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Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto
Have you ever wanted to see the Cradle of the Renaissance from a different perspective? See and experience the splendour of Florence on a traditional boat from the Arno River.
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What to Expect
A slow river journey through Florence’s bridges, palaces, and hidden stories
An Italy boat ride would usually be associated with Venice or the Amalfi Coast. However, this romantic boat trip of the River Arno allows you to see a different side of Florence that you don’t get from a walking or cycling tour. Float away with the charm of a traditional boat and relaxed atmosphere.
See Florence in a new light with an ancient tradition
Come aboard a Florentine gondola for a romantic and unique cruise and “Aperitivo” on the Arno River where you’ll see Florence from a completely different perspective. Where is the Arno river? It passes through the centre of Florence, Empoli and Pisa on its way to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Float away and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere
You’ll enjoy a leisurely cruise on a “barchetto,” one of only four traditional wooden boats left in Florence. A “barcaiolo”, a true Florentine tradition holder, will guide the boat expertly down the river with his long-reaching pole. There are no noisy engines on the Arno, only the charm and tradition and the voice of your expert guide. They will unveil the secrets of the river as well as inform you of the history of the grand palazzos which line the ancient waterway. You’ll even hear a few colourful local stories!
Discover the most beautiful buildings by the river with a glass of wine
You will pass by the Uffizi gallery, under the Ponte Vecchio, and you’ll find out more about the mysterious Vasari Corridor. You will also have the chance to discover the Santa Trinita Bridge and the amazing Palazzo Corsini. All of this with a glass of wine in your hand as you enjoy a refreshing treat. There really is no better way to enjoy the charm of the Florence Italy river than from the relaxed comfort of a traditional gondola-style boat!
Under Ponte Vecchio
See Florence’s most iconic bridge from a rare and memorable angle on the water.
Riverside Florence
Drift past elegant palaces and discover the city’s quieter, more reflective side.
Stories of the Water
Listen to local tales and cultural insights tied to the Arno and its landmarks.
A Toast on Board
Enjoy a glass of wine as the city’s history unfolds along the riverbanks.
Itinerary
Meet your tour leader in Via dei Vagellai, 22 red, corner with Piazza Mentana (opposite to the Arno River).
A Different Side of Florence: Begin your experience on the Arno River and discover a quieter, more intimate view of Florence, far from the rhythm of the streets.
Aboard a Traditional Barchetto: Step onto a historic barchetto, one of only four traditional boats still remaining in Florence, and enjoy a leisurely cruise shaped by local heritage and timeless charm.
Florence from the Water: As the boat glides along the river, admire the Uffizi Gallery and the elegant palazzos that line the riverbanks, revealing the city from a rare and evocative perspective.
A Toast to Florence: During the cruise, enjoy a glass of wine and take in the atmosphere of the city in a relaxed and memorable way.
Stories Along the Arno: Throughout the journey, entertaining commentary and colorful local anecdotes bring the river, its landmarks, and Florentine traditions vividly to life.
Important info
Reviews
Loved by Travelers
Super mais un poil cher
Magnifique croisière, super commentaires de Lorenzo, belles manœuvres de Pietro le batelier, mais le blanc de blanc pétillant dans des verres en plast ...
Great experience
Wonderful tour, definitely worth doing ...
River cruise
Meeting point difficult to find. Boat ride was great very relaxing Tour guide was very good ...
Cozy boat trip
Very pleasant, quiet, and beautiful the little boat glided along without an engine. Fantastic view from the river ...
Very special
A lovely relaxed trip, away from the crowds, but with the best views. Our guide was excellent, knowledgeable passionate and very generous with tips an ...
Beautiful sunset boatride
Thank you Fabio! What a great guide, he knew so many interesting facts about the river, the bridges and the surrounding buildings and we got a new app ...
Overpriced but nice
A nice one hour boat ride on the Arno River. Overpriced. ...
Fun Sunset Ride!
Emanuela was an excellent tour guide for our cruise down the Arno River. We learned the history of the river as well as the buildings surrounding it. ...
Happy way to spend our first evening in Florence, before dinner.
Our guide knew her history, and her passion for Florence was evident in how she could tell us about it, as an interesting story (not a dry set of fact ...
Overall a worthwhile experience
Was a little pricy for the length of time but our tour guide was great and seeing Florence from a different perspective from the boat was really nice. ...
Beautiful
Tom was charming and knowledgeable. Such a beautiful way to see the city and the sun setting on Florence. ...
A break from the bustling city
It was so peaceful and the guide was so kind and we learned while relaxing which was awesome! ...
Excellent time on the Arno
This was a beautiful night on the Arno River , our guide was fantastic. We enjoyed some prosecco while watching the sunset from the gondola . Excellen ...
Lovely evening trip on beautiful river Arno.
Highly recommend this trip. It’s a lovely way to spend an hour on the river Arno. Loved the bridges and the history behind them. We had a lovely tour ...
Amazing experience!
The gondola ride was absolutely beautiful! It was a really neat way to see Florence on our first day. ...
Very nice but meeting information not good.
A very enjoyable and relaxing cruise on a lovely Italian barchetto steered by Massimo. On the down side, we nearly missed the cruise through no fault ...
Great experience !
Great experience, a little difficult to find meeting spot but worth it ! ...
A nice moment in the late afternoon on the Arno 🤩 a very pleasant little cruise.
Our very friendly guide shared anecdotes about Florence, which allowed us to learn some very interesting things. The passage on the Arno under the Pon ...
Unforgettable Boat experience!
Francesca was superb. She was friendly, knowledgeable and funny. Definitely a highlight of our trip! ...
Great water attraction of Italy for adults.
Fabio was lovely. Great interaction, small group, offered wine, water, and juice. Many umbrellas offered for use as it was perfectly warm and sunny. H ...
Know before you go
FAQ
What is included in our Florence boat tour?
Our tour includes a mini cruise on the Arno River aboard a traditional Florentine boat, a licensed English-speaking history guide, wine for adults, and a soft drink for children.
Where do we meet for our Florence boat tour?
We meet in Via dei Vagellai 22 red, at the corner with Piazza Mentana, opposite the Arno River in Florence.
How long does our Florence boat tour last?
Our experience lasts approximately 1 hour, including a river cruise of about 45 minutes.
Is our Florence boat tour private or shared?
This experience is designed as a shared small-group tour. A private upgrade is also available for guests who prefer a more exclusive version.
How many people join our Florence boat tour?
Our small-group format accommodates up to 20 participants.
What kind of boat do we use on the Arno River?
We use a traditional Florentine barchetto, described on the source page as one of only four traditional wooden boats left in Florence.
Which landmarks do we see during our Florence boat tour?
During the cruise, we pass by the Uffizi Gallery, under the Ponte Vecchio, and see the Vasari Corridor, Santa Trinita Bridge, and Palazzo Corsini from the river.
Is wine included on our Florence boat tour?
Yes. We include a glass of wine aboard for adults, while children receive a soft drink.
Is our Florence boat tour suitable for children?
Yes. The experience includes soft drinks for children, which indicates that families can join the tour.
Is the experience accessible?
If you or someone in your party has special needs or impaired mobility, we ask that you tell us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate the request.
What happens if it rains?
Rain may prevent departure if conditions are not safe or enjoyable. If we cancel the tour because of rain, guests can choose between a rain check voucher and a full refund.
What is the cancellation policy for our Florence boat tour?
Our product page lists free cancellation. In the specific case of a weather cancellation made by us, we offer either a rain check voucher or a 100% refund.
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Free Cancellation
Any cancellation fee depends on the specific tour; see the 'Cancellation policy' for timelines and charges.