Half day in Florence: private guided tour of the places not to be missed

Please note: this is a private tour and the price refers to a guided tour of about 2 hours for groups of 2 to 10 people. For groups larger, please contact us.

Florence is a wonderful city that will strike you at every turn: wherever you go, you will always find something beautiful and interesting to see. But you have to be careful, because Stendhal's syndrome is always lurking. It is certainly not by chance that the state of excitement caused by the vision of works of art is also known as 'Florence syndrome’. It is precisely in Santa Croce where Stendhal apparently felt the first symptoms of that strange malaise ... how not to feel pity for him! When walking from Florence’s main attractions in Piazza del Duomo to those in Piazza della Signoria it is not difficult to be captured by 'artistic dizziness': tachycardia, vertigo and confusion. Best then to rely upon an expert guide who will caringly accompany you during your visit to the Florence Italy points of interest: you will be guaranteed not to miss anything and at the same time you will not feel overwhelmed by such magnificence. It is a perfect visit if this is your first foray in the Tuscan capital. You will see the best of Florence and perhaps leave a more in depth tour of the best things to see in Florence to a later time, for example, by visiting the churches and museums. If you are after what to see in Florence in one day, then walking around Florence’s streets and squares as part of our tour is the best you can find. You just need to wear comfortable shoes and keep your eyes open, our guide will take care of anything else! Here are the stages of the fantastic itinerary to discover the pearl of the Renaissance.

• PIAZZA DUOMO. An explosion of beauty that will really leave you feeling stunned. The imaginary line of Via Calzaioli divides the entire area into two squares: on one side the main square, Piazza Duomo, with the imposing complex of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the wonderful Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower. On the other Piazza San Giovanni, where there is another masterpiece, the Baptistery, where Dante was baptized, who, affectionately, called it 'my beautiful Saint John'.

• DANTE QUARTER. Florence is not just Renaissance because it has an even older and equally fascinating part. The medieval heart of Florence, which is the area where Dante Alighieri supposedly operated, is roughly included between Piazza della Signoria, Orsanmichele, Torre della Castagna, Oratorio di San Martino and Badia Fiorentina. Here, among the stone houses surmounted by the typical soaring towers, there are some of Florence’s highlights. First of all, Dante’s house, now a popular museum, and also the Chiesa di Santa Margherita dei Cerchi where the poet married Gemma Donati. No doubt Dante also met his 'Beatrice' in this district, who belonged to the Portinari family who lived in the area.

• PIAZZE DELLA SIGNORIA. It is another one of the main attractions in Florence where Stendhal syndrome could play nasty tricks on you! The undisputed star is definitely Palazzo Vecchio, a typical medieval fortified building with the 95 metre-high Arnolfo Tower soaring from it. But that’s not all! In addition to the beautiful palaces that surround the square, you will notice the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air museum full of wonderful statues and sculptures. But those sheltered by the Loggia are certainly not the only sculptures in the square: look around and you will notice many more! Surely you will not miss Michelangelo’s 'David' which, as you probably already know, is a replica: the original is preserved and sheltered from the weather at the Galleria dell’Accademia. In the centre of the square is also the first public fountain in Florence that the inhabitants of Florence, with their usual sarcasm, used to call the 'the biancone': Neptune by Ammannati.

• MERCATO NUOVO FLORENCE. The loggia of the New Market in Florence dates back to the middle of the fifteenth century, although originally there were no stalls for tourists selling leather goods as is the case nowadays. Silk and precious items were sold then, while in the 1800s it became the realm of the famous straw hats of Florence. It is also called Loggia del Porcellino because here is located the well-known 'Pig Statue' where you can have a go at the ritual of the coin! The guide will explain to you all the secrets and techniques of this superstitious tradition to be absolutely practiced by Florence’s visitors: you have to put a coin in the mouth of the bronze pig and then see how it falls ... you will find out about the rest during the tour!

• PONTE VECCHIO. It's definitely one of the symbols of Florence: taking a photo with the Arno in the background is a must for those visiting this wonderful city. Captivated by the gleaming ancient goldsmith shops, you will walk on the oldest bridge in the city that has endured a thousand weather, floods and wars.
• PIAZZA PITTI. Once you have crossed Ponte Vecchio, you reach 'Oltrarno': Piazza Pitti, one of the gems of this area, is one of the highlights of Florence, and a must-see. It is dominated by the imposing Palazzo Pitti, which was bought in 1558 by Elena of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I, becoming the most prestigious home of the Medici family. It currently houses an important museum, while on the left side of the building is the entry to another one of highlights of Florence Italy, the Boboli Garden, an authentic monumental park that also houses a variety of holms oaks, sculptures, fountains and several shaded areas. 

After this tour you will definitely find all the answers to the question 'what to see in Florence?'. You will hear many stories, tales and anecdotes about this beautiful city. You will probably escape Stendhal's syndrome, but surely a bit of ‘dizziness’ in front of so much artistic wonder will in the end affect you too. And it is with your eyes and your heart full of beauty that you will end this fantastic itinerary.

As it happens with all things nice, we are sure that you will eventually get in a bit of a strop like children asking to continue a little longer! Don’t worry, Florence is always there... and so are we at toscanainside.com. Come back to Florence every time you want, choosing a different tour to get to know the many facets of the lilac town. May beauty be with you!