Florence Food & Wine Tour: Tuscan Tastings & Gelato Walk

Summary

Florence food tour through piazzas, wine stops and sweet gelato

You’ll wander Florence’s lively piazzas with a local guide, tasting Chianti wine and classic Tuscan dishes like ribollita and lampredotto along the way. Enjoy creamy gelato near the Duomo, learn stories behind ancient wine windows, and end your day dipping cantucci cookies in sweet Vin Santo. Come hungry—you’ll leave with new friends and flavors stuck in your memory.

What’s the experience like?

“You have to rub the boar’s nose for luck,” our guide Marco grinned, nodding at the shiny Porcellino statue as we gathered in Piazza della Repubblica. I’d never actually noticed how locals weave around tourists there—some pausing for espresso, others just ducking under umbrellas. The air was thick with roasted coffee and that faint bakery smell you only get in Italy. Our little group shuffled closer, half-awake but hungry, and Marco handed out our first sips of Chianti right there on the cobbles. Not a bad start to a Florence food & wine tour, honestly.

We wandered past the Torre dei Pulci—Marco told us some wild story about old Florentine families feuding (I didn’t catch every detail; the cheese distracted me). He laid out platters of cold cuts, sun-dried tomatoes glistening like jewels, bread so crusty it left crumbs on my shirt. I tried to pronounce “Cucina Povera” properly—Marco just laughed and poured another glass. The ribollita was earthy and warm, like something you’d want on a rainy day even though the sun was beating down that afternoon. There’s this thing about eating outside in Florence: pigeons strut by like they own the place, people chat with their hands flying everywhere. It’s noisy but somehow cozy.

I wasn’t expecting to get emotional over gelato but here we are—I picked pistachio (the real kind, not neon green) from a tiny shop near the Duomo. The cold hit my teeth and for a second everything else faded out except that sweet-creamy taste and the sound of bells echoing off stone walls. We stopped at one of those old wine windows too—Marco explained how people used them during plagues to keep trading safely. You can almost picture it if you squint past all the selfie sticks.

The last stop was biscotti dipped in Vin Santo—a ritual I didn’t know I needed until now. The almond crunch mixed with honeyed wine made me slow down for once (rare for me). By then we were full but nobody really wanted to leave; Marco scribbled bar names on napkins for us and waved as we drifted into Piazza Strozzi’s evening light. I still think about that first bite of ribollita sometimes when I’m back home making toast—it’s not quite the same.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Florence food and wine tasting tour

• Meet guide at Piazza della Repubblica
• Walk past Porcellino statue and make wish
• Enjoy local delicatessen platter near Torre dei Pulci
• Pass Piazza della Signoria and taste Cucina Povera dishes
• Pass Florence Cathedral and eat authentic gelato
• Visit historic wine windows and taste cookies with Vin Santo
• End tour at Piazza Strozzi with local tips

Top questions

How much walking is there on this Florence food tour?

The tour covers about 1 mile (1.6 km) through central Florence at a relaxed pace with frequent stops.

Is lunch included in the Florence food & wine tour?

You’ll enjoy tastings across five stops—equivalent to a full meal—with both savory dishes and sweets included.

What kind of food will I try during this Florence food tour?

You’ll taste cold cuts, cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, traditional dishes like ribollita and lampredotto, fresh gelato, biscotti (cantucci), and more.

Are drinks included on this tour?

Yes—there are 4 glasses of regional Tuscan wines such as Chianti plus Vin Santo paired with dessert.

Can vegetarians join this Florence food & wine tour?

The tour offers options suitable for vegetarians as well as lactose-free or gluten-free (non-celiac) guests.

Is there an age requirement for this food & wine experience?

Yes, participants must be at least 18 years old since multiple wine tastings are included.

Does this Florence food tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included—the meeting point is Piazza della Repubblica in central Florence.

Are service animals allowed on this walking food tour?

Yes, service animals are welcome during the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes generous tastings at five foodie hotspots across Florence: platters of cold cuts with cheese and bread drizzled in olive oil; authentic Cucina Povera dishes like ribollita or panzanella; creamy gelato from one of the city’s best shops; four glasses of regional Tuscan wines including Chianti; artisan cantucci cookies paired with Vin Santo; plus stories from your friendly local guide—and plenty of insider tips before you head off into the night.