Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Oltrarno neighborhood
- Piazza Santo Spirito
- Artisan Workshops
Photos & Highlights
- Private access to a variety of craft workshops in the Oltrarno neighborhood which has produced quality goods for countless generations
- Led by a Florence expert
Select a date
Tour Description
The Florentine tradition of producing artisanal goods has been in existence for centuries and remains one of the cornerstones of Florence's visual and social history. This 3-hour Florence Artisan Workshop tour explores the area of Oltrarno (“on the other side of the Arno”), which has produced goods for countless generations of kings, queens, gentlemen, and noblewomen, and visits a variety of private workshops, who continue to practice their crafts building upon methods passed down through generations.
You will begin your tour in the lovely Piazza Santo Spirito and enjoy a stroll through the Oltrarno neighborhood, which has been home to Florentine leatherworkers, silversmiths, shoemakers, and milliners for the last five hundred years.
The neighborhood is a maze of tiny streets and small local workshops, representing some of the most historic enterprises in the city. You will have the opportunity to see some of these craftsmen at work, ask them some questions, and observe their meticulous practices and the tools of their work.
In the company of your expert guide, you will learn the historical and cultural significance of each craft, and the value and role of work and manufacturing in the Tuscan tradition and the Italian culture.
This experience transcends the typical tourist path, inviting you to engage deeply with Florence's living tradition, it emphasizes sustainable practices and contributes to the local community by supporting and promoting artisans whose crafts are at risk of disappearing.
By visiting these workshops, you are helping to preserve these vital Florentine traditions and ensuring their enduring for future generations.
- You want the opportunity to engage with master artisans and learn about their craft and techniques
- You’re eager to explore a side of Florence that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions
- You want more than a shopping tour, you are interested in the historical and cultural contexts that shaped these crafts
- Oltrarno neighborhood
- Piazza Santo Spirito
- Artisan Workshops
Transportation
Where does it start? Where does it end?
The tour begins near Piazza Santo Spirito and ends in the Oltrarno neighborhood.
How will we get around the area? Will a car be provided?
This is a walking tour only. The Oltrarno neighborhood is compact, and all the shops are within close proximity, making walking the ideal way to explore.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- For more information on planning your travels to Florence, take a read through our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about Florence prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning.
What kinds of activities and shops will we visit on the tour? We plan to visit a variety of artisanal shops to give you a comprehensive understanding of Florence's rich craft traditions. The route will depend on each guide and the workshops availability and schedules.
Why is this tour not available in August? Most studios are closed, and the artists are typically out of town during the month of August.
Are we allowed to make purchases at the workshops? While this tour is not designed to be purely a shopping trip, you are more than welcome to make purchases along the way. Just inform your expert guide of your interest, and they will accommodate it within the tour schedule.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Although the tour is focused only in the Oltrarno area, so the walking distance is limited, some shops may not be wheelchair accessible and may have few steps at the entrance. If you are slow walkers and need breaks, please let the expert know so they can factor in some time to rest in between artisan shop reservations.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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185 Reviews
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Outstanding! What a special and authentic view of Florence and its history!
Katharine
Aug. 2, 2024
Helen was fantastic! Her insider knowledge as a fellow artisan was wonderful. In addition to taking us to some great artisans that did fascinating work (metal pressing, plate etching, jewlery making, and mosaics), we had some interesting discussions about the working/political conditions for artisans. I wish we'd had a second day with her! Overall one of the highlights of my 2+ week trip to Italy!
Rachel
Jul. 10, 2024
Kate picked out three very interesting artisans to visit in depth and we saw fantastic demonstrations at all 3. We also visited a variety of other artisans and she discussed the history behind each and we saw beautiful merchandise. Was a fantastic tour and are so glad it worked with our schedule. Loved getting to ask questions of the artisans and purchase some beautiful works unique to where we visited.
Kelly
Jun. 27, 2024
