Tour Details
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Piazza della Signoria
- Michelangelo's David
- Florence Duomo
- Ponte Vecchio
- Accademia Gallery Florence
Photos & Highlights
- Florence isn’t just a place to check off a bucket list—turn it into a lifelong memory of vibrant life and rich history
- Get lost in the winding city streets while your expert navigates the story of Florence
Select a date
Tour Description
With limited time in Florence, you want to hit all the city’s essential landmarks in a meaningful way, without feeling rushed.
This Florence highlights tour isn’t just about seeing Florence’s icons—it’s about deeply understanding their significance and historical connections. Stand beneath Brunelleschi’s Duomo, and let your expert explain why its design was so groundbreaking. See Michelangelo’s David and understand why, centuries later, it still stirs something deep within us. Every stop is designed to spark curiosity and leave you with stories you’ll carry home.
Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or simply a curious traveler, your expert will create a narrative that resonates with you and your interests. Just show up with curiosity and let an expert take the lead, allowing you to be fully present—to see, to feel, and to remember Florence in a way that’s uniquely yours.
Choose this tour if…
- You want to walk away with more than just a photo of Michelangelo’s David. Take home a story from each angle of the greatest sculpture the world has ever seen.
- You prefer to leave the pressure of navigating Florence's streets to your guide, so you can immerse yourself in the magic of the city and focus on its glittering details and controversial stories.
- You’re traveling with people who have different interests—whether you are called by the allure of Renaissance scandal or medieval architecture, this Florence city tour is designed to engage with the passions of everyone in your group.
- You desire to see the Florence you dream of—and make it yours. Do more than just wander through the piazzas and alleys; immerse yourself in an experience that will shape how you remember Florence for years to come.
Experts
You will begin at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, steps away from the Accademia Gallery and Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the statue of David. Depending on the timing of your ticket, you may visit the gallery first or later in the tour. When you do, your expert will direct your gaze past its mere beauty, revealing how its lifelike anatomy, psychological depth, and unique pose—capturing David in the intense moment before battle—revolutionized Renaissance sculpture and the world of art.
From there, you’ll set off through Florence’s streets, on a personalized route based on your interests. No two tours are the same, but one thing is certain—you’ll stand beneath the magnificent Duomo, its marble façade glowing in the sunlight. Your expert will point out the Baptistery and help you decode the symbolism woven into its gilded doors.
Then you will wander through Piazza della Repubblica, a lively hub of cafés and musicians, or to Piazza della Signoria and the Oltrarno, uncovering lesser-known spots that only locals truly know. Throughout, our knowledgeable guides connect your experiences with Florence’s rich history, catering to everyone's interests and creating a shared journey of discovery.
The tour ends at the foot of Ponte Vecchio, the oldest surviving bridge in Florence, where goldsmiths and traders have set up shop for centuries, and Puccini found the inspiration for one of his most famous arias. By the end of your tour, Florence will feel different—more intimate, more alive. You’ll leave not just with photos but with a deeper connection to the city, its stories, and its enduring influence on the world.
The tour ends at the foot of Ponte Vecchio, the oldest surviving bridge in Florence, where goldsmiths and traders have set up shop for centuries, and Puccini found the inspiration for one of his most famous arias. By the end of your tour, Florence will feel different—more intimate, more alive. You’ll leave not just with photos but with a deeper connection to the city, its stories, and its enduring influence on the world.
- Accademia Gallery – World-famous museum that houses Michelangelo's iconic statue of David as well as other examples of Renaissance art.
- Michelangelo's Statue of David – Masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture depicting the biblical hero David.
- Piazza della Repubblica – A square in the heart of Florence, with a deep history, surrounded by elegant cafes and historic buildings.
- Florence Duomo – Florence’s Cathedral, considered to be one of the most important symbols of the Renaissance.
- Ponte Vecchio - Medieval bridge over the Arno river that holds much historical significance.
Tickets
This tour Includes skip-the-line access tickets to the Accademia Gallery.
Upon receiving your order, our team will secure a guide. Once the venue tickets are released, we will purchase them. Our team will be in touch with alternative options if we cannot secure tickets for the date and time you requested.
Headsets
We are required by the venue to order headsets; you will see a “Headset Fee” added to your order.
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 accessible?
Yes, but it includes a moderate amount of walking on uneven ground and sidewalks. The tour can be adjusted to accommodate accessibility needs. The Accademia Gallery is wheelchair accessible, with lifts and handicap-fitted bathrooms.
Can I bring a service dog?
Yes, service dogs are allowed with a medical certificate proving the need.
Why take a walking tour instead of visiting a famous museum or church?
