Ponte Vecchio

The 'Old Bridge' over the river Arno is famous for its traditional jewellery shops and art dealers.

TravelCurious Tip

Come by day to shop, but come by night to admire the city lights reflecting off the river

Ponte Vecchio means ‘Old Bridge’, and it’s a deserved name: this structure dates back to 1345. It’s the oldest bridge in Florence — the only one to escape destruction as German forces retreated in 1944.


This bridge spans the Arno river at its narrowest point, but in fact scarcely looks like a bridge at all. Compared to the light and airy metallic structures of today, the Ponte Vecchio is pleasingly sturdy. Made of stone and wood, it is crowded with overhanging shops. It is not simply simple a way to get from A to B, but rather a road, market place and piazza all rolled into one.


Diamond in the Rough

The bridge is packed with jewellers’ shops, and has been since the 16th century when Ferdinando I de’ Medici sent them in as a more agreeable replacement for the malodorous butchers and fishmongers, who used to throw their putrid leftovers straight into the river. Florence was becoming a great centre of Renaissance culture, and they had to keep up appearances.


Highway

The Vasari Corridor is a covered passageway which runs above the shops on Ponte Vecchio. Cosimo I commissioned it to connect the Uffizi with the Pitt Palace, his humble abode across the river. When the Germans were retreating, only the bridge’s access points to the city were destroyed — in fact, the Vasari Corridor was, for a time, the only way to get from one side of the river to the other, short of having a boat.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Florence
Handmade Shoes
See the handmade process of shoemaking.
Birth of Venus
An iconic painting by the Italian artist Sandro Botticelli, depicting Venus arriving at the shore after her birth.
The Tribune
Innovative space holding a collection of Renaissance masterpieces.
Annunciation
Painting by Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, dating from circa 1472–1475.
Venus of Urbino
Stand in awe of Titian's oil painting.
Medusa
Masterpieces by Caravaggio, depicting the exact moment Medusa was executed by Perseus.

Related Tours

Discover Florence in a Day: Private Full-Day Walking Tour
Explore the best of Florence, the beautiful capital city of Tuscany on this full-day private tour with an expert guide. The birthplace of Dante and Michelangelo and ruled by the infamous Medici family, Florence is often called the Cradle of the Renaissance and is an open-air museum of beautiful Renaissance architecture, statues and monuments, cobbled streets, hidden gems down little-known side streets, world-famous galleries, sunny piazzas, gorgeous old bridges, and wonderful vistas. 

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Meet your guide outside the Hotel Minerva opposite the stunning facade of Basilica Santa Maria Novella, which lends its name to the train station nearby;
  • Walk to the famously vibrant San Lorenzo market, the indoor market selling fresh food and local produce, the lively outdoor market famous for its leather, pottery, and other souvenirs; 
  • See the famous Medici church and mausoleum the Basilica di San Lorenzo from the outside, one of the largest and oldest in Florence, designed by a number of leading architects including Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Michelangelo; 
  • Walk to the iconic Piazza Del Duomo in the heart of Florence, dominated by the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi’s famous dome, Giotto's Campanile, and the Baptistry; 
  • Learn all about these buildings, the architects, and the scandalous Pazzi conspiracy; 
  • Head to central Piazza della Repubblica to hear about Italy’s Risorgimento, and on to the Mercato del Porcellino where you’ll learn about the Florentine leather tradition which dates back to antiquity, and how the Florentines used the Arno river in the production process;
  • Pass by Dante’s House, and learn all about the life and work of this seminal Italian writer, famous for his epic poem The Divine Comedy; 
  • Explore the Santa Croce neighbourhood with the grand Basilica di Santa Croce at its heart - where Michelangelo is buried;
  • Enjoy a leisurely and well-deserved lunch break at a local restaurant (not included);
  •  Walk to Piazza dell Signoria with its impressive, muscular marble statues including a replica of David, and the Palazzo Vecchio the historic political centre of Florence;
  • Admire the elegant Uffizi Gallery buildings, a prime example of 16th-century Italian architecture;
  • Walk over the famous Ponte Vecchio, uniquely lined with shops it was the only bridge over the Arno river until 1218, and see if you can spot the secret Vasari Corridor;
  • See the grand exterior of the Renaissance Pitti Palace, once the official residence of the Medici Family;
  • Visit the magnificent Basilica of Santo Spirito, one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture by the famous  architect Filippo Brunelleschi (who designed the extraordinary dome of the Duomo among many other achievements) ;
  • Explore the Oltrarno district, Florence’s coolest neighbourhood, known for its artisanal shops and many bars and restaurants, a favourite hangout for the locals;
  • Enjoy a delicious Gelato on us at your guide's favourite gelateria!

