With a population of over 1.5 million people and an expansive metropolitan area, jobs in Florence span a variety of fields due to the city’s large economy.

Art. Florence is perhaps most famous for its vast collection of art, with a never-ending list of museums and Renaissance palaces still in pristine condition—not to mention Michelangelo’s famous David statue. If you are interested in working in Italy in the world of galleries and curatorship, or even in performance art, Florence is the city for you.

Fashion. Florence is also known for its important role as one of the leading fashion cities in the world. Some of the many designers that call Florence home are Prada, Gucci, Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Emilio Pucci, Bulgari, and Chanel, and you’ll find them lining the street of Via de’ Tornabuoni. Many of these famous designers are headquartered in Florence, offering incredible job opportunities for individuals who want to become involved in the fashion industry.

Tourism. The main industry of Florence, however, is its tourism. A strong political and cultural force in Italy’s history throughout the centuries, millions of tourists flock to Florence each year to see the sights. There are many companies—both Italian or otherwise—that offer a variety of services to travelers from all over the world, so for those interested in working in Florence in the tourism industry jobs are plenty. Tourism jobs in Florence may include anything from guiding tours around the city to assisting in organizing accommodations to introducing tourists to Florence’s well-known world of gelato.

English Teaching & Au Pair Work. For employment outside of an office, there are many job opportunities in Florence for individuals to work as English teachers or as au pairs. Since Florence has one of the highest average incomes in Italy, many Italian families can afford to welcome English-speakers into their home to teach their children English. Additionally, with the great amount of international business that flows in and out of Florence, English is an important mode of communication and skill amongst professionals, so there are excellent opportunities to teach English to adults in Florence too. A TEFL certification is typically required in order to teach English in Florence though.