Heading to Florence soon? You can’t miss the Duomo, possibly the city’s most important landmark! I’ve compiled a list of the best Florence Duomo Tours to help you plan the perfect visit. Check it out!
If you’re planning a trip to Florence, visiting the iconic Duomo should be at the top of your list, no matter if you’re spending a week, one day, or two days in Florence. This stunning cathedral, with its pink, green, and white marble facade and towering dome is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and engineering.
The Duomo was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, a pioneering architect whose work still astonishes architects and engineers of our day. Also known as Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the Duomo is one of the most iconic landmarks in Florence.
But is the Duomo simply a cathedral? Not quite. The Duomo is a complex that comprises six different sites, one of which is the beautiful church, and another one being Brunelleschi’s Dome. The other attractions include the Baptistry, the Bell Tower, the Crypt, and the Museum.
It can take a lot of time to visit them all, so when buying tickets for the Duomo you can choose which sections you want to access.
Each one of them has its own unique history and significance, starting with the Cathedral, which boasts a grand nave, stunning stained-glass windows, and beautiful frescoes. The Dome is the crown jewel of the Duomo, dominating Florence’s skyline, and then there’s the Baptistery, an octagonal building famous for its ornate bronze doors and beautiful mosaics.
Giotto’s Bell Tower, home to 12 bells, offers panoramic views of Florence, and the Crypt is an underground space beneath the main church.
Finally, the Duomo Museum has a collection of art and artifacts from the Duomo’s long history, including sculptures, paintings, and other treasures.
Whether you’re interested in architecture, art, or history, you just can’t miss visiting this symbol of Florence.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of the nine best tours to help you choose the perfect visit for you. Without further ado, let’s explore the ultimate Florence Duomo tours!
👉 Why rely on me for Florence Duomo tours? My roots are in Bologna, Italy, just a stone’s throw from Florence. I’ve wandered Florence’s streets and marveled at the Duomo on countless visits. With 10 years of experience in writing about Italy and helping people plan their trips, I know what makes a tour exceptional, and I ensure you get only the very best.
I generally use Viator, Get Your Guide, and Walks to book tours around the world. I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy, which allows you to cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
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OUR PICK: The BEST Florence Duomo Tour
This Florence Duomo Tour: Dome Climb, Museum, and Baptistry offers the most comprehensive visit to the complex. You’ll get tickets for all six areas of the Duomo, and enjoy a very informative guided tour of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, learning about the building’s history, and all the legends and stories around it.
You’ll also get to admire the magnificent frescoes inside the cathedral and climb to the dome, from where the views are unparalleled. The tour caters to 12 people at a time, ensuring an intimate experience.
Visit the museum and the baptistry as well, and receive a 72-hour valid pass to access the bell tower and the Cathedral crypt on your own.
👉 Why is this tour the best one in our opinion? Most tours only visit a part of the Duomo – either the cathedral or the dome. This small-group tour covers it all. The tour is only guided through the first part, meaning you get to climb the dome at your own pace. After the tour, you have a ticket valid for 72 hours to complete your visit to the remaining parts of the complex.
📝 This tour includes: Guided tour, and entrance tickets to the museum, dome, baptistry, bell tower, and cathedral. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
The BEST Florence Tours with Duomo Visit
▶️ Enjoy the best of Florence’s art and architecture with this VIP David & Duomo Tour: Early Accademia Tour & Skip the Line Dome Climb with Exclusive Terrace Access. You’ll get to skip the lines to save time.
Admire Michelangelo’s David and Slaves at the Accademia Gallery with an early entrance, so you escape the crowds, and then enjoy special access to the terraces of Florence’s Duomo, taking in the red-capped beauty that has inspired countless artists. Finally, climb to the dome for breathtaking views of the city.
During the tour, your expert guide will provide historical and cultural context, sharing the secrets and stories behind the famous artworks and structures. And don’t worry about missing anything! This tour is designed to cover the major highlights in one epic morning.
📝 This Florence Duomo guided tour includes: A skip-the-line ticket to the Accademia Gallery and Duomo climb, access to the terraces, and a tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Join this small group Best of Florence Walking Tour with David & The Duomo to discover the magnificent complex. You’ll skip all the lines at Accademia Gallery, where you’ll meet the famous David and marvel at other incredible pieces of art and architecture, and then head to Piazza della Signoria’s sculpture gallery.
You’ll unravel the tales of the infamous Medici family and visit other noteworthy sites such as Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio. In three hours, you’ll see the Orsanmichele Church’s exterior and the Piazza Repubblica, and bypass the queues to explore the Duomo and its Baptistry.
Your expert guide will share insider information about the city’s rich history and cultural significance, and answer any questions you may have.
📝 This tour includes: A guided tour of Florence, and skip-the-line tickets for Accademia Gallery and Duomo. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ With this personalized, small-group Duomo & Uffizi Skip-the-Line Small Group Guided Tour you’ll experience the grandeur of Florence’s rich cultural heritage skipping the lines to its main attractions.
Your guide will lead you to one of the city’s main art galleries, home to artworks of the likes of Botticelli, Michelangelo and Da Vinci, and tell you all about the artists and their work. You’ll then enjoy a lovely stroll of the city, passing by Piazza della Signoria as you make your way to the Duomo.
You’ll explore the Cathedral, see the Baptistry, and climb to the top of the Dome, besides receiving the Brunelleschi Pass that grants you access to the museum up to 72 hours after your tour. This will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Florence.
📝 This tour includes: A guide, and entrance to all the attractions mentioned. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Climb the Dome: Skip the Line Tour
Get ready to conquer Brunelleschi’s Dome in Florence like a pro! With this exclusive Brunelleschi’s Dome: Skip-The-Line Tickets with Host and Paper Guide, you’ll avoid waiting in long queues. You’ll head straight up the 463 steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome at your selected time, and enjoy the panoramic views from the Cupola, that will surely take your breath away.
This vantage point offers an unrivaled perspective of the city’s landmarks including the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Vecchio. You’ll also learn about Brunelleschi and how he achieved such a remarkable feat from a paper guide you’ll receive at the entrance. This tour is your chance to explore the largest dome of its time and discover its secrets.
📝 This tour includes: Climb the Duomo, Florence + tickets, and skip-the-line access. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
A Quick Tour to the Cathedral
Not much time in Florence? Check out this Florence Cathedral: Priority Entry and Express Guided Tour, that allows you to skip all the lines and get straight to the good stuff. Marvel at the impressive vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, and gorgeous frescos of Florence’s Cathedral as your guide shares details of its incredible history.
Discover the innovative engineering technique behind the dome’s construction, and take in Vasari’s breathtaking Last Judgment fresco. After the tour, you’ll have the option to continue exploring the cathedral on your own, or to head out to Piazza del Duomo and admire the stunning marbled exterior of the building.
📝 This Florence Duomo tour includes: Guided tour of the Cathedral, and skip-the-line tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Duomo Climb & Hidden Terraces
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city with this fabulous Skip the Line Duomo Skywalk Tour – Florence Heaven. You’ll benefit from skip-the-line access to the terraces, and explore corridors that were closed to the public for centuries as you learn about Brunelleschi from your art and history expert guide.
Those feeling adventurous can climb to the very top of the Dome after touring the Cathedral. The ticket includes 48-hour access to the museum, the baptistry, and Giotto’s Bell Tower, so you can return to tour them on your own.
Upgrade the experience to unlock the doors of the Cathedral with the official key-bearer, getting inside the attraction before it opens to the public, and indulging in breakfast at a historic café.
📝 This tour includes: An expert guide, and skip-the-line tickets for the Cathedral and Brunelleschi’s Dome. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Florence Duomo Tours
▶️ Uncover the secrets of the cathedral and its surrounding buildings on a Duomo Complex Private Tour with a certified guide who picks you up from your doorstep. Explore the Baptistery’s Byzantine mosaics and the Gate of Paradise, and admire the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral and the Museum as you learn about the complex’s history.
Witness Michelangelo’s masterpiece, La Pietà, and don’t miss a word of the tour with the provided headsets. Offering a personalized experience, this private guided tour of the Duomo in Florence is perfect for groups of up to 15.
📝 This private tour of the Duomo in Florence includes: A 3-hour private tour, headsets, and entrance fee for the Cathedral, Museum, and Baptistry. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Step into the magnificent Cathedral and witness its impressive Dome, Baptistery, Crypt, Bell Tower, and Museum with this VIP Private Tour: Florence Cathedral Dome & Monuments. You’ll get to see original masterpieces by Donatello, Brunelleschi, and Michelangelo at the museum, admire the Byzantine mosaics of the Baptistry and, depending on availability, climb up the Dome or the Bell Tower.
No need to queue, since this excursion grants you exclusive access to the iconic landmarks, along with a 3-hour guided tour around the complex. Come explore Florence’s rich history and breathtaking art in this unforgettable experience!
📝 This Florence Cathedral tour includes: Private guided tour and skip-the-line tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Florence Duomo Tours FAQs
• Dome Climb, Museum and Baptistry Small-Group Tour
• VIP David & Duomo Tour: Early Accademia Tour & Skip the Line Climb with Terrace Access
• Florence Duomo Climb: Skip the Line Tickets with Host and Paper
You don’t need a tour to go up Brunelleschi’s Dome, but I highly recommend joining this Dome guided visit to appreciate the magnificent masterpiece at a deeper level, learning about its creation, art, and history.
In my opinion, the best city + Duomo tours in Florence are the following:
• VIP David & Duomo Tour: Early Accademia Tour & Skip-the-Line Dome Climb
• Duomo & Uffizi Skip the Line Small Group Guided Tour
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