4 Cruises & Boat Tours in Florence Worth Booking

1.Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 376 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $71Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide in central Florence for a small-group cruise on a traditional barchetto, a little boat once used to carry building materials. See the Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Corsini from the Arno, hear about the Medici and the Vasari Corridor, and enjoy wine or a soft drink.

“It was a lovely morning. I do not think breakfast or food should be offered because it is not on the boat and an unnecessary use of time -- especially in the morning as it can get too hot. The guide was great, and the umbrellas were great. I would like more of a story of Florence to be told on the boat ride -- it is a good story telling venue.”

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2.Pontevecchio Bridge and City Sights Rafting Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 167 reviews · 2 hours · from $46Best value

For two hours, paddle the Arno with a rafting guide, pass the Uffizi and Florence’s historic bridges, and descend the San Niccolò dam before reaching Ponte Vecchio. Guides such as Marco and Hector lead the trip in Italian or English. The river section is mostly calm, but expect a lively splash at the start.

“Very fun morning on the Arno! A good arm workout but nothing too tiresome. Fun start on the rapids and a relaxing trip otherwise.”

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3.Guided Gondola Boat Tour with a Glass of Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 152 reviews · from $67

Take a one-hour guided ride on a Florentine barchetto, a traditional wooden, gondola-style boat propelled by a boatman with a long pole. You’ll pass the Uffizi, the Vasari Corridor, Ponte Vecchio and Oltrarno, then enjoy wine or a soft drink. Tours are in English and often scheduled for sunset or evening.

“My sister and I booked the sunset gondola tour and it was absolutely amazing. You get a gorgeous ride down the canal for an hour with a lovely guide telling you some interesting facts about Florence and its history. I'd absolutely recommend this to anyone that is interested and is looking for a quiet, calm, and beautiful evening along the river.”

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4.Pisa and Florence from the Livorno Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) Top rated

Tuscan Vibes takes your private group of up to eight from Livorno port to Pisa and Florence in about eight hours. Expect a short drive through Pisa, time near the Leaning Tower, a Florence viewpoint stop, and roughly three hours to explore downtown on your own. Drivers such as Simone, Matteo, and Dario have shared local history and practical tips, but a formal guide is not included.

“Simone was awesome! He was waiting with a clearly marked sign right as we exited the ship. He was very friendly and engaging from the first minute. The van was immaculate and very comfortable. He made sure to inquire about our plans and share some insider info with us. He was kind to offer to take several photos of our family along the way. We asked for lunch recommendations and he secured an excellent choice for us. He is very knowledgeable about the area too. Our family saw everything we wanted. He provided us with his number so we could ask questions as needed and make any necessary itinerary changes.…”

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