The Best Walking Tours of Florence to Take in 2024 and Why

Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance and a jewel in Tuscany's crown, is one of Italy's most visited cities. While Brunelleschi's dome still looms large on the city's skyline, there is much to see at ground level. Of course, it is always possible to explore independently, joining an expert local guide will allow you to dig deeper, see more, and avoid those troublesome lines. In this article, we will cover what I believe to be the best walking tours of Florence, allowing you to compare and contrast in one spot before choosing the best tour.

  

Are Tours of Florence Worth it?

Florence is an incredibly small city; in fact, its historic center covers just over 1200 acres. Yet packed within those 14th-century walls is one of the largest and most concentrated collections of Renaissance art anywhere in the world. Museums like the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia are stuffed with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Donatello, to name but a few. While you can happily walk around these magnificent museums alone, you will get more out of it with an expert guide.

So, are walking tours of Florence worth it? Absolutely, yes. A visit to a city with such a deep artistic and cultural history as Florence can only be elevated by an expert guide. Yes, you will see the main highlights just like everyone else, but you will see them quicker and with a greater understanding, but you will also get to see those tiny hidden details that bring a place to life and that only a local could possibly know.

The Best Tours of Florence 

1. Uffizi Gallery Semi-Private Tour

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world's greatest collections of Renaissance art. Housed in a magnificent 16th-century palace, it has for centuries attracted art lovers from around the globe. Boasting an unrivaled array of masterpieces from the brushes of Italy's finest painters, it is the ideal place to trace the history of Renaissance art from Giotto to Michelangelo and beyond.

This semi-private group tour, with a maximum of just 10 participants, is a great way to get acquainted with the Renaissance masters. It may sound counterintuitive, but our mid-afternoon start time means we miss the worst of the crowds. Sometimes, people are so scared of the crowds that they rush to get there as the museums open and create the crowds. By 2 p.m., the first tour groups and cruise ship day-trippers have left, and the museums can be a little quieter.

2. Best of Florence Semi-Private Tour with Michelangelo's David

This is our flagship small-group tour that visits the Accademia Gallery. Michelangelo’s David is the undeniable highlight here! With an expert art historian leading the way, you’ll skip the lines at Florence’s premier sculpture collection and get the lowdown on Michelangelo’s masterpiece in context in an intimate group (max 9 participants). After visiting the Accademia, you’ll also get to see other Florence highlights, including Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and the incredible Duomo.

3. A Day in Florence: an Immersive Experience

This is our most popular Florence itinerary. On this private tour, you will explore the best of what Florence has to offer on an immersive, day-long excursion. Of course, we’ve got the highlights covered, including the Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery (where you’ll take advantage of skip–the–line access). Visits to the Loggia dei Lanzi, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo, and Orsanmichele will round out your picture of Renaissance Florence. 

 Tour includes:

• Tickets and skip-the-line access to the Accademia and Uffizi
• The Uffizi Gallery
• The Accademia and Michelangelo's David
• The Duomo and Brunelleschi's Dome (outside)
• Piazza della Signoria
• Ponte Vecchio 
  
  

4. Cruise Excursion to Florence from Livorno or La Spezia by Car

While Florence doesn't have its own port, you can still visit the 'Cradle of the Renaissance' on a shore excursion. That’s why we created a special private tour itinerary designed especially for cruise passengers arriving in Livorno or La Spezia.

We’ll pick you up from your ship when you dock with private transport and whisk you to Florence. There, you’ll meet your guide for a special visit to see Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia. Then, explore the Uffizi across town and the most famous sights of the historical center before hopping back into your private transportation for the trip back to your ship.    

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• Everything You Need to Know About the Uffizi Gallery
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• Top Ten Places to See Michelangelo in Florence
• What to See in the Accademia Gallery
• On the Trail of the Medici in Florence
• The Best Museums in Florence
• What to See in the Uffizi Gallery
• 7 Churches in Florence You Need to Visit
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