More about: Florence Dome Tickets and Tours
Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, the dome of the Duomo of Florence is one of the major works of the Renaissance, as well as an architectural challenge for the time. Built between 1418 and 1434, a century later the internal vault of the dome was painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari with a series of scenes of the Last Judgment, a must-see on your trip to Florence.
Being a characteristic monument of the Florentine city skyline and one of the most visited, getting tickets will be relatively easy without having to wait in line at the ticket office. Read on to learn more about how to buy tickets, tours and guided tours to discover Brunelleschi's great dome.
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Florence Brunelleschi Dome Climb, Museum and Baptistery Visit
Don't miss your ticket to Brunelleschi's Dome
A perfect option if you do not want to miss the entrance ticket and you want to avoid wasting time at the ticket office. With this guided tour you will also learn all about the dome, the baptistery of the Duomo and the museum inside.
An exclusive tour with priority access and accompanied by an expert guide. You will climb the dome while a specialized guide will give you all the details about the fresco of the interior vault, work of Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari, and then you will go out to the outside viewpoint, from which you will have one of the best views of Florence.
With this guided tour of Brunelleschi's dome you will reach the top of this octagonal dome, 116 meters high, from where you can appreciate the impressive architecture of the Piazza del Duomo or the Baptistery. In addition, the guide will take you to visit the rooms of the Museo dell'Opera, whose entrance is included in the tour and where you can see works by Brunelleschi himself , Michelangelo and Donatello.
Recommended if... every traveler passing through Florence, especially those who prefer a guided tour to understand the value of Brunelleschi's great work, you won't regret it!
Ticket prices for the Dome of the Duomo
The ticket price to climb the Dome of Brunelleschi is from 20 ¤ for adults and 10 ¤ for the reduced ticket for children from 7 to 14 years old. Below this age, children do not pay. However, tickets are not easy to find online and buying them at the ticket office will mean a long wait for the queues that form at the door.
It is therefore advisable to book in advance a guided tour to explain the historical details of this essential monument of Florence. Whichever option you choose, an expert guide will accompany you throughout the tour.
Where to buy tickets for the Dome of the Duomo
Tickets to climb the Brunelleschi Dome can be purchased online at the official website of the Florence museums as part of the Brunelleschi Pass. My recommendation is to buy it in advance: the Duomo of Florence is a very visited monument and, this way, you will be sure not to waste unnecessary time at the ticket office and, at the same time, you will not miss your ticket.
Also, if you book a guided tour of the Dome you will avoid the queues at the ticket office with priority entrance.
Are there guided tours to the Dome of the Duomo?
If you want to get all the details while visiting Brunelleschi's Dome, don't hesitate to book a guided tour. You will be able to admire the frescoes and enjoy the view while listening to the commentary of an expert guide. The price of this tour starts from 60€ per person and you can choose:
- Tour of the Duomo with access to the Cathedral, dome, Baptistery and Museum - from $163.
- Guided tour of the Duomo with access to Brunelleschi's dome - from $58.
- Guidedtour of Brunelleschi's dome and the Opera Museum - from $83.
- Tour of Brunelleschi's dome with visit to the museum and baptistery - from $79.
Are there discounts or free tickets to the Dome of the Duomo?
No, there are no notable discounts to climb the dome of the Duomo, except those indicated for children from 7 to 14 euros who pay a reduced rate and children under 6 who enter for free.
Are tickets to the Duomo dome included in any of the city's tourist passes?
Tickets to climb the Brunelleschi Dome are included in the Florence Pass and the Firenze Card.
- Florence Pass: It can be purchased online for a price starting at 115€ and, in addition to the Florence Duomo, it also includes access to the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery. This pass also includes an audio guide app and priority access, so you won't have to wait in line unnecessarily.
- Firenze Card: Includes free priority access to a total of 72 attractions in Florence including the Duomo dome and can be purchased for a price starting at 85€. The activation of the card takes place at the moment you enter the first museum and from then on you will have 72 hours to enjoy it. This card, like Florence Pass, can be purchased online.
What not to miss on your visit to the dome of the Duomo?
To climb the dome of Bunelleschi you have to access the north side of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Cathedral of Florence. Specifically through the Porta della Mandorla, and the ascent takes place through 463 steps. From the moment you cross the threshold of the door I recommend that you pay close attention to everything around you because the visit is a real wonder.
On the one hand, you can not miss the frescoes that can be admired from the first inner ring located under the vault of the dome. The work of Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccaro, they were painted between 1572 and 1579, a century after the construction of the dome, and represent, as in the Baptistery, a series of scenes of the Last Judgment. The frescoes were restored between 1978 and 1994.
During your visit to the Dome of Bunelleschi you can also enjoy the wonderful views from the exterior belvedere, one of the best observatories in the city of Florence.
