Headout is a brand trusted by millions of guests worldwide offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
Chirag
+1 more
Anne-marie
Heather
+1 more
Carlos
Paige
Amanda
Maxine
Elizabeth
Step inside the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and you’re walking into a 15th-century marvel that still dominates the city skyline. Your visit begins in the vast Gothic nave, bathed in soft light from intricate stained-glass windows.
The space draws your gaze upward to Brunelleschi’s groundbreaking dome, an engineering feat that changed architecture forever.
Allow 30–60 minutes to explore the interior, from the marble floor patterns to the frescoed Last Judgment that spirals across the dome’s interior. Stand before the high altar, admire the marble pulpit, and feel centuries of history in the air.
Entry is free, but the real treasures, like the climb up the Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower, require tickets. Guided tours add rich stories about its construction, art, and the Medici legacy, while skip-the-line access helps you avoid the long queues that form in peak season.
| Ticket type | Duration | Includes | Best for | Recommended ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free entry | Flexible | Cathedral access with audio guide | Budget-friendly, self-paced exploration | Florence Cathedral entry |
Guided tour + Dome access | 1-3 hours | Cathedral tour + Dome climb | Context + comprehensive exploration | Guided Tour, Optional Dome |
Special access | 1.5-2 hours | Entry to Secret Terraces | Unlocking niche/exclusive areas of the Duomo | Secret Terraces, Dome climb |
Combo | 1.5-3.15 hours | Accademia + Florence city centre | Saving time and money with a multi-access ticket | David, Dome Climb Tour |
Children under 7: Free
Students with valid ID: Reduced fees
Priests and religious individuals: Free
People with disabilities and their companions: Free
Licensed tour guides in Florence: Free with prescribed guidelines.
Most Duomo Florence tickets can be canceled 24-72 hours before the experience begins. However, check your ticket for details at the time of booking for up to date information.
The Florence Cathedral complex, also known as the Duomo Complex, is a stunning ensemble of religious monuments at the heart of the city, comprising the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and its crowning glory, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata, and the Opera del Duomo Museum.
Paolo Uccello's brilliant frescoes are known for their intricate portrayal of geometric patterns and scenes from the Old Testament, particularly the "Noah's Ark" fresco.
Lorenzo Ghiberti's "The Assumption of the Virgin," a gilded bronze masterpiece, portrays the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven surrounded by a radiant ensemble of angels.
The iconic red-tiled dome is an architectural marvel, using a double-shell structure with an inner and outer dome. Climbing its 463 steps rewards you with awe-inspiring views of Florence.
The marble floor inside the Duomo Florence Cathedral comprises over 40 panels, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments with intricate geometric motifs and heraldic symbols.
The Florence Cathedral's 44 stunning stained glass windows, by masters like Ghiberti and Donatello, depict biblical figures, saints, and key scenes from the Old and New Testaments. They fill the cathedral with colorful light, telling stories of faith, particularly emphasizing Mary and Christ.
Don’t miss the eight large circular stained glass windows that bring sunlight into the dome. Crafted between 1434 and 1445, these windows showcase innovative techniques like linear perspective introduced by Donatello.
The walls of the cathedral are like a giant storybook, filled with detailed frescoes that bring religious tales to life. Artists like Domenico Ghirlandaio and Alessandro Allori have left their mark on the cathedral, painting scenes that transport you through centuries of Christian history.
The blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles in the cathedral’s architecture is inspiring. Look out for the soaring arches, intricate sculptures, and the cathedral’s signature use of polychrome marble, featuring white, green, and pink hues that adds to its majestic beauty both inside and out.
Inside the cathedral, the beautifully crafted wooden choir stalls are another highlight. These intricately carved stalls serve both as seating for the clergy and as an artistic masterpiece, adding to the cathedral's grandeur.
The Cathedral can be accessed for free, but tickets are required to go up to the Dome, Museum, Bell Tower, Rooftop, Baptistery, Crypt of Santa Reparata and other landmarks within the Cathedral Complex or the Duomo square. Tickets also need to be purchased if you'd like to avail guided tours, which are highly recommended.
Various ticket options are available for exploring the Florence Cathedral (Duomo). You can opt for a guided tour, skip-the-line entry tickets, private VIP tours, audio guide, combo tickets or even city tours. Prices and durations vary, allowing visitors to choose the type of experience that suits their preferences and interests. Online booking often provides convenience and flexibility, including free cancellation options for some tours.
Guided tours offer visitors a detailed exploration of the cathedral, providing insights into its history, architecture, and artistic treasures. They may include options to climb the Dome, visit the Bell Tower, explore the Baptistery, and access the cathedral's secret terraces. Additionally, some tours offer VIP experiences with exclusive access to certain areas. Here are some popular tours:
Florence Cathedral Guided Tour with Optional Dome Climb, Florence Cathedral Express Guided Tour, Florence Cathedral VIP Guided Tour with Dome Climb and Secret Terrace Visit, Accademia Gallery, Florence Cathedral and Uffizi Gallery Skip-the-Line Tour, Florence City Centre and Cathedral Walking Tour
Children under the age of 7 can enter free. Students of all ages (Italian and foreign) are eligible to enter at a reduced fee on production of a valid student ID. Priests, and religious men and women are allowed free entry. People with disabilities along with their companions are also liable for free entry upon consideration. Licensed tour guides operating in Florence can also enter free, if they adhere to the prescribed guidelines. Tourist guides with an effective group can gain free entry to the Bell Tower, the Museum, the Baptistery and the Crypt of Santa Reparata upon request.
