Where to go for Coffee & a Hike in Florence, Italy
I’m Katlyn, and I started the Wired Hiker as a way to share my favorite coffee shops and day hikes in as many places around the world as I can in one lifetime. When I visit a new place, these are always the first two things I look for, so I hope I can recommend a the perfect coffee and a hike for your next trip. #coffeehikes
And I like to share more tips from my trips than just coffee and hikes, but I know most of you are just here to get a coffee and a hike recomendation, so that’s all up top for ya. Scroll down if you want to read more words from me about other travel tips.
Where to Get Coffee in Florence, Italy
Ditta Artigianale, Firenze
Via dello Sprone, 5/R, 50121 Firenze FI
THE coffeemisù' latte
Why I’m a fan:
So usually when I choose a coffee shop to recommend it’s based on three things, great coffee, location, and shop feel. And Ditta Artigianale checks all of those boxes, but honestly what is making this a “you gotta go here” spot for me is one specialty drink of theirs in particular - the coffeemisu. I’ll tell you more about it down the post, but the name should be enough to get you excited.
2023 Update: I am revisiting this post to make sure it’s all up to date and I can say the coffeemisu is still on the menu and I am ready to book a trip to Italy now just thinking about this lil drink.
Great coffee, of course - Ditta Artigianale was founded in 2013 by Francesco Sanapo, world-renowned barista and coffee taster champion (that’s awesome). Their mission is to bring high quality coffees to Italy and they’ve done it. Their drink menu is also super creative with unique specialty drinks as well as classic Italian staples.
Great location - Online it looks like they have two cafes in Florence, but one was “temporarily closed” on my visit. I went to the one near a lot of Florence tourist spots like Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) Ponte Vecchio (which means, old Bridge) and not along walk from the Duomo either. It’s a busy place but the location feels a little off the beaten path down the alley, so it’s a nice place to relax for a it.
Great “Feel” - The shop has a modern and cozy look and feel. Seating is a nice mix of soft chairs, bar seating, and bigger tables as well as a back patio and a little sitting area out front (you can get your coffee togo and sit out front if it’s a bit crowded inside and on the patio). It’s very welcoming and you will want to salty a while. you should order food here too They have a great brunch and I’ll tell you what I recommend below. Laptops are allowed in non peak times, so if you’re there during the week you can stop by to get some work done.
Pure joy ha This was my second one in two days.
Magic hour
The croque madame sandwich - white bread, butter, cheese, ham, Mornay sauce, and a fried egg.
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The coffeemisu
What to order:
Here’s what you gotta get. I went back twice for it in two days - the coffeemisu. It feels like more of a dessert than a coffee so you may want to order something else to go along with it if you are more in a coffee mood. But just take the best tiramisu you’ve every had and drink it up - that’s what it is and it just way too good.
The cookie dough latte on the signature menu is also great and a little less dessert-y if you are looking for more of a coffee drink.
And since I am here, I want to let you know about their brunch too. It’s great! Probably my favorite brunchy spot in Florence too - The Croque Madame is like toast with cheese and sauce and all things delicious. Get that with an order of sweet potato fries and you’re all set.
Where to Hike in Florence, Italy:
Trail Name:
Urban Hike and Bike: Hike Up and Around the Boboli Gardens AND then bike to catch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
Hike Description:
Hike to Boboli Gardens and then stroll the gardens. It is easy to walk to from almost anywhere in Florence and it is right behind Pitti Palace that you can also visit as well. Tickets to enter the garden are required. Here’s a link for pricing.
After you visit the gardens you can find a rental ebike and bike up to catch the sunset If you search “where to watch the sunset in Florence” this is the place you will find. Piazzale Michelangelo overlooks all of Florence and the Arno river and the light comes in jusst perfectly to make everything have that golden hour glow that makes you feel like everything is right in the world. If you plan this as an evening hike you may just get a sunset like this one. You’ll have to share it with hundreds of new friends (this is not a secret spot) but it is completely amazing and glorious and there’s something kinda nice about sharing a pretty scene with other humans.
I’ll share an option to bike up to the top and hike back down, but if you just feel like hiking you totally can do that too. The ebike is just fun.
Evening view from Piazzale Michelangelo
If you plan this hike as an evening hike you may get a sunset like this one on your way back across the other bridge looking at the Ponte Vecchio
I loved walking around the gardens. It was winter when we were there so not many flowers but still lots of nice trails, plants, and fountains. Directly behind Pitti Palace are the Boboli Gardens. The Medici family established the layout of the gardens, creating the Italian garden style that would become a model for many European courts.
