Florence by night with aperitivo

Meet your guide in the late afternoon in front of the beautiful facade of the Basilica Santa Maria Novella, next to the obelisk in the square. Your guide will be easy to spot as they will be wearing a purple T-shirt with our logo.

The first stop will be the Central Food Market, Mercato Centrale, located in Florence's historic San Lorenzo neighborhood. This market was established in 1866 during an urban reorganization when Florence became the capital of Italy, inspired by the Parisian Halles with its iron and glass architecture. Today, Mercato Centrale is a bustling hub for food, wine, and typical products. You'll explore and discover the art and architecture created by Renaissance masters and hear fascinating stories about the Medici family.

Next, visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence), one of the largest churches in Florence, situated at the center of the city’s main market district. It is the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family, from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III. Don't miss the chance to learn about Giovanni Dalle Bande Nere and other notable Medici figures.

As you wander Florence's cobblestone streets, you’ll notice wine windows, a 16th-century creation by Cosimo de Medici to allow tax-free wine sales. These windows were fundamental during the 1600s plague for safe transactions, much like COVID-19 precautions, and today, 285 preserved windows remain, some of which are still active. Your local guide will share more about these unique features throughout your walk in Florence.

Following this, head to one of the most beautiful architectural sites in Italy, the Florence Cathedral, formally known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo di Firenze). Begun in 1296 in the Gothic style and designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the cathedral complex in Piazza del Duomo includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile. These three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic center of Florence and are major tourist attractions in Tuscany.

While there, you'll be able to admire the stunning dome, the third largest in the world after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London, as well as the Baptistery and the beauty of the surrounding square.

In addition to famous squares like Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, you can also visit Piazza della Repubblica. In Roman times, it featured bathhouses, temples, forums, and markets. After 1000, it became a market known as the old market. In the 1600s, Cosimo I established a Jewish ghetto there. The current square was designed between 1865-1871, when Florence was the capital of Italy. During the city's redevelopment, Il Risanamento, the area was demolished and redesigned into the rectangular square we see today, complete with the iconic carousel.

Returning to Florence? Don't miss rubbing 'Il Porcellino', the wild boar statue. Its nose is shiny from countless touches—legend says touching it ensures a return. For luck, toss a coin into the grid between its legs in one fluid motion.

Piazza della Signoria originated in the early 1330s as a meeting place for the city council. Today, the Palazzo Vecchio, meaning "old palace," serves as the gathering spot for government officials. The square also functions as an open-air museum, displaying numerous original statues from the Italian Renaissance.

When you think of Florence, Ponte Vecchio is surely one of the first attractions that comes to mind, right? This picturesque "old bridge" has been intertwined with the life of Florentine people and the city's evolution over centuries, offering countless stories. For instance, did you know that jewelry shops first appeared on Ponte Vecchio in 1593-94, at the request of Ferdinando I de’ Medici? Before then, the bridge was occupied by butcher shops, as they were required to operate away from the city center buildings and were allowed to discard waste directly into the river.

One of the last stops of the tour is Piazza Santa Croce. Piazza Santa Croce in Florence derives its name from the basilica of the same name, one of Italy's largest Franciscan churches. It is renowned for housing frescoes by Giotto, sculptures by Benedetto da Maiano, Desiderio da Settignano, and Canova, and serving as the final resting place for notable figures including Galilei, Foscolo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli. The basilica has long symbolized the homeland, predating the unification of Italy.

The guide will take everyone to a bar with one of the best-rated aperitivos in town. There is nothing more Italian than Aperitivo, so join this evening tour of Florence and taste an authentic Italian tradition! Thanks to the great atmosphere you will try the Italian life style; seat down, socialize with the rest of the group, enjoy your drink paired with some tasty Italian food.

What's aperitivo? Aperitivo is an essential evening event shared between friends, drinking wine, craft cocktails and eating from a hearty buffet. To many Italians, this gathering is the cherry on top of the day, as friends and family gather in bars eating, drinking and sharing stories and laughs into the night. Lead by a fun, local expert, join this one-of-a-kind tour to make new friends, and experience Italian culture on the streets and bars of Florence at night!

The tour will end in this area where you are free to keep enjoying the Italian nightlife or return home.