K
Nice tour
It’s a short and sweet tour of the church, which is all you need. Guide was very knowledgeable. Recommend if you want to learn about what you are looking at.
Small Group Florence Cathedral Guided Tour with Priority Access
+10 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 30 min
- Price from
- $32 / person
- Location
- Florence, Italy
- Rating
- 4.1 / 5 · 199 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Small group, up to 25
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Ciao Florence Tours Srl
- Meeting point
- DUOMO SQUARE, N.19/20 - FLORENCEYou guide will wait for you in front of "Misericordia" Museum
Description
Admire the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the iconic symbol of Florence, together with an expert local guide. Enjoy a dedicated entry to the Cathedral and make the most of your time in Florence as you step inside this extraordinary masterpiece. Your guide will take you on a journey through the fascinating history of the Duomo, from its origins to the ambitious project that made it one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Discover the incredible story behind Filippo Brunelleschi’s revolutionary Dome and the innovative techniques that made its construction possible. Thanks to a preferential route reserved for our group, you will also reach the area beneath the Dome, where you can admire up close the magnificent frescoes by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari depicting The Last Judgment. An engaging way to discover the history, art, and architectural genius behind Florence’s most iconic landmark.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 11:15 AM and 1:00 PM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 7
- Adult (ages 12+)
- $18
- Child (ages 4–11)
- $16
- Infant (ages 0–3)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 13 of the next 56 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Piazza San Giovanni
Meet your guide at Piazza del Duomo 19/20, in front of the Misericordia Museum, by the ambulances. Once your group is together, your guide will introduce you to the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, sharing fascinating insights into its history, architecture, and iconic white, green, and red marble façade. Then, enjoy dedicated entry to the Cathedral and continue through security with your guide. Step inside and discover the extraordinary details, stories, and artistic treasures hidden within one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Once inside, your expert local guide will lead you through the Cathedral, bringing its centuries of history to life through engaging stories and fascinating details. Discover how Santa Maria del Fiore evolved over time, from its origins on the site of ancient Roman remains to the masterpiece we see today. Learn how the Cathedral grew alongside Florence and became one of the defining landmarks of the city. Your guide will also reveal the story behind Brunelleschi’s revolutionary Dome, an extraordinary achievement that transformed Renaissance architecture and inspired generations of artists and architects. Uncover the remarkable artworks and artistic details hidden inside this extraordinary monument, while your guide brings the people, ideas, and stories behind them to life.As your guide explains the history in a vivid, storytelling manner, you will learn about the famous works of art stored in the Cathedral.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
As you explore the Cathedral, your guide will gradually lead you toward one of its most spectacular highlights: the monumental frescoes decorating the interior of Brunelleschi’s Dome. Look up to admire The Last Judgment, painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari between 1572 and 1579. Your guide will share the fascinating story behind these impressive frescoes, revealing the details, symbolism, and history hidden within this extraordinary work of art. Your guided visit inside Santa Maria del Fiore lasts approximately one hour, offering a fascinating introduction to the history, art, and architecture behind one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks.
What's included
Included
Preferential route reserved exclusively for our group to access the area located below the Dome
Professional guide
Guided tour of 30 minutes in a small group (maximum 25 people)
Reserved entry to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)
Entrance tickets to the Museum of the Misericordia di Firenze
Headphones for larger groups
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.1
199 reviews
How it compares in Florence
- Starting price $32 is 72% below the typical $114 for tours of similar length in Florence
Excurgo comparison of 3,221 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
- Entrance to the Cathedral of Florence requires an appropriate dress code. Please make sure your shoulders and knees are covered
- It is strictly forbidden to bring large bags or luggage inside the Duomo
- Due to security controls at the entrance of the Cathedral, waiting times may be longer for access to the Duomo
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Small Group Florence Cathedral Guided Tour with Priority Access lasts about 30 min. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $32 per person for this Florence experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 11:15 AM and 1:00 PM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 4–11 pay from $16, adults from $18. Infants go free.
Does this tour sell out?
It can: 13 of the next 56 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is DUOMO SQUARE, N.19/20 - FLORENCE. You guide will wait for you in front of "Misericordia" Museum. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 25 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(199)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
S
Duono
The inside was not as expected considering the wait some people had. The outside is more amazing and the guide was not as good as expected.
G
It’s a short experience...
It’s a short experience and a little chaotic at meeting point I would just get entry ticket that’s skips queue and not bother with guide
T
Worth booking
Clear instructions to find the meeting place and when you see the massive queues you’ll be glad you did! Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, unfortunately it wasn’t always easy to understand her accent. Check to see what you are actually paying for. We booked knowing we weren’t walking up to the top of the Duomo but we couldn’t get into the crypt either.
P
Excellent Value
Our guide Sylvia explained the history and symbolism of the art in the Accademia and the Uffizi giving us a tour rich in context. It was also a pleasure to skip the long lines. We even stopped for coffee and pastry during our walk between the two museums.
K
It was a nice experience...
It was a nice experience to hear some of the history of the cathedral. The guide started late due to 2 people not showing up on time. Would have been nice for the other 12+ waiting to just get going.
C
Worth not waiting in line but nothing more.
Difficult to understand the speaker. Maybe a word or two in each sentence. Very disappointed.
J
Good small tour but doesn’t include Baptistry
Our guide was knowledgeable and covered the history of the duo o quickly. Obviously skip the line is an important feature of this and worth it. However we should have know that you are NOT ABLE to go to the Baptistry on this ticket. It must be bought separately. A lot was discussed on the tour about the baptistry yet you couldn’t see it. I would have happily paid more for a tour that included but wasn’t aware of this detail.
A
Worth the visit
The church is beautiful! Our guide shared how they built the church and all of the history behind the construction! Our guide spoke slowly which was much appreciated!
S
I don't want to deter...
I don't want to deter anyone away from taking this tour because I am sure it is not like this every time, but our experience was not the best. It was easy to find the group outside of the duomo, but we did not receive a headphone set, so it was very difficult for us to hear our already quiet tour guide. On top of that, I struggled to understand the guides' english. The great thing is that we completely bypassed the long line outside.
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from$32
4.1(199) Free cancellation