Florence Cathedral & Dome Climb Tickets

Secure your spot to witness breathtaking panoramic views of Florence from the top of Brunelleschi's magnificent Dome. Book skip-the-line tickets through our trusted partners and avoid hours of waiting.

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Varies by tour (1-3 hours)
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Small groups available
Free Cancellation
Everything You Need to Know

Complete Experience Guide

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Experience

Discover the Heart of the Renaissance

The Florence Cathedral, or Duomo, is more than just a church; it's the epicenter of the Renaissance and the symbol of the city itself. Dominating the skyline, its architectural marvels attract millions each year. Booking a tour or ticket provides access to a complex of artistic and engineering wonders. The ultimate experience is the ascent up Brunelleschi's Dome – a challenging but rewarding climb through narrow, historic passageways that culminates in an unforgettable 360-degree panorama of Florence. Beyond the Dome, tickets often grant access to Giotto's magnificent Bell Tower, the historic Baptistery with its gilded doors, and the enriching Opera del Duomo Museum, which houses original artworks from the complex.

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The guided tours available through our partners are led by licensed, professional guides who bring the history and art of the Duomo to life with their expert commentary.

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Discover Florence’s iconic landmarks on a guided tour with skip-the-line tickets
Benefit from fast track access and see the treasures of Florence’s Cathedral.
Admire the grandeur of Florence Cathedral, the Duomo Museum, and the Baptistery.
Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower for panoramic city views with pre-reserved tickets.
Save time and explore Florence’s must-see sites in a small, intimate group.

Essential Information

Know Before You Go

Physical Requirements
The Dome climb involves 463 narrow, steep steps.
There is no elevator available for the Dome or Bell Tower.
Not recommended for individuals with claustrophobia, vertigo, or heart conditions.
What to Wear
A strict dress code is enforced.
Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the Cathedral.
Comfortable, sturdy shoes are essential for the climb.
Logistics & Entry
All Dome climbs require a mandatory reservation with a timed entry slot.
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
The ticket for the complex is typically valid for 3 calendar days from the date selected.
Security & Bags
Only very small bags are permitted inside.
Large backpacks, luggage, and tripods are not allowed and there is no luggage storage.
All visitors must pass through a metal detector security check.

Not Allowed

Shorts
Weapons or sharp objects
Luggage or large bags
Short skirts
Sleeveless shirts
Backpacks
Essential Information

Booking Tips

  • Book Dome climb tickets at least 4-6 weeks in advance, especially for travel between May and September.
  • Choose the first time slot of the morning (around 8:30 AM) to experience the climb with fewer people and enjoy the cool morning air.
  • Ensure your ticket covers all the monuments you want to see (Dome, Tower, Baptistery, Museum) by selecting the correct pass.
  • Download your ticket to your phone for easy access, but also have a screenshot as a backup in case of poor mobile service in the crowded piazza.

What to Bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Water bottle
  • Camera or smartphone
  • A printed or mobile copy of your ticket
  • Valid ID, as it may be requested
  • A light jacket or shawl for the dress code

Best Seasons to Visit

The best times to visit Florence are during the shoulder seasons: April to June and September to October. The weather is pleasant, and the crowds are slightly less intense than in the peak summer months of July and August. Winter offers the fewest crowds but cooler weather.

What to Wear

Mandatory dress code: Shoulders and knees must be covered for all genders to enter the Cathedral.|Essential footwear: Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good traction. The historic steps can be slippery and uneven. High heels and flip-flops are strongly discouraged.|Layering is smart: It can be cool inside the vast cathedral but you will get very warm during the climb, so wearing light layers you can remove is a good idea.

Planning

Historical Context

Construction of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore began in 1296 but the massive hole for the dome remained open for over a century as no one knew how to construct a dome of that size. In 1418, Filippo Brunelleschi won a competition with his revolutionary design, which involved a double-shelled structure and a unique herringbone brick pattern, all built without traditional scaffolding from the ground. Its completion in 1436 is considered a pivotal moment that helped usher in the Renaissance.

Photography Tips

  • A wide-angle lens is crucial for capturing the scale of the architecture and the city views.
  • Use a polarizing filter to make the marble colors and the sky pop.
  • Flash photography is prohibited inside the monuments.
  • For the best light on the facade, shoot in the late afternoon (golden hour).
  • Stabilize your camera on the ledge for sharp low-light shots inside the Dome.

