Horse Drawn Carriage Ride in Florence
Description
Step back in time and discover the heart of Florence in a truly unique way, aboard a private horse-drawn carriage. This elegant tour offers a special perspective on the city’s Renaissance beauty, letting you admire magnificent architecture, lively piazzas, and hidden corners as you glide through the historic center. Along the cobblestone streets, you’ll pass iconic landmarks such as the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio, while also exploring quieter, lesser-known areas where the authentic spirit of Florence can still be felt. The gentle rhythm of the horse’s hooves creates a magical atmosphere, recalling an era when nobles traveled this way. Your expert coachman will share engaging stories and insights into Florence’s art, architecture, and daily life through the centuries. More than just a ride, this carriage tour is a relaxing and unforgettable journey through the city’s history, culture, and timeless charm.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Piazza della Signoria is a historic square in the heart of Florence, Italy. Surrounded by iconic buildings such as the Palazzo Vecchio, it is home to important sculptures like Michelangelo's David (a replica) and the Fountain of Neptune. The square has been the political center of the city for centuries and remains a popular gathering place for both locals and tourists.
The Lungarni of Florence are the picturesque streets and promenades running along the Arno River, offering stunning views of historic bridges, elegant Renaissance buildings, and iconic landmarks. These scenic riverbanks are lined with cafes, museums, and palazzi, making them perfect for a leisurely stroll, especially at sunset. Notable spots along the Lungarni include Ponte Vecchio, Lungarno degli Archibusieri, and Lungarno Torrigiani, each providing a unique perspective of Florence’s rich artistic and architectural heritage.
Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s most famous and oldest bridge, spanning the Arno River with its distinctive medieval design. Built in 1345, it is renowned for its row of shops, historically home to butchers but now occupied by goldsmiths, jewelers, and art dealers. The bridge survived World War II and remains a symbol of Florence’s resilience and history. Above it runs the Vasari Corridor, a secret passageway built in 1565 for the Medici family to move between Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti. With its charming arches and breathtaking views, Ponte Vecchio is one of the city's most romantic and iconic landmarks.
Santa Croce is one of Florence’s most famous basilicas, known as the Temple of the Italian Glories because it houses the tombs of great historical figures like Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini. Located in Piazza Santa Croce, the church is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, featuring a stunning marble façade designed by Niccolò Matas. Inside, visitors can admire Giotto’s frescoes, magnificent chapels, and works by Donatello. Santa Croce is also a cultural hub, hosting events and the historic Calcio Storico Fiorentino tournament every year in the square.
Piazza del Duomo in Florence is the city's most iconic square, home to some of the greatest masterpieces of Renaissance architecture. At its heart stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo), famous for its stunning red-tiled Brunelleschi’s Dome, a marvel of engineering. The square also features the Baptistery of San Giovanni, known for its exquisite Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Giotto’s Bell Tower, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Surrounded by historic buildings, cafes, and museums, Piazza del Duomo is the vibrant heart of Florence, drawing millions of visitors each year.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- In the event of light rain the tour won't be canceled, carriages are equipped with rain covers
- our carriages can usually accommodate up to 5 people. A carriage of up to 8 passengers is available upon request
Reviews(3)
The very best way to see or even get around Florence. The crowds won't move an inch for cars, taxis, old people or people in wheelchairs, but they sure do move for the horses. The carriage is up high, affording a beautiful view above the throngs of visitors jamming every inch of the city. The right to operate a horse carriage has been passed down for generations, and the horses work one day on and one day off. The guides are locals and knowledgeable about the city and the carriages themselves are a work of art. A one hour tour costs slightly more than a standard Trip Advisor / Viator tour offering and it is worth every penny. It's romantic, they get you up close to the sites, it's education and it supports traditional family businesses. We liked it so much, when we were leaving town, we took the carriage to the train station (for a fraction of the tour cost). I have been to Florence at least five times, and this is the best thing I've done!!
Dear Guest, thank you for your wonderful feedback! We are truly delighted that the carriage experience made your visit to Florence so special and unforgettable, offering you a unique perspective of the city and a highly appreciated service. We are very pleased to hear that you found the tour romantic, informative, and enjoyable, and that it added great value to your overall stay. Kind regards, ACCORD Team
We paid $286 for a 45 min ride. We arrived at the meeting point 15 min early as requested. Our driver and carriage was not there . After asking several other drivers where else we could go we called Viator. They tried to connect with the third party company, but no one answered. After 20 minutes of searching for our ride, the third party company, Accord S.R.L., called us saying they sent an email changing the location of meeting. I never received that email until 2 hours after the ride was supposed to happen. The owner was very rude and kept trying to tell us where to meet, even yelling at us! After 30 minutes we found the new meeting point . The driver was very nice and apologetic, however, we could not hear half of what little he did point out as sights to see, and we only got a 30 minute ride. Also the picture you see is false! They no longer have 2 horse carriage rides, nor was the carriage as nice as what you see in the picture. Very deceiving! BTW, you don't need to reserve a ride, just walk up to any driver with no passengers and they'll take you on an hour ride for half the price!
Dear Guest, Thank you for your feedback. We would like to clarify that the communication regarding the meeting point change was sent to the contact details provided during booking and that we received a confirmation from you. The duration of the tour corresponds to that indicated in the activity and may vary slightly depending on traffic and operating conditions. The images used are for illustrative purposes only, and since this was a last-minute booking, the carriage available was the one assigned for the service. Furthermore, the price includes not only transportation, but also advance booking, organization, and dedicated assistance. We are sorry you were not satisfied with the tour, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another tour. Kind regards, ACCORD Team
We were only in Florence for a day, arriving by high-speed train from Rome (but this is definitely worth considering as a day-trip). Booking this one hour carriage tour as our first activity was a really good way to get our bearings and spot locations like Ponte Vecchio which we returned to after the tour. It was a mixed weather day, so umbrellas were up occasionally. However, the experience was still really enjoyable. Our driver was Giacomo and his beautiful horses were Kael and Kenzo. We were accompanied by a very knowledgeable local guide, Ivan. We covered a lot of ground in one hour before having lunch at a wonderful restaurant recommended by Ivan (www.ristorantetotofirenze.it) which we’d never have found without him pointing it out when we drove past. This gave us a good lunch and time to visit Ponte Vecchio before joining a ‘David and Duomo’ tour that afternoon. Then time for a final coffee before an easy 20 minute walk back to the train station. What a great day!
Dear Guest, thank you for sharing such a detailed description of your day in Florence. We are delighted to hear that the carriage tour was an excellent way to get oriented in the city and that the guides, the driver, and the overall experience helped make your visit truly special. Kind Regards ACCORD Team
