Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Oltrarno neighborhood
- Piazza Santo Spirito
- Artisan Workshops
Photos & Highlights
- Private access to a variety of craft workshops in the Oltrarno neighborhood which has produced quality goods for countless generations
- Led by a Florence expert
Select a date
Tour Description
The Florentine tradition of producing artisanal goods has existed for centuries and remains a cornerstone of Florence's visual and social history. This 3-hour Florence Artisan Workshop Tour explores primarily the Oltrarno neighborhood (“on the other side of the Arno”), renowned for producing exquisite goods for generations of royalty and nobility. You will visit a curated selection of private workshops where master artisans continue to practice their crafts using methods passed down through the ages.
Experts
Your walk will begin in the charming Piazza Santo Spirito and weave through the Oltrarno neighborhood, known as the heart of Florence’s artisan community for over five hundred years. This area, alongside parts of the historic center, is home to master leatherworkers, silversmiths, shoemakers, and milliners who create some of the finest handcrafted goods in the world.
The neighborhood is a maze of tiny streets and small local workshops, representing some of the most historic enterprises in the city. You will have the opportunity to see some of these craftsmen at work, ask them some questions, and observe their meticulous practices and the tools of their work.
In the company of your expert guide, you’ll gain insight into the historical and cultural importance of these crafts. You’ll also learn about their role in Florence’s identity and how they reflect the Tuscan values of sustainability, quality, and tradition.
This walk invites you to discover the “real Florence” by engaging with its living traditions, not just following the tourist trail. It emphasizes supporting local artisans whose crafts are at risk of disappearing while celebrating the best of Florence’s craftsmanship. Visits to workshops are intended to be respectful and enriching, not just shopping stops—though purchases are welcomed as a sign of politeness and appreciation.
By visiting these workshops, you contribute to preserving Florence’s cultural heritage for future generations.
- You want the opportunity to engage with master artisans and learn about their craft and techniques
- You’re eager to explore a side of Florence that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions
- You want more than a shopping tour, you are interested in the historical and cultural contexts that shaped these crafts
- Oltrarno neighborhood
- Piazza Santo Spirito
- Artisan Workshops
Transportation
Where does it start? Where does it end?
The Florence Artisan Tour begins near Piazza Santo Spirito and ends in the Oltrarno neighborhood.
How will we get around the area? Will a car be provided?
This is a walking tour only. The Oltrarno neighborhood is compact, and all the shops are within close proximity, making walking the ideal way to explore.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- For more information on planning your travels to Florence, take a read through our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about Florence prior to a visit, check out our online lectures.
What kinds of activities and shops will we visit on the tour?
You’ll visit a curated selection of artisan workshops to explore Florence’s rich craft traditions. Each walk is unique and tailored by the guide based on workshop availability and schedules.
You’ll visit a curated selection of artisan workshops to explore Florence’s rich craft traditions. Each walk is unique and tailored by the guide based on workshop availability and schedules.
Why is this tour not available in August?
Most studios close during August as artisans typically take their annual break.
Most studios close during August as artisans typically take their annual break.
Are we allowed to make purchases at the workshops?
While this walk is not a shopping tour, you are welcome to make purchases at the workshops. We encourage this as a gesture of appreciation for the artisans’ time and effort. Simply let your guide know, and they will incorporate it into the schedule.
While this walk is not a shopping tour, you are welcome to make purchases at the workshops. We encourage this as a gesture of appreciation for the artisans’ time and effort. Simply let your guide know, and they will incorporate it into the schedule.
Can we visit a specific shop we are interested in?
We will be happy to share your interest with your guide, and they will do their best to include it in your visit. However, we kindly ask for your understanding that not all types of crafts are available in Florence, and visiting specific workshops depends on the artisans themselves. Many workshops welcome visitors as a personal favor because they have established relationships with our guides, but these arrangements can occasionally change without notice, even at the last moment. If this happens, your guide will adjust plans as needed and do their utmost to ensure you still have a memorable experience by introducing you to other exceptional shops or artisans. Thank you for your flexibility and appreciation of the unique nature of Florence’s artisan culture
We will be happy to share your interest with your guide, and they will do their best to include it in your visit. However, we kindly ask for your understanding that not all types of crafts are available in Florence, and visiting specific workshops depends on the artisans themselves. Many workshops welcome visitors as a personal favor because they have established relationships with our guides, but these arrangements can occasionally change without notice, even at the last moment. If this happens, your guide will adjust plans as needed and do their utmost to ensure you still have a memorable experience by introducing you to other exceptional shops or artisans. Thank you for your flexibility and appreciation of the unique nature of Florence’s artisan culture
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 walk involves a fair amount of walking, and there are limited public bathroom facilities along the way. Some workshops may have steps or uneven entrances, and not all are wheelchair-accessible.
If you need breaks or have specific mobility concerns, please let your guide know, and they will do their best to accommodate you. For guests with significant mobility limitations, we recommend contacting our team in advance to discuss your needs.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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243 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.
Adrienne was a wonderful guide of the beautiful Oltrarno neighborhood where we explored several interesting artisan workshops. We started with marble paper and it was fascinating to learn about the process and to witness it up close. Our next stop was to a beautiful jeweler where we spent quite a lot of time. She demonstrated the incredibly detailed process of hand carving and cutting to create heirloom quality pieces. We blew through our budgets here and made several purchases! A leather workshop was next where we felt the softest and most beautiful leather and learned about the weaving and braiding--more purchases were made! I am embarrassed we spent so much time at the first three, we ended up not getting to our fourth workshop. However, Adrienne made arrangements for us to visit on our own if we wished to. We stopped at a local coffee shop for a caffeine break--best latte of our trip! And, finally Adrienne left us in a beautiful square and recommended a charming restaurant for lunch--she even told us what to order and it did not disappoint! We went back again before we departed Florence. This is a terrific tour for people who want to get behind the scenes and see how beautiful crafts are made--highly recommend!
Bryn
Reviewed on:
Apr 2, 2026
Wonderful, insightful tour. Meeting the artisans, seeing them create was one of our favorite days in many trips to Italy. Highly recommend Luca and this experience.
Roger
Reviewed on:
Mar 10, 2026
Valerie is exceptionally knowledgeable and well versed in art and history. Our artisan’s workshop tour was a wonderful change from the standard historical tour.
Lisa
Reviewed on:
Jan 27, 2026
