Private Guided Tour of the Best Churches in Florence, Florence

About this activity

Experience the best of sacred architecture and art on a guided tour of the churches of Florence. Visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata. Extended options: skip the line to the Basilica di Santa Croce and of Santa Maria Novella.

Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests. Read the description carefully as each option includes a different program.

2-hour: Florence Cathedral & Santissima Annunziata

Book this tour to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata.

3-hour: Cathedral, Santissima & Santa Croce

Book this tour to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Basilica della Santissima Annunziata and Basilica di Santa Croce.

4-hour: Cathedral, Santissima, Santa Maria & Santa Croce

Join this tour to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and Basilica of Santa Croce.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Architecture Tours Cultural Tours Walking Tours City Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 2–4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, Russian, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by: Rosotravel - Italy City Tour

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: (number of attractions depends on the selected option)
Included: Skip-the-line tickets to the Basilica of Santa Croce (3- and 4-hour options only)
Included: Skip-the-line tickets to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella (4-hour option only)
Included: Free admission to Florence Cathedral and the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata (all options)
Included: Private Walking Tour of the Best Churches in Florence
Included: 5-Star Licensed Guide who is fluent in the language of your choice

Not included

Not included: Skip-the-line tickets to the Basilica of Santa Croce (in 2-hour option)
Not included: Skip-the-line tickets to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella (in 2 and 3-hour options)

Itinerary

Stop 1

10 min

Meet your guide in front of the entrance to Hotel Santa Maria Novella, P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 1, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour.
Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation

25 min

Visit Florence Cathedral and the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata. Your walking tour will begin in front of the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and head towards the Basilica of San Lorenzo.
Stop 3

25 min

As you explore the streets, your guide will tell you the history of religion in Florence, introducing you to the historical figures who contributed to the construction of the city's many churches, such as Michelangelo and Michelozzo.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

one hour

The highlight of this tour will be a visit to Florence’s principal church, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Florence Cathedral, the iconic symbol of the city, is known as one of the largest and most beautiful churches in the world, so it is a must-see!
Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation

25 min

Another highlight will be a visit inside the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, a 1200s church located on the iconic plaza with porticoes by Renaissance architects. It’s a hidden gem rich in Renaissance art and landmark Mannerist frescoes.
Basilica of Santa Croce

one hour Admission included

Church tour to enrich your experience with a visit inside the Basilica di Santa Croce. Skip-the-line tickets are included to save time, as you don't want to wait in line at the ticket office.
Stop 7

25 min

This landmark Neo-Gothic Franciscan church is known as the Temple of the Italian Glories as it contains tombs of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli. It’s also home to great artistic heritage, such as the stunning altarpieces and Giotto frescoes.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide in front of the entrance to Hotel Santa Maria Novella, P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 1, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour.

End point

Meet your guide in front of the entrance to Hotel Santa Maria Novella, P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 1, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour.

Using your ticket

Know Before You Go:

Please check your email the day before the tour.
Admission to the Basilica of Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella is not included in a 2-hour tour.
Church tours during mass and special events (such as scheduled concerts) are limited, therefore the guide may provide all information outside.
Free entry to Florence Cathedral (Duomo) is only for the main church. Due to crowds, the line to enter can be 1 hour long. Open from 10:15 am to 3:15 pm.
Santissima Annunziata is open on weekdays and holidays 7.30 - 12.30; 16 - 18.30.
With skip-the-line tickets, you will have a reserved time slot to enter Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella, so you won't have to queue for tickets on site.
Headsets will be provided for groups of 5+ people inside Santa Croce.
2- and 3-hour tours: We limit the group size to 25 guests per guide, so that everyone can get the best experience.
4-hour tour: in Santa Maria Novella, 1 guide can lead up to 5 people, so we will arrange an additional guide for larger groups.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please check your email the day before the tour.
Admission to the Basilica of Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella is not included in a 2-hour tour.
Church tours during mass and special events (such as scheduled concerts) are limited, therefore the guide may provide all information outside.
Free entry to Florence Cathedral (Duomo) is only for the main church. Due to crowds, the line to enter can be 1 hour long. Open from 10:15 am to 3:15 pm.
Santissima Annunziata is open on weekdays and holidays 7.30 - 12.30; 16 - 18.30.
With skip-the-line tickets, you will have a reserved time slot to enter Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella, so you won't have to queue for tickets on site.
Headsets will be provided for groups of 5+ people inside Santa Croce.
2- and 3-hour tours: We limit the group size to 25 guests per guide, so that everyone can get the best experience.
4-hour tour: in Santa Maria Novella, 1 guide can lead up to 5 people, so we will arrange an additional guide for larger groups.

Options

3h: 2h itinerary + Santa Croce

Duration: 3 hours: Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Basilica della Santissima Annunziata and Basilica di Santa Croce.

Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. ITFL008
2H: Cathedral & Santissima

Duration: 2 hours: Book this tour to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata.

Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. ITFL008
4h: 3h itinerary + Santa Maria

Duration: 4 hours: Join this tour to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Basilica della Santissima Annunziata

,: Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and Basilica of Santa Croce.

Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. ITFL008