Classic Florence: From Piazza di Santa Maria Novella to Ponte Vecchio

Florence has housed and sculpted generations of artists and intellectuals, as much as it has been molded by them. On this walking tour through the city’s historic centre, you’ll come to see why Florence is the true heart of the Renaissance.

Starting in front of the magnificent Santa Maria Novella Basilica (Cathedral of Santa Maria Novella), you’ll walk in the footsteps of the visionaries who shaped Western civilization. You’ll discover how, with a little Medici gold, a medieval town became a hub of art and innovation. As you weave through the San Lorenzo district, I’ll point out sites and share stories that span centuries.

Along the way, you’ll see the majestic Duomo of Florence complex and the engineering marvel that is Brunelleschi’s dome. You’ll pass through the bustling Mercato Centrale, an indoor market that offers a taste of contemporary Florentine life, and stroll through Piazza della Signoria, the centre of political life in Florence since the 1300s. The tour ends in front of Ponte Vecchio, a timeless symbol of Florence and the city’s oldest bridge.

Along the way, you’ll:

• Take in Piazza della Repubblica, the square that was home to the city’s Roman forum as early as 59 BC
• Learn more about how the Medici’s political dynasty rose and fell at Cappelle Medicee (the Medici Chapels)
• See the pink, white and green of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Our Lady of the Flower), and step inside to see frescos of The Last Supper
• Marvel at Cupola del Duomo, Brunelleschi’s gravity-defying dome, built without supporting ribs and beams
• Pass the imposing Palazzo Vecchi (a town hall) and the Uffizi Gallery, both brimming with priceless masterpieces
• Learn about Florence’s influential wool guild at the Church and Museum of Orsanmichele
• Gaze upon Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of Florence’s largest churches, and among several that claims to be the city’s oldest

This one-hour walk introduces first-time visitors to the people and places that earned Florence its reputation as the cradle of the Renaissance.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, history buff, or cultural explorer, this tour provides the perfect foundation for understanding the city’s heritage.