Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
4.5
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
Historical center of Florence features Sant'Ambrogio, one of the first religious buildings to be built in Florence.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Santa Croce
Stop and stare at the beauty and symmetry of the Basilica of Santa Croce any time day or night. Unraveling around it are a number of architectural and artistic masterpieces, from the Synagogue to the Central National Library. As a hub for young people, the area gets busy with people who want to have fun: a continuous flow of tourists and locals become animated by songs and dances.
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,643 within 5 kms
Attractions
873 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
290 reviews
Excellent
152
Very good
105
Average
25
Poor
7
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
claudio d
Viterbo, Italy41,837 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Historic covered market (it seems to be the oldest in Florence, inaugurated in 1873, but not particularly large), open from Monday to Saturday from 7am to 2pm. The construction of this market, together with that of San Lorenzo and one in San Frediamo never built, it is part of a design by Poggi for the replacement of the demolished Mercato Vecchio: for this purpose not only the current pavilion was created but also the square on which it is located (Piazza Ghiberti, open a few tens of meters south of Piazza Sant'Ambrogio). Slightly raised above the road level, it consists of a single level with an iron/cast iron load-bearing structure, also for the roof of the pavilion, while the external walls are partly in masonry (in the lower area).
This is the classic market for food and gastronomic products, but inside there is also a café and a trattoria. The dimensions must have been underestimated at the time, or the district has grown more than expected, because the covered space is not able to contain all the stalls: currently the aforementioned cafeteria and trattoria are located inside, in addition to the butchers, bakeries, retailers of cured meats/cheeses, fish and delicatessen/spices; in special sheds outside there are fruit and vegetable stalls (in theory there should also be clothing stalls and florists, but these have been temporarily moved to Largo Annigoni due to redevelopment work on the sheds). Based on the prices I saw, it is not the place to come to save money (with the exception of the restaurant whose prices are not expensive: a first course for seven euros and a second course for eight euros), while I can say nothing about the quality and authenticity, not having purchased nothing (I still assume that it is more than good, given the attendance).
This is the classic market for food and gastronomic products, but inside there is also a café and a trattoria. The dimensions must have been underestimated at the time, or the district has grown more than expected, because the covered space is not able to contain all the stalls: currently the aforementioned cafeteria and trattoria are located inside, in addition to the butchers, bakeries, retailers of cured meats/cheeses, fish and delicatessen/spices; in special sheds outside there are fruit and vegetable stalls (in theory there should also be clothing stalls and florists, but these have been temporarily moved to Largo Annigoni due to redevelopment work on the sheds). Based on the prices I saw, it is not the place to come to save money (with the exception of the restaurant whose prices are not expensive: a first course for seven euros and a second course for eight euros), while I can say nothing about the quality and authenticity, not having purchased nothing (I still assume that it is more than good, given the attendance).
Written 25 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie T
New York City, NY6,979 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
This market is not in the city centre and it's a bit further, but still walking distance. We came by just after 9:30 on a Friday. There are fewer crowds here, probably because of its location, which makes it a prime spot for food tours. We didn't do one but we just wandered around ourselves. There are fewer options here than Mercato Centrale but the trade off is that you don't have to deal with all the people. They sell a lot of the same stuff - fresh produce, meats, and some vendors selling food. We tried the tripe sandwich here, which wasn't as good as the other market, but still delicious. We also bought some strawberries outside, which might have been some of the best strawberries I've ever eaten in my life, so definitely don't sleep on those.
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is worth the trek!
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is worth the trek!
Written 10 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo_and_Tom
Anna, OH2,049 contributions
Mar 2020
Wife and I on last day walked through here looking for some leather goods. It also has farmers market. There were many "northern Africans" selling leather goods which were marked made in Florence Italy as well as other collectible items. My wife started looking and I was just along for ride. We did find a purse which my wife was interested in and we were talking with the gentleman abou the cost. He started with 150 Euro's for a purse. Wife didn't know if she liked it or not and I found another for her to look at. He said it was 130 Euro's. We started walking away and he asked what we would pay. Going back and forth I got both purses for 80 euros. I was in Purchasing so this was fun dickering. This is about 10 minutes from Train station and 5 minutes from our hotel.
Written 8 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HisOpinion1212
Atlantic Beach, NC168 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
This a hidden place tucked away in outskirts of Santa croce neighborhood. If you don't know it, it can easily be missed. We saw plenty of cheese, salami and butcher places to choose from. We had lunch at dal Rocco restaurant and breakfast another day at one of the party shops here. BOTH GREAT.
Fruits an veggies market were outside of the building ,out in the open.
