Florence: Skip-the-Line Duomo, Baptistery & Giotto Tower Tour

Summary

Climb Florence’s Duomo & Bell Tower with fast entry and local stories

You’ll skip long lines at Florence’s Cathedral before stepping inside with your small group and local guide. Marvel at golden mosaics in the Baptistery, see original masterpieces in the Duomo Museum, then climb Giotto’s Bell Tower for wide-open city views — all with pre-reserved tickets so you can focus on what matters: being present in Florence.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped right past the long line snaking around Piazza del Duomo — honestly, I felt a little guilty at first, but then just relieved. Our guide, Sara, waved us through this side door into the Florence Cathedral. The air changed as soon as we entered; it was cooler and smelled faintly of candle wax and old stone. Sara pointed up at Brunelleschi’s dome and told us about how he’d built it without scaffolding — I still don’t really get how that worked. There was a moment when the light caught the frescoes overhead and everyone just stopped talking for a second. I tried to take a photo but it didn’t really capture it.

After that, we crossed over to the Baptistery. The outside is all green and white marble but inside — gold everywhere. The mosaic ceiling glimmered even though the day outside was grey (Florence in spring is unpredictable). Sara explained some of the stories in the mosaics; I only caught half because I was craning my neck like everyone else. She told me to look for the “Gates of Paradise” — turns out those are actually replicas outside now, but we saw the originals later in the Duomo Museum. There’s something funny about seeing such famous doors just sitting behind glass.

The museum itself surprised me — I thought it would be boring but there’s Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietà right there, close enough to see his chisel marks. It felt quieter here than in the main cathedral, almost like nobody wanted to talk too loudly near Donatello’s statues. At one point Sara laughed when I mispronounced “Bandini” (I’m hopeless with Italian), which broke the silence a bit.

We finished at Giotto’s Bell Tower. Climbing up is no joke — narrow stairs and people squeezing past you going down (someone muttered “scusi” every two minutes). But when you reach the top… well, you get this view over all of Florence that makes your legs forget they’re tired for a minute or two. The wind up there smells like old brick and city dust. We just stood leaning on the railing watching red rooftops stretch out past the Arno river until someone finally said we should head back down for lunch. Honestly, I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Florence Cathedral and Bell Tower

• Skip the line at Florence Cathedral
• Explore Cathedral frescoes and details
• Visit Baptistery of St. John
• Admire golden mosaic ceiling and Gates of Paradise
• Tour Duomo Museum treasures
• See original Baptistery Gates and sculptures
• Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower
• Enjoy panoramic views of Florence

Top questions

How long does this Florence skip-the-line tour last?

The guided tour lasts around 2 hours plus time to climb Giotto's Bell Tower at your own pace.

Is entry to Giotto's Bell Tower included?

Yes, pre-reserved tickets for climbing Giotto's Bell Tower are included.

Do I need to cover my shoulders or knees for this tour?

Yes, sleeveless shirts and shorts or skirts above the knees aren’t allowed inside the Cathedral; bring a scarf if needed.

What if I'm late to the meeting point?

You need to arrive 15 minutes early; late arrivals can't join after the tour starts due to timed ticket entry.

Are backpacks allowed inside Florence Cathedral?

No, backpacks of any size or bags designed for your back aren’t allowed inside.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The main tour is suitable for most fitness levels but climbing Giotto's Bell Tower involves steep stairs.

What happens if it's Sunday or a holiday?

The Cathedral is closed to visitors on Sundays/holidays; instead you'll visit Santa Reparata (the Crypt).

Are tips for guides included?

No, gratuities are not included but always appreciated by your guide.

What’s included

Your morning includes pre-reserved skip-the-line tickets for Florence Cathedral, Baptistery access (even during restoration), entry to the Duomo Museum where you’ll see original artworks up close, headsets so you can hear your licensed guide clearly even in echoey halls, plus a reserved climb up Giotto’s Bell Tower whenever you’re ready after touring together.