Your tour will begin just in front of the entrance to the Duomo ticket office at Piazza di San Giovanni, where your guide will lead you directly into the cathedral. Upon entering the church, your guide will begin the story of this incredible feat of engineering that required a whole new process for its construction. Including how, after nearly 200 years of construction, architect Filippo Brunelleschi's innovative approach finally enabled its completion. In addition to learning the history of this magnificent structure, you will also view the beautiful details of its interior including elaborate marble floors, stained-glass windows, and beautiful frescos. Your tour will be capped off by the viewing of Vasari’s famous Last Judgement, which lines the incredible 375 ft high dome. After your thirty-minute guided tour you will have the option to remain and explore the Duomo at your leisure or continue out to the beautiful Piazza del Duomo.
The Brunelleschi Dome, part of the Florence Cathedral, is a crowning architectural achievement by Filippo Brunelleschi. Completed in the 15th century, it stands as an engineering marvel, showcasing a double-shell structure with an inner and outer dome. The red-tiled exterior harmonizes with the city's skyline. Climbing to the top will reward you with unparalleled panoramic views of Florence, making it a testament to Brunelleschi's innovative genius and a symbol of Renaissance ingenuity.
This tour also includes tickets to the nearby Museo della Misericordia. You can visit this jewel of a museum on your own to see its selection of Renaissance paintings and learn about the history of the ambulance corps that was founded to deal with the Black Death.
My husband and I were on our honeymoon, and this was our favorite tour in Florence. We had a great tour guide and learned so much about the beautiful cathedral. We climbed all of the steps to the very top and enjoyed such a beautiful view of the city!
Lovely guide but her English was hard to understand and the ear headphone would not stay on my ear nor on any of the ladies in our group. The climb to the top of duomo was good but not for the weak.
Perfect for a quick knowledgeable visit.
Definetly worth getting the tour. Lots of infomation and insights, and easy access to the Cathedral without the queuing
The visit was interesting. Lots of historical information provided by the guide. However it was short - only 30 minutes and the guide spoke too quickly.
Go to the top of the dome. Really amazing views. The history shared by our guide was incredible. More than I could have studied on my own.
Well organized. Guide was easy to understand and very knowledgeable. The stairs are a lot but the views of murals and city sooo worth it!
Great access, got in before the DUOMO opened, guide was excellent and the top of the Duomo was a great view. And no line!
Good quick tour of the Duomo. The god gave us a lot of information that I wouldn't have known if I had just walked in there.
I would highly recommend this tour guide. She knew her history and was able to make all the features of the Duomo feel significant . The square was very crowded but the guide made it so easy to find her. This was also a perfect tour if you have limited time but still want to experience the Diomo.
We are sorry to report that we could not understand the tour guide’s English. It was very difficult for us to understand because of her strong accent. 😢 We know that she was very well informed and was doing her best.
No good. Couldnt understand our guide. Some people left in the middle of the presentation. It doesnt cost to go into th Duomo. you only have to wait in line to go in for free, and so we (along with 3 other couples) thought we had a pass to climb the 400+ stairs to the top in addition to tour. The girl we couldnt understand told us it was not included. So we paid 54 euros to listen to someone that we could understand for a 1/2 hour for something we could have done for free. Great! Tour called “Florence Duomo Express Tour with Optional Dome Climb Upgrade”
The title of the tour is misleading. Optional dome climb means you have to book that as a separate ticket. When I communicated with Viator directly before going to check, I was told explicitly that it was included as part of my ticket. Very disappointed to find out when we arrived for the tour that it was not. I’ve reached out but didn’t get a satisfactory answer.
This adventure was great! No lines, no crowds! We had the entire duomo to ourselves at the beginning! The climb was amazing! Highly recommend!
Nice tour- informative and beneficial. Our guide was knowledgeable and also solicited/andwered questions just enough to help add interest.
The tour person had a very difficult time speaking English. There was no flow with the information that was presented
It was a brief (30-minute) tour of the cathedral with interesting history and background of various features. The guide was energetic and interesting.
Our guide, Martina was extremely knowledgeable about Michelangelo and the statue of David. She also had a great sense of humour which made for an informative and entertaining morning, and as we all know, we learn more when we are relaxed. Laugh and Learn!
Just a short tour but guide was informed and friendly highlighting main details which is just what we wanted
This was the easiest tour group for us to find! The guided tour was minimal and lackluster, but the climb was worth it. Also- the climb has some rest spots before they let you through. And no backpacks or cinch bags allowed. We must have missed that in the prep email.
The climb and the top of the Duomo are the only experience the inside is very much a shell with only the ceiling to see, more time to take photos at the two upper levels would be beneficial.
Because of a schedule change we had to do the express tour. It was very good. The guide was terrific
Christina was a wonderful guide. She packed the 30 minutes with so much information that it felt longer. The reason why I booked this tour was because I wasn't able to get the cheaper dome climb pass through the official Duomo website, but Christina made the extra money I paid for the tour worthwhile!
The tour was MEH. the tour guide spoke so fast and the tech was so garbled that I barely took the info in. The ONLY thing that makes this tour worth it is you get to bypass the long line to climb to the top of the dome.
