Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Italian, French, Spanish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Overview
Discover the most authentic side of the Cradle of the Renaissance on a sensory journey through marbled paper, chiseled gold, and pure Tuscan leather.
Forget the usual tourist routes. This walking tour will take you into the secret, beating heart of Florence: the workshops and boutiques where master artisans have passed down the secrets of handmade craftsmanship for centuries. A visual, olfactory, and tactile experience for those who want to know the true Florentine identity and admire artisanal genius live, exploring three of the city's most iconic neighborhoods.
What's included
3-Hour Guided Walk
A professional, English-speaking guide
Whisper audio systems provided for groups of more than 8 people
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Food and Beverages
What to expect
Oltrarno
Pass by
Stop 1: The Magic of Paper and Bookbinding (Oltrarno District)
Our journey begins "Diladdarno" (across the Arno river), the bohemian soul of the city. We will cross the thresholds of historic shops like the ancient institution Giulio Giannini e Figlio (founded in 1856 right in front of Pitti Palace) and Il Papiro. We will discover the hypnotic technique of Florentine "marbled paper," an art imported from the East and perfected here, and admire masterpieces of artistic bookbinding, featuring soft leathers embellished with refined gold leaf impressions.
Ponte Vecchio
Pass by
Stop 2: The Genius of Goldsmiths (Ponte Vecchio and Historical Center)
Crossing the legendary Ponte Vecchio, we will leave the glitziest window displays behind to delve into secret alleys like the Casa dell'Orafo (Goldsmith's House), a former convent that today houses tiny, fascinating workshops of engravers and gem setters. The walk will then lead us to the atelier of Master Paolo Penko, where gold comes to life through the ancient and meticulous Florentine "cesello" (chiseling) technique. This is a unique opportunity to see how a reproduction of the famous gold Florin or a Renaissance-inspired jewel is born.
Santa Croce
Pass by
Stop 3: The Unmistakable Scent of Leather (Santa Croce District)
We will conclude our path in the shadow of the Basilica of Santa Croce, the global district of leather goods. We will visit the renowned Scuola del Cuoio (Leather School), located in the ancient corridors of the Franciscan monastery. Walking silently among the workbenches, you will be intoxicated by the scent of Tuscan vegetable tanning, as you watch apprentices and masters cut, shape, and sew luxury leather bags and jackets strictly by hand. The walk will end among the historic leather shops of the square, the ideal place for a handcrafted purchase destined to last a lifetime.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
You guide will hold a paper with your name.
End point
Santa Croce District
Additional information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Sconsigliato ai viaggiatori con problemi di mobilità
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
