Palazzo Vecchio Florence: Medici Palace & Tower Climb

Inside the palace where Florence's power lived, then up the tower to see it all

A guided tour of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence covers the Medici family's private apartments, the frescoed Salone dei Cinquecento, and a climb to the top of the Arnolfo Tower for panoramic views of the city. The tour runs 2 to 3 hours with a professional guide in your choice of language. You can book it as a group or private experience, and the tower climb is included in private tours or available as an add-on to group tours. Children under 6 cannot access the tower, though the covered walkway remains open in rain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour Palazzo Vecchio and Arnolfo Tower

• Explore Palazzo Vecchio town hall
• Visit Medici family private apartments
• Climb Arnolfo Tower for views
• Walk patrol walkway in tower
• Admire Salone dei Cinquecento murals

The experience

Start in the Cortile di Michelozzo, the courtyard where stuccoes and frescoes set the tone for what comes next. The Salone dei Cinquecento opens up around you: a vast hall where Renaissance frescoes celebrate Cosimo de' Medici and the city itself, with Michelangelo's Victory statue anchoring the space. This is where the city's government once gathered, and the scale of it makes that real.

Climb to the second floor to see the private rooms of the Medici court: the Sala dell'Udienza, the Sala dei Gigli, and the Sala delle Carte Geografiche, where an exceptionally large globe sits among the geography maps. The original Donatello sculpture of Judith is here too. A mezzanine floor holds paintings and sculptures spanning the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Your guide walks you through the layers of power and art that made this palace the center of Florence for centuries.

If your option includes the tower climb, you ascend the Arnolfo Tower: 95 meters high, built in the 14th century, and the symbol of Florentine authority. The patrol walkway takes you through medieval architecture, and from the top, Piazza della Signoria and the city spread out below. Rain closes the tower itself, but the covered walkway stays open. The whole experience, from courtyard to tower, takes 2 to 3 hours.

What’s included

• A professional guide for 2 hours.
• reserved timed entry to the Palazzo Vecchio Museum.
• earphones if you need them.
• the tower climb on private tours, or as an optional add-on to group tours.

Options for this experience

9 options

Group tour in Italian11:15Duration: 2 hours

Group tour in English11:15Duration: 2 hours

Private tour in French11:00 and 14:00Duration: 2 hours

See 6 more options

Private tour in German11:00 and 14:00Duration: 2 hours

Private tour in Italian11:00 and 14:00Duration: 2 hours

Private tour in English11:00 and 14:00Duration: 2 hours

Private tour in Spanish11:00 and 14:00Duration: 2 hours

Italian group tour with tower11:15Duration: 2 hours

English group tour with tower11:15Duration: 2 hours

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except ThursdayDepartures at 11:00, 11:15 and 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by ACCORD Italy Smart Tours & Experiences

Is this one for you?Book a private tour if you want the guide to yourself and the tower included without an extra choice at checkout. Book a group tour if you're traveling alone or with one other person and prefer a lower price, with the option to add the tower if the views matter to you. The 2- to 3-hour span fits a morning or an afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English and Italian, at 11:00, 11:15 and 14:00. In Spanish, French and German, at 11:00 and 14:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

Can I climb the Arnolfo Tower if I book a group tour?

The tower climb is included in all private tour options. For group tours, you can add it at checkout. Without that option, you visit the museum rooms only and the tower remains off-limits.

What's actually inside the Salone dei Cinquecento?

The Salone dei Cinquecento is a vast hall decorated with Renaissance frescoes celebrating Cosimo de' Medici and Florence, along with a rich array of statues including Michelangelo's celebrated Victory sculpture.

Is the tower accessible if the weather turns bad?

The Arnolfo Tower closes in rain, but the covered patrol walkway, a path through medieval architecture, remains open for visits on wet days.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup is included only with private tour options, and only if your accommodation is within the historical city center. Contact the operator to confirm your location before booking.