u/FlorenceUpdates

Florence has been ranked among the world’s top 10 cities for culture in Time Out’s latest global list.

From Renaissance art and historic architecture to contemporary exhibitions, food, music and everyday street life, the city continues to attract international recognition well beyond tourism rankings.

Do you think Florence still deserves its reputation as one of the world’s great cultural capitals — or is overtourism starting to change the experience?

Have you spotted film crews around Tuscany lately? 👀

Netflix’s political drama The Diplomat is filming scenes for its fourth season in both Florence and Lucca, with production expected to continue over the next few days.

According to local reports, some areas may see temporary street closures and restricted access while filming takes place.

Did you watch the series? And if you see Keri Russell wandering around Tuscany… let us know 😄

https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/05/12/netflixs-the-diplomat-to-film-fourth-season-in-lucca-and-florence/

170,000 people in and around Florence could face water disruptions this weekend due to major works on the city’s water network. Some areas may experience low pressure or temporary outages while new infrastructure is connected.

The works are scheduled between Friday night May 15, 2026, and Sunday, May 17, 2026, with Publiacqua advising residents to store some water in advance and avoid unnecessary consumption during the operation.

More infos on the affected streets on Florence Daily News https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/05/11/major-water-works-may-disrupt-supply-for-170000-users-in-florence/

And the Publiacqua website https://www.publiacqua.it/15-17-maggio-rinnoviamo-lautostrada-dellacqua

Are you in one of the affected areas? Have these kinds of planned interruptions improved in recent years, or are they still a problem in Florence?

Florence is adding up to 60 extra taxis through November 2026 to deal with increasing demand from residents and tourists. The temporary licenses are part of a broader effort to reduce waiting times, especially around stations, the airport, and major events.

The move comes as the city continues to debate mobility, overtourism, and public transport capacity in Florence’s historic center.

Have you noticed long taxi waits in Florence lately? Do you think this will help?

Read the article on Florence Daily News

As the European University Institute (EUI) marks its 50th anniversary, it’s a good moment to look at how this Florence-based institution has evolved alongside Europe itself.

Founded in the 1970s to support research on European integration, the EUI has gone through many of the same phases as the EU: from early optimism to periods shaped by crises like the eurozone instability, migration, Brexit and shifting global tensions.

Over time, it has become more than just an academic centre. With researchers, policymakers and students from across Europe and beyond, it works as a kind of laboratory where different national perspectives meet, sometimes clash, and often find common ground.

The anniversary is being marked with a three-day programme in Florence, bringing together academics, institutional representatives and policymakers. The events include public discussions, lectures and moments reflecting on the institute’s role over the past five decades, as well as its future contribution to European policymaking and research.

That focus on dialogue and exchange reflects a broader challenge for Europe: how to turn diversity into cooperation without losing cohesion.

For those in Florence, it’s also a reminder that one of Europe’s key intellectual hubs sits just outside the city, in Fiesole, contributing to debates that go far beyond Italy.

If you’re in Florence this spring (or planning a visit soon), there’s a spot that only opens once a year and is easy to miss: the Iris Garden just below Piazzale Michelangelo.

It’s now open for the season, and timing matters — it usually stays accessible only from late April to around mid-May, right when the irises are in bloom.

The garden is dedicated to Florence’s symbol, the iris (often mistaken for a lily), and hosts hundreds of varieties from around the world. You’ll find everything from deep purples to almost translucent whites, with views over the city that are honestly hard to beat.

It’s free to enter, relatively quiet compared to other viewpoints, and feels more like a local secret than a tourist stop.

Have you ever been? Worth timing your visit for this, or would you skip it?

More infos here: https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/04/28/seasonal-opening-for-florences-iris-garden-home-of-the-citys-emblem/