Things to Do in Florence
Discover the essence of Florence with a licensed local guide
Join a walk full of beauty, history and fascinating stories.
We’ll explore the historic center, travelling from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and beyond, discovering the places where the art that changed the world was born.
You won’t just see the city’s most famous landmarks – you’ll hear hidden stories, surprising facts and secrets that make Florence truly unforgettable.
📍 Main stops:
- Basilica of San Lorenzo – the heart of Medici power
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Baptistery and Bell Tower – the soul of the Renaissance
- Dante’s medieval district – love, politics and poetry
- Piazza della Signoria – open-air sculpture and political intrigue
- Uffizi Gallery (outside) – art and secrets
- Ponte Vecchio – jewels, war and survival
At the end of the tour, I’ll also give you local food recommendations so you can enjoy the best of Tuscan cuisine like a true Florentine!
Why choose this tour?
Because it’s more than a walk – it’s a deep dive into the soul of Florence, led by a passionate and professional local guide.
Book your spot and get ready to fall in love with the city of art.
ℹ️ Useful info:
🕒 Duration: approx. 2 hours
👟 Comfortable shoes recommended
☔ Bring an umbrella if it rains
⏰ Please arrive at least 10 minutes early
📌 Meeting point: in front of the Basilica of San Lorenzo
🔴 Look for the red flag – easy to spot!
💡 This is a Free Tour with no fixed price.
Your contribution at the end helps us continue sharing Florence’s history with dedication and professionalism.
Thank you for supporting licensed local guides. 🎓
Discover Hidden Treasures and Stories of Florence!
Get ready to be fascinated and immersed in an incredible STORYTELLING of Florence's history.
We won't just provide you with dry facts; we'll bring the past to life with vivid and engaging narratives.
Our guides are GENUINE LOCALS and they will show you the city like no one else can, offering a truly unique perspective. You'll discover hidden spots that often go unnoticed by tourists, allowing you to immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of the city, away from the typical tourist routes.
Believe us: this is a special and unique way to explore the city.
As we walk through the city, we'll share fascinating stories spanning three centuries. We'll talk about the Medici family and the great artists of this city, and their incredible works that still amaze and captivate us centuries later. This tour is not a boring lecture! We've made it enjoyable and relaxed, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the history of Florence.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to join our tour!
Booking is completely free. Reserve your spot now!
*This tour is the complementary sibling of the tour the Dark Side of Florence, Mysteries and Legends. https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/41450-the-dark-side-of-florence-mysteries-legends-free-walking-tour?ref=p6v21e2ociuwommrx95y
Book both free tours to get the full experience!
ESSENTIAL FLORENCE
Are you fascinated by the city of Florence? Would you like to discover its astounding history and culture? If you're looking for a fun and engaging way to explore Florence, then look no further than this tour!
Here we'll share with you all the secrets of this breathtaking city. We take you on a journey of Florence's most mind-blowing stories, hidden gems and unheard anecdotes from the city's extraordinary past, all told by the most charismatic storytellers. The experience is guaranteed to leave you with an unforgettable insight into the heart of the city and will leave you longing to return for more!
What should you visit in Florence? How did the Renaissance change the world? Why did this Italian region give birth to many geniuses like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci or Galileo? How did the Medici family become such a powerful dynasty? Which were their secrets and intricacies?
These are just some of the questions we will try to answer on this exciting tour through the most famous streets of Florence. Our expert and friendly guide will provide you with lots of knowledge and special tips, such as food and leather recommendations, rooftops with stunning views…) to help you enjoy Florence to the fullest.
The tour covers the main historical sights of the city, such as San Lorenzo Square and Church, Palazzo Medici, Duomo square and Cathedral complex (Baptistery, Dome, Bell Tower), Dante Neighborhood, Signoria Square, Loggia de’ Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, The outside of the Uffizi Gallery and The Ponte Vecchio. Besides, you'll also get to explore some hidden corners along the way, curiosities and treasures that you won't see in any other tour.
What are you waiting for? Book now and immerse yourself in this thrilling adventure and let yourself be transported back in time through storytelling at its best!
Rated 4.9/5
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Winner of the Traveler’s Choice Award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
#1 in Italy and #11 in the world
* Are you up for more? Book also the complementary and alternative free tour: The Dark Side of Florence, Mysteries and Legends:
https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/41450-the-dark-side-of-florence-mysteries-legends-free-walking-tour?ref=p6v21e2ociuwommrx95y
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Mandatory audio systems
Due to municipal regulations, the use of an audio system is mandatory. Starting February 18, you can rent whispers and headphones at the meeting point for €1.20 per person. We recommend bringing the exact amount, as the company does not provide change. You can also pay by card.
For greater comfort, you can use your own earphones.
Hello everyone, welcome to Florence! With this tour, we offer you the chance to experience Florence through the eyes of local guides. We'll explore the most classic and beautiful parts of the city center, guided by the locals.
