5.0(2 reviews)
Private Essential Florence Walking Tour
From€250
3 hours
Florence, Italy
About this activity
Experience Florence's rich history and art on a private 3-hour walking tour with a local expert guide, visiting iconic landmarks and hidden gems.
Highlights
- Explore Florence's historic center
- Visit the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria
- Discover hidden gems with a local guide
- Learn about Renaissance art and architecture
- Enjoy a personalized, flexible itinerary
Full description
Dive into the heart of Florence with a private 3-hour walking tour led by a knowledgeable local guide. Wander through the historic center, marvel at the Duomo's stunning architecture, and stroll through the lively Piazza della Signoria. Your expert guide will share captivating stories and insights, bringing the city's rich Renaissance history to life. With a personalized itinerary, you'll have the flexibility to explore at your own pace, ensuring a memorable and tailored experience. Skip the lines at major attractions and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. This tour is perfect for those seeking an in-depth and authentic Florence experience.
Included / Excluded
- Expert local guide
- Personalized itinerary
- Skip-the-line access to major attractions
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
1
The tour begins in the famous Piazza della Repubblica, where your guide will talk you through the interesting facts of the city’s Roman’s history.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2
The church of Orsanmichele is a historic building in the center of Florence. It was originally a loggia built for the storage and market of grain, later transformed into a church of the Arts, the ancient Florentine guilds. Today on the upper floors it houses a museum, with the originals of the sculptural cycle of its external niches and the famous statues of Donatello and Ghiberti.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3
We will pass Dante’s house and discover his life, his work and Florence Medieval district.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4
The metropolitan cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, commonly known as the cathedral of Florence, is the main Florentine church, symbol of the city and one of the most famous in Italy; when it was completed, in the 15th century, it was the largest church in the world, and can still boast the absolute primacy of the largest masonry dome today. It stands on the foundations of the ancient cathedral of Florence, the church of Santa Reparata, in the place that has hosted buildings of worship since Roman times.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5
Giotto's bell tower is the bell tower of Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral of Florence, and is located in Piazza del Duomo.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6
The baptistery of San Giovanni Battista is a famous religious building in Florence, located in the Piazza San Giovanni of the same name, in front of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Dedicated to the patron saint of the city, it was for centuries the place where Florentines obtained baptism and was the place of investiture of knights and poets (Dante was also baptized here).
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7
The basilica of Santa Maria Novella is one of the most important churches in Florence and stands on the square of the same name. Santa Maria Novella was the point of reference for an important mendicant order, the Dominicans.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
8
Palazzo Rucellai is a palace from the 15th century, believed by most scholars to have been designed for Giovanni di Paolo Rucellai by Leon Battista Alberti between 1446 and 1451 and executed, at least in part, by Bernardo Rossellino. Its splendid facade was one of the first to proclaim the new ideas of Renaissance architecture based on the use of pilasters and entablatures in proportional relationship to each other. The Rucellai Palace demonstrates the impact of the ancient revival but does so in a manner which is full of Renaissance originality.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
9
Palazzo Strozzi is one of the best-known Italian Renaissance palaces. Of imposing size (15 buildings were destroyed to make room for it), it is located between the homonymous Via Strozzi and Piazza Strozzi, and Via Tornabuoni, with three identical portals on every side.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
10
Your guide will take you to the city’s fabulous designer shopping street, the wonderful Via Tournabuoni, and the lovely antique shopping street, Via Maggio.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
11
The Basilica of Santa Trinita is one of the most important basilicas in the historical-artistic evolution of the city of Florence; according to Florentine usage, which reflects the Latin pronunciation of the nominative, it has the characteristic sdrucciola pronunciation (Trìnita). It overlooks the homonymous Piazza Santa Trinita and also gives its name to the nearby Santa Trinita bridge. We will enter inside to see the impressive frescoes by Ghirlandaio.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
12
The Santa Trìnita bridge is another historical bridge over the Arno, which unites the historic center with the Oltrarno district, in particular connecting via de' Tornabuoni with Piazza de' Frescobaldi.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
13
This lovely antique shopping street is the main avenue in the Oltrarno district used by the Medicis to reach Florence city center from Pitti Palace.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
14
Palazzo Pitti is an imposing Renaissance palace in Florence. It is located in the Oltrarno area, a short distance from Ponte Vecchio. The original nucleus of the building dates back to 1458, as the urban residence of the banker Luca Pitti. The palace was then purchased by the Medici family in 1549 and became the main residence of the grand dukes of Tuscany, first Medici and from 1737 Habsburg-Lorraine. Following the unification of Italy, it played the role of royal palace for the House of Savoy in the five years in which Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy (1865-70).
