Florence Hills E-Bike Tour: Tuscan countryside from Oltrarno

Ride out of Florence into olive groves and hillside views without planning the route

A 2.5-hour e-bike tour from the Oltrarno neighborhood in Florence into the surrounding Tuscan Hills, with a professional guide leading a small group (max 10 riders) past San Miniato al Monte, a Medici villa, and the ancient village where Galileo lived. The tour includes an e-bike and helmet, and stops at a working olive oil farm for a tasting with fresh bread, or artisanal gelato on Mondays when the farm is closed. Minimum age is 14 and riders must be comfortable on a bike. The route covers about 7 miles with hills.

Step-by-step itinerary

E-bike tour of Florence hills and tasting

• Pass through Porta Romana gate
• Climb hill to Medici family villa
• Admire view from San Miniato al Monte
• Visit ancient Tuscan village and observatory
• Stop for olive oil tasting with bread

The experience

How do you get out of Florence's center without renting a car or booking a driver? The tour starts in Oltrarno, an authentic neighborhood on the south bank of the Arno, and the e-bike does the climbing for you. You pass through Porta Romana, the Renaissance gate still framed by 13th-century city walls, then the motor kicks in as you head uphill into countryside. The route is small, max 10 people, and the guide speaks English or Italian, so you're not navigating alone or reading a map.

The ride itself is about 7 miles over 2.5 hours, which means you're not racing. You'll see a Medici villa on a hilltop, pass by the village where Galileo Galilei lived and kept his observatory, and reach San Miniato al Monte, the oldest abbey in Florence, from the top. That's where the view opens up: the city spreads below you and the hills roll away behind it, and it's the least touristy vantage point over Florence because most visitors never make it this far. The e-bike handles the terrain. You just need to be able to ride a bike steadily.

At the farm, you stop for olive oil tasting with fresh homemade bread, and the producer walks you through how the olives are harvested and pressed. On Mondays the farm is closed, so the tour pivots to an artisanal gelato or a traditional Italian breakfast at a local pastry shop instead. Either way, you're eating and drinking something made nearby, not something assembled for tourists. The whole day (ride, stops, tasting) fits into a morning or early afternoon, and you're back in the city by lunchtime.

What’s included

• E-bike and helmet.
• professional guide in English or Italian.
• olive oil tasting with fresh homemade bread at a working farm (or artisanal gelato and a pastry shop breakfast on Mondays when the farm is closed).
• a look at the olive orchard and a walk-through of harvest and production methods.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by We like Tuscany

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to ride into Tuscan hills from central Florence without a car. The e-bike handles the climbs, so you can cover real distance in 2.5 hours even without recent riding experience.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years). Children under 14 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the actual riding like on an e-bike if I haven't been on one before?

E-bikes handle the climbing for you, so the effort is much lighter than a regular bike, but you do need to be comfortable riding and able to balance and steer. The operator reserves the right to assess whether a rider can operate the bike safely before the tour starts. The route has hills, but the motor assistance makes them manageable for riders of all fitness levels who can actually ride.

Can I do this tour if I'm staying in a different part of Florence?

The tour starts in Oltrarno, on the south side of the Arno, which is central and walkable from most of Florence's main neighborhoods. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're staying farther out. The operator does not provide hotel pickup, so you'll need to get to the Oltrarno meeting point on your own.

What happens to the olive oil tasting on Mondays?

On Mondays the olive oil farm is closed, so instead of the tasting with bread, the tour includes an artisanal gelato or a traditional Italian breakfast at an artisan pastry shop, depending on which shops are open that day. You'll still see the olive orchard and learn about the harvest and production, but the tasting itself moves to a different venue.

Is San Miniato al Monte actually worth the ride, or is it just another church?

San Miniato al Monte is the oldest abbey in Florence and sits on a hilltop with the single best view of the city, and it's the least touristy viewpoint because most visitors never climb out here. From the top you can see the entire city layout and the hills beyond, and it's a moment where the ride feels worth it.

What do I need to bring or wear?

Wear sporty, comfortable clothes you can ride a bike in. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the season and bring a jacket if rain is forecast. The e-bike and helmet are included. You must be at least 14 years old and at least 150 cm tall to ride.