Florence Arno River Gondola Boat Tour: Traditional Barchetti

Florence's gondolas aren't from Venice—they're flat-bottomed cargo boats that still work the same river they did centuries ago.

A 2-hour gondola boat tour on the Arno River in Florence travels past medieval bridges and Renaissance palaces aboard a traditional barchetto, with a licensed guide in English, Spanish or Italian and an aperitif served on board. Children from age 1 are welcome; the boat accommodates infants on an adult's lap. The tour operates on the Arno, which flows through the heart of Florence and has shaped the city's history since the 11th century.

Step-by-step itinerary

Florence gondola boat tour highlights

• View Ponte alle Grazie bridge
• Enjoy scenery of Arno River
• Pass by Ponte Vecchio bridge
• See Vasari Corridor from river
• Spot Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli church
• View San Jacopo Soprarno church
• Pass Ponte Santa Trinita bridge
• Observe Palazzo Corsini palace
• Cross Ponte alla Carraia bridge

The Experience

What makes this different from a walking tour is the vantage point itself. You're on the water that built Florence—the Arno, which flows 241 kilometers from the Apennines to the sea and has been both the city's lifeline and its recurring catastrophe. The boat is a barchetto, the flat-bottomed vessel that merchants and millers used to move grain and goods downriver centuries ago. Today it moves you past the landmarks that line the banks: Ponte Vecchio with its jewelers' shops built into the 1345 stone structure, Ponte Santa Trinita with its graceful Renaissance arches and statues of the four seasons, and Ponte alle Grazie, rebuilt after World War II destroyed the 1237 original.

The tour runs two hours and includes a licensed guide who speaks English, Spanish or Italian. An aperitif is served on board—alcoholic drinks for travelers 21 and older, non-alcoholic for younger passengers. You'll pass Palazzo Corsini, the Baroque palace that hosts the city's annual Antiques Biennale, and the Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli, one of Florence's oldest churches, founded in the 11th century near the river's edge. The boat also passes under the Vasari Corridor, the enclosed passageway built in 1565 to connect the Medici family's two palaces, which runs over the Ponte Vecchio itself.

Infants sit on an adult's lap; no separate seat is needed. Public transportation stops are nearby if you're arriving by bus or tram. The pace is slow and the boat is stable, so the tour suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. The Arno's water level and flow vary with the season, which occasionally affects the route, but the guide adjusts the stops to show you the same landmarks from the water.

What’s included

• Licensed guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Italian.
• 2-hour boat cruise on the Arno River aboard a traditional barchetto.
• aperitif on board (alcoholic for guests 21+, non-alcoholic for younger passengers).

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Keys Of Italy / Florence

Is this one for you?The boat moves slowly and the tour suits all fitness levels, so it works for travelers who want to see Florence's bridges and riverbank palaces without walking. If you have cardiovascular concerns, check with your doctor first, as the tour isn't recommended for poor heart health.

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Top questions

What bridges do you pass on a Florence gondola boat tour?

The tour passes Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge built in 1345 with shops along its sides; Ponte Santa Trinita, a Renaissance bridge from 1567 with elliptical arches and statues of the seasons; Ponte alle Grazie, rebuilt in 1953 after World War II; and Ponte alla Carraia, one of Florence's oldest bridges, originally built in 1218. You also pass under the Vasari Corridor, the enclosed passageway that connects two Medici palaces over the Ponte Vecchio.

Is the aperitif included in the tour price?

Yes, an aperitif is served on board during the 2-hour tour. Alcoholic drinks are served to travelers 21 years old and above; passengers under 21 receive non-alcoholic drinks instead.

Can I bring a baby or very young child on the Arno River boat?

Children are welcome from age 1. Infants sit on an adult's lap and do not need a separate seat. The boat is stable and the pace is slow throughout the tour.

What is a barchetto and why is it used on the Arno?

A barchetto is a flat-bottomed boat originally used to transport goods like grain along the Arno River in medieval and Renaissance Florence. These traditional vessels are still used today because their shallow draft allows them to navigate the river's varying water levels and depths, making them ideal for sightseeing tours that pass under low bridges and through narrow stretches.

How long does the gondola tour take?

The tour lasts 2 hours and includes the boat ride, guide commentary, and an aperitif served on board.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide is available in English, Spanish, or Italian. You select your preferred language when booking.