Florence River Boat Tour

You will meet the guide for this private walking tour in the city center (or at your hotel depending where is located). We will start from the Duomo, the cathedral with the magnificent dome built by Brunelleschi and still considered nowadays an engineering marvel.

At the Duomo we will also see the white and green Baptistery, one of the oldest monuments of the city, adorned by the magnificent doors and, right in front, the bell tower by Giotto. Walking through the center we will pass by Orsanmichele, a jewel of the Florentine Gothic architecture and former granary of the city during the medieval times. We will arrive in Piazza della Signoria where the imposing Old Palace stands magnificently. Passing by the Uffizi we will reach the Old Bridge and arrive on the river banks to get onboard the boat.

The boat is an 18th century restored barchetto, a small oak vessel used in the past by the renaioli of Florence, workers who took sand and gravel from the river to sell it as construction material. You will be on the barchetto with the barcaiolo, the Florentine equivalent of a gondoliere and with your private guide.

During this romantic and relaxing excursion you will learn about the history of the city passing by the Uffizi Gallery on one side and the medieval Church of San Jacopo Soprarno with its shell-shaped marble windows on the other. You will pass under the famous Old Bridge and will have the privilege to see it from the water, a unique experience that only few people can try.

Stories and anecdotes about soccer matches played on ice, Carnival parades, adventurous merchants and brave architects will accompany you to Ponte Santa Trinita, considered one of the most elegant bridges of Europe. This trip back in history will take you next to Ponte alla Carraia, formerly built in wood in 1218 after the Ponte Vecchio, to connect two of the most lively districts of Florence which were well known for the manifacture of wool fabrics and leather tanning.

Immersed in the silence of the river, where only the sound of the water can be heard, surrounded by the beauty of the city, you will finally enjoy a glass of wine that will make this a truly unforgettable experience.

If you wish to have a more detailed visit of the historical center, you may add one more hour of walking tour by choosing the specific option in the reservation box in the top right of this page.

The boat ride may be cancelled for safety reason in case of heavy rains. The boats are equipped with all standard safety measures and life vests are available. Children are allowed only together with a supervising adult. There are no toilets available onboard.