Palazzo Vecchio Private Tour + Tower: Florence's seat of power

The Salone dei 500 is entirely frescoed by a single artist, Giorgio Vasari, and it is the reason most people come.

A private guided tour of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence with priority entry, Arnolfo's Tower ticket and a live guide in your choice of language. You walk through the Government Halls of the Florentine Republic, the private rooms of the Medici family renovated by Giorgio Vasari, and the Salone dei 500, the palace's main hall, before climbing to the terrace for views across the city. The visit runs 90 minutes and children are welcome from age 8.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private tour of Palazzo Vecchio

• Meet your private guide
• Visit Government Halls
• Explore Granducale family rooms
• See Salone dei 500 frescoes
• Tour Grand Duchess apartments
• Enjoy city view from terrace
• Visit ancient Republic meeting rooms

The experience

What makes Palazzo Vecchio different from other Florence museums is that it is still the seat of the Municipality, so you are walking through a building that has been the center of power for nearly 800 years. Built at the end of the 1200s as the seat of the Florentine Republic, it became the residence of Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici in 1500 when the Medici family rose to rule Florence, and then served as Parliament when Italy unified in 1800. Your private guide takes you through the Government Halls where the Republic once met (the Sala dei Gigli, the Hall of Geographical Maps, the Hall of the last Chancellor), and into the private apartments of the Granducale family, all renovated and embellished by Giorgio Vasari.

The Salone dei 500 is the centerpiece: an enormous hall entirely frescoed by Vasari, and the most important attraction inside the palace. You also visit the rooms and apartments of the Grand Duchess Eleonora of Toledo, also frescoed by Vasari. At the end of the tour, you climb to the terrace at the back of the building, which offers one of the best views across Florence. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, German or French (you choose the language when you book), and you get priority entry so you skip the line at the door. The Arnolfo's Tower ticket is included, though access to the tower is suspended in rain.

The visit is private, so the pace and the focus are yours. You have earphones so you hear your guide clearly even in the crowded halls. Infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, and the tour suits all fitness levels. Public transportation stops are nearby if you need them.

What’s included

• Priority entry ticket to Palazzo Vecchio and the Arnolfo's Tower ticket.
• private live guide in your chosen language.
• earphones for clear hearing throughout the palace.

Options for this experience

10 options

French-language tour for a small group10:00 and 16:00Guided small-group tour of Palazzo Vecchio conducted in French, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

Spanish-language tour for a small group10:00 and 16:00Guided small-group tour of Palazzo Vecchio conducted in Spanish, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

English-language tour for a small group10:00 and 16:00Guided small-group tour of Palazzo Vecchio conducted in English, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

See 7 more options

Private English Tour12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30Private tour of Palazzo Vecchio in English, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

Private Spanish Tour12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30Private tour of Palazzo Vecchio in Spanish, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

Private French Tour12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30Private tour of Palazzo Vecchio in French, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

Private German Tour12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30Private tour of Palazzo Vecchio in German, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

Private Italian Tour12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30Private tour of Palazzo Vecchio in Italian, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

Private Russian Tour12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30Private tour of Palazzo Vecchio in Russian, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

Private Portuguese Tour12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30Private tour of Palazzo Vecchio in Portuguese, with self-guided access to the Arnolfo Tower

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by City Florence Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private guide to walk you through the halls where Florence's government actually met and to explain the Medici family's role in reshaping the palace. The 90 minutes are structured around the building's history, not a fixed schedule, so your guide can linger on what interests you most.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English, Spanish and French, with 13 departure times. In German, Italian, Portuguese and Russian, with 12 departure times.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Salone dei 500 and why is it the main reason to visit Palazzo Vecchio?

The Salone dei 500 is the largest hall inside the palace, entirely covered in frescoes painted by Giorgio Vasari. It was built to accommodate the 500 members of the Florentine Republic's government, and it remains the most important and visually striking room in the building.

Can I climb Arnolfo's Tower as part of this tour?

The Arnolfo's Tower ticket is included with your tour, and you can climb it to reach the terrace with city views. Access to the tower is suspended when it rains, so the timing depends on the weather.

Who was Giorgio Vasari and why did he renovate so much of the palace?

Giorgio Vasari was an architect and chronicler who was commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici to renovate and embellish the private rooms of the Granducale family and paint the Salone dei 500. His work transformed the interior of the palace and is the reason so many rooms are frescoed.

Do I need to arrange transportation to Palazzo Vecchio?

Palazzo Vecchio is in central Florence and public transportation options are available nearby, so you can reach it on your own. Transportation to and from the museum is not included with the tour.