2 hours tour
Florence: Santa Croce & Scuola del Cuoio
Florentine Craftsmanship at Its Finest
From
Where Tradition Meets Florentine Craftsmanship
Why You Should Choose This Tour?
- Explore the historic Santa Croce neighbourhood, one of the most genuine and characterful areas of Florence.
- Visit the Basilica di Santa Croce — the ‘Temple of Italian Glories ‘ — and discover its extraordinary artistic and civic heritage.
- Walk through medieval alleys, Franciscan cloisters and hidden courtyards rarely seen by standard visitors.
- Hear the story of Florentine leatherwork, goldsmithing and decorative arts from an expert local guide.
- Enjoy a guided visit to the Scuola del Cuoio, a world-class institution of Florentine leather excellence.
- The option to stay on freely after the guided tour ends — observe master leather artisans at work.
- A deeply authentic experience for those who value tradition, living craft and Italian excellence.
- Perfect for design lovers, history enthusiasts and travelers seeking the real soul of Florence.
Just few spots available
What Does This Tour Include?
Included
- Local English-speaking expert guide
- 2-hour walking tour in the Santa Croce area
- Exterior visit and storytelling of the Basilica di Santa Croce
- Walk through medieval alleyways, Franciscan cloisters and artisan streets
- Guided visit to the Scuola del Cuoio
- Free time to explore the Scuola del Cuoio independently after the tour
- Tour insurance
Not Included
- Pick-up / Drop-off from your hotel or apartment
- Entrance ticket to the Basilica di Santa Croce interior (purchasable on-site)
- Leather purchases at the Scuola del Cuoio (optional)
- Food and beverages
- Tips (optional but appreciated)
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Piazza di Santa Croce — exact meeting point confirmed upon booking.
Stop 1: Basilica di Santa Croce (Exterior)
Discover the history and significance of this iconic church, known as the Temple of Italian Glories.
Stop 2: Santa Croce DistrictStop 2: Santa Croce District
Walk through medieval streets, Franciscan cloisters, and artisan neighborhoods.
Stop 3: Scuola del Cuoio (Leather School)
Visit one of Florence’s most prestigious leather institutions and learn about its origins and craftsmanship.
Free Time: Scuola del Cuoio
Stay after the tour to observe artisans at work and explore the leather collections.
Highlights
- Discover the Basilica di Santa Croce, the resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini.
- Wander through the authentic Santa Croce neighborhood — workshops, cloisters and medieval streets.
- Understand the Florentine craft tradition: leatherwork, goldsmithing and decorative arts explained in context.
- Visit the world-renowned Scuola del Cuoio — a living institution of Florentine excellence since 1950.
- Hear the fascinating story of how Franciscan friars and artisan families gave birth to a global leather institution.
- Option to remain freely at the Scuola del Cuoio and observe master craftsmen at work.
- An ideal experience for lovers of authenticity, living traditions and Italian craftsmanship at its finest.
Historic squares, artisan traditions, and the timeless craft of Florentine leather.
Know Before You Go.
Know Before You Go
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Total Duration: approximately 2 hours (plus optional free time at the Scuola del Cuoio)
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Tour Type: Walking tour + guided artisan visit
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Tour Level: Easy — flat route with some cobblestone streets
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The Basilica di Santa Croce interior is not included but can be visited independently (ticket purchased on site).
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Languages available: English, Italian
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Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled start.
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Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
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Purchases at the Scuola del Cuoio are entirely optional.
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Limited wheelchair accessibility due to cobblestone streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Basilica di Santa Croce visit included?
The exterior visit with full storytelling is included. The interior of the Basilica is not included in the tour price but can be accessed independently for an additional ticket purchased on-site.
What is the Scuola del Cuoio?
The Scuola del Cuoio (School of Leather) was founded in 1950 by Franciscan friars and local artisan families. Today it is one of the most prestigious leather-making institutions in the world, located inside the historic convent adjacent to Santa Croce.
Can we buy leather goods at the Scuola del Cuoio?
Yes. The Scuola del Cuoio has a showroom where you can purchase handcrafted leather goods. Purchasing is entirely optional.
Can we stay at the Scuola del Cuoio after the tour ends?
Yes. After the guide’s farewell, guests are welcome to remain freely, observe the artisans at work and explore the collection at their own pace.
How many people can be in the group?
This is a small-group tour to guarantee a personal and engaging experience.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, booking in advance is recommended to guarantee availability, especially in high season.
Who is buried in the Basilica di Santa Croce?
The Basilica di Santa Croce is known as the ‘Temple of Italian Glories’ and is the burial site of some of Italy’s most celebrated figures, including Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Niccolò Machiavelli, the composer Gioachino Rossini and the poet Ugo Foscolo. The poet Dante Alighieri has a cenotaph here, though he is buried in Ravenna. Your guide will bring these stories to life in the piazza and the surrounding neighbourhood.
Is the interior of the Basilica di Santa Croce worth visiting in addition to the tour?
Yes, for those with sufficient time and interest. The interior contains extraordinary frescoes by Giotto and his school, funerary monuments by some of the greatest Renaissance sculptors and the beautiful Pazzi Chapel by Brunelleschi. The entrance ticket can be purchased independently on-site. Your guide can advise on whether to visit before or after the tour.
Can the tour be combined with lunch or a food experience in the Santa Croce area?
Yes. The Santa Croce neighbourhood is one of the most genuine and food-rich areas of Florence, with excellent local markets, traditional trattorie and artisan food shops. We can recommend the best spots in the neighbourhood for a lunch or aperitivo after the tour concludes. Just ask your guide at the end of the experience.
What is the Scuola del Cuoio’s connection to the Franciscan friars?
After World War II, the Franciscan friars of Santa Croce opened the convent spaces to local artisan families — particularly the Gori and Casini families — to help rebuild a local leather tradition that had been devastated by the war. This partnership between a religious community and craftsmen gave birth to the Scuola del Cuoio in 1950, and that bond between faith, craft and community remains the soul of the institution today.
What They Say About Us
From the twilight shadows to the final wine glass, our guests have walked the path of Renaissance secrets. See why they fell in love with Florence’s most provocative side.
Booked the Uffizi tour for our anniversary. We went in knowing nothing and came out understanding everything. Worth every euro and then some.
Sarah L
The Val d’Orcia full-day tour felt like a dream. Eight hours of pure Tuscany. Marco’s team is exceptional. This is how travel should feel slow, beautiful, meaningful.
David K.
The Artisans tour was the highlight of our entire trip. Seeing real craftsmen at work in those Oltrarno workshops nothing compares. Highly recommend.
Robert & Claire T
An absolutely extraordinary evening. Our guide knew stories about Florence I’ve never read in any book. The wine tasting at the end was perfect. We’ll be back.
Jennifer M
Join Our Community of Florence Lovers
From the twilight shadows to the final wine glass, our guests have walked the path of Renaissance secrets. See why they fell in love with Florence’s most provocative side.
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