Best of Florence Tour
Kids pay half price!
Flexible Starting time
Pick up at your hotel
Skip-the-line tickets
Professional Guides
Duration
about 3 hours
Activity level
moderate
Sights Included
– Michelangelo’s Prisoners
– Renaissance masterpieces
– Baptistery (from outside)
– Giotto Bell Tower (from outside)
– Loggia dei Lanzi
– Views of the Arno River
Tour Description
Discover Michelangelo’s David and the highlights of Florence with our Best of Florence Tour
Florence
Florence is deservedly one of the most famous cities in the world. It’s also one of the cornerstones of Italian culture.
Many of the greatest Italian artists were born here, and helped to shape the image of Italy in the world.
Florence is the city where the Renaissance started – it’s the city of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, of Dante and Machiavelli.
Florence is also renowned for its great cuisine and wine.
And its history is as complex as the history of Italy itself.
Our Best of Florence Tour is designed to help you connect to Florence’s culture and history, and make the most of your time in the capital of Tuscany.
1. Piazza Duomo
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel, and you’ll head to one of the most famous sights: Piazza Duomo, location of the famous cathedral.
The Duomo is the most remarkable church in Florence, and it’s one of the city icons.
It’s an imposing gothic cathedral enriched by one of the greatest masterpieces of architecture: the dome by Brunelleschi.
Brunelleschi was a brilliant artist, and one of the most important architects in history. His studies on perspective and his love for classical art represent the very spirit of the Renaissance.
The dome was his greatest accomplishment. It’s extremely innovative yet, at the same time, it’s also a very traditional building. Brunelleschi took inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome but created an original structure, which challenged the Roman tradition because of its size and pioneering technique.
Your guide will reveal its secrets, and tell you the intriguing story of its construction.
In Piazza Duomo, you’ll also see many other remarkable sights, such as the Baptistery and the Bell Tower by Giotto.
Then, your Best of Florence Tour will continue in Piazza della Signoria.
2. Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square) was the political heart of Florence in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
It is also an open-air museum, surrounded by grand buildings and statues.
There is no better place to learn about the history of Florence, and the city’s intriguing, complex politics. Your guide will tell you the story of the Medici, the most influential family in Florence, and their contribution to creating the city’s identity.
In the Renaissance, art was an expression of power.
In Florence, it was mostly the expression of the power of the Medici, who commissioned some of the most famous artworks in the city.
You will admire the impressive facade of Palazzo della Signoria, whose entrance is decorated by a replica of Michelangelo’s David, and by the Hercules and Cacus by Baccio Bandinelli.
Next to the square is the Loggia dei Lanzi, a portico decorated with many important sculptures.
Among them, you will also see the impressive bronze sculpture of Perseus with the head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini.
3. Ponte Vecchio
Most Italian cities are divided by a river, and Florence is no exception.
After Piazza della Signoria, your Best of Florence Tour will continue on Ponte Vecchio, the most famous bridge on the Arno river.
Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence, dating back to Roman times.
It’s not just a walkway across the river – it’s also the site of traditional jewelry stores and goldsmiths.
Above the stores, you can still see a corridor that connected the two main residences of the city’s rulers (Palazzo della Signoria and Palazzo Pitti) so that they could go from one palace to another while avoiding the crowds.
Ponte Vecchio is one of the most important and iconic parts of Florence’s history – a must-see sight.
4. Michelangelo’s David and the Accademia
The last stop of your Best of Florence Tour is the most famous artwork in town: Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia.
Don’t worry about the lines – we’ll have skip-the-line tickets!
Why is David such an important statue? Your guide will provide a full explanation of this incredible masterpiece, in the context of the history of Florence, and the life of its creator.
Who was Michelangelo, and why is he renowned as one of the greatest artists of all time? You will learn about his life, his difficult personality, and – of course – his art.
The Accademia isn’t only home to David, but also other masterpieces by Michelangelo such as the Prisoners and the Pietà di Palestrina. It’s one of the best places to experience Michelangelo’s art and gain a deeper understanding of his revolutionary work.
Book our Best of Florence Tour and explore the wonders of the Renaissance capital with a professional private guide.
We’ll help you to create some incredible memories in Italy.
Due to logistical reasons, the order of the sights may vary.
*The inside of the Duomo is not included in the tour. But, if you want to go inside, you can visit it after the tour – just ask your guide for information!
You MUST bring an ID, a passport or a driver’s license to enter the sights.
*Pick-up is included only if you’re staying within the pick-up area. If your hotel is not in the pick-up area, let us know and we will find the best solution.
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Italian ArtVentures' Feedbacks
Your guides are so friendly and knowledgeable. They made the history accessible and enriching.
You covered every detail, down to lunch reservations, business class train tickets and wonderful air-conditioned transportation with friendly drivers!
Thank you again for all the e-mails to develop a personalized itinerary for a special trip! We give you 5 1/2 stars on a 5 star scale!
