Florence: Exclusive First Access to Cathedral and Dome
Description
No visitor would renounce visiting the Florence Cathedral, rooftop or Baptistery. But… have you ever wondered what these amazing monuments look like at daybreak, quiet and still before crowds of people start entering? Imagine meeting the person who opens the Duomo’s impressive door, or the Baptistery’s gleaming “Gates of Paradise”, walking inside before anybody else, and seeing the lights go on. Now you can, thanks to this novel, spectacular, and exclusive early morning Tour, a unique small group tour crafted to offer a privileged viewpoint on the Duomo and Baptistery. Admire these two exceptional landmarks when they wake up, see the doors open for your eyes only and watch the lights go on!
Tour Options
Itinerary
meet the “chiavigero”, the person in charge of opening this jewel case of artistic magnificence. The moment the key turns in the lock, and the doors open, you will start perceiving the interior, still dim and silent. Get ready to be surprised: the next thing the key bearer will do is turn on the lights, firstly those that reveal the amazing frescoed vault. Watch the light slowly illuminate the 3600 square meter masterpiece painted by Vasari and Zuccari. Admire the elaborate, vibrant “Last Judgement” fresco, watch the elders of the Apocalypse, the angels, and the saints come to life before your eyes. Follow your guide, and gaze at the Duomo’s dazzling clock: painted by Paolo Uccello, it tells time from sunset to sunrise! Listen to its uncanny history and then discover the rest of this beautiful church. At the end of the visit, time to treat yourself to a tasty Italian breakfast: join the locals at the bar of a historical café and enjoy a delicious espresso, cappuccino, and brioche!
Crown your tour with a memorable viewing of Brunelleschi’s cupola. Access the Duomo again from a privileged entrance, the Porta Canonici open solely for your party, and climb up to the world’s most famous dome. Once on top, relish the extraordinary cityscape, and appreciate learning about Brunelleschi’s talent, the people he worked with, and how he built the cupola. Meantime, enjoy watching Florence, and Florentines, from high above.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We regret to inform that this tour is not suitable for guests with wheelchairs or with impaired mobility
- 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.
- Comfortable shoes suggested
- Please note the number of steps to reach the top of each monument: Terraces: 153 Terraces + Brunelleschi's Dome: 153 + 310
- Due to the security checks, please be informed that for the entrance to the Dome and Terraces, bulky backpacks and bags are not allowed to climb.
- We are sorry to inform you that pets are not permitted on our tours
- Operates in all weather conditions
Reviews(60)
Experiencing the tour during the morning was truly unforgettable. The tour was finished before the crowds even started, and the view at the top was incredible. Alla was an amazing tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and well spoken. 10/10 would recommend!!!
Great tour. Well times. A little expensive for what you get, but overall so nice to be first and see it before everyone else and the heat!
The morning air was cool as we walked into the Duomo at dawn. We were the very first people in and had to wait as they switched the lights on. Greta was our amazing tour guide. So knowledgeable about the site and the history of Florence. I learned a tremendous amount about the local architects and artisans who worked on the cathedral. And she got everyone up and down 461 steps to the terrace. Spectacular 360° views of the city. I cannot say enough good things about this tour and our tour guide at Greta. Well worth the ticket price.
This experience was well worth getting up early for! Francesca was a fabulous guide and walked us through a very organized and informative tour. We started in front of the cathedral where she explained the front facade while waiting on the Key Master. Just before 7:00, we were at the entrance where the key master unlocked the doors and let us in before the lights were on. We were the only ones in the church besides a few workers. The tour started on the main level and continued to the climb. First to the frescos which were amazing to see up close. Then the second part of the climb to the outside of the dome. It was the coolest part of the day and not in a crowd. I would highly recommend this tour if you want to see the top of the dome!
We had such a wonderful morning exploring the Duomo with Greta. She knows so much about Florence and tells its history with genuine passion. You can really feel that she lives and breathes the city. She made the whole experience interesting, warm and memorable, and this morning will stay with us as one of the highlights of our time in Florence. A big recommendation from us. Greta is fantastic!
Absolutely amazing two hour visit with the wonderful Francesca! The access to the dome is unparalleled and stunning. Francesca was exceptional. Would 10/10 recommend for a once in a lifetime experience!
The early access tour to climb the Duomo was an amazing experience! We entered the main level immediately after the guard unlocked the door and enjoyed viewing the main level without a bunch of crowds - our tour group were the only people in the entire church. We were also the first to climb to the top of the Dome. The up close view of the ceiling from the balcony is breath taking. If you visit in the summer, the early morning tour is definitely the best time of day for this activity!
really worth the climb, the peace from the crowds, the coolness of the early morning and the insightful knowledge from the guide....the full experience. I highly recommend it.
This was the perfect way to start a day in Florence. We met our guide, Aurora, at 7am in front of the Duomo, and within minutes the official key-bearer arrived to unlock the doors just for our small group. Watching the cathedral come alive, the lights slowly revealing Vasari and Zuccari's frescoed vault, the Last Judgment fresco taking shape overhead, while the space was completely silent and empty was genuinely magical. Only one other small group came through behind us, so it truly felt like we had this masterpiece to ourselves. Aurora was wonderful. She was soft-spoken in a way that matched the stillness of the morning, and clearly passionate about Florence's history. She taught us so much about the cathedral's patrons and construction that we never would have picked up on our own. We didn't realize the tour included climbing all the way to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome, not just the interior balconies, so that was a great bonus. Hearing the choir warming up echo through the cathedral as we climbed was a beautiful, unexpected moment. I'll admit the heights were tough for me, but Aurora checked in constantly, made sure our older tour member was comfortable, and offered to adjust the pace whenever needed. My husband and kids thought the climb was the best part of the whole trip. The view from the top was spectacular, and Aurora took her time pointing out landmarks and sharing stories rather than rushing us back down. We even had access to go back later and see the archaeological area beneath the cathedral, though we ran out of time, which is a great excuse to return to Florence. Highly recommend this tour, and Aurora specifically, to anyone wanting to experience the Duomo before the crowds arrive.
Wonderful to beat the crowd and enjoy the duomo in the cool and the quiet. Also includes tickets for the bell tower and baptistry that you can use later that day.
