Oltrarno Neighbourhood

Oltrarno means “beyond the Arno” and is now one of Florence's trendiest neighbourhoods.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Florence
Palazzo Pitti
A vast 15th century palace commissioned by the ambitious Florentine banker Luca Pitti, housing an important collection of Renaissance paintings.
Handmade Shoes
See the handmade process of shoemaking.
Florentine Schiacciata
A traditional Florentine cake that can be found in every local pastry shop around the city.
Palatine Gallery
Housing some of the grandest artworks of Palazzo Pitti, the Palatine Gallery is not to be missed.
Grotta del Buontalenti
The Grotta del Buontalenti is one of the most famous spots in the Boboli Gardens. It was started by Giorgio Vasari, but the work was finished by Bernardo Buontalenti in 1593.
Anfiteatro de Boboli
Originally designed as a garden, the Anfiteatro de Boboli was finished in 1634 and after a performance held in 1739, the Amphitheatre was no longer used for plays.

Related Tours

Taste Florence at Twilight: Small Group Food & Wine Tour

Tuscany is undoubtedly one of the foodie capitals of Italy, so it’s no surprise that Florence offers such a vibrant and exciting food scene. From the whimsical ‘wine windows’ to fantastic fresh pasta, visitors to Florence can find culinary delights on every corner, and taking a food tour is a great way to uncover the very best bites with a local. Our small-group tour allows you to spend the evening eating your way through Florence, learning the intriguing stories behind the delectable dishes and drinks along the way.

On your small-group evening food tour, you will:

  • Spend the evening savouring Florentine cuisine in the historic heart of the city;
  • Visit some of Florence’s most esteemed restaurants in the company of a knowledgeable local; 
  • Learn the hallmarks of Florence’s food scene, underpinned by an emphasis on simple, local ingredients; 
  • Sample a range of dishes, including fabulous fresh pasta whipped up by a local chef; 
  • Stop by one of the famous wine windows and hear the intriguing origin story of this centuries-old tradition;
  • Sip various spectacular Tuscan wines and get a crash course in the main varieties, from the classic Chianti to the innovative Super Tuscans;
  • Get the lowdown on the cooking techniques that make the recipes irresistible; 
  • Enjoy a Negroni and find out how this world-famous cocktail was invented in Florence;
  • End your tour with a decadent gelato and discover how to tell if this quintessentially Italian dessert is truly authentic.

As twilight falls over Florence and the day’s crowds begin to thin, this intimate evening food and wine tour invites you to uncover the flavours, traditions, and tucked-away local favourites that define Florence’s rich gastronomic heritage, all in the company of a friendly Florentine guide who knows where the real magic lies.

Your evening begins in a lively piazza in the heart of the artsy Oltrarno neighbourhood. After getting acquainted with your guide, you’ll wander through the charming streets of the historic centre, pausing at hidden courtyards, centuries-old palazzi, and beloved eateries that many visitors overlook. Along the way, you’ll sample an array of dishes that showcase Florence’s devotion to simple, local ingredients, perhaps a comforting bowl of a classic Tuscan ribollita or pappa al pomodoro, followed by irresistible fresh pasta prepared before your eyes by a local chef.

Of course, no deep dive into Tuscan gastronomy would be complete without wine, so there will be ample opportunity to try the best blends that Florence has to offer. You’ll duck into an atmospheric cellar to taste a bold Super Tuscan, sip classics like Chianti, and even experience Florence’s quirky wine windows, a centuries-old tradition brought vividly to life with stories from your guide. To round out the evening, you’ll enjoy a perfectly mixed Negroni, the iconic cocktail born here in Florence, before finishing on a sweet note with an artisanal gelato. Along the way, your guide will teach you how to distinguish the real, authentic version of this frozen treat from the fluorescent impostors.

By the end of the tour, you will have not only tasted your way through Florence, but you’ll have delved into its cultural fabric, uncovering how food and drink are woven into daily life and the city’s rich history. It is an evening designed for the inquisitive traveller: immersive, convivial, and unforgettable.

Hands-On Pasta Making: Small Group Cooking Class in Florence

Florence has a rich culinary tradition centred around the region’s excellent olive oil, herbs and top-quality local ingredients. Florentine cuisine offers plenty of hearty pasta dishes served in trattorias across the city, so there will be ample opportunities to sample it during your trip, but if you have ever wanted to try your hand at making fresh pasta from scratch under the watchful eye of a local chef, then this is the experience for you. 

On your small-group pasta-making experience, you will:

  • Learn to make authentic Florentine pasta from scratch in the home of a local chef;
  • Head to a market to shop for high-quality ingredients for your feast;
  • Gather fragrant herbs from a private garden;
  • Put on an apron and get to work, discovering Italian cooking techniques that have been passed down for generations;
  • Put together two delicious pasta dishes with a chef to guide you every step of the way from kneading the dough to adding the finishing touches;
  • Find out the secret to achieving perfect pasta every time;
  • Make a delectable Italian dessert to end on a sweet note;
  • Whet your appetite with Italian cheese and charcuterie before a gathering around the table for a generous helping of your culinary creations;
  • Enjoy delicious Tuscan wine to accompany your meal.