How to get to the dome of the Duomo?
The dome of Bunelleschi is located in Piazza del Duomo, a central point of the city of Florence. The best way to reach this enclave is on foot, but you can also go by streetcar, bus or car.
- Tramway: The T2 line passes next to Florence's Piazza del Duomo. The nearest stop is the Unità stop.
- Bus: Line C4 passes closest to the Duomo and the nearest stations are Stazione Scalette and Stazione Via Panzini.
- Car: If you go by car to the Duomo in Florence I recommend that you park in one of the parking lots closest to the Piazza del Duomo: Garage del Bargello or Parcheggio Sant'Ambrogio Firenze.
- Train: Santa Maria Novella station is 750 meters from Piazza del Duomo, so you can reach the Cathedral in just 10 minutes on foot.
What are the opening hours of the Duomo dome?
Climbing the Brunelleschi Dome is possible every day of the week. The opening hours are from Monday to Friday from 8:15 am to 7:45 pm; on Saturdays from 8:15 am to 5:30 pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 12:45 pm to 5:30 pm.
Is it advisable to climb the dome of the Duomo with children?
Climbing the Brunelleschi Dome is a must if you go on a trip to Florence with the little ones of the house. Children will be amazed by the views they will have from the outside viewpoint and, in addition, they can benefit from a 50% discount on the entrance fee from 7 years old, so the final price will be about 10 €. In addition, children under seven years old enter for free. However, it is important to note that all children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
How much time do you need to visit the dome of the Duomo?
The visit to the Brunelleschi Dome is estimated to last approximately 45 - 50 minutes. To climb the dome you will have to overcome a total of 463 steps. It is important to note that there is no elevator so you need to be in good shape to be able to climb to the top.
Main attractions near the Duomo Dome
If you are going to visit Brunelleschi's Dome you have to keep in mind that in the same Piazza del Duomo you can visit the whole complex of the Cathedral which includes:
- Santa Maria del Fiore: The Cathedral, also known as the Duomo , dates back to the early 15th century. It is one of the most impressive cathedrals in Europe and the third in size after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London. Designed by the architect Arnolfo di Cambio, it is characterized by its imposing and dazzling white and green marble facade. Learn what to see and what to do inside the Florence Cathedral.
- Battistero di San Giovanni: Located in front of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Battistero is the oldest building in Piazza del Duomo and is internationally known for having one of the most important doors in the world: the Door of Paradise, decorated with ten bronze panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament.
- Giotto's Campanile: With more than 400 steps, climbing the Campanile you can enjoy another of the best viewpoints of the city of Florence. This work started by Giotto was completed by Andrea Pisano in 1359.
- The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo: This museum is located behind the dome and houses some of the original sculptures and objects of the Duomo and the Battistero di San Giovanni, as well as some works and models by the architect of the dome, Brunelleschi. The Bandini Pietà by Michelangelo or the Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti stand out.
- Crypt of Santa Reparata: Inside the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore is the crypt, on the remains of which the current cathedral was built. Santa Reparata dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries and was opened to visitors in 1974. On your visit you can see walls and pillars of the original church, mosaics and objects from Roman and medieval times.
In the post what to see and what to do in Piazza del Duomo in Florence you can read all the details. In addition, about five minutes walk from Piazza del Duomo is the Uffizi Gallery, a must on your trip to Florence.
In this art gallery you will have the opportunity to see works of great artistic value such as 'Spring' and 'The Birth of Venus' by Botticelli, 'Tondo Doni' by Michelangelo, 'Madonna and Child with two Angels' by Filippo Lippi, 'The Venus of Urbino' by Titian, 'Bacchus' by Caravaggio, 'Madonna of the Goldfinch' by Raphael or 'La Maestà di Ognissanti' by Giotto.
Recommendations to keep in mind during your visit to the dome of the Duomo
On your ascent to Brunelleschi's dome it is important that you take into account the following recommendations to make the most of your visit.
- There are a total of 463 steps and in some of the sections the stairs are very steep, so I recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and go mentally prepared.
- From the outside viewpoint you will have some of the best panoramic views of Florence, so don't forget your camera. You will be able to take some amazing snapshots.
- On the way up to the dome you can admire the frescoes of the Last Judgment by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccaro. You will have little time to enjoy them because the corridor is very narrow, but you will also have the opportunity to admire them on the way down and even more closely.
- It is one of the best visits you can make on your trip to Florence, so do not miss it.
- The climb is not recommended for people with heart conditions, claustrophobia, dizziness and pregnant women.
- Minors must be accompanied by adults.
- The start time of the visit is selected at the time of purchase and will appear on the ticket. Only 5 minutes before and after the indicated starting time will be allowed.