Oltrarno Tour

Considered the city’s most lively historic area, Santo Spirito quarter or Oltrano as the locals call it, originated as the area where merchants and people who could not afford to live on the more noble part of Florence would settle down. The arrival of the Medici Family to Pitti Palace changed the panorama of this area and filled the main streets with magnificent palaces. Today a walk through this area is a walk into the most authentic part of Florence, where locals live and in the morning meet for a coffee and a chat, before going shopping at the local open market and in the many small shops.

We cross Ponte Vecchio and stop to see the Medici private spot inside Santa Felicita church, the oldest church in this part of Florence. Next we go visit Santo Spirito basilica, magnificent example of a Renaissance church designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, the place where Michelangelo studied anatomy. After passing by the vendors of the morning market on Piazza Santo Spirito, we head to the San Frediano area -voted by the Lonely Planet readers as the coolest neighborhood in the world. From there we reach Santa Maria del Carmine square and enter the church to visit the famous Brancacci Chapel to admire the Renaissance frescoes by Masaccio. Along the way we will stop to look at tabernacles, wine doors and more curiosities, and make sure we relax with a good espresso or cappuccino, while mixing with locals at a popular coffee bar.