Best of Florence Semi-Private Tour with Michelangelo's David

Tour Overview

Nothing captures the unique spirit of Florence as perfectly as Michelangelo’s heroic David, towering masterpiece of the Renaissance and icon of the city. On our Best of Florence tour we’ll come face-to-face with this amazing sculpture in the Accademia and learn all about the fascinating life of the genius who created it as we journey back to the heart of the Renaissance city. And that’s not all: the culture of Renaissance Florence was defined by a series of brilliant artists, and you’ll get to know them all on this tour. From Brunelleschi’s spectacular dome to Ghiberti’s “Gates of Paradise,” Florence is a living museum of art like no other. As we wander through beautiful Piazza dell Signoria and gaze out over the river Arno from the Ponte Vecchio, you’ll discover why Florence has so enchanted generations of visitors over the centuries. Join us for an unforgettable introduction to one of the world’s most enchanting cities!

*** All participants 18 and over must book as adults, there is no older student discount available for this itinerary ***

Tour Description

Discover the greatest masterpieces of Renaissance Florence

Our Florence tours take you on a journey through the heart of Renaissance Florence, exploring the galleries and piazzas of the city centre. As you gaze up at Brunelleschi’s magnificent Duomo and encounter Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, you’ll discover why Florence has enchanted its visitors over the centuries. On our small group tour you’ll walk through some of the most beautiful parts of the city, crossing the ancient Ponte Vecchio and strolling through Piazza della Signoria, where you'll learn how art and politics were always closely intertwined in the Renaissance city. Your expert guide will also show you some of Florence’s greatest artistic treasures, including a set of doors so beautiful that they came to be known as the “Gates of Paradise”.

In Florence you'll find masterpieces not just in galleries and churches but also outdoors, in the piazzas and streets. Explore the city with us.

Admire the splendour of Brunelleschi's spectacular dome

The Cathedral's dome dominates the skyline of Florence, and on your tour you’ll learn all about the fascinating history of this impressive building, which has become one of the most iconic symbols of the city since its construction in 1436. The massive dome was the work of the great architect Brunelleschi, who had to convince the sceptical overseers of the project that he was capable of this incredible feat of engineering, which involved building one dome inside another. Please note that we will admire Brunelleschi's dome from the Piazza del Duomo, the best vantage point from which to see this incredible feat of engineering - to make the most of your touring time we do not enter the cathedral itself. 

Gaze on Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise

Built at the beginning of the 12th century, the Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence, and we'll get to examine its beautiful exterior from Piazza del Duomo. The Baptistery is best known for its exquisite bronze doors, the “Gates of Paradise”, which are widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful artworks in Florence. The doors, which depict various scenes from the Bible, were the work of Lorenzo Ghiberti, and they took him 21 years to complete. Michelangelo was so impressed that he was moved to comment that the doors would be worthy as the entrance to heaven itself, earning them the moniker the Gates of Paradise.  Admiring the incredible attention to detail displayed by Ghiberti in their creation, you’ll understand why!

Come face-to-face with Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia

When you get up close to Michelangelo's David on your Accademia tour, you’ll be left in little doubt that the sculpture's reputation as the most famous statue in the world is fully justified. Sculpted out of a block of marble that was originally considered too flawed to be used, Michelangelo amazed the city with his creation, a statue that remains not just the highlight of the Accademia, but a must-see sight in Florence. Your expert guide will tell you the story of David’s creation, giving you an even deeper appreciation of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, before showing you some lesser-known but equally beautiful works in the Accademia. You'll learn all about Michelangelo’s Slaves, some of the most moving artworks of the Renaissance; these unfinished sculptures depict bodies struggling to escape from their marble prisons, and were originally intended to adorn the magnificent tomb of Pope Julius II in Rome's St. Peter's basilica - a project Michelangelo would never get the chance to finish.

A walk through Florence is an experience like no other, and on your tour you’ll also visit the elegant Piazza della Signoria, which resembles an open-air art gallery, and admire the beautiful views of the city from the Ponte Vecchio. Join our itinerary to discover the true meaning of the Renaissance - a cradle of beauty, profound ideas and staggering cultural achievement.

For a complete experience of the splendours of Florence, we recommend you combine your tour with our Uffizi Gallery tour, where you will encounter the incredible masterpieces of Renaissance art in one of the world’s great museums.

Tour Reviews

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