Fruits an veggies market were outside of the building ,out in the open.
Written 7 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heini_Freiherr_von_Haplitz
New Providence Island207 contributions
Dec 2017 • Business
Don't waste any money, just take a look and go elsewhere. This was a good market many, many years, well, decades ago, local egg-producers, local farmers, vegetables, local meats, Tuscan Fish. Now, it is a reseller place of products less than mediocre in quality. That is not totally these sellers fault, because all wholesale fruit markets (ORTO) have only lousy (third choice) product for Italians, since all Cat.I produce is for export only. Here, in Italy the margins are very high, that means that produce, meats and such is of lowest quality to collect the profit. Italian shoppers dropped flavor and quality long ago for looks and supermarket aisles. Florence does not have a licensed butcher remaining, and not one baker (fornaio) with a diploma. Forget Pattisserie and Sweets, Italy's Culinary Institute did graduate anyone in years. They claim, that a new school for baking diplomas will eventually open in Cuneo next year. Anyhow this market is in a neighborhood where housewifes/men are ignorant and would not know how much a "Capello Di Prete" cut of beef should costs, or that apples are from last years crop, and cheese will set you €24-36 /kg back, cheeses that were not even crafted by a Master Cheesemaker. The food-processors watch a 20 minute video, that is called education here. But, you can find a nice second-hand Loden Jacket from Austria, or old sweaters. Turkish Pomegrates are labeled "Product on Italy" but the real ones are sold to Austria, Swiss and Germany. Whenever - during the last years - a stand closed down, it was "acquired" by a "Senor" who staffed it from the asian pool of unemployed, and is selling the same wares now in 30% of the open stands. It truly is an insult to a shopper, or a gourmet. There is NO place for GOURMET left on this market. Don't pay any prices on these tags, all are much too high, offer 50%, the most. And, don't buy "nuovo" Olive Oil, its neither BIO nor extravergine (squeezed at less than 25C degrees), because olive harvest was a disaster this season at 30% of last year, thus, mixing and cheating is at an all-time high.
Written 2 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marika t
Florence, Italy36 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
If you want to experience the real life in Florence, see where Florentines go I suggest you visit the daily market of Sant'Ambrogio.
Sant'Ambrogio is one of the oldest boroughs in Florence and is an authentic residential area., where lots of Florentine people live In the main square takes place every day a nice market.
Here you can find clothings, accessories, furniture and much more. In addition you can buy fresh and organic products, such as fruit, bread, local cheese and so on. Every day you'll find different sellers and good deals.
Sant'Ambrogio market is open Monday to Saturday from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm.
Sant'Ambrogio is one of the oldest boroughs in Florence and is an authentic residential area., where lots of Florentine people live In the main square takes place every day a nice market.
Here you can find clothings, accessories, furniture and much more. In addition you can buy fresh and organic products, such as fruit, bread, local cheese and so on. Every day you'll find different sellers and good deals.
Sant'Ambrogio market is open Monday to Saturday from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm.
Written 27 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALFREDUCCIO
North Brunswick, NJ46 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
I always know about the Mercato Centrale near San Lorenzo but never visited this market near Sant'Ambrogio & Santa Croce. I was in Florence visited my cousin who has an apartment so I said let's shop for Saturday night dinner.. A short walk from his apartment. The veggies & fruits where sold outside the building while inside meats, fish & groceries. The menu was to be the famous Arista; di Maiale, fettuccini with peas, mushrooms in blush sauce. After shopping was done we met my cousin's wife & daughter for lunch at Rocco's inside the market itself.
This eatery is run by a man named Rocco from the Basilicata. It is set up with about 8 long tables with a central aisle for serving. The menu was small & a great bargain. Primi for 4euro secondi 6 euro sides 3 euro. Food came out hot and well prepared. The dessert was most memorable, a large poached pears in a wine caramelized sauce If you find the market while wandering around Florence expect a wait for a table(that you will have to share with someone else) but the wait is worth it. Buon Appetito !
This eatery is run by a man named Rocco from the Basilicata. It is set up with about 8 long tables with a central aisle for serving. The menu was small & a great bargain. Primi for 4euro secondi 6 euro sides 3 euro. Food came out hot and well prepared. The dessert was most memorable, a large poached pears in a wine caramelized sauce If you find the market while wandering around Florence expect a wait for a table(that you will have to share with someone else) but the wait is worth it. Buon Appetito !
Written 28 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vassilis V
Crete, Greece208 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
There are two types of voyagers.
The tourists and the the travelers.
If you think you’re in the first category, then don’t go to mercato Di sant ambrogio. It’s not for you.
