Best Tours in Florence: Top Guided Experiences

Florence is the “birthplace of the Renaissance,” filled with breathtaking architecture and sights that will keep you busy for days on end. And what better way to experience them than with the best tours in Florence?

Guided tours help with the logistics of navigating around the main attractions, and since sites in Italy aren’t well-marked, they help you discover more and know exactly what you’re looking at. Plus, they’re an ideal way to connect with the locals and learn more about their culture.

So, whether you’re spending a brief three days in Florence or a longer trip, these tours are a must-add to any traveler’s itinerary. Keep reading to take a peek at our top recommendations.

General Florence Tour Recommendations

Before diving into the tours, here’s a quick glance at our top recommended booking tools and services to help with your trip planning.

• LivTours – For private and semi-private (6 people or less) tours, use LivTours. You can get 5% off with code – Untold Italy
• Walks of Italy – Walks of Italy offers fantastic options for small group tours for between 16 and 20 people
• Devour Tours and Eating Europe – Get a taste of Florentine cuisine with food tours from Devour Tours and Eating Europe
• Fat Tire Tours – Fat Tire Tours is your go-to for a great range of fun tours on bikes, segways, and scooters
• Context Travel – Context Travel is ideal for insightful Scholar-led trips and some audio guides, too
• GetYourGuide – Traveling with a bigger group? Florence tours for larger groups are easy to find on GetYourGuide
• VoiceMap – If you prefer self-guided audio tours, you can find these here at VoiceMap

Walking Tours

Florence has many brilliant sights, from the popular Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Pitti to more secret spots, and these walking tours are an ideal way to see them all.

LivTours – Private Walking Tour of Florence

First up, we have this private Florence walking tour by LivTours. Stroll through the stunning city streets and stop at several must-see spots, like Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and the Piazza della Repubblica.

The tour includes access to one of the city’s most iconic museums, the Accademia Gallery, where you can see Michelangelo’s David statue in all its glory. Then, pause to see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or more simply, the Duomo’s exterior and San Giovanni’s Baptistery.

That said, we highly recommend upgrading your tour to gain entry to the Duomo, including access to the Opera del Duomo Museum, the Dome, or a climb of Giotto’s Bell Tower.

LivTours – Florence Walking Tour City Highlights

LivTours also offers a semi-private walking tour with similar access to the previous one but a few extra additions. You’ll visit a few piazzas, like the Piazza della Signoria, and head to the Ponte Vecchio. Then, walk down the Via del Corso and visit the Leather Market, taking the opportunity to do a little shopping.

Your expert guide will show you the highlights of the Accademia, including the Statue of David, while sharing the history of its creation. Once again, you can upgrade your tour to climb the Duomo Dome or Bell Tower and enter the Duomo Museum.

Walks of Italy – Best of Florence Walking Tour

If you’re looking for another in-depth, insightful walking tour amongst the most inviting spots, this small group from Walks of Italy is for you. It begins in the morning when the crowds are few and explores the Tuscan streets, piazzas, and bridges that give the city its charm.

The tour includes skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery and the Florence Duomo, where you can learn about the beginnings of the incredible dome designed by Brunelleschi. You’ll also find other masterpieces, like Michelangelo’s “Gates of Paradise” and many more.

VoiceMap – Palaces and Piazzas: Highlights of Florence

For those who enjoy exploring each site at your own pace, this VoiceMap audio tour is perfect. You’ll be guided through the historic center, visiting the very best places, from cathedrals to piazzas – pretty much everything that defines this beautiful city.

Along the way, you’ll hear about the history of influential Florentine families, like the Medicis, and architects like Bruneschelli. It takes around 90 minutes, but feel free to pause and linger around certain areas as you see fit.

Uffizi Gallery

You can’t visit Florence without taking a trip to the Uffizi Gallery. It’s undoubtedly one of the best museums in Florence, with over 45 halls showcasing Renaissance masterpieces dating back centuries. That includes work from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. Here are a few tours that give you an unforgettable experience of this astonishing gallery.

LivTours – Masterpieces of the Renaissance: Uffizi Private Tour

Getting the most out of the wonder of the Uffizi Gallery is incredibly easy on this private tour. You’ll gain the privilege of skip-the-line entry and a private guide who’ll take you through the showpieces within the gallery walls.

Once you enter, you’ll view some of Florence’s most astounding art pieces, sculptures, and paintings by key Renaissance artists, including Doni Tondo by Michelangelo and Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus.

LivTours – Express First Entry Uffizi Tour

Semi-private tours like this are another great option to explore the most-visited sites without the hassle of the crowds. This one, in particular, starts you off bright and early, where you’ll be one of the first people to enter the Uffizi Gallery in the morning.

Your guide will take you through each room and display, sharing stories and historical retellings of each piece and its creator. Along the tour, you’ll see Primavera by Botticelli, Medieval Art by Giotto, and countless other impressive artworks.

