History of Florence Exclusive Walking Tour
2.5
hour
guided
Group Size
Max 8
Tour Duration
2 Hours
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Free Cancellation up to 24 hrs
Highlights generally include:
• Santa Croce Basilica– known as Florence's "Pantheon", this grand Gothic masterpiece is the largest Franciscan church in the world and a symbol of the city's artistic and intellectual heritage.
• The Tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli– pay tribute to some of history's greatest minds, whose monumental tombs reflect their lasting impact on art, science, and politics.
• Giotto's Frescoes– admire the revolutionary frescoes of Giotto, whose groundbreaking use of depth and emotion set the stage for the Renaissance.
• Donatello's St. Louis of Toulouse– a rare gilded bronze sculpture by Donatello, showcasing his mastery of realism and movement in Renaissance art.
Join us for a 2-hour guided tour of Santa Croce Basilica, often referred to as Florence's "Pantheon- for its role as the final resting place of legendary figures like Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo.
Step inside this remarkable space to learn about their illustrious histories and uncover the artistic treasures of the basilica. Beginning with the stunning marble facade and a history of the area, your guide will then lead you through the exquisite interior, highlighting the magnificent frescoes by Giotto, often called the father of the Renaissance and Donatello's St. Louis of Toulouse, the renowned sculptor's first bronze statue. Throughout the tour, your guide will share captivating stories that bring the past to life, connecting you to the history, art, and culture that define this iconic sanctuary.
This tour will take you beyond the usual tourist paths and show you a lesser-known part of Florence cherished by locals, adding a unique touch to an unforgettable journey.
• GUIDED BASILICA TOUR (with Reserved Entry Tickets Included)
• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE
• DURATION 2 HOURS
• ALL ENTRANCE FEES (with Reserved Entry Included!)
• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE FOOD AND DRINKS
• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE HOTEL PICKUP OR DROP-OFF (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE GRATUITIES (optional)
• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE LUGGAGE OR COAT STORAGE
Wow! We were astonished by the beauty, grandeur and captivating history to be found inside Santa Croce Basilica. Having done many guided tours in the preceding weeks, we were so impressed by the wonderful Annette who make every scene come to life with a depth of historical knowledge and meaning that tied the entire story together for us. Definitely our best guided tour to date. Thanks Annette and Babylon Tours. Small groups, amazing guides and spectacular venues are what we are all looking for. Nick & Mia
18 September 2024
Our guide Annette was great! She was obviously very knowledgeable and was able to handle any questions we asked. And she did not seem irritated that we had so many questions! She provided just the right amount of history and background to add context, but not so much to be overwhelmed. We highly recommend this tour, and Annette! Thank you for a wonderful afternoon!
18 November 2024
We had the pleasure of having Jack as our guide today. He was amazing! Jack was so knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions. He was quite witty as well, which made for a fun tour. We were able to learn so much more than we were taught in school. I highly recommend this tour as it was very insightful and enlightening.
05 June 2025
This is a great tour worth an afternoon spent at the iconic church in Florence. Our tour guide Eleonora was so very knowledgeable about the historical context of the lives of the great renaissance figures, whose tombs we could see for ourselves inside the church. On our day of visit, the church was closing early, so she moved our tour up by a few hours so that we could get in on time and explore. Thanks to her so that we were able to spend enough time even with the early closure, as she explained all the pertinent details. Our...
14 June 2025
The Basilica is stunning and Daniela is amazing, great storytelling and great recommendations for after the tour. I wish we had time to take more tours with her!
06 August 2025
Francisco was an excellent guide. He brought the whole experience to life. A big thank you to him. The whole experience was pure delightful. The history and magic of the place was a pure joy. The experience of Sante Croce will not be forgotten.
17 September 2025
Gicamo was the best tour guide we had in Italy by far! It felt like an art history and culture lesson and he made it FUN! What a great personality, full of knowledge, facts, & tidbits. A Florentine married to an American you would never know English was a second language. What an amazing experience!
07 September 2024
Michele was knowledgeable in history and an excellent tour guide!! My two sons 11 and 14 had an amazing time ! Michele encouraged their participation and they were able to share their knowledge from religion class in catholic school:)
30 May 2025
Our tour guide, Michele, was very knowledgeable and helpful. He encourages participation and engagement. This was a great experience for all.
30 May 2025
Annette was a wonderful guide and very knowledgeable. Any questions we had during the tour Annette was able to answer. My son and I had a great time on this tour and would highly recommend it to someone visiting Florence.
10 July 2025
Francesco was amazing. He made the whole experience com alive. He is highly knowledgeable and explained in detail all aspects of the occasion. Would highly recommend Francisco
17 September 2025
