Florence Central Market (Mercato Centrale) Tours
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The renovated Central Market (Mercato Centrale) is a trendy gastronomic mecca in the heart of Florence. On the ground floor, you’ll find 19th-century architecture and traditional food stalls; upstairs, there’s an urban food court featuring more than a dozen stands and shops, as well as a cooking school.
The Basics
Florence’s Central Market, the largest of its kind in the city, has been located in its soaring cast-iron-and-glass pavilion for more than a century. The ground-floor indoor market is crowded with stalls selling gourmet specialties from Tuscany and beyond, including fresh fruit and vegetables, buffalo mozzarella, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Chianti wine. The second floor has been reworked into a chic food court offering freshly prepared Florentine classics served street-food style—everything from fresh pasta with truffles to hamburgers made with heirloom beef.
A stroll through the market is a highlight of any food walking tour in Florence. Some tours include stops to snack along the way, as well as cooking lessons in the school upstairs.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Lovers of Italian food will particularly enjoy touring the market—it’s the perfect place to try Florentine classics like ribollita, lampredotto, and bistecca alla fiorentina.
- The upstairs area has an excellent wine shop that can ship anywhere in the world, a bookstore, and a workshop that hosts wine tastings and cooking demonstrations.
- The downstairs stalls are a great place to snag ingredients, either for an impromptu picnic or for souvenirs.
- There are ramps and an elevator to access both the upper and lower floors of the market.
How to Get There
The market is located in Piazza del Mercato Centrale in the San Lorenzo district, a short walk from the Florence train station.
When to Get There
The ground-floor stalls are open each morning Monday to Saturday, while the upper-floor food court is open daily from 10am to midnight, making it convenient for snacks or meals. Upstairs can get very crowded at mealtimes (1 to 3pm and 7 to 9pm), so it's best to wander through and sample the Tuscan goods at off-hours.
Visiting Another Florentine Market
Just outside the Central Market, the San Lorenzo Market (Mercato di San Lorenzo) is known as the best place in the city to find inexpensive leather goods.
Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Firenze, Italy
59 Tours and Activities to Experience Florence Central Market (Mercato Centrale)
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Small-Group Florence Food Walking Tour
Indulge in a true taste of Florence on this food and walking tour. Led by a foodie guide, travel through the streets of the Renaissance city and stop at the top local haunts. Check out the fresh produce at the San Lorenzo Market, try the bold flavors of an Italian coffee, and peruse a Florentine delicatessen. You’ll sample plenty of specialties along the way, including cheeses, breads, olive oils, gelato, and Italian wine. Numbers are limited to 12 people to ensure an intimate experience.
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From
$86.40
From
$86.40
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Wanna Be Italiano - The original Cooking Class & Market Tour in Florence
Try your hand at Florentine cuisine on this cooking class. Journey first to the city’s Central Market alongside expert chefs to select local ingredients for your lunch. Then head to the cooking school to learn how to make Tuscan favorites such as bruschetta, homemade pasta, and dessert. Afterward, sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor, complemented by Chianti wine.
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From
$122.19
From
$122.19
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Florence Cooking Course and Local Market Visit
Try your hand at Italian fare during this cooking course and market tour in Florence. Begin with a walking tour through the San Lorenzo Market, choosing fresh ingredients for your dishes. Then head back to the kitchen and learn how to prepare a 4-course Tuscan meal under the guidance of a chef. Sit to feast on your creations and take recipes home at the end of your class. The lesson is divided into two groups, with a maximum of 15 people per chef for a more personal experience.
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From
$92.57
From
$92.57
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Cooking Lesson: From The Market To The Table in Florence
Learn to prepare a full Italian meal from scratch during a small-group cooking class in Florence. Your instructor is a professional chef who takes you first on a shopping excursion to the Central Market, then leads you through the steps of preparing the multicourse meal. Includes lunch with wine, and recipes to take home.
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From
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From
$97.51
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Florence Food Tour: Home-Made Pasta, Truffle, Cantucci, Olive Oil, Gelato
Explore Florence cuisine with a local foodie on a 2.5-hour culinary tour of the city that includes tastings at markets, shops, and cafés along the way. Sample Florence foods that range from fresh pasta and truffles to gelato and pastries. This 3-hour tour is limited to 15 people for individual service from the guide, and in between treats, you’ll walk by some of the city’s most beloved landmarks and local neighborhoods.
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From
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From
$51.84
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff

Florence Sightseeing Tour for Kids & Families with Gelato Tasting
Dig into the history of the Tuscan capital in a way the whole family will enjoy with this 2.5-hour walking tour of Florence for families. Join a kid-friendly guide as you explore Santa Croce, the San Lorenzo Market, the Porcellino, Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica, Ponte Vecchio, and more. Keep kids engaged with interactive games and activities.
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From
$78.99
Price varies by group size
From
$78.99
Price varies by group size