GetYourGuide – Uffizi Gallery Small Group Guided Tour

Next, we have a fantastic tour from GetYourGuide that includes a skip-the-line entry into the gallery and a viewing of the Renaissance artworks throughout. Again, you’ll gain access to every room and admire different centuries of art in chronological order while your expert guide tells you about the world-famous artists behind them. Plus, once the tour is over, you have the option to linger about and view everything on your own.

Bike Tours of Florence

Bike tours are another great way to sightsee the city. You can cover a lot more distance than walking in a shorter amount of time but still see the city’s top attractions. There are plenty of options out there, but here’s a quick list of recommendations to get you started.

Fat Tire Tours – Florence Day Bike Tour

Get ready for a three-hour adventure through Florence’s streets on this guided tour. Choose between a standard and an e-bike, but either way, you’ll cover a lot of ground in a short time and see quite a few places.

Cycle past stunning sights, from the grand architecture of the Duomo to the Palazzo Strozzi and charming piazzas like Piazza Santissima Annunziata, and have plenty of photo opportunities. Your guide may point out some lesser-known wonders along the way.

Monuments and Galleries

Apart from the Uffizi Gallery, there are over 70 other museums and galleries for you to admire, not to mention the countless monuments and tourist attractions throughout the city. These next few tours focus on iconic city highlights, from the iconic Duomo to the Accademia Gallery and beyond.

Walks of Italy – Alone in the Duomo: VIP After-Hours Tour

What defines a VIP experience? In this case, it means giving you the unique privilege of seeing the glorious Duomo when other travelers have left. You and the rest of your group will embark on this tour after closing time and truly be alone in the Duomo.

You’ll be led up the stairs to climb the dome and witness the intricate paintings and frescoes up close. Included is exclusive access to a private terrace at the very top of the cathedral to see an uninterrupted view of the city skyline. Sure, the climb is around 463 steps, but the views at the end are well worth it.

Then, at the end, witness the final closing of the cathedral to the public as the Key Master turns off the lights for the day.

Walks of Italy – VIP David and Duomo: Early Accademia Tour

This next tour combines two of Florence’s most-visited locations, the Duomo and the Accademia Gallery. They’re usually bustling with activity, but this tour is timed just right to avoid most crowds, so you can explore both locations to your heart’s content.

This experience includes skip-the-line access to both locations, a private guide, and an art historian who’ll explain everything you need to know about Florentine art and history. See highlights like Michelangelo’s David, the top of the Duomo, and the exquisite Baptistry Doors, or the Gates of Paradise.

GetYourGuide – Cathedral, Duomo Museum, and Baptistery Tour

Get the most out of your day by booking this small group tour on GetYourGuide. Florence is famous for the iconic Duomo, and this tour just adds to that by letting you see the entire complex in under three hours.

You’ll start the journey in the bustling Piazza del Duomo. From there, your guide will take you inside the Duomo, the Baptistry of San Giovanni, and the Opera del Duomo Musuem. When booking, it’s also worth adding the extra option to enter Giotto’s Bell Tower to admire the city from the top of this Gothic masterpiece.

LivTours – David First Viewing: Private Accademia Tour

It can’t be stated enough just how many people flock from around the world to see what lies inside the Accademia Gallery. Of course, the main attraction is Michelangelo’s David. This private guided tour gives you the chance to see the intricate carvings of the statue firsthand right as the gallery opens.

Bright and early at 08:00, you will enter and be one of the first people to explore the whole gallery, not just the statue, so you can enjoy it in peace.

Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passage Tour available on GetYourGuide

Most people tend to focus on the museums mentioned above, but the Palazzo Vecchio is just as exceptional, and any traveler should take the chance to visit. This guided tour includes skip-the-line entry to the 13th-century palace and a Secret Passage Tour.

While you walk through the halls of the palace, your guide will give you unique insights into the history of the Medici and show you countless Renaissance artworks. The highlight, though, is the secret rooms and passages of the Medici Family, which most don’t get the chance to see. That includes hidden stairways and a small study filled with centuries-old trinkets and treasures.

VoiceMap Audio Tour – A Tour of Medici Florence

The Medici Family was undoubtedly one of the most influential in Florence, so it makes sense to want to learn all you can about their history and how they shaped the city. This audio tour provides detailed instructions, guiding you through critical sites from the family’s history, starting at the Basilica di San Lorenzo and then toward the Medici Palace. It concludes at Palazzo Pitti.

Food Tours

Any traveler will tell you that one of the highlights of visiting a new city is the cuisine, and Florence is no exception. Bold flavors, luxurious wines, and delectable desserts – these are just some things you can expect. If you want to indulge in some of the best food in Florence, these food tours are the perfect addition to your trip.

LivTours – Private Florence Food Tour

Start your food tour of Florence with this private dinner experience in Piazza della Signoria, where you’ll get to taste a little bit of everything.

First, visit an enoteca wine bar, where you can learn about the different grape varieties and sample some local wines, like a Chianti Classico. There will be a sample platter of cured meats and cheeses. Then, you can try even more dishes, from pasta to the classic lampredotto sandwich, ending the tour with some gelato for dessert.

