Night drinking in Florence, minus the guesswork. This pub crawl is a simple way to see Old Town at night while learning why the Santa Croce area pulls in both students and visitors, with your meetup by the Monument to Dante Alighieri.

I especially like the setup: small groups (up to 18), an English and Italian guide, plus a local friend who helps you connect fast. On the nights with guides like Kashyapi, the energy stays up and the route often includes fun add-ons like karaoke, live music, and a dance-club-style finale if you want to keep going.

One drawback to plan for: the tour price covers the guide and bar stops, but drinks are extra, and there’s a 15 euro club entrance fee at the end if you choose to go in.

Quick hits before you go

• 3 Old Town stops across Santa Croce, the Peruzzi Firenze area, and Via Ghibellina
• Games on Via Ghibellina to make it easy to meet people without awkward small talk
• Small group max 18 so you’re not stuck feeling anonymous
• English and Italian guide + local friend to keep the night moving smoothly
• Affordable drink stops, not included so you can control your own budget
• Optional club entry (15 euro) if you want a bigger nightcap

Why this Florence pub crawl starts at 9:30 pm

Starting at 9:30 pm is a smart move in Florence. Most of the big sights are closed or winding down, and the city’s energy shifts to aperitivo-to-nightlife mode. You’ll get the bars when the streets feel most social, without spending your whole evening trapped at one venue.

The timing also keeps the crawl realistic. Plan on about 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes, with three planned stops and enough time at each place to order, chat, and join whatever group energy is happening.

And yes, this is a mobile-ticket kind of night. You’ll want your phone charged and ready. Florence is easy to navigate on foot, but a little battery goes a long way when you’re bouncing between streets.

Stop 1: Piazza Santa Croce and why it works for nightlife

Your night begins at Piazza Santa Croce (meet by the Monument to Dante Alighieri). This area is popular for a reason: it’s central, walkable, and it has that mix of student life and tourist curiosity that turns bar-hopping into a normal activity rather than a hunt.

Expect to spend about 1 hour 20 minutes here. That’s plenty of time to sample different street-bar vibes without feeling rushed. One of the best parts is that you’re not only ordering drinks—you’re also getting a quick explanation of how Santa Croce became such a magnet for people out at night. That context matters. When you understand the why, the atmosphere feels less random.

The best practical benefit: you can treat this first stop like your social warm-up. If you’re solo, it’s the easiest place to relax and fall into conversation. If you’re with friends, it’s where you set the tone—lively, chill, or somewhere in between.

Potential drawback: because Santa Croce is a draw, it can feel busy. You’ll be fine if you go in with a flexible mindset and keep your expectations on the friendly, group-friendly side.

Stop 2: Via Benci to Peruzzi Firenze for a more local night

Next comes a walk toward a different side of the Old Town via Via Benci, with Peruzzi Firenze as your destination. This leg is about changing the view, not just changing the address.

You’ll spend about 30 minutes at this stop, which works because you’re not trying to turn the whole night into a single long session. Instead, you get a taste of what another pocket of Florence feels like after dark—more grounded, more “locals’ favorite,” and less like the first place everyone crowds into.

This is the part I think you’ll remember most if you like variety. Santa Croce is where you start. Via Benci and the Peruzzi Firenze area is where your night starts to feel like Florence, not a generic nightlife district.

Practical note: that short stop time means you’ll want to decide quickly. If you’re hungry or thirsty, ask for recommendations and order sooner rather than later so you don’t feel rushed while your group moves on.

Stop 3: Via Ghibellina games, drinks, and a real social finish

Then you hit Via Ghibellina, where the vibe shifts from bar-hopping to group energy. Expect about 40 minutes here.

What makes this stop special is the inclusion of fun social games (the kind that don’t require you to be “the entertaining one”). If you’re trying to meet people, this is where the tour does the heavy lifting. Games create shared moments, and shared moments create conversation. It’s a lot easier than standing around a doorway wondering what to say next.

And if you want another round of drinks, this is the moment. The tour doesn’t push a specific order, but it sets you up to make the night feel fun rather than transactional.

From what I’ve gathered about these nights, some groups lean into karaoke, live music, or just a more party-leaning crowd. That doesn’t mean it’s the same everywhere every time. But it does mean the “social games” part is meant to build toward a lively finale.

