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Free walking tours in Florence

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Discover the Best Free Tours in Florence with GuruWalk!

Exploring the historic and cultural wonders of Florence has never been easier or more accessible. Thanks to platforms like GuruWalk, travelers can now enjoy guided tours that fit any budget while experiencing the city through the eyes of passionate local guides. GuruWalk has revolutionized city exploration by creating a global community of guides and travelers. Operating on a pay-what-you-please model, GuruWalk allows visitors to book tours without any upfront costs. This model encourages guides to deliver exceptional experiences, ensuring accessibility for all travelers while motivating guides to offer engaging and high-quality tours.

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What Will You See on a Free Tour of Florence with GuruWalk?

• Renaissance Revelations: Art, Medici, and Culinary Delights: This comprehensive tour dives deep into Florence's artistic legacy, the influential Medici family, and the city's gastronomic traditions. Highlights include visits to iconic landmarks such as the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio, coupled with insights into local cuisine. Participants will gain an understanding of how the Medici family shaped the cultural and artistic landscape of Florence. For a more focused exploration of the Medici influence, consider joining the 'Medici's Florence' tour.
• Medici's Florence: Power, Patronage, and Artistic Revolution: Focused on the Renaissance period and the Medici dynasty, this tour uncovers the profound impact the Medici family had on Florence's art and architecture. Participants will explore sites like the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels while hearing tales of political intrigue and artistic patronage. This tour provides a detailed look at the intersection of art and power in Renaissance Florence. Dive deeper into Florence's myths and legends with the 'Shadows of Florence' tour.
• Shadows of Florence: Myths, Mysteries, and Macabre Tales: For those intrigued by the darker side of history, this tour delves into Florence's haunting legends and mysterious past. From ghost stories to historical murders, it offers a unique perspective on the city's hidden narratives. Highlights include exploring lesser-known alleys and sites that are steeped in legend and mystery. To see Florence's architectural evolution, consider the 'Florence's Architectural Marvels' tour.
• Florence's Architectural Marvels: A Journey Through Time: This tour showcases Florence's most beautiful landmarks, providing context on the families and events that shaped the city. Visitors will gain insights into iconic sites like the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, along with tips for authentic local experiences. The tour offers a chronological journey through Florence's architectural evolution. For those interested in a broader historical perspective, the 'Florence Through the Ages' tour provides an extensive overview from Roman times to World War II.
• Florence Through the Ages: From Roman Roots to World War II: Offering a sweeping historical overview, this tour traces Florence's evolution from its Roman origins through the Renaissance and up to World War II. It's ideal for history enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive understanding of the city's past. Participants will explore ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, and stories of resilience during wartime.

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62,669 Reviews in Florence

A romantic stroll in florence.

Florence is one of Italy’s top destinations to visit and there are plenty of reasons why. This Tuscan city oozes history, culture, and Italians even know a thing or two about romance. Whether you have a day or week to spare, there are so many things to keep busy with. Visit the prominent art museum, Uffizi Gallery beside the statue of David in Piazza della Signoria, catch the best panoramic views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo, wander Basilica di Santa Croce, and stroll through Giardino Bardini.

After your free walking tour with Freetour.com, climb to the top of Duomo for an alternative perspective of the city centre or admire the frescoes and architecture of the church from the inside. Just around the corner lies the famous leather market where you can find perfect souvenirs and practice your bartering skills. Celebrate your new finds with gelato, slice of pizza, or indulge in a Florentine steak at the many restaurants accompanied by a large glass of red wine. If nightlife is your thing, grab an aperitivo for dinner and then discover the countless bars across the centre.

There are annual events throughout the year which is why travelling to Florence in any season is ideal. In April, the whole city is alive for an entire evening called “Notte Bianca”- or “White Night”- dedicated to the arts & culture. Gorgeous city that caters to anyone, should see it for yourself!

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Free Florence Walking Tours

Florence is full of history, and there are several notable sites that you can see and learn about on a walking tour of the city.

There are essentially 4 types of free walking tours in Florence (Firenze), a city overview tour, tours focused on the Renaissance, museums, and sunset tours.

This post is an overview of all of your options, including what you will see on each tour, as well as which companies offer them.

TOUR CALENDAR

The main option is an introductory tour that covers the most popular landmarks in Florence.

You can also take a tour that provides a look at how the city played an influential role in the world during the Renaissance.

Searching Availability...

More Tour Options?  More tours are  available here or in the individual tour sections below.

We also offer our very own free, self-guided walk with optional audio below.

• Overview + Schedules
• Intro to Florence + The Renaissance
• Sunset Tours
• Museum Tours
• Street Art/Alternative Tours

Medieval Mysteries

Self guided tours.

For most people today, a “free tour” is a “pay-what-you-wish tour” or a “tips-based tour”.

You are under no obligation to pay for your experience, and it costs nothing to book a time slot.

At the end of the tour, if you enjoyed yourself, it’s customary to pay what you think the tour was really worth or what you could afford.

According to online reviews, most people leave between €5-15/per person, but of course, you are not obligated to leave anything.

Keep in mind, however, that these free walking tours are both convenient and popular, so often have large groups of participants.

If you’d rather take your tour with a smaller group – which can allow you more interaction with your guide – you might consider taking a paid small group tour .

For a truly free option, check out our suggestions for self-guided walks .

We also offer tours throughout Europe, including:

Intro to Florence & Renaissance Tours

These free walking tours provide an introduction to Florence, giving visitors a range of information about the history of this city and in some cases even some tips on great attractions or restaurants to visit.

This section will also include information about tours that focus on the most important locations tied to the Renaissance. 

Both tours cover much of the same ground, but Renaissance tours are more about the Medici family and their impact on Florence.

But they also focus on the way of life that people experienced in this city during the 14th and 15th centuries.

You can expect to visit the following sites on most of these walking tours listed below:

• Central Market
• Paradise Gate
• Republic Square
• Ponte Vecchio
• Piazza Duomo
• S. Lorenzo Cathedral
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• Old City Walls
• St. John’s Baptistry
• Medici-Riccardi Palace
• Medici Chapel
• Pitti Palace
• Boboli Gardens

Our self-guided walk provides more details on what you could see on a tour like those listed below.

Another Florence

This company offers tours that cover Florence that locals know and love.

They do not stop by Ponte Vecchio or Piazza Duomo but bring you to beautiful and interesting places in Florence you might not otherwise find. 

While each tour guide and therefore each tour is slightly different, the average length of a tour is 2 ½ - 3 hours long. 

They offer tours in English, Spanish, and Italian every day at 10:30 am and 15:30 (3:30 pm). These outings are wheelchair accessible.

Learn more or book this tour .

Original Florence

This company offers an outing that covers a variety of interesting subjects like the Medici family, Florentine culture, the best food in the city, museums you might want to visit, and fun things to do after dark.

Guests have given this tour very positive reviews which suggest that they provide a lot of information about the history, art, and culture of Florence in addition to a more general orientation of the city.

This tour is a little over 2 hours long and it’s offered twice a day at 10:15 and 17:15 (5:15 pm) in English, Spanish, and Italian.

Click here for more details or to book this tour .

Free Walking Tours in Florence

This company offers what they call the best tour in the city, and that’s a bold claim, but they do have very positive ratings. 

In addition to covering the Renaissance and stories of the Medici family, this tour also serves as an introduction to the city, including some lesser-known sites.

They are well-reviewed by guests who indicate that they learned a lot about the history of this city and even received some recommendations on places to visit.

This 2-hour free walking tour is offered twice a day at 9:30 am and 16:30 (4:30 pm) in both English and Spanish.

Learn more here.

Florence from Above Walking Tours

As with some of the other tours on our list, this one is also led by just one guide, and reviews for his free Florence tour are all very positive.

Over 2 hours, you’ll learn about a variety of interesting subjects and locations on a tour route that will lead to the highest and best viewing points in the city.

