Skip the Line Florence Duomo Tour and Dome Climb with Secret Terraces

Once inside, you’ll be blown away by the Gothic architecture and incredible frescoes that cover the ceiling. After exploring the main part of the Duomo, you’ll have VIP access to the impressive Circular Room, and on to the once-hidden secret terraces. Finally, you’ll climb the steps to Brunelleschi's iconic dome roof for the very best views of Florence.

Florence Duomo Terraces Tour Description

Your 1.5-hour tour includes:

• Skip-the-line Florence Duomo tickets

• Special access to the Secret Terraces and Exclusive Circular Room

• Fun, knowledgeable, English-speaking guide

• Dome climb to the top of the Cupola

• Maximum group size of 15

Meet Your Guide in Piazza del Duomo

The adventure begins in Piazza del Duomo. Home to the Duomo of Florence, Baptistery of Saint John, and Giotto's Bell Tower, the square is the heart of Florentine history. Your guide will describe the importance of the complex as you head towards the cathedral entrance, where your skip-the-line tickets will allow you to start exploring without the usual long wait.

The Duomo di Firenze, Florence Cathedral

Completed in 1436, the great Gothic Cathedral is one of the world's most unique and impressive churches. Originally clad in the medieval wooden style, the church's façade was deemed obsolete within decades of its opening. Your guide will tell fascinating stories about the immense scandal involving the Medici family, Popes, and famous architects that led to an incomplete façade for centuries. Listen to the saga and appreciate the modern façade of white, green, and red marble that adorns the dome today.

Within the vast interior of the church, you'll first be struck by the huge frescoes of the Last Judgement that cover the cupola's ceiling. You'll see these impressive paintings up close when you have ascended to the top of the dome. Other parts of the cathedral are more simple such as the white colors of the nave symbolizing piety and religious devotion.

Exclusive Areas

After you've discovered the main part of the Duomo, it's time to visit the places the general public don't get to see. First, you'll enter the exclusive Circular Room, where the 16th-century statues that used to be part of the cathedral's façade are stored. Next you'll visit the secret terraces that were closed off to the public for hundreds of years, and many Florentines never even knew they existed! From here, you'll get a close-up view of the details that make the Duomo such an impressive piece of architecture. And of course, you'll also get a tremendous view of the city below.

Brunelleschi's Dome

During the 14th and 15th centuries, Florentine architects had a major issue to solve. They had to enclose the top of their cathedral without the use of the flying buttresses that had become commonplace in European construction. In Florence, the buttresses were seen as horribly ugly and therefore banned from being used in the city.

With this handicap and the lack of modern engineering tools, Filippo Brunelleschi's dome becomes even more impressive. Standing nearly 500 feet in the air, and constructed of layers of dome structures, you'll learn the story how the dome came to be.

Dome Climb

Finally, you'll climb to the top of the dome with your expert guide. As you near the top of the cupola, admire the frescoes across the dome ceiling. Painted by Giorgio Vasari beginning in 1568 and completed by Federico Zuccari a decade later, it's natural to compare these frescoes to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.

Accessed via the exclusive Circular Room and secret terraces—which are only available as part of this tour—the dome climb is a truly unforgettable experience. As you reach the summit, take in the incredible panorama of Florence surrounding. With a 360-degree view, you'll see the epic beauty of the Renaissance capital in all its glory.