Florence Oltrarno & Views
Florence
5.6 km · 89 min · 8 stops$7.99
Florence Audio Walking Tours
Self-guided, narrated walks through Florence. Buy a tour once, download it, and let the story play at each stop while you walk at your own pace.
Tours from $4.99
5.0 on Google Play
What to expect on a Florence audio walking tour
Florence rewards you for looking up as much as down, and the two narrated walks split that between the grand Renaissance core and the quieter hills across the river where the best views hide.
The Renaissance walk sticks to the compact historic core, starting at Florence Cathedral and Baptistery before leading you through Piazza della Repubblica and past the niche statues of Orsanmichele. You'll reach Piazza della Signoria with its open air sculpture and the Uffizi Loggia, then cross the Ponte Vecchio and finish near the Basilica of Santa Croce, all in just 2.4 kilometers.
The Oltrarno walk crosses the river at Ponte Santa Trinita and takes you somewhere different entirely, into the artisan streets around Piazza Santo Spirito and up past the Palazzo Pitti. The climb continues through Forte di Belvedere and Porta San Niccolo before delivering you to Piazzale Michelangelo, the classic overlook where the whole city spreads out below.
From Piazzale Michelangelo the route keeps rising to San Miniato al Monte and the Bardini Garden Viewpoint before it's done. Between the two tours you're covering 2.4 to 5.6 kilometers, so pair them for a full day or pick one depending on whether you're chasing art or altitude, and the narration keeps working even if you lose signal in the hills.
Where to walk in Florence
A few of the stops you will pass, and why they are worth slowing down for.
Piazza del Duomo
Florence Cathedral rises in bands of pink, white, and green marble, its enormous dome dominating the skyline as you circle the square below. You'll take in the matching marble Baptistery with its famous bronze doors and the slender bell tower designed by Giotto. Crowds gather here throughout the day, but the sheer detail of the facades rewards a slow, careful walk around every side. It's the heart of the city and an essential starting point for any visit.
Ponte Vecchio
This medieval stone bridge is lined with tiny goldsmith and jewelry shops that seem to hang right over the Arno River, their windows glinting as you pass. Crossing it gives you lovely views up and down the river toward Florence's other bridges and the hills beyond. Street musicians and artists often set up along the approach, adding to the buzz. It's one of the most romantic, photographed spots in the whole city.
Piazzale Michelangelo
The climb up to this hilltop terrace is worth every step, rewarding you with the single best panoramic view of Florence, the Duomo, and the Arno winding through the city below. A bronze replica of Michelangelo's David stands at the center, surrounded by cafes and street vendors selling snacks and souvenirs. It's especially magical at sunset, when the whole city glows gold and orange. Locals and travelers alike gather here to watch the light fade.
Oltrarno and Piazza Santo Spirito
Cross the river into the Oltrarno district and you'll find a quieter, more artisanal side of Florence, full of leather workshops, picture framers, and family run trattorias. Piazza Santo Spirito anchors the neighborhood with its plain but elegant church facade and a relaxed square full of locals rather than tour groups. Market stalls pop up here on weekday mornings. It's a great place to wander without a set plan and soak up everyday Florentine life.
Piazza della Signoria
This open air sculpture gallery doubles as Florence's civic heart, with the fortress like Palazzo Vecchio towering over statues including a copy of Michelangelo's David and Cellini's bronze Perseus. Cafes spill out onto the square, and the elegant Loggia dei Lanzi shelters even more Renaissance and classical sculpture. Street performers and horse drawn carriages add to the atmosphere. It's a fantastic place to slow down and people watch surrounded by centuries of art.
Florence audio tours
Each tour is a mapped route with narration at every stop. Buy it once and it is yours to keep, no subscription.
Start your Florence audio tour in three steps
No group to keep up with and no departure time. Get set up in a couple of minutes and walk whenever suits you.
- 1
Get the app
Download Walk With Me free on iPhone or Android, then open the audio tours for your city.
- 2
Pick your tour
Choose a Florence tour, sample the free intro and first stops, then unlock the whole route with a one-time purchase.
- 3
Press play and walk
Head to the first stop and start walking. The narration triggers by GPS as you arrive, and it works offline once downloaded.