Best Spots to Study in Florence

We know, we know...as fun and exciting as it can be to study abroad, there comes a time in every study abroad student's life where they actually need to...you know, STUDY.  While some people are perfectly fine studying at home, others seek the quiet refuge of a library or a good cafe in order to get their learnin' on.

We've scoured the city and come up with a list of the best study spots in Florence.  Let us know if you've visited any of them & what you thought, or if you have a study place to add to our list!



1.  Biblioteca Oblate 
Close to: the Duomo
Via dell'Oriuolo 26 |  Tel. 055 261 6512
Hours: Mon. 2pm-7pm, Tues-Sat. 9am-Midnight (Closed Sundays)

This library is one of the best kept secrets in Florence--in fact, the incredible view of the Duomo from the second floor might make it hard for you to study at all! Fully equipped with internet access, quiet areas, and a cafe for those late afternoon snacking needs.  Be warned that outlets tend to get snatched pretty quickly, so come prepared with a full battery on your computer.

2. Caffe Letterario
Close to: Piazza Beccaria, Via Ghibellina
Piazza delle Murate |  Tel. 055 234 6872
Hours: Mon-Sun. 9am-1am
Set in a quiet courtyard of a former prison, Caffe Letterario is a perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. With both indoor and outdoor space, you're guaranteed to find a nice secluded place to crack open your books.  Also, don't miss out on the live music that happens in the courtyard in the warmer months or the Sunday brunch specials!

3. Arnold Coffee
Close to: Santa Maria Novella train station
Via degli Avelli 8/Second entrance on Via Panzani
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun. 9am-8pm

If you're looking for the Italian equivalent of Starbucks, look no further than Arnold Coffee.  This cafe has American-sized lattes, flavored macchiatos, bagels, sandwiches & more, plus the added bonus of free-wifi and a downstairs area with plenty of tables and chairs.




4.  Brac
Close to: Piazza Santa Croce, Ponte alle Grazie Via dei Vagellai 18R | Tel. 055 094 4877
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 12pm-12am, Sun. 12pm-8pm

While it may be hard to find on the first try (the front door is quite plain and can be easily mistaken for just another storage building) this small architecture studio/cafe/bar is a hidden gem tucked away on one of the side streets surrounding the Santa Croce area.  If you walk past the bar in the front, you'll come out into a lovely courtyard decorated with hanging streamers and comfy cushions and chairs surrounding the interior.

5. La Cité

Close to: Santo Spirito, Ponte Carraia Borgo San Frediano 20R | Tel. 055
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 am-1am, Fri. 7:30am-2am, Sat. 10am-2am, Sun. 3pm-1am

Definitely more of a "hipster" location than its counterparts, La Cité is located on the Oltrarno side of Florence and reminds us of many of San Francisco's independent bookstore/cafe/art studio combos.  There's plenty of space to spread out, have a coffee, surf the internet and generally just chill out and take your time with those homework assignments.



6. The AIFS Study Center!
Piazza dei Peruzzi 1
Hours: Mon-Thurs. 8:30am-6:30pm, Fri. 10am-4pm, Closed weekends

While you're here, you might as well take advantage of our AIFS study center.  All computer and printing materials are of course free of charge, plus you get the additional bonus of our awesome AIFS Staff to keep you company and answer any questions for you while you're doing your homework!