The capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, Florence , is often known as the birthplace of the Renaissance. With its narrow cobbled streets and wine-rich hills, Florence has always been the harbinger of romance and allure. However, the unrivaled scenic beauty is just one of its many appeals. Though compact in size, you’ll find that Florence is overflowing with architectural wonders and artistic masterpieces. Add the lip-smacking Tuscan cuisine to the mix and you have got yourself a 14th - century paradise of your own.
Despite its relatively small size, it would take weeks to explore the whole of Florence in depth. The sheer number of churches, museums, and other landmarks will leave you overwhelmed. As you consider all the activities in the city and plan your days of exploring, choosing a guided tour of Florence is essential to ensure that you do not miss out on the icons that have made it one of Europe's most popular cities.
What Are The Advantages of Florence Guided Tours?
Gain insider knowledge with Florence guided tours
The best thing about guided tours is that you get to view sights the way they are meant to be viewed. Along with detailed explanations on the history of the attractions, these guides will often add little facts and figures that help you understand the city and its history a little better. Whether it is that forgotten little legend about a church you are visiting or the interesting story behind a particular delicacy you are looking to indulge in, they will know it all. Not to forget, they always know where the best food is!
Enjoy expert guidance with Florence guided tours
Packed with museums, galleries ,churches, good food and wine, Florence is a traveler’s paradise. However, it is also easy to miss out on some of the best attractions only because of the sheer number of things to do and see in the city. Guided tours will ensure that you cover all these must-see experiences, making your Florence trip an unforgettable one.
Gain insights into the local culture with Florence guided tours
More often than not, these guides are localities, who are more than happy to answer all your questions. Take advantage of their company by asking them questions about their culture and beliefs. The best way to gain insights into the local culture is by talking to a local! Moreover, you can always rely on them to give you an insider’s perspective of Florence and its inner workings.
Other benefits of Florence guided tours
Other than the convenience of opting for a guided tour, it also helps save precious time! No one likes to spend their vacation wasting time in long queues. To ensure that you get the maximum out of your vacation, make sure that you invest in a guided tour with priority access skip-the-line tickets. These tickets will let you walk right in, allowing you to beat the crowd.
The Best Guided Tours in Florence - Table of Contents
Florence Duomo
One of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the Duomo Cathedral is known for its Gothic architecture. Not to mention the striking view of the city that can be enjoyed from its terrace. A part of the UNESCO world heritage site, it stands tall, offering a striking vantage view of Florence.
Exclusive Tour of Florence Duomo with Dome and Secret Terraces Access
- Enjoy the guided tour of the Florence Cathedral while studying the remarkable works of art preserved there such as Paolo Uccello’s clock, Vasari’s frescoes and Bandinelli’s marble choir.
- Reap the benefits of a small group, ensuring a more immersive and engrossing experience.
- Enjoy access to the Terrace of Duomo and priority access to the top of the Dome in this guided tour.
- Make the most of your Florence trip with 72 hours tickets to the Duomo Complex, allowing access to Santa Maria Del Fiore, Crypt of Santa Reparata, Opera Del Duomo Museum, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Brunelleschi’s Dome.
Florence Duomo, Uffizi & Accademia Galleries Full-Day Guided Tour
- Get a chance to visit all the iconic sites of Florence while beating the crowd with skip-the-line access at the Accademia Gallery which houses legendary artworks such as Michelangelo’s David.
- Learn all about the inner workings of the Duomo from your guide, which is an example of an incredible feat of engineering.
- Allow your guide to narrate to you tales of the city as he takes you around The Ponte Vecchio Bridge, leather market, and Piazza Signoria.
- Let your professional guide take you around the Uffizi Gallery, ensuring that you do not miss out on the gallery’s most important exhibits.
Uffizi Gallery
One of the most famous art museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery houses the works of many celebrated artists like Giotto, da Vinci and Raffaello. Marvel at their stories, styles and themes as you walk through the historic building.
Skip The Line to Uffizi & Accademia Galleries + Florence City Tour
- Learn about the history of Florence and its role in Italy’s rise to fame with the help of a professional guide who will conduct a detailed tour in English.
- Walk along the medieval streets of the city as you learn about the history, culture, architecture and artistic expressions prominent in the city.
- Get priority access to the crown jewels of the city, the Uffizi and Accademia galleries and enjoy seeing Florence through the eyes of several great artists as you trace Florence’s artistic history with your guide.
- Learn more about the artworks that adorn the walls of these galleries, not to forget the world-famous sculptor, Michaelangelo’s David.
Skip The Line Guided Tour to Uffizi + Accademia Galleries
- Witness the artistic excellence of Florence with the help of your guide in the language of your choice. Choose from English, German, Italian, Spanish and French.
- Make the most of your time in each gallery with the help of your guide, who will ensure that you do not miss out on the most iconic art forms.
- Marvel at the artistic brilliance of Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and many more.
Accademia Gallery
Florence is home to some of the best pieces of art from the Italian Renaissance and many of them can be found at the Accademia Gallery , including the world-famous sculpture of ‘David’ by Michelangelo. Trace the artistic history of Florence as you visit the gallery’s seven zones.
Florence City Tour + Accademia and Duomo Guided Tour
- Walk right into the Accademia with the skip-the-line feature in your ticket, leaving you with more time to admire the various works of art in the gallery houses.
- Take in the magnificence of the Duomo, which is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Florence.
- Enjoy a tour with not more than 19 people, ensuring that the experience is convenient, comfortable and informative.
