Getting Florence Duomo tickets is actually very easy: there are several options available, suitable to all kind of travelers and budgets.
Since I have been to Florence countless times (I think the first time it was when I was in primary school, on a school trip) including recently (I literally got back 3 days ago!) and just as many to Florence Duomo (including on my latest trip), I thought I’d explain everything you need to know to visit, including how to get tickets for the Duomo Florence.
Needless to say, this is one of the most popular places to visit in Florence – not to mention one of Florence most beautiful churches, and should be included in any Florence itinerary. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore towers over the city with its 116,50 meters (more than 383 feet), and counts more than 3,600 square meters of beautifully decorated walls.
Situated in Piazza Duomo are also six other wonderful monuments: Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower (from where you can get breathtaking views of Florence), the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Santa Reparata Crypt and the Opera del Duomo Museum. These are known as the Duomo Complex monuments.
Are you going to Florence soon? Make sure to get your Duomo tickets in advance. Here are the best options:
In this article I will explain all the different ways of getting tickets for the Duomo Florence and the connected attractions, so that you can decide which sites you want to visit, and how. I will also share lots of practical information that will help you plan your visit and make the most of it.
How To Get Florence Duomo Tickets
Purchasing your tickets for the Duomo Florence and for the monuments of the Duomo Complex is mandatory. If you do not have pre-purchased tickets, you run the risk of not being able to climb the Brunelleschi Dome or visit the other monuments of the Duomo Complex.
Use the Florence Duomo tickets official site
Florence Cathedral is actually free to visit: you can actually enter without a ticket and don’t need to book it.
However, if you want to visit the other monuments in the Duomo Complex bookings are mandatory – you can’t just show up at the door and walk in – and you need a combination ticket that includes the various monuments of the Duomo Complex.
At this point, it is worth pointing out some of the monuments that are part of the Duomo Complex and for which a ticket is needed.
GIOTTO’S BEL TOWER – Known as Campanile di Giotto in Italian, this 84.7 meters (almost 288 feet) tall and approximately 15 meters (that’s more than 49 feet) wide tower provides a perfect view of Florence.
BRUNELLESCHI DOME – The Cupola di Brunelleschi in Italian, this is a real master of beauty and ingenuity. Brunelleschi designed an octagonal self-supporting dome that didn’t need a center. It stands at 116 meters (380.5 feet), making it the largest masonry vault in the world.
BAPTISTERY OF SAN GIOVANNI – This octagonal baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in the city (1059 and 1128) and has the status of a minor basilica. Named after St John the Baptist, patron saint of Florence, it is one of the monuments that represent the civic identity of the city.
It is definitely worth visiting all these religious sites as each one of them offers something particularly different, from its history and design perspective. Try to plan your visit by choosing the monuments you want to see, taking into account the recommended visiting times.
This is the Florence Duomo tickets official site. You can use it to buy tickets for all the monuments of the Duomo Complex.
You will have three passes you can choose from.
BRUNELLESCHI PASS – It costs €30 for adults, €12 for children between 7 and 14 years old (must be accompanied by an adult), and it’s free for children up to 6 years old. This is the most expensive option and includes visits to all the monuments of the Duomo Complex. The ticket is valid for 3 days, during which you can visit the various monuments.
GIOTTO PASS – It costs €20 for adults and €7 for children between 7 and 14 years old (children up to 6 years of age can get in for free) and gives you access to Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, the Opera del Duomo Museum and Santa Reparata.
GHIBERTI PASS – It costs €15 for adults and €5 for children between 7 and 14 years old (children up to 6 years of age can get in for free) and gives you access to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata. Italian and foreign students can get a reduced price.
Free admission is available for all monuments for people with disabilities and their companion. To get your free access, you need to send an email to accessibilita@duomo.firenze.it or contact the desk in Piazza Duomo 14, providing a certification document.
In order to get your tickets for the Duomo Florence, you’ll you have to register with a valid email and make the payment. You will receive an email with the pass you’ve chosen and other useful information. Bring this ticket with you, as it will be requested at the entrance.
Florence Duomo tickets official site doesn’t allow modifications to the reservation and refunds.
Get your tickets for the Duomo Florence via third-party booking sites
Countless third-party booking sites offer skip-the-line mobile tickets.
Of course, in terms of price, most are more expensive than those sold on the official Florence Duomo ticket. On the other hand, these tickets allow for free cancellation within 24 hours of your visit, and you can count on customer support 24/7 in a language of your choice, even via WhatsApp.
My favorite third party booking sites for skip-the-line tickets are GetYourGuide and Tiqets. They allow you to read reviews from other travelers, so that you know exactly what to expect.
