The best ice cream shops Toscane

Not far from the Sant'Ambrogio market, the ice cream parlour Il Procopio has made a name for itself thanks to its original, even very original, flavours. The specialty of the house? Follie di Procopio: an ice cream with caramelized figs, honey, lemon peel, almonds and hazelnuts. A must try! Or the chocolate, made from three different types of cocoa. High quality raw materials and amazing tastes for this strictly artisanal ice cream maker. The house belongs to the Scudieri family, known for having made their fortune in the pastry business in Florence.

At the corner of Via delle Oche, this glacier is one of the most popular addresses in Florence. On summer evenings, even late, it is not uncommon to queue for 20 minutes before being served. Every month, a special flavor is highlighted. It is generally to be recommended as the company that manages the area puts effort into designing an original and/or very smooth ice cream. The house's crema leaves very quickly, but nougat, pistachio, hazelnut and coffee are all flavours that make the glacier's excellent reputation.

Magic and creamy ice creams in Garibaldi square. The gelateria La Bottega del Gelato, run by the Giaquinto family since 1979, is one of the best in Italy, a true reference for high quality artisanal ice creams. A dozen different flavors, prepared every day with ultra-fresh raw materials. Don't be fooled, this small place is crowded every day, especially in the evening, when the locals mingle with tourists to enjoy a cornetto on the banks of the Arno.

Unmissable on the piazza della Cisterna power station! But why are there so many people in front of this little place? Elected world champion several years in a row, Sergio Dondoli's gelateria is famous and people wait patiently in line to buy their cornet or coppetta. Tastes range from classic to very original: sorbet with vernaccia (the local white wine), crema di Santa Fina (saffron cream and pine nuts), rosemary baby (raspberry and rosemary), champelmo (pink grapefruit and prosecco), gorgonzola nut... A must have!

Not far from the Pitti palace, in the San Spirito district, at the bend of the pleasant little piazza della Passera, often several connoisseurs and curious await their turn in front of this famous glacier. Just the time to choose your perfume: hazelnut, watermelon, apricot, matcha tea, milk flower.... And to discover the creaminess of these artisanal ice creams, carefully prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients by Mrs Cinzia Otri. Don't trust the tiny front of the Gelateria della Passera, their ice creams and sorbets are literally delicious!

Vivoli gelateria is no longer presented. One of the local people's favourite addresses when it comes to ice cream during the traditional passeggiata, this family business has been in operation since 1930! Not a lot of fuss, but a lot of real ice cream. The products are fresh and selected with great care. It is not here that you get the most zany flavours, but the flavours offered are exquisite. Smooth ice cream as you wish, you will have understood that. Beware of potential disappointments, Vivoli often closes for a few days in August!

Creamy homemade ice creams, produced on the spot, with high quality raw materials - which makes the difference between an excellent gelateria and another. The ice is perfect, you won't believe it! Gelateria dei Neri also offers artisanal and delicious granite, produced from fresh fruit (lemon, for example, is delicious). The ice cubes are so finely crushed that they look like cream. Here, the granita is presented in a bin, not in a machine that runs all day long. A must have!

Without doubt one of the best addresses in the Tuscan capital to enjoy - or rediscover - an authentic Italian ice cream. Since its opening in 2008, the reputation of Gelateria Santa Trinita has been based in particular on the care taken with raw materials such as fresh fruit, Piedmont PGI hazelnuts (also known as "Tonda Gentile delle Langhe"), orgreen pistachios from Bronte. And to keep things simple, this famous glacier is located in the historic Frescobaldi Palace, opposite the Santa Trinita Bridge.

At the corner of one of the streets that access Piazza del Campo, this bar-gelateria has a balcony overlooking the square with three small tables, a very sought-after location. Once seated, all you have to do is contemplate this incredible open-air theatre. This advantage has been exploited by the owners by focusing on the quality and diversity of their products, such as artisanal ice creams. It is also the ideal place to enjoy an aperitif on the terrace, accompanied by small appetizers.