Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour with Eating Europe

The Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour with Eating Europe offers a flavorful journey through the heart of Tuscany’s capital, all for $134.39 per person. This 3-hour 30-minute experience combines delicious local foods, carefully curated wines, and insightful storytelling, making it a perfect choice for those eager to explore Florence’s culinary traditions without the hassle of planning. With a highly rated experience (5.0/5 from over 3,600 reviews) and recommended by 99% of participants, this tour stands out as an engaging way to end your day.

The tour departs from Piazza Santo Spirito, a lively square in Florence’s Oltrarno district, and visits six different locations, each offering a unique taste of regional specialties. The mix of sit-down stops, local shops, and centuries-old wine cellars provides a well-rounded experience that highlights Florence’s food history and wine culture. The small group size (maximum 12 guests) ensures a warm, personal atmosphere, while flexible departure times make it easy to fit into most schedules.

While the tour is packed with food, wines, and stories, it also balances pace and comfort. The stops are brief enough to keep things lively but allow enough time to truly savor each tastings. The experience is most suited to adults interested in gastronomy, wine, and local culture, with most travelers being able to participate, provided they meet the minimum group size.

Key Points

• Includes 14 tastings across 6 locations, from cheeses to pasta and gelato.
• Tastes 5 wines, including Chianti and Super Tuscans, plus the city’s famous Negroni cocktail.
• Visits historical sites, such as the wine windows from Florence’s past.
• Guided by knowledgeable local guides who share stories about Florence’s food and wine traditions.
• Flexible departure times help accommodate different schedules.
• Tour operates in small groups, providing a personalized experience.

Starting in Piazza Santo Spirito with a Sparkling Welcome

The tour begins at Piazza Santo Spirito, one of Florence’s most vibrant squares. Here, you enjoy a Prosecco toast to start the evening, soaking in the lively atmosphere of the neighborhood. This initial stop lasts about 15 minutes, and the guide encourages mingling among participants and local vendors, setting a friendly tone for the tour ahead.

This lively piazza offers a perfect introduction to Florence’s Dolce Vita lifestyle. The Prosecco serves as a refreshing welcome and a chance to settle into the relaxed pace of the experience. It’s a great way to meet fellow food lovers before diving into the tastings.

Exploring Florence’s Cheese Heritage at Via Santa Maria

Next, the group heads to Via Santa Maria, 39, home to the King of Cheese in the neighborhood. Here, you sample two types of Pecorino and Parmigiano, savoring the region’s renowned dairy products. The 25-minute stop is free of charge and offers the chance to taste local cheeses and learn about their production.

This stop highlights Florence’s cheese craftsmanship, showcasing regional dairy that has been a part of Tuscan cuisine for generations. The local shop owner shares insights about the cheese-making process, making this tasting both delicious and educational.

Uncovering Florence’s Wine Windows in Oltrarno

In Oltrarno, the tour visits the first wine window, a historical feature unique to Florence. You taste a bruschetta with extra stracciatella and a glass of Tuscan wine—either white or red. This 20-minute stop introduces the wine windows’ tradition where residents historically served wine directly from their homes.

The wine window experience is a glimpse into Florence’s innovative wine service history, dating back to the 17th century. The guide explains how these windows allowed locals to enjoy wine in a semi-private setting and how the tradition persists today in a few locations.

Wine Cellar Taste in Oltrarno’s 12th-Century Cellar

Continuing in Oltrarno, the tour visits a cellar dating back to the 1100s, where you taste mouth-watering charcuterie paired with Tuscan wines. This 30-minute stop offers an authentic setting with centuries of history, adding a special sense of atmosphere to the tasting.

The medieval wine cellar provides an immersive experience, where you learn about wine aging and local traditions. The pairing of local meats and wines highlights the cucina povera (poor cuisine) ethos—using simple ingredients to create extraordinary flavors.

Learning to Make the Perfect Negroni and Regional Dishes

At Fiaschetteria, a historic shop noted by Florence’s council, the group samples a Negroni cocktail, Tuscan soup, and wild boar stew. This 30-minute stop provides insight into Tuscany’s culinary philosophy of zero-waste cooking, combined with Super Tuscan wines.

