07/31/2025
Walkable Wine Window Tour in Florence, Italy
Overview: Explore Florence’s historic wine windows (buchette del vino) on a 2.5-mile (4 km) walking tour, visiting five operational windows in the city center and Santo Spirito. Enjoy Tuscan wines, cocktails, and snacks while learning about a 500-year-old tradition born in the Renaissance and revived during the COVID-19 pandemic. Total walking time is ~45 minutes, but allow 2–3 hours for sipping and savoring.
Starting Point: Piazza della Repubblica (near the Hard Rock Cafe, central and easy to reach from Florence’s train station, Santa Maria Novella).
End Point: Santo Spirito neighborhood (near Piazza Santo Spirito).
Tips: Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestone streets, check window hours in advance, and respect local etiquette—don’t block entrances or linger in roads. Open-container drinking is legal, but be mindful of surroundings.
Stop 1: Osteria Belle Donne
Address: Via delle Belle Donne, 16R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Walking Time from Piazza della Repubblica: ~5 minutes (0.3 miles)
Directions: Head north from Piazza della Repubblica, turn left onto Via degli Agli, then right onto Via delle Belle Donne. The wine window is on your left, set in a charming, narrow street.
Details: This two-story restaurant’s wine window is one of Florence’s most Instagrammable, adorned with a wooden shutter in a mustard-yellow wall. It serves red, white, prosecco, and spritzes (€8–10 per glass). Try a Barbanera Toscana Rosata, a refreshing rosé with cherry and strawberry notes. The window is open daily, 12:00 PM–11:30 PM, but expect a line in peak season.
Why Visit: Located in the historic “Street of Beautiful Women,” a former red-light district, this window offers a vibrant atmosphere and a chance to people-watch. Pair your drink with a small plate of charcuterie.
Nearby Landmark: Piazza Santa Maria Novella (5-minute walk), a stunning square with the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.
Stop 2: Il Latini
Address: Via dei Palchetti, 6R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Walking Time from Osteria Belle Donne: ~3 minutes (0.2 miles)
Directions: Continue north on Via delle Belle Donne, turn left onto Via della Spada, then right onto Via dei Palchetti. The wine window is on the right, near the restaurant entrance.
Details: A Michelin-starred restaurant famous for Florentine dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina, Il Latini’s wine window is a crowd-pleaser. Open daily, 12:00 PM–11:00 PM, it serves wines like a light, effervescent frappato (€9–12), a rare Italian red with berry and earthy notes. The window, framed in gray stone, is perfect for sipping while waiting for a table (reservations recommended).
Why Visit: The window’s historical charm and the restaurant’s prestige make it a must-visit. Enjoy your drink while soaking in the fiery Tuscan sunset.
Nearby Landmark: Ponte Vecchio (7-minute walk), Florence’s iconic bridge over the Arno River.
Stop 3: Cantina dei Pucci
Address: Via de’ Pucci, 4, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Walking Time from Il Latini: ~10 minutes (0.6 miles)
Directions: Head east on Via dei Conti, turn right onto Via dei Cerretani, then left onto Via de’ Pucci. The wine window is on your left, near the Palazzo Pucci.
Details: This wine window, open Monday–Friday, 12:00 PM–11:00 PM, serves classic Tuscan wines like Chianti Classico (€8–10) through a simple, arch-shaped opening. The Pucci family, influential in Florence’s wine trade, adds historical weight. Pair with a small cheese plate for a savory treat.
Why Visit: Its proximity to the Duomo and quieter vibe make it a great stop for a relaxed sip. The window’s unassuming design reflects its Renaissance origins.
Nearby Landmark: Florence Cathedral (Piazza del Duomo, 3-minute walk), home to the iconic Brunelleschi’s Dome.
Stop 4: Osteria San Fiorenzo
Address: Borgo Santa Croce, 11R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Walking Time from Cantina dei Pucci: ~12 minutes (0.7 miles)
Directions: Head south on Via del Proconsolo, turn left onto Borgo Santa Croce. The wine window is on your right, near Santa Croce Church.
Details: Located in the lively Santa Croce neighborhood, this window is available upon request (check with staff, open daily, 12:00 PM–10:00 PM). It serves reds, whites, prosecco, and spritzes (€8–12). Try a prosecco for a bubbly refreshment. The small patio offers views of Santa Croce’s facade.
Why Visit: The nightlife energy of Santa Croce and the window’s connection to a historic noble palace make it a fun stop.
Nearby Landmark: Basilica of Santa Croce (1-minute walk), a Gothic masterpiece housing tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo.
Stop 5: Babae
Address: Via Santo Spirito, 21R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Walking Time from Osteria San Fiorenzo: ~15 minutes (0.7 miles)
Directions: Cross the Arno River via Ponte Santa Trinita, turn left onto Lungarno Guicciardini, then right onto Via Santo Spirito. The wine window is on your left.
Details: Babae, in the artsy Santo Spirito neighborhood, was one of the first to revive wine windows in 2019. Open daily, 6:00 PM–11:00 PM, it serves wines, spritzes, and their signature “Buchetta Negroni” (€10–12) in a souvenir flask. The window, set in a cream-colored wall with a single-stone frame, is Stanley Tucci-approved (featured on “Searching for Italy”). Expect a short, orderly queue.
Why Visit: Babae blends history with modern flair, offering craft cocktails and a vibrant Oltrarno vibe. End your tour here, lingering in Piazza Santo Spirito’s lively atmosphere.
Nearby Landmark: Piazza Santo Spirito (2-minute walk), a bohemian square with cafes and the Basilica di Santo Spirito.
Etiquette: Knock or ring the bell at windows, stay close for your order, and return glasses promptly. Avoid blocking sidewalks or taking excessive photos.
Seasonal Note: Windows are most active May–July. Off-season (e.g., winter) may have reduced hours or closures.
Why This Tour?
This route balances history, taste, and accessibility, hitting Florence’s most iconic wine windows while passing landmarks like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. The windows, born in the 1500s under Cosimo I de’ Medici and used during plagues for contactless sales, offer a unique glimpse into Florence’s past. Today, they’re a social media sensation and a fun way to sip Tuscan wines tax-free, just as nobles did centuries ago. Enjoy your adventure through Florence’s cobblestone streets