This tour is the perfect introduction to Florence, giving you the tools to truly appreciate everything you’ll see throughout your visit. While museums and churches are incredible, this experience helps put everything into context, offering a deeper understanding of the city’s history, art, and culture.
What should we bring?
We recommend bringing a bottle of water, sunscreen (especially in summer), a camera to capture the beauty of Florence, and comfortable shoes for walking on cobblestone streets. A small bag is best—large backpacks and sharp objects should be avoided for museum security checks.
Can we adjust the pace of the tour or take stops for pictures?
Absolutely! This tour is designed to move at your pace and focus on what interests you most. Your guide is there just for you—nothing is scripted, and they are happy to adapt. If you’d like to slow down, take breaks, or spend more time on certain topics, just let them know.
Is this tour suitable for families?
Yes! While not specifically designed for families, children are more than welcome. There is a good amount of walking, but we love having young explorers join in. Your guide will be happy to engage them and make the experience enjoyable for everyone.
Is there a lot of walking outside in the summer?
Florence can get quite warm in the summer, but don’t worry—our local experts have years of experience and know the best shady spots, cooler routes, and indoor alternatives to keep you comfortable. If the weather is particularly hot or rainy, they will adjust the itinerary to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Is the Duomo included on this tour?
Yes! You’ll see the Duomo up close and learn about its breathtaking exterior and historical significance. However, this tour does not include entry inside the cathedral. If you’d like to explore the interior and dive deeper into its history, we recommend booking our Florence Cathedral Tour with Duomo Museum and Baptistry.
Are tickets included?
Yes! Your tour includes pre-purchased tickets, so you can skip the ticket office line at the museum. While this allows us to bypass the long general admission queue, there is still a separate line for reserved ticket holders. During peak season, this line can be busy, but it moves much faster. Your expert will handle the logistics and help make the process as smooth as possible.
Why do I need to purchase a ticket to the Galleria dell’Accademia for my child?
While admission is free for visitors under 18, families without pre-purchased tickets must wait in a separate line to verify their child's age. To save time and ensure a smoother experience, we typically include tickets for all guests. This allows us to skip the verification line, which can be quite long, and head straight into the museum to enjoy more time with Michelangelo’s David.
How do you navigate big crowds?
Florence is a popular destination, and during peak travel seasons, places like the Accademia Gallery can get very crowded. Air conditioning is also limited, which can make summer visits feel warmer. Our experienced guides know the best ways to navigate the crowds, adjust the pace, and optimize your route to make the most of your visit. While some areas may be more congested, your guide will ensure you get the best possible experience. Patience is key, and we’ll make sure your time in the museum is well spent!
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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530 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.
Spending time with Siro Chini was an eclectic adventure exploring more than that statue of David. His knack for listening & thoughtfully discussing my spontaneous (tho serious) questions about what I observed in the museum and other spots throughout the plaza brought me much closer to what I think or since Italy is about. Of course, so much history there is no one theme or definition.
But if you’re looking for a tour guide, who has the sensibility to incorporate questions and discovery with ease, I highly recommend investing your time to explore a bit of Italy’s art with Siro. He’s what I would call a true “ Renaissance man.”
Gloria
Jun 26, 2025
I wish Susanna lived in the US, so we could be best friends. She is so smart, kind, and friendly. We met her on our first full day in Florence, which was experiencing a heat wave and massive crowds, but we forgot about the heat and the crowds with Susanna because she immediately charmed us with her warmth and gifted teaching beginning in the piazza where we met her, continuing as we walked to the Accademia Gallery and toured some of its most important works, and at the end as we walked toward the Ponte Vecchio. I'm not sure how she managed, in the heat, to stay that energetic and thus keep our group of four so well engaged, but she did. We left the tour with a much greater sense of the history of Florence and the Renaissance in particular, and certainly with an appreciation for Michelangelo's David and his other works in the Gallery (as well as the works of other artists). We also left with some suggestions of places to visit off the beaten path, which we later did and loved. We would not have known about them without Susanna's suggestions. And witthout Susanna we would have been overwhelmed by the wealth of history and art in Florence, certainly overwhelmed by the crowds in the Accademia Gallery, With her guidance--and the ear pieces that kept us focused on her and the works we were discussing--we could block out the madness. We had three Context Tours in Italy--two in Florence and one in Naples--and they were all the intellectual highlights of our two weeks in Italy. Other tour companies are cheaper, but you get what you pay for, and you get SO much with a Context Travel guide. We will be using them on all future trips!
Elizabeth
Jun 25, 2025
Everything we hoped for and more. Christiane’s knowledge and enthusiasm was evident. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour
Gary
Jun 25, 2025