- Visit various Renaissance sites and bask in the rich Florentine history.
The Palazzo Pitti
This sprawling 14th-century building is one brilliant example of Florence’s architectural expertise. Originally built for the Pitti family, the Palazzo Pitti now hosts some of the most important museums in Florence. Enjoy the works of Raphael, Titian, Correggio and Rubens at the Palatina Gallery before exploring the illustrious Royal Chambers.
Pitti Palace and Palatina Gallery Guided Tour
- Walk right into the Accademia with the skip-the-line feature in your ticket, leaving you with more time to admire the various works of art in the gallery houses.
- Take in the magnificence of the Duomo, which is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Florence.
- Enjoy a tour with not more than 19 people, ensuring that the experience is convenient, comfortable and informative.
- Visit various Renaissance sites and bask in the rich Florentine history.
Florence Guided Tour with Medici’s Mile and Admission to Pitti Palace
- Discover some of Florence’s greatest sights such as the Vasari Corridor, Palazzo Medici Riccardo, and Palazzo Vecchio.
- Explore the four museums situated inside the palace as you learn more about its ancient residents.
- Walk through the mesmerizing Vasari Corridor, a kilometer-long enclosed passageway that connects the Palazzo Pitti with the Palazzo Vecchio.
- Learn all about the secret passages used by the Medici.
Boboli Gardens
Originally designed for the Medici, this 111-acre historical garden can be found right behind the Pitti Palace . A quintessential Renaissance garden, it is said to be the first of its kind. Visitors can witness centuries-old oak trees, historical sculptures and magnificent fountains. Learn more about the grand Ducal lifestyle while diving deeper into the rich history and heritage of Florence.
Florence Guided Tour with Medici’s Mile and Admission to Boboli Gardens
- Explore the Medici Mile, the monuments it houses and open-air artworks that showcase the Medici family's influence on art and architecture.
- Gain insights into the interesting story of how they rose to power.
- Explore the highlights of Florence’ UNESCO World Heritage Site city center.
- Visit the Boboli Gardens and learn more about the Renaissance.
- Enjoy priority admission to 3 attractions, the Bardini Gardens, Porcelain Museum, and the Boboli Gardens.
Guided Day Trips From Florence
Travel into the heart of Tuscany with guided day trips to places like Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa. After all, no trip to Italy is complete without a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa ! Indulge in the Tuscan way of life with tasty food and even tastier wine. Live the Tuscan experience to the fullest by visiting picturesque little villages and learning all about their unique traditions and practices.
Skip The Line Leaning Tower of Pisa Tickets with Cathedral Access
- Visit the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa with skip the line tickets and enjoy the beautiful view, unhindered.
- Learn about the history of the tower from your expert guide.
- Explore the Piazza Dei Miracoli and the Pisa Cathedral.
- Enjoy fast-track access to the Cathedral of St. Mary.
All Tuscany in a day - Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa
- Discover everything Tuscany has to offer, from its picturesque landscapes to its delicious food, all within a day.
- Live the Tuscan experience with some authentic wine tasting at Siena, along with a Tuscan lunch.
- Learn more about the Romanesque and Gothic monuments that Siena is famous for.
- Watch yourself travel back in time as you explore the numerous medieval churches in San Gimignano.
- Enjoy the Leaning Tower and the other attractions of Pisa.
Day Trip from Florence to San Gimignano, Siena, Monteriggioni, Chianti with Wine Tasting & Lunch
- Explore San Gimignano to gain more insights into the Tuscan lifestyle.
- Revel in the medieval charm of Siena as you learn more about its history and culture from your local guide.
- Explore the Palazzo Pubblico in the Piazza del Campo square.
- Sample up to four different wines and balsamic vinegar in a winery.
Siena Cathedral Skip-The-Line Entrance Tickets
- Gain skip-the-line access to the Siena Cathedral.
- Lose yourself in the exquisite Tuscan countryside.
- Enjoy the beauty of the Tuscan countryside from your vantage point at the top of the Facciatone.
- Admire the works of the Italian Masters, preserved in the Duomo.
Visiting Florence: Tips, Guidelines and More
Carry plenty of cash
ATMs in Florence usually charge a large commission on the use of Visa and Mastercard. You can avoid this by bringing enough cash from home. The exchange rates also tend to be quite high in Florence. Therefore, you are bound to save a lot more if you bring Euros from your native country.
Pre-book your skip-the-line tickets online
As the birthplace of the Renaissance, the museums and galleries of Florence are quite understandably world-famous. This means that they always tend to be crowded, especially during the high season summer months. You can expect a waiting time of more than 2 hours on any given day. The best way to avoid this is by opting for a guided tour with skip-the-line feature.
Make use of the free Wi-Fi available
There are many open Wi-Fi networks in Florence, that can be accessed with an Italian phone. Instead of wasting money on an expensive data pack, you can opt to use one of these open networks. Most of the cafes and restaurants also have Wi-Fi facilities, so feel free to ask them even if you don’t see a sign.
Mondays are holidays for museums
If your Monday plans included visiting a museum, chances are you will be wasting your time as most museums are closed on Mondays. This makes the weekends extremely crowded. Therefore, it would be wise to keep your weekends aside for other activities like taking a day trip from Florence or going on a food tour.
Make a day trip from Florence
The Tuscan countryside has a plethora of places waiting to be explored. You will get to visit new places without the hassle and expense of new hotel bookings. Places like Chianti and Siena are excellent options for an exciting day away from Florence.
