Florence

Florence Essential Tour

  • Private Tour
  • 3 Hours
  • Florence
  • 8 reviews

The perfect private walking tour to see the most beautiful sites of Florence

  • Discover the beautiful historical center of Florence
  • Visit the must-see sites: Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Signoria Palace and more
  • Have fun, learn and save time with your private guide
  • See the stunning David by Michelangelo (optional)
  • Friendly private guide
  • Skip the line tickets at Accademia Gallery (optional)

Description:

On this 3-hour walking tour you will explore Florence"s rich history and art with the engaging insights of your friendly, officially licensed private guide, while immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of this wonderful city.

If your hotel is conveniently located in the historical center, your guide will come to meet you there. Otherwise, you will meet your guide at the starting point of the tour, Piazza della Repubblica, which was once the center of Florence’s ancient ghetto. From here, you will start exploring the heart of the city. 

Your first stop will be Piazza del Duomo, home to the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The construction began at the end of the 13th century under the Gothic architect Arnolfo di Cambio, but several renowned artists contributed over time, making it a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque styles. The goldsmith Lorenzo Ghiberti and the architect Filippo Brunelleschi oversaw its completion.

The cathedral’s facade showcases stunning marble carvings and sculptures, but its most remarkable element is Brunelleschi’s dome. At the time of its completion, it was the largest in the world. From the outside, you can admire its design, and your guide will explain how Brunelleschi managed to construct it without scaffolding.

In the square, you will also find Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni, one of Florence’s oldest buildings. The Baptistery is renowned for its golden "Porta del Paradiso,” the gilded bronze doors depicting scenes from the Old Testament, designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti.

Next, you will walk along Via dei Calzaiuoli, the famous shopping street of Florence. You will then see Orsanmichele Church, a historic site with beautiful sculptures by Donatello and Ghiberti. Originally built in the 14th century as a grain market, it was later turned into a church.

The tour continues at Piazza della Signoria, an open-air museum dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio, which remains Florence’s town hall. Here you will also find the Loggia dei Lanzi, a gallery showcasing magnificent sculptures by some of the Renaissance’s greatest artists.

Along the way, you will also enjoy fun stops, like at the famous Porcellino Fountain, where you can rub the nose of the bronze boar for good luck and and let a coin slide from its mouth into the fountain, an old tradition believed to ensure your return to Florence.

Following the Vasari Corridor, a passageway built by the Medici family, you will pass Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge in Florence to survive World War II. Once lined with butcher shops, it was transformed in the 16th century, by order of the Medici, into a prestigious hub for goldsmiths and jewelers, shaping the bridge’s identity as we know it today.

Your tour will end at Benvenuto Cellini’s Fountain, with beautiful views of the Arno River and the Santa Trinita Bridge.

If you wish you can add the entrance to the Galleria dell"Accademia to your tour, that you can visit with your private guide and where you will have the chance to admire Michelangelo’s David. You can add this option from the options menu (in the reservation box, located in the upper right part of this page). 

The tour will be led by a guide from the KissFromItaly team. All of our guides have degrees in history or archaeology and are officially licensed. Most importantly, they are friendly and passionate about sharing their knowledge of this amazing city. The guide will also be happy to adjust the tour based on your interests, ensuring a tailored experience.

[Read more]

Included:

  • Private guide officially licensed

Not included:

  • Transportation. Food and drinks. Skip the line tickets for the Accademia Gallery (optional at additional cost)

Languages:

Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Russian, Polish

Meeting point:

At your hotel or other meeting point. Detailed instructions and map will be emailed

Duration:

3 Hours

Dress code:

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended

Options:

David at Accademia Gallery

Alternative tours:

If you have more time to spend in Florence, we suggest taking also:

Uffizi Gallery Tour
4 Reviews
€ 80.00
Florence in One Day with Uffizi
2 Reviews
€ 400.00

Reviews

(8 reviews)
20/05/2024

Gloria D.

Detroit, MI

We took two tours in Florence with kissfromitaly. Our guide was knowledgeable and fun. We saw the art and learnt about the history and it was never boring. We liked both the Florence introduction tour and the Uffizzi gallery tour. The guide also gave us lots of practical information about the city. Highly recommended

26/07/2023

Doctor Gregory B

Montreal, Canada

I wasn't sure about spending the money in a guided tour to see Florence, but now I'm glad I did it. The guide was nice, entertaining and superknowledgeable. She was really excellent and provided lots of useful tips about a good pizza place and where to buy good quality shirts. Thumbs up!