Devour Tours – Food Tour with Sant’Ambrogio Market Visit

This next tour by Devour is a memorable way to experience food like the locals do. Start the day with a warm coffee before heading to the vibrant Sant’Ambrogio Market. As you stroll through the market, you’ll meet vendors, sample fresh ingredients and snacks, and even witness the preparation of Florentine steak.

After that, the tour heads for a wine shop where you can sample and even buy a bottle of your own while discovering new combinations and food pairings, whether that be soup or prosciutto. To top it off, enjoy a sweet treat at a popular bakery specializing in cantucci (almond biscotti) and gelateria.

Devour Tours – Oltrarno at Sunset: Florence Food and Wine Tour

If you find yourself in Oltrarno, then this tour is right up your alley. As the sun sets, the tour takes you on a food journey from aperitivo to dessert, with more than eight tastings across five locations in the area. From crisp bruschetta topped with pecorino toscano cheese to a thick and juicy steak, you’ll definitely leave with a full belly.

Throughout the tour, there’s also plenty of wine to quench your thirst, and (no surprise) end off with even more gelato.

Eating Europe – Florence Sunset Food and Wine Tour

Rounding up your culinary experiences, we have a fabulous sunset food and wine tour in Piazza Santo Spirito. You can choose an afternoon or evening tour, but either way, you get to indulge in food and drinks from some of the city’s lesser-known culinary sites.

This tour offers a chance to eat some new and exciting dishes you’ve never tried before. Choose from a wonderful selection, from smaller nibbles like bruschetta, salami, fig, goat cheese and tartare to larger meals like pappa al pomodoro and wild boar soup. Then, wash it down with various red and white Tuscan wines and even a cheeky Negroni cocktail.

Family Tours

The following tours are ideal for those traveling with family, even those with small children. After all, traveling with kids doesn’t have to be worrisome. These tours are catered to parents and youngsters with guides who specialize in keeping the little ones entertained so you can enjoy sightseeing to the fullest.

LivTours – Uffizi for Kids Private Tour

Want to experience the joys of the Renaissance at one of the city’s most impressive and popular museums? This tour starts with skip-the-line access to the gallery, where your local expert guide will take you through the top highlights. However, there is an extra focus on artists like Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Kiddies get a fun interactive activity book with quizzes and pictures to keep them busy while exploring. Your guide will also provide clues along the way to help solve a riddle by the end of the tour, giving the whole family something to work toward. Oh, and there are some prizes at the end, too.

LivTours – Private Gelato Class in Florence

If there’s one thing everyone loves, it’s ice cream. So, why not carve out a quick hour of your day to take you and the little ones to a private gelato class in the heart of Florence?

You’ll meet up with a gelato maestro in a traditional gelateria and learn all about the art of making this sweet treat, which ingredients are needed, and how to balance your flavors. While you’re there, you can even come up with your own unique flavor, experimenting with various combinations. Whether you enjoy a classic vanilla or pistachio or a dark velvety chocolate, you’ll get it here.

Florence in a Day Tours

If you only have a short while to see the city, then Florence in a day tours are just the thing you need. These give you a well-rounded view of the city’s most famous sites, letting you explore the best in a single day. Let’s take a look at two options you’re bound to love.

LivTours – Private Day Tour of Florence

First up, we’ve got this private tour of Florence by LivTours. It’s a full-day excursion of around seven hours filled with art, architecture, and centuries of history in this lively city. Your guide will initially take you on a walking tour of the very best spots, like Palazzo Vecchio, the Town Hall, and plenty more.

The tour includes entry tickets to the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries, where you can admire famous works of art, like the Statue of David or the Birth of Venus painting. While that is more than enough to make the tour worth it, you can pay for the extra option of visiting the Duomo and climbing the dome and bell tower.

LivTours – Florence in a Day with David, Duomo, Uffizi and Walking Tour

To round off your journey through the Renaissance city, join a local guide and discover every stunning detail that makes Florence special. Throughout the course of this five-hour tour, admire the most picturesque locations and marvel at architectural highlights, including the exterior of the breathtaking Duomo.

Once you’ve explored places like Mercato Nuovo, Loggia dei Lanzi, and the Ponte Vecchio, skip the lines and enter the Accademia and Uffizi Galleries. You’ll even spot some hidden spots along the way, like the adorable bronze Il Porcellino statue, and there is a lot more where that came from.

Wrapping Up the Best Florence Tours

There you have it – the top experiences and tours that Florence has to offer. Whether you’re taking a stroll through the city center, admiring Michelangelo’s David in local galleries, or taking in the grandeur of the Florence Duomo, these excursions cover all the bases.

Each one explores the fascinating history of famous attractions and art, from Uffizi to the historical sites of the Medici Family, and is by far the best way to catch a glimpse of Florence’s main attractions. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to set off on your next adventure.

When you’re ready to explore even more, take a look at these quick guides on Florence, Italy:

• Best Day Trips from Florence
• Luxury Hotels in Florence
• Best Food in Florence

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