting at the edges (on super comfy chairs) and just watching the festivities happen in the piazza. We spent a lot of time just hanging out in the area and visiting all the local shops! You can get a horse and carriage ride, pretty much anywhere in the area. This was one of my favorite parts about visiting Italy! Its also located near so many amazing restaurants and gelato shops. It is in short walking distance from the train station and the central market. I would definitely spend a night in this area! We will definitely be coming back!Visited October 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 6, 2024
- TravelingSoccerLoonSaint Paul, Minnesota8,591 contributionsCharming public square where once stood a marketplace dating back to medieval times. The area was torn down and rebuilt between 1885-1895 when Florence was briefly the capital of a newly united Italy. The construction included the impressive triumphal arch. Today the square is lined with restaurants and cafes and contains a carousel. Street musicians regularly perform adding some liveliness to the square.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 1, 2025
- BradHong Kong, China182,774 contributionsThis is the location of the origin Roman era forum during ancient times. It then served as a market square during the Middle Ages. Today, the rectangular shaped public square is the result of 19th-century urban planning. You see a large palace archway entry and portico lined arcade on the west side of the square. There are cafes with alfresco outdoor seating on the north and south side along with a carrousel in middle and historic Column of Abundance on the east side facing Via Calimala. During past visits to Florence, we have enjoyed chocolate fairs and other festive events at Piazza del Repubblica. This time the square was much quieter, just a place to pass through from one location to another while sightseeing around the city centre.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 8, 2024
- David OGeneva, Switzerland5,173 contributionsRepublic Square. It is also a central square but less famous than other squares. However, in the evening, there are people. For the carousel, for the younger ones. Across the street is the Grand Inn of the City. To its right are the famous arcades of which several films have been shot inside. Across the street there are restaurant terraces. It's a standard Italian place. It stays quite crowded in the summer evening.Visited August 2024Traveled soloWritten October 21, 2024
- Dimitris LSydney, Australia54,744 contributionsPiazza della Repubblica is a beautiful public square with a long history to go. Originally it was the market place of the city. However it has undergone a number of changes since and now it is a place to have a cup of coffee, or a bite to eat or just meet other people. It is one of the nicer public spaces in the city.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten December 4, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.1
1,237 reviews
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𝓛𝓲𝓵𝓵𝔂 🔆
Czech Republic12,132 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
A beautiful square in the center of Florence with many historic houses with modified facades. Lots of options for shopping or sitting in one of the cafes or restaurants. Vendors and entertainers also move around the square. Parents and children will surely enjoy the beautiful colorful carousel.

Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asiyah Noemi K
Pula, Croatia5,372 contributions
Jan 2020
The beautiful Piazza della Repubblica is one of the main squares in Florence and marks the center of the city since Roman times. It is surrounded by elegant, beautiful, historic palaces. The Colonna della Dovizia or also known as the Column of Abundance marks the point where the cardus and decumanus maximi met and where the Roman forum stood. The present column dates to 1431. During medieval times the area around the column was densely populated with markets, tabernacles and churches...it was the center of the city. It was the location of the market and the Jewish Ghetto. The Jewish people were obligated to live here under the rule of Cosimo I Medici. Through the centuries the square managed to retained its medieval look up until the 18th century when the town council decided to widen the square and "clean up" the center. The whole patrimony of ancient noble palaces, medieval towers, craftsmens’ workshops, tabernacles and churches was lost due to the massive demolition, when the entire area was redefined by the choice of Florence as capital of the new Reign of Italy.The square today doesn't even look like it did even just 150 years ago. The square today is an impromtu stage to street artists and shows, particularly after sunset. Piazza della Repubblica is home to the historical Caffé Gilli, Caffé Paskowski and Caffé delle Giubbe Rosse which were meeting points for many of the city's artists and writers in the past. Also facing onto the piazza are the Hotel Savoy on Via Roma and the central Post Office, located under the arches of the portico that extends to each side of the Arch of Triumph. Surrounded by caffès and elegant restaurants, it’s considered the upper class salon of the city, and is often a theater to musicians and street artists.
Written June 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JRMADA
United States3,473 contributions
Oct 2022
This is a nice square. I would imagine being nicer when the arch is uncovered due to construction going on now. There’s entertainment for the kids (merry go round), a bit of shopping, and places to eat. I’d say do the kids stuff, and perhaps a bit of shopping, but as far as food goes, go elsewhere. We’ve eaten and had coffee at a few places on this square, and the service is poor, the food mediocre at best, and expensive plus seating fees. One of the places there charged us €4.00 per person seating fee. The restaurants are tourist traps here. You can eat better anywhere else for less money and no seating fees.
Written October 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelo S
Hilliard, OH6,007 contributions
Oct 2022
This large piazza is a good stopping point between Pointe Vecchio and the Piazza del Duomo. Surrounded by small shops and a few cafe's a spot to take a break from sightseeing with a caffe or even a little shopping. The couple of times we passed through it was not very crowded, but just crowded enough to linger. There is also a very nice working merry-go-round that both children and adults seemed to enjoy.
Written December 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
朱把拔
Newmarket, Canada1,101 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Piazza della Repubblica is a major square in Florence. In addition to Piazza Santa Maria del Fiore and Piazza della Signoria, including Piazza Michelangelo on the other side, this should be considered the fourth largest square! The carousel on the square should be considered its biggest feature. The square is located on the road from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to the Ponte Vecchio.

Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swetamodi
Mumbai, India220 contributions
Sep 2019
Walking from the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, this is a lively square - most lively at night when there are many street performers.
Theres a lovely carousel in the centre which adds to the beauty of this place.
Lots of shops and restarants around.
Theres a lovely carousel in the centre which adds to the beauty of this place.
Lots of shops and restarants around.
Written April 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AK8397
Ontario, Canada1,045 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This is yet another Piazza in the central core of Florence that is bustling with people and activities. It is surrounded by impressive architecture, and filled with shops, vendors, street entertainers and even a carousel for the kids. Good place to take a break, have a drink or treat, and watch the people.
Written June 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brewer4
Jax, FL1,537 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
While our walking we stumbled on this ancient center of Rome. Kids were enjoying the Merry Go Round and lots of business folks hurried about. We took in the sites here and continued our walk.Glad to identify this site. Honestly wasn’t a destination we set out to see.
Written April 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Massimiliano P
Novara, Italy48,694 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Piazza della Repubblica is in my opinion the most elegant square in the historic center of Florence. With a quadrangular plan and surrounded by beautiful porticoed buildings, this square is characterized by the imposing Arc de Triomphe and the central column of Abundance. Giving it a touch of liveliness and color are the presence of some historic cafés and the occasional presence of street artists and portraitists. In the context of the square, the carousel is also nice.

Written February 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad6,351 contributions
Jun 2020 • Solo
This is more for the kids who want to ride the carousel or adults who want to chill out and watch people pass by. Here there are many shops selling sweet treats and chocolate, not cheap either. I didnt hang out here too long , more of a browse through and leave. However, it's a nice lively area for all interested
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is an indoor shopping street (wouldn’t call it a mall) about 1 street on the right off of Via Nazionale. There are a few shops but not much of a mall
Written September 5, 2019
Hi, I am travelling in April does anyone know the opening hours for the Carousel?
Written February 21, 2018
Would LOVE to buy a CD from the 2 guys that perform by the carousel. A guitar & mandolin, classic Italian singers!
Written February 2, 2017
I read somewhere that the antique carousel in the Piazza della Repubblica only runs from November to May. Can anyone confirm or dispel this? I'm going to be there in September and it would be heartbreaking if the lights on the carousel were not at least lit.
Written August 19, 2016
I was there first week of August and it was running.
Written August 31, 2016
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