Why I like it:
It’s Florence at sunset, so of course it is ridiculously beautiful. I don’t need to sell you on that, but what is great about this urban hiking route is you can rent an e-bike and ride up to the top. You could totally bike up on a regular bike, but I would day e-bike is the way to go if you’re not trying to get sweaty - it’s a bit of a climb up there. I downloaded the MOVI app for the orange bicycles you’ll see parked all over the city. If you have the app you can unlock a bike and go and it will charge you based on how far and how long you rent the bike. I will say, check and make sure the bike you choose says “electric” on the bike if you want an e-bike or you’ll be sad when you are pedaling up the hills and the electric boost never kicks in (I did that by mistake the first time)
The ride up on my route outlined below will take you across the river and up through a tree lined bike path (with very little road riding which I hate - riding a bike on the road is probably THE thing on earth that gives me the most anxiety, so I try to stick to and recommend only bike paths when I can), and when you get to the top you can just park the bike out of the way and leave it up there to hike back to town.
And the stroll back down will take you by a neat, giant, cave looking fountain Fontane delle Rampe del Poggi and The Tower of San Nicolo (it was not open when I visited as its only open in the summer but it says online you can hike to the top for 6 EUR) and back across the bridge.
Distance:
It depends how you choose to do this hike, but it can be as short as 3 miles roundtrip.
Parking:
I always include a section on parking, but for Florence I was travelling without a car. I can’t tell you how to park from expereince, but there were plenty of cars up there and here is some parking information from Florence’s tourism site.
“In front of the Piazza there are 72 spots dedicated to a paid car parking lot (1 Euro for the first hour and 2 Euros for every hour after, or portion thereof). Paid hours are everyday (including holidays, from 8 am to midnight). There is parking along the street going up to the Piazzale, near the Iris Garden and (paid) parking can be found on the road to San Miniato (via delle Porte Sante).
My Route:
I hate when trail blogs don’t give you enough info to feel confident taking on the hike yourself, so I will try my best to set you up for success. And like I said above, feel free to deviate from this exact hike, but it’s a good point of reference for exploring Florence.
Start at Boboli Gardens and after exploring the gardens, walk around until you find an e bike stand. You could totally bike up on a regular bike, but I would day e-bike is the way to go if you’re not trying to get sweaty - it’s a bit of a climb up there. I downloaded the MOVI app for the orange bicycles you’ll see parked all over the city. If you have the app you can unlock a bike and go and it will charge you based on how far and how long you rent the bike. I will say, check and make sure the bike you choose says “electric” on the bike if you want an e-bike or you’ll be sad when you are pedaling up the hills and the electric boost never kicks in (I did that by mistake the first time)
The route for the ride up I picked is a bit longer than what your GPS may recommend, but it will take you across the river and up through a tree lined bike path (with very little road riding which I hate - riding a bike on the road is probably THE thing on earth that gives me the most anxiety, so I try to stick to and recommend only bike paths when I can), and when you get to the top you can just park the bike out of the way and leave it up there to hike back to town.
I don’t even need to list how to hike back down becuase you can totally follow the parade of other humans all headed back the same way, but if you put Fontane delle Rampe del Poggi in your GPS with walking instructions it’ll bring you down.
And the stroll will take you by a neat, giant, cave looking fountain. This is Fontane delle Rampe del Poggi and The Tower of San Nicolo (it was not open when I visited as its only open in the summer but it says online you can hike to the top for 6 EUR) and then you can head wherever the night take you.
🐶 Hootie Approved?
I always include my dog Hootie’s strong opinions on trails, but unfortunately he didn’t get to travel with me to Italy, so he has no comment. That said, there were plenty of dogs hiking up to enjoy the sunset (just not at Boboli Gardens) so I would say it’s dog friendly so if you’re lucky enough to have your dog with you, let them enjoy the sites.
Random Recommendations from my brain for your trip to Florence, Italy (in no specific order)
Picnic fan? I am. Bring a tote bag and before you hike or bike up to the plaza for the sunset, you can stop by All'Antico Vinaio. The shop wasn’t busy when I went around 5:00 on a weekday but I saw it lined out the wazoo at lunchtime on the weekends, so just know you may have to wait. But it’s worth it. Get “The Boss” and thank me later (It’s basically really good meat and a trufflle sauce that I can still smell while I am typing this). Their sandwiches are made with a local bread called schiacciata, and the kind human at the counter was patient enough to help me pronounce it correctly - it’s like Skee-ah-she-ah-tah
Where to stay in Florence? I would consider myself a “normal” traveler. I am never going to stay anywhere too fancy unless this coffee hiking blog just really blows up, and I am in my 30s and really over the whole bunkbed in a hostel type setup, so I am always looking for a cozy, budget option. If you travel like me then I can’t recommend Hotel Bavaria enough. It is in the perfect location - literally the Duomo is around the corner, the river is a 10 minute walk, and I even walked here from the train station (it was like a 50 minute walk but if you like to walk it’s totally doable) It’s a private room + shared bathroom set up but at the price I can’t imagine finding anything better in this great of a location.
I started the Wired Hiker as a way to share my favorite coffee shops and hikes, so if you take my recommendations for a coffee shop and a hike in Florence Italy, let me know. You can leave comment or I love emails katlyn@nerocoffee.com and if you are feeling extra fancy please head over to visit Nero Coffee, my coffee hike brand based in Brevard NC.