Call Our Italian Travel Designers

Culinary Experience in Florence

Chef shaping fresh tortelli pasta by hand during an authentic Italian cooking experience in Italy
Italian street market with fresh local fruits and vegetables for a private Italy food tour
Happy Asian tourist shopping for Italian wine in a historic village street in Italy

Experience the Flavors of Florence

Spend a full day in Florence focused on food, local produce, and hands-on cooking, with a private guide leading you through markets, neighborhoods, and a traditional kitchen experience.

This day combines how people eat in Florence with the chance to cook for yourself, giving you a more complete understanding of local food and ingredients.

Culinary Experience Florence Overview

Hotel pick-up in Florence

 Private full-day food-focused tour of Florence

 Visit to Sant’Ambrogio Market

 Local food tastings in the morning

 Hands-on cooking class with a local chef

 Meal based on dishes prepared during the class

 Wine stop at a local enoteca

 Exploration of food-focused neighborhoods

 Approx Time: 6–7 hours

What’s Included?

Private licensed Florence guide for the full duration

 Guided visit to Sant’Ambrogio Market

 Curated food tastings during the morning

 Hands-on cooking class with a local chef

 Meal included as part of the cooking experience

 Wine tasting at a local enoteca

 Local knowledge of dishes, ingredients, and traditions

 Flexible pacing based on your preferences

 Carefully planned route through food-focused areas.

Culinary Experience Florence Itinerary

Your day begins with your private guide meeting you at your hotel. From there, you head into the city, starting with local markets and building toward a hands-on cooking experience later in the day.

Sant’Ambrogio Market: Ingredients & Daily Life

Young woman enjoying traditional Italian meats and cheeses at a local food shop on an Italy food tour
Sant’Ambrogio Market, Italy

Start at Sant’Ambrogio Market, one of the main local markets in Florence.

Your guide will walk you through the stalls, pointing out seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and everyday ingredients used in Tuscan cooking. You’ll see how locals shop and what goes into typical dishes, with the option to try a few simple items along the way.

This sets the foundation for the rest of the day, connecting what you see here to what you’ll cook later.

Morning Tastings: Simple Local Food

From the market, continue through nearby streets with a couple of short food stops.

These are small, informal tastings, such as a local sandwich, cheese, or a quick snack from a neighborhood spot. Your guide will explain what you’re trying and how it fits into everyday eating habits in Florence.

The focus stays light, leaving room for the cooking experience later.

Cooking Class: Hands-On Tuscan Experience

Hands shaping fresh homemade tortellini pasta during an Italian cooking class culinary tour in Italy
Pasta Making Class, Italy

In the afternoon, take part in a hands-on cooking class with a local chef.

This takes place in a kitchen or cooking school, where you’ll prepare a few traditional Tuscan dishes, such as fresh pasta or simple regional recipes. The focus is practical and straightforward, with clear guidance as you go.

Rather than just watching, you’re involved in the process, from preparation through to cooking. Once finished, you’ll sit down and eat what you’ve made, turning the class into a proper meal.

Wine Stop: Local Enoteca Experience

Chianti red wine bottles in straw baskets displayed outside an Italian wine shop in Tuscany
Wine, Florence, Italy

After the cooking class, stop at a local enoteca for a short wine tasting.

Here, you’ll try a selection of regional wines, with your guide explaining what you’re drinking and how it connects to the food you’ve experienced throughout the day. The focus stays simple and approachable, giving you a better understanding of local wine without going too technical.

It’s a relaxed way to round out the food experience.

Oltrarno District: Local Food & Neighborhood Life

Panoramic view of Florence Italy with River Arno, Oltrarno rooftops, bridge and Santo Spirito church in Tuscany
Oltrarno, Florence, Italy

Finish the day in the Oltrarno district, one of the most authentic parts of Florence.

As you walk through the streets, your guide will point out small trattorias, workshops, and places locals actually use, away from the main tourist areas. You’ll get clear, practical recommendations on where to eat and spend time during the rest of your stay.

It’s a relaxed way to end the day, with a better sense of how the city works beyond the main sights.

Return to Your Hotel

At the end of your experience, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel or a central location, depending on your plans.

SideBar Tour Request

Book Your Culinary Experience in Florence

Experience Florence through its food with your own private guide, combining markets, tastings, a cooking class, and wine.

Get in touch to reserve your tour or request a bespoke version tailored to your tastes.

Tour Request
Graziano travel designer smiling by a turquoise beach on the Italian coast for private Italy tours

Meet Graziano, Your Personal Travel Designer in Italy

With over a decade of experience crafting luxury, tailor-made journeys, Graziano transforms your ideas into unforgettable Italian itineraries featuring iconic sights, exclusive experiences, and hidden local gems.

Get in touch today and start planning a journey designed entirely around you.

Email us

hello@privateitalytour.com

Call our team

US: +1 (515) 789-3068

Other Example Itineraries You Might Like

Message Your Travel Designer

Chat