Florence city tour

Sites and Insights: An Expert-Led Florence Welcome Tour

Get your bearings in Florence alongside a local expert who helps you connect the landmarks to their stories

The Finer Details
In this introductory, two-hour Florence city tour you will join one of our Florence guides for a walk through the city center, passing the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and other major sites. You will get a first orientation of the city, and learn the histories of the artists, merchants, and politicians who influenced Florence over the centuries.

Choose this tour if...

  • You want to hit the ground running and start discovering Florence the moment you arrive. It’s perfect for your first morning or afternoon in the city.
  • You want to get oriented without the stress of planning. Let a local guide reveal the city to you and show you what else to see in Florence.
  • You want to come home with not just beautiful photos, but the feeling of truly knowing Florence like a local.
  • Whether you want to see it all, or you prefer to take things slowly, this experience moves at your pace, not the other way around.

Route Details

You will start from the Piazza SS. Annunziata, an integral public space in the Florence city center, to look at the Ospedale degli Innocenti, a historic building designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. You will then stroll down the shop and cafe-filled Via dei Servi to check out the exterior of Brunelleschi's later masterpiece, the Duomo, where you will learn about the importance of the cathedral and nearby Baptistery in Florentine art and civic history. 

From here, you will move deeper into the center, to Piazza della Signoria, the government center of Renaissance Florence, and Piazza Republica, which is home to firebreathers, jugglers, and some of the most famous cafes in Florence. 

Talking about anything from fashion or coffee to the Medicis or Michelangelo, your passeggiata will end on the magnificent Ponte Vecchio bridge, where you may want to finish with a glass of wine or gelato to fully enjoy the city's atmosphere. 

By the end of your Florence city tour, your guide will have fostered an experience that gives you a deeper understanding of this most fascinating city and leaves you well-prepared and eager for future exploration.

Sites Visited

  • Florence Duomo (exterior) – A soaring testament to the ingenuity and artistry of the Italian Renaissance
  • Piazza della Signoria – A historic square in Florence, surrounded by Palazzo Vecchio and the impressive collection of statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi.
  • Piazza della Repubblica – A captivating square that embodies the city's timeless charm
  • Ponte Vecchio – The iconic and majestic bridge spanning the Arno River 

Accessibility

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.

Wheelchair accessibility
Travel in Florence must be done over the cobblestones and hills that cover most of the city. Visitors with difficulty walking or wheelchair users might need to have a revised itinerary. 

Service Dogs
Service dogs are allowed if you have a medical certificate proving the need. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.
Does this tour overlap with other Florence tours?
Yes, this tour visits some of the same venues as our Florence in a Day Tour with Uffizi and Accademia Galleries Skip-the-Line Tickets and our Introduction to Florence Tour: Accademia Gallery, Michelangelo's David and Skip-the-Line Tickets.

When should I take this tour?
This is the ideal tour to take on your first day in the city. In addition to seeing and learning about some of Florence's most famous sites, you’ll also become familiar with the city’s different neighborhoods and local life and culture. Don’t hesitate to ask your expert guide for recommendations for the rest of your time in Florence!

Is this tour kid-friendly?
It can be, yes! While we do have other tours in Florence that are designed especially with children in mind, if you book a private tour, we can assign you a family-friendly expert guide who will make it especially interesting for young minds.

Do you reserve headsets for this tour? 
Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order. 

Cancellation Policy

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Book a Tour
"The perfect start to our short stay"
"Context is amazing! Federica provided an outstanding tour of Firenze on our first night in the city! It was very helpful to learn the layout and history of the city, as well as the locations of the important things to do and see. It was the perfect start to our short stay in Firenze"

-Philip S.
"Deeper than just names and dates"
"The crowds thinned as the sun went down. The walking was easy and I was able to get a good view of the landmarks. My guide provided me with insights into the history of the landmarks that went deeper than just names and dates of construction."

Alexia G.
Where You’ll Go

From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.

  • Ospedale degli Innocenti
  • Florence Duomo
  • Piazza della Signoria
  • Piazza della Repubblica
  • Ponte Vecchio
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
  • English-speaking expert guide
    Tours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
  • Intentionally sized groups
    A smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
  • Tickets and entrance fees
    All entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
  • Headsets
    Headsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
    We encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
  • Food and drink
    Refreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point
    Guests organize pre- and post-tour transport themselves - this service can be added by request.
  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
    Unless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Map of Sites and Insights: An Expert-Led Florence Welcome Tour general meeting point area

Make the Most of Your Tour

Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.

Dos:
  • Wear comfortable footwear
  • Check the weather and dress appropriately
  • Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
  • Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
  • Bring firearms or weapons
  • Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
  • Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always contact us.

Don’t just take our word for it

383 Reviews

Olivia was wonderful! We had asked for someone who was knowledgable in Medici history as well as the Renaissance. We got exactly the right person! She took us through Firenze explaining various significant and historic places. In addition, Olivia helped us to understand how Firenze has changed through the centuries. Any question we asked was answered with ease. We saw the Medici house (first one), the Palazzo Vecchio, Dante's house and church, and more. We got to see and learn about places that were off the beaten path. This was a real treat. We absolutely learned more in 2 hours than we could have learned on our own. Plus, since it was a private tour, we were able to walk at the pace that was right for us. Highly recommend Olivia and Context Tours.

Photo Shared by Joe with their review

Wonderful introductory tour of Florence - rich with history, art, Italian family culture, and a twist of fashion too. Our guide was very knowledgeable and kind. It’s a must do your first day to get a good lay of the land to determine best shipping, sightseeing and dining spots.

Photo Shared by Susan with their review

Adrienne was a great tour guide!

Let Your Curiosity Shape Your Journey

Join passionate experts on intimate walking tours that reveal a city’s unique stories, spark conversations, and leave you seeing the world—and yourself—a little differently.

Structured, never scripted

Your interests guide your Expert, leading to stories and perspectives that matter to you.

Crafted for conversation

With ten or fewer guests, ask questions, engage with your Expert, and fully immerse yourself.

Experts, not guides

Explore with 1,200+ Experts—from historians and architects to archaeologists and chefs.