Italy

Florence

Last traveled · May 2018
City Snapshot
Best Months
Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
Ideal Stay
3–4 days
Best For
Art, History, Food
GF Friendliness
9/10
Language
Italian
English
Moderate
City Size
Medium
Currency
Euro (€)

Where to Stay

Recommended
Hotel Ferrucci — ornate painted ceiling
Where I stayed

Hotel Ferrucci

Oltrarno, Florence
Why this hotel
Beautiful historic building with ornate frescoed ceilings. Located in the quieter Oltrarno neighborhood, a 25-minute walk from the Duomo and minutes from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Free WiFi Concierge Parking
Book on Hotels.com

Gluten-Free Survival Guide

Easy
Key Phrases
Sono celiaco/aI am celiac
Senza glutineGluten-free
Ho la celiachiaI have celiac disease
Avete opzioni senza glutine?Do you have GF options?
Contaminazione incrociataCross-contamination
Niente pane, per favoreNo bread, please
Naturally GF Dishes
  • Bistecca alla Fiorentina (grilled T-bone steak)
  • Risotto (ai funghi porcini, al tartufo)
  • Polenta (served creamy or grilled)
  • Gelato & sorbetto (most flavors)
  • Castagnaccio (chestnut flour cake)
  • Affettati e formaggi (cured meats & cheeses)
GF Grocery & Pharmacy
  • Conad and Coop supermarkets have "senza glutine" sections
  • Italian pharmacies stock GF bread, pasta, and snacks
  • NaturaSì for organic GF products
  • Look for AIC "Spiga Barrata" (crossed grain) certification at restaurants
Score Breakdown
Dedicated GF Restaurants
Menu Labeling
Staff Knowledge & Safety
Density of GF Dining
Grocery Availability
9 out of 10 — Easy
Easy

GF Friendly Restaurants

5 Places
GF Score 5
GF Score 4
Hotel

Ristorante Hostaria Il Desco

GF Options
Italian · Traditional Tuscan
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
AIC certified with dedicated GF equipment. Separate pasta pot. Complimentary GF bread. Staff asks about dietary needs immediately upon seating.
What to Order
GF asparagus/seafood risotto, carbonara, spinach ravioli, bacon gnocchi, cheesecake, tiramisu
Location
Via delle Terme, 23/r · Centro Storico
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
Ristorante Hostaria Il Desco

Perché no!...

GF Options
Gelateria · Gelato
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Historic gelateria since 1939. Packaged GF cones available. Staff trained on cross-contamination — uses clean scoop and scoops from under the surface for celiacs.
What to Order
GF cones with any gelato flavor. Also has dairy-free options.
Location
Via dei Tavolini, 19/r · Centro Storico
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
Perché no!...

Pizzeria La Luna Via Gioberti

GF Options
Pizzeria · Italian
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
AIC certified with TWO separate kitchens — one dedicated to GF preparation. Dedicated GF fryer and separate oven for GF pizza. No surcharge for GF items.
What to Order
GF pizza, Nutella calzone, arancini, tiramisu — almost everything on menu available GF
Location
Via Gioberti, 46/r · Sant'Ambrogio area
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
Pizzeria La Luna Via Gioberti

Gelateria Carabè Firenze

GF Options
Gelateria · Sicilian-style Gelato
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
All gelato is GF. GF cones available. Staff proactively uses clean scoops for celiac customers. Sicilian-style gelato and granita.
What to Order
Almond granita, Sicilian lemon, pistachio, and parmesan gelato flavors
Location
Via Ricasoli, 60/r · San Marco
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
Gelateria Carabè Firenze

Ciro and Sons

100% GF
Pizzeria · Neapolitan
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Dedicated GF kitchen and fryer. ALL menu items available GF. Owner's wife is celiac. Won World Championship Pizza Gluten Free. Food is flagged with GF stickers.
What to Order
GF pizza (any variety), GF pasta, GF bread, GF desserts, GF beer
Location
Via del Giglio, 28/r · San Lorenzo
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
Browse all GF restaurants in Florence on Find Me Gluten Free

Getting Around

Walking
Florence's historic center is compact and very walkable. Most major attractions within 15-20 minutes of each other.
Best way to see the city
Bus
ATAF buses useful for Piazzale Michelangelo, Fiesole, and areas outside ZTL.
Single ticket 1.50€ / 90 min
Tram
Line T2 connects airport to city center. Line T1 connects Scandicci to SMN station.
Airport to center: Line T2
Taxi
Available at stands or by calling. Not hailable on the street.
8-15€ within center
Transit Tip
Firenze Santa Maria Novella station IS the city center — the Duomo is a 10-minute walk. No transit needed for most sightseeing.

