Step inside Florence’s Santa Croce Basilica on a private 2-hour skip-the-line tour with Babylon Tours Florence. Discover the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo alongside Giotto frescoes and Donatello's sculpture in an intimate, art-filled experience.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Comfortable walking ability needed for standing and moving through the basilica; no strenuous activity required.
Wildlife
History
Santa Croce was consecrated in 1442 and is the largest Franciscan church in the world, housing the tombs of Italy’s greatest Renaissance minds.
Conservation
Efforts to maintain the basilica include climate control and restricted visitor numbers to protect frescoes and sculptures from deterioration.
Babylon Tours Florence
Step inside Florence’s Santa Croce Basilica on a private 2-hour skip-the-line tour with Babylon Tours Florence. Discover the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo alongside Giotto frescoes and Donatello's sculpture in an intimate, art-filled experience.
Babylon Tours Florence is a Florence-based tour operator located in Firenze, Toscana and featured on The Adventure Collective. The company specializes in private and semi-private guided tours that focus on Renaissance art, architecture, and local history.
Tours include full-access Duomo visits with climb options, skip-the-line entry to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David, and guided visits to the Uffizi Gallery. Private city-center walking tours cover key landmarks such as the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and historic squares. Several combo itineraries pair a city walking tour with a Uffizi guided museum visit and include a relaxed lunch break.
Guides lead tours in multiple languages, including English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, Russian, and Portuguese. Duration options range from approximately two to five and a half hours, with specific experiences noted as 2.5 hours or 5–5.5 hours in the trip descriptions. Both private and semi-private formats are available to suit different group sizes.
Many tours offer skip-the-line access where specified in the tour title, reducing time spent waiting at major museums. Museum-focused tours include focused commentary on works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello, and other Renaissance masters. The operator lists specialized tours such as Santa Croce visits that highlight tombs of historical figures like Michelangelo and Galileo.
Booking follows the listed itineraries and languages; specific availability, durations, and accessibility details appear on each tour description and may vary by date in season.
Location
Firenze, Toscana
Based in the heart of Florence
Tour Types
Private & Semi-Private
Options for groups and couples
Durations
2–5.5 hours
Short and full-length tours
Languages
EN, IT, FR, ES, DE, RU, PT
Multilingual guided tours available
Secure private or semi-private access to Uffizi, Accademia, Duomo, and Santa Croce tours in your preferred language — book according to the listed itineraries and availability.
Arrive Early
Meet at the main gate of Santa Croce at least 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time to ensure a smooth start.
Dress Appropriately
Wear modest clothing suitable for a religious site; shoulders and knees should be covered to gain entry without issues.
Pack Light
Only small bags or handbags are permitted inside; large backpacks and luggage are not allowed through security.
Bring Photo ID
A valid photo ID or passport copy is necessary to verify booking and gain entry alongside your guide.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Supportive shoes are important for navigating marble floors and standing during the tour.
Light Layered Clothing
Layered clothes help adjust to fluctuating indoor and outdoor temperatures.
spring|fall
Modest Attire
Respectful clothing covering shoulders and knees is required for entry to this religious site.
Small Backpack or Handbag
Only small bags are allowed inside; pack light to move freely past security.