Best Tours in Florence
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Florence
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Step into a time machine and travel back to the Renaissance period with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery! This world-renowned museum is located in a large building that dates back to the 16th century, designed by none other than the legendary architect, Giorgio Vasari. It's a treasure trove of ancient sculptures and paintings, spanning from the Middle Ages to modern times. The Uffizi Gallery is home to some of the most iconic art pieces of all time, including 14th-century and Renaissance paintings from the likes of Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, and Botticelli (just to name a few!). As you wander through the corridors, you'll be mesmerized by the masterpieces of European painting, with a particular focus on German, Dutch, and Flemish artists.
This tour is a treat for lovers of art, history, and architecture. Including your ticket to the Boboli Gardens, this self-guided adventure caters to those eager to delve into the heart of the Renaissance at their own pace. We'll embark on our adventure from the ticket office of the Pitti Palace (Piazza Pitti 1) where you will need to swap your smartphone voucher for a paper ticket. Then you'll reach the gardens through the main entrance. Due to safety regulations, this is currently the only entrance to the Boboli Gardens. While this tour provides only a brief audio guide inside the Boboli Gardens, the exterior journey through Florence's storied streets is detailed and captivating. After your visit to the gardens, you'll embark on a journey that leads you through Florence's most celebrated landscapes and timeless achievements. The tour format allows you to immerse yourself fully in the city's heritage, narrated in your ear at each fascinating stop. Your route will traverse grandeur and simplicity, from the regal Pitti Palace to the sacred Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Begin surrounded by the greenery and sculptures of the Boboli Gardens before venturing to the medieval stores on the Ponte Vecchio, and pass by the remarkable facade of the Uffizi Gallery. Along the way, marvel at the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, crowned by its magnificent dome, and soak in the artistic splendor at stops like the Palazzo Vecchio and the Orsanmichele Church.
This tour is for those who want to learn more about Florence and experience the taste of Tuscany. You will find out where the best gelaterias are hidden, where to get the best Florentine steak, what is the best olive oil and Chianti to choose from, and much more! Begin your tour at Piazza Santa Maria Novella where you will find one of the city's earliest landmarks – an incredible Dominican church. There you will learn who created the life's elixir and how you can purchase it now. Then experience local trippa and lampredotto street food as you stroll around the historic San Lorenzo Market. You will see the fabulous courtyard of Medicci-Ricardi palace, where Catherina lived. It is there where you will discover the fascinating stories about her food habits and how she stole Florentine recipes for the French court. Discover why Florentines eat pastries according to the season and why the only off-season dessert is a holy treat on your walk through Piazza Della Signoria – a home to the magnificent Neptune Fountain. Then from the Ponto Vecchio you will enjoy the best view of Florence and learn how it became the mecca of jewelers from the nasty butchy market. As opposed to other excursions, this tour will not give you boring lectures about those places, but rather tell you about who and what ate there. Remember: it is essential to try the local cuisine in order to truly understand the city!
The tour will take you to the enchanted world of Florence, passing through the most significant museums and focusing on Renaissance masterpieces by Michaelangelo, Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other celebrated artists. The visit is a journey through the history of art and architecture. The Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery are, in fact, located along an urban route designed by the historical events that defined the fate of the city. Start the journey from the Accademia Gallery, home to Michaelangelo’s David. Then the guide will lead you to the Uffizi Museum through the monumental squares of the city. Like a dance backward in history, the tour retraces the road that the Colossus of David traveled when it had to be moved from Piazza Signoria to its current location — the Accademia Gallery. Explore Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, named after Palazzo della Signoria, an iconic symbol of civic political power. Enjoy the legendary view of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the religious center of historic Florence, and learn a captivating story of the Florentine Republic while admiring Palazzo della Signoria.
Skip the line and explore Palazzo Vecchio, the symbol of civic power in Florence for centuries, on a audio-guided tour. Climb the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio for fantastic views over Florence, and visit the museum that's still the seat of the local city government.
This tour will introduce you to one of the highlights of the city – Piazza della Signoria. Located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio – Florence’s emblematic city hall, this iconic landmark definitely is a must-visit place and a great start for your journey through the streets of the City of Lilies. Admire the Loggia dei Lanzi and the famous Fountain of Neptune and get a glimpse of Florence’s rich and fascinating history. The free mini tour is a chance for you to see our app in work and to make sure that everything functions properly. Get to know the format of self-guided audio tours – travel at your own pace and enjoy your trip while learning interesting facts about the city. Spark your interest with this free mini tour!
Skip the line and explore Palazzo Vecchio, the symbol of civic power in Florence for centuries! This multimedia-guided tour gives you the lowdown on what you're looking at as you climb the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio for fantastic views over Florence, and visit the museum that's still the seat of the local city government. Learn the rich history of what was once the residence of the Medici family, and gaze in awe at the incredible sculptures, paintings and also the magnificent views of Piazza della Signoria, one of the most famous symbols of Florence. Thanks to your 55-minute high-resolution video guide on a tablet, you can walk and be talked through the Michelozzo courtyard, the Chapel of Eleonora, the Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) and the Map Room, and more.
Skip the line to five of Florence's hottest attractions! Take in one of the world's greatest collections of Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery, gawp at the sumptuous decor of the Palazzo Pitti, and explore the leafy Tuscan paradise of the massive Boboli Gardens.
Step right up and secure a golden ticket to Florence's dazzling Accademia Gallery - without the pesky queues! With priority access, stroll straight into a world of gothic and Renaissance masterpieces, drinking in the stunning artistry for as long as your heart desires. Nestled within the antique walls of the Hospital of Saint Matthew and the Convent of Saint Niccolo' of Cafaggio, the Accademia Gallery of Florence (or Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze) proudly stands as Italy's second most visited art gallery. Boasting an awe-inspiring collection, this cultural haven owes its grandeur to the generous contributions of various convents and monasteries over the years.
Discover the story of Michelangelo's David guided by this engaging in-app audio tour! This tour takes you on a journey around the center of Florence through the story of its greatest treasure – David of Michelangelo! Our adventure begins in a beautiful square with a medieval church, Piazza Trinita. This spot takes you to the origins of David as a Biblical hero. When you reach the stunning Piazza del Duomo, you'll discover the story of the Opera del Duomo Museum and learn how the young Michelangelo was honored with the mission of carving David out of capricious marble. Standing on Piazza della Signoria, you will have all the time in the world to marvel at the hero guarding the Palazzo Vecchio, and to listen to why this particular artwork is so unique. Our route will then lead us to the Medici Riccardi Palace, which was visited by Michelangelo when he was 16 – and can be visited by you anytime, as a museum. Through Piazza San Marco, you will reach the Galleria dell'Accademia, where the original David of Michelangelo is housed. Our tour ends at the Casa Buonarotti Museum located in the family home acquired by Michelangelo himself. On your way to this last spot, you will listen to the stories about the genius' life and reveal the secrets of his enigmatic personality. Let's begin the adventure if you can't wait to know Michelangelo and David better!
Cities in Italy
About Florence
The best indoor tours in Florence for rainy days are:
The must-see attractions in Florence for a first visit are:
The best tours to do in Florence with kids are:
The best walking tours to do in Florence are:
The best tours in Florence are:
Insider tips for visiting Florence
Rolf Laimbock is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2024 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Florence on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Florence.
I recommend at least three full days in Florence, and four if you like to slow down and really look. When I visit Florence, I keep one day for the historic center, one for the Oltrarno workshops and quieter churches, and one for museums and evening walks along the Arno. In my travel guide Florence notes, I always tell friends not to rush the city: the best things to do in Florence are often small moments, like an early cappuccino near Sant’Ambrogio Market or sunset from San Miniato al Monte. If you plan to visit Florence in summer, add extra time because the heat and crowds slow everything down.
When I visit Florence, I always start with the dishes locals actually order: bistecca alla fiorentina, pappa al pomodoro, ribollita, and crostini with chicken liver pâté. If you visit Florence in cooler months, ribollita tastes especially right after a damp morning walk. In my travel guide Florence notes, I also point people to schiacciata sandwiches and cantucci with vin santo, because they show the city’s simpler side. One of my favorite things to do in Florence is to step into Sant’Ambrogio Market around lunchtime and see what’s selling out first. Florence is at its best when you eat seasonally, not just famously.
For a first stay, I recommend balancing big sights with the Florence that locals still use every day. My favorite things to do in Florence begin early: walk from Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Signoria before the streets fill, then cross to Oltrarno for artisan workshops and a long lunch. Among the essential attractions in Florence, I’d choose one major museum and one church, then leave room for wandering. When friends ask me what to see in Florence, I often say San Miniato al Monte at dusk tells you more than a rushed checklist. Even if you book tours in Florence, keep an unscheduled evening for the Arno and small wine bars.
When I’m in Florence, I usually divide my time between the historic center, Santa Croce, San Niccolò, and the Oltrarno. For classic attractions in Florence, the center gives you the grand façades and civic history, but I find Santa Croce more lived-in, especially in the morning around its cafés and leather workshops. If friends ask me what to see in Florence beyond the obvious, I send them to San Niccolò for quieter streets and the climb toward Piazzale Michelangelo. Oltrarno is where Florence feels most human to me—craft studios, small trattorias, and evening light on worn stone. Even with tours in Florence, I always leave time to simply wander there.
I recommend late April to early June or September into mid-October. In my travel guide Florence notes, those weeks give you the best balance: warm light, longer evenings, and fewer punishing crowds than peak summer. When I visit Florence in May, I can still linger in cloisters or cross the Arno at sunset without feeling wrung out by heat. Autumn is wonderful too, especially when the first cooler evenings make ribollita and red wine feel right again. If you plan to visit Florence in July or August, start early and rest in the afternoon. Many of the best things to do in Florence are far more enjoyable outside the hottest months.
When I visit Florence, I shop by neighborhood, not by souvenir street. For artisan goods, I always head to Oltrarno, especially around Santo Spirito and Via Maggio, where Florence still has bookbinders, leatherworkers, and small design studios. If you visit Florence for fashion and polished storefronts, the area around Via de’ Tornabuoni is the elegant answer, but I prefer mixing it with quieter side streets where the window displays feel less staged. In my travel guide Florence notes, I also flag Sant’Ambrogio for food shopping—olive oil, pecorino, and seasonal produce. One of the most rewarding things to do in Florence is to buy something made by hand, directly from the maker.
When families ask me, I usually recommend Boboli Gardens first. Of all the things to do in Florence, it gives children space to move while adults still get beauty, views, and Medici history. Florence can feel dense indoors, so the gardens are a relief, especially in the morning before the stone paths get too hot. Among the classic attractions in Florence, this is one of the easiest with kids because you can turn it into a treasure hunt for fountains, statues, and hidden corners. If you’re wondering what to see in Florence beyond museums, pair it with nearby Oltrarno for lunch. Even families who book tours in Florence often enjoy this more relaxed rhythm.
When I need a break from the main attractions in Florence, I head into the hills or to smaller towns that still feel tied to the city’s rhythm. Fiesole is my easiest recommendation: a short ride up, cooler air, Roman ruins, and a view that helps you understand Florence in its landscape. If friends ask me what to see in Florence and nearby, I often pair central Florence with a half-day in Chianti for vineyards and stone villages, or with Settignano for quiet lanes and old villas. Even if you book tours in Florence, leave room for these smaller places; they reveal the city’s softer, rural edge.