Florence Sidecar Motorcycle Tour: Piazzale Michelangelo & Oltrarno

Glide through Oltrarno’s secret streets and hilltop views on a vintage sidecar.

A vintage motorcycle sidecar tour of Florence takes you through the Oltrarno district, up to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte, then out onto Chianti roads lined with vineyards and olive trees, with a live guide in English or Italian. The tour runs two hours and departs from Caffè Pasticceria Gamberini near the river. Children from age 7 are welcome. Weight limits apply to vintage equipment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Piazzale Michelangelo15m
2. San Miniato al Monte5m

Vintage sidecar tour of Florence highlights

• Meet at Caffè Pasticceria Gamberini
• Cross river towards San Frediano door
• Ride to Oltrarno district
• Visit Piazzale Michelangelo terrace
• Stop at San Miniato al Monte church
• Ride Chianti roads with vineyards
• Return driving along river and city center

The experience

You meet at Caffè Pasticceria Gamberini on via del Curtatone and cross the river toward San Frediano, heading straight into the Oltrarno. The neighborhood locals say is the most authentically Florentine part of town. From there the sidecar climbs to Piazzale Michelangelo, where the city spreads out below you in a single view. The guide points out what matters as you ride, not from behind glass or from a crowded platform where fifty other tours are standing.

The route then takes you to San Miniato al Monte, the church perched on the hill above the city, before heading out of Florence entirely onto the Chianti roads. Vineyards and olive groves replace the streets, and you get the countryside landscape that sits just beyond the city limits: the thing most Florence tours skip because a bus cannot go there. On the way back you ride along the river and through the city center to close the loop.

A vintage motocarrozzetta is narrower and more nimble than a car, so the guide can take corners and backstreets a minivan cannot reach. You feel the breeze instead of sitting in air conditioning, and you can shoot video and photos from angles that matter. The helmet is included, and the ride is steadier and safer than a scooter because you are sitting in a sidecar, not balancing on a seat.

What’s included

• Driver and live guide in English or Italian.
• helmet.
• fuel surcharge.
• local taxes.
• live commentary on the route and at each stop.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 18:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (14 to 80 years) · Child (7 to 13 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by De Gustibus Tours

Is this one for you?Book this for your first day in Florence if you want a complete introduction to both sides of the city (the old districts and the countryside around them) without the constraints of a bus route. The sidecar goes where larger vehicles cannot, and the two-hour loop covers ground most walking tours skip.

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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: Child (7 to 13 years). Children under 7 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 is the Oltrarno and why does the tour spend time there?

The Oltrarno is the neighborhood south of the Arno river, and the tour describes it as the most traditional and authentically Florentine district in the city. It is where the route begins after crossing the river from the meeting point.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs two hours from start to finish, including all stops and the ride out to the Chianti roads and back into the city center.

Are there weight limits I should know about?

The tour uses vintage motorcycles and sidecars, and the operator notes that weight limits apply to the equipment. You should mention any concerns when booking.