Towns of Italy · Florence
A licensed guide takes you through Florence Cathedral, then you climb Brunelleschi's dome on a slot that is already held for you. Book the Dome & Terraces option and you also walk the rooftop terraces, 32 metres up, which the public can only reach with a guide.
Towns of Italy sells this one in four versions, and the version decides what you get. Every option includes a licensed guide inside the cathedral, a reserved slot for the dome climb and a 72-hour pass for the bell tower, baptistery, crypt and museum. Only the Dome & Terraces option adds the terraces, the walkway along the cathedral roof at about 32 metres. The Dome & Museum option swaps them for a guided hour in the Opera del Duomo Museum, the First Entry option gets you into the cathedral early with the Key Holder, and the walking-tour option adds the old centre on foot.
The terraces are the reason to pick it. The Opera's terraces page says they can only be visited with Opera staff or a guide, so no ticket you buy alone gets you there. The listing counts the steps: 153 to the terraces, then 310 more from there to the lantern. That is the same top as the 463-step climb from the ground, split into two stages with a long rest in the middle.
Two caveats. Your guide does the cathedral and the terraces; the dome itself you climb on your own, at your own pace, with the time slot on your ticket. And the itinerary text says the other monuments must be seen "within 48 hours" while the inclusions say 72 hours: plan on 48 to be safe. If you only want the dome, the Opera's price page lists the Brunelleschi Pass at 30 EUR, so this tour costs you roughly the price of a guide and the terraces on top.
Your guide meets the group in Piazza della Repubblica, a five-minute walk from the cathedral. Leave big bags at the hotel: bulky backpacks are not allowed on the climb.
Paolo Uccello's one-handed clock, the inlaid floors and the story of how the dome went up without a full wooden frame.
Stairs inside the walls lead out onto the roof walkway, with the dome's ribs and tiles right beside you and the city below.
From the terraces you carry on up: the walkway under the fresco, the narrow stairs between the two shells, then the lantern terrace.
Giotto's Bell Tower, the baptistery, Santa Reparata and the Opera del Duomo Museum, on your own.
★★★★★This was an excellent tour that included the museum as well as the duomo. I like the pace, and the history at each stop. It was incredible walking the balcony inside the dome before making the final climb between the one and outer domes to the top coppola.
★★★★★My Husband and I had the best time learning about the history of the duomo. [...] The climb was so cool to witness (definitely a bit tight) but so worth it for the view and to see all the parts of the building.
★★★★★Lorenzo did an amazing job and I would highly recommend him as a guide. [...] This tour is not for people who are out of shape because the climb up is difficult. If you are afraid of heights, you should not do this or if you're claustrophobic because some of the walkways are very narrow.
★★★★★Great experience. The tour guide was knowledgeable and spoke slowly which made it easier to understand. You need to be in pretty good physical shape, it's a long way up!
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Only the Dome & Terraces option. The listing says the terraces are not part of the Private Exclusive First Access option or any option where they are not named. Read the option title before you pay.
No. The guide leads the cathedral visit (and the terraces, in that option). The dome climb is on your own with the slot on your ticket, which is how almost every tour works; see our guide to the climb.
The listing gives 153 steps to the terraces and 310 more from there to the top of the dome. From the ground the dome alone is 463 steps, and there is no lift.
From age 7: the listing says children under 7 are not admitted. Child prices cover ages 7 to 12. Anyone under 18 climbs with an adult; our guide to the dome with kids has the details.
Ready to book
A guided cathedral visit, a held dome slot and, in one option, the rooftop terraces. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Evening Dome Climb with Private TerracesThe dome and the private terraces in the evening, then out with the Key Master as the cathedral locks up.★ 4.9 · 2 hours · from $224
Dome Climb with Duomo Museum TourAn hour in the Duomo museum, then the cathedral and the climb, with a guide guests say stays with you on the stairs.★ 4.9 · 2.5 hours · from $136
Small-Group Duomo Tour and Dome ClimbThirty minutes with a guide in the cathedral, then the dome on your own. The early slots are the ones to get.★ 4.4 · 1.5 hours · from $90