Florence has a way of making you fall in love instantly. The city feels like an open-air museum — full of art, history, and that unmistakable Tuscan charm that makes every corner photo-worthy. But to really understand Florence, you need to explore it with someone who can tell its stories — not just show you its sights. That’s where our most popular tours in Florence come in.
At Walks in Europe, we believe a good tour should feel like spending a few hours with a local friend who happens to know all the best spots and hidden details. From private access to the Duomo terraces to tales of the Medici family’s secrets, here are some of our travelers’ favorite experiences in Florence.
The David and the Dome — Florence’s Iconic Duo
If you want to see the best of Florence in one go, our Statue of David and Dome Climb tour is a perfect start. You’ll meet your guide in the cool morning air, before most of the crowds arrive, and head straight to the Accademia Gallery — skipping the long lines that usually stretch down the street.
Standing in front of Michelangelo’s David is an unforgettable moment. You’ve seen the statue in photos a hundred times, but in person, it’s overwhelming — the veins, the expression, the sense of movement frozen in marble. Your guide brings it to life with stories about Michelangelo’s rivalry with other artists and how this sculpture became a symbol of Florence itself.
Then it’s off to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known to everyone simply as the Duomo. You climb Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome step by step, each landing revealing frescoes and details that most visitors miss. At the top, Florence opens up before you — a sea of terracotta rooftops and the soft Tuscan hills in the distance. It’s a view that stays with you long after you’ve come back down.
Inside the Duomo Complex — A Journey Through Time
Another strong standout among our tours in Florence is the Duomo Complex Guided Tour. This one takes you deeper into the city’s religious heart — exploring not just the cathedral but also the Baptistery, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and Giotto’s Bell Tower.
It’s the kind of tour where every stop adds another layer to the story. You’ll see the Gates of Paradise — the golden doors of the Baptistery that inspired generations of artists — and learn how Florence became a center of faith and creativity during the Renaissance. Then, climbing Giotto’s Tower gives you yet another perspective of the city, each window framing Florence like a perfect painting.
What Are The Secret Terraces of the Duomo?
If you love exploring beyond the usual path, the Exclusive Duomo Terraces Tour is pure magic, and one of our favorite tours. This special experience gives you access to parts of the cathedral closed to most visitors.
Your guide leads you up a private staircase to the terraces that circle the dome, where you step out into the open air — high above the crowds, surrounded by marble statues and intricate stonework. From here, you can almost reach out and touch the red tiles of Brunelleschi’s dome. The sound of the city fades below, replaced by the wind and the distant echo of bells.
It’s a side of Florence that few people ever see, and that’s exactly what makes it one of our most loved tours in Florence. It feels secret, intimate, and deeply special.
The Medici Family — Power, Art, and Intrigue
Florence wouldn’t be Florence without the Medici. Their fingerprints are everywhere — in the art, the architecture, and the city’s history. Our Medici Family Secrets Tour takes you right into their world.
You’ll walk through narrow streets that once echoed with the footsteps of dukes and artists. Inside the Medici Chapels at the Basilica di San Lorenzo, you’ll stand before Michelangelo’s sculptures of Night and Day, learning how these masterpieces became silent tributes to Florence’s most powerful family.
But what really makes this tour special is the storytelling. You’ll hear about betrayal, ambition, and love — real stories of people who shaped not just Florence, but much of Europe’s history. By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped out of a Renaissance drama.
VIP Access to the Duomo — Florence Without the Crowds
For travelers who like things smooth and stress-free, the Florence Duomo VIP Access Tour is a dream. It’s one of our most popular tours in Florence because it lets you experience the city’s most famous landmark without the usual queues or chaos.
You enter through a reserved gate and step directly inside the Duomo’s vast interior, where your guide helps you spot details you’d never notice alone — from hidden symbols in the marble floor to Vasari’s dramatic frescoes on the dome. There’s a sense of calm that’s hard to find during regular visiting hours.
This tour feels like a private audience with history — just you, your guide, and one of the world’s greatest cathedrals.
Climbing Florence’s Towers — For the Love of Views
If you like adventure mixed with history, our Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Tower tour might be your favorite. It’s a climb — no denying that — but it’s also a journey through Florence’s architectural genius.
As you ascend, your guide points out the incredible engineering behind Brunelleschi’s double dome, a design that changed architecture forever. Then, when you finally reach the top of the tower, the view rewards every step: the Arno River glinting in the sun, the red rooftops, and beyond them, the gentle green hills of Tuscany.
Finding Your Florence
Each of our tours in Florence captures a different side of the city. Some travelers fall in love with the artistic soul of the David and Dome experience, others are drawn to the mystery of the Medici or the thrill of stepping onto the hidden Duomo terraces. What they all have in common is the chance to see Florence through local eyes — to feel its history, its creativity, and its spirit come alive in real time. These tours have become favorites not just because they cover the must-see landmarks, but because they make every visit feel personal and unforgettable.
