No vacation to Florence, Italy would be complete without a thorough sampling of the wine this region is famous for. Thankfully, there are single-day tours from Florence into the Tuscan countryside where you can experience the true flavor of Italy.

Whether you feel like taking a short trip outside town for a meal along with wine tasting or you plan on an all-day adventure, the best wine tasting tours from Florence are once-in-a-lifetime. In addition to the wine tasting, many of these day tours from Florence offer tastings of local foods as well as scenic drives that are not to be missed.

If you’re planning a vacation to Florence, don’t miss out on the experience of an affordable wine tasting tour. Be sure to see our reviews of Florence food tours, Tower of Pisa tours and Uffizi Gallery tours.

Best Wine Tours From Florence

	Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside	Tuscany Wine tour & San Gimignano from Florence	Tuscan Villas with vineyards, Cheese, Wine & Lunch from Florence
Departure:	Piazzale Montelungo, Florence	3 meeting points	Piazza dei Cavalleggeri, 50122, Florence
Duration:	4.75 hours	7 hours	9 hours
Start:	9:00 AM, 2:15 PM	7:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM	9:00 AM
Includes:	Small-group tour, Guided visit to 2 different wineries, 3 wines and olive oil tastings, transport by air-conditioned vehicle	Private air-conditioned minivan or coach, local expert leader, wine tasting at 2 wineries, tasting of traditional Tuscan products like olive oil, bruschetta, and more	Transport by air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle, professional guide, 9 samples of wine, 2 samples of olive oil, food tastings and lunch
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Wine Tasting Tours From Florence For 2024

1. 1. Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside
   2. Tuscany Wine tour & San Gimignano from Florence
   3. Tuscan Villas with vineyards, Cheese, Wine & Lunch from Florence
   4. Small Group Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Tuscan Castle
   5. Tuscan Food and Wine Walking Tour

Out of the dozens, or maybe even hundreds, of day tours leaving Florence that feature a fun and educational wine tasting, these are our favorite. Not only can you enjoy the delicious wine, but you may also find authentic Italian cheeses, kinds of pasta, and more on your trip.

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Florence Wine Tasting Tour Reviews

1. Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside

First off is the Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside, providing fantastic insight into Tuscan history and the best food and wine you can imagine. With a professional guide to lead the way, you’ll learn from the very best, some of the history and fun stories behind this special Italian region.

I loved the fact that we got to choose between either a morning or afternoon tour start time, which made it very easy to fit into our busy schedules. We chose the morning tour with an intimate, small group that just made it feel more personal.

We asked our guide all kinds of questions as we cruised along the Chianti Wine Route, and he was able to answer each one with enthusiasm. We visited 2 of the best wineries in the famous Chianti Classico area, where we were able to see exactly how they made their legendary wines!

Cruising around winding roads, strolling through the breathtaking vineyards, and heading into the cellars – we did it all! The wines were incredible, and the owner at one of them helped us identify the tasting notes of each one, which was great for learning (and pretending I’m a pro next time I go out with friends!).

I absolutely loved the olive oil tasting at one of the vineyards, as well. I’ve admittedly never been much of an olive oil fan, but I now realize that’s because I just wasn’t trying the right ones! We also had some perfectly paired Tuscan snacks alongside the wines, like fresh cheeses, cold cuts, and bruschetta.

If you’re looking to learn more about beautiful Tuscany but don’t want to commit to a full day tour, I can’t recommend this one enough!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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Other Experiences You May Enjoy:

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2. Tuscany Wine tour & San Gimignano from Florence

Tuscany is known for its incredibly cuisine, rolling hills, and world-class wines. However, if you’re looking to explore the region the way it deserves, give the Tuscany Wine Tour & San Gimignano from Florence Tour a go. This 7-hour tour is super convenient, never lacking in incredible views, and indulgence in wine and food.

Starting out with a convenient pickup right from our hotel, the beautiful journey out to the countryside was as relaxing as it was enchanting.

We made our first stop at a lovely family-run winery in the charming Ulignano, where we tried 4 incredible wines and explored their estate. Led by our expert guide and their owner, we learned all about their Chianti, Super Tuscans, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano, complete with perfectly-paired local treats.

The second is right in San Gimignano, and offers some of the most stunning vistas of the Tuscan region – not to mention their wine is some of my favorite!

After checking out their estate and learning about the history of the area, we went right into their cellars, which was my favorite part! In the cellars, we did a thorough tasting of 3 different types of wine!

Pro tip: pick up a bottle or two of their rosé!

After these 2 exquisite wine tastings, it’s time to relax with a walking tour with your guide in the
Town of San Gimignano, which is one of my favorite medieval towns in all of Europe.

Stroll over the cobblestone streets while your guide regales you with tales about the surrounding towers, piazzas, artisan shops, and much more. The Piazza del Duomo and Torre Grossa were particularly impressive to me, and made for some fantastic photo ops!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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3. Tuscan Villas with vineyards, Cheese, Wine & Lunch from Florence

Chianti is a famous region in Italy, especially known for the delicious, high-quality wine produced there. In this Taste of Chianti tour, you will be taken into the Tuscan countryside via an air-conditioned, 4 x 4, off-road vehicle.

