Kayak Soft in Florence under the Pontevecchio Arches
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Florence, Italy
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Kayak down the Arno River in Florence, and see the Ponte Vecchio and other historical bridges from the water. Skipping the sidewalk crowds, you’ll paddle down the peaceful waterway with a guide and enjoy unobstructed views of Florence as you go. Use of a lifejacket is included, and you’ll learn about the Vasari Corridor and the goldsmiths of the Ponte Vecchio from your guide.
- Enjoy an alternative tour of Florence, from the Arno River itself
- Select a double- or single-seater inflatable raft on the day of the tour
- Combine Florence sightseeing with fun exercise in the city center
- Paddle by the arches of the Ponte Vecchio, the iconic Florence bridge
What's Included
- Lifejacket, paddle, kayak
- Insurance
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Firenze RaftingSpiaggia sull'Arno di fronte alla Torre di, Piazza Giuseppe Poggi, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Meet at the garden by the river in front of Piazza Poggi and at the Tower of San Niccolò
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Ponte Vecchio
2
Uffizi
3
Ponte Santa Trinita
4
Torre di San Niccolo
5
Chiesa di San Jacopo Soprarno
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Danielle_L
I originally booked a single kayak, but went with Marco in the raft instead, and it was a great decision. Marco was so knowledgeable! Such a fun experience!
They really think of everything. Life vests, extra sandals for those that come wearing sneakers, cannisters for valuables so they don't get wet. You'll be well taken care of !
Reviews
4.8
based on 92 reviews
Upton_J, Apr 2026
Fun. A really special and fun way to see Florence and the guides provide details of the city. You get to enjoy the architecture without the crowds. It is a calm experience and you are floating down the river as the dams make the water very smooth.
Jodi_T, Apr 2026
This was a great family experience! The instructors were friendly and informative. My twelve year old daughter and I were in a two seater kayak. We had never been in an inflatable kayak before. It was more comfortable than the typical kind. We saw a lot of cool nature along the Arno River. We would do this again.
Paul_W, Oct 2025
A great way to see Florence without the crowds. I went in Mid October and the river had no other traffic so it felt very special. Guides were great and shared lots of interesting facts.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you very much Paul!! You've felt our spirit and the values really well
Bongiova5, Oct 2025
It was totally boring, sorry to the tour guide!
The Tour guide should make it fun and engage with everyone. We actually left him behind and just kept on going cause it was getting cold!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We are very sad that you didn't enjoy our river trip. As you probably already knew before booking the activity, it is actually very soft and panoramic. It's a different way to visit Florence from the river, not an adventurous kayak excursion with rapids and waves. Join us for one of the more challenging experience we offer in Bagni di Lucca next time. Hope to see you again!
Jennifer_N, Oct 2025
What an incredible experience to kayak on L'Arno. Our guide Ettore was very experienced and knowledgeable. And seeing the buildings and bridges around L'Arno from the river was a great perspective. This tour is a great way to have an adventure in Florence. Certainly memorable and fun!
Robyn_P, Sep 2025
Was so fun!!! Great way to spend a couple of hours in the late afternoon. Wear shorts! You get a bit wet. Beautiful Florence 🩷😘
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you Robyn
Umesh_M, Sep 2025
The guide was super knowledgeable and the sunset timing was perfect to enjoy the sites of Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi etc without the crowds. A super and unique way to see Florence
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We are really happy that you have enjoyed the tour
Danielle_L, Sep 2025
I originally booked a single kayak, but went with Marco in the raft instead, and it was a great decision. Marco was so knowledgeable! Such a fun experience!
They really think of everything. Life vests, extra sandals for those that come wearing sneakers, cannisters for valuables so they don't get wet. You'll be well taken care of !
Response from Host, Sep 2025
That's exactly what we try to offer every single day!! Thanks Danielle
Rahel_Y, Aug 2025
From Washington, DC our vacation with Markos who was an amazing tour guideer, professional and well spoken individual with a lot ok owledge. My family and I enjoy the trip because of him. I also would like to thank the friendliness of all of the guys including the girl work withbthem. They are awesome and Markos absolutely went above and beyond.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Marco will be happy of that amazing feedback!! Thank you
Bettina_B, Aug 2025
Fun experience to see the city from another perspective! Guides gave interesting facts about Firenze and good instruction.
