Florence Guided Walking Tour with Skip the Line Visit to the Cathedral

Your exciting walking tour in the heart of Florence will begin on Via Cavour 12 black, where your local, history and art-loving guide will be waiting for you!

Follow your guide to one of the most historic and beautiful squares of Florence - Piazza San Giovanni! The walk will take about ten minutes, and you will immediately be greeted by the breathtaking view of Brunelleschi's grandiose Duomo, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the San Giovanni Baptistry, and Giotto's Bell Tower. Spend a couple of minutes taking photos of the awe-inspiring buildings and their iconic white, pink, and green marble decorations. Not only is this complex a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it is also an international symbol of Italy overall! Your guide will spend about fifteen minutes sharing information about the buildings’ fascinating histories as well as some fun, local stories. Discover how this square grew from a ancient building into the intricate architectural masterpiece it is today.

Right around the corner from Florence’s Duomo, you can find Piazza della Repubblica - one of the most historic squares in the city. This was once the civic heart of Florence, hundreds years ago, and throughout various ruling families. As your guide explains the vivid history of Piazza della Repubblica, you can take yourself back in time and imagine ancient men and women walking on the same grounds in which you are standing. Although the square is now filled with luxury shopping and elegant cafes, it was once a lively, local marketplace. Explore through time as your expert guide answers any questions you may have about the lovely Piazza della Repubblica.

Follow your guide through the picturesque streets until you reach Loggia del Mercato Nuovo. As you approach the marketplace, you can admire the lovely Renaissance arches of this ancient market. Although its name translates to, “New Market,” this market has been standing for centuries, originally opening in the 1500’s as a place for foreign silk and precious stone vendors. Now it is famous for a very unique sculpture… Your guide will lead you to the “Porcellino,” or piglet statue, where it is good luck to rub the nose of the baby pig. As you wait your turn to place your hand on the nose for good luck, your guide will share some other fascinating local legends with you.

Up next on your walking tour of Florence is one of the most important squares of the city - Piazza della Signoria. This beautifully intriguing, L-shaped square is an open air museum, where the history of Florence artfully unfolds. Your guide will vividly explain that, throughout time, this was always the civic heart of Florence - where people heard news of the government, where they defended their city from rivals, where they feasted for holidays, and where they met with friends. Because of its importance, this is also later where the powerful Medici family built Palazzo Vecchio, and ultimately, Loggia dei Lanzi, home to priceless, famous sculptures. Did you know that the “David” sculpture by Michelangelo was originally supposed to be placed in Piazza della Signoria? Learn all about this special corner of Florence from your passionate guide!

Your guide will next lead you to an undisputed symbol of Florentine beauty - Ponte Vecchio. Now home to luxury jewelry shops, this bridge did not always have such a lavish connotation. For years, Ponte Vecchio was home to smelly meat markets! Learn all about the bridge’s transformation throughout time, as well as why it was the only bridge spared during the bombings of World War 2. Make sure to have your camera ready - the view from Ponte Vecchio is one of the loveliest in the city!

We recommend you enhance your tour by adding an (optional) tour inside the Florence Cathedral, or Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. Follow your guide back to the Duomo Square and quickly skip the line to enter the Cathedral. Your professional guide will lead you through the inside of the grandiose and sacred church, as you learn about the architectural history and the marvel of Brunelleschi’s dome. There is no better way to end your tour of Florence than inside the undeniable symbol of Florence’s beauty and history. Kindly note that the entrance to Florence Cathedral (Duomo) is only included in case you select the corresponding option (Cathedral tour in English or Cathedral tour in Spanish).