Florence by Night: Orientation Walk with Italian Aperitivo

Highlights

• Italian Aperitivo
• Local Guide
• Night Orientation Walk

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

   15min

   Meet your guide in the late afternoon in front of the beautiful facade of the Basilica Santa Maria Novella, next to the obelisk in the square. Your guide will be easy to spot as they will be wearing a purple T-shirt with our logo.

2. 2

   Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

   15min

   As you wander Florence's cobblestone streets, you’ll notice wine windows, a 16th-century creation by Cosimo de Medici to allow tax-free wine sales. These windows were fundamental during the 1600s plague for safe transactions, much like COVID-19 precautions, and today, 285 preserved windows remain, some of which are still active. Your local guide will share more about these unique features throughout your walk in Florence.

3. 3

   Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

   15min

   Following this, head to one of the most beautiful architectural sites in Italy, the Florence Cathedral, formally known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo di Firenze). Begun in 1296 in the Gothic style and designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the cathedral complex in Piazza del Duomo includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile. These three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic center of Florence and are major tourist attractions in Tuscany.

4. 4

   Cupola Del Brunelleschi

   15min

   While there, you'll be able to admire the stunning dome, the third largest in the world after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London, as well as the Baptistery and the beauty of the surrounding square.

5. 5

   Piazza Della Repubblica

   15min

   In addition to famous squares like Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, you can also visit Piazza della Repubblica. In Roman times, it featured bathhouses, temples, forums, and markets. After 1000, it became a market known as the old market. In the 1600s, Cosimo I established a Jewish ghetto there. The current square was designed between 1865-1871, when Florence was the capital of Italy. During the city's redevelopment, Il Risanamento, the area was demolished and redesigned into the rectangular square we see today, complete with the iconic carousel.

6. 6

   Fontana del Porcellino

   15min

   Returning to Florence? Don't miss rubbing Il Porcellino, the wild boar statue. Its nose is shiny from countless touches—legend says touching it ensures a return. For luck, toss a coin into the grid between its legs in one fluid motion.

7. 7

   Piazza della Signoria

   5min

   Piazza della Signoria originated in the early 1330s as a meeting place for the city council. Today, the Palazzo Vecchio, meaning "old palace," serves as the gathering spot for government officials. The square also functions as an open-air museum, displaying numerous original statues from the Italian Renaissance.

8. 8

   Ponte Vecchio

   5min

   When you think of Florence, Ponte Vecchio is surely one of the first attractions that comes to mind, right? This picturesque "old bridge" has been intertwined with the life of Florentine people and the city's evolution over centuries, offering countless stories. For instance, did you know that jewelry shops first appeared on Ponte Vecchio in 1593-94, at the request of Ferdinando I de’ Medici? Before then, the bridge was occupied by butcher shops, as they were required to operate away from the city center buildings and were allowed to discard waste directly into the river.

Before you go

Location