Yes, the tap water in Florence is perfectly safe to drink. It is treated according to strict EU standards, using processes like clarification, filtration, and disinfection (ozone and chlorine dioxide).
The chemical and physical parameters of the water are constantly monitored.
Both ARPAT and Publiacqua regularly test the water quality, and Florence consistently meets all legal standards.
By the way, Italian tap water ranks among the best in Europe—5th overall in a recent quality ranking.
Some people notice a slight sulfur-like smell—this is typical of water rich in natural minerals. It's not harmful and can vary slightly depending on the terrain.
Tap water is almost always drinkable, unless the municipality says otherwise. And if it's not, there will be clear signage near the tap to indicate that.
...gets their water from the luxurious public fountains with purified, refrigerated, sparkling water and of course, free and drinkable water. People come prepared with reusable bottles, multiple containers, or even large jugs.
If you just need to fill a small bottle and someone ahead of you has a lot of containers, feel free to politely ask if you can go first—it's common courtesy in Florence, and people are usually friendly and happy to let you through.
Also, many locals only collect either still or sparkling water, not both. With a little kindness and communication, you'll easily manage to fill bottles at the same time without trouble.
On very hot days, if the fountain is heavily used, the cooling system might not have enough time to fully chill the water, so it may not be as cold as expected.
There are also other public fountains scattered around the city center that are not considered "luxurious." These still provide drinkable water (unless indicated otherwise with signage), but the water is not filtered, chilled, or carbonated.
To find them, simply search the Italian word "fontanello" on Google Maps.
Outside the city center, every neighborhood typically has its own luxury fountain, including:
You can ask for "tap water" at restaurants or bars if you want to avoid plastic bottles. But unlike in some countries, it's not always served in pre-filled pitchers—they might give you a glass straight from the tap, or, if they're kind, they'll pour it from a bottle.
Bring a reusable water bottle—with the luxurious fountains, you'll save money and help the environment too.