Florence sits serenely on the Arno River in the heart of Tuscany and is known for its Renaissance beauty everywhere you look. 

On your private tour of this Renaissance city, home to some of the greatest names of all time from Michelangelo to the Medici, you’ll explore all the most notable highlights, including the Duomo, with Brunelleschi’s Dome, which took 140 years to complete, and the Baptistry of St John, built over 70 years and named after the Saint Protector of Florence- San Giovanni. 

You’ll hear all about the lives, accomplishments, and scandals of the families and artists that made Florence, as you wander the quaint cobbled streets, gazing at magnificent buildings, glorious piazzas and spectacular statues.

Admire views of the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno, and hear about life in modern Florence as you walk through the vibrant markets that have been going since medieval times, and end with an orientation around the trendy Oltrarno area, filled with artisanal shops and lively bars. Enjoy a delicious gelato with your guide who will be only too happy to help you with dinner/shopping/sightseeing recommendations.  

Please note that there is often a long line to enter into the Duomo of Florence. If the line is too long you will not visit the interior of the Cathedral on tour, and your guide will give you tips on the best time to return to avoid standing in line.
Explore Florence Highlights including the 'David': Private Tour

Discover the highlights of Florence and follow an expert and entertaining tour guide to the most significant places through the historical centre and learn about the amazing history of the city from the time it was the capital of the Renaissance to the time it became the capital of early unified Italy.

On your private half-day tour, you will:


  • Begin your tour at Galleria dell'Accademia (Accademia Gallery), the home to the largest collection of Michelangelo's sculptures;
  • Admire "The David" and marvel at the elegance and details of this 5.17-metre (17 ft 0 in) marble sculpture;
  • Learn why Michelangelo is considered a genius and see traces of his sculptural technique in the chisel marks of the unfinished sculptures of the "Slaves";
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Florence's highlights, including the magnificent Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) and the famed baptistry with its gilded 'Gates of Paradise' doors;
  • Learn about Italian leatherwork, and discover the best places to shop in the city;
  • Explore the historical political heart of Florence with the medieval castle-like Palazzo Vecchio and the elegant Renaissance Uffizi Gallery buildings;
  • Admire the beautiful sculptures in the Loggia dei Lanzi outdoor Sculpture gallery, including Cennini's Perseus holding the head of Medusa;
  • Enjoy a refreshing Gelato break at your guide's favourite gelateria;
  • End your tour on the Ponte Vecchio, Florence's most famous and ancient bridge over the Arno river.


Your tour begins in the prestigious Accademia Gallery, where you will enjoy timed entrance tickets to the museum, and explore stunning artwork, including Michelangelo's David.

Then see the religious centre of the city: admire the Duomo, whose impressive Dome was designed by Brunelleschi, and the Baptistery of Saint John, one of the oldest buildings in Florence. From the religious centre, you will walk to the political centre, and enjoy a pleasant stroll through Piazza Della Signoria, surrounded by its ancient buildings and the Loggia Dei Lanzi.

In this open-air museum, we will see original masterpieces by Giambologna and Cellini. From there, you'll cross the famous Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge on the Arno River. Your tour finishes with a delicious gelato (on us!) before your guide leaves you with recommendations for how to spend the remainder of your day.

This half-day tour of Florence's Renaissance artwork and architecture is a must for all visitors.


Please note: that there is often a long line to enter into the Duomo of Florence. If the line is too long you will not visit the interior of the Cathedral on tour, and your guide will give you tips on the best time to return to avoid standing in line.
Uffizi Gallery & Accademia: Private Full-Day Walking Tour
Explore the best of Renaissance in Florence on this full-day tour including a guided visit to the Uffizi Gallery and to the Accademia Gallery where you will admire the world-famous "David" by Michelangelo. 

