Private Tour
Florence SANTA CROCE Basilica Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
Enjoy an insightful private tour of Santa Croce with a 5-star guide. Visiting the biggest Franciscan church in the world is an incredible experience but without a tour guide, you will deny yourself a unique opportunity to learn the secrets hidden within its walls.
Built in the 13th century Santa Croce became a "Temple of Italian Glory” as Michelangelo Buonarroti, Galileo Galilei and many other famous Italians are buried there.
- Step on Medieval graves and learn why they have sculls and crossbones engraved;
- Learn the mystery about Dante’s empty grave;
- Hear the story how Michelangelo’s body was stolen from Rome;
- Learn all the details of the intricate story of Galileo Galilei and discover the place where he was secretly buried for 100 years;
- Get the headsets to hear the guide clearly.
Enjoy this unique experience with your tour guide, install a dialogue, ask questions, and be ready to hear all the fascinating stories and secrets hidden within the walls of Santa Croce.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Basilica of Santa Croce
Inside Santa Croce you will hear the stories about the biggest Franciscan church in the world and enjoy looking at its marvellous masterpieces. You will step on Medieval graves of Florentine aristocrats and learn why some of them have sculls and crossbones engraved. You will learn the mystery about Dante’s empty grave and discover where the Statue of Liberty originates from. You will hear the story how Michelangelo’s body was stolen from Rome and learn all the details of the intricate story of Galileo Galilei and discover the place where he was secretly buried for a hundred years. You will enjoy looking at Giotto’s frescoes and learn why a few of them got destroyed. You will admire Donatello’s Annunciation and Brunelleschi’s Pazzi Chapel. You will discover the real story behind the world famous Stendhal’s syndrome and take dozens of pictures in this marvellous temple of flory.
What‘s Included
Headsets to hear the guide clearly
Tickets to Santa Croce church
1-hour tour with a 5 star guide
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Options
Santa Croce Tour in ENGLISH
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Passion and Knowledge
James O,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Irina is an exceptional guide. This was the start of my St Frances Pilgrimage to Rome and I had researched extensively. Irina’s knowledge is exceptional and she presents the stories of St Frances, Dante, Michelangelo, Florentine families to name a few with passion and weaves the tour into the story of religion and The Renaissance. It comes to life and with humour. Thank you Irina. You brought Florence to life!
Too beautiful to miss!
Steven M,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was one of my favorite tours! The basilica was astonishingly beautiful. I loved all the Christianity references it really touched my heart!
Irina Made Santa Croce Come Alive—Absolutely Worth It
954joelb,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Irina was fantastic from start to finish. She communicated clearly in advance and made meeting her inside the busy Basilica of Santa Croce effortless. What stood out most was how she brought Santa Croce to life—taking the time to sit down and share rich, relevant history that completely transformed the experience. Without her context and insight, I would have missed so much of what makes this place extraordinary. She’s friendly, engaging, and deeply knowledgeable. An outstanding guide and absolutely worth it—I highly recommend her.
Santa Coce must do
marsha v,Jul 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00If you see one basilica in Florence, this is the one. Our guide , Irini was superb. So much art History🙁
Great history and sights that words cannot describe
Discover39399896237,May 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such an enormous church with an overwhelming display of architecture, artwork and history. We would have been lost without Irina and her expert guidance and interesting stories.
Fantastic tour, great guide
NONNA U,Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing tour, the guide was a top notch. I've learned so much! It was an amazing experience to be in front of a genius Michelangelo resting place
Irina was knowlegable and...
Todd S,Jan 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Irina was knowlegable and articulate… she obviously knew every nook and cranny of the basilica… Impressive fund of knowledge and a great communicator… Made for a great trip. Highly recommend this tour!
Excellent
Paul L,Oct 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Fascinating tour of one of the less visited Florence sites. Very easy to organise and Irina was there to meet us as planned
Santa Croce tour
U4680RZandrewk,Oct 11, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Irina was superb. Very knowledgeable, not just about Santa Croce but Florentine history. She was great answering our questions. Irina was very pleasant. Highly recommend her.
Alda guiding through Santa Crace
Mary K,Aug 11, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Alda was a fabulous guide, shared a lot of history and emphasized the importance of those buried there. Very kind and helpful
Related Experiences
Operated by Irina in Florence