Alex_R, Aug 2025
An extremely pleasant way of seeing some of the Florence sights, the tour guides are knowledgeable and get the balance right between talking and letting you enjoy the moment.
Amanda_E, Aug 2025
What a lovely way to view the bridges. We went on a Saturday morning with a 10 and a 13 year old in two kayaks - both managed fine. Nice and relaxing.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you Amanda!!
Jessica_H, Aug 2025
Fantastic views and tour guides were so informative and caring. Highly recommend for all skill groups and ages
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Very happy that you have liked the tour Jessica!
Amanda_C, Jul 2025
Such a lovely way to see Florence and in particular the Ponte Vecchio!! Our teens 14 and 16 enjoyed it and the sun setting over the river made it! Simple and well organised
Amanda_K, Jul 2025
Great activity, a welcome break from walking everywhere. You see the city from a different viewpoint, it’s calm, slower paced and you get to take in the true beauty of the buildings without the traffic and noise of the streets.
The guides are very helpful and friendly, they also give you a little information about the buildings you pass as you kayak.
It’s family friendly and easy to keep up, just wear flip flops and something you don’t mind getting a bit wet as you do get splashed!
E_K, Jun 2025
This was such an incredible experience to do in our last day in Florence! I learned so many things about the city, we took pictures and got to experience it all, and the tour guides were helpful, informative, and funny. Highly recommend for any upcoming trip you might have!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
What a great review!!!! Thank you very much from the bottom of our heart ;-)
Anne_B, Jun 2025
We had such a fabulous time! They thought of everything a tourist would need - candles for your feet, life jacket, a place to keep your bags safe, and a little container for your phone or whatnot. The guide also was very fun and relaxed, plus shared some great history .Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks for your feedback Anne! We always try to do our best to make great your experience
Jo_n, Jun 2025
Loved this tour! Highly recommend the 6:30 pm option as you can see the sun set. The guide had been with the company since its inception 15 years ago- totally knew what he was doing. Lots of great info and happily answered by questions. Heads up- blow up kayaks are very reactive. A little pull on the paddle and you are pulled off center. It took experienced kayakers a little bit to get used to. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks for the feedback and for the tips ;-)
Anno_B, Jun 2025
Didn’t make this excursion as our train was 20 minutes delayed and there weren’t enough taxis at the train station. I called the tour operator to let him know all this and he couldn’t help me out as the next time available didn’t work for us as we were on a cruise ship. Very disappointed as I was looking so forward to this experience. And they would not refund me my money even though it wasn’t my fault and I had done so much to get there.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
A short resume:
- that morning you didn't show up at the meeting point because you were at least 1hr delayed
- we offer you the afternoon river trip trying to fix with your program
- as provider we have a quite flexible cancellation policy but we can't give you back your money if you advise so close to the experience and if you can't join us for the afternoon ones. Neither the day after because you have to get back quickly to Livorno
- Are you sure we deserve 1 star review? Maybe next time try to figured out better your plans if you drop off from a cruise ship in Livorno and you wanna have a river excursion in Florence
Best regards
Irene_L, Jun 2025
We had a wonderful time kayaking with our 13 and 16 year children, and well as with our nephew that is 6 years old. The temperature was pretty warm but kayaking on the Arno River with a breeze was really nice. It also gave us a different perspective of the city as well as an uncrowded way to see the Ponte Vecchio. Our guide was great and shared a lot of interesting facts and history of Florence.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks for the feedback Irene!!
AnneKarine_K, May 2025
Very nice. The guide told some interesting stories of Florence and Italy
Quite different from the usual tours. Got a different (and less crowded) view, perspective of the city.
I recommended it to my friends
Response from Host, May 2025
You catch exactly the secret of our river trip. Avoid the crowds and do something different!