Insider Tips

  • Climb Giotto's Bell Tower for the best photos OF the Dome.
  • Your ticket is valid for 72 hours, so you can split your visit to the different monuments over three days to avoid fatigue.
  • The Opera del Duomo museum is a must-see and is often less crowded; visit it to understand the art before you see it in situ.
  • To escape the crowds, walk to the back of the Cathedral to the Piazza delle Pallottole, a much quieter spot to admire the architecture.

Our Partners

  • We are proud to partner with leading travel experience platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator. This allows us to provide you with a curated selection of the best, most reliable, and highest-rated tours in Florence, all in one place.

Fun Facts

  • The dome weighs an estimated 37,000 tons and was constructed with over 4 million bricks.
  • It took Filippo Brunelleschi 16 years to build the dome, from 1420 to 1436.
  • The 'Last Judgment' fresco on the dome's interior covers an area of 3,600 square meters, making it one of the largest frescoes in the world.
  • The copper ball and cross at the very top of the dome were added in 1466 by Verrocchio, Leonardo da Vinci's master.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation policies vary depending on the specific tour or ticket booked. Many options offered by our partners, like GetYourGuide, allow for free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity. Please check the specific policy of your chosen ticket at the time of booking.

Social Media

Share your experience: #FlorenceCathedral #DuomoFirenze #BrunelleschisDome #ClimbTheDuomo #FlorenceView #VisitFlorence #ItalyTravel

Book Before You Go

Customer Reviews

What Our Guests Say

Real experiences from real travelers

E
Emily Carter
USA • 2024-07-22

An Absolute Must-Do in Florence!

Booking the skip-the-line ticket with the Dome climb was the best decision we made. We walked past a massive queue and straight in at our reserved time. The climb is tough, no doubt, but the 360-degree view from the top is breathtaking and worth every single step. Seeing Florence laid out before you is a memory I'll never forget!

B
Ben Knight
United Kingdom • 2024-07-18

Challenging Climb, Rewarding Views

A fantastic experience. The cathedral itself is beautiful, but the highlight is the dome. Be prepared for a workout; the passages are narrow and it gets warm. But the feeling of accomplishment and the unparalleled views make it completely worthwhile. Deducted one star just for the sheer volume of people, but that's to be expected.

K
Klaus Richter
Germany • 2024-06-30

Book In Advance!

My advice is to book your tickets weeks, if not months, ahead of time. We saw so many disappointed people being turned away. Our timed entry worked perfectly. The engineering of the dome is mind-boggling, and standing right underneath Vasari's frescoes during the climb is incredible. A true masterpiece.

I
Isabelle Dubois
Canada • 2024-06-25

So Much More Than Just a Climb

We opted for a guided tour and it added so much context to what we were seeing. Our guide, Marco, was passionate and knowledgeable about the history, art, and architecture. It made the experience so much richer. The ticket also included the Baptistery and Museum, which were fantastic and less crowded. Highly recommend.

R
Rodrigo Silva
Brazil • 2024-05-20

Wear Good Shoes!

The view is 5 stars, the experience is 5 stars, but I'm giving it 4 stars as a warning to wear your most comfortable shoes! The climb is serious business. The online booking process was smooth and getting the mobile tickets was very convenient. An unforgettable Florence landmark.

A
Aoife O'Malley
Ireland • 2024-08-01

Spectacular from Every Angle

We did both the Dome climb and Giotto's Tower climb (on different days). The Dome gives you the best view of the city, but the Tower gives you the best view *of* the Dome! It was amazing to see Brunelleschi's work from that perspective. The whole complex is a treasure. Booking online saved us so much time.

Y
Yuki Tanaka
Japan • 2024-07-15

Efficient and Unforgettable

The booking platform made it very easy to secure a time slot. Everything was very organized. The climb was narrow but I felt safe. The view from the top of the dome at sunset was like a beautiful painting. A core memory from my trip to Italy. So grateful for the simple booking process.

M
Mateo Garcia
Spain • 2024-06-12

Incredible Art and History

While the view is what everyone talks about, for me, the most amazing part was seeing the 'Last Judgment' fresco up close from the inner walkway. The detail is astonishing. The climb itself was very crowded, which made it a bit slow, but it's a small price to pay for such an iconic experience.

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