Private Michelangelo Sculpture Tour in Florence

From€350

3 hours

Florence, Italy

About this activity

Discover Michelangelo's masterpieces in Florence with skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery, Medici Chapels, and Bargello Museum, guided by an expert.

Highlights

Explore Michelangelo's masterpieces in Florence
Skip-the-line access to Accademia Gallery
Visit the Medici Chapels and Bargello Museum
Learn about Michelangelo's life and art
Enjoy a personalized experience with an expert guide

Full description

Dive into the world of Michelangelo with this exclusive private tour in Florence. Skip the lines at the Accademia Gallery to admire the iconic 'David' and other sculptures. Explore the Medici Chapels, a testament to the powerful Medici family's legacy, and the Bargello Museum, home to a vast collection of Renaissance art. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights into Michelangelo's life, his artistic journey, and the historical context of his works, offering a personalized and enriching experience. This tour is perfect for art enthusiasts eager to delve deeper into the genius of one of history's greatest artists.

Included / Excluded

Skip-the-line access to Accademia Gallery
Guided tour of Medici Chapels and Bargello Museum
Expert guide with in-depth knowledge of Michelangelo's works

Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

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

2

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: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

3

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

4

Masterpieces from the Renaissance and Mannerist periods can be found in the Bargello. We will see four of Michelangelo's most significant sculptures: Tondo Pitti, a stunning example of the renowned "non finito," Bacchus, Brutus, and David-Apollo. Important parallels can also be made with other pieces in the collection, such as the bronze David sculptures by Donatello and Verrocchio.

Duration: 40 minAdmission: YES

5

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: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

6

Our next stop will be the Opera del Duomo museum, where we will see the Palestrina Pietà, one of Michelangelo final creations, which is a piece of art that is impossible to see in person without being touched and moved. This Pietà, which Michelangelo carved for his own tomb, captures the agony and suffering of his latter years. You will also see the original Gates of Paradise inside the museum, the main gate of the Baptistry of Florence (Battistero di San Giovanni), located in front of the Cathedral. The Porta del Paradiso, in Italian, was created by Florentine goldsmith and sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti between 1425 and 1452 and installed in the eastern portal of the Baptistery. The Gates have been praised by generations of artists and art historians for their compelling portrayal of scenes from the Old Testament. Over time, the seventeen-foot-tall, three-ton bronze doors became an icon of Renaissance, one of the most famous works of art in the world.

Duration: 40 minAdmission: YES

7

Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the largest churches in the world. The plan consists of a triple-nave basilica with the presbytery area nested within, dominated by the large octagon of the immense dome, around which are three radial apses, each consisting of five chapels. The cathedral is 153 meters (502 feet) in length, 90 meters (295 feet) wide at the transept, and 90 meters high from floor to base of the dome lantern. The title “Santa Maria del Fiore” (Our Lady of the flower) alludes to the name of the city, "Florentia", or “city of flowers”, “destined to bloom”, and to its emblem, the Florentine lily.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

8

Visiting the New Sacristy at the Medici Chapels, where the exquisiteness of the tombs of some Medici family members will wow you, is a must-do for any Michelangelo tour of Florence. You will discover during this encounter how much the artist and his works were influenced by the Medici family.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: YES

9

The last stop on the tour will be the renowned Accademia Museum, home of Michelangelo's David, one of the most well-known statues in existence. There will be time set out to comprehend this sculpture as well as to view another of his creations, "Prisoners," which was begun but never completed when it was commissioned for Pope Julius II's tomb. The tour will end here, although those who want to continue exploring this beautiful museum will be welcome.

Duration: 40 minAdmission: YES

Important information

Know before you book

This is a private tour; the price is per group, not per person.
The tour is conducted in English; please ensure your guide speaks your preferred language.
Children under 6 years old can join for free; please inform us in advance.

Know before you go

Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves walking and standing for extended periods.
Bring a valid ID for entry into museums and galleries.
Photography may be restricted in certain areas; please follow the guide's instructions.

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

Easy Public Transport

Traveler reviews

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Absolutely magical - I wish it didn’t end!

I really enjoyed this tour! It was very well paced and thought out and surpassed all expectations! My guide Becky was absolutely wonderful and engaging! She was a joy to talk to and made the tour an immensely edifying, meaningful and memorable experience for me!

sivakumarir2019Apr 30, 2026TRIPADVISOR