This tour is available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 8:30 in the morning, making it an excellent option for anyone who wants an early bird experience.

Check our calendar above as the schedule for this tour can fluctuate.

Sunset Tours in Florence

If you’re interested in seeing the city as the sun goes down, there are a few different pay-what-you-wish walking tours in Florence that take place at sunset.

Much like the introductory tours, these outings cover the history of the city, and you can expect to visit a variety of notable locations such as the following:

• Piazza Santa Maria Novella
• Piazza di Santa Croce
• Piazza della Passera
• Piazza Santa Trinita
• Piazza Goldoni
• Palazzo Strozzi

These tours focus more on great locations to take in the views than anything else.

However, you can expect to visit some of the most notable sites and see them from afar while on a sunset tour.

Enjoy excellent views of Florence as you learn about the city during sundown on one of these tours.

Free Tour Florence Sunset Tour

In addition to their introductory tour, Another Florence also offers a free sunset tour that also provides historical details about the city.

While their other tour doesn’t include a stop at Ponte Vecchio, you will have an opportunity to see this landmark from the Ponte Santa Trinita during this sunset outing.

Clocking in at 2 hours in length, this tour is available in English, Spanish, and Italian, and it’s offered every day at 19:00 (7 pm).

Book this tour or learn more .

Sunset in Florence

This is another tour provided by just one professional guide, Vincenzo, and it has received some pretty good reviews thus far. 

Although other free walking tours don’t visit this site, it’s worth noting that this service begins at Ponte Vecchio.

From there, you’ll visit a variety of other locations including Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato Church, and more. 

This tour is about 2 hours long, it’s usually available in English most days of the week except Monday at 17:30 (5:30 pm).

It's available daily in Italian and twice a week in Spanish.

Free Florence Museum Tours

If you’re interested in visiting some of the most notable museums in Florence, there are several tours available that will help you find some of the best pieces at each location.

Currently, there are two free museum tours covering the Duomo and the Accademia Gallery.

There are also a few free audio tours you may want to consider.

Although you’ll need to pay for admission to each museum on your own, the tour itself will be tip-based.

This means you get to decide what it was worth when it’s over.

You can save money on tickets for many of these museums by using a Florence tourist pass .

Landmarks in Florence

This service is provided by an independent and professional guide, who offers two free tours at 2 must-visit museums in the city: The Duomo Museum and the Accademia Gallery.

The 1-hour Duomo Museum tour covers the original pieces of the church and important works of art from artists like Michelangelo and Donatello.

This outing is normally offered daily at 16:30 (4:30 pm).

The 1-hour tour of the Accademia Gallery gives you an opportunity to see David, arguably Michelangelo's most famous work, with an expert tour guide.

This service is normally offered every Tuesday - Friday, and Sunday at 8:30 am.

Rick Steves Audio Tour

Rick Steves offers several audio tours you can download onto your smartphone. These are free and excellent and we recommend them.

In total, they currently provide audio tours of 4 different museums:

• Uffizi Gallery
• Bargello Museum
• Accademia Gallery
• San Marco Museum

Each tour includes a map that you can download to help find your way around the museum.

For more details or to pick a tour that fits your needs, check this list of Rick Steves Florence Museum Audio Tours .

Street Art Tour

If you’re more interested in learning about the modern art and lifestyle of Florence, there is at least one free walking tour that covers this subject.

You can expect to see a lot of interesting street art and learn about contemporary artists who have helped shape the future of art in this city.

Additionally,  you’ll also pass by several popular public squares, artisan stores, artist workshops, cafes, and more.

Alternative Free Walking Tours

This is another tour led by just one professional guide, and it is very highly rated.

Guests will learn about street artists and other artistic minds that have helped to shape the world of art in modern-day Florence.

Much of the tour takes place in Oltrarno, which is actually on the other side of the river from the more historic parts of the city.

There, you’ll learn about some of the most interesting workshops and street artists in the area, including hidden gems you might not see on other tours!

Although there are not a lot of reviews yet, this tour has received almost exclusively positive responses.

Guests say that this is a great way to learn about some of the best art in the city that you might have otherwise overlooked.

You can take this 1 ½ hour tour on Saturday - Thursday at 14:00 (2 pm) or on Friday at 9:30 am, and it’s only available in English.

In addition to the alternative street art tours, there are also some free guided outings that cover some of the more curious and mysterious aspects of the history of Florence.

These pay-what-you-wish walking tours are a great way to discover some of the best-hidden gems and learn more about the oft-forgotten cultural stories of the city.

This company offers a tour called "Medieval Tales - Curiosities of Florence," and it covers a lot of interesting cultural anecdotes and stories that will help you see the city in a new light.

After taking this tour, you'll be able to pick out symbols on various buildings or structures around the city and easily decipher their meaning as if you were a local!

You can take this tour daily in either English or Spanish at 10 am or 16:30 (4:30 pm). The tour should take approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete.

Check our calendar above  as the schedule for this tour can fluctuate.

If you don't feel like taking a walk on someone else's schedule, why not go on your own time?

We offer our own self-guided tour to Florence but below are a few more options.

Visit Florence

Visit Florence offers three self-guided walking tour itineraries.

You can use these written guides and accompanying interactive maps to explore the historical center of Florence, the left bank of the Arno River, or the Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato areas.

Self-Guided Exploration Game

This is a great alternative to a traditional walking tour, as it allows you to discover the most historic landmarks in Florence while attempting to solve a mystery.

Although these services are not free, at €10-€15 per game, they cost about as much as most people would tip their guide during a pay-what-you-wish walking tour.

• Florence Medici Tour
• The Serial Killer of Florence
• Haunted Florence: Dante's Return

Small Group Tours

If you don't mind spending a bit of money, there are several small group tours available in Florence that you might want to consider.

This section will cover some of the best tours with small group sizes available throughout the city.

If you're looking for a walking tour with a more personal touch and additional activities/attractions, this company offers many different outings you may enjoy.

Best of Florence Walking Tour

• €59/Adults | €56/Children, Students
• Availability: Tue - Sun at 9:15 am & 1:15 pm
• Duration: 3 ½ hours
• Includes admission to the Accademia.
• Group size of 14 or smaller.

Best of Florence w/ Special Duomo Access

• €76/Adults, Students | €74/Children
• Availability: Tue - Sat at 9:15 am & 1:15 pm
• Includes admission to Accademia.
• Includes No-wait access to Duomo.

Florence in a Day

• €112/Adults | €106/Students | €102/Children
• Winter Availability: Tue, Thu, Sat at 9:15 am
• Summer Availability: Tue - Sun at 8:30 am
• Duration: 7 ½ hours.
• Includes admission to the Uffizi Gallery.
• Group size of 19 or smaller.

VIP David & Duomo Tour

• €115/Adults, Students | €105/Children
• Availability: Tue - Sat at 8 am
• Duration: 3 hours
• Includes early admission to Accademia.
• Includes access to Duomo Terraces.
• Includes skip-the-line Duomo climb.
• Group size of 15 or smaller.

VIP After Hours Accademia Tour

• €49/Adults | €46/Students | €44/Children
• Spring Availability: Sun, Tue, at 5 pm
• Summer Availability: Sun, Tue, Thu, Fri at 7:30 pm
• Duration: 1 ½ - 2 hours
• Includes after-hours admission to the Accademia.

Self-Guided Tour of Florence

This is an alternative to the free guided tours of Florence. This tour will cover multiple notable landmarks and locations in Florence.

Assuming you don't enter any buildings, this walk should take approximately 90 min. The walk is approximately 1.5 km (1 mi.).

Click on the map to expand or to download it to a smartphone.

We created this walk as a companion to Rick Steves's excellent audio tour of Florence. You can download his audio and his map here .

If you don’t have any headphones or prefer to read instead of listen, this self-guided tour provides a lot of useful information about the history of the city.

