Florence is a gem in Tuscany‘s crown, filled with art and architectural gems. From Brunelleschi’s red-roof Duomo to Giotto’s Campanile and museums featuring works from all the Renaissance masters, there’s much to see and do. The best way to explore Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside is on a fun guided tour. You’ll learn much more about the history and legends of the region and be able to sample fine food and wines at the same time! So, whether you’re into culture and Renaissance art, shopping, or cooking and wine tasting, we have the perfect tours for you. Check out our list of best things to do in Florence!
Take a Night Tour of Florence
Take a guided night tour of Florence and see the city in all of its atmospheric Renaissance glory. On this 2-hour evening tour, you’ll delve into the mysteries of the city with a knowledgeable guide. See all the famous sites including The Duomo, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Palazzo Vecchio, and open-air sculpture museum Loggia dei Lanzi. Afterwards, you can relax with a cheeky glass of Tuscan wine and dinner at one of the best restaurants in Florence, or explore Florence’s buzzing nightclub scene. Then turn in for the night at one of our fabulous curated hotels. Our favorites can be found in our guide to where to stay in Florence.
Tuscany Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class from Florence
If you enjoy sampling Italian food, you’ll adore our Tuscany Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class Tour. During this exciting tour, you will spend several hours in the Tuscan countryside on an idyllic private estate. There, you’ll meet a professional chef who will teach you how to make authentic Italian pizza and gelato. You’ll have the opportunity to taste traditional Tuscan Fettuna – bread with locally produced olive oil. Once you’ve learned the tips and tricks, feast on the fruits of your labor overlooking emerald hills of the countryside.
Immerse yourself in Florence’s Incredible Art
Florence is known to be one of the epicenters for art in Italy. It is home to some of the most notable and incredible works of Middle Age and Renaissance masters. On our Florence Accademia Gallery & Uffizi Gallery Tour, you will have the benefit of a crash course in art history with an expert local guide. You’ll experience firsthand why Florence is often referred to as the birthplace of the Renaissance. See highlights like Michelangelo’s iconic David, the Prisoners, and the Pietà, Brunelleschi’s Dome, and more. You’ll learn the history of Florentine culture and art while being led on a walking tour between the Galleria Dell’Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery. Considering that art is one of the top things Florence is known for, this is a can’t-miss experience. Read the Florence Design Guide to learn more about the city’s aesthetic treasures.
Enjoy a day tour in the Tuscan Countryside
So you’ve explored the shops and historical sites of Florence, and wish to discover sunflower-strewn landscapes of the Tuscan countryside. Try our San Gimignano, Chianti, Siena & Monteriggioni Tour or Best of Tuscany Day Tour. These splendid fully guided day tours stop at Tuscan gems like Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Pisa, and the beautiful Chianti region. Discover a slower pace of life in these charming towns, each with its own cultural and architectural highlights. You’ll find rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, stunning medieval architecture, and photogenic scenes every way you look. The tours feature local wine and laid-back Tuscan lunch breaks couples with fully-guided tours of historical sites.
If you want to head even further off the beaten path, try the Taste of Chianti 4×4 Back Road Safari Tour. Explore the backroads of one of Italy’s most scenic regions by jeep. You’ll sample nine varieties of wine, along with extra virgin olive oil, sheep cheeses, and salumi (cured meats). Lastly, you’ll round out the day with a satisfying outdoor lunch with views of the stunning landscape.
Tuscan Market Tour and Cooking Class
If you’re a true foodie, you’ll love shopping for fresh produce at local markets and learning how to make regional dishes! With our Tuscan Market Tour and Cooking Class, you’ll be able to transform fresh ingredients into culinary masterpieces, creating everything from appetizers to desserts. Alongside an accomplished chef, you will recreate 4-courses of Tuscan delights, before feasting on your dishes accompanied by local wines. You will receive all the recipes after the tour, so you can prepare them at home. You can prove you passed the Tuscan Cooking Class with a fancy diploma to hang on your wall!
Cinque Terre Hiking Day Tour from Florence
If you need a break from the city, and long for the scent of ocean spray and the taste of fresh seafood, meet the Cinque Terre Hiking Day Tour. It only takes around 2 hours to reach the 5 pastel-colored seaside villages from Florence. You’ll have time to explore winding streets, browse specialty shops and sample the pesto dishes for which Liguria is famous. A highlight of this tour is the fact that you can walk along the clifftop between all the villages. This allows you to embrace nature and the great outdoors and see five unique locations on one tour! What more could you ask for?
There it is, folks: our definitive list of the top things to do while in Florence. But there is one more way you could ramp up your Florence experience. Tour packages take several of these incredible experiences and combine them into one cohesive, delightful itinerary. The Florence & Tuscany Highlights 6 Day Tour Package offers a classic balance of art, nature, cuisine, and urban history. Meanwhile, the Alternative Florence & Tuscany 6 Day Tour Package focuses on more unusual and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Either one would give you an incredible journey in Florence packed with essential experiences.