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
15
The church of Santa Felìcita is a Catholic place of worship in Florence, located in the Oltrarno district, between Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti. It is one of the oldest churches in Florence and host an incredible painting by Pontormo, the most important Mannerist painter.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
16
Ponte Vecchio is a historic bridge over the Arno River. The bridge connects via Por Santa Maria to via de' Guicciardini. The name was given to what was the oldest Florentine bridge when the Carraia bridge was built, then called "Ponte Nuovo". Beyond its historical value, the bridge has played a central role in the city's road system over time, starting from when an older bridge (or nearby) connected Roman Florentia with the Via Cassia Nuova commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in 123 AC.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
17
Pass by: The Vasari corridor is an elevated path that connects Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti, passing through the Uffizi and over Ponte Vecchio. The idea of the elevated route was born to give the grand dukes the opportunity to move freely and without danger from their residence to the government palace, given the still uncertain support of the population towards the new duke and the new government system, after the ancient Florentine Republic.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
18
The Loggia dei Lanzi, also known as Loggia della Signoria, is a structure that stands next to the Uffizi Gallery in Piazza della Signoria. It is made up of large arches that face the roadway. With Corinthian capitals, the arches are supported by a cluster of pilasters. Because the Florentine patrons found the wide arches so appealing, Michelangelo suggested encircling Piazza della Signoria with them.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
19
Florence's town hall is called Palazzo Vecchio, or "Old Palace". It looks over Piazza della Signoria, as well as the nearby Loggia dei Lanzi's statue gallery. This building was originally known as Palazzo della Signoria, however, due to the palace's varied uses over the course of its lengthy history, its name changed many times (Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori and Palazzo Ducale). After the Medici duke's home was relocated inside Palazzo Pitti across the Arno River, the structure was given its current name.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
20
Piazza della Signoria is the main square of Florence, seat of civil power and heart of the city's social life. It is located in the central part of medieval Florence, south of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. In the past it has taken on various names, such as Piazza dei Priori or Piazza del Granduca.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; please ensure you understand the language.
- Children under 6 years old can join for free; please inform the operator in advance.
- The tour operates rain or shine; check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
- Be prepared for a moderate amount of walking; the tour covers several kilometers.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Traveler reviews
5.02 reviews
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Becky is a Brilliant tour guide!
My cousin and I wanted to get the "lay of the land" upon arriving in Florence. On our first morning we booked a Private Essential Walking Tour. Best decision we could have made! The tour company is efficient and helpful even before the day of our tour in asking if there was anything that would be a hindrance for us or anything in specific we wanted to do. They wanted to get to know their audience! What a great business model! The day of the tour we began right on time with our Brilliant guide, Becky. She was personable, knowledgeable and caring. We leaned not only the history of the area but how to navigate the city by getting to know its geography. Becky's manner of "teaching" kept our attention for the ENTIRE time! We could have listened to her for the rest of the day! What a FABULOUS way to begin our time in a spectacular city filled with history!
P7559QXvaleriebMay 26, 2025TRIPADVISOR
Becky was an excellent guide
Excellent 3 hour walking tour. Small group. Our guide Becky is awesome. We learnt so much from her. Very knowledgeable and personable. She has been doing this for a while. The tour went at an easy reasonable pace. She helped us get through some very busy areas. Overall, exceeded our expectations
Dan MMay 13, 2025TRIPADVISOR