Florence Duomo Complex Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Florence's iconic Duomo Cathedral
- Access hidden terraces with panoramic city views
- Skip-the-line entry to Baptistery and Museum
- Learn about Renaissance art and architecture
- Experience Florence's rich history firsthand
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Florence's Duomo Complex
- Access to hidden terraces with panoramic city views
- Skip-the-line entry to the Cathedral, Baptistery, and Museum
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
Meet your expert, English Only Tour guide for an enchanting walk towards the Florence Duomo. You will be welcomed by the imposing red, white, and green marbled Duomo Complex: the Cathedral, Bell Tower, Baptistery, and Dome.
Your Duomo Guide will go into vivid detail about the church and its fascinating history. You will learn why, unlike many others in Italy, the Florentines decided to keep the inside of Santa Maria del Fiore stark, with less decorations and elaborate frescoes. Discover the stories behind the cathedral's artwork, until you reach the front and look up - it is Brunelleschi’s dome. The frescoed dome is truly breathtaking! As the highlight of Dumo Cathedral, you will be eager to see it upclose… Follow your guide up a small set of stairs to the “hidden terrace.” A guard will unlock the door, and you will have complete access to a secret balcony. Admire panoramic views of Florence from above, as well as incredible access to the best photo spot right next to the dome. You will walk back in through a secret room of old statues which were previously placed outside of the Cathedral. The tour will last about an hour. 11.15 am and 1.00 pm tours do not include access to Terraces and to the Dome
At this point, your guided tour will end. You will skip the line and climb to the very top of the dome! Climb a small set of stairs, which lead to a balcony directly beside the dome’s frescoes. Vasari’s frescoes will be within hands-reach, and you will be able to admire the detail with a new appreciation. Then, you will reach another set of spiral staircases. Climb up, and you will reach the most beautiful view of Florence you can imagine… at the very top of Brunelleschi’s Dome! Enjoy taking some unforgettable photos, then relax on one of the benches and admire the view. You can see the entire Florence skyline! Whenever you are ready to complete your time at the Florence Duomo, you can head down the steps and exit. This is a once in a lifetime experience where you can see the Cathedral and Dome from a completely different perspective. 11.15 am and 1.00 pm tours do not include access to Terraces and to the Dome
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather.
- Photography is allowed; however, tripods and flash are prohibited.
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled tour time.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the climb to the terraces.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning city views.
- Be prepared for a moderate amount of walking and stair climbing.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Good walking shoes are recommended
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Please note the number of steps to reach the top of each monument: Terraces: 153 - Terraces + Brunelleschi's Dome: 153 + 310 from the Terraces
- Kindly note that bulky backpacks and bags are not allowed inside the Dome and Terraces to ensure the safety and security of all visitors.
- This activity is not allowed for children under 7 years of age
- Also, access to the Cupola and the Terraces will be denied in case you wear high heels, flip-flops, slippers, clogs and similar footwear
- 11.15 am and 1.00 pm tours do not include access to Terraces and to the Dome and the total duration of the guided tour is 30 minutes
- The meeting point changes according to the the option and the starting time: - 2.15 pm Duomo + Terraces + Cupola: Ciao Florence Sales Office in Via Cavour, 18 Black - 11.15 am and 1.00 pm 30' Cathedral Only Guided Tour: PIAZZA DEL DUOMO, n.19/20 in front of "Misericordia" Museum
Traveler reviews
Great option to skip the lines to see the Duomo
Ciao Florence was a great tour group to work with. From the time of booking, they were communicative and responsive via whatsapp to any questions we had. Our tour guide Jacomo was very knowledgeable of Florence and the surrounding areas. The tour of the Duomo was spectacular and our tour access got us ahead of the crowds and up to the top of the dome without delay. Highly recommend
Enjoyable Tour, plus Museum and Baptistry
Overall this was a very good small group tour. The guide provided good information and was easy to hear until we got on the Terrace, where the wind created such noise in the headsets, we didn't hear a lot of that information. The many steps to the Terrace were enough for us (in our 70s), so we did not continue on the steps up to the top of the Duomo; while the rest of the group did. The view of Brunelleschi's Dome was amazing enough from below. The view from the Terrace was fantastic, overlooking Florence! With our skip the line tickets and additional entry to the Baptistry and Opera del Duomo Museum, this was worth the price. We enjoyed the Baptistry and Museum visits as well, with no guide.
Don’t believe the name of the tour - I got scammed - never again with Viator
I paid for this tour specifically to go up in the dome and terraces - lured by the name of the tour - but the only one thing I got was entrance to the cathedral. Our guide was nice but no one could understand her English, so it was just like going by myself which would have been free. I am really annoyed that Viator is misleading tourists like me. Florence Premium Duomo tour with terrace view and dome climb - that was the name of the tour and I didn’t select or dissect any options. My ticket detail said something like -if selected… but again, I wasn’t asked to select anything so just assuming that I was paying for what the title said. Two hours. Sounded reasonable. I only got to see the inside of the cathedral and the tour was over in one hour. I asked the guide about the rest and she says she doesn’t have anything to do with Viator so couldn’t give me any advice. The entrance to climb to the dome is outside, I tried there but again, no luck . So I feel like I got taken advantage of. Sad.
It was great tour of the...
It was great tour of the Duomo. The guide is very knowledgeable. She took us through the history of this monument and well explained the history. S treeully enjoyed the tour.
Terrible experience.
Not given tour as advertised . Didn’t give us tour of north terrace, baptistery. As advertised on Viator. Ciao Florence said they couldn’t help us that it’s Viator fault