San Lorenzo Market Food and Wine Tour in Florence
Dig into the delicious culinary history of the Tuscan capital with this 4-hour food and wine tour of Florence. Join a knowledgeable local guide for visits to 7 places to eat or drink in the historic center – trattorias, restaurants, pastry shops, gelaterias, wineries and more. Check out the food vendors in the bustling San Lorenzo Market. Take this tour on your first day in Florence so you can eat better for the rest of your stay. Come hungry!
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From
$109.85
From
$109.85
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff

Highlights of Florence Kids & Families Small Group Tour with Gelato
See Florence in family-friendly style during this half-day, guided tour that’s designed with kids in mind. Play games, tackle trivia questions and hear stories about the city’s sights. Visit San Lorenzo Market, Piazza della Repubblica, Ponte Vecchi and more and enjoy a little free time to indulge in locally made gelato and other treats.
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From
$72.82
Price varies by group size
From
$72.82
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Florence Food Tour
Enjoy tastings at some of Florence’s most local establishments on this small-group gourmet food tour, led by a professional chef.
Throughout the tour, you’ll visit a combination of classic Florentine highlights and lesser-known destinations, San Lorenzo Market, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio.
First Stop the San Lorenzo Market, walk through the market and have a taste of the most delicious product from florence and tuscany.
Rather than just eating Florentine food, you meet local vendors and taste delicacies like traditional charcuterie, cheese’s parmigiano reggiano and pecorino, balsamic vinegar tasting, Extra virgin olive oil tasting, espresso tasting, wine tasting and gelato.
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From
$109.85
From
$109.85

Private 3-Hour Food Tour of Florence
Taste your way through Florence's local cuisine during this 3-hour small-group food tour. Follow your culinary expert guide to local food purveyors in the streets and alleys of Florence, listening to stories and interesting facts about the city as you stroll. Start your day with an authentic Italian espresso, then stop Central Market of San Lorenzo to walk among the stalls of fresh produce. Taste some local Chianti, Ribollita (Tuscan soup) and fluffy pastries at a Florentine bakery. Finish your tour with a classic gelato. All tastings are included.
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From
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From
$82.40
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private Florence Sunset Walking Tour
Soak up the evening light in Florence during a private sunset walking tour with a knowledgeable guide. With its Renaissance treasures and beautiful architecture, Florence is always lovely but takes on an even more romantic glow as the sun goes down and famous attractions like Florence Cathedral, the Baptistery and Ponte Vecchio become illuminated.
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From
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Price varies by group size
From
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Price varies by group size

Walk in Florence Historic Center
Join us on this walk through Florence's historic center. Cradle of the Cultural Renaissance, we will go through the main sights of the city. I will tell you about the famous painters and architects who left their mark on the Palaces and Churches, such as Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci. On the way I will also tell you gossip, legends and "stories" of a family that for centuries was the most important in Europe: The Medicis.
Our tour ends with a wonderful view of the Arno River from Ponte Vecchio.
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Tasty Florence Street Food Tour with Guided Sightseeing of the City Center
Taste your way around Florence’s postcard-perfect historic center, the perfect culinary journey for first-timers and veterans alike. Stroll through local food markets and sample traditional dishes like pasta, lampredotto, gelato, and more. You’ll also listen to insider cultural background as you cover the city’s main landmarks along the way, from Santa Croce to Palazzo Vecchio.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Tasty Florence Food Tour & Sightseeing around San Lorenzo Farmers Market & Duomo
Eat, drink and sightsee the cradle of the Renaissance, the city of Florence. Explore the colorful food market of San Lorenzo and visit some of the city highlights like the Duomo, deli shops and typical restaurants full of traditions. Led by a local and expert guide you will learn about all the culinary traditions, history and facts of the city and its monuments. Florence is a magnificent city considered the birth place of the Italian Renaissance, and a must see while in Italy not only for its attractions, monuments and art history background but also for its culinary. Taste the best of the Florentine culinary during this 4-hours Food, Wine and Sightseeing tour.
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From
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From
$116.74
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Florence Street Food Tour with Walking Sightseeing and Local Guide
Snack your way through the heart of Florence on a 2.5-hour small-group walking tour. The short excursion is the perfect opportunity to get a quick overview of Tuscan cuisine. Culinary highlights include schiacciata (flat bread), cantuccini (biscotti), and fresh homemade pasta. Follow your guide to the bustling San Lorenzo Market. A favorite with locals, the vibrant market offers a wide range of fresh ingredients and popular dishes.
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From
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$71.18
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff

Eat Like a Local: Street Food Tour of Florence with Great Tastings
Florence is a marvellous city full of art, culture and delicious food.Take the chance to visit and “taste” this city, with a local guide, who will lead this journey by telling you many anecdotes of the places you see. Explore the Central Market, organized on two floors and completely dedicated to food, here you will find butchers, fishmongers, fruit and vegetable stalls and small shops selling local specialties. Admire the many monuments that Florence is rich in such as the Cathedral, Giotto's bell Tower the Basilica di Santa Croce and many more, all explained by your guide. During your walk, you will taste many sample delicious foods like gelato, fresh pasta, truffles,”pappa al pomodoro”, home-made biscuits and much more. This tour is perfect to introduce the art and foods of this wonderful city that will leave you a unique memory.
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From
$51.84
From
$51.84
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Florence Gourmet Tour with Food Wine and Guided Sightseeing of City Highlights
Stroll through Florence with a guide and small group, stopping at must-see sights and culinary outposts along the way. You'll check many of the iconic Florence sights off of your list—churches of San Lorenzo and Santa Croce, the Brunelleschi Dome, the Giotto bell tower—as well as enjoy seven food stops. Taste everything from cured meat to artisanal ice cream along the way.
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From
$98.74
From
$98.74
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff

Florence Street Food Walking Tour with Guided Sightseeing of Must-See Sites
Come hungry to this 3-hour walking tour of Florence that showcases the city’s rich history and cuisine. In between tours of the Duomo Cathedral and San Lorenzo Basilica, sample authentic street food and taste fresh products at Mercato Centrale. Going with a guide means you won’t be overwhelmed by choice in the bustling streets and market—and that you learn facts and anecdotes often missed by visitors along the way.
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From
$49.79
From
$49.79
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff

Highlights of Florence Private Treasure Hunt for Kids & Families with Gelato
If you have just one day to spend in Florence and you want to enjoy an amazing experience with your family this scavenger hunt is the perfect solution for you all!
You will enjoy a 2.5 hour private experience playing games, treasure hunts, quizzes and much more!
You will not miss the highlights of Florence, such us: Santa Croce square, piazza della Signoria, Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Porcellino Market, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Duomo, Piazza San Lorenzo and much more.
Your family will have a lot of fun while learning!
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From
$146.88
Price varies by group size
From
$146.88
Price varies by group size

Highlights of Florence Treasure Hunt for Kids & Families with Gelato
Families visiting Florence with kids—this is the tour for you! Avoid yawns and boredom by going on a tour that has children’s attention spans in mind. A child-friendly guide keeps the little ones entertained with games, quizzes, and treasure hunts, while you get to enjoy seeing city highlights. The tour covers Santa Croce Square, Palazzo Vecchio, Porcellino Market, Piazza Duomo, Piazza San Lorenzo, and much more.
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From
$81.03
Price varies by group size
From
$81.03
Price varies by group size

Market & Cooking Experience in Florence
There’s no better way to get acquainted with a country’s culture than through its cuisine. Delve deeper into Florence’s food scene during a market tour and cooking class that lets you overcome the language barrier and sample local dishes that you may otherwise have missed. This tour proves ideal for food lovers and first-time visitors.
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From
$92.57
From
$92.57
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Morning route of the Historic Center
A journey of discovery of the city, which will give you a taste of the characteristics that have made Florence famous throughout the world as "the cradle of the Renaissance".
A journey of 2 hours to start getting to know the city, walking through its most beautiful streets and squares and discovering the greatest personalities of its history. A tour that starts from the Roman origins of Florence up to the centuries-old history of the Medici family.
We organize the tour early in the morning to take advantage of the mild climate of the early hours of the day and then leave the rest of the day free with tips and directions on the most beautiful places and museums to visit.
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From
$145.92
From
$145.92

Kid-Friendly Florence Highlights Tour with Central Market & Gelato Tasting
Explore the highlights of the city with this Treasures of Florence tour! In a 2.5-hour tour you will walk with our expert kid-friendly guide through the most beautiful places in the city.
You will start in Piazza Santa Croce by the statue of Dante in the middle of the square, where the guide will be waiting for you. See and experience Florentine life through Piazza della Signoria, the imposing Palazzo Vecchio, and the Duomo. During this relaxed and informative walking tour, the guide will involve the whole family, and the children will be especially curious to learn by using games and other multimedia tools.
Crossing the oldest bridge in Florence, the medieval Ponte Vecchio, don't forget to show a gesture of goodwill to “Il Porcellino”, a little statue of a wild boar, to secure your return to Florence!
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From
$72.82
Price varies by group size
From
$72.82
Price varies by group size

Be In Florence: Private walking tour with exclusive tasting
A walking tour in the historic center of Florence is a unique journey to discover its history through its narrow streets and majestic squares to enjoy its splendid art; culture; landscapes; traditions; typical and artisan products, which tell curiosities, love stories, but also for sure; the great people who passed through here and formed the great history of Florence: artists, saints, popes: princes; and sir
This tour will be a great way to introduce you to Florence and its surroundings, so it is highly advisable to join at the beginning of your stay whenever possible.
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From
$154.29
per group
From
$154.29
per group
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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