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Guided Tours

Florence Cathedral Guided Tour with Secret Terraces & Optional Brunelleschi Dome Climb

Duomo Florence facade with bell tower under blue sky.
Frescoes inside Florence Duomo's dome, depicting religious scenes, viewed during the Express Guided Tour.
Tourist walking on Florence Duomo terrace with Giotto's Campanile in view.
Florence Duomo aerial view with surrounding cityscape at sunrise.

Duration

1 hr 30 min - 2 hr

Open today

10:15am - 03:45pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

4.5/5

(2,122)

Daniel Stefan

Daniel

Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
I missed one star because the guide directed us from the Cathedral trough the gates for upper terraces. Afterwords we find out that if we like to see the Crypt at the basement, we have to do it after climbing down from the Dome and to take the cue for entering again in the Cathedral! My opinion is that the guide should advise us to see first the Crypt once we were already inside! It is true that in such case, the guide should wait for the group and after to climb up together for the first terrace where the Bishops are. I consider that my comment it's useful for other visitors. Thank you!
Robert Brown

Robert

Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5
As we were short on time it was really useful to skip the queues, and it did feel special to stand on the roof of the Duomo Cathedral so close to the Dome and well placed to enjoy the red tiled rooves of all the surrounding buildings. The meeting point address took us somewhere else further along the avenue on google maps which was a bit of a stressful start and I'd liked to have heard more about the Cathedral rather than all the placatory chat about the steps and where you could turn back if you didn't want to go up them when it seemed clear that steps were a part of the tour.
Tracey Mountain

Tracey

Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
This was the best decision we made in our trip to Florence! We felt like VIPs guided into the Dome and learning specifics about the history. Climbing the 463 steps was not as bad as I thought and the view was amazing and worth it. Plus, we were taken to a secret terrace that no one else could go on. The guides were very knowledgeable and pleasant! Highly recommend!
    • Skip the long lines and enjoy a guided tour of the Cathedral interior before ascending to the Secret Terraces for sweeping skyline views and architectural insights.

    • These terraces are typically off-limits to the public and offer side-angle views of Brunelleschi’s Dome — one of the only ways to observe the dome’s ribs, lantern, and engineering from up close.

    • Choose a small-group experience for a more intimate visit. Some tours begin at daybreak, where you may enter with the key-bearer and watch the Cathedral light up for the day.

    • Want the full picture? Upgrade your experience with a climb to Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower for a panoramic perspective of everything you’ve just explored from above.

    • Skip-the-line entry to Duomo Florence Cathedral

    • Guided tour of Florence Cathedral

    • Exclusive entry to Duomo terraces

    • 72-hour pass for Baptistery, Crypt, Opera Museum

    • Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome (as per option selected)

    • Early exclusive entry at daybreak (as per option selected)

    • Small group tour of 10 guests or less (as per option selected)

    • Hotel transfers
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 4.5
    2,122 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    1.5K
    313
    27
    60
    125
    Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Australia and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Daniel Stefan

    Daniel

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    I missed one star because the guide directed us from the Cathedral trough the gates for upper terraces. Afterwords we find out that if we like to see the Crypt at the basement, we have to do it after climbing down from the Dome and to take the cue for entering again in the Cathedral! My opinion is that the guide should advise us to see first the Crypt once we were already inside! It is true that in such case, the guide should wait for the group and after to climb up together for the first terrace where the Bishops are. I consider that my comment it's useful for other visitors. Thank you!
    Michael Kiekbusch

    Michael

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    Tours in the rain are not the best, but our tour guide did a great job. Explained a lot and showed everything as far as possible. She also took care of the little things of individuals. It was fun.
    Todd Chase

    Todd

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The tour was one of our most memorable experiences in Florence. We really enjoyed it! The views from the dome were spectacular.
    Nancy Perrault

    Nancy

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Informative and impressive! Thanks to our guide Debbra!
    Ahmed Bilal Mansoor

    Ahmed

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    The guide was super knowledgeable
  • Bypass the lines and explore Florence Cathedral and its Secret Terraces on this expertly guided tour.

    Getting started

    Meet your guide near the main entrance of the Florence Duomo, where your skip-the-line ticket is validated. After a brief introduction, proceed through security and begin your journey into the Cathedral’s hidden spaces.

    What to expect

    A triumph of Renaissance genius, the Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) isn’t just the third-largest church in the world—it’s the bold vision of an era. Crowned by Brunelleschi’s revolutionary dome, this architectural marvel redefined what was possible when art, science, and human ambition converged to reshape history.

    Features

    • Expert guidance: Your guide shares insights into the Cathedral’s history, architecture, and hidden details, enhancing your appreciation of this UNESCO-listed site.

    • Secret terraces: Access exclusive terraces rarely open to the public, offering panoramic views over Florence’s rooftops and the Arno River.

    • Exclusive upgrades: Opt to climb Brunelleschi's dome and learn about its construction, or climb Giotto's Bell Tower for a unique perspective of the city. Enhance your visit with a small-group tour—ideal for a tailored, more immersive experience and avail options like daybreak entry, where you'll be the first to enter the Cathedral, welcomed by none other than the Duomo's key-bearer himself.

  • Duomo Florence

    Monday10:15am - 03:45pm
    Tuesday10:15am - 03:45pm
    Wednesday10:15am - 03:45pm
    Thursday10:15am - 03:45pm
    Friday10:15am - 03:45pm
    Saturday10:15am - 03:45pm
    SundayClosed
  • What's not allowed

    • Strict dress code: Clothing must cover the knees and shoulders. Sandals/flip-flops, hats, and sunglasses must be removed before entry.

    • Shutterbugs, take note: Flash photography is a no-go inside the venue.

    • Leave your luggage and backpacks behind. Only small bags are allowed inside the museum.

    Accessibility

    • Ramps are available at the Museum, Cathedral, Baptistry, and Santa Reparata Crypt for easy access.

    • The Dome and terrace climb is not accessible by wheelchair. Guests with mobility issues, back problems, or heart conditions are also not advised to undertake the ascent.

    • Guide dogs (with relevant certification) are welcome at the venue.

    Additional information

    • Please note that in certain cases, this experience is unavailable for children aged 0 to 7 years.

    • Children aged 8 to 17 years must be accompanied by an adult

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Meeting point

    • Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions

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