Minty_O, May 2025
Very peaceful and unique experience and point of view of Florence from the middle of the Arno. The tour guide gave us the perfect amount of city history. We kayaked right after a rainstorm so the river was very tranquil and the clouds were gorgeous. Highly recommend! You WILL get a little wet so bring a change of clothes if you don’t want to walk around wet after.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thanks for the feedback!
Ellen_S, May 2025
This was a fun break from the heat (90F degrees in early May!) and the crowds. Be prepared to get a little wet and a bit muddy because the banks of the Arno are soft mud. The tour guide was informative, and you had a choice of either being in a raft with other people, a solo kayak, or a double kayak. He has flip flops you can borrow and waterproof containers for phones etc. There's a lot of construction along the banks, and its a bit hard to find the gravel path down to his van. I experienced a different perspective of Florence being on the river and kayaking along the banks and under medieval bridges.
Response from Host, May 2025
Happy to read your review Ellen!
Alex_M, Apr 2025
Friendly, experienced, knowledgable guide who made us feel safe and confident on the water. Easy to organise. Thank you for a great afternoon!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank YOU Alex for coming and it's been a real pleasure have had you onboard!
Samantha_H, Apr 2025
My sister and I had a great time! We had some extra time in Florence and needed a last minute experience so we booked this one. The tour guide was great. Expect to get a bit wet.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your feedback Samantha!!
Paula_M, Dec 2024
Fun experience - easy to find location and a totally different viewpoint from the river. The bridges are crowded with tourist and for us, a group of school children sang to us ❤️
Response from Host, Dec 2024
We really appreciate your review Paula. Our river trip in Florence is a perfect way to avoid the crowds
Sadie_P, Nov 2024
I went with my significant other and friends and we had an excellent time. This was a unique way to view florence at a relaxed pace. We appreciated our guide’s knowledge of the bridges and local history as well as the many recommendations he offered for the rest of our trip.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you very much for your brilliant review!
Daniel_t, Oct 2024
Great kayak tour that is fairly easy on a normal day. Great views and information you won't find elsewhere.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you very much Daniel! It's been a great pleasure to meet you
Denise_H, Sep 2024
Florence from the river was peaceful and beautiful. The kayaking was gentle and the kayak felt very stable. The instructor was friendly and knowledgeable about the sights.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you Denise
Gina_Z, Sep 2024
Really enjoyed the views and the tour guide was awesome. Provided good history and provided good restaurants for us to go.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
We are happy that you have had satisfied by the river trip
From $58.58
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Kayak Soft in Florence under the Pontevecchio Arches
92
2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$58.58
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Florence, Italy
- Palazzo Vecchio Tours & Tickets
- Opera del Duomo Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo) Tours & Tickets
- Basilica of Santa Maria Novella (Basilica di Santa Maria Novella) Tours & Tickets
- Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) Tours & Tickets
- Bardini Garden (Giardino Bardini) Tours & Tickets
- San Frediano Tours & Tickets
- Palazzo Davanzati Tours & Tickets
- Loggia dei Lanzi Tours & Tickets
- Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) Tours & Tickets
- Sant'Ambrogio Market (Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio) Tours & Tickets
- Pitti Palace Palatine Gallery Tours & Tickets
- Ospedale degli Innocenti Tours & Tickets
- Salvatore Ferragamo Museum Tours & Tickets
- Ponte Santa Trinita Tours & Tickets
- Florence Santa Croce Basilica (Basilica di Santa Croce) Tours & Tickets
- Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi) Tours & Tickets
- Florence Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni) Tours & Tickets
- Florence Central Market (Mercato Centrale) Tours & Tickets
- Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Florence, Italy
- Michelangelo's Statue of David (Il Davide di Michelangelo) Tours & Tickets
- Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia) Tours & Tickets
- Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) Tours & Tickets
- Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi) Tours & Tickets
- Ponte Vecchio Tours & Tickets
- Piazza della Signoria Tours & Tickets
- Piazzale Michelangelo Tours & Tickets