Free Walking Tour of Florence
The Duomo, the Signoria and five centuries of Medici ambition
Meet at Piazza dell'Unità Italiana, steps from Santa Maria Novella station, and walk straight into the story of a wool-trading city that decided to outdo Rome. Your guide connects the Medici Chapels and the San Lorenzo market to Brunelleschi's dome — an engineering trick nobody has ever fully explained — before opening onto the striped marble of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the wide, statue-lined Piazza della Signoria.
From the Loggia dei Lanzi's open-air sculpture gallery to the queue outside the Uffizi, you'll learn to read Florence's civic rivalries in stone: which family built what to outshine whom, and why a copy of David still stands guard where the original once did. The walk finishes near the Ponte Vecchio, with plenty of pointers on where to eat well without overpaying.
Tour highlights
- Medici Chapels
- San Lorenzo Basilica and Market
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
- Piazza della Repubblica
- Piazza della Signoria
- Uffizi Gallery
Meeting point
This tour is free — there's no charge to join. At the end, tip your guide whatever you feel the experience was worth. 100% of tips go directly to them.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Free Walking Tour of Florence really free?
Yes — there is no ticket and no upfront cost. You reserve a free spot, join the tour, and at the end tip your guide whatever you feel it was worth. Most travelers tip the equivalent of €10–20 per person, but the amount is entirely up to you.
Where does the Free Walking Tour of Florence start?
The tour meets at Piazza dell'Unità Italiana. (Piazza dell'Unità Italiana.). Look for the guide with the FreeTour sign; the exact meeting point is confirmed in your booking.
How long is the tour, and what languages is it in?
It lasts around 2h30 and is guided in English. Groups are capped at about 6 people so the experience stays personal. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
