
Santa Maria Novella Walking Tour (Self Guided), Florence
Embark on a mesmerizing history tour when you visit the Santa Maria Novella district, one of the most historical districts in the city. A tour of the area will take you to ancient churches, historic buildings and a number of elegant boutiques.
Step inside the church of Santa Maria Novella, a Gothic building that was started toward the end of the 13th century. The layout of the vast interior is believed to be the work of Brunelleschi, the architect of the Duomo's cupola. Take your time browsing the many fabulous works of art, including the Crucifix by Giotto which hangs in the central nave and the stunning frescoes in the Strozzi Chapel. Other standout works are a 15th-century wooden crucifix by Brunelleschi, and the Tornabuoni Chapel which features frescoes by the artistic school where Michelangelo was apprenticed.
Visit Piazza della Stazione, one of the largest squares in the city. Take your pick of the many fine restaurants that line the streets here. The choice includes traditional Italian and ethnic eateries. Lovers of fascinating architecture won't want to miss out on a visit to the Fortezza da Basso. This 16-century defensive stronghold is an example of military Renaissance architecture and features restored historic palaces. Today, the complex hosts festivals, concerts and exhibitions.
Step inside the church of Santa Maria Novella, a Gothic building that was started toward the end of the 13th century. The layout of the vast interior is believed to be the work of Brunelleschi, the architect of the Duomo's cupola. Take your time browsing the many fabulous works of art, including the Crucifix by Giotto which hangs in the central nave and the stunning frescoes in the Strozzi Chapel. Other standout works are a 15th-century wooden crucifix by Brunelleschi, and the Tornabuoni Chapel which features frescoes by the artistic school where Michelangelo was apprenticed.
Visit Piazza della Stazione, one of the largest squares in the city. Take your pick of the many fine restaurants that line the streets here. The choice includes traditional Italian and ethnic eateries. Lovers of fascinating architecture won't want to miss out on a visit to the Fortezza da Basso. This 16-century defensive stronghold is an example of military Renaissance architecture and features restored historic palaces. Today, the complex hosts festivals, concerts and exhibitions.
How it works: A discovery walk features a route using which you can explore a popular city neighborhood on your own. This walk, along with other self-guided walks in over 1,500 cities, can be found on the app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" which can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app's built-in GPS navigation functions allow following this walk route with ease. The app works both online and offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Santa Maria Novella Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: Santa Maria Novella Walking Tour
Guide Location: Italy » Florence
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Author: Xena
Guide Location: Italy » Florence
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Author: Xena

1) Lungarno Vespucci

2) Borgo Ognissanti, Casa alla Rovescia

3) Borgo Ognissanti

4) Borgo Ognissanti

5) Piazza Ognissanti

6) Church of Santa Maria Novella

7) Via Panzani

8) Via Panzani

9) Via Panzani

10) Via degli Avelli

11) Church of Santa Maria Novella

12) Piazza della Stazione

13) Piazza della Stazione

14) Piazza della Stazione

15) Valfonda Garden, Villa Vittoria
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Duomo Walking Tour
Right in the heart of historic Florence lies the Duomo district—the city's religious and civic core, and one of the most remarkable places in all of Italy. Between the Duomo and Signoria squares, Florence unfolds in layers of art, history, and architectural brilliance, offering a never-ending stream of things to see, do, and admire.
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
Florence was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. Laid out like a Roman military camp, its main roads intersected at what is now the Republic Square. Originally named Fluentia, referencing its location between two rivers, the city later adopted the name Florentia, meaning “flowering” or “flourishing”.
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Though born in the small Tuscan town of Caprese, Michelangelo spent over two decades of his life in Florence—the heart of the Renaissance. It was here that he grew up, was educated, and began shaping his artistic voice, eventually creating some of the most iconic masterpieces the city has ever known.
His larger-than-life work—“David”—didn’t just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
His larger-than-life work—“David”—didn’t just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Florence Food Tour
Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here – besides the abundant variety – is not having to spend a lot of money for it.
In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour
The area south of the Arno River—known as Oltrarno, or “Beyond the Arno”—offers a quieter, more intimate side of Florence, but one that’s no less captivating. It’s here that you’ll find the grand Pitti Palace, home to a painting collection rivaled only by the Uffizi Gallery, and the expansive Boboli Gardens, once the private domain of the Medici and later, the royal family. As one of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest – albeit also most controversial – of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities – including the banishing of several rivals – led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy”, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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