Florence: Meet the Artisans & Explore Historic Shops
Discover Florence on the first tour dedicated exclusively to artisans—a fascinating journey into the heart of Florentine tradition.
Stop at historic workshops and specialty stores where artisans create unique masterpieces using centuries-old techniques.
From the craftsmanship of leatherwork to the magic of marbled paper, from the elegance of Florentine ceramics to the art of engraving, witness these creative processes up close and appreciate authentic local craftsmanship.
The 3-hour tour includes at least three artisan visits and a guided Tuscan extra virgin olive oil tasting. The 4-hour tour offers a deeper dive, featuring at least six workshops plus the olive oil tasting.
Explore historic courtyards, visit shops rich in history and tradition, and experience the true soul of Florence. Let yourself be enchanted by Florentine artisans!
Options
Meet the artisans- Full Tour
What's included in Florence: Meet the Artisans & Explore Historic Shops
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Piazza Santa Croce
We will walk through the charming courtyard of the Scuola del Cuoio, a fascinating place where young apprentices learn the art of leather craftsmanship using traditional techniques. From there, we will continue to a historic leather shop, where you can admire the exceptional quality of Florentine leather goods and discover the secrets behind their creation.
Duomo
Just a few steps from the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, we will uncover a lesser-known side of the Duomo: the restoration workshop of the Opera del Duomo. Here, skilled artisans work with patience and precision to restore sculptures and decorative elements to their former glory, preserving centuries of history. We will then continue to a historic goldsmith’s workshop, where we will admire a truly unique display—exquisitely crafted jewelry that faithfully reproduces details and ornaments from Florence’s greatest artistic masterpieces, blending tradition with creativity. An immersive journey into Florentine craftsmanship, where restoration meets the art of fine jewelry.
Piazza della Signoria
In the heart of Florence, Piazza della Signoria has been the city’s political and commercial hub for centuries, as well as a key center for Florence’s historic craftsmanship. Here, you can still see the "Braccio Fiorentino," the unit of measurement used by medieval fabric merchants, carved into stone to ensure fair and uniform transactions. A tangible reminder of the precision and rigor that made Florentine textile arts renowned worldwide. Next to the square stands Palazzo della Lana, a historic building tied to the ancient Wool Guild, one of Florence’s most powerful corporations, which controlled the production and trade of fine textiles across Europe. A symbolic place that tells the story of Florence’s glorious past in arts and craftsmanship.
Inclusions
- guided tasting of three Tuscan extra virgin olive oils
- Welcome coffee at our agency
- Refill your bottle with fresh water for free at our agency
- Gratuities
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Right beside the Church of Santa Maria Vergine della Croce al Tempio
End Points
- The tour will end near Ponte Vecchio. The endpoint is approximate.
