v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Artisan gelato tasting booths — Rows of small-batch stalls run by local gelato makers and visiting masters, each offering signature and seasonal flavors you won’t find in a shop window. What makes it special is the sheer variety and terroir: Tuscan honey, vin santo, fresh fruit from nearby markets — you can taste where it came from in every scoop.
- Live gelato-making demonstrations and workshops — Pros show the tricks behind silky texture, balance of fat and air, and how to turn local ingredients into a stunner. It’s hands-on friendly (you can try churning or flavoring), so you leave knowing a little more than “how to eat gelato” — personal favorite, because nothing beats making your own scoop and then eating it five minutes later.
- Flavor competitions and master showcases — Artisans push
- Artisan gelato tasting booths — Rows of small-batch stalls run by local gelato makers and visiting masters, each offering signature and seasonal flavors you won’t find in a shop window. What makes it special is the sheer variety and terroir: Tuscan honey, vin santo, fresh fruit from nearby markets — you can taste where it came from in every scoop.
- Live gelato-making demonstrations and workshops — Pros show the tricks behind silky texture, balance of fat and air, and how to turn local ingredients into a stunner. It’s hands-on friendly (you can try churning or flavoring), so you leave knowing a little more than “how to eat gelato” — personal favorite, because nothing beats making your own scoop and then eating it five minutes later.
- Flavor competitions and master showcases — Artisans push boundaries here: savory-sweet mashups, foraged herbs, and experimental techniques all get put to the test. Seeing the competitive creativity live — and tasting jury and crowd favorites — gives the festival an exciting, unpredictable edge.
- Pairing sessions and tasting menus — Guided pairings that match gelato with wine, coffee, pastries, or even cheeses highlight how gelato can behave like a fine course rather than just a dessert. These mini-tastings are short, smart, and will change how you think about scoops and sips.
- Historic Florence backdrop and street vibe — The festival spills into piazzas and streets framed by Renaissance architecture, buskers, and food stalls, so every scoop comes with a view and people-watching. That blend of artisanal food culture with the city’s atmosphere — long lines, laughter, sunset over the Duomo — is what turns a gelato stop into a proper festival experience.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
The Florence Pottery Experience: Factory Tour & Masterclass
Farm To table Experience on an organic hilltop estate in Tuscany
The Cooking Lab - Authentic Food Experience
UFFIZI Private Tour in Florence Italy
Small group Expert-led Florence Foodie Tour
Florence San Lorenzo Food Tour by Secret Food Tours
Pasta Cooking class in the countryside
PRIVATE Italian Home Cooking Class & Wine with Fabio & Christiane
2-Hour Private Evening Walking Guided Tour of Florence Culture
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.