Florence: Santa Croce Basilica & City Walking Tour Tickets

Summary

Florence’s hidden layers from Santa Croce to Pitti Palace with local stories

You’ll step into Florence’s Santa Croce with a small group and a guide who brings centuries-old stories right up close. Walk through famous squares like Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza del Duomo, pause at Ponte Vecchio’s goldsmith shops, and end near Pitti Palace with Medici tales still echoing in your head. If you love cities that surprise you at every turn, this tour will stay with you.

What’s the experience like?

I walked into Piazza Santa Croce a bit dazed — Florence always feels like it’s humming just under the surface, you know? Our guide, Francesca, waved us over by the basilica steps. She had this way of talking that made even the pigeons stop and listen. Inside Santa Croce, the air was cool and smelled faintly of old stone and wax. I didn’t expect to feel much standing in front of Michelangelo’s tomb, but there was this hush — not silence exactly, more like everyone holding their breath at once. Francesca pointed out faded watermarks high on the walls from the 1966 flood. It’s strange how history leaves marks in places you’d never think to look.

Afterwards, we spilled back onto the streets for our Florence walking tour. The city felt different after Santa Croce — lighter somehow? We wandered through Piazza della Repubblica where a street musician was playing something soft on an accordion (I still hear that tune sometimes). The guide told us about old Roman forums and how writers used to argue in those grand cafés. I tried saying “Giubbe Rosse” like a local; Francesca laughed gently and corrected me — apparently my accent is hopeless.

Piazza del Duomo hit me harder than I thought it would. Brunelleschi’s dome just looms up out of nowhere when you turn the corner. There were kids chasing pigeons near the Baptistery doors while our guide explained why everyone calls them “Gates of Paradise.” I ran my fingers along the rough stone of Palazzo Vecchio later, listening to stories about Medici drama and political plotting — honestly, it almost made modern politics seem tame. By the time we reached Ponte Vecchio and Pitti Palace, I’d stopped trying to keep track of every detail and just let myself drift through it all. Sometimes that’s better.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Santa Croce and Florence landmarks

• Visit Basilica di Santa Croce
• See frescoes by Giotto and Gaddi
• Admire Donatello's crucifix
• Explore Pazzi Chapel and chapels
• View polychrome marble facade
• Visit bell tower and crypt
• Walk through Piazza della Repubblica
• See Triumphal Arch and arcades
• Tour Piazza del Duomo landmarks
• View Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral
• Admire Baptistery doors and Giotto's Campanile
• Explore Palazzo Vecchio history
• See Michelangelo's David replica
• Visit Neptune Fountain and Loggia dei Lanzi
• Walk along Ponte Vecchio bridge
• Learn about Vasari Corridor
• Explore Pitti Square and Palazzo Pitti

Top questions

Is entrance to Santa Croce Basilica included?

Yes, your ticket includes reserved entry to Santa Croce Basilica as part of the tour.

How long does the Florence walking tour last?

The guided visit inside Santa Croce lasts about an hour; after that, the city walking tour continues for several hours across main sites.

Are tours wheelchair accessible?

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

What landmarks are covered during the walking tour?

The route includes Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza del Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and Pitti Palace (exterior).

Is there a dress code for Santa Croce?

Yes—shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women to enter places of worship like Santa Croce.

Does the tour include lunch or food stops?

No meals are included; however, there are opportunities nearby if you want to grab something before or after.

Are infants or strollers allowed?

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

Will we go inside all attractions listed?

No—the guided visit is inside Santa Croce; other sites are viewed from outside during the walking tour.

What’s included

Your day includes reserved entry tickets for Basilica di Santa Croce (with skip-the-line reservation), an officially certified local guide throughout both parts of your experience, use of a radio system so you can actually hear everything without crowding close (trust me—useful), plus all main city highlights covered on foot before finishing near Pitti Palace.