If you consider yourself as a traveler and you’d like to find out the real thing, without famfaronades and bright light, then you’re gonna love it.
Great products, great food in prices that normal people can afford.
A lovely place to feel the real thing of an Italian market.
Highly recommended to travelers
A tip: don’t forget to pass by and check the mercato delle pulci, pretty close to the sant ambrogio mercato. Less than two minutes walking.
The tourists and the the travelers.
If you think you’re in the first category, then don’t go to mercato Di sant ambrogio. It’s not for you.
If you consider yourself as a traveler and you’d like to find out the real thing, without famfaronades and bright light, then you’re gonna love it.
Great products, great food in prices that normal people can afford.
A lovely place to feel the real thing of an Italian market.
Highly recommended to travelers
A tip: don’t forget to pass by and check the mercato delle pulci, pretty close to the sant ambrogio mercato. Less than two minutes walking.
Written 4 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig L
Minneapolis, MN58 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We love this market, and suggest going during the morning hours and during the weekday. You really can't go wrong with any of the selections. We like the sbriciolona and proscuitto di parma from the butcher with the Boar's head. Make your own sandwich with strachiatta sold here, and eclipse the All' Antico Vinaio version without much work.
Rocco is the nice little cafe perfect for your first introduction to grandma's Tuscan kitchen. The serving sizes are enormous, so think about sharing to ensure you get a nice variety.
This market is a market, not an amusement park. Whip out google translate and speak some Italian, or merely gesture for just how thick you want that beautiful bistecche!
Rocco is the nice little cafe perfect for your first introduction to grandma's Tuscan kitchen. The serving sizes are enormous, so think about sharing to ensure you get a nice variety.
This market is a market, not an amusement park. Whip out google translate and speak some Italian, or merely gesture for just how thick you want that beautiful bistecche!
Written 13 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Exploring_Alex
Toronto, Canada121 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
I chose to live near the Mercato Sant'Ambrogio because living away from home for a year - I like building a repoire with the person I buy my vegetables and cheese from. It helps to establish a bit of a community.
Mercato Sant'Ambrogio is definitely the authentic market in Florence. Florentines get their produce and meats here. You'll find that there are more locals than tourists.
But there are some great foods here. Especially on Fridays/Saturdays - they have a few more specialty vendors. My favourite sells the best nougat I've ever had.
When it comes to finding which vendor to buy your fruits or vegetables from - look at where the older ladies are. They for sure know how to scout out the best produce and the best deals. Inside there is a great place called Botteghina dell'Augusta - and they sell fresh pasta, accompaniments, cheese and bread. My favourites - ravioli con percorino e pere (ravioli with pear and pecorino cheese) So good. I prefer the cheese mongers who sell in the exterior for quality - but there is more variety of cheeses on the interior.
Lots of inexpensive clothing and footwear as well - but probably nothing that you'll see in any current fashion magazines. Still - a great place and i happily frequent it weekly. Vendors usually start packing up around 2 pm. Closed Sundays.
P.S. If you're looking for gourmet looking bottles and fancy packaging that make a nice gift, or dining in a hip little resto - you're better off sticking to Mercato Centrale. If you want to mingle with the locals, get lots of free samples, and have an authentic experience, I recommend Mercato Sant'Ambrogio.
Mercato Sant'Ambrogio is definitely the authentic market in Florence. Florentines get their produce and meats here. You'll find that there are more locals than tourists.
But there are some great foods here. Especially on Fridays/Saturdays - they have a few more specialty vendors. My favourite sells the best nougat I've ever had.
When it comes to finding which vendor to buy your fruits or vegetables from - look at where the older ladies are. They for sure know how to scout out the best produce and the best deals. Inside there is a great place called Botteghina dell'Augusta - and they sell fresh pasta, accompaniments, cheese and bread. My favourites - ravioli con percorino e pere (ravioli with pear and pecorino cheese) So good. I prefer the cheese mongers who sell in the exterior for quality - but there is more variety of cheeses on the interior.
Lots of inexpensive clothing and footwear as well - but probably nothing that you'll see in any current fashion magazines. Still - a great place and i happily frequent it weekly. Vendors usually start packing up around 2 pm. Closed Sundays.
P.S. If you're looking for gourmet looking bottles and fancy packaging that make a nice gift, or dining in a hip little resto - you're better off sticking to Mercato Centrale. If you want to mingle with the locals, get lots of free samples, and have an authentic experience, I recommend Mercato Sant'Ambrogio.
Written 30 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, how far is it from central florence ? And what are the opening times and days ? And any advices ?
Thank you.
Written 11 November 2015
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing