Best Tours in Florence
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Florence
All self-guided activities
This self-guided audio walking tour explores Florence’s Renaissance heart, from medieval gates to grand palaces, celebrated squares, and the city’s most iconic cathedral ensemble. It will especially appeal to first-time visitors who love art, history, architecture, and the layered stories of old Florence. The route starts at Porta Romana, one of the great gateways of the historic city, then moves past the artistic legacy of the former school at Porta Romana and into the elegant Boboli Gardens. From there, the walk leads to the Pitti Palace area, touches the world of courtly Florence through the Vasari Corridor and Ponte Vecchio, and continues to the Uffizi Galleries and Piazza della Signoria, where civic power and artistic ambition meet. The final stretch follows Florence’s medieval streets to the House of Dante and the Church of Santa Margherita dei Cerchi, before ending in Piazza del Duomo at the Baptistery of St. John and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Along the way, the most memorable experiences include stepping through an ancient city gate, wandering through formal Renaissance gardens, crossing Florence’s most famous bridge, standing before masterpieces of civic architecture, and arriving beneath Brunelleschi’s unforgettable dome.
This self-guided audio walking tour explores Florence through the traces of its Roman roots, medieval towers, grand piazzas, and living street life. It is ideal for first-time visitors who want a clear, engaging introduction to the city beyond postcard views. Your route begins in Piazza della Repubblica, where elegant cafés, broad arcades, and a carousel set the scene in one of Florence’s most open urban spaces. From there, you walk to the Baptistery of St. John to admire its octagonal form and patterned marble exterior, then continue to quieter corners where ancient Florence still shows through, including the Fullery of Stephanus, Torre della Pagliazza, remnants of the old Walls of Florence, and the area of the former Roman amphitheater. Along the way, you also pass Osteria del Proconsolo, the Temple of Isis site, the modern Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theatre, and the civic stage of Piazza della Signoria, where stone facades and statues give the square its dramatic character. The tour ends near Hotel Calimala Florence, back in the historic center. The most memorable moments include standing between Roman and Renaissance Florence, spotting medieval stonework tucked into busy streets, and arriving in grand squares where the city feels both monumental and vividly alive.
This self-guided audio walking tour introduces first-time visitors to the heart of Florence through its grand squares, churches, bridges, and palaces. It is ideal for travelers interested in Renaissance art, Medici history, sacred architecture, and the everyday life that still fills the old center. Your route begins in Piazza del Duomo, where the vast cathedral, Giotto’s bell tower, and the Baptistery set the scene with marble facades and centuries of ambition carved in stone. From there, you move to Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria, then through the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo to the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio. After crossing the Arno, the walk continues to Palazzo Pitti, into the Santo Spirito quarter, and on to Santa Maria del Carmine and nearby artisan spaces. The second half of the tour brings you back across the river by Ponte Santa Trinita to the church of Santa Trinita, the rusticated power of Strozzi Palace, the striped facade of Santa Maria Novella, and finally Basilica di San Lorenzo, where the route ends. Along the way, the most memorable moments include standing beneath the Duomo, seeing open-air sculpture in Piazza della Signoria, pausing above the Arno on Ponte Vecchio, and tracing Florence’s story from medieval streets to Renaissance masterpieces.
Discover one of the most famous art galleries in the world by learning about 20 of its most outstanding and popular artworks with this in-app audio tour. NB! Entry ticket to the Uffizi is not included and should be purchased independently! Your Renaissance odyssey in the Uffizi begins with earlier Byzantine artists like Cimabue and Giotto, through exemplars like Da Vinci and Raphael, and builds towards the Baroque movement with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and more. As you go deeper, you'll notice a sea change in styles; from the masculine Madonna of Giotto to Filippo Lippi's more delicate version. Lippi's presence extends to other artworks, too. He taught Botticelli – whose Birth of Venus and Primavera are among the globally famous highlights at the Uffizi. Other coveted works include Leonardo da Vinci's incomplete but riveting Adoration of the Magi, Michelangelo's Doni Tondo (the Florentines loved circular paintings), and Raphael's intimate portrait of two Medici men, Pope Leo X and his cousin who would become Pope Clement VII.
Discover one of the most famous art galleries in the world by learning about 20 of its most outstanding and popular artworks with this in-app audio tour! Your Renaissance odyssey in the Uffizi begins with earlier Byzantine artists like Cimabue and Giotto, through exemplars like Da Vinci and Raphael, and builds towards the Baroque movement with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and more. As you go deeper, you'll notice a sea change in styles; from the masculine Madonna of Giotto to Filippo Lippi's more delicate version. Lippi's presence extends to other artworks, too. He taught Botticelli – whose Birth of Venus and Primavera are among the globally famous highlights at the Uffizi. Other coveted works include Leonardo da Vinci's incomplete but riveting Adoration of the Magi, Michelangelo's Doni Tondo (the Florentines loved circular paintings), and Raphael's intimate portrait of two Medici men, Pope Leo X and his cousin who would become Pope Clement VII. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Uffizi Gallery but is provided by an independent creator.
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!
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!
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.
This self-guided audio walking tour introduces first-time visitors to the heart of Florence through its most famous Renaissance landmarks. It will suit travelers who want an easy-to-follow route filled with art, architecture, and lively city scenes you can see all around you. Your route begins at Palazzo Vecchio, the fortress-like town hall that still dominates Piazza della Signoria with its tall crenellated tower and strong stone walls. From there, you head to Ponte Vecchio, where little shop windows cling above the Arno, then continue to Palazzo Pitti, whose vast rusticated facade shows the power of the Medici court. The walk then loops back into the historic center at Piazza della Repubblica, a broad square framed by elegant arcades and cafés. The tour ends at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, where Florence reveals one of its grandest sights: the patterned marble facade, Giotto’s bell tower, and Brunelleschi’s immense red dome rising above the rooftops. Along the way, the most memorable moments include standing beneath Palazzo Vecchio’s massive tower, looking out from the Ponte Vecchio over the river, crossing between grand palaces and open squares, and finally seeing the cathedral fill your view in dazzling white, green, and pink marble.
This self-guided audio walk explores Florence through the power, art, and daily settings of the Medici city. It is ideal for first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Renaissance Florence, from grand chapels and palaces to lively squares, bridges, and market spaces. Your route begins at the Cappelle Medicee, where the Medici family turned burial chapels into a statement of wealth and taste, crowned by Michelangelo’s dramatic New Sacristy. From there, you head into Piazza del Duomo, then follow Via dei Calzaiuoli to Piazza della Repubblica, a broad square alive with cafés and the whirl of its carousel. The walk continues to the rusticated stone of Strozzi Palace, across elegant Piazza di Santa Trinita, along antique-lined Via Maggio, and into the Santo Spirito district. Next, you reach Palazzo Pitti, once home to rulers who shaped the city’s image, then pause at Santa Felicita, the church closely tied to the Medici court. After that, you cross the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio, pass the Uffizi and the hidden line of the Corridoio Vasariano, and step into the open-air stage of Piazza della Signoria before ending at the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo. Along the way, the most memorable moments are likely to be Michelangelo’s sculptural tombs, the vast dome and marble of the cathedral area, the glitter of goldsmiths above the Arno, and the feeling of Florence unfolding as a city built for display, devotion, and power.
Cities in Italy
About Florence
The best walking tours to do in Florence are:
- Florence: Accademia Priority Entry Ticket and Audio Tour with a City Walk
- Mini Walking Tour in Florence: Explore Piazza della Signoria
- Florence: Accademia Audio Tour with a City Walk (Without a Ticket)
- An Insider's Guide to Florence's Local Food and Drink
- Florence: City Tour Through Michelangelo's Masterpieces
The best tours in Florence are:
The must-see attractions in Florence for a first visit are:
The best indoor tours in Florence for rainy days 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.