Not only will you have access to some of the most beautiful landscapes and skylines in the country, but you can experience some of the food and luxury that Italy, especially Florence, are known for.

There are three stops on the Taste of Chianti day tour. Your first stop will be at a wine estate that is part of a historic villa in the countryside.

At this stop, you will go on a guided tour of the wine cellars. You will also have an opportunity to taste three different wines paired with cheeses along with two olive oils that are produced here. You’ll then have a tour of a local olive mill, arriving there through the underground tunnels from the villa. The gardens here are perfect for photos.

The second winery you will visit specializes in producing the wine that receives its name from this area of Italy. You will learn more about the process of winemaking as you taste several of them.

While on this trip, you may also visit one of the most famous butchers in Italy to sample or purchase some of their delicious cured meats. The main meal of the day will consist of two courses, a light appetizer precedes two separate pasta preparations and two glasses of wine.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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4. Small Group Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Tuscan Castle

A 900-year-old Tuscan Castle sits nestled in the countryside surrounding Florence, Italy. During this small group tour, you’ll be able to explore the castle grounds as well as the vineyards and cellars.

A professional guide will accompany you on your tour around the castle and grounds, allowing you to experience the history of this location.

Not only will you learn about the wine and olive oil that is produced at this Tuscan Castle while visiting the cellars, but you’ll also be able to taste wines as well as olive oils while making your very own light lunch.

During this lunch, you will learn how to cook two different types of handmade pasta along with two sauces made from scratch.

If you’d like a more extensive cooking class, the four courses of the upgraded cooking class can give you a more thorough experience of making handmade pasta and more. After the tour and class, and before heading back to the provided transportation, you will have an opportunity to purchase many of the items produced at this Tuscan Castle.

While some items may only have seasonal availability, you may find saffron and honey offered in addition to the wine and olive oil.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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5. Tuscan Food and Wine Walking Tour

Exploring delicious and traditional food in the area of Florence can be much easier on this Florence Gourmet Food Tour. This tour begins in central Florence and takes you around this historic city to experience the true taste of Italy.

In addition to the food, you will learn much about the gastronomic history of the Tuscan region from an experienced local guide.

Not only will you be able to sample some of the finest wine in Florence on this tour, but you will also have the opportunity to sample truffles, gelato, chocolate, and even olive oil.

Focaccia bread and a delicious glass of Chianti wine will finish up your tour.

This tour is relatively short and allows you to see many areas of Florence on your walks. While walking the city, you will have opportunities to take beautiful photographs, meet fellow tourists as well as locals, and learn more about what food means to those in Florence.

With a maximum of 12 people on the tour, you will get personalized attention on this walking tour of Florence, Italy.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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Wine Tasting Tours from Florence Travel Guide

If you’re planning a vacation to Florence, Italy you should know what airport you’ll be flying into, the best accommodations available, what restaurants to stop by, and more. In this travel guide, we give you all the information you’ll need to get started planning your vacation. Have you been to Florence and want to suggest a tourist stop or restaurant? Comment below!

• Airports & Entry
• Planning Tips
• Restaurants & Eating Out
• Nightlife & Entertainment
• Getting Around
• Accommodations
• Weather
• Attractions
• Enjoying the Wine That Makes Florence Famous

Airports & Entry

There is a small airport in Florence, the Florence Peretola. It was previously known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport. However, you will most likely fly into the Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa. This is a much larger airport so long-distance, foreign flights are most likely to land here.

Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months past your intended date of departure. If you’re planning on an extended stay, you can stay in Italy for up to 90 days without the need for a visa, so long as your passport is valid.

Planning Tips

Visiting Florence can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, it’s important to plan and prepare for your trip properly. Here, we have our top 5 tips for those planning a trip to Florence, Italy. Have you visited and have a tip of your own? Leave it in the comments down below!

Tip #1: Don’t be Afraid to Spit

When wine tasting in Italy, it is common for the taster to swish the wine around in their mouth to get the full profile of flavors, and then spit the wine out. This is so that you can taste many more wines without becoming intoxicated. It may feel a bit uncomfortable to spit out your drink in public, but it’s actually the cultural norm for this country.

Tip #2: Eat Light

You’ll find that even entrees featuring meat and pasta are smaller in portion size than what we see here in the US. Most of the time, meals consist of lighter fare including crostini, cured meat, and cheeses. Do not be surprised at the smaller portions of heavy meals and the abundance of lighter snacks.

Tip #3: Explore Florence on Foot

Not only is walking the preferred method of getting around in Florence, but it is also the easiest. While you may be walking with many other tourists, walking allows you to see more of the city. It may even take longer to wait for a taxi or bus than it would to walk to your destination. You will also most likely be walking at many of the attractions. Be sure to bring a pair or two of comfortable walking shoes.

Tip #4: Prioritize Your List

It would take months, if not years, to visit and explore every museum, gallery, eatery, and other important location within the city of Florence. Be sure to prioritize the list of places you’d like to see based on the length of time you’re spending here. Many of the attractions have estimated wait times based on the time of year and time of day you are visiting. This makes it easier to plan out your sightseeing.