You can get last minute Florence Duomo tickets with Brunelleschi Dome on GetYourGuide. These tickets also allow access to the Bell Tower, the Museum of the Duomo, Santa Reparata Crypt and the Cathedral obviously. The include an audio-guide too.
A similar option is offered on Tiqets for just about the same price.
Join a guided tour of Florence Duomo
Another great way of securing tickets for the Duomo and the other monuments in the Duomo Complex is to join a guided tour, either with a live guide or with an audio guide.
A guided tour is a good idea if you want a more insightful experience when you visit. You’ll have a guide taking you to the gate, letting you know what you need to do at every step of your visit, and showering you with interesting information about the sites you are visiting.
That’s how my friend and I visited the Duomo of Florence and Brunelleschi’s Dome last time we were in Florence, and we were definitely happy of our choice.
Many companies offer excellent guided tours. The benefit of booking tours on third-party sites rather than the official site is that you can read the reviews, so you know exactly what to expect.
Here are the best guided tours on offer on third-party booking sites:
Alone in the Duomo: VIP After-Hours Tour with Dome Climb & Private Terrace Access – this Walks of Italy tour is the one I took last time I visited (last week) and it was a fantastic experience. We entered the Duomo in the late afternoon, skipping the long line at the door. We climbed the Brunelleschi Dome while having a commentary by the guide, then went to the terraces. The tour ended with a visit of the church, where we got to stay alone until the lights got turned off: we walked out with the guardian and saw him as he closed the doors!
VIP David & Duomo Tour: Early Accademia Tour & Skip the Line Dome Climb with Exclusive Terrace Access – My friend and I took this tour on one of my many trips to Florence. It’s a great tour if you want to visit the Duomo and get the magnificent views from the Dome. The tour starts at the Galleria dell’Accademia.
Florence: Cupola Climb Tour with Duomo Complex Entry Tickets – sold on GetYourGuide, this is an excellent option if you just want to visit the Duomo and the Dome. You could also consider this option if you prefer a small group tour.
I also recommend this Florence: Baptistery, Duomo Museum, & Cathedral Walking Tour which goes to the Cathedral and the Baptistery as well as the Duomo Museum.
If you are looking for something budget friendly and want to visit just the Cathedral, I recommend this Florence: Cathedral Skip-the-Line Guided Tour. The tour lasts one hour and has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts.
It’s also worth looking at the tours offered on the Florence Duomo tickets official site. There are four tours in English.
Prices are as follows:
TOUR OF THE CATHEDRAL – Available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, it costs €15 for adults; €7 for children between 7 and 14 years of age. Children under 6 go free.
TOUR OF THE DOME – Available Monday to Saturday, it costs €45 for adults; €30 for children between 7 and 14 years old. Children under 6 go free.
TOUR OF THE BAPTISTERY AND THE MUSEUM – Available on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, it costs €25 for adults, €15 for children between 7 and 14 years old. Children under 6 go free.
TOUR OF THE BAPTISTERY RESTORATION SITE – Available on Fridays and Saturdays, it costs €65 for adults (no mention of reduced price options).
Tours bought on the official website can’t be cancelled or refunded. It’s also worth pointing out that these tours have no reviews, so it’s difficult to have an idea of what they are like and if other travelers have enjoyed them or not.
Get the Florence Pass
Another way of getting tickets for the Duomo of Florence is the Florence Pass, not to be confused with the Firenzecard which, on the other hand, gives you no access to the monuments of the Duomo Complex.
Attractions included in the Florence Pass are Florence Cathedral and Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Uffizi Gallery, the Galleria dell’Accademia (where you can see Michelangelo’s David).
You also get a city app you can download on your phone and a 10% discount on all other attractions in Florence.
What’s great about the Florence Pass is that you can book the time slots for your visit at the same time you purchase the pass, so you only have to visit one site. As this is a combination of tickets to the individual attractions it includes, you end up getting quite a good discount too.
Get your Florence Duomo tickets in person
Finally, there is the option to buy your tickets for the Duomo Florence on-site in the square – though this option is obviously subject to availability and you may not even get a ticket for the time slot you want.
There are two ticket offices:
Brunelleschi ticket office is located in Piazza Duomo 14/A and it is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 7:15 pm and on Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:45 pm.
Antica Canonica ticket office is located in Piazza San Giovanni 7 and it is open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm.
Both offices only accept electronic payments. Beware that the line to get tickets in person may actually be very long.
FAQs On Tickets For The Duomo Florence
Official Florence Duomo tickets
There is no admission fee to access Florence Duomo, but you’ll have to pay a fee to visit all other monuments of the Duomo Complex. This is a breakdown of the costs:
BRUNELLESCHI PASS – €30 for adults, €12 for children between 7 and 14 years of age, free for children up to 6 years old.
GIOTTO PASS – €20 for adults, €7 for children between 7 and 14 years old, free for children up to 6 years of age.
GHIBERTI PASS – €15 for adults, €5 for children between 7 and 14 years old and students of all nationalities, free for children up to 6 years of age.
In order to get access to the Duomo and the monuments of the complex, print your voucher or ticket and bring it to the Duomo with you, and make sure to be there no less than 15 minutes before your entry time. You may not be allowed to enter if you arrive more than 5 minutes late.
Modifications to the reservation and refunds
Florence Duomo tickets official site doesn’t allow cancellations, modifications and refunds. For more flexible cancellation policies, consider purchasing your tickets or tours on third party booking sites.
Free visits
Visiting the Duomo of Florence is free for everyone, but unless you are visiting one of the other attractions in the complex, you can expect a line to get in.
Free admission to the other monuments of the Duomo Complex is available for children up to 6 years old and for disabled visitors and one person accompanying them.
Florence Duomo opening hours
The Duomo Monuments and Florence Duomo opening hours vary throughout the year, depending on the season.
The best thing to do before you visit is to actually check on the website for the opening and closing times on the specific date you intend to visit.
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is closed to visits on Sundays and during religious celebrations. The other sites are open every day.
Book in advance
You don’t have to make reservations to visit the Duomo of Florence. However, online bookings are mandatory for all other monuments of the Duomo Complex.
What to do if Florence Duomo tickets are sold out
Tickets for the Duomo Florence and the Duomo Complex sold on the official website are usually the first to get sold out. If you only want to visit the Cathedral, you can simply stand in line and wait until you get in.
If you also want to visit the other sites, you will have better chances of finding tickets on third-party booking sites (they often buy tickets in bulk and allow cancellations, so you may be able to count on someone canceling at the last minute), and even higher chances if you decide to join a guided tour.
I recommend getting last minute Florence Duomo tickets with Brunelleschi Dome on GetYourGuide. They include the Bell Tower, the Museum of the Duomo, Santa Reparata Crypt and the Cathedral, and an audio-guide too.
In terms of tours, I recommend this Alone in the Duomo: VIP After-Hours Tour with Dome Climb & Private Terrace Access – it’s the tour I took last time I visited and it’s great if you want to visit the Cathedral as well as Brunelleschi Dome and the terraces.
Other Useful Information
Security checks when visiting Florence Duomo
You will have to go through airport-style security to gain access to each of the monuments of the Duomo Complex. In fact, once inside you will also have to follow specific routes and use specific exits.
Is photography allowed?
Yes! As long as you don’t use the flash or a tripod. In fact, you should definitely bring a camera if you go up Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower, as the views are stunning!
Toilets and other facilities
The only bathrooms are inside the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Alternatively, you can use one of the public toilets in the area that cost €1.
Accessibility
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is accessible to people who have limited mobility or on wheelchair – there are wheelchairs available at the entrance to the Cathedral and the Museum, and the security staff is also available to help and provide information. Service animals such as guide dogs are also welcome.
You have to climb 463 sometimes steep and narrow steps to access Brunelleschi’s Dome, and 414 for Giotto’s Bell Tower, and there is no elevator.
For this reason, access to both monuments is not recommended to people who have limited mobility, heart conditions, respiratory diseases and to pregnant women or people who suffer from vertigo and claustrophobia.
Cloakroom and dress code
Bulky items such as backpacks (even small backpacks) aren’t allowed inside the Duomo. A cloakroom for visitors of Florence Duomo and the other monuments of the Duomo complex is available in Piazza Duomo 38/R.
You should also be dressed appropriately – the Cathedral, the Brunelleschi Dome and the Baptistery are religious buildings for which you are expected to be dressed modestly.
Further Readings
If you are traveling to Florence, these other posts will be useful:
- How To Get From Rome To Florence
- How To Get Boboli Gardens Tickets
- How To Get Tickets To Pitti Palace
- How To Get Tickets To The Uffizi Gallery
- How To Get Galleria Dell’Accademia Tickets
- How To Get Tickets To Palazzo Vecchio
- How To Make The Most Of Florence At Night
- 13 Best Day Trips From Florence
- A Wonderful Florence To Pisa Day Trip
- The Perfect Day Trip From Florence To Cinque Terre
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