Manifattura Tabacchi: a new side of Florence waiting to be explored

The summer months are the ideal time to visit Florence, and Manifattura Tabacchi which is a new side of Florence, is waiting to be explored. 

Art, culture, design, shopping and hospitality

For Italian and international tourists looking to venture off the beaten track, this contemporary district of Florence, built to the north of the historic centre has undergone a major urban regeneration project and is now one of the city’s most dynamic and fascinating areas. What is offers is a blend of repurposed industrial architecture, art, culture, design, shopping, and hospitality as well as food and wine experiences: a new and appealing side of Florence waiting to be explored.

An imposing industrial complex

Manifattura Tabacchi is an evolving district where past and future converge and everyday life is enriched by a wealth of experiences: shops and studios, cafés and restaurants, spaces for art and creativity, as well as offices, training and research institutes, designer residences and accommodation for students and travellers. The imposing industrial complex features architectural lines of extreme formal balance that evoke the work of engineer Pier Luigi Nervi, built between 1933 and 1940. Nervi's was a rationalist style in which modernity and functionality converge and this urban regeneration project, launched in 2016, aims to create a new city district that complements the historic centre.

Green spaces for summer events 

Great attention has been paid to green spaces, that reinterpret the former cigar factory, creating welcoming public spaces ideal for socializing. The Factory forms the heart of the complex, a multifunctional space where fashion, art, design, contemporary craftsmanship, lifestyle and culinary offerings come together. Throughout the summer Manifattura Tabacchi offers a packed programme of events that will bring this innovative Florentine hub for contemporary culture to life, welcoming visitors from morning until evening. Activities span all sectors, from ar with exhibitions and displays  to shopping, fashion and design. Particular attention is paid to the food & beverage sector and for younger visitors there is akids-friendly area featuring a wide range of themed activities.

Accessible exclusively to pedestrians and cyclists

Manifattura Tabacchi is the city’s first neighbourhood designed to be accessible exclusively to pedestrians and cyclists so it is also an ideal starting point for exploring Florence and the surrounding area by bike, with bikes available to hire from Trek Bikes, a specialist shop for bikes and e-bikes where you can also buy the latest models and have your bike serviced thanks to a first-class workshop service. The historic centre is just a 10-minute cycle away while the Cascine Park, Florence’s largest public park, is a 5-minute walk away.