For an even more in-depth experience, consider downloading the audio tour.

1. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The first thing you’ll notice about this church as you stand in the plaza is its distinctive 15th-century dome, named after the man who engineered the structure, Filippo Brunelleschi.

We’ll cover the dome in greater detail a bit later.

The cathedral itself was completed and consecrated in 1436. The architectural styles on display include Italian Gothic, Gothic Revival, and Renaissance.

If you were to look at the building from above, you could see how it was designed to form the shape of the Latin cross. At 8,300 sq metres in size, this is an incredibly large structure.

There are a lot of interesting pieces of art inside, including Donatello’s David and Saint John the Evangelist .

2. Giotto’s Campanile

This large free-standing campanile (or bell tower) is part of the complex of buildings in the area, and it stands right next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Designed by Giotto in 1334, this tower is an excellent example of Gothic architecture.

There are a total of 7 bells in the tower which were cast at various times from 1705 - 1957.

There are several beautiful pieces of artwork in the campanile, but they are all copies of the originals which were removed in the 1950s and 1960s.

The hexagonal panels on the lower level depict the history of mankind as described in Genesis, including the Creation of Adam and Eve.

You’ll also find four statues in the niches of all four sides of the tower, including figures such as David, Solomon, Moses, Abraham, and more.

3. Brunelleschi’s Dome

This distinctive feature of the cathedral is actually the third tallest dome in the entire world, and it also played an important role in the Renaissance.

The architectural choice to go with this design rather than a Gothic structure was one of the first major events in the Italian Renaissance, as it broke from the traditional style of the time.

Filippo Brunelleschi ran into trouble trying to make the dome a reality due to a variety of issues.

Eventually, he would work with Donatello to build a model that illustrated how the dome could be constructed.

This model is still displayed at the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo, which is directly behind the cathedral.

Keep in mind that this structure was created before we knew much about the laws of physics and mathematical calculation for such construction.

So, Brunelleschi relied almost entirely on intuition and details he learned from building models such as the one at the museum.

The copper crown at the top was commissioned to Andrea del Verrocchio, who had in their employ a young apprentice by the name of Leonardo da Vinci.

Admission to the dome is included with some Florence tourist passes .

4. Baptistery & Bronze Doors

Located directly across from the cathedral, this building is the Baptistery of St. John.

As you may have noticed, the church is shaped like an octagon, giving it a unique and interesting style.

Although it is believed there was a Baptistery in this location since the 4th or 5th century, it wasn’t until the 13th-century that they expanded upon the original architecture and started constructing the structure that exists today.

One of the most interesting aspects of this building is its three bronze doors. The oldest is the South Gate, and the North Gate was the next one built.

The East Gate was entitled the Gate of Paradise by none other than Michelangelo.

The North Gate depicts scenes from the New Testament while the South Gate shows moments from the life of John the Baptist.

This Baptistery used to house notable works of art like the Silver Altar and Maddalena di Donatello, but you can now see these pieces at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, located behind the cathedral.

5. Via dei Calzaiuoli

This street runs from the cathedral to Piazza della Signoria, and there are a lot of notable sites to see along the way.

If you're also interested in going north from here, you'll find both the Basilica di San Lorenzo church and the San Lorenzo market, where you can grab a bite to eat before continuing on this self-guided tour.

Museums of note include the Loggia del Bigallo, Museo della Misericordia, and Chiesa e Museo di Orsanmichele.

We will be covering the last museum in greater detail at our next stop.

There is also a lot of great shopping in the area, and you’ll note that there are several internationally known stores such as Victoria’s Secret, Chanel, the Disney Store, and more.

In addition to all the great shopping, there are also several excellent restaurants along the way serving a variety of dishes such as pizza, gelato, Italian sandwiches, wine, chocolate, and much more.

6. Orsanmichele Church

There have been many structures on this site in the past.

Before it was a church there was a grain market built here in 1337.

Before that, it was the kitchen garden of the monastery of San Michele.

The area was converted into a church between 1380-1404.

But, you can still see elements of its previous use in the arches of the ground floor, as they were originally used for the grain market.

There are several sculptures to see here, but all of them are copies.

The originals have since been moved to the museum. That said, these copies are still beautiful and entirely free to enjoy.

You’ll find these sculptures located in niches around the building, including Donatello’s St. Mark and St. George , Andrea del Verrocchio’s Christ, St. Thomas , and Filippo Brunelleschi’s St. Peter .

Inside the church, you will find a Gothic tabernacle designed by Andrea Orcagna which has a copy of Bernardo Daddi’s painting of the Madonna and Child .

Admission to the Orsanmichele Church and Museum is included with some Florence tourist passes .

7. Donatello’s St. Mark

Whether you choose to simply enjoy the copy from outside or enter the museum to see the actual sculpture designed by Donatello, this is an excellent example of his work.

The statue of St. Mark is often regarded as the first Renaissance monument ever created.

One of the most notable features of this piece is its attention to detail and focus on realism.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that even the veins on St. Mark’s left hand are visible.

This style of realistic artwork was far different from the often unrealistic and dramatic Gothic art and architecture of the era, which is one of the reasons it is often considered one of the first examples of Renaissance art.

The niche where this statue can be found is also quite beautiful, but it was not designed by Donatello.

8. Piazza Signoria

Located at the Southern end of Via dei Calzaiuoli, this Piazza della Signoria square sits in front of Palazzo Vecchio, but that isn’t the only interesting structure to see in the area.

To the right of the palazzo, you’ll find the Loggia dei Lanzi, built in the 14th century for ceremonial purposes, which now serves as an open-air art gallery with Renaissance-era sculptures.

To the left of the palazzo, you’ll see an equestrian statue that depicts Cosimo I, former Grand Duke of Tuscany.

The base of the statue depicts scenes from Cosimo’s life, including his coronation.

Behind the statue of Cosimo I, you’ll find the Gucci Garden, a museum dedicated to the fashion company of the same name which houses classic clothing and handbag exhibits.

Gucci Garden is located in the former Palazzo della Mercanzia, which once served as a courthouse where cases between Florentine merchants were disputed.

The original building was constructed in 1359 and restored in 1905.

To the right of the statue of Cosimo I and right next to Palazzo Vecchio, you’ll find the beautiful Fontana del Nettuno , which was designed and created during the 16th century.

There is also a plaque in Piazza Signoria dedicated to Girolamo Savonarola, who led the Bonfire of the Vanities in this very location in 1497. We’ll cover this in greater detail later.

9. Palazzo Vecchio

Originally built in the 14th century, Palazzo Vecchio is the seat of the Municipality in Florence, and it is one of the most famous civic structures in the world.

Although it served as the seat of the Senate and other civic bodies in the past, most of this building is now used as a museum, but it still serves as the headquarters of the Municipality of Florence.

The statue of David by Michelangelo stood by the entrance from the year it was completed in 1504 until 1873 when it was moved to the Galleria dell Accademia.

Today, a copy of the statue remains in its place. Learn about how to see the Statue of David . 

Across from David is a statue of Hercules and Cacus which was crafted by Baccio Bandinelli.

Look under the arches of the gallery to see a series of nine coats of arms representing a variety of things including the Florentine people, the city, loyalty to the papacy, freedom, and independence, and other concepts.

Built in 1310, the tower of Palazzo Vecchio is around 94 metres high. Unlike other towers, such as Giotto’s Campanile, this one actually leans on the walls beneath it.

The museum inside features several beautiful frescoes, niches, tapestries, statues, and other fantastic artwork.

This is also the site of Michelangelo’s The Genius of Victory , which was originally intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II.

Admission to Palazzo Vecchio is included at no extra cost with at least one Florence tourist pass .

10. Savonarola Plaque

Located in Piazza Signoria, this plaque is dedicated to Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican friar who worked in Florence in the 1490s.