The tour begins in Piazza San Lorenzo, in front of the statue of Giovanni delle Bande Nere, in the neighborhood of the powerful Medici family. This tour will combine the traditional with the hidden, exploring the most emblematic and the lesser-known streets. From the San Lorenzo neighborhood, we will explore the historic center, the jewels of the Renaissance, the history of the Medici family, the impressive Cathedral, and Piazza della Signoria, which can be considered a true open-air museum of statues. The tour route may change each time, as we try to customize it as much as possible, depending on the interests and passions of the participants.
This is the itinerary, which may have some slight differences depending on the tour and the guide's taste:
San Lorenzo Church
Palazzo Medici Riccardi
Florence Cathedral (Duomo)
Medieval Quarter or Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Signoria (the open-air museum)
Uffizi
Ponte Vecchio
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What's the price? A guruwalk is a pay-as-you-go tour, meaning it's completely free to book, but the 'guru' expects to be rewarded at the end with whatever amount you choose. Some people give €10, others give €50; you choose the price.
This tour is the complementary sibling of our main tour ESSENTIAL Florence with the best STORYTELLERS, Renaissance and Medici Tales.
Book both free tours to get the full experience!
https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/28091-essential-florence-with-the-best-storytellers-renaissance-and-medici-tales?ref=p6v21e2ociuwommrx95y
THE DARK SIDE OF FLORENCE, MYSTERIES AND LEGENDS
In this tour, we’ll show you the hidden and ghoulish side of Florence, with stories of ghosts, murders, betrayals, and curiosities that go beyond the typical history of the city.
Have you ever heard about the Monster of Florence, one of the bloodiest serial killers? Are you curious about florentine superstitions, conspiracies, unexplained things, saints, miracles, or tortures? If so, this is the tour for you.
*We just warn that some topics may hurt some sensitivities and may not be suitable for the public under 18.
Come with us and discover the side of Florence that doesn’t appear in tourist guides, so disturbing, lurid, and unsettling that will make you have a sleepless night. ha ha ha
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* Are you up for more? Book also our MAIN TOUR, which is the perfect complement to this experience: ESSENTIAL Florence with the best STORYTELLERS, Renaissance and Medici Tales
https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/28091-essential-florence-with-the-best-storytellers-renaissance-and-medici-tales?ref=p6v21e2ociuwommrx95y
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Mandatory audio systems
Due to municipal regulations, the use of an audio system is mandatory. Starting February 18, you can rent whispers and headphones at the meeting point for €1.20 per person. We recommend bringing the exact amount, as the company does not provide change. You can also pay by card.
For greater comfort, you can use your own earphones.
Welcome to the free walking tour of the real Florence, a complete tour of the main landmarks of the cradle of renaissance. A tour made by only certified and expert florentine guides, delivering a friendly tour, will introduce the city to you.
You will learn about art, Medici family, history, food, anecdotes, secrets and culture of Florence; with tips about the city, restaurants, museums, night life, told from the perspective of a local.
The meeting point is in Piazza dell'Unità Italiana, very close to the main train station.
Then we will walk through the beautiful streets and squares of one of the most iconic cities of the world.
The route is:
- MEDICI CHAPEL
- SAN LORENZO MARKET
- MEDICI RICCARDI PALACE
- SAN LORENZO CHURCH
- DUOMO CATHEDRAL
- THE BAPTISTERY
- REPUBBLICA SQUARE ORSANMICHELE CHURCH
- PORCELLINO -SIGNORIA SQUARE
- UFFIZI(EXTERNAL) -PONTE VECCHIO
- SANTA CROCE SQUARE
The Palatine Gallery; journey into the magnificence and splendor of the grand dukes of Tuscany . Welcome to the Medici court
An evocative itinerary in the splendid rooms of Palazzo Pitti defined as the " Florentine Versailles" full of furnishings and decorations, the last seat of the enlightened Medici dynasty, a family that lived the last 150 years of its existence in unbridled luxury, as was usual at the time , which at the same time announced its slow and inexorable decline. Together we will pass through the sumptuous and sumptuous apartments of an era that marked a lifestyle dedicated to magnificence.
We will meet characters such as Cosimo II, disciple and friend of Galileo Galilei, Ferdinand II, a man of culture and science, but also Cosimo III, a bigoted man with no personality, or Giangastone, both incapable of governing and giving new impetus to the already ruinous Tuscan economy. We will have the opportunity to admire 8 fantastic paintings by the great Raphael. In such final desolation, however, the family's desire to amaze the world emerges with an incredible collection of paintings and statues of inestimable value capable of still fascinating thousands of visitors today, which makes the Palatine Gallery a unique museum in the world. Don't miss this opportunity.
- Minimum number of participants 5
- Walkers are asked to obtain the entrance ticket in advance (it is advisable to book on public holidays)
- 3 If you have booked the tour, if you wish to cancel it, please do so no later than 24 hours before the start of the tour. Thank you for your presence.
