Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
Posted: 3/27/2024 | March 27, 2024
Florence is one of the most popular cities in Italy. Its stunning Renaissance architecture gives it an iconic look, and the abundance of art could keep any traveler busy for weeks. There’s the Galleria de Uffizi, which holds some of the world’s most important Renaissance pieces; Michelangelo’s David, one of the most recognizable works in the world; and the towering Duomo, a Gothic cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To see it all and learn about this beautiful destination, I always like to take a walking tour (or three!) while I’m here. I think walking tours are a great way to learn about a place and see some non-touristy sites.
And Florence has a lot of them! From introductory free tours to in-depth history and food tours, here’s my list of the best walking tours in Florence.
Best Overall Tour
Take Walks
Take Walks is my go-to tour company in Italy, offering access to places that no other gets and featuring incredibly knowledgeable guides. I always have fun and learn a ton on these tours. I can’t recommend them enough.
Their VIP David & Duomo tour offers exclusive access before or after all the other tours, providing a unique, skip-the-line experience without the crowds. They also have a Best of Florence tour that covers all the city’s highlights over a fun and educational three hours.
Best Free Tour
Florence Free Tour Tale
This is the best (and most popular) free tour in town. Its main offering is a solid introduction to Florence lasting two hours and covering all the highlights. It’s a great way to kick-start your trip if you’re on a budget.
For something more unique, there’s also a free tour that focuses on the city’s darker side, including some of the more eerie myths and legends from the past. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!
While those may be the best free and paid tours in town, Florence as a lot more to offer. Here are four other insightful and educational tours:
1. Devour Food Tours
Devour is my favorite food tour company. Its offerings are always super informative and delicious. In Florence, Devour runs a few different ones, so there’s something for everyone.
If you love wine like I do, the Oltrarno at Sunset tour is the best choice for you. An evening tour, it lasts over three hours and includes stops at five family-run businesses, where you’ll sample aperitivi, dinner (including a taste of the famed Florentine steak), and desserts.
Devour also runs a filling 3.5-hour Tastes and Traditions tour that includes a visit to Sant’Ambrogio Market, as well as wine, espresso, and some unforgettable eats. On both tours, you’ll end up full and learn a ton.
Tours start at 79 EUR.
2. Italy Pass Tours
If you want to learn more about the Duomo, the massive cathedral that pokes up from the picturesque skyline, Italy Pass Tours runs an excellent short tour that serves as the perfect primer. You’ll get skip-the-line access and be able to tour the beautiful cathedral while learning about its history and how it intertwines with the famous Medici family that helped put Florence on the map. It’s an educational, affordable tour that goes into more detail than the standard free one, without being too long or overly academic.
Tours start at 13 EUR.
3. Tours and Tours
If you want to explore the home of some of the world’s best Renaissance art, Tours and Tours runs a 90-minute skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery tour. You’ll get to marvel at world-famous works by masters like Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci while avoiding the massive lines. They also run a short but insightful skip-the-line tour of Brunelleschi’s Dome. It’s a masterwork of engineering and offers amazing views over the city.
Tours start at 41 EUR.
4. Global Experiences
If you want to get off the beaten path and learn about Florence’s dark side, Global Experiences runs a bar crawl/ghost tour, which lasts three hours and takes you around town, showing you the sights while bouncing between cool bars. It also illuminates some of the more scandalous stories from the past, as well as darker and more mysterious tales. Overall, it’s a fun tour to take after a day of seeing the highlights.
The company also runs a more traditional food tour on which you’ll get to sample traditional Florentine steak, Tuscan meatballs, almond biscotti, gelato, and more!
Tours start at 60 EUR.
Florence is one of the most popular cities in Europe. It’s a gorgeous, energetic place that is bursting at the seams with amazing museums and galleries, UNESCO-worthy sights, and tons of history. By taking one of the walking tours above, you’ll be sure to have a fun, informative, and authentic visit to this Italian metropolis.
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Book Your Trip to Italy: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Italy?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Italy for even more planning tips!
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