Medici Chapels Florence Private Tour: Michelangelo Sculptures

Step inside Florence’s grandest tombs where Renaissance secrets come alive

A private guided tour of the Medici Chapels in Florence takes you through the 16th- and 17th-century burial complex of the Medici family inside the Church of San Lorenzo, with a dedicated guide who explains the Renaissance masterpieces and the dynasty's history. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or German; hotel pickup is included if you're centrally located. The tour lasts around two hours and covers the New Sacristy with Michelangelo's sculptures, the Cappella dei Principi with its marble and frescoes, and the Crypt of the Lorenas where Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent are entombed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private guided tour of Medici Chapels

• Meet guide at San Lorenzo Church
• Explore Cappella dei Principi
• Visit Crypt of the Lorenas
• See Michelangelo sculptures in New Sacristy
• Learn Medici family history and art

The Experience

The Medici Chapels sit inside the Church of San Lorenzo, a complex that became a museum in 1869 after centuries as the family's private mausoleum. Your guide meets you at your hotel (if centrally located in Florence) and brings you to the entrance, where you'll have admission already arranged. From there, the tour moves through three main spaces: the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo and housing his most famous sculptures—Dawn and Dusk among them; the Cappella dei Principi, a richly decorated funerary chapel with mosaics and frescoes that showcase the family's wealth and power; and the Crypt of the Lorenas, where you'll stand in front of the tombs of figures like Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent.

The guide walks you through the architecture and artworks, explaining what each chapel meant to the Medici and how the sculptures and decorations reflect Renaissance ideals. Michelangelo's work dominates the New Sacristy—his figures of Dawn and Dusk flank the tomb of Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino, and his Night and Day flank Giuliano. These are not reproductions or photographs; you're looking at the actual marble. The Cappella dei Principi is the showpiece of the complex, with its grand dome and intricate marble inlay work. If you need them, headphones are provided so you can hear the guide clearly even in the larger spaces.

The tour runs about two hours and covers all the major spaces without rushing. You choose your guide's language at checkout—English, Spanish, Italian, French or German—so the explanations land in the words you think in. Wheelchair access is available throughout, and the site is suitable for all fitness levels. If you're traveling with infants or small children, strollers and prams work fine on the routes inside.

What’s included

• Licensed guide in your choice of language.
• admission ticket to the Medici Chapels.
• headphones if you need them.
• hotel pickup if you're staying in a central location in Florence.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by ACCORD Italy Smart Tours & Experiences

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to explore Renaissance sculpture and Medici history with someone who can explain what you're looking at—the private format means your guide can move at your pace and answer questions without managing a larger group.

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Top questions

What did Michelangelo design inside the Medici Chapels?

Michelangelo designed the New Sacristy, which houses some of his most celebrated sculptures: Dawn, Dusk, Night and Day. These marble figures flank the tombs of Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino and Giuliano, and are among the masterpieces you'll see on the tour.

Can I get to the Medici Chapels without arranging my own transport?

Yes. Your guide picks you up at your hotel if you're staying in a centrally located area of Florence, so you don't need to arrange transport yourself. Public transportation options are also available near the Church of San Lorenzo if you prefer to meet your guide there instead.

Who is buried in the Crypt of the Lorenas?

The Crypt of the Lorenas holds the tombs of members of the Medici family, including Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent. Your guide will explain who they were and why they mattered to Florence's history.

How long does the private tour take?

The tour lasts around two hours. Your guide takes you through the New Sacristy, the Cappella dei Principi and the Crypt of the Lorenas, explaining the art and history of each space without rushing.

What languages does the guide speak?

You choose your guide's language when you book: English, Spanish, Italian, French or German. Headphones are provided if you need them to hear clearly in the larger chapel spaces.

Is the Medici Chapels tour accessible for people using wheelchairs?

Yes, the Medici Chapels are wheelchair accessible throughout, and transportation options to the site are also wheelchair accessible. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.