Where to buy ice cream in Florence

No visit to Florence would be complete without a taste of the city's delicious ice cream. You can see why Florentines claim to have invented gelato, for the city is awash with a rainbow of flavours. With so much choice, you'll need our top recommendations to make sure you only sample the best...
Enjoying a gelato in Florence. Photo: Shutterstock
Enjoying a gelato in Florence. Photo: Shutterstock



Insight Guides can help you with planning, organising and booking your trip to Florence. Simply, get in touch and share your budget, interests and travel style. Our local experts will create an itinerary exclusive to you and your requirements, which you can amend until it's just right. Alternatively, browse and modify ready-made holidays to create your dream trip today.


1. Grom

This chain of artisan gelaterie started in Turin and has quickly become a favourite in Florence. Located to the south of the bell tower, on the corner of Via delle Oche and On Via del Campanile, Grom’s ice cream contains only fresh and in-season organic fruit, with no colourings. Mineral water is used as a base for sorbets, and high-quality whole milk and organic eggs for the creams. 

Check out the monthly flavours and suggested pairings. Also worth trying is the almond granita.

Make sure to stop here after your visit of the Baptistery, one of the many architectural gems making up Insight Guides' Florence: A Trip back in Time holiday.


2. Gelateria Vivoli

Regarded as the home of the world’s best ice cream, Vivoli, on Via Isole delle Stinche 7r, remains unrivalled for both flavour and variety. Here you’ll find zuppa inglese, which literally means “English soup” but is in fact trifle or trifle ice cream. The chocolate flavours are to die for and equally tempting are the alcoholic zabaglioni, amaretto, tiramisu and the rich chestnut ice creams. A great reputation brings long queues in summer, but these are worth enduring for.


Gelateria in Florence.Florence abounds with gelaterie; always look for the sign Produzione Propria (home-made). Photo: Shutterstock


3. Gelateria Carabé

Located on Via Ricasoli 60r, this place is not to be missed if you are a fan of ice cream. Sicilian gelati are made from ingredients shipped in from the island itself. Sample some for yourself with Insight Guides' Florence: A Trip back in Time holiday.


4. Gelateria Vivaldi

This gelateria on Via dei Renai 15r serves excellent ice cream, cakes, coffee and hot chocolate. Enjoy your sweet treat in the stylish cosy back room with its elegant sofas and armchairs.


5. Perché No?

Located on Via de’ Tavolini 19r, Perché No? is one of the oldest ice cream parlours in town and a pioneer of the semifreddo – a mousse-like gelato that is perfect for colder days.


Taking a holiday to Florence: how to get started

Insight Guides can help you with planning, organising and booking your trip to Florence. Simply, get in touch and share your budget, interests and travel style. Our local experts will create an itinerary exclusive to you and your requirements, which you can amend until it's just right. Alternatively, browse and modify ready-made holidays to create your dream trip today. 


This article was originally published on October 17, 2016


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