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Feel the heartbeat of the Renaissance, where art, power, and passion have shaped the city for centuries.

Three Self-Guided Audio Tours to rediscover Florence

A first taste of the best stories the city has to offer. Many more tours are waiting for you.

The Price of Beauty: Blood, Banks, and the Florentine Renaissance – Florence Audio-Tour
Tour 01
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Pic by Roger Wollstadt on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Price of Beauty: Blood, Banks, and the Florentine Renaissance

Forget the sanitized history of enlightened philosophers and peaceful painters. The Florentine Renaissance was forged in the fires of cutthroat capitalism, bitter family rivalries, and a desperate scramble for political dominance. On this redthread tour, you will walk the streets where the Medici family built an empire on double-entry bookkeeping, where merchant guilds operated like cartels, and where art was the ultimate weapon of propaganda. Discover how the world's most breathtaking masterpieces were paid for by bankers trying to buy their way out of hell.

8 Stops
111 Min
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The Living Botteghe: Florence's Final Artisans – Florence Audio-Tour
Tour 02
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Image by Ricardalovesmonuments on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Living Botteghe: Florence's Final Artisans

Step across the Arno river and into the hidden, dusty, and fiercely proud workshops of the Oltrarno district. This is not the Florence of crowded museums and marble statues; this is the living, breathing, sweating Florence. On this immersive sensory journey, you will uncover the secret world of the 'Oltrarnisti'—the master artisans who are keeping Renaissance-era craftsmanship alive against the crushing tide of mass tourism. From the rhythmic clacking of 18th-century wooden looms to the sharp scent of raw leather and ox gall, you will experience the tactile reality of true mastery. Join us to discover why true luxury is measured in time, patience, and the calloused hands of the makers.

6 Stops
98 Min
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The Prophet's Pyre: Savonarola's Reign of Terror – Florence Audio-Tour
Tour 03
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Image by Dimitris Kamaras on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

The Prophet's Pyre: Savonarola's Reign of Terror

Step into the shadows of 1490s Florence, where the glittering Renaissance was violently eclipsed by a fundamentalist reign of terror. Join historian Max and detail-obsessed expert Iris as they trace the meteoric rise and brutal fall of Girolamo Savonarola, the apocalyptic friar who convinced a city of geniuses to burn their own masterpieces. This immersive, suspenseful journey will take you from silent convent cells to the echoing vastness of the Duomo, culminating in the very square where the Prophet of Doom met his fiery end. You will never look at the cradle of the Renaissance the same way again.

6 Stops
81 Min
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Your in-app experience

This is how the Red Thread app brings your tour to life.

Red Thread guides you through the city's stories that you won't find in any guidebook. Authentically and compellingly told by our experts and locals.

Home
01

Home

Get inspired and choose a story that fits your location and your mood.

Search for tours directly
02

Search for tours directly

Use the map to find tours in your city or at a specific address.

Redeem in the app
03

Redeem in the app

Redeem purchased tours or City Passes in the app using a voucher code or QR code.

Start well prepared
04

Start well prepared

Explore the route, stops, and many additional features for your experience.

Listen where it happened
05

Listen where it happened

Hear the stories where they happened.

Ask your guide
06

Ask your guide

Get extra context, deeper details, or useful tips nearby.

Collect discoveries
07

Collect discoveries

Build your travel passport and explore fascinating insights.

Discover Florence – Stories Worth Hearing

Red Thread is an iOS and Android app with over 1,500 guided audio tours through cities worldwide - including in Florence.

Florence is more than a city; it's a living work of art, where every stone and every piazza breathes a story. From the majestic domes of the Duomo to the hidden alleys of Oltrarno, you feel the spirit of the Renaissance that made the city a focal point of human creativity. Did you know that the Medici family built a secret passage, the Vasari Corridor, over the Ponte Vecchio, to move unseen between their residences – a symbol of their power and their fear of the populace?

This fusion of architectural splendor and human drama can be found at every turn, whether you explore the palaces of the bankers who financed the Renaissance or visit the workshops of artisans preserving age-old knowledge. With Red Thread, you'll delve deep into the layers of these stories, from the bloody intrigues of the Medici to Savonarola's fires on Piazza della Signoria, and uncover the soul of this unique city.

Florence Highlights
  • Immerse yourself in the birthplace of the Renaissance and its secrets.
  • Discover authentic craftsmanship in the Oltrarno's charming alleys.
  • Walk in the footsteps of Medici, Savonarola, and great masters.
  • Perfect for visitors and locals seeking new insights.

Start for free – Premium from €12.99/month. Compare all plans →

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Frequently Asked Questions about Florence

General questions about the app, pricing and features are answered in our full FAQ on the main page.

How long do I need to explore the main sights in Florence?
A first orientation around the Duomo, Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio requires at least a full day. Our tours offer deeper insights, ranging from 81 to 111 minutes.
Are there still places in Florence where one can experience traditional craftsmanship?
Yes, especially in the Oltrarno district, you'll find numerous "Botteghe" where leather goods, jewelry, and paper are made according to ancient traditions. Our "The Living Botteghe" tour leads you directly to these unique workshops.
Where did Savonarola's famous "Bonfire of the Vanities" take place?
The historic bonfire, where luxury goods and artworks were burned, occurred in Piazza della Signoria in front of Palazzo Vecchio. Learn more about this turbulent time in our "The Prophet's Pyre" tour.
Can I create my own tours in Florence?
Yes, with the XL or Unlimited subscription you can use our AI-powered tour creator to build your own personalized tour in Florence on a topic of your choice. All Infos here
Can I use the Florence tours offline?
Yes, with an XL or Unlimited subscription you can download tours for offline use.
Can I do Florence tours together with friends?
Yes – with Together Mode (from XL plan) the whole group listens in sync on their own devices. Up to 4 people on XL, up to 10 on Unlimited.
In which other cities does Red Thread offer tours?
Further tours are available in nearby cities like Perugia, Parma, Padua, or international destinations like Singapore, Berlin, Kyoto and many more. All cities can be found here.
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