Although his presence was initially requested, he quickly became an enemy of the Medici house and played a role in their undoing.

Savonarola was not a fan of the Renaissance, and he fought against what he saw as artistic excess and sin.

Starting in 1495, he began to host a bonfire of the vanities in Piazza Signoria during Carnival.

The bonfire of the vanities was an event where paintings, manuscripts, books, tapestries, musical instruments, and other works deemed inappropriate were burned in the public square.

During these bonfires, Savonarola was said to have destroyed the works of notable artists such as Dante, Ovid, Propertius, and more.

In the eyes of many church officials, Savonarola went too far with his approaches, and he was eventually excommunicated in 1497.

He was charged with heresy and sedition, for which he was hung on a cross and burned to death in 1498.

This plaque marks the exact location where his execution was carried out.

11. Uffizi Courtyard

As you walk toward the Uffizi Gallery , you’ll see a lot of notable sites alongside the Piazzale degli Uffizi.

The gallery itself is lined with statues of Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and many other noteworthy Renaissance artists.

Directly opposite the Uffizi Gallery is the Accademia dei Georgofili, an educational institution that has been dedicated to promoting the study of economics, geography, agriculture, and many other subjects since 1753.

The Uffizi Gallery itself was originally established in 1581, and it was one of the first modern museums ever established.

Over 4 million people visit this museum every year, making it one of the most visited museums in the world.

There are a lot of important works of art in the museum, including Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus , Andrea del Verrocchio’s The Baptism of Christ , Michelangelo’s The Holy Family , Leonardo da Vinci’s Adoration of the Magi , Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch , Caravaggio’s Sacrifice of Isaac , Rembrandt’s Self-portrait as a Young Man and many more.

Admission is included with some Florence tourist passes , and there is a free audio tour of the Uffizi Gallery by Rick Steves available as well.

12. Arno River & Ponte Vecchio

This is the largest river in the region, and it crosses the whole of Florence. In historical times, the Arno river flooded this city many times after excessive rainfall.

The Arno river is anything but predictable, as it could be quite slow one day and almost torrent like on the next.

Many consider this the most important river in Italy aside from the Tiber in Rome.

One of the most important bridges to cross the Arno is clearly visible from the riverside view of the Uffizi Gallery, and it is the next stop on this tour: Ponte Vecchio.

There has been a bridge here since at least the year 996, but it didn’t exist in its current form until 1218, and even after that it had to be rebuilt in 1345 due to flooding.

Since then, the bridge has largely stood the test of time. Even during WW2, this was the only bridge in Florence that was not destroyed during the retreat of the German army.

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Florence Free Tour

About our tour.

Discover the enchanting city of Florence, a timeless masterpiece often hailed as the "Cradle of the Renaissance." Situated amid-st the picturesque Tuscan landscape and adorned with mesmerizing pink-and-green-marble structures, Florence beckons travelers with its unparalleled charm and historical significance.

Wandering through the cobbled streets, alongside the tranquil River Arno, one is instantly captivated by Florence's architectural wonders and terracotta-roofed skyline. At the heart of it all stands the majestic Dome, its elegant domed roof casting a spellbinding aura over the cityscape. Indeed, Florence is not merely a destination; it's an immersive journey through centuries of artistic brilliance and cultural heritage.

Embark on a voyage of discovery with Florence Free Tour, our esteemed partners offering an exceptional Free Walking Tour. Led by knowledgeable local guides, this excursion unveils the city's iconic landmarks, from the bustling Piazza Signoria to the magnificent Palazzo Medici and the legendary Ponte Vecchio. As you stroll through Florence's storied streets, delve into the fascinating tales of the influential Medici family, who shaped the city's destiny during the Renaissance era.

Immerse yourself in the allure of Florence, where every corner reveals a new facet of its rich tapestry of history and artistry. With Florence Free Tour, let the magic of this enchanting city unfold before your eyes, leaving an indelible mark on your journey through Italy.

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Florence, starting from the iconic Santa Maria Novella Square. As you step into this bustling piazza, you'll be greeted by the grandeur of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, an architectural marvel adorned with stunning frescoes and intricate facades.

From Santa Maria Novella Square, our tour leads you to the elegant Strozzi Square, where the imposing Palazzo Strozzi stands as a testament to Renaissance architecture at its finest. Marvel at its noble facade before continuing your exploration to the vibrant Piazza della Repubblica, a lively square brimming with cafés, street performers, and historic landmarks.

Next, we journey to the heart of Florence's cultural heritage – the majestic Duomo Square. Here, the awe-inspiring Florence Cathedral, with its iconic dome designed by Brunelleschi, dominates the skyline, offering a glimpse into the city's rich artistic legacy.

Continuing our odyssey, we meander through the historic streets to Piazza Signoria, the political and artistic hub of Florence. Admire the imposing Palazzo Vecchio and the sculptures adorning the square, including the renowned replica of Michelangelo's David.

Our exploration then takes us to the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, home to a priceless collection of Renaissance masterpieces. As you wander through its hallowed halls, you'll encounter works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and more, each a testament to Florence's enduring legacy as the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Crossing the picturesque Ponte Vecchio, with its charming shops lining the Arno River, we arrive at the opulent Pitti Palace. Once the residence of the powerful Medici family, this magnificent palace now houses several museums and galleries, offering a fascinating glimpse into the grandeur of Renaissance life.

Join us on this unforgettable tour of Florence, where every step reveals a new chapter in the city's storied past and vibrant present. From historic squares to world-class art, immerse yourself in the splendor of Florence's cultural heritage, leaving you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

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Free walking Tours of Florence

10:30 – 13:00

MORNING WALKING TOUR

MEDICI AND MICHELANGELO

• A small-group walking tour about the Medici family, Michelangelo, and artisan crafts.
• Covers non-touristy areas away from the crowds. We go inside every building on the way.
• Perfect for either rainy or hot days because you are always sheltered.
• Suitable for people interested in history.
• Not accessible for baby strollers and wheelchairs.

More Details

INTERDEPENDENT TOURS Our tours are interdependent. The morning tour covers south Florence, and all other tours cover north of Florence. Combining the morning tour with another tour shows you the whole city.

15:00 – 17:30

AFTERNOON WALKING TOUR

GENIUSES OF THE RENAISSANCE

• This is our best small-group walking tour
• It explains the Renaissance so well that you’ll be able to teach it
• You see the most beautiful landmarks of the historic center
• Suitable for tech nerds and people into visual arts
• Not accessible to wheelchairs and baby strollers

18:00 – 19:00

EVENING FREE WALKING TOUR

• A general overview of things to do in Florence
• A fast and dynamic experience with  3-minute stops
• This tour shows you all the main sights worth seeing on the outside
• Suitable for young visitors and those who can walk fast
• A non-historical overview of things to do in Florence
• A fast and dynamic experience with ten 3-minute stops

Our meeting point is Piazza Strozzi, next to the Colle Bereto restaurant.

About the booking

• Booking is essential. We accept a maximum of 10 people per tour, after which the tour is sold out.
• If you’re booking the tour right upon arrival to Florence, please note that your train will be late and your hotel check-in will take longer than usual. Trains in Italy are always late.
• If you realize you can’t make it to the tour, please cancel your booking by replying to the confirmation email. Even if you realize that 10 minutes before the tour starts – let us know anyways.
• Please provide an email address you actually check, as it is the only way for us to communicate with you in case the tour gets canceled, postponed or if the guide is late.
• If you’re booking the Afternoon Free Tour months in advance the starting time of the tour in the timeline might be different from what was on the website. At the bottom of the confirmation email you have Event Details – there you find the correct starting time.

Who is this tour suitable for?

These private free tours are perfect for families, couples and solo travelers. People above the age of 30 enjoy our tours the most. It will be a huge plus if you’re also interested in art, since the Renaissance in Florence is all about art. Our tours are not accessible for baby strollers and wheelchairs, as you will be entering a lot of buildings with steps.