It was thundering and after being on hold for quite some time, they let me reschedule for 11 AM the following day we went there in the rain and thunder, but the tour guide left not just me but five others behind! They were only 25 in the tour and six of us got left behind I called and left the reservation number with city wonders. This is the first tour that I’ve been on provide a tour that would do such a thing! When others were late or one of the chores, they would always call the other people that relate or were missing from the group. They were 5+ me six of us missing from a group of 25 and no WhatsApp call or text not pleased at all with city wonders.
Amazing experience! Skip the line really works, and we got to experience it with no people inside. A lot of steps but really enjoyed.
The express tour was great because you got the main points and history and then could explore yourself.
The express tour part was too long. Lots of standing before being able to make the climb. Maybe there is an option for just the climb. I’m thinking I could have booked direct and saved a ton. The view from the top is breathtaking even after the steep climb.
The tour was fantastic. Loved the communication with detailed information on meetup points. The guide was very knowledgeable and funny.
Tour was very detailed on the Duomo. My wife and I had a good experience and would recommend this tour.
Great experience seeing the Duomo and climbing the stairs (all 452 of them). Not an easy climb but there are rest points - so it is achievable. Amazing view from the top.
Wonderful experience. The climb to the top is quite a way (452 steps) but there are rest points so it is achievable. The view from the top is special - so highly recommend you give it a go!
Views from the top of the Duomo were amazing and well worth the climb. Tour was well organised, friendly assistance given in where to drop off backpacks, clothing regulations etc. The guide who met us was punctual and efficient. Great to skip the lines since they were very long! If there were to be a negative it would be that our guide inside the Duomo focused a lot on architecture since this was her passion, I would have liked to have learnt more about the art.
Very informative and a nice quick tour, especially since you are able to skip the lines. Would recommend
Lorenzo our guide did an excellent job providing a good summary of the history of the Duomo including some curiosities we otherwise would not have discovered. Our only issue was finding the tour representative due to size and multiple entrances to the Duomo however once found they helped find the guide to enter the Duomo, therefore more clarity on meeting location is required.
I hate to say this but the Duomo is more interesting on the outside. Save your money. Not so much to see inside - other Duomo’s more vibrant. Lots of information from guide - lots and lots of Italian names of artists- hard to keep track of. Audio headset didn’t work properly.
Our tour guide made this trip memorable. My family went to Italy to the Florence Duomo to see one specific piece of stained glass. We went on this tour and told our tour guide of why we were there. Once the tour was finished, we all realized the one specific piece of stained glass is in an area you typically cannot see. The area is high up and roped off around the pulpit. Since the ropes are there, we couldn’t get far enough back to see the glass piece. We told our tour guide and she went to talk to a guard. The guard and the tour guide went through the ropes off area and found the stained glass piece. Then they led us through the ropes and allowed us back far enough so we could see the glass piece and get a picture. It was an amazing experience. Both the guide and the guard went out of their way to make sure we got to see the piece that we traveled so far to see.
This tour was absolutely fantastic!!! Our family came to Italy to see a specific stained glass piece in the Duomo. Unfortunately, what we didn’t know, is that it was one that can’t be seen unless you have permission to go in the roped off areas by the pulpit. After the tour, we explained to our tour guide about why we came here and that we were hoping to see the specific stained glass piece. She went and talked to a guard and she and the guard led our small group of 4 to a special area where we could see the stained glass piece we traveled so far to see. We got our picture and a great story to tell. The guide and the guard went out of their way to make our trip for us and make it special. Thank you!!!
Guide was very knowledgeable and took time with individuals that required the need. Recommend this tour
Lots of email and texts ahead of time became confusing to follow. I received multiple reminders when I was all signed up
Our tour of the Florence Duomo was an absolute highlight of our trip! Entering the cathedral before it opened to the public was an incredible treat. Walking through the quiet, empty Duomo made us feel like true VIPs and allowed us to appreciate the breathtaking architecture without the crowds.Our guide was wonderful and exceptionally knowledgeable, sharing fascinating history and insights that brought the monument to life.The Duomo climb was definitely challenging, especially in the heat, but the views from the top were spectacular and worth every single step. Best of all, there was absolutely no waiting in lines. If you want to skip the crowds and get an exclusive, hassle-free experience, this tour is worth every penny!
Tour was fun and worth the cost to skip the lines. Our guide was knowledgeable and very kind. The climb up the dome was so fun and very doable!
Definitely book the guided tour and skip the line access. The line for tickets and access wraps around the church.
Easy instructions of where to meet. The map links provided are easy to just click and follow your gps.
So good. The climb is worth the effort for the spectacular views. You don’t get a huge amount of time once you reach the top so make the most of it and soak up the views.
We joined this guided tour while on a day trip from a cruise ship. This is a great trip if you are short on time and need a great run down on the history of the Duomo. Our guide was fantastic and incredibly knowledgeable. We can highly recommend it.
Great that you get to skip the line but exploring on your own is fine. There isn’t much to see within the church itself. Going to mass on Friday with music is more of an experience than the Duomo itself.
The tour guide was great, the tour itself was not. I have done it both ways where you stand in line and take the tour. You’re better off waking up early standing in a 20 minute line enjoying the view of Florence and seeing the Duma yourself now if you want to do the climb or see the basement, definitely get a tour guide but if you’re just going in, do the tour yourself, watch a couple videos on TikTok, and that will be plenty enough.
The tour was brief yet enjoyable, with the guide making the Duomo's story compelling. Time flew by quickly.
Very efficient and well organised. We were in the Cathedral before the doors opened which meant we could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Excellent guide.
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