Step inside the warm and welcoming home of a Florentine chef and discover the art of Italian cooking in the most authentic way possible, by rolling up your sleeves and making pasta from scratch. This small-group experience is a wonderful way to see, hear and taste the essence of Tuscan gastronomy in the company of a passionate local. Beginning in the heart of the artsy Oltrarno neighbourhood, famous for its aristan traditions, you’ll get your creative juices flowing with a trip to a local market to fetch the top-quality Tuscan ingredients needed for your culinary adventure, or, if the class takes place in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a quintessential Italian aperitivo before heading to the kitchen.

Upon arrival at the chef’s home, you’ll step into the fragrant herb garden to gather some aromatic additions to your dishes. Then, with your apron tied and a glass of local wine in hand, you’ll delve into the art of pasta-making. Guided by your chef, who shares tips and traditions passed down through generations, you’ll knead, roll, and shape fresh pasta into two classic dishes, perhaps delicate ravioli finished with butter and sage, and hand-cut tagliatelle dressed with a seasonal sauce. Along the way, you’ll learn the subtle techniques that separate good pasta from unforgettable pasta. To finish, you’ll whip up a beloved Italian dessert, typically a terrific tiramisu, that perfectly complements the meal.

When the cooking is done, you’ll gather around the table family-style to enjoy the fruits of your labour. With generous pours of Tuscan wine and platters of cheese and charcuterie to complement your handmade dishes, you will savour an authentic Italian feast shared among new friends. Whether you join for lunch or dinner, taking this class lets you live, cook, and eat like a local in Florence, leaving you with memories that linger long after you’ve left Tuscany and inspiring you to bring a little bit of Italian tradition back to your own kitchen.

Please note: Itineraries, start times & tastings are subject to change due to seasonal availability, individual closures, or local holidays.

The Heart of Florence: Private 2-hour Golf Cart Tour

Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful and historically significant cities. It boasts a wealth of beautiful buildings, world-class museums like the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery, as well as many illustrious inhabitants across the centuries, including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Strolling through the city’s picturesque streets, it is easy to see why it inspired so many artists, writers and great thinkers. Florence has so much to offer, and taking a private tour of the historic centre in a golf cart is a great way to make the most of your time in the city, experiencing the Tuscan capital’s must-see sights along with lesser-known local favourites.

On this 2-hour golf cart tour, you will:

  • Get a comprehensive introduction to Florence with a knowledgeable local driver guide;
  • Enjoy convenient pick-up from your hotel or another central location;
  • Tailor your itinerary according to your interests;
  • Visit the Ponte Vecchio, the city’s most famous bridge;
  • See Piazza della Signoria, one of Florence’s most iconic squares and learn about its pivotal role in the evolution of the city;
  • Pass by Piazza del Duomo and take in the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore;
  • Discover why Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance as you cruise past some of the incredibly well-preserved buildings from the period;
  • Follow in the footsteps of Leonardo Da Vinci and other key figures in Florentine history;
  • Admire breathtaking views of the Florence skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo;
  • Explore the charming Oltrarno neighbourhood and see some of its celebrated artisans at work;

Experience Florence like never before on a 2-hour private golf cart tour, blending the intimacy of a walking tour with the comfort of a driving tour. Designed for culturally curious travellers, this exhilarating orientation allows you to explore the cradle of the Renaissance with ease, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide who brings the city's fascinating history to life.

Your adventure will begin at your hotel or another central location of your choice, where you will get acquainted with your Florentine driver-guide and hop onboard your comfortable golf cart, embarking upon a journey of discovery around one of Italy’s most stunning cities. You’ll enjoy a carefully curated selection of the key attractions alongside captivating corners of Florence beyond the usual tourist paths, expertly tailored to your particular interests.

While the exact route of your tour is flexible according to your preferences, you’ll be sure to see the legendary Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge lined with jewellery shops, offering picturesque views of the Arno River. You’ll make your way around the city’s myriad of picturesque Piazzas, including the Piazza della Signoria, where Florence’s political and artistic legacies intertwine, and the majestic Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its emblematic dome by Brunelleschi, an unprecedented feat of engineering that remains remarkable more than 600 years after construction began. All the while, your guide will regale you with the hidden details of the iconic landmarks and the stories behind them, as well as the incredible locals that have put Florence on the map from the Renaissance until the present day.

You’ll have the opportunity to venture south of the river to discover Oltrarno, Florence’s artisan quarter, where local craftspeople keep centuries-old traditions alive. You can also ascend to the nearby Piazzale Michelangelo, where a sweeping panoramic view of the city awaits, making for an ideal spot for photos. Once your time with the guide comes to an end, you’ll be left with lasting memories and a deep affinity for Florence’s intriguing history and timeless beauty.

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