Explore Florence like a local: Hidden gems to discover on our Tuscany tours

Experiencing the art and culture in the streets surrounded by locals and your fellow travelers is one of the effervescent joys of visiting Florence, but if you want a glimpse of a Florence that feels still and timeless, climb Giotto’s Campanile on our Florence, Tuscany & the Italian Riviera tour. From this height, the city unfolds like a Renaissance painting.

Why Giotto’s Bell Tower is the smarter climb

“Both the Duomo and Giotto’s Bell Tower offer 360-degree views from the most central part of Florence, but my pro tip is to climb the Bell Tower instead of the Duomo,” said staffer Everett. “You can get the actual Duomo in your panoramic photos of Florence once you get to the top. These are some of the best pictures I took when visiting this city, with the famous Duomo in the foreground and the landscape of Florence’s streets behind it—all from, essentially, a bird’s-eye view.”

Pro tip: Treat yourself to a delicious panino at the famous Florence sandwich shop, All’Antico Vinaio. “They serve a traditional Tuscan flatbread called schiacciata,” said Everett. “While the line often stretches down the block, it moves fast, and getting a sandwich to-go is a must-do when you visit Florence!”

Chianti Classico is practically synonymous with Tuscan wines, and it’s a must-try on your Florence tour. (You’ll spot it by the black rooster on the label.) But if you’re looking to experience Florence like a local, order a glass of Brunello di Montalcino instead. Like Chianti, it’s a DOCG wine—the highest quality classification in Italy—but Brunello is made entirely from sangiovese grapes. The result is a full-bodied, velvety wine that pairs perfectly with the region’s hearty cuisine. “While I hate to admit it, I don’t love Chianti Classico,” said staffer Emily. “After trying Brunello di Montalcino while on tour in Florence, it quickly earned a top-tier spot on my list of favorite wines. It has the smoothness of a Pinot Noir, but the big, bold flavors you expect of Italian red wines.” For a taste of Florence’s local culture and countryside charm, sip a glass of Brunello straight from the source when you visit a vineyard on one of our Tuscany tours.

Pro tip: Brunello di Montalcino is Tuscany’s crown jewel, richer and rarer than Chianti, and a wine you don’t want to miss. Taste an exclusive Brunello at Tenuta Torciano—a winery that doesn’t sell its bottles in stores or restaurants—on the San Gimignano: Medieval Sights & Tuscan Flavors excursion on our A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour or our Venice, Florence & Rome for Solo Travelers tour. This is one of the top wineries to visit in Italy, and since they don’t distribute their buttery, smooth Brunello di Montalcino, this is your one chance to taste it.

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Florence, ditch the bar or dinner table and take a stroll down the ancient streets to a buchette del vino, or wine window. These hidden gems in Florence let you indulge in Italy’s wine culture in the most historic and traditional way. They’re small, arched windows that first gained popularity during an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the 1600s. In order to minimize human contact and safely sell wine to Florentines, shopkeepers would pass wine through the windows to thirsty customers.

Flash forward to 2015, when local residents began a movement to restore and reopen the historic wine windows—which, today, has led to more than 100 of them in Florence’s historical center alone! Some are open year-round, while others close during the slower shoulder season, so be sure to confirm before you plan your visit. Check out our guide to Florence’s wine windows, and ask your expert Tour Director to point you in the direction of their favorites when you join us on a trip to Florence.

Pro tip: Want the wine window experience, but not really in the mood for a glass of vino? Head to Vivoli Gelateria. They’ll serve you gelato through their more than 600-year-old wine window. Taking part in a unique cultural experience when you visit Florence and enjoying a sweet treat from a gelateria recommended by a Tour Director? Sign us up.

Of all the things to do in Florence, you can’t leave without watching the sun set over the city. The way the orange glow of the sun illuminates the Renaissance-era monuments is stunning. Most visitors crowd along the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, for its riverfront location. While the Ponte Vecchio is one of the best places to visit in Florence, we prefer to watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo. This large square sits high above the city, offering wide-open space, fewer crowds, and a panoramic glow that sweeps across Florence’s Renaissance skyline. It’s one of the best things to do on your Florence tour. Arrive about an hour before sunset to enjoy the warm light, live acoustic music, and a glass local of wine.

Pro tip: The walk up is steep, but you can skip the climb by taking a taxi. Grab a bottle of wine and a panini (one of the best foods to eat in Florence) and you’ll be all set when the sun dips below the horizon.

Haggling over leather goods in the bustling San Lorenzo neighborhood is still one of our favorite things to do in Florence, Italy. It’s a classic experience—but it’s noisy, busy, and all about the bargain. For a quieter, more refined shopping trip, head to Santa Croce. Once Florence’s leather trade hub, this neighborhood showcases artisans turning tradition into art. In place of market chatter, you’ll hear the quiet rhythm of artisans at work, shaping leather as their families have for generations. On our Venice, Florence & Rome tour, visit boutiques like Leonardo’s on Borgo dei Greci, where handcrafted jackets, belts, and bags highlight expert craftsmanship—no haggling required, just a genuine connection to the craft.

Pro tip: Don’t be swayed by vendors showing you how great their leather smells or how it doesn’t burn when they wave a lighter underneath it. The only way to tell if something is made from real leather is to look for a tag that says Vera Pelle. This means the product is made from genuine leather.

One of the many beautiful things about Florence is that you can walk just about anywhere in 20 minutes. That means you can easily move from famous pieces of Renaissance art to a piazza for people-watching, all with time to spare. But if you want a more intimate experience, trade the crowded city center for a slower stroll through Oltrarno. This former working-class neighborhood was home to skilled artisans, but now it’s where locals and visitors come when they’re looking for a trendier, less touristy feel.

What to do in Oltrarno: Visit studios, cafes, and local artisan shops

Step into sunlit studios where bookbinders, goldsmiths, and printmakers practice centuries-old crafts, or wander along cobbled streets lined with cafes and vintage shops. This is one of Florence’s hidden gems—a neighborhood shaped by craft, community, and artistry. For travelers seeking unique things to do in Florence and a true taste of local culture, Oltrarno offers a refreshingly authentic atmosphere.

Pro tip: Oltrarno may be one of our favorite spots to find artisan workshops in Florence, but it’s also rich in history. Visit the Medici family’s grand Pitti Palace, where sprawling gardens and opulent interiors await, for a perfect blend of culture and craftsmanship.

The best tours of Florence will take you to Mercato Centrale, a lively but tourist-heavy spot. But if you want a taste of Florence’s local culture, head to Sant’Ambrogio Market just east of the city center. Here, residents shop daily for fresh bread, cheese, wine, and seasonal finds—no crowds, just authentic Florentine life. Join our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour to sample the market’s finger foods as you peruse the stalls, then snag a bottle of the best olive oil in Italy as a souvenir from your Tuscany tour. Or, grab some fresh focaccia, fruit, and cheese for a scenic picnic in nearby Piazza d’Azeglio, which feels worlds away from the city’s tourist trail.

Pro tip: Visit early on a free morning during your Florence tour, when locals chat over espresso and vendors are setting out their freshest goods. It’s the best time to grab a still-warm slice of focaccia, a few ripe figs, and people-watch as Florence wakes up around you.