It depends on the Duomo Florence ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 24-72 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancelation. Please check before you make your reservation.
Yes, guests can climb the Duomo dome if their ticket offers this inclusion.
Your Duomo Florence tickets are usually valid for the specific date and time selected at checkout. Do check the validity before booking.
While visiting the cathedral, visitors are required to dress modestly. Sleeveless tops, shorts, and mini-skirts are not allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered. Bonus tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes, as exploring the square involves walking on cobblestone streets.
It usually takes about 1-2 hours to visit the cathedral, climb the dome, and explore the museum. If you'd like to spend more time at these sites or visit more nearby attractions, opt for guided tours or combo tours.
Once you exit the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), re-entry is typically not allowed on the same ticket. If you wish to re-enter, you may need to purchase a new ticket or check if there are any provisions for multiple entries on the same ticket, which can vary based on ticket types and policies in place at the time of your visit. It's advisable to check with the ticket details or the staff at the time of your visit, for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The wait time at the Florence Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) can vary depending on the time of day, season, and current visitor traffic. During peak tourist seasons, especially in the summer, the lines can be 1-2 hours long. It's recommended to arrive early in the day or consider purchasing skip-the-line tickets to minimize wait times. Additionally, visiting during non-peak hours may help reduce the time spent waiting.
Climbing the Duomo in Florence, specifically the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, involves ascending a significant number of steps (463 to be exact). The climb can be physically demanding, and the narrow passages may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, heart conditions, or claustrophobia. However, many visitors find the effort rewarding, as reaching the top provides breathtaking panoramic views of Florence's cityscape. It's advisable to assess your own physical fitness and comfort with stairs before deciding to undertake the climb.
The dome demands a reserved time slot, while the bell tower is more spontaneous. Both boast a similar stair count and height, and a single ticket covers both adventures. If you're short on time, check Duomo's office for open slots and tackle the Dome. No luck with time slots? Scale the bell tower for a different angle, enjoying a unique view of the majestic dome. Feeling ambitious? Go for the double climb for the ultimate Florence skyline extravaganza!
Avail reserved Dome entry and benefit from a multilingual audio guide that covers the cathedral complex.
Inclusions
Audio guide covering all the attractions in the Duomo complex
Skip-the-line entry to Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
Climb Brunelleschi's dome
Entry to Giotto's Bell Tower with climb
Entry to Opera del Duomo Museum
Entry to Baptistery of St. John
Entry to Santa Reparata Crypt
Exclusions
Enter the world’s third-largest cathedral at no charge — and benefit from an audio guide for an enhanced viewing experience
Inclusions
Free entry to Florence Cathedral
Audio guide in Chinese, German, English, French, Italian, and Spanish
Brunelleschi dome access (as per option selected)
Guided tour of the Cathedral in English (as per option selected)
Exclusions
Live guide
Hotel transfers
Explore the Duomo from rare vantage points on its secret terraces — a behind-the-scenes look few visitors ever get.
Inclusions
Skip-the-line entry to Duomo Florence Cathedral
Guided tour of Florence Cathedral
Exclusive entry to Duomo terraces
72-hour pass for Baptistery, Crypt, Opera Museum
Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome (as per option selected)
Early exclusive entry at daybreak (as per option selected)
Small group tour of 10 guests or less (as per option selected)
Exclusions
Where art, faith, and genius meet: Explore the Duomo Complex with a guide.
Inclusions
Guided tour of the Florence Cathedral Complex including Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the Crypt of Santa Reparata, Opera del Duomo Museum, & St. John's Baptistery
Expert English, Italian, German, Spanish or French-speaking guide (as per option selected)
Access to Giotto's Bell Tower (as per option selected)
Access to Brunelleschi's Dome (as per option selected)
Exclusions
In a single morning, unlock two Renaissance icons with one exclusive experience.
Inclusions
Early access entry to both David at the Accademia and Brunelleschi's Dome
Small group of up to 15 guests
English-speaking guide
Guided tour of Michelangelo's David and the Accademia Gallery
Guided visit and climb of Brunelleschi’s Dome
72-hour access to the Cathedral, Baptistery, Crypt, and Museum
Exclusions
Trace the stories of Renaissance Florence as you move from lively piazzas to sacred spaces — with expert commentary that connects it all.
Inclusions
Guided tour of Florence city centre
Guided tour of Florence Cathedral with skip-the-line entry
English, French, Spanish, or German guided walking tour with bell tower climb (as per option selected)
Giotto's Bell Tower climb (as per option selected)
Brunelleschi's dome climb (as per option selected)
Exclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
