5 Unique Adventures for Your Next Trip to Florence
Are you planning a trip to Florence and looking to sprinkle in some off the beaten path experiences to your itinerary? Your best vacation memories may be made when venturing beyond the typical tourist spots and exploring the lesser-known corners in and around Florence.
If you are looking to step into the shoes of the locals, venture beyond city walls, or are just looking for a break from the major historical sights this beautiful city has to offer- you have come to the right place. Read on more below for recommendations on unique tours, classes, and spots you need to check out to create unforgettable memories on your next visit to Florence.
Visit a Winery by Vespa
Looking for a thrilling and unusual thing to do in Florence? How about trying your hand at driving a vespa?
I booked a vespa and winery tour through TripAdvisor which was the highlight of my 10 day trip to Italy! We met our tour group in Florence where we all boarded a bus that took us about 20 minutes outside of the city to Chianti wine country.
From there, we all took vespa driving tests to make sure we were comfortable operating them before going out on the road. Some members of our tour group weren’t quite ready to hit the streets of Italy at the end of the test but that was okay because they were able to ride on the back of the instructor’s vespas or in tuk-tuks.
We drove our vespas to the town of Greve (about a 45 minute trip) where the tour provided us with sandwiches and gave us the opportunity to explore the town’s shops and cafes..
Then, we got back on our vespas and headed back to Diadema winery (another 45 minute trip) where we got to sample a variety of different wines and were served a multi-course meal.
This adventure was an incredibly fun way to experience Tuscany. Plus, what’s more Italian than visiting a winery? I highly recommend this unique experience for all thrill seekers looking to get off the beaten path of Florence.
Santa Maria Perfumery
Santa Maria Perfumery was one of my favorite stops on our trip to Florence. If you are looking for a unique thing to do in Florence, this is a fantastic option.
Santa Maria Perfumery was started in the thirteenth century by Dominican Friars who had started a garden in the attached convent. Historically, they had grown plants for natural remedies which evolved and expanded into modern day fragrances and cosmetics. The perfumery is a historical experience in and of itself!
The interior of the perfumery felt like stepping back in time to a luxurious shopping experience. There are tables with perfumes, colognes, soaps, and other fragrance products arranged throughout a couple different rooms. Super helpful employees were scattered throughout each room to help us find the perfect scent.
Attached to the shop is a museum that delves into the perfumery’s history and showcases a number of different tools that had been used historically to develop fragrance products. So even if you don’t buy anything, you can take a special piece of history away from this experience.
After sniffing dozens of perfumes, soaps, colognes, and other fragrances, I landed on a small bottle of perfume to remember this hidden gem in Florence by.
Take a Cooking Class
Are you are in the mood for an authentic taste of Italy? One of the best unique things to do in Florence is take a cooking class with a local chef! The city has so many different types of classes to choose from, ranging from pizza, to ravioli, to fettucine, to gelato.
Looking to learn how to make authentic, Italian pasta? Check out the following classes:
- Small-Group Pasta Class from Scratch w/ Seasonal Ingredients in Florence, Italy
- Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence
- Cooking Class in Florence (Pasta & Tiramisu making)
If you are more in the mood for pizza and gelato, then these classes might be right up your alley:
- Learn How to Make Gelato and Pizza
- Pizza & Gelato: Family Cooking Class in Florence
- Small Group Pizza and Gelato Class
Are you gluten free like me? I wish I had the opportunity to try this amazing class:
Go on a Food Tour
One of the best ways to see a new city is to eat your way through it- and what better way to do that than with a guided food tour! Especially in the food-filled city of Florence, a food tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture, taste a wide variety of what the city has to offer, and get acclimated with the city all at the same time.
Besides just trying different foods, guided tours often offer an awesome educational opportunity to learn a bit about the city’s history. This is a great way to take advantage of learning something new about the city.
Ready to set out on a unique Florence food adventure? Check out these tours to get started:
- Walking Food Tour of Florence with Tastings
- Florence: Early Evening Food & Wine Tour in Oltrarno Neighborhood
- Florence Food and Wine Walking Tour with a Local Food Expert
Watch the Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
Among the best things to do in Florence is watch the sun go down over the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. This unique location offers panoramic views of the city including the iconic Il Duomo and Bell Tower making for one of a kind photos of Florence.
Get your walking shoes on, because hiking to Piazzale Michelangelo is off the beaten path of Florence. Situated on top of a hill across the river from Florence’s city center, estimate about a 30 minute walk to Piazzale Michelangelo. While its a bit of a hike, I guarantee you won’t be alone hiking up to this unique spot in the hour leading up to sunset.
Once at the top, you can situate yourself on the steps and settle in for one of the most beautiful sunsets of your life. While this experience is unique to Florence, it can be popular with tourists so make sure you get there a little early to ensure a good spot at the top. I recommend arriving 30-45 minutes before sunset. Otherwise, there is plenty of standing room with great views!
Looking for More Italy Inspiration?
Check out my other itineraries and guides to seeing Italy:
- How Many Days in Venice is Enough? Itinerary + Recommendations for a 1, 2, or 3 Day Stay
- How Many Days in Florence is Enough? Hand-Crafted Itinerary for 2+ Days in the City
- How Many Days in Rome is Enough? The Perfect Itinerary for 2, 3, or 4 Days
- Ultimate Florence to Venice Day Trip: 5 Major Sites + Food Recommendations for the Perfect Day
Don’t Stop Exploring Here!
Check out my other city guides below!
- Day Trip to Austin Itinerary: The Best of Austin in 1 Day
- Ultimate NYC 4 Day Itinerary
- 10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in NYC
- San Diego in One Day: Ultimate Guide
Gluten Free like Me?
It’s uber important to always travel prepared! No matter where you are going, its important to always travel with some gluten free snacks on hand!
Click here to learn more about my favorite gluten free travel snacks!
Looking for more gluten free travel inspiration? Check out my other posts!
- Gluten Free in Florence: 7 MUST Visit Restaurants and Eateries for a Delicious Trip
- Gluten Free Venice: 8 BEST Restaurants and Stores to Visit
- 14 Delicious Gluten Free NYC Dining Options
- Gluten Free in Disneyland
