If you do not have too much time and would still love to have an overall yet focused view of Florence, the Classic Tour of Florence is the best choice for you. And my favorite tour too! Florence is an amazing city with many places that are really worth a visit. We will see: the Basilica of Santa Croce (inside), Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, the Porcellino Market, Piazza della Repubblica, the Cathedral (outside) and its square. We will start our Classic Tour of Florence from Piazza della Repubblica (Republic Square). It was the ancient Roman forum, the “Old Market” and the Jewish ghetto, which was destroyed during the renovation that began when Florence was the capital of Italy.
Piazza del Duomo (Duomo square) is embellished by buildings which are definitely worth a visit. Firstly, the famous Baptistery, in Romanesque style and characterized by the precious presence of the Porta del Paradiso (The Gate of Paradise) by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Secondly, Giotto’s Bell Tower, with its tiles showing all sorts of human activities, such as astronomy and weaving. And last but not least, our great Cathedral, surmounted by Brunelleschi’s famous dome.
Then we will head to Porcellino Market (Piglet’s market), located under the beautiful logge built in the 16th century. You can’t miss the chance to rub the nose of the piglet and place your coin in his mouth: all brings good luck!
Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge of Florence (1345) and the only one that is still standing after the destruction in World War II. Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square) is our next stop. It’s surrounded by some of the most famous attractions in Florence: Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi and the Uffizi. Palazzo Vecchio is the old town hall, where Cosimo I de’ Medici lived with his family from 1537. Under the Loggia dei Lanzi, a sort of open-air gallery, we will see the well-known masterpieces of Rape of the Sabine Women (Ratto delle Sabine) by Giambologna and the Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini. Next to the Loggia dei Lanzi, we can see the Uffizi Gallery. Today it is one of the most famous museums in the world.
We will also tour the Basilica of Santa Croce, to admire the frescoes by Giotto and his school. The tombs of highly important Italians, such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo are housed in this incredible church.
Who is the Classic Tour of Florence best for?
This tour is ideal if you:
Which landmarks are included in your Classic Tour of Florence?
You’ll explore Florence’s most iconic sites, including:
What is special about Santa Croce Basilica?
The Basilica of Santa Croce is known as the “Temple of Italian Glories” and contains the tombs, amongst the others, of:
It’s my favorite church in Florence: no crowds, we can sit down, we can learn about the world history surrounded by the tombs of giants artist, scientist, historians and philosophers.
Is this tour crowded?
The route includes popular areas, but the experience is designed to be smooth, engaging, and well-paced, even in busy zones. Moreover, Santa Croce is not a busy church, and there are many benches where we can sit down while we learn about the place and its history.
Why isn’t the Accademia Gallery included in the Classic Tour of Florence?
The Accademia Gallery is one of the most visited museums in Florence and extremely popular. Because of this, tickets are often hard to find, especially at short notice, and availability can be limited. Many tour operators in Florence include the Accademia, so to offer a different and more relaxed experience, I include a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce instead. This beautiful church is home to the tombs of some of the greatest historical figures, such as
Niccolò Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei, and Michelangelo. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of Florence—and the world—in a calm and comfortable setting, away from the crowds.
