Explore off the beaten path with Florence's best hidden gems

There are plenty of well-known great places to visit in Florence — the city attracts 16 million visitors a year, who flock to highlights such as Michelangelo’s David and the city’s many wonderful art galleries. If you’ve seen the more famous Florence landmarks, and you’re looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, get ready to discover another side to Florence with this guide to the 10 best hidden gems in Florence.

Florence is a city that rewards exploration, with surprises around every corner. Become a connoisseur of the best local wines, discover hidden corners of the city, hunt for truffles in the woods, or sail over the Tuscan countryside in a hot air balloon. Whatever your taste, Florence is sure to have some well-kept secrets to amaze and delight.

1. Discover Florence’s best-kept secrets with an interactive discovery game

Get to know the city in a completely different way with a Secrets of the City interactive discovery game. On this self-guided discovery trail, you’ll be led to hidden places, learn enigmatic secrets and little-known facts, and discover details in the city around you that most people miss.

Highlights:

You can play on your phone at your own pace: pause to explore, then resume the game when you're ready.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, Florence. The game lasts 2.5 hours: play between 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.

2. Walk in Galileo’s footsteps through the Arcetri hills

In the hills to the south of the city lies the leafy Arcetri neighborhood, dating back to the Middle Ages and home to Galileo Galilei. Discover this unique district with an Arcetri urban hike, which will lead you off the beaten path, and reward you with spectacular views of the city.

Highlights:

Arcetri is home to many sites of historical interest, including the Basilica de San Miniato a Monte and the Arcetri Observatory.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Piazzale di Porta Romana, 50125 Florence. The tour starts at 9:30 AM and 6:30 PM and lasts 4 hours.

3. Learn pottery from a Tuscan artisan maestro

The village of Montelupo Fiorentino, just outside Florence, is world-renowned for its beautiful artisanal ceramics. With a Tuscan ceramic master potter class, enjoy the unique experience of visiting an artisan’s workshop and seeing the process of Italian traditional pottery, before learning to do it yourself.

Highlights:

Your creation will be fired and shipped to your home as a memento you can treasure forever.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Via XX Settembre 7, 50056 Montelupo Fiorentino. The class starts at 10:00 AM and lasts 2 hours.

4. Become a connoisseur of unique Brunello wines

Enjoy a unique day trip with a tour of organic and biodynamic Brunello wineries. This is far more than a simple wine tasting: it is a chance to experience the singular wine production techniques of the region and to experience life in a rural Tuscan idyll while sampling some of the region’s most delicious wines.

Highlights:

Enjoy a complimentary Tuscan lunch that is made with the best local ingredients at a small family-run winery.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza Torquato Tasso, 50124 Florence. The tour starts at 9:00 AM and lasts 8 hours.

5. Hunt for truffles in the rolling Chianti hills

Truffles are a decadent ingredient long used in Florentine cooking. Head out on a truffle hunt, you can learn all about the fascinating history of this delicious foodstuff, and hunt for some for yourself in the woods under the guidance of a local professional truffle hunter. Take the truffles you find back to your kitchen at home.

Highlights:

After working up an appetite, enjoy a luxury gastro lunch in the vineyards of the Chianti hills.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Corso dei Tintori 3, 50122 Florence. The tour starts at 10:00 AM and lasts 5 hours.

6. Discover Florence’s rich LGBTQ history

Queer stories are often written out of mainstream history. Learn a lesser-known side of Florence’s past with a LGBTQ Renaissance walking tour, with an expert local guide. Discover the city’s Medieval gay district, and learn why the Ponte Vecchio was significant for the queer community.

Highlights:

Keep an eye out for Cellini’s statue of Perseus with the Head of Medusa in the Piazza dei Signori, and learn why it’s famous in the LGBTQ community.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Piazza della Repubblica, 50123 Florence. The tour starts at 6:30 PM and lasts 2 hours.

7. Learn the secrets of Italian cooking in a Tuscan farmhouse

Every tourist eats pizza and gelato on their Italian vacation. But how many can say that they learned to make it themselves? Head to an idyllic Tuscan farmhouse and enjoy a cooking masterclass in a traditional Tuscan masterclass with a professional Florentine chef — and bring back your new cooking skills with you. How’s that for a brilliant souvenir?

Highlights:

The cooking class is just part of the fun: you’ll enjoy your feast in stunning Tuscan surrounds that truly make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Piazza dei Cavalleggeri, 50122 Florence. The experience starts at 5:00 PM and lasts 5 hours.

8. See the Tuscan scenery from above on a balloon flight

Experience the thrill of seeing the countryside from a completely new perspective. Soar into the air on a balloon flight, and gaze down on Tuscany’s magical landscape of farmyards, castles, and cypress groves as you float high above. It’s a whole new world.

Highlights:

Finish the ride with a breakfast of delicious local produce and a refreshing glass of champagne.

Address and opening hours:

The meeting point in San Casciano Val di Pesa may vary according to weather conditions. The trip starts at 7:00 AM and lasts 3 hours.

9. Escape the city and experience authentic Tuscan country life

Off the beaten path, some of Florence’s most beautiful secret places are the villages surrounding it. This day trip to Brunello Montalcino and Montepulciano takes you to the UNESCO heritage site of Val d’Orcia. Here, you can discover the breathtaking villages of Montalcino, with its celebrated wineries, and Pienza, known for its delicious Pecorino cheese. Enjoy an exquisite three-course lunch at the end of the tour.

Highlights:

Visit a family-run winery in Montalcino and discover the region’s range of distinctive wines.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Via dei Rondinelli, 2 R, 50123 Florence. The tour starts at 8:00 AM and lasts 10.5 hours.

10. Step into another century at the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy

A true hidden gem of Florence, the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is not actually a pharmacy — it’s a historic perfumery. Filled with original and classic scents, it’s the perfect place to find a signature perfume. It’s located next to the beautiful Santa Maria Novella Church and a short distance from the Novecento Museum, one of the best museums in Florence.

Highlights:

Smell the scent originally created for Catherine de Medici in the 16th century — you can even take a bottle of it home to savor.

Address and opening hours:

P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Florence. Tour times vary.

FAQs

What are some lesser-known attractions in Florence that are worth visiting?

The Bargello Museum is rarely crowded: located in a former prison, it is home to statues by Michelangelo and Donatello. This hidden gem is well worth a visit.

Are there any hidden or secret gardens in Florence that I can explore?

The Torrigiani Garden is a green oasis in the center of town and a great alternative to the crowded Boboli and Bardini Gardens. Another great spot is the Giardino dell’Orticoltura, a lovely local spot with botanical gardens and an antique greenhouse.

Can you recommend any hidden or secret viewpoints in Florence with great views of the city?

The Borgo San Jacopo is a secret place near the Ponte Vecchio, which gives spectacular views of the old bridge and river without the throngs of tourists. For a panoramic view of the city, skip the crowds at Giotto’s Bell Tower and head straight to the Arnolfo Tower.

What are some lesser-known neighborhoods in Florence that are worth exploring?

The Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood is well worth a visit. The Sant’Ambrogio market is Florence’s oldest food market. It is overflowing with fresh fruit and veg and artisanal produce — the neighborhood is also home to the city’s Synagogue and the Piazza dei Ciompi flea market.

Can you recommend any hidden architectural gems in Florence that are not as crowded as the famous landmarks?

Check out the Palazzo Davanzati: this historical building houses the Museum of the Old Florentine House, which is a lovingly curated replication of how a Florentine family would have lived in the Middle Ages.