Quick answer
Beyond the museums, Florence offers authentic experiences: a Tuscan cooking class, a Vespa tour through the Chianti hills, a food tour with lampredotto and schiacciata, visits to Oltrarno artisan workshops, a glass at the wine windows, a boat ride on the Arno and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. Many experiences can be booked online and start in the centre.
Florence isn’t just the Uffizi and the Duomo: the best way to understand it is to live it. Here are 10 experiences we recommend to our guests, from the tastiest to the most romantic.
1. Take a Tuscan cooking class
Make fresh pasta, a ragù or tiramisù, then eat what you cooked: cooking classes are among the most loved experiences, great for kids too. Many include market shopping with the chef.
2. Ride a Vespa through the Chianti
Riding a Vespa among cypresses and vineyards, with winery stops, is an iconic experience. There are also vintage Fiat 500 and e-bike versions. More in our Chianti tour from Florence guide.
3. A food tour of markets and street food
Try lampredotto at historic kiosks, stuffed schiacciata, Tuscan cured meats and artisan gelato. A guided tour of the Mercato Centrale or Sant’Ambrogio takes you to the right places.
4. Visit the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno
Around Santo Spirito and San Frediano, leatherworkers, gilders, restorers and marbled-paper masters are still at work. Some workshops offer small hands-on sessions.
5. Have a drink at a “wine window”
The buchette del vino are small windows in palazzo walls once used to sell wine straight from the cellar. Some are back in use, serving wine, coffee or gelato.
6. A boat ride on the Arno
The traditional renaioli boats offer a unique view of Ponte Vecchio, especially at sunset.
7. Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
Free and unforgettable: the whole of Florence at sunset. Just above, San Miniato al Monte is even quieter.
8. Tuscan wine tasting in an enoteca
Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: many wine bars in the centre offer guided tastings with cured meats and cheese.
9. A bike tour along the Arno and to the Cascine
The city is small, and by bike you’ll find corners away from the crowds. Cascine Park is a few minutes from our apartments.
10. Join a Florentine tradition
In June the Calcio Storico is played in Piazza Santa Croce, with the final on 24 June, the feast of St John. Every Tuesday there’s the Cascine market.
Tips for booking experiences
- Book cooking classes and tours in advance, especially in high season.
- Choose experiences meeting in the centre: you can walk there from our apartments.
- For trips out of town read day trips from Florence.
- Last day? Leave your bags at Luggage Storage Hub and enjoy your experience worry-free.
Experience Florence from an apartment in the centre
Check availabilityFAQ
What is the most authentic experience in Florence?
A Tuscan cooking class with a market visit is one of the most authentic and popular experiences in Florence.
What are Florence’s wine windows?
They are small windows in Florentine palazzi once used to sell wine; some now serve wine, coffee or gelato again.
Can you do a Vespa tour from Florence?
Yes, several operators run Vespa tours in the Chianti departing from Florence.