Picture of Sant'Ambrogio Neighborhood and Food Market Tour
5.0
126 reviews

Sant'Ambrogio Neighborhood and Food Market Tour

Omar - The Fun Actor

Our local for this tour

Omar - The Fun Actor

Explore one of the most charming neighborhoods of Florence, Sant' Ambrogio! You'll admire the home of Leonardo's apprenticeship, the Florence Synagogue, and the house of Michelangelo. Stroll through the historic flea market, the Pantheon, an unlikely jail, and more with friendly local, Omar.

Experience details

  • Destination

    Florence

  • Category

    Art & culture tours

  • Duration

    3 hours

  • Mode of transport

    Walking

  • Available languages

    English • Italiano

  • Highlights

    • Family friendly

  • What's included

    Private guide • Off-the-beaten-track tour with a native local! • A typical Italian breakfast • Visit to 1 local church and an artisan lab • Kids join for free

Here’s an overview of your tour

Sant' Ambrogio is, without doubt, the most beautiful neighborhood in Florence. It's fair to say that I am biased. I was born and raised here; it's my home. However, I encourage you to join me on a tour of Sant' Ambrogio so I can show the secrets of my beloved neighborhood that make it so special.

Sant' Ambrogio still preserves the charm and tradition of the authentic, non-touristy side of Florence. I would love to show you how life, art, history, culture, and humanity merge here to create a fascinating atmosphere. The Sant' Ambrogio and Santa Croce neighborhoods will give you surprises you'll never forget - this is the real soul of Florence!

Together with me, you will explore the neighborhood where I have lived all my life. We'll start with a delicious breakfast in a local bar. Here, we'll see all of the classic Italian traditions. Locals drinking espresso, wine, sharing meals, swapping stories; you'll get to spend some time as a real local, and I'm sure we'll become real friends.

Every street has an incredible history to be told. Aside from myself, there have been some other world-famous Italians to live here; little known artists Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Canova. I know, it is unbelievable but true!

You could say, I also have an incredible history to be told! If you'd like, we can explore where my family and I grew up, and chat with the locals I've known since I was knee-high. I can show you my home, elementary school, kindergarten, and (because why not?) some old photos of me from my youth in Sant' Ambrogio.

On this tour, we'll visit a fresh fruit & vegetable market, beautiful old churches, a famous flea market, and even a prison. It'll be a voyage into the real, local Florentine culture and lifestyle. Check out the plan below for more info on everything we can do together. I can also 100% personalize this tour, so feel free to get in touch!

Amazingly Delicious & Unbelievably Cheap Lunch (optional):

If you choose a morning tour from Monday to Friday, I will happily recommend another hidden gem of Sant' Ambrogio. Between 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm, there is a delicious lunch at the historical cinema Alfieri for an unbelievably low price.

The lunch is organized at 'I Ragazzi del Sipario'. They are are a non-profit organization whose chefs, waiters, and assistants are people with mental disabilities or coming from delicate family situations. Their goal is to promote social integration and cooperation within society and to enhance human integrity, work rights, solidarity, and, last but not least, good food!

An unforgettable experience and a fantastic cause.

Your itinerary

  • Meeting point

    Piazza dei Ciompi

  • A Local Breakfast

    Let's kickstart the day in a local bar where we'll have a real Florentine breakfast; coffee and a traditional Florentine pastry.

  • Via Dè Macci

    Walk past my home, and discover one of the most famous Italian restaurants with its own theatre. A street where it is said Leonardo studied as a young boy!

  • S.Ambrogio Market

    Explore the authentic local market: fresh fruits and vegetables, tasty cheese, and with butchers yelling & selling the famous Florentine steak. One of the vendors is an old elementary school mate of mine.

  • Local Tasting (optional)

    Choose from 3 options: a popular wine shop among the locals, a super tiny sandwich shop, or a street deli shop run by friends.

  • Florence Flea Market

    Let's visit the historical Florence flea market. Learn about antique shops and the ties with Renaissance culture.

  • Seclusion Convent & Jail

    When accessible, visit the jail of Florence and the Women's seclusion convent. Explore its new library bar and characteristic popular houses.

  • Signs of the Flood

    Hear stories of the most damaged neighbourhood during the 1966 flood and the help from Florence's 'Angels of the Mud'.

  • Saddest Street in Florence

    Wander down the saddest street in Florence and find out how it got its nickname.