Landmarks & Must-See Spots

14 spots

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Historic
Florence's iconic Duomo with its stunning marble facade of pink, white, and green. The cathedral complex includes Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery.
Piazza del Duomo
Went here
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Cupola del Brunelleschi

Historic
Climb 463 steps to the top of Brunelleschi's magnificent dome for panoramic views of Florence and the Tuscan hills.
Piazza del Duomo
Went here
Cupola del Brunelleschi

Ponte Vecchio

Historic
Florence's most photographed bridge, lined with jewelry shops. Medieval bridge spanning the Arno River since 1345.
Ponte Vecchio
Went here
Ponte Vecchio

Piazzale Michelangelo

Nature
The classic panoramic viewpoint overlooking Florence. Best at sunset when the city glows golden with the Duomo dominating the skyline.
Piazzale Michelangelo · Oltrarno
Went here
Piazzale Michelangelo

Loggia dei Lanzi

Historic
Open-air sculpture gallery in Piazza della Signoria featuring Renaissance masterpieces including Cellini's Perseus and Giambologna's Rape of the Sabine Women.
Piazza della Signoria
Went here
Loggia dei Lanzi

Fountain of Neptune

Historic
Fontana del Nettuno in Piazza della Signoria, with Palazzo Vecchio towering behind. A landmark of Florence's political heart.
Piazza della Signoria
Went here
Fountain of Neptune

Palazzo Vecchio

Historic
Florence's fortified town hall since 1299. The crenellated tower and ornate interior are iconic symbols of the city.
Piazza della Signoria
Traveler recommended

Basilica of Santa Croce

Historic
The largest Franciscan church in the world, containing the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
Piazza di Santa Croce
Went here
Basilica of Santa Croce

Accademia Gallery

Historic
Home to Michelangelo's David, one of the most recognizable sculptures in the world. Skip-the-line tickets strongly recommended.
Via Ricasoli, 58/60 · San Marco
Went here
Accademia Gallery

Giardino Bardini

Nature
A hidden garden only recently opened to the public, with terraced grounds, fountains, and stunning views over Florence.
Costa San Giorgio, 2 · Oltrarno
Went here
Giardino Bardini

Piazza Santo Spirito

Walk
The social heart of Oltrarno where locals gather. Lined with coffee and wine bars, cheap restaurants, and a younger crowd.
Piazza Santo Spirito · Oltrarno
Went here
Piazza Santo Spirito

La Loggia del Piazzale Michelangelo

Walk
A charming spot for a cocktail or glass of wine while people-watching, with panoramic terrace views over Florence.
Piazzale Michelangelo · Oltrarno
Went here
La Loggia del Piazzale Michelangelo

Mercato Centrale

Market
Florence's main food market. Ground floor has fresh produce, meat, and cheese. Upstairs food hall has curated stalls for pasta, pizza, gelato, and wine.
Piazza del Mercato Centrale · San Lorenzo
Went here
Mercato Centrale

Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio

Market
A real neighborhood food market where locals shop. Much less touristy than Mercato Centrale with fresh produce and local specialties.
Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti · Santa Croce
Traveler recommended

Neighborhoods

Centro Storico

Monumental
The beating heart of Florence, dominated by the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Dense concentration of tourists and monumental architecture. Via de' Calzaiuoli connects the main plazas. Eat a block or two off the main squares for better quality.

Santa Croce

Local & Lively
East of the Duomo, centered on the basilica. Slightly grittier, more local feel with excellent leather workshops, lively aperitivo bars, and the Sant'Ambrogio market nearby.

San Lorenzo

Market District
Defined by the basilica and the sprawling street market. Mercato Centrale anchors the area with its ground-floor produce market and upstairs food hall. Busy and commercial near the market, quieter on residential streets north.

Oltrarno

Artisan Quarter
Cross the Ponte Vecchio into Florence's "Left Bank." Traditional artisan workshops in woodworking, gilding, and bookbinding. Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens anchor the east. Santo Spirito is the social hub. Some of Florence's best, least touristy food.

San Marco

Quiet & Academic
Home to the Accademia Gallery and University of Florence. Piazza Santissima Annunziata is one of the most harmonious Renaissance squares. Fewer restaurants and shops — more residential.

Things to Do

Museums & Galleries

Uffizi Gallery

Paid
One of the world's most important art museums. Houses Botticelli's Birth of Venus, works by Leonardo, Raphael, Caravaggio, and more.
~3 hours · Pre-book essential
Book

Accademia Gallery

Paid
See Michelangelo's David up close. Lines can stretch around the block — skip-the-line tickets are essential.
~1.5 hours · Pre-book essential
Book

Brunelleschi's Dome Climb

Paid
463 steps to the top of the dome for breathtaking panoramic views. Timed entry reservation required. No elevator.
~1 hour · Timed entry required
Book
Tours & Experiences

Tuscan Cooking Class

Paid
Learn to make fresh pasta and other Tuscan specialties. Many classes include a market tour and meal. Ask about GF modifications.
~3-4 hours · Various locations
Book

Chianti Wine Region Tour

Paid
Half-day trip through the rolling Tuscan hills with wine tastings at vineyards. A beautiful escape from the city.
Half day · Pickup from Florence
Book

Tuscany Day Trip

Paid
Full-day tour to Siena, San Gimignano, and the Chianti wine region. Covers the highlights of Tuscany in one day.
Full day · Pickup from Florence
Book

What to Pack

May

Travel Tips

What I'd Do Differently
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