What is a private free tour?

• Private free tour is the same as a private 300€ tour, provided using the “pay what you wish” model
• The total number of tourists in the group must be a maximum of 10 people.
• Guides don’t use a microphone with an earpiece or a microphone with a loudspeaker.
• The tours are structured so that the group is taken inside every landmark available to visit for free or that is under 10 euros per ticket.
• If the weather is really bad the guide will improvise a coffee stop in a bar

The tour is done in a dialogue format where you can ask questions talk and meet people. The guide is available to take photos of you and your family on your smartphone. If you need an ATM or WC the guide will take you there.

What is an average tip?

• 20€ to 30€ per person tip makes these tours sustainable, as we limit our groups to 8 people.
• The guide will be delighted if you’d like to tip more.
• If you are on a tight budget, please consider a large group walking tour with more than 30 participants.

Our Reviews

15€/person = average

20€/person = very good

25€/person = excellent

More = best tour ever

Europe ‎ > ‎ Italy ‎ > Florence  >  Free Florence Walking Tour

• Free Walking Tour
• Top Day Trips
• Suggested Itineraries

Free Florence Walking Tour

Location :  Florence’s City Center Cost : Free ( optional costs below ) Style : Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided ) Start : Florence Cathedral ( Duomo ) End : Republic Square Walking Distance : 2.2 Miles Time Required : 70 Minutes for the walk ( average time with sights is 6 hours, assume 1+ hours per museum which can take 2-3 days to fully tour everything ) Fun Scale : 10 out of 10

Overview of Central Florence:

Not only is central Florence the heart of town, but since the 1500s it was also the heart of the Italian Renaissance.  While many of Florence’s neighbors never recovered from plagues and famines, thanks to its river access, powerful military, and ruthless Medici rulers, Florence grew into a European powerhouse in the Age of Enlightenment.  We hope to give you a glimpse of the town’s glory on this free Florence walking tour.

While previously settled lightly by the Goths, a formal Roman town was established here by Julius Ceasar in 59BC.  Called Florentia after the Roman Goddess of flowers Flora, they symbol of town is the Lilly.  In 285 Emperor Diocletian established in Florence the headquarters of all of Tuscia.  Their power grew in the 300s when Etruscan villages of Volterra and Chiusi were defeated and Roman colonies of Pistoia and Lucca grew making Florence also in charge of Umbria.

Villanovan (entruscan) settlements since 800BC,  Etruscan  walls of Fiesole 8th century BC settled recorded as a town in 283 BC Faesulae

goths attack in 406 and are beat, Byzantines attack in 553, Lombards conquer Florence in 570, Lombards rule from Lucca, Lombards name Saint John Protector of Florence, Charlemagne, founder of the Holy Roman Empire, was in Florence at least 2 times: 781 and 786. Florence is attacked by Vikings and Magyars (Hungarians) • 854. Lothair brought together the two counties of Florence and Fiesole. 978 florence becomes Tuscan capital

How To Divide Your Time In Florence:

You can breeze through central Florence pretty quickly if needed whizzing through the city center and viewing all of the walking tour sights from the outside in under two hours.  Most visitors following our free Florence walking tour map average between 6-7 hours to get their fill, although it can take 2-3 full days to see every stop in full detail.

This 6-7 hour mark assumes you will spend 1-2 hours walking around town, 90 minutes at the Duomo & Bapistry ( book ahead ), 30 minutes seeing the David ( book ahead ), 1 hour at both the Bargello & Uffizi Museums ( book ahead ), plus time to eat. See a theme?  Book your entrance tickets ahead of time you can end up wasting all day in line, which a lot of tourists do.

If you don’t want to make your day any longer than 6-7 hours, you are going to have to make some tough choices on which museums you want to tour.  Of the two that take the hour, we like the Bargello the most and find the Uffizi to be a bit overrated.  On a tight schedule, we even prefer to skip the Uffizi altogether and spend that time instead climbing to the top of the dome at the Florence Cathedral ( book ahead ).

Prioritizing your stops and limiting how much time you spend touring in a day is important as the evenings in Florence as best enjoyed at a slow pace.  The hours leading up to dusk are meant for watching the sunset over town while sipping a local wine, digging into a rare Florentine steak, or taking a relaxing passeggiata stroll.

Free Florence Walking Tour:

1. florence cathedral ( duomo ):.

About The Duomo :  Officially called the Cathedral of Santa Maria of the Flower ( del Fiore ), Florence’s Cathedral ( Duomo ) is the most monumental landmark in town.  Before the current church was started in 1296, the Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Reparata sat here dating back to the Gauls in the 400s.  Because the architect died in 1310, work slowed for 30 years until the survivors of the Plague of 1348 revived the project.

The delightful white, pink, and green striped marble wrapping the exterior of the massive Florence Cathedral is stunning.  We love staring at the colorful patterns on the facade especially while inspecting the detailed statues and three large bronze front doors.  The powerful green doors were cast from 1899-1903 and represent scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary whom the cathedral is dedicated to.

Above it all, the masterpiece of the Florence Cathedral is the massive double-shelled dome designed by Brunelleschi in 1420 and built without scaffolding.  We will see the dome ( which we suggest climbing ) and the interior of the church in greater detail next on this free Florence walking tour.

Guided Tours :   For an additional 20€ you can get a guided tour of the Baptistery of St. John, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Opera del Duomo Museum with priority access to the sights and the Duomo’s Hidden Terraces.   Online Tickets & Dome Reservations : Here .  Guided Tour Info : Here .  Themed Tours Info : Here .   Cathedral Website : Here .

Time Required : 10-15 minutes to see the outside of the Cathedral ( 2-3 hours with all Duomo sights ).

2. Duomo Interior :

About The Duomo :  If you have already been inside the grand cathedrals in Siena, Venice, or Rome, it can be easy to find the interior of Florence’s Duomo to be quite boring in comparison, but it is worthwhile.  As you enter the mostly barren massive church, it can be overwhelming to grasp how large it really is inside.  A majority of the enormous Florence Cathedral is empty with a geometric patterned marble floor and large sequoia-sized stone pillars holding up the roof.  Most of the Medieval artifacts from the interior that still survive are on display at the Duomo Museum which we will stop at later on this free Florence walking tour.

The first of the few interior highlights of the Florence Duomo is the great liturgical clock above the bronze front door.  This Medieval, single-hand clock from 1433 is very rare as it uses Old Italian Time which is much different than today’s clocks.  In Old Itlain Time there were still 24 hours in a day, but they were divided evenly between night and day each with getting 12, but the length of the hours varied throughout the year with more or less daylight.

Above the clock, is a rose window called Christ Crowning Mary As Queen from the 1300s which is mirrored by the Coronation of the Virgin designed Donatello in the 1400s at the other end of the cathedral.  Our favorite artwork in the church is the View of Florence in 1465 by Domenico di Michelino which gives us a great cityscape mixed with scenes from local author Dante’s novel The Divine Comedy.  In the middle of the church are a canvas equestrian paintings from the 1800s copied from a famous fresco by Andrea del Castagno in 1456.

There are stairs to go down below the marble floor of the Florence Cathedral and into the Crypt of Santa Reparata.  We find the crypt to be fascinating as you can see mosaic floors from the ancient Church Santa Reparata.  This old world church from the 400s drastically predates the Duomo built over the top of it stating in the late-1200s.  The floor shows the names of the 14 donors of Latin origin who financed the construction of Santa Reparata.  Foundations of homes and pieces of the original Roman wall have also been found under the Duomo.

Tombs in the church include those of Bishop Zenobius of Florence, painter Giotto di Bondone, Pope Nicholas II, Pope Stephen IX, and the designer of the Florence Cathedral’s dome Filippo Brunelleschi.  Next on this free Florence walking tour, we will inspect Brunelleschi’s famous dome.

Cathedral Visiting Hours :  Monday-Friday 10am-5pm ; Saturday 10am-430pm; Sunday 1:30-4:45pm.  Cost : The interior of the Florence Duomo is free, however, a Cumulative Ticket for all Museum sites valid once per site over 72 hours is 18€ and allows you to skip the lines. You can also pre-book a Dome Climb timeslot.   Dress Code : As it is an active church, access with bare legs and shoulders, sandals, hats, and sunglasses is not permitted. Bulky backpacks and bags are not allowed.

Clock Tour : Can take a 30 minute guided tour of the inner workings of the clock by special request for an additional 12€ fee.   Crypt Tour : Are self-guided and included in the Duomo combo ticket.   Themed Tour Info :   Here .   Cathedral Website :   Here .

Time Required : 15-20 minutes to tour the inside of the Cathedral ( 2-3 hours with all Duomo sights ).

3. Brunelleschi’s Dome :

About Brunelleschi’s Dome :  The concept for the iconic dome was started by the Florence Cathedral builders in 1296, but this masterpiece of the church wasn’t realized until the designs of Brunelleschi ( previous a goldsmith ) in 1420.  Brunelleschi had the idea of creating the massive dome with an octagonal double-shell to support the weight as the use of buttresses-style of their French rivals was forbidden in Florence.  To prove his design, Brunelleschi built a 15-foot-tall and 30-foot-wide brick model of the dome inside the nave of the unfinished church.

Astonishingly without scaffolding, the massive dome was finished in just 26 years ( 1420-1446 ) and became a symbol of Florence’s power.  At 375.5 feet ( 114.7 meters ) tall and 138.5 feet ( 42.2 meters ) wide the marvelous dome is even bigger than Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  It was the first major Cathedral dome completed since ancient Roman times and is within a foot in size of Rome’s Pantheon.

Brunelleschi finished the dome and had just started on the marble cupola lantern capping the top when he died.  In 1461, 15 years after his death, the marble lantern was finished and adorned with a 7.5 foot wide ( 2.3 meters ) copper ball weighing 18 tons.  In 1492 the large golden ball was famously struck by lightning as Lorenzo de Medici died.  Then later, in 1601 the orb was stuck again and fell off crashing into the ground where there is now a white marble circle marker in the pavement behind the cathedral.

The cupola lantern today serves as a viewing platform with sweeping views almost 40 stories above Florence.  To reach the viewing platform you must take a slightly claustrophobic but rewarding climb of 463 steps ( no elevator ) up to the top which takes around an hour round trip.  During your climb up ( book in advance ) you will get a unique insight on the inner workings of the double-layers design and an up-close perspective of the wonderful paintings lining the bottom of the dome.

As requested by Cosimo I de’ Medici, an enormous scene from the Bible’s Last Judgement was painted on the underside of the dome starting in 1568 by Giorgio Vasari’s and completed by Federico Zuccari in 1579.  Seeing the 100-foot-wide mural while climbing the rafters of the dome is far more impressive than only looking up as it from the cathedral floor far below.

Dome Climbing Hours : Monday-Friday 8:30am-7pm; Saturday 8:30am-5pm; Sunday 1-4pm.  Closed on the first Tuesday of each month.  The neighboring bell tower can also be climbs, is almost as high, has extended hours, and a shorter line if you forget to book ahead.    Dome Climbing Cost :  A Combo Ticket for all Museum sites valid once per site over 72 hours is just 18€.   Duomo Climb Entrance : The entrance is at the Almond Door ( Porta della Mandorla ) at the Northside of the Cathedral.  There is no ticket purchasing booth at the dome entrance so buy online beforehand.

Mandatory Reservations :  There are only 125 people allowed to climb up every 30 minutes so even if you get in line early you will often wait in line for hours which makes booking a timeslot reservation to climb the Cathedral’s dome basically mandatory.  Skip-the-line reservations are free when made during your booking of the Cumulative Ticket.   Online Tickets & Reservations : Here .  Dome Website : Here .

Time Required To Climb The Dome :  60 minutes round trip to climb the dome and return with a pre-booked reservation, arrive 15 minutes early ( 1-5 hours in line if you don’t book ahead ).

4. Giotto’s Bell Tower ( Campanile ):

About The Bell Tower : 276 feet tall and 414 steps to top ( no elevator ).  slender bell tower, originally considered the toughest challenge, more than the dome.  The design matches the icon white, green and pink marble of the Florence Duomo’s facade.

Bell Tower Climbing Hours :  Daily 8:15am-7pm.  Cost : A Combo Ticket for all Museum sites valid once per site over 72 hours is 18€ and allows you to skip the non-ticketed visitors.   Online Tickets & Reservations : Here .  Bell Tower Website : Here .   Time Required : 45-60 minutes round-trip to climb the bell tower ( go early or late to avoid midday lines ).

5. The Baptistery of Saint John ( Battistero di San Giovanni ):

About The Duomo :  named after John the Baptist who is celebrated in Florence every June 24th. in 1401 the Calimala Merchants’ Guild had a competition for the doors from the Bible showing the sacrifice of Isaac who had to kill his own son for God before being stopped by an angel. Ghiberti won

Women’s gallery and Attic tours give you magnificent views of the beautiful gold mosaics of the dome and marble inlays of the floors.  Travel back in time to the beginnings of Florence with this guided tour into one of the symbols of the city – the Baptistery. A masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, its dome is entirely covered in Byzantine mosaics. With this special itinerary through the women’s gallery ( matroneum ) you will see the splendid mosaics and inlaid marble floors from an extraordinary point of view. By climbing to the attic you will discover the secrets of the architecture of the roof, which inspired Brunelleschi’s famous Cathedral Dome. Your tour includes the visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

.The northern gate of the Roman town (PORTA AD EPISCOPI) sat near the NE corner.  There was a small Roman bath (BALNEUM MARTIS) near the gate which they have found two mosaic floored rooms. stately home ( Domus ) dating back to the first century AD, from which pieces of mosaic floors were found below the Baptistery.  To the SW part of the square they have also found the foundations of shops (tabernae), and courtyards (cavea).

Woman’s Galley Tours : Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 4:30-6pm.  Also includes brief Cathedral tour and access to the other complex sites once each within 72 hours.    Woman’s Galley Tour Booking : Here .   Dress Code : As it is an active place of worship, access with bare legs and shoulders, sandals, hats, and sunglasses is not permitted. Bulky backpacks and bags are not allowed.

6. Basilica of San Lorenzo & Cloister Courtyard :

About The Basilica of San Lorenzo :  Built outside of Florence’s original city wall, the timeless Church of San Lorenzo was consecrated in 393 by the first bishop of Florence, Saint Zenobius. The basilica is named after the early-Christian Saint Lawrence who was martyred by order of Roman Emperor Valerian in 258AD and burned alive on a grill.

The Church of San Lorenzo was the official Cathedral of Florence until the 800s when the bones of Saint Zenobius were moved inside the walls to Santa Reparata Church ( site of today’s Duomo ) to protect them from Hungarian invasions.  It’s said that during the transfer, his bones touched an elm tree and it became leafy in the dead of Winter.  A Medieval column with a cross ( 1384 ) next to the Baptistery of Saint John marks the former location of the famed elm tree.

Shortly after Gherardo of Burgundy ( Bishop of Florence ) was elected as Pope Nicholas II  in 1058, San Lorenzo received a Romanesque makeover.  In the early-1100s, the powerful Matilde di Canossa ( Duchess of Tuscany ) lived near the Basicila which helped to keep it important.  As it was their family’s parish, Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici ( founder of the family bank ) financed the re-building of San Lorenzo in 1419 designed by Brunelleschi ( same guy as the Duomo’s dome ).

Completed in 1461 ( 15 years after Brunelleschi’s death ) the church included an all-new brightly lit nave on the front, elegant two-story loggia courtyard for the library, and the Old Sacristy ( Sagresta Vecchia, completed in 1428 ) which was the first Medici mausoleum.  The Old Sacristy ( tombs of Pietro & Giovanni de’ Medici ) was important as it was modeled after the Tomb of the Holy Sepulchre ( tomb of Jesus ) in Jerusalem as the Medicis were fascinated with the afterlife and the Bible.

The night sky painting underside of the central church dome reflects a desire for reglious power as it shows the stars as they appeared on July 4th, 1442 .  This was a significant day as it is when royal Renee of Anju ( King of Hungary, King of Naples, King of Anjou, King of Jerusalem, King of Sicily, Count of Piedmont, Count of Barcelona ) came to Florence to meet with the wealthy banker and commoner Giovanni de’ Medici about forming an alliance which was a springboard for his family.  The powerful Renee ( also the Brother-in-law to King Charles VII of France ) wanted Giovanni de’ Medici to team up for a Crusade to Jerusalem to gain riches and important relics as they were both members of the Fraternal Order of the Holy Sepulchre.  While they never did their Crusade, the meeting with Renee helped to further legitimize the Medici name and Florence as a growing power.

The inside the Basicila of San Lorenzo also has some famous works from Florentine sculptor Donatello .  The pieces included the sarcophagus of Roberto Martelli, plus two bronze pulpits in the nave below the dome.  Completed around 1460, the pulpits were his last work at age 70, and we especially love the one of the right depicting the Resurrection.  You can visit Donatello’s tomb in the crypt below the Basilica along with those of other famous people including Cosimo di Medici on the next stop on our free Florence walking tour.

Make sure not to miss the two-story, open-air cloister courtyard  attached to the library during your visit to the Basilica of San Lorenzo.  Green spaces like this 15th-century courtyard on the Southside of the church’s nave are rare in central Florence and it feels like you are walking through a Medieval monastery.  The library itself is skippable.

From the outside basilica still has an unfinished rough cut stone facade which makes it hard to believe there is a lot to see inside.  Local artist Michelangelo had designed an elaborate white marble facade for the church over 4 years of drafts ( 1518-1522 ), but it was never completed as the Medici Pope Leo X was already over budget on the project.

Basilica Hours : Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 1:30-5:30pm.  Closed Sundays November-February.  Basilica Cost :  6€ for the Church Interior & Old Sacristy; +2.50€ to add the Medicean Laurentian Library & Cloister Courtyard.   Basilica Website : Here .

7. Medici Chapels & Crypt ( Cappelle Medicee ):

About The Medici Chapels :  Michelangelo constructed the jaw-dropping New Sacristy ( Sagrestia Nuova ) Medici Chapel inside behind San Lorenzo Church starting in 1519, giving the powerful family a proper mausoleum.  The money for this 2nd mausoleum came after Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici was elected as Pope Leo X ( from 1513-1521 ) and awarded the family their first ducal titles.  It was also pushed by Cardinal Giulio de Medici who would later become Pope Clemens VII.

Michelangelo’s most famous works inside San Lorenzo’s New Sacristy are the tombs of Lorenzo de Medici ( Duke of Urbino ) with statues of Dawn and Dusk, and the tomb of Giuliano de Medici ( Duke of Nemours ) with statues of Day and Night .  Each of the four statues on the two tombs are nearly 7 feet long and represent an allegory of life and death.  There were to be two additional large tombs in the New Sacristy for Pope Leo X’s dad ( Lorenzo Medici the Magnificent ) and Pope Clemens VII’s dad ( Giuliano de’ Medici ), but Michelangelo left in Rome in 1534 to paint The Last Judgment Wall in the Sistine Chapel and never finished the other tombs.

The final and most grandiose of the Medici Chapels was added inside San Lorenzo from 1604-1640.  Known as the Chapel of the Princes, this domed octagonal hall which covered in rich marble designed complete with 8 burial niches for the Medici Grand Dukes which look like large treasure chests.  Under the frescoed dome ( painted in 1828 ), the center of the room was supposed to hold the Holy Sepulchre ( tomb of Jesus ), but attempts to buy and then steal it from Jerusalem failed.  Due to the extreme cost to build the Chapel of the Princes, it’s said that the last member of the family, Anna Maria Luisa de Medici, was still paying it off when she died in 1743.  Anna, who was married to a German Prince, was important for signing the Family Pact in 1737 that kept the Medici artifacts in Florence after her death.

Medici Chapels & Crypt Hours : Open Daily 8:15am-5pm.  Closed the 1st, 3rd, & 5th ( if there is one ) Monday of the month and the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month.   Medici Chapels Entrance : The Medici Chapels entrances is on the backside of the church.  Book Ahead : Because there can be medium length lines you will want to book a reservation & ticket ahead of time on their website at least one day in advance.   Medici Chapels  Website : Here .

8. Central Market ( Mercato Centrale ):

About The Central Market :  Housed inside an iron and glass building from 1874, Florence’s Central Market is one of the best places to shop for produce and get an affordable lunch in town.  The produce stalls range from fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, fried food and rissoles, meats and salamis, pasta, cheeses, chocolate and ice cream, wines, and sandwiches.  In addition to the produce stalls, you will find artisan restaurants, delicious delis, tasty cocktails, and vibrant shops.  The entire market is covered and there is community seating for over 500 people making it very easy to relax out of the sun.

We absolutely love The Cooking School of Lorenzo de ‘Medici located inside the historic Central Market as an easy way to take an Italian cooking class in Florence .  Multiple two-hour cooking classes start daily at both 11am & 7pm in the large professional Cucina Kitchen.  The cost is around half of the more private countryside options in Tuscany at 65-70€ a person and includes your meal.

Market Hours : Daily 10am-Midnight.   Market Website : Here .  Cooking Class Times : 11am & 7pm.  Cooking Class Cost : 65-70€.   Cooking Class Website : Here .

9. Medici-Riccardi Palace ( Palazzo Medici ):

About Medici-Riccardi Palace :  In 1444 , Cosimo the Eldest, the patriarch of the Medicis had architect Michelozzo di Bartolomeo build him a new palace here close the family’s Church of San Lorenzo.  This was considered the first Renaissance building erected in Florence and it has a magnificent loggia along with a 15th Century courtyard decorated with graffiti embellishments.  Like the nearby family Church of San Lorenzo, the mansion was also finished following models by Brunelleschi and with the help of Michelangelo.

Cosimo de’ Medici moved the dynasty’s main residence to Palazzo Vecchio in 1540 and later sold the Medici Palace to the Riccardi family in 1659, but it is still extremely well-preserved .  In addition to the courtyard, we also love the opulent Tapestry Room, Gallery of the famous Florentine people, and the Luca Giordano Hall ballroom.  Perhaps the most important section of the Medici-Riccardi Palace is today is the Private Chapel ( Cappella dei Magi ) frescoed in 1459 by Benozzo Gozzoli representing the Procession of the Magi .  Many visitors find this multi-paneled painting to be one of the finest in all of the museums on our free Florence walking tour.

Excavations in the basements have revealed the old riverbank from the Mugnone stream that once ran directly to the Arno but was later diverted by the Romans to reclaim land.  There were also artifacts and ancient medical devices found in the Roman foundations for studying human anatomy.

Palace Hours : Thursday-Tuesday 8:30am-7pm; Closed on Wednesdays.  Entrance Cost :  4€.   Palace Website : Here .

10. Academy of Florence Gallery ( Gallerie dell’ Accademia ):

About The Accademia :  The David, duh…  Michelangelo’s masterpiece may just be the great sculpture we’ve ever seen in person.  Is The Renaissance Man.  The then 26-year-old Michelangelo was fresh off completing the Pietà in Rome ( now in the Vatican )

The huge block of Carrara marble it was carved out of had been cut 40 years early and worked on by two previous artists (Agostino di Duccio & Antonio Rossellino) who gave up and discarded the damaged block.  Was originally meant for the roofline of the Duomo but was moved to the Priori instead so it could be adorned up close.

12 total a total of twelve large Old Testament figures were meant to the top but only Joshua was completed in 1410 by Donatello and Hercules in 1463 by Duccio both out of terracotta.

When David was finally done in 1504 the 6 ton ( 12,000 pounds ) statue was too heavy to lift up and a group of artists including Leonardo di Vinci chose a new location out of 9 options.

It replaced replacing Donatello’s bronze sculpture of Judith and Holofernes ( 1457–64 ) made for the Medici family.  This statue was also a symbol of heroic defiance and was moved into Palazzo Vecchio courtyard in 1494 as it stood for the Republican government of the city.

It was installed in front of the Priori during a time when the tyrannical Medici family was temporarily exiled from power ( 1494-1512 ) and positioned with a gaze toward Rome.  This helped the city embody the spirit of David as an underdog fighting off external enemies from independent city-states, attacks on civil liberties, as well as internal tyrants.  wake of Lorenzo de Medici’s death and Savonarola’s deranged austerity. Piero_the_Unfortunate had stayed nuteral as King Charles VIII of France attacked his allies then when the attacks came to Florence he got no help them (bitter) or local elites (under spell of fanatical Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola) and gave up easily with bad terms which causes an uproar. The family fled, house was looted, and they were formerly exiled while the Rebulic reformed.

Now sits inside under a custom ren dome since 1873, replica at the original location in front of Palazzo Vecchio, and a bronzed replica towers over the city from its perch on Piazzale Michelangelo, a third plaster copy with  detachable fig leaf was given to the Queen of England in 1857 and sits in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

it depicts the young Israelite David confidently ready to battle the invading giant Goliath.

David is depicted before his battle with Goliath instead of during of after holding his head.  Also older, stronger, and ready for combat, tense with veins popping out, Greek-style heroic male nude, Mike’s signature twisting contrapposto pose

a symbol of strength, defiance, and youthful beauty

staff-sling ( fustibal ) in left hand, rock in over-sized right hand, large hand for manu fortis, and to symoblize the Hand of God that helped give the shepard boy the strength to win, like Flortines felt that they were devinely protected against their neighboring states

god? devine? (1501 and 1504) nearly triple lifesized 17 foot tall (5.17 meters).   Small genitals are thought of as a nod to the adolescent age of David and the foreskin was an odd choice since David was Jewish.  limb and head portions also believed to be a little of on purpose because it was meant to be on display high above the ground on the Dumo roofline.

Had some weathering plus damage when it was pelted with rocks at its unveiling, left arm broke in three places in anti-Medici riots of 1527, and in 1991 a guy snuck a hammer into the museum and smashed off a toe on the left foot.

Museum Hours : Tuesday through Sunday 8:15am-6:50pm; Closed on Mondays.  Entrance Cost :  8€.  Book Ahead :  More tourist wait in line forever just to get into the museum, but you can simply book your ticket and entrance reservation ahead online and skip the line for your time slot.   Museum Website : Here .  Visitor Info & Tickets : Here .

10. Basilica of Santissima Annunziata :

11. leonardo da vinci museum :, 12. florence cathedral museum ( museo dell’ opera ):, 13. dante’s house museum ( casa di dante ):, 14. bargello national museum :, 15. governors’ square ( piazza della signoria ):.

About Piazza della Signoria :  Named after the Governors ( Signore ) who oversaw Florence.  By the mid-100s a majority of the square was filled with a large thermal bathhouse after being enclosed inside the city wall.  the ancient Roman times there was the biggest (Thermae Maximae) of Florentina’s 3 Thermal Public Bathhouses on the Western end of the Square.  Was also home to the to two churched two churches (Santa Cecilia and San Romolo), their graveyards, and Fullonica which was a factory where they processing of textiles, which were washed in large vessels, treated and then dyed.  Was one of 3 dye factories with smaller ones outside the Eastern gate (Porta Orientalis) and one outside the Northern gate.

southern side of piazza della Signoria was occupied by a large fullonica, wool and silk

in 1268, when Ghibelline houses that stood in the area were demolished by the Guelphs victorious in Benevento and the square was paved around 1385.  Was the center of political life like the Mercato was the center of trade and Duomo was the center or religion.

Mike in front of the palace as Republic’s defiance for the tyrannical rulers, Medicis in defacto power from 1434-1531 then Dukes from 1531-1569 with just Alessandro 1532-1537 & Cosimo I 1537-1569; then Cosimo moved to Grand Duke which family held 1569-1737 before Habsburg-Lorraines took over until the 1800s

16. The Old Palace ( Palazzo Vecchio ):

About The Palazzo Vecchio :  The Eastern side of the complex was a theater in Roman Times built around 150AD (city Florentia was 59 BC by Julius Caesar ) on what was a natural 20-foot slope. It was seating for 8,000-10,000 people and had to be enclosed by an additional wall as it boarder the original city wall.  Was abandoned by the 500s, built over in the 1300s, a re-discovered in 1875.  Ruins below are small but can be toured.

Front facing part of the complex today was built from 1245-1302 as the seat of the Priors, Palazzo dei Priori

Signore, or governor.  1440 to 1460 renovated by Michelozzo, commissioned by Cosimo de ‘Medici

Tower built in 1299-1319, over the Foraboschi family’s Torre della Vacca, 223 steps all the way up, prison cell in the tower held banker Cosimo the Elder in 1433 ( then banished for a year for plotting against the Gov ) and Fra’ Girolmano Savonarola who had ran town for 4 years in 1498 ( burned in the square as a heretic ).  From the outside you can see the small window of the prison called l’alberghetto.   Top has a series of bells and a the Clock are made by Bavarian clockmaker Georg Ledel in 1667.   tower 95 meters (platform 86meters)

Museum Hours : Friday-Wednesday 9am-11pm ( Winter 9am-7pm ); Thursday 9am-2pm.   Tower Hours :  Friday-Wednesday 9am-7pm ( Winter 10am-5pm ); Thursday 9am-2pm ( Winter 10am-2pm ); Closed during rain.  Must be 6+ and with an Adult if under 18.   Excavations Hours :  Monday-Saturday 9.30am-1pm & 2-5pm; Sunday & Working Holidays 9:30-am12.30pm; must be 8+; limited to 25 guests at a time.  Cost : 18€ for the Museum, Tower, and Excavations; 14€ for Museum + Tower or Excavations; 10€ for Museum only; 8€ for Tower only; 4€ for Excavations only.   Museum Website : Here .

General Guided Tour :  4€ ; must be 10+; Friday-Wednesday 10:30am, Noon, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm; Thursday 10:30am & Noon.   Secret Routes Tour :  4€ ; must be 12+; Friday-Wednesday 10am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4pm, 6:30pm; Thursday 10 & 11:30am.

17. Loggia dei Lanzi :

18. uffizi gallery :, 19. the old bridge ( ponte vecchio ):.

About The Ponte Vecchio :  There first Roman bridge was built next to this one around 127AD and replaced by in 966.  was the only one to cross the River until 1218.  The first one was made of wood then turned into a stone bridge after the Flood of 1333 or 45? butchers (beccai) were based here, threw scraps in the river, and it stunk so bad that Cosimo de Medici had Vasari build him a suspended walkway to Pitti Palace. Rich people didn’t want to walk the stinky bridge either and had Goldsmiths move in.  Only bridge in town to survive WW2

20. Little Pig Market ( Mercato del Porcellino ):

21. republic square ( piazza della repubblica ):, featured article.

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Disclaimer: Information on this page and in our walking tours were deemed accurate when published, however, details such as opening hours, rates, transportation, visa requirements, and safety can change without notice. Please check with any destinations directly before traveling.