  • Ex-mental Health Hospital

    Pass by one of the first Italian mental health hospitals and hear about its history.

  • A Historical Artisan

    Depending on the day, we will visit an unforgettable historical laboratory of mosaics or the Historical Leather School.

  • Casa Buonarroti

    Pass by Michelangelo's House, which today is a beautiful museum.

  • Santa Croce Church

    Admire the Florentine 'Pantheon', where Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and other great Italians rest.

  • Artisanal Gelato (optional)

    I can take you to an artisanal gelateria, where you can buy a yummy gourmet gelato.

  • For a Great Cause (optional lunch)

    A delicious lunch by the historical cinema, Alfieri, for an unbelievably low price. It's organized by 'I Ragazzi del Sipario,' a non-profit organization whose chefs, waiters, and assistants are people with mental disabilities or coming from delicate family situations.
I have a teen daughter with us - is it possible to plan a drinks and bites tour with her?
Me13:42
Message avatar
Of course! I can definitely tailor our tour for you and your daughter! :)
Local host Maria13:44
Message avatar

Do you know all our tours are private & personalised?

Did you know that Withlocals tours are completely customisable to your needs? What you see here is a base itinerary that you can modify! Simply get in touch with your selected local and let them know what you would like!

Select your local guide

Explore the city with our diverse Withlocals hosts—passionate storytellers offering unique perspectives on every tour.

  • Omar - The Fun Actor

    Omar

    The Fun Actor

    Omar
    5.0
    126 reviews
    I speak
    English • Italiano
    Choose

Good to Know

  • Tips

    • Bring a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic
    • Be mindful of sharing the real secret spots - let's keep them a secret
    • Be aware of cultural norms & be mindful

  • Included

    • Private guide
    • Off-the-beaten-track tour with a native local!
    • A typical Italian breakfast
    • Visit to 1 local church and an artisan lab
    • Kids join for free

  • Not included

    • Lunch

  • Cancellation

    • Receive a full refund for cancellations done 7 days before the experience date.
    • Your experience can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase.

Reviews

5.0
126 reviews
  • Lisa picture
    Omar picture
    About local Omar
    5.0

    Wonderful time

    "Omar was a wonderful guide. His explanation of his neighborhood was truly a tour of his life and experiences. He immersed us in his day to day, introducing us to several artisans at a beautiful mos...

  • pring.ben picture
    Omar picture
    About local Omar
    5.0

    Great walk/great guide!

    "Omar took us on a great walk showing us “his” Florence, which we wouldn’t have seen without him. Lovely, knowledgeable man, who we enjoyed spending time with. Highly recommended! "

  • Anonymous picture
    Omar picture
    About local Omar
    5.0

    100% Recommend Omar & this tour!

    "Such a fascinating tour of the Saint’ ambrogio area in Florence. A real insight into a local area with a very local (he was born and raised there) but worldly and very charming guide. A mix of tryin...

Show more reviews

Why should you book a Withlocals tour?

  • Customizable IllustrationMarker IllustrationSparkleSparkleIllustration Message Bubble SquareIllustration Message Bubble SquareIllustration Gear

    100% customizable

    Let your local host tailor the tour completely to your wishes.

  • Private IllustrationMessage Bubble IllustrationSparkleSparkleMan pointing illustratorWoman in dress Illustration

    Private guided tours

    No strangers on your tour. It’s just you and your local host.

  • Sustainable IllustrationSparkleSparkleIllustration right hand upIllustration Left Hand UpPlant Illustration

    Responsible

    Our tours are designed with people, places & the planet in mind.

Questions?

We are here to help!

  • What is the cancellation policy?

    When you make a booking you will receive a full refund when you cancel more than 7 days before the start of the booking.

    When you make a booking that starts within 7 days and cancel within 24 hours after purchase you will receive a full refund.

    When you make a booking that starts within 24 hours your booking is not refundable.

    Read more
  • What payment methods are available?
    During checkout you can choose from a number of different payment methods based on your location. We accept a variety of payment methods such as Credit Card, iDeal and many more.
  • Can I pay in any currency?
    Payment is always done in Euro but you can view the total amount in your local currency. Your bank might charge you a conversion rate fee from your local currency to Euro. No extra fees apply.
  • Is this tour always private?
    All our tours are 100% private, only you and your host.

Let's plan
your tour.

€93per person
Show dates
Instantly confirmed
Omar - The Fun Actor

Our local for this tour

Omar - The Fun Actor

Explore more