Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters worth booking?
Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters is a 3-hour experience in Florence, Italy, from $50 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (7)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $50 per person
Embark on a captivating journey through Florence with a private guide. Start at the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, where you’ll admire its stunning Renaissance façade and masterpieces like Giotto’s "Crucifix." Explore
What you get
About this experience
Embark on a captivating journey through Florence with a private guide. Start at the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, where you’ll admire its stunning Renaissance façade and masterpieces like Giotto’s "Crucifix." Explore the rich history of the Dominican Fathers and relax in the serene "Green Cloister." Next, visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence's oldest church, to see the "Old Sacristy" and works by renowned artists like Donatello and Bronzino. Stroll through the beautiful "Cloister of the Canons." Continue to Piazza del Duomo to marvel at the Cathedral, Dome, and Giotto’s bell tower, then head to Piazza della Signoria, an open-air gallery showcasing the Medici family's legacy. Conclude your tour at the Basilica di Santa Croce, featuring Giotto’s frescoes and the tombs of legends like Michelangelo and Galileo. Discover the peaceful "Brunelleschi Cloister" and the harmonious "Pazzi Chapel."
What's included
Included
- Earphones for groups of more than 7 participants
- Local professional Guide at your side
Not included
- San Lorenzo Basilica: Full price ticket: € 6,00. Free admission for: children younger than 11 years old
- Santa Croce Basilica (to be paid on the spot): Adult: € 8,00; Ages 11-16:...
- Santa Maria Novella Basilica: Adult: € 7,50; Ages 11-16: € 5,00; 10 and under are free
- Everything not mentioned as Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Meet your private guide and you will head towards the striking square where the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella stands with its splendid Renaissance façade by Leon Battista Alberti covered with white and green marble. Inside the Basilica, founded by the Dominican Fathers at the beginning of 1200, you will have the chance to see masterpieces such as the "Crucifix" by Giotto the "Trinity" by Masaccio and the spectacular frescoes by Filippino Lippi and Ghirlandaio and also hear the story of the "mendicant order" of friars who have always been present in this church. Your tour ends inside the elegant "Green Cloister" so named for its beautiful murals in green earth by Paolo Uccello.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Basilica di San Lorenzo
In the heart of the lively Medici quarter, bordering the Piazza del Duomo, you will find yourselves in front of the Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence's the oldest church, consecrated in 393 by Sant'Ambrogio, rebuilt in the year 1000 and enlarged in 1400 by Brunelleschi at the behest of the Medici family who chose it as their parish church. Inside the Basilica is the “Old Sacristy”by Brunelleschi with the tombs of the founders of the Medici family and works by Donatello, Bronzino, Filippo Lippi, Rosso Fiorentino and Pontormo, to name but a few. Leaving the church, you will enter in the impressive “Cloister of the Canons” at the centre of which stands an imposing 16th-century orange tree which was dear to the Medici family and became a kind of symbol of their dynasty.
50 minutes here · Admission not included
Piazza Del Duomo
You will then pass into the Piazza del Duomo, the city's religious centre, where you will be able admire the Cathedral with its famous Dome, the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile (bell tower).
10 minutes here
Piazza della Signoria
Soon you will arrive at the famous Piazza della Signoria, a concentration of architectural and sculptural masterpieces which has no equal in the world. Here begins the fascinating story of the powerful Medici family whose history was tied to that of the city for more than three centuries.
10 minutes here
Basilica of Santa Croce
Your tour ends at the Basilica di Santa Croce, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a facade clad in polychrome marble. This is the ancient church in which the Franciscan friars chose to set up and begin treating pelts and leather and meditate in peace in a place that was, at that time, located outside the city walls. We will admire, from close up, the beautiful frescoes by Giotto and Agnolo Gaddi, the “Crucifix” and “Annunciation” by Donatello and the world-famous funerary monuments and tombs of illustrious figures from the past such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Next, you will enter the elegant “Brunelleschi Cloister” bordered by columns carved from pure stone, and then pass into the fourteenth-century “Ancient Cloister” at the end of which lies the beautiful “Pazzi Chapel”, a sublime example of Renaissance harmony, also the work of Brunelleschi.
