District
San Frediano
Florence neighbourhood guide
working-class roots, natural wine, quiet streets
The western end of the Oltrarno, towards the old city gate of Porta San Frediano. Once a working-class district, now one of the most pleasant places to eat and drink in the city, with the riverside church of San Frediano in Cestello and a few good gelaterie.
Day trips from Florence
Siena · Pisa · Lucca · San Gimignano · Chianti
Most are about an hour away by train or bus.
Explore San Frediano
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La Sorbettiera
A neighbourhood gelateria on Piazza Tasso at the edge of San Frediano, far from the tour routes. Worth the walk if you are exploring the Oltrarno.
Gelateria La Carraia
A busy gelateria at the Oltrarno end of Ponte alla Carraia, popular with Florentines and students for generous cones at low prices. Expect a crowd on summer evenings.
Il Santo Bevitore
A modern Tuscan restaurant in a vaulted former shop on Via di Santo Spirito, with a strong wine list and a menu that changes with the seasons. One of the most consistently recommended dinners in the Oltrarno; book ahead.
Trattoria Sabatino
A no-frills family trattoria just outside Porta San Frediano, with one of the cheapest set of Florentine classics in town and a dining room full of regulars.
Il Santino
The tiny wine bar of Il Santo Bevitore, a few doors away on Via di Santo Spirito, with a short list of natural and small-producer wines and plates to share. Standing room spills onto the street.