Palazzo Vecchio climb and museum tour: Arnolfo's Tower views

Climb the tower, then walk the palace's secret passageways and frescoed halls

This tour of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence includes skip-the-line entry, a climb up Arnolfo's Tower for 360-degree city views, and an audio guide available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and eight other languages. The whole visit runs about an hour, so it slots into a morning or afternoon without eating the rest of your day. Wheelchair accessibility covers all areas and surfaces.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Palazzo Vecchio and Tower

• Visit Palazzo Vecchio
• Climb Arnolfo’s Tower
• Explore decorated halls and secret passages
• Learn about Medici family and politics
• Admire masterpieces, frescoes, sculptures

The Experience

Palazzo Vecchio started as the Palazzo della Signoria, commissioned in 1299 by the Priors of the Guilds to show Florence's independence and civic power. The palace sits at the center of the city's political life, and the climb up Arnolfo's Tower — the fortress-like structure that crowns the building — is the reason most people come. From the top, you get a 360-degree view of Florence: the Duomo, the Arno, the hills beyond, all at once. The tower itself is the draw; the views are why the climb matters.

Once you descend, the audio guide takes you through the richly decorated halls and the secret passageways the palace hides. You'll see frescoes and sculptures, and the guide explains the stories of the Medici family and the Renaissance politics that shaped the city. Skip-the-line access means you walk past the queue at the door and start climbing without the wait. The audio guide comes in your choice of language, so you move at your own pace through the rooms instead of following a group.

What’s included

• Skip-the-line entry to Palazzo Vecchio.
• climbing access to Arnolfo's Tower.
• audio guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and eight additional languages.
• access to the palace's decorated halls, frescoes, sculptures and secret passageways.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by EU Tours

Is this one for you?At an hour total, this tour leaves your afternoon open for other neighborhoods or a long lunch — the skip-the-line entry and audio guide mean you spend the time looking, not waiting or keeping pace with a group.

Top questions

How long does the whole visit to Palazzo Vecchio take?

The tour runs about an hour from start to finish, including the climb up Arnolfo's Tower and the walk through the palace halls.

What is Arnolfo's Tower and why climb it?

Arnolfo's Tower is the tall fortress structure at the top of Palazzo Vecchio. The climb takes you to a 360-degree viewpoint where you can see the Duomo, the Arno, and the surrounding hills of Florence all at once.

Do I follow a guide or explore on my own?

You explore with an audio guide in your choice of language — English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, or eight others — so you set your own pace through the halls and passageways.

Is there a line to get in, or do I skip it?

Skip-the-line access is included, so you walk past the queue at the door and go straight to the tower and the palace halls.

Can I visit if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

Palazzo Vecchio is wheelchair accessible throughout — all areas and surfaces are accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.