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Walk across the iconic Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence; 
  • Get a crash course in Italian History of Art as you explore the Uffizi Gallery,  home to many of Italy's most famous works of Art  brilliantly organised in chronological order;
  • Learn about Renaissance Masters like Giotto and Leonardo da Vinci; 
  • Admire Boticelli's most recognisable works, such as the  'Birth of Venus' and "Primavera" (Spring);
  • See the famous Doni Tondo by Michelangelo and Bacchus by Caravaggio;
  • Break for lunch. Your guide will recommend the perfect spot for a bite to eat (not included in the price).
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Florence's most popular highlights, including Piazza della SignoriaPalazzo Vecchio, the Logga dei LanziPiazza Della Repubblica, and of course the famed Duomo and its Baptistry;
  • Visit the Galleria dell'Accademia to admire Michelangelo's sculpture of David, and the "slaves";
  • End your tour inside the Accademia Gallery, where you are free to continue exploring at your own leisure;

Located in the very heart of Tuscany, in a basin crossed by the Arno River, the magnificent city of Florence stands as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, filled with historical relics and artistic masterpieces by the greatest masters of Humanism and the Renaissance. You can read it in Dante, see it in Michelangelo, or just be engulfed by it when you walk into a church. 

Begin your day in the impressive Uffizi Gallery, one of the largest museums in the Western world, holding over 3,000 works of notable artists. The Museum complex is deeply bound to the history of the city and the House of Medici and echoes the splendour of a whole era. Masterpieces by Giotto, Masaccio, Piero della Francesca and Botticelli are waiting for you, along with the most recent Caravaggio, Tiziano and Tintoretto and the stunning Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation and Adoration of the Magi.

After, the walking portion of your tour highlights key Renaissance sites and masterpieces,  including the chance to see the Duomo Duomo and its impressive dome designed by Brunelleschi, and the Baptistery of Saint John, one of the oldest buildings in Florence. 

You will also visit the political centre, and enjoy a pleasant stroll through Piazza Della Signoria, surrounded by its ancient buildings and the Loggia Dei Lanzi. 

In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the prestigious Accademia Gallery, where you will enjoy skip-the-line tickets to the museum, and explore stunning artwork, including Michelangelo's David. After an hour, your guide will leave you to explore the gallery at your own leisure. 

Please note that there is often a long line to enter into the Duomo of Florence. If the line is too long you will not visit the interior of the Cathedral on tour, and your guide will give you tips on the best time to return to avoid standing in line.
Welcome to Florence: Private 2.5-hour Highlights Walking Tour
Explore Florence with a private guide, one of the most iconic and beautiful cities in Italy,  and discover the city's rich history, art, and culture on this introductory tour perfect tour for anyone arriving in Florence for the first time. 

On your private 2.5-hour tour, you will:

  • Start your tour at Piazza San Lorenzo, the perfect location to find famous Florentine handmade leather goods;
  • Learn about Italian leatherwork, and discover the best places to shop in the city;
  • Admire the stunning and exquisite architecture of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore known as the Duomo, 
  • Marvel at the  intricate details of the beautiful bronze doors of the Baptistry;
  • Walk by Piazza della Repubblica
  • Take a stroll down the famous Piazza della Signoria, home to the imposing Palazzo Vecchio and the impressive Neptune Fountain;
  • Walk by the Uffizi Gallery, and appreciate the magnificent architecture of the exteriors of the building;
  • Snap the perfect photo by the Arno River of the Ponte Vecchio, one of the most photographed sites in Florence;
  • Finish your tour with a classic Italian gelato on us. 

Discover the most popular highlights in the historic centre of the city of Florence with your expert guide and learn about the amazing history of the city from the time it was the capital of the Renaissance to the time it became the capital of early unified Italy. 

First, you will see the religious centre of the city: admire the Duomo, whose impressive Dome was designed by Brunelleschi, and the Baptistery of Saint John, one of the oldest buildings in Florence. 

From the religious centre, you will walk to the political centre, and enjoy a pleasant stroll through Piazza Della Signoria, surrounded by its ancient buildings and the Loggia Dei Lanzi. In this open-air museum, we will see original masterpieces by Giambologna and Cellini. 
From there, you'll cross the famous Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge on the Arno River. Your tour finishes with a delicious gelato (on us!) before your guide leaves you with recommendations for how to spend the remainder of your day.  

Please note that there is often a long line to enter into the Duomo of Florence. If the line is too long you will not visit the interior of the Cathedral on tour, and your guide will give you tips on the best time to return to avoid standing in line.
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