50 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Florence
Starting Time: at 10:00 am Meeting with the guide at the entrance of Santa Maria Novella
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- CAF Tour and Travel - Gray Line Florence
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour does not operate on major holidays
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highlights is an accurate...
Highlights is an accurate description of the activity. May want to return to some of the churches for more "in depth" visit
Response from the operator: Good morning from Caf Tour & Travel, Dear Joseph, Thank you for sharing your kind review with us! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that it provided a great overview of Florence’s beautiful basilicas. We agree—there’s so much history and art to explore that a deeper visit is always a great idea! We’d love to welcome you back for another experience. Safe travels! Our best regards
via Viator
Wonderful experience— no mater you’d background you will learn new things!
Our guide was extremely informative and made sure that —since we are all in our 70s— we moved at a comfortable pace.
via Viator
Incredible journey discovering these stunning churches, history and art as a family
We had a wonderful experience with our guide. With two children in our family, she navigated conversation for all ages and a variety of interests. An incredible subject matter expert, we spent a wonderful morning walking and discovering the history and art not just within the churches, but in-between to provide context. Highly recommend!
via Viator
Interesting and informative
This tour was awesome. Stefania was very knowledgeable and informative. We saw the highlights of all 3 basilicas. All within short walking distances. She answered all our other questions about Florence and the Medici as well. The only thing I would note is that the tour page does not say anything about dress code. When I looked on each basilica's website, the dress codes simply noted no shorts, or to cover shoulders. I wore a dress with sleeves, but my knees were not covered. I had to purchase a (1 Euro) mesh kimono thing and tie it around my waist for each basilica, which was really very embarrassing. At one basilica, the bouncer still didn't want to let me in because the kimono was still showing the backs of my knees! The tour company really should update the trip description with this information. Once I got over this embarrassment, I had a good time on the tour.
Response from the operator: Dear brittmcdonald, first of all we want to thank you for having joined one of our private tours and having shared your experience with us and our common readers. We are really happy to know that you appreciated your Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters with our Professional guide Stefania. With reference to the dress code, it is written on the voucher that the customers receive after having booked an experience. We hope to have the chance to meet you again in the future to let you see other wonders of our amazing Country! Best regards
via Tripadvisor
Florence history and art - amazing tour!
Our tour guide walked with us through three breathtaking basilicas and talked to us about the history in the neighborhoods between them. We started with the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli (among many other renouned artists/ innovators). Our guide talked to us about their political significance and the symbolism of their tombs. She also talked about the surrounding art in the basilica. On the second part of the trip, a funeral was being held in the church, so our guide utilized the time we had to wait by talking about the street monuments and the architecture. She seemed to know the answer to any question I could pose about random statues we passed between the our sites. In the last part of the tour, she gave us a crash course on the Medici family that was so interesting I later bought a book about the family's influence on the city. Our guide was so understanding of how sore our feet were from two weeks of touring Italy and gave us breaks when we needed. She also gave some good advice on buying leather in Florence. I forgot to write down our guide's name, but our tour was on Mon, Oct 7th, at 9:30am.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat
- Price range
- $50 to $376
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Florence.
How much does Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters cost?
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Prices start at $50 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Florence usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Florence is not rushed.
Is Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Florence, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Florence can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Florence and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Guided Tour of Florence Basilicas and Their Cloisters start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Florence within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Florence?
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On Outty we rank every Florence experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Best tour in Florence: Renaissance & Medici Tales - guided by a STORYTELLER, Florence Pizza or Pasta Class & Gelato Making at a Tuscan Farm, Small group Tuscan Wineries, Olive Oil & Gourmet Lunch or Dinner. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Florence?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Florence?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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