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A new school year always feels like a fresh start; new classes, new teachers, new classmates and a new sense of motivation. Whether you’re starting at a new school, moving up a year or just promising yourself this will be the year you “lock in”, finding the right places to study in Florence early on in the year means you will already know where to go when you have homework to finish, exams to prepare for or when you just need a change of environment.
So whether you are new to Florence or have lived here your whole life, here are our top picks.
A short walk from the Duomo, this historic library occupies a fourteenth-century convent and offers around 280 places to study, with Wi-Fi throughout and a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. But what makes the entire study experience feel magical is the view: the library’s café and terrace look out toward the Duomo.
The library stays open late from Wednesday to Saturday, making it a suitable option for longer study sessions, especially during exam season.
Source: Instagram @caffetteriadelleoblate
✦ Best for: settling into a focused study routine with a great view of Florence.
This is probably one of the coolest study locations in Florence. Right in the heart of the city, the historic Odeon has been transformed into a cultural space combining a bookshop, cinema and café. Head upstairs and find a seat with a mini table where you can read, study or get inspiration while films play on the big screen.
You can also take a break from your study session by heading over to the Caffè Odeon for a coffee or something to eat.
Source: Google Maps
✦ Best for: reading, research and getting inspired between books and culture.
If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to really focus, the Biblioteca Marucelliana is a great choice. Its monumental reading room has more than 100 places, making it a spacious option when you want to settle down and concentrate without distractions.
The library is free to enter for anyone aged 16 or over, including both Italian and international students. Just bring your ID to register at the entrance. Remember to check their opening hours before you go, as the library stays open in the afternoon only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Source: Google Maps
✦ Best for: quiet, distraction-free study when you really need to “lock in”.
If you like the idea of studying surrounded by books, Todo Modo is the place for you. This independent bookshop and café in the heart of Florence has a relaxed, creative atmosphere that makes it easy to spend an afternoon reading, writing or sketching. And don’t forget to grab something from the café while you are there.
Before heading there, it may be worth checking whether there are any events taking place, as the space regularly hosts cultural activities.
Source: Google Maps
✦ Best for: reading, homework and relaxed afternoons surrounded by books.
Ditta Artigianale is a must-go for coffee lovers. While its different locations can all work for a couple of hours of focused studying, the one in Sant’Ambrogio is our favourite. Housed inside a former fourteenth-century monastery, this café has a beautiful internal cloister surrounded by greenery, where you can sit, enjoy a coffee and get some work done in a relaxed atmosphere.
Ditta Artigianale is also a go-to for group meetings when planning out projects or presentations, giving you somewhere to work together without having to stay at home.
Source: Google Maps
✦ Best for: coffee-fuelled solo and group study sessions.
There are multiple Shake Café in the centre of Florence, but a personal favourite is the one located on Via Cavour. This location features a peaceful back courtyard, making it a particularly nice spot to get some work done when the weather is good.
With comfortable seating, fast Wi-Fi and plenty of food and drink options, it works well for an after-school “merenda” homework session.
Source: Instagram @shakecafe_firenze
✦ Best for: revision with friends accompanied by snacks and drinks.
Sometimes the best thing you can do when you’re struggling to concentrate is to step away from your desk for a while. The Giardino di Boboli offers a beautiful change of scenery with sculptures, fountains and breathtaking views of Florence. It is particularly good for light reading, brainstorming or simply taking a break from studying indoors.
Residents of the Municipality of Florence can enter the gardens for free by showing valid proof of residence at the entrance.
Source: Unsplash
✦ Best for: clearing your head, light revision in the sun, and resetting.
→ Always bring your charging cable — a dead laptop mid-session is a revision killer.
→ Headphones are non-negotiable. Even in quiet places, having your own audio bubble helps. They say classical music stimulates the mind, so why not give it a try?
→ Stay hydrated. Bring a reusable water bottle — it’s one less thing to spend money on and one less thing to think about.
→ Be honest about who you study well with. A revision group that actually stays focused is everything you need.
→ Wear your uniform on study days if you can. It sounds small, but staying in “school mode” really does help your brain shift into focus.
→ Weekdays are almost always better. If you need to study on a weekend, plan ahead — popular spots fill up fast.
→ Try to have a rough plan before you arrive: know what subject you’re covering, what you want to get done, and give yourself a finish time. Walking in with a vague plan to “just study” rarely ends well.
The beginning of the school year is the right time to experiment with what works for you and build a solid study routine. Maybe you concentrate best in a quiet library, maybe you work better with a friend and a cup of coffee. There’s no single right way to study.
Now, grab your books, pack your laptop and go find a spot you like.
