Duomo Complex Tour: Access Hidden Terraces and Uncover Florence's Secrets from a Unique Perspective

Uncover the secrets of Florence’s Duomo Complex on a unique tour. Access hidden terraces, admire the aerial panorama, and climb to the top of the Dome. Skip the lines and explore Giotto’s Bell Tower, Giovanni’s Baptistery, and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo with 72-hour full-access passes.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Florence - Meet your expert, monolingual 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.
  • Duomo - Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore - Your licensed guide for Santa Maria del Fiore 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 Santa Maria del Fiore, 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.

  • Cupola del Brunelleschi - 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! Even some of the largest churches in Florence and fortresses in the hills look small in comparison to the view from above. 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.
What's Included
  • Guided tour of the Cathedral with exceptional access to Duomo North terrace
  • Skip-the-line and reserved access to Brunelleschi’s Dome
  • Expert guidance from a professional tour guide
  • Exclusive admittance to the central nave of the Cathedral
  • 72-hour full access pass to the Duomo Complex, including Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and Opera del Duomo Museum
  • Skip-the-line access to the iconic Florence Cathedral
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Cathedral tour if you select the 4.15 pm shift. A Duomo Museum guided tour will be offered instead
Additional Information

Experience the enchanting overhead view and unravel the mysteries of the Duomo from a unique vantage point. Seize this exclusive opportunity to feast your eyes on Florence’s panorama from the 32-metre-high terrace of the Duomo and scale to the summit of the Dome! Through this tour, you will also get 72 hours of unrestricted admittance with fast-pass entry to all sections of the Duomo Complex: Giotto’s Bell Tower, Giovanni’s Baptistery and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Use the rest of your time in Florence to leisurely explore the city’s foremost monuments.

  • 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 starting from 1st May 2023 bulky backpacks and bags will no longer be 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
  • Kindly note that 4.15 PM tour departure does not include the visit of the cathedral: a guided tour of the Opera del Duomo museum or the Baptistry (on tuesdays) will be offered instead.
Location
Via Camillo Cavour, 12
Via Camillo Cavour
Please find number 12 "Black" Via Camillo Cavour which is the easiest number to find and then walk to nearby CIAOFLORENCE SALES OFFICE - Ciao Florence Sales Office - Via Cavour, 36 "RED". You will understand clearly this address description once you are in Florence
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(343 Ratings)
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Rodalita
Oct 4, 2024
The Duomo Complex.. - ENJOY SKIP- THE - LINE ACCESS TO TOUR The Duomo Complex its Hidden Terraces - Tuscany Italy - Duomo Cathedral de Santa Maria del Fiore...60 minutes tour.. the guide tour is very illegeble.. helpful. About the church and its fascinating history you will kean why. Unlike many others in Italy behind the Cathedral art work. With less decorations and elaborate Frescoes. Very excellent guide tourcultural tours in florence..and a highlight Cathedral. Museum of the Duomo tours operators everyday! Proffessional guided..Skip the - line- and reserved access to Brunelleschi's Dome ..Enjoy the beautiful.place at the entire Florence sjyline! To complete your day tout... Operator::Ciao Florence Tours and Travels..
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Glenn_p
Oct 2, 2024
A wonderful experience! - A fabulous experience. It was the day of our 50th Wedding Anniversary and we decided to mark the occasion in style. My wife, who is nervous with heights was delighted to complete the whole tour right up to the top of the dome. We are both into our 70s and we’re able to complete the physical aspect of the tour, which we did at a nice steady pace. Our tour was in a pleasantly warm, late September afternoon but a typically hot summer’s day, with a lot more tourists would been a no go for us. Views from the hidden gallery and the top of the dome were unforgettable and the highlight of our holiday.
Review provided by Viator
Alexa_b
Sep 25, 2024
Gorgeous - This tour is great. The Duomo is stunning and the views from the terraces and roof top are amazing. If you are afraid of heights or cannot do a lot of stairs then you may not want to do this but otherwise would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Jon_b
Sep 8, 2024
Great private VIP Tour - Private VIP tour is the only way to have the full Duomo experience. The tour and our guide were first class
Review provided by Viator
698guilhermed
Aug 31, 2024
Great - Exactly as advertised. On time. Small group. Knowledgeable and charismatic guide. Great value for the money. I recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Edward_s
Jul 22, 2024
Excellent tour of the Duomo - Excellent guide! We very much enjoyed the tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and gave a lot of great information in a very fun way.
Review provided by Viator
Molly_s
Sep 12, 2024
Guide was Rushed - That climb!!! Tour guide was very informative, but preferred if he was able to stay for the entire time.
Review provided by Viator
Deborah_l
Oct 1, 2024
Somewhat Informative but not worth the price - Not enough explanation of the Duoma inside. The information with regards to getting into the Crypt the next day was inaccurate (we were told you did not have to wait in line- you do) . There was not enough detail on the history of the Doumo.. The guide was difficult to understand, although she tried very hard.
Review provided by Viator
Tiffany_h
Sep 7, 2024
Worth seeing, possibly with different tour provider? - The terraces are impressive and it was interesting to have a different perspective of the Duomo and piazza. We stayed to climb to the top of the Duomo and that was a memorable experience. We loved seeing the incredible frescoes inside the dome so close- surprisingly arresting! Our guide from Ciao Italia was very knowledgeable but she spoke very quickly and without much engagement, so we did not absorb much of her information. Later we learned that we could have seen these things and the crypt, as well as the cathedral interior, with the Brunelleschi Ticket, and I think we might have enjoyed exploring without the guide.
Review provided by Viator
Huey_n
Jul 2, 2024
Below average tour - 1- the meeting point was too confusing. It has 2 different addresses. 2- the tour was too simple and short of information. About 30 to 40 minutes with the tour guide and the rest are on your own climbing the roof top “ not worth the money “
Review provided by Viator
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