Florence: Medici Family Walking Tour & Michelangelo Chapels

Summary

Walk the Medici trail in Florence from palace to chapels with art stories

You’ll trace Florence’s tangled Medici history on foot, peek into their first palace, wander Piazza San Lorenzo as your guide shares stories, and step quietly into the Chapels where Michelangelo left his mark. With entry fees covered and audio headsets included, you’ll feel both part of the crowd and somehow inside the story itself.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s waving us over in front of Palazzo Medici Riccardi — turns out it’s our guide, Francesca, already grinning like she knows half the city. She starts with this story about Cosimo de’ Medici slipping through these doors centuries ago, and suddenly I’m picturing velvet cloaks brushing past these stone walls. The air smells faintly of old paper and leather (maybe that’s my imagination), but honestly, there’s something about Florence that always feels a bit like a secret waiting to be told.

We shuffle through Piazza San Lorenzo, dodging bikes and a couple of chatty grandmas. Francesca points up at the church façade — “unfinished, see?” — and you can almost hear her pride mixing with a shrug. I try to repeat ‘Cappelle Medicee’ after her; she laughs gently and says I sound Roman (I’ll take it). The afternoon light slants across marble tombs inside the Medici Chapels, and for a moment it goes quiet except for our footsteps echoing on the cold floor. Seeing Michelangelo’s work up close… I didn’t expect to feel so small. Or maybe just oddly grateful for being here at all.

The whole tour is only a couple hours but it messes with your sense of time. We pass by spots where power deals probably happened over wine or whispered prayers, and Francesca keeps weaving in little details — which brother was exiled, who painted what ceiling. There are headsets so you don’t miss anything even when you lag behind (which I do, more than once). If you’re curious about Florence’s past or just want to see how families shaped cities, this Medici family tour is kind of perfect for that. Still thinking about those cool marble walls and how the city smells right before dinner rush…

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Medici family history and art tour

• Visit Medici Riccardi Palace residence
• Explore Piazza San Lorenzo center
• Tour Medici Chapels with guide

Top questions

What time does the Medici family walking tour start?

The tour begins at 3:00 PM.

Is entrance to the Medici Chapels included?

Yes, entrance fees to the Medici Chapels are included in the tour.

Is this Florence walking tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on this tour are wheelchair accessible.

Are audio headsets provided during the tour?

Yes, an audiosystem with headsets is provided so you can hear your guide clearly.

Does this day trip cover Michelangelo's works?

Yes, you will see Michelangelo’s masterpieces inside the Medici Chapels during this guided tour.

Can infants or small children join this walking tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Where does this guided city walking tour take place?

The tour takes place in Florence and includes sites like Palazzo Medici Riccardi and Piazza San Lorenzo.

How long does the Medici family guided tour last?

The experience lasts around two hours in total.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes entry tickets to both Palazzo Medici Riccardi and the Medici Chapels (where you’ll see Michelangelo’s work), use of audio headsets throughout so you catch every story even if you wander off a bit, plus guidance from a local art expert who brings Florence’s tangled history to life as you walk together through its streets.