The Oltrarno at a glance
Oltrarno means the other side of the Arno. The district starts as soon as you cross the Ponte Vecchio from the old town. It is home to Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, the basilica of Santo Spirito, craft workshops, artists' studios, restaurants and meeting places.
A common route runs from the station and the Duomo past the Uffizi, over the Ponte Vecchio, to Palazzo Pitti and on to Piazza Santo Spirito. It is a walk on the outside. It does not include museum visits unless you buy a ticket for them.
What to see in the Oltrarno
Three stops that fit a half day.
Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens
The palace and the garden are the largest sights of the district. They have their own tickets and hours.
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli →Santo Spirito
The basilica has architecture in the style of Brunelleschi. A separate museum tour leads through the sacristy, with the wooden Michelangelo crucifix, the cloister, the chapter house and the refectory.
Workshops, studios and places to eat
Around Piazza Santo Spirito you find craft workshops, artists' studios, gastronomy and spots where people meet. Walk the streets and see what is open.
Our picks: across the Arno
Pitti and Boboli, plus a walk that ends at Piazzale Michelangelo.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pitti Palace, Palatine Gallery and Boboli
A licensed guide and timed tickets for Pitti, the Palatine Gallery and the Boboli Gardens, in about 3 hours.
Check availability →
Uffizi, Pitti and Boboli pass
Five days covering the Uffizi with a time reservation, Pitti, the Palatine Gallery, Boboli and more, with a digital audio guide for the Uffizi.
Check availability →
Wine windows, Medici and Piazzale Michelangelo
Two hours with a local guide past the wine windows, with notes on Ponte Vecchio and the Medici, ending with a walk to Piazzale Michelangelo. Entries, tastings and drinks are extra.
Check availability →Oltrarno walks and tours
Walking tours of the Oltrarno, food and craft visits, and city walks that cross the Ponte Vecchio, with live prices and availability. Check what each tour includes before you book.
Visiting Santo Spirito
The basilica and the museum tour follow different rules.
The basilica
You can walk into the church for free. Church services come first, so do not walk around during a service.
The museum tour
The tour is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Wednesday it is closed. On Sundays and public holidays the hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost and booking
The operator asks for a contribution of €2 per person. For an individual visit, booking is recommended. Organised groups, schools and agencies book ahead.
Rules
Wear suitable clothes. Photos are allowed only with special permission. Guides use an audio system.
A walking route across the river
Start on the old-town side near the Uffizi. Walk over the Ponte Vecchio, then continue to Palazzo Pitti. From there it is a short walk into the streets leading to Piazza Santo Spirito. Plan a stop in the square for a coffee or lunch.
On the way back, the view from the Ponte Vecchio along the Arno takes in the Ponte Santa Trinita. If you still have energy, finish the day with the climb to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Expect a mix of locals and travellers around the square, and plan your meal stop with that in mind.
Staying and getting around
Practical points for a night or a day on the south bank.
Where to sleep
The Oltrarno suits you if you want the palace, the garden and the craft streets close by. The area around the station suits you better if you arrive by train and want a short walk to the platforms. Hotel Lungarno, at Borgo San Jacopo 14, stands on the Arno right next to the Ponte Vecchio. It offers room categories with river views, but a view of the bridge is not guaranteed for every room.
Where to stay →On foot or by bus
Most of the district is a walk from the bridge. For longer legs, a city ticket costs €2.00 since 1 August 2026, lasts 90 minutes on buses and trams, and is free for children under 11.
Getting there →Opening days
The palace is closed on Mondays, the gardens on the first and last Monday of the month, and the Santo Spirito museum tour on Wednesdays. Put these days next to each other before you fix your plan.
Plan the rest of your trip
More pages around the district.
Oltrarno: frequently asked questions
What does Oltrarno mean?
It means the other side of the Arno. In Florence it is the district south of the river, which you reach by crossing the Ponte Vecchio or another bridge.
Is the Oltrarno worth a visit?
Yes, if you want to combine Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens and Santo Spirito with a walk through workshops and places to eat. It fits half a day or a full day.
Is Santo Spirito free?
The basilica is free to enter. The museum tour has a recommended contribution of €2 per person.
When is the Santo Spirito museum tour open?
Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesday. On Sundays and holidays it opens from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Can I take photos in Santo Spirito?
Only with special permission. Ask before you take pictures.
How do I get to the Oltrarno from the Ponte Vecchio?
You walk across the bridge. The palace and the streets of the district begin on the other bank.