Tip #5: Take Those 500 Steps

The Cathedral in Florence, called the Duomo, is the 4^th-largest cathedral in the world. It took nearly 2 centuries to complete. Be sure to save at least one day to explore it. If you’d like to reach the highest point in Florence by hiking the 463 steps to the cathedral’s cupola, you’ll need to make a reservation. However, you won’t be disappointed.

Tip #6: Explore The Surrounding Cities

Venice is only a few hours northeast of Florence. This famous beautiful city is a must see! You must see the incomparable St Marks Basilica and take a gondola ride though its canals. There is so much to see and do there it needs to be on your list of places to see.

Restaurants & Eating Out

It seems even the food vendors at every corner and in front of every attraction have some of the best food available. These vendors also make it very quick to grab a bite to eat while on your way from one destination to another.

If you’re looking for some of the best gelato in Florence, you want to check out Carapina. The flavors of gelato available will change based on the season, and the number of choices is limited on purpose, but if you’ve ever thought of trying gelato with either olive oil or parmesan, this is the place.

The Borgo san Jacopo is one of the most exclusive restaurants in Florence. There are just four tables on a small terrace, but this terrace offers breathtaking views of the Ponte Vecchio. The star chef, Peter Brunel, offers mouthwatering entrées. Save room for the purple potato sorbet with various toppings, including gold leaf, for dessert.

A popular stop for many tourists is La Menagere. La Menagere is home to both a café and cocktail bar, but you’ll also find beautiful bouquets in the flower shop as well as quality Italian homeware in the store. Dinner entrées can include everything from spaghetti with squid to beef with pears.

Nightlife & Entertainment

While it’s common to stop for a cocktail in the evening before turning in, nightlife in Florence is relatively calm. In fact, one of their most popular bars offers cappuccino and pastries in the morning, a light lunch in the afternoon, and a buffet dinner as well as cocktails in the evening. This bar, known as Caffe degli Artigiani, is in the center of the artisan district.

The La Casa del Vino is a popular wine bar near the center of town. If you’re looking to try some of the top wines in the area of Tuscany or even find some less common wines from all over the country, you’ll want to stop by. To go with the extensive wine list, there is a menu of light snacks that includes meats, cheeses, crostini, and salads.

Getting Around

Getting around by car in the city of Florence is nearly impossible. Much of the city is off-limits to drivers. Of those streets that are drivable, many are narrow and might even be one-way. If traveling by car is necessary, you’ll want to take a taxi. However, taxis are quite expensive.

The best way to get around Florence is on foot. In fact, it’s possible to walk from one side of the city to the other in less than an hour. If your feet are getting tired or you have a longer distance to travel, a bus system is available. You can find tickets at local convenience stores.

Accommodations

If the city of Florence had a theme, it would be luxury. From the historical sites to the most modern hotels, from street food vendors to well-known eateries, Florence is the epitome of luxury.

If you’d like to experience that firsthand, be sure to research your accommodations. If you’re familiar with the Four Seasons brand, you may know what to expect from the Four Seasons Florence.

However, Florence is home to some very unique accommodations as well. The Palazzo Vecchietti features just 12 bedrooms and suites along with two apartments. Each is named after famous Italian artists.

This 16^th-century Palazzo has been turned into a luxury bed-and-breakfast of sorts, with meals being served in a common area on the top floor. A luxury Florence hotel with more of a retro feel is the Continentale.

Weather

You may want to avoid July and August when planning a trip to Florence. January is usually the coldest month with temperatures in the low 40s, Fahrenheit. While the average temperature in July is in the mid-70s Fahrenheit, the humidity can make it feel unbearably warm. The best times to travel to Florence are in the spring and fall.

Attractions

You’ll find the attractions in Florence mostly based on the history and food of the region. While the Statue of David is arguably one of the most popular sights to see in Florence, getting in to see Michelangelo’s famous artwork can take some time. Lines are usually very long, but it’s worth it.

You may also want to stop at Piazzale Michelangiolo, a terrace overlooking the city. The skyline of Florence seen from this terrace is the same often seen on postcards. Late afternoon or early evening are ideal times to visit as the crowds have died down.

There is no shortage of museums to visit while in Florence. Gucci Museo, or the Gucci Museum, is quite fun and a bit different than most other museums in the area. An archeological museum, the Museo Archeologico, features much of the regional history prior to the Medicis.

The Galleria dell’ Accademia is home to the Statue of David and other popular exhibits such as several Stradivarius violins and famous paintings. Be sure to see the Uffuzi Gallery as well to see the Renaissance period masterpieces. Taking a day trip into Tuscany and seeing all the hill top towns should be high on your list.

Enjoying the Wine That Makes Florence Famous

While one of the most popular tourist activities in Florence is wine tasting, be sure not to miss out on the beauty and history of the city itself. Florence may be a small city compared to some, but the experiences had during even a short vacation here will last a lifetime.

If you’re headed to Florence, what are you looking forward to the most? Let us know!