Florence travel guide: tickets, best time & real costs
Florence's Oltrarno: A Self-Guided Walking Tour
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At a glance
- Duration
- 1h–1h 30min
- Price from
- $8 / person
- Location
- Florence, Italy
- Languages
- EN, EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Meeting point
- This tour starts at Ponte Vecchio. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading
Description
Oltrarno is where history and Florentine life meet. Unlike the historic and more touristy centre on the other side of the Arno River, Florentines still live in this vibrant district, where historical landmarks, bars, cafes, and restaurants coexist. On this self-guided audio tour, I'll guide you through this authentic district's maze of streets and squares while I share anecdotes, historical highlights and Florentine traditions. I'll take you back to the Middle Ages when Florence was divided into four districts, each with their own political, administrative and military responsibilities. The tour starts at the foot of Ponte Vecchio and loops through the district's small streets, to end around the corner from a seven-story medieval tower called Torre dei Belfredelli sec. xii. As you walk, you'll pass through several squares, including the beautiful Piazza Santo Spirito, Piazza de Pitti, and Piazza della Passera.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 29
- Adult (ages 6–98)
- $8
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 28.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Ponte Vecchio
Begin your tour at the foot of Ponte Vecchio, enjoying breathtaking views of Florence's most famous bridge. Discover the authentic Oltrarno district that unfolds just across the river, where Florentines still live amid history, bars, and cafés.
Pause in this small square next to Ponte Vecchio, where you'll see the corridor overlooking the Chiesa di Santa Felicita. Learn how this passage allowed the Medici family to attend mass away from the crowds below.
Look up to spot the elevated corridor connecting this church to the Medici's private route through the city. Discover how this small but significant church played a quiet role in the family's daily life.
Piazza De' Pitti
Meet the story of a member of the Second World War Resistance, who used her flat on Piazza Pitti to protect Jews. Reflect on this quiet act of courage as you stand in the square where it took place.
Discover the history of Palazzo Pitti, the palace's deep connection to the Medici family, and its secret engraved in rock. Uncover a detail hidden in plain sight on one of Florence's grandest palace facades.
Basilica di Santo Spirito
Relax in a green cloister and seek out a little-known work by Michelangelo inside this basilica. Discover its place as one of the first religious centres in the Oltrarno district.
Piazza Santo Spirito
Identify the plaque marking Santo Spirito with its whip insignia, one of two symbols demarcating Florence's historic four districts. Enjoy this beautiful square as you continue your walk through the neighbourhood.
Ponte alla Carraia
Cross toward Ponte alla Carraia, originally built in wood in 1218 as the second bridge over the Arno after Ponte Vecchio. Learn how it earned its name "bridge of the carts" from the wool traffic that once rumbled across it between Florence's dye works and cloth workers.
Find out why there are two street numbers on most buildings nearby, and discover the city's famous "wine windows" right outside this spot. Learn how these small openings once let Florentines buy wine directly from noble households.
Ponte Santa Trinita
Admire Ponte Santa Trinita, the oldest elliptical arch bridge in the world, rebuilt by Bartolomeo Ammannati between 1567 and 1569. Discover how it was destroyed by retreating German forces in 1944 and later painstakingly reconstructed using original stones recovered from the riverbed.
What's included
Included
Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
App for Android and iOS
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Not included
Smartphone and headphones
Transportation
Food and drink
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
How it compares in Florence
- Starting price $8 is 93% below the typical $113 for tours of similar length in Florence
Excurgo comparison of 3,203 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Florence's Oltrarno: A Self-Guided Walking Tour take?
Florence's Oltrarno: A Self-Guided Walking Tour lasts about 1h–1h 30min. The itinerary has 10 stops.
How much does Florence's Oltrarno: A Self-Guided Walking Tour cost?
Prices start at $8 per person for this Florence experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Florence's Oltrarno: A Self-Guided Walking Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
Can I cancel Florence's Oltrarno: A Self-Guided Walking Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is This tour starts at Ponte Vecchio. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Florence's Oltrarno: A Self-Guided Walking Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
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from$8
Free cancellation