Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Dante's House
- Baptistery of St. John
- Palazzo dell'Arte della Lana
- Florence Duomo
Photos & Highlights
- Whether you’ve never read a verse or can recite Inferno by heart, step into Dante’s Florence, connect with his world, and gain a deeper appreciation for his legacy.
- Discover the true Florence that inspired the timeless journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.
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Tour Description
Forget the polished streets and imposing palaces—this tour takes you back to the raw, bustling Florence of the Middle Ages, a time of fierce political rivalries and towering stone towers before the style of the Renaissance reshaped the city. Walk in the footsteps of Dante Alighieri, the most influential poet in Italian history, as you navigate the narrow, winding alleys of Florence and uncover the landmarks and stories that shaped his life and The Divine Comedy.
This 3-hour Dante tour visits the places that influenced his personal journey—his childhood neighborhood, the church where he was baptized, and the sites of his political conflicts. Led by a local scholar, you’ll trace the path of his life and work, gaining insight into his creative genius and the turbulent politics of his era.
Begin at the Baptistery of St. John, a site of deep personal significance for Dante. It was here that he was baptized in 1266, and its stunning mosaics depicting the Last Judgment later influenced his vivid portrayal of Hell in The Divine Comedy.
As you make your way to the Florence Duomo, the city’s iconic cathedral, you’ll take in the architectural grandeur that stood as a backdrop to Dante’s world. Learn about Dante’s life on these very streets, how he was deeply intertwined with the city’s politics, culture, and social upheaval, and how he navigated the turbulent political landscape of Florence, which led to his eventual exile.
As you make your way to the Florence Duomo, the city’s iconic cathedral, you’ll take in the architectural grandeur that stood as a backdrop to Dante’s world. Learn about Dante’s life on these very streets, how he was deeply intertwined with the city’s politics, culture, and social upheaval, and how he navigated the turbulent political landscape of Florence, which led to his eventual exile.
Next, you’ll visit the Palazzo dell'Arte della Lana, where Dante’s political life and the city’s guilds come into focus. Once home to the influential Wool Guild, this building now serves as the meeting place for the Dante Society, continuing his scholarly legacy. From here, head to the exterior of Dante’s House, located in the heart of medieval Florence, where you’ll learn about the spaces that shaped his early years and literary inspirations.
Along the way, you’ll explore the streets and squares where Dante lived and worked, and where he interacted with the figures who would later populate his epic work. This tour offers a unique perspective on the life of Florence’s most famous poet and the city that profoundly shaped his vision.
- You want to see Florence through a whole new lens—not just its monuments, but the hidden stories and details only an expert can bring to life.
- You’ve heard Inferno referenced in books and TV shows, maybe even studied Dante in school—now you’re curious to finally understand why his work is so deeply connected to Florence.
- You’re ready to bring home unforgettable moments that might even inspire you to revisit The Divine Comedy with fresh insight or to read it for the first time.
- Dante's House
- Baptistery of St. John
- Palazzo dell'Arte della Lana
- Florence Duomo
Tickets
You are pre-paid for the tour as well as for the Ghiberti Pass, which will allow entry to the Baptistery of St. John and the Duomo. This pass is valid for three days and will allow you to return to visit the Duomo and Bell Tower after the tour, so we suggest you hold onto it.
Transportation
Can I be picked up from my hotel?
Yes, please check the “Private Car from Your Hotel in Rome” box at checkout and enter your hotel details.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- If you are looking to learn more about Florence prior to a visit, check out our Pre-Trip Talks and our Florence and Tuscany's Top 10 Highlights with a Cultural History Professor
Does this tour visit the interior of Dante’s House museum? No, this tour focuses on the exterior of Dante’s House. The guide will provide a thorough explanation of the exterior as it offers a more intimate and historically rich perspective of Dante’s connection to the city, allowing you to understand how the space and its surroundings shaped his experiences and his work.
What should I wear? As the tour includes visits to religious sites, modest attire is recommended. Visitors cannot show bare legs or bare shoulders, they cannot wear sandals, hats, or sunglasses. Bulky backpacks and bags are not allowed
Is this tour good for families? While it is not specifically designed for children, families are more than welcome to join. The content is engaging for all ages, and we strive to make the experience enjoyable for everyone.
What should I wear? As the tour includes visits to religious sites, modest attire is recommended. Visitors cannot show bare legs or bare shoulders, they cannot wear sandals, hats, or sunglasses. Bulky backpacks and bags are not allowed
Is this tour good for families? While it is not specifically designed for children, families are more than welcome to join. The content is engaging for all ages, and we strive to make the experience enjoyable for everyone.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
This tour involves a lot of walking, though there are no significant obstacles such as stairs or climbs. The Baptistery of St. John is accessible for people with mobility concerns, equipped with a ramp at the main entrance and an accessible restroom.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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50 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Our tour guide, Molly, was so great to work with. She was professional but also personable. She began by taking time to get to know us and understand our already existing knowledge of Dante. She then tailored her tour information to fit our needs/already existing knowledge. WOW! All throughout the tour, she offered insight that was both keen and articulate. She also never had a problem with us asking questions along the way. At the end of the tour, she treated us to coffee and read Dante to us in Italian!! Getting to dive in and discuss the actual text of Dante was the icing on the cake! What a fun and unexpected treat!! Even once the tour was official over, Molly offered us some helpful tips for exploring the rest of the city and ways to further our exploration of Dante while there. All around, Molly was top notch. We would very very much appreciate it if you could let her know how thoroughly we enjoyed her and the tour she provided us with. We were so looking forward to this tour and it was an absolute highlight!
Hannah
Reviewed on:
Apr 25, 2016
An absolutely excellent tour ( in poor weather conditions! ) All three of us are buying books about Dante ! Brilliant docent.
Robert
Reviewed on:
Jan 14, 2016
He catered to everyone in our family. He organized the tour very well with the sights that we saw and he was a terrific source of information and a fabulous way to put Dante in context.
Cheryl
Reviewed on:
Jun 21, 2015