The Negroni demonstration is a highlight, offering a hands-on experience and an appreciation of Italy’s most famous cocktail. The local shop’s long history of serving wine to the community since the 50s adds authenticity to this lively stop.

Pasta Perfection Paired with Chianti Classico

The next stop is a historical trattoria, where a chef prepares Tuscan pasta dishes in front of guests. Paired with Chianti Classico, this 30-minute tasting showcases regional pasta techniques and wine regulation.

Watching the chef toss and plate pasta adds a visual delight, while the pairing with Chianti deepens understanding of Tuscany’s iconic wine. The trattoria’s blend of tradition and innovation offers a genuine taste of Florentine culinary craftsmanship.

Mastering Artisanal Gelato and Sweet Florentine Fare

A short 15-minute crash course introduces the art of recognizing artisan gelato, helping you distinguish authentic flavors from neon-colored imitations. The guide shares tips for choosing real gelato, ensuring you leave with better tasting skills.

The tour concludes with 20 minutes of gelato tasting, ending your experience on a sweet note. You receive tips on avoiding fakes, making your future gelato adventures more enjoyable.

Practical Logistics and Group Experience

The tour starts at Piazza Santo Spirito and finishes back at the same location, making arrangements easy for participants. The small group size (up to 12 guests) ensures an intimate atmosphere, guided by local, English-speaking experts. The flexible departure times help accommodate different schedules, and mobile tickets simplify check-in.

Participants should be aware that dietary requirements such as vegetarian or gluten-free options are not accommodated, and severe allergies may prevent participation for safety reasons. The tour requires a minimum of 2 guests and can be canceled free of charge if the minimum isn’t met, with a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours in advance.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

This experience appeals most to adults interested in gastronomy, wine, and local culture. It provides a comprehensive snapshot of Florence’s culinary scene, from cheese and wine to pasta and gelato. The knowledgeable guides and stories enrich the tasting, making it educational as well as delicious.

While physically accessible for most, the tour involves standing and walking through historic sites, so those with mobility limitations should consider this. The small group setting offers a personal experience, perfect for food lovers or culture enthusiasts looking for an engaging, well-rounded introduction to Florence’s flavors.

Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour: A Flavorful Evening in Florence

This tour provides a comprehensive and relaxed immersion into Florence’s culinary traditions, with 14 tastings and 5 wines making it a very generous experience for the price. The stops at historic wine windows, medieval cellars, and local shops offer authentic insights into the city’s wine and food culture.

The guides’ expertise and storytelling elevate the experience, turning simple tastings into educational moments. The small group size guarantees a cozy atmosphere, and the flexible timings suit most schedules. The tour is especially suitable for adults who appreciate good food, wine, and history, and want to discover Florence’s hidden culinary gems in a fun, social setting.

While the length of the tour is manageable, it covers a lot of ground, making it an immersive, yet comfortable, way to conclude a day in Florence. Given its high ratings and positive reviews, it remains a top choice for a delicious and insightful Florentine experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour?
The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins and ends at Piazza Santo Spirito in Florence’s Oltrarno district.

What is included in the price?
You receive 14 samples across 6 tasting stops, 5 wines, a Negroni cocktail demo, local guide, and Florence food guide.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?
Guests should advise via email of vegetarian or gluten-free diets—special requests are not guaranteed. Guests with severe allergies may not participate for safety reasons.

What is the group size?
The tour operates with a maximum of 12 participants for a more personal experience.

Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, full refunds are available if canceled at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Is this tour suitable for children?
The tour is designed for adults interested in food and wine; children are generally not included.

Do I need to print my ticket?
Mobile tickets are accepted, simplifying access at the meeting point.

Can I join the tour at a different time or location?
The tour has multiple departure times and starts at Piazza Santo Spirito—specific adjustments are not available.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility issues?
While generally accessible, the walking and standing involved may pose challenges for those with limited mobility.

What makes this tour different from others in Florence?
Its focus on historical wine windows, medieval cellars, and authentic Tuscan dishes paired with superb wines makes it a standout experience in Florence’s vibrant food scene.