One more practical thing: the ending area is around Via Giuseppe Verdi, and you may be left right in the middle of Via Verde or at the entrance of a club if you choose to go. So you’ll want a simple plan for getting home after—keep an eye on the direction you’re headed and don’t lose the group during the last moments.

Price and what you’re really paying for ($23.85)

At $23.85 per person, this is a budget-friendly way to buy structure for a nightlife evening. You’re not paying for drinks. You’re paying for the parts that help you have a better time: a guide (English and Italian), a local friend, and the route plus timing that keeps you moving through different areas.

Here’s where the value gets clear:

• The tour includes admission ticket free time at the stops (so you’re not paying entry fees to visit the bar areas).
• Soda/pop and shots aren’t included, but the tour notes you’ll be taken to affordable places, which matters because Florence can be all over the map with prices depending on the exact corner.
• A club entrance at the end is 15 euro if you opt in.

So the real question isn’t whether the tour is cheap. It’s whether you’re willing to spend something extra on drinks (which you would anyway if you went out on your own). If you’d normally drop cash on a few cocktails and then still end up walking around searching for a good atmosphere, you’ll likely come out ahead with the guided setup.

Also: non-refundable rules can be a bummer, but the tour does say it needs good weather, and if weather shuts it down, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s worth noting if you’re planning multiple moving parts.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want to rethink it)

This is a great fit if you want a social, easy-to-join night in Florence without doing the homework. It works particularly well if:

• You’re traveling solo and want conversations to start naturally.
• You want to see more than one nightlife pocket in Old Town.
• You like guided context, not just wandering.

It’s also a good option if you’re flexible. Drinks, games, and the possible live music or karaoke-style stops can change how the evening feels, but the overall flow stays similar: meet, three stops, social energy, optional club finale.

If you’re the type who wants a quiet bar crawl with long pauses and no group structure, this may feel too active. The games and the guided movement are part of the point.

And if you’re not interested in paying for additional drinks or the optional 15 euro club entrance, consider whether you’d enjoy the evening only for the walking and guidance. You’ll still get value from the guide, but your total night spend will depend on what you order.

Practical tips for your Florence night out

A few small things can make this run smoother:

Wear comfortable shoes. You’re walking between different streets, and the night’s best moments happen when you’re not worried about your feet. Florence cobblestones can be charming in daylight and annoying after a few drinks.

Bring a payment method (and maybe a little cash). The tour covers the guide and the stops, but drinks are not included, and the optional club has a 15 euro fee.

Keep your expectations on the friendly side. Guides like Kashyapi (and others who keep groups moving) tend to run these nights with a “let’s have fun” tone. If someone in your group wants a slower pace, it’s easier when you communicate early rather than at the last second.

If you see a venue that doesn’t feel right, tell the guide quickly. One of the tips I’ve picked up from this style of tour is that not every bar is equally welcoming to every crowd. The tour is built for different group vibes, so your best move is to speak up fast if something feels off.

Finally, travel smart: the meeting point is near public transport, but you still want a plan for getting home after the last stop. Once you’re near the club entrance area, it’s easy to get carried away—and harder to remember how you got there.

Should you book the Florence Pub Crawl in Old Town?

If you want an easy, structured night in Florence with a guide who helps you connect, I’d book it. For $23.85, you’re buying the route, the group momentum, and the extra social push from games on Via Ghibellina. The small group size (up to 18) is a big part of why this feels friendly instead of chaotic.

Skip it only if you hate group energy or you want drinks fully included. This crawl isn’t a free-for-all drink package. You’ll still pay for what you order, and the club at the end adds 15 euro if you go inside.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Monument to Dante Alighieri in Piazza di Santa Croce, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

Where does the tour end?

It ends on Via Giuseppe Verdi, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy, typically leaving you right in the middle of Via Verde or at the entrance of a club if you choose to go.

What time does the pub crawl begin?

It starts at 9:30 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes.

What languages are the guide and local friend speaking?

The guide speaks English and Italian.

How many stops are included?

There are three stops during the crawl.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Soda/pop drinks and shots are not included, though the tour says you’ll be taken to affordable places to buy them.

Is the club entrance included at the end?

No. Entrance to a club at the end is 15 euro and is not included.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.