Florence: Small Group Walking Tour with Duomo & Uffizi

Summary

Florence’s art, Medici secrets and street life up close

You’ll stroll Florence’s historic center with a small group and local guide, hearing stories behind places like the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Vecchio. Expect sensory surprises — scents from market stalls, echoes in old piazzas — plus real-life moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to feel so small standing in front of the Florence Duomo — not just because of the size (though it’s wild), but the way the white and green marble kind of glows in the morning light. Our guide, Anna, had this habit of pausing mid-sentence to let us notice things — like how Giotto’s Bell Tower looks different from every angle. She handed us these little whisper earpieces so we could actually hear her over the street noise (and wow, there was plenty — scooters zipping by, someone selling roasted chestnuts nearby).

We wandered through narrow lanes that smelled faintly of leather and espresso. Anna pointed out Palazzo Medici Riccardi and told us about the Medici family in a way that made them sound almost too dramatic to be real. I tried repeating “Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana” after her and totally butchered it — she laughed and said even Florentines trip over that one sometimes. At Piazza della Signoria, there were school kids sketching statues while old men argued quietly on a bench. The air felt heavy with history but also oddly casual, like people here just live alongside all this art without making a big deal out of it.

The Ponte Vecchio was crowded but lively — gold glinting in shop windows, voices bouncing off stone walls. Anna explained how it used to be full of butchers before the jewelers took over (I can’t decide which would smell worse on a hot day). We didn’t go inside the Uffizi or Pitti Palace on this tour, but standing outside while Anna described what’s inside made me want to come back for more. My feet were tired by then but I barely noticed; there was always something else to look at or some tiny detail she’d point out — like Michelangelo’s touch on the Medici Chapels or how Brunelleschi’s Dome is still kind of an architectural mystery.

I keep thinking about that moment near San Lorenzo when a breeze carried basil and bread from somewhere nearby and for a second everything felt timeless. This Florence walking tour isn’t really about ticking off landmarks — it’s more like letting yourself get tangled up in stories and street sounds until you start seeing the city differently. I’d do it again just for that feeling.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Florence's main historic sites

• Visit Basilica di San Lorenzo
• See Laurentian Library architecture
• Explore Medici Chapels
• Tour Palazzo Medici Riccardi
• Visit Florence Cathedral complex
• See Florence Baptistery
• View Brunelleschi’s Dome
• Climb Giotto's Campanile
• Walk through Piazza della Signoria
• Visit Palazzo Vecchio
• Explore Uffizi Gallery exterior
• Cross the Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio)
• See Pitti Palace

Top questions

How long does the Florence walking tour last?

The exact duration isn’t listed, but most small group walking tours in Florence typically last 2–3 hours.

Is this Florence walking tour suitable for kids or strollers?

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

Are all areas wheelchair accessible on this tour?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible and transportation options are as well.

Does the tour include entry into museums like Uffizi?

No entry is included; you visit sites such as Uffizi Gallery from outside during this walking tour.

What attractions are covered on this Florence walking tour?

You’ll see places like Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Galleries (from outside), Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistery, Giotto's Bell Tower, Medici Chapels and more.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby for easy access to the starting location.

Is service animal allowed on this Florence walking tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout the tour route.

What’s included

Your day includes joining a small group led by a licensed guide using a whisper system so you won’t miss any details even in busy streets. All routes are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly with public transport close by if needed—no museum tickets included but plenty of stories at every stop.