Best Activities and Shops in Florence, Italy
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Best Activities and Shops in Florence, Italy
Martina Bartolozzi
Available for hire
You won't find the Uffizi or any other must-sees in this list - I know you know about them!
What you'll find are a local's best off-the-beaten-path recommendations for what to do, see, and purchase in Florence:
- 5 food & wine activities, including tours;
- 4 cultural activities;
- 2 summertime live music and dancing spots;
- 3 free activities;
- 8 local shops.
Check out my "Custom Italy Services" board for custom recommendations and other services.
Don't forget to save ☑️ this map for future use!
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I strongly recommend making reservations and booking tickets in advance when possible, or at least giving a call on the day-of because business opening hours might vary.
Foodie
Sant'Ambrogio Market
@MementoMartina
Explore one of Florence's liveliest and most authentic historical markets.
Take a stroll and check out the various booths and stands to find some delicious treats. For example:
- Macelleria Luca Menoni for fresh meat, they also have a little dining area above the shop;
- Il Cernacchino di Giuliana for Tuscan specialty products to take home as gifts (they also ship);
- Stefano's unnamed cheese and cured meats booth on the South-East corner (in front of the fishmongers).
On the outside of the market you'll find fabulous fruit and vegetable stands where you'll always find the best of what's in season.
Outside, on the South-facing end, there's also a section for used clothes from 3€ up, vintage clothes, and some pretty neat antiques as well. So far this is as close as Florence has gotten to the concept of thrift shops, which don't really exist here (while vintage stores do).
Sant'Ambrogio market was recently featured on Stanley Tucci's show "Searching For Italy".
The market is currently undergoing renovation, so some of the stands have been moved to nearby Largo Annigoni square.
Some history:
the Sant'Ambrogio covered market was created by Giuseppe Mengoni in 1873, around the same time when the Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo was built, as part of a project to nobilitate Florence during the 6 years it was capital of the newly born nation of Italy, before moving the capital to Rome.
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Mercato Centrale Firenze
@MementoMartina
Florence's biggest market and a great place to include in a culinary walking tour.
On the ground floor you'll find the historical market with some of the best quality products you can find in Florence, butchers, salumerie, fishmongers, produce vendors and more.
This is a great place to get groceries and learn about the local cuisine, but this floor starts closing up around lunch-time and is closed on Sundays, so be sure to make some time for it!
If you'd like to learn more about local food and the traditions around it, while stuffing your face until you just can't no more, enjoy a guided tour of the historical market with professional foodie Romina, linked below.
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On the second floor, you'll find the modern part of the market, built about 10 years ago with stands with food from all over Italy and from all around the world - whatever you're in the mood for - whether that is a burger, pizza, wontons, or steak, you can find it here. There are also 2 different bars, plenty of tables to sit at, and it's open till midnight.
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Grape Tours - wine tours in Tuscany
@MementoMartina
Grape Tours is a wine tour company based in Florence that offers group and private tours all over Tuscany.
Take a look at their website to learn which of their tours works best for you.
Here are some ideas:
- Super Chianti: Panzano and Greve (includes a stop at Dario Cecchini’s world-famous butcher shop!);
- Wine time (Nov-March): Montespertoli;
- Chianti and cheese (March-Sept): Chianti and Chianti Classico;
- Medici wines and villas (April-Oct): Carmignano and Poggio a Caiano.
Their tours run to all the major Tuscan wine areas, including but not limited to: Lamole, Panzano, Montalcino, San Gimignano, Montepulciano.
Note: I always recommend booking tours towards the beginning of your trip, so you can then enjoy your destination with a greater wealth of insider knowledge.
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Pasta Class Florence | Cooking classes for pasta lovers with Italian Chefs
@MementoMartina
Put on an apron and join Pasta Class Florence for one of their amazing classes, where a group of experienced and dynamic chefs will help you channel your inner Italian chef, right in the center of Florence, either in their via via degli Alfani location, or in their brand-new via dell'Angolo space.
The instructors will lead you step by step in crafting different kinds of pasta, as well as their most appropriate sauces.
You'll also receive insights that only a seasoned chef (or a “seasoned” nonna) could know, from how to properly and safely chop vegetables, to the best recommendations for kitchen equipment.
Then sit down to enjoy your pasta, along with some lovely red wine, and get the chance to bond with the other chefs for the day from all over the world.
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DiniCaffè
@MementoMartina
Dini Caffè is a quality coffee roastery located right in the center of Florence, run by Florentine sisters Serena and Benedetta Nobili, and founded by their grandfather in 1939.
In addition to producing excellent coffee, they also host an introductory Italian coffee experience, which you can book either directly or through AirBnb (linked below).
Shopping recommendation: their Florence skyline espresso cups.
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Access all the local insights and recommendations from @MementoMartina when you purchase this guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Martina Bartolozzi
Available for hire
Do you love Italy 🇮🇹 and good food? Then tap here to start planning your upcoming trip with a professional traveler.
My name is Martina, I'm an American Italian based in Florence, Tuscany, where I was born and raised, and I spend my life traveling up and down "the boot" sharing my best findings with fellow foodies, as a professional, licensed, Italian tour leader.
Allow me to help you, and feel prepared for your trip without having to do hours of research yourself 🧳
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About me:
- half Florentine 🇮🇹 and half Californian 🇺🇸, born and raised in Tuscany;
- licensed Italian tour leader;
- one of Thatch's very first creators,
- one of the top 20 Women in Food of 2021 for Corriere della Sera, one of Italy's leading newspapers since 1876;
- trained butcher with world-renowned butcher and Netflix star Dario Cecchini;
- featured in numerous publications, including The Florentine, Marie Claire Italia, Beef Magazine, Eurocarni, Cook Corriere della Sera, Il Gusto La Repubblica, and more;
- avid traveler (20 countries!) and strong supporter of solo female travel.
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Find me on Instagram 📸 @MementoMartina for your daily dose of Italian life ☕️
Subscribe to my Thatch profile to keep up to date with new map releases and special offers.
Let's start talking about your next trip to Italy: tap on the "Contact Button" or
email me at mementomartina@gmail.com
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
22 places
22 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
5 extra guides
Access to additional guides curated by the creator.
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Tuscany, Italy
Florence, FI, Italy
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Foodie
Adventure
Art
Shopping
People & Culture
Wine
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Map
Maps are simple lists of places often grouped by themes, categories or geos.
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