Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters
Embark on a captivating journey through Florence with a private guide. Start at the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, where you’ll admire its stunning Renaissance façade and masterpieces like Giotto’s "Crucifix." Explore the rich history of the Dominican Fathers and relax in the serene "Green Cloister." Next, visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence's oldest church, to see the "Old Sacristy" and works by renowned artists like Donatello and Bronzino. Stroll through the beautiful "Cloister of the Canons." Continue to Piazza del Duomo to marvel at the Cathedral, Dome, and Giotto’s bell tower, then head to Piazza della Signoria, an open-air gallery showcasing the Medici family's legacy. Conclude your tour at the Basilica di Santa Croce, featuring Giotto’s frescoes and the tombs of legends like Michelangelo and Galileo. Discover the peaceful "Brunelleschi Cloister" and the harmonious "Pazzi Chapel."
Options
Morning Option
Guided Tour departing at 09.30am
What's included in Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Meet your private guide and you will head towards the striking square where the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella stands with its splendid Renaissance façade by Leon Battista Alberti covered with white and green marble. Inside the Basilica, founded by the Dominican Fathers at the beginning of 1200, you will have the chance to see masterpieces such as the "Crucifix" by Giotto the "Trinity" by Masaccio and the spectacular frescoes by Filippino Lippi and Ghirlandaio and also hear the story of the "mendicant order" of friars who have always been present in this church. Your tour ends inside the elegant "Green Cloister" so named for its beautiful murals in green earth by Paolo Uccello.
Basilica di San Lorenzo
In the heart of the lively Medici quarter, bordering the Piazza del Duomo, you will find yourselves in front of the Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence's the oldest church, consecrated in 393 by Sant'Ambrogio, rebuilt in the year 1000 and enlarged in 1400 by Brunelleschi at the behest of the Medici family who chose it as their parish church. Inside the Basilica is the “Old Sacristy”by Brunelleschi with the tombs of the founders of the Medici family and works by Donatello, Bronzino, Filippo Lippi, Rosso Fiorentino and Pontormo, to name but a few. Leaving the church, you will enter in the impressive “Cloister of the Canons” at the centre of which stands an imposing 16th-century orange tree which was dear to the Medici family and became a kind of symbol of their dynasty.
Piazza del Duomo
You will then pass into the Piazza del Duomo, the city's religious centre, where you will be able admire the Cathedral with its famous Dome, the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile (bell tower).
Inclusions
- Earphones for groups of more than 7 participants
- Local professional Guide at your side
- San Lorenzo Basilica: Full price ticket: € 6,00. Free admission for: children younger than 11 years old
- Santa Croce Basilica (to be paid on the spot): Adult: € 8,00; Ages 11-16:...
- Santa Maria Novella Basilica: Adult: € 7,50; Ages 11-16: € 5,00; 10 and under are free
- Everything not mentioned as Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour does not operate on major holidays
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Starting Time: at 10:00 am Meeting with the guide at the entrance of Santa Maria Novella
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
• Starting Time: 10:00am • The private Local guide is available for 3 hours • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. • Please be aware that in case of no-show, the guide will wait for you for a maximum of 30 minutes from the tour departure time. After that time, if nobody informed us about the delay, they are entitled to leave and no refund will be granted to any client who is not at the departure point at the established time. • We remind you that places of worship may be closed in case of any possible religious event not scheduled yet
