Florence Walking Routes
Discover Florence on foot with our carefully designed walking routes. Each walk combines a clear itinerary with selected sights, historical context and practical information, helping you explore Florence at your own pace. Choose from neighbourhood walks through different parts of the city or thematic routes following the people, stories and traditions that shaped Florence.
Our Florence Walking Routes are organised in two ways:
- Explore by Neighbourhood takes you through individual districts and areas of Florence, connecting their most important sights, streets and hidden corners in a logical walking route.
- Explore by Theme follows a particular story through the city. Walk in the footsteps of Dante, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo or the Medici, discover Florence’s artisan and food traditions, or explore the Renaissance, medieval Florence and the Arno through routes that connect places across different neighbourhoods.
Explore Florence by Neighbourhood
Florence is a city made for walking. These geographical routes explore one part of the city at a time, connecting its major sights with quieter streets, small discoveries and the history of each neighbourhood.
Discover the area around Santa Maria Novella on foot, from its magnificent basilica and historic streets to quieter corners towards the Arno. This walk combines art, architecture and neighbourhood atmosphere while revealing one of Florence’s most varied districts.
Explore San Lorenzo and northern San Giovanni on foot, from the Medici heart of Florence and the lively Mercato Centrale to the Accademia and San Marco. This walk combines Renaissance art, Medici history and the atmosphere of Florence’s historic streets.
Explore the historic heart of Florence on foot, from the magnificent Duomo and Baptistery to Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi. This walk brings together Renaissance masterpieces, medieval streets and some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Explore Santa Croce and Sant’Ambrogio on foot, from the monumental Basilica of Santa Croce to lively local streets and the historic market. This walk combines Renaissance art, neighbourhood life and quieter corners of Florence beyond the busiest tourist routes.
Explore Santo Spirito and San Frediano on foot, from lively piazzas and historic churches to artisan workshops and quieter streets. This walk reveals the authentic character of the Oltrarno, where local life, craftsmanship and centuries of Florentine history come together.
Walk above Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo to the beautiful Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. This scenic route combines panoramic views, historic architecture and peaceful hillside paths, offering a memorable perspective over the rooftops, landmarks and surrounding Tuscan hills.
Explore northern Florence on foot, from the imposing Fortezza da Basso to quieter streets beyond the historic centre. This walk combines Renaissance military architecture, lesser-known landmarks and a different side of Florence away from the city’s busiest squares.
Walk from Florence into the hills of Fiesole, enjoying changing views over the city and surrounding countryside along the way. Alternatively, take the bus uphill and walk back down for an easier route combining scenery, history and Tuscan atmosphere.
Walk from Florence into the hills of Settignano, leaving the busy city behind for quieter streets, villas and Tuscan landscapes. This scenic route combines panoramic views, local history and the atmosphere of a historic hillside village closely connected with Florence.
Explore Florence by Theme
Florence can also be explored through the people, ideas and traditions that shaped the city. These themed walks connect places across different neighbourhoods to tell one particular Florentine story.
Follow Filippo Brunelleschi through Florence and discover the buildings that transformed Renaissance architecture. From his revolutionary cathedral dome to churches, chapels and elegant public spaces, this walk traces the ideas and innovations that changed the appearance of Florence forever.
Walk through the Florence of Dante Alighieri, from the streets of his medieval neighbourhood to churches, towers and places connected with his life. This route explores the city of the Divine Comedy and the political world that shaped Florence’s greatest poet.
Follow the Medici through Florence, from their family palace and churches to the seats of political and grand-ducal power. This walk traces how one extraordinary dynasty shaped the city through architecture, art, patronage and centuries of Florentine history.
Explore the Jewish history of Florence on foot, from traces of the former Jewish quarter to the city’s magnificent synagogue and places of remembrance. This walk reveals centuries of Jewish life, culture and community as part of Florence’s wider history.
Follow Michelangelo through Florence, from his early artistic training to the masterpieces that defined his career. This walk connects sculptures, churches, palaces and family history while revealing the lasting mark Michelangelo left on the city of his youth.
Walk through Renaissance Florence and discover the artists and architects who transformed the city. From Brunelleschi and Donatello to Botticelli, Leonardo and Ghiberti, this route connects masterpieces of painting, sculpture and architecture with the places where a new artistic age emerged.
Step into medieval Florence and explore the towers, fortified palaces and narrow streets that survived the city’s Renaissance transformation. This walk reveals an older Florence shaped by powerful families, merchant guilds and the turbulent urban life of the Middle Ages.
Discover Florence’s artisan traditions on foot, from historic workshops and family-run studios to streets shaped by centuries of craftsmanship. This walk explores the skills behind leather, jewellery, paper, textiles and other Florentine crafts while revealing a living tradition that continues today.
Discover Florence through its food traditions, from lively historic markets to shops and streets associated with local specialities. This walk explores the flavours of Florentine cuisine while revealing how markets, neighbourhood life and centuries-old food traditions remain part of the city today.
Follow the Arno through Florence and discover the historic bridges, riverside streets and views that have shaped the city for centuries. This walk connects Ponte Vecchio with lesser-known bridges while exploring the river’s role in Florentine history and everyday life.