The 9 Best Florence History Tours

1.Guided Medici Tour Florence: Discover Mysteries & History

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,077 reviews · 1h 30m · from $57Our pick

Follow an English-speaking guide through Florence’s Medici story, from family rivalries to Renaissance commissions and the Medici Chapel’s Commesso Fiorentino mosaics. Guides such as Julia, Eduardo, Chiara, and Emanuela bring the politics to life. Choose a shared or private group, with chapel admission included only in selected options.

“Fantastic. Our guide was found last minute, and took us everywhere. Duomo, dantes house and many over places. We learnt so much and walked right through to the ufizi gallery!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Tipsy Tour: Guided Bar Crawl In Florence with Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 271 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $78Top rated

Spend about three hours walking through Florence with a local guide such as Zofia, Juliette, Anna, or Didar. You’ll hear scandalous Medici stories, drink wine beside the Arno, visit bars and a wine window, and enjoy two cocktails plus a shot. The tour is social, limited to 25 people, and starts at 8 pm.

“Zofia was awesome, an amazing tour guide. She kept us engaged and laughing. Loved the games we played. Great drinks’”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Florence Cooking Course with Historic Local Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $95

Meet at Piazza San Lorenzo for a guided visit to Mercato Centrale, with tastings of truffle, cheese, salami, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Then walk about 10 to 15 minutes to a cooking school for a hands-on Tuscan meal, wine, and recipes. Classes run in English, with up to 15 people per chef.

“The experience was great, learning new cooking styles meeting new people I come from a cooking background but I still learned the new things.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Florence to Fiesole golf cart tour:History & Panoramic views

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 121 reviews · 2 hours · from $116

You’ll ride from central Florence to hilltop Fiesole in a private electric golf cart with an English, Italian, or French-speaking driver. Expect Florence viewpoints, historic villas, San Romolo Cathedral, and either Fiesole’s Roman theater and Etruscan ruins or the Bandini Museum, depending on departure time. Guides such as Amir, Wasim, and Wael are known for friendly storytelling and family photos.

“We had a fabulous time with Amir. He was friendly, attentive and full of knowledge. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and Amir was happy to take pictures of us all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Florence: Medici Family History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 93 reviews · 2 hours · from $137

Walk through Florence’s Medici story with a live guide in a group of up to eight. Enter Palazzo Medici Riccardi and the Chapel of the Magi, then connect the family’s victories and betrayals to Palazzo Strozzi, Palazzo Albizi, Palazzo Vecchio, and central Florence. Guides lead in English, German, French, Italian, or Spanish.

“The knowledge our guide shared was wonderful. Christina was awesome and we recommend her to everyone! We enjoyed the House of Medici.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Florence: Fashion History Guided Walking Tour & Museum Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 72 reviews · from $90

Walk Florence’s cobbled center with guides such as Ivan or Francesca, tracing the city’s rise from fabric producer to fashion capital. The 1.5-hour tour includes a guided visit to the Ferragamo Museum in Palazzo Spini Feroni. English and Spanish tours are offered, with private groups available.

“It was amazing!! It changed my perception on some luxury brands and uncovered some amazing facts about Florence’s fashion culture that I wouldn’t have ever known. The Gucci museum was my highlight and it was so worth it! I had a great time and highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in fashion and the history behind it within Florence”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Florence Wine &Food: Taste Tuscan Flavors in Historic Cellar

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 31 reviews · 1 hour · from $70

Spend one hour in a traditional cellar opposite Florence’s Central Market, tasting three or six Tuscan wines with bruschetta, salami, prosciutto, pecorino, cacio, olives, and bread. An English or Italian host explains local grapes, wine-making, and food pairings. Small groups are available, and some sessions may offer a paid wine upgrade.

“Professional sommelier! The best experience I have had in a long, long time! Bravo”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Florence Medici Bike Tour – Cycle Through History and Power

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 23 reviews · 2 hours · from $32Best value

Follow Florence’s Medici story by bike with a live guide in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, or Russian. Ride from the historic center along the Arno, past Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti, and through Oltrarno. Choose a group or private tour, with a standard bike or e-bike. Rain can turn the ride into a walking tour.

“Moyen de transport très pratique pour découvrir Florence d’une manière plus rapide qu’à pied”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Essential Florence Walking Tour to discover its history

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 3 hours · from $41

Walk Florence with an English-speaking guide such as Becky, Lisa, or Andrea, tracing the city from Roman origins through the Medici era. See the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Dante’s house, artisan streets, and Renaissance palaces from outside, visit Santa Trinita, and taste Italian gelato. Expect steps, cobblestones, and a lively history lesson.

“Florence an amazing City, so much packed into a very small area. Andrea our guide was fantastico!”

Check availability →Read our full review