A trip to Florence makes for one of the most wonderful experiences in all of Europe - with art entrenched in every crevice, quaint cobblestone streets and impressive Renaissance architecture all around. The Duomo di Firenze, or Florence Duomo, is one of Tuscany's most stunning churches. It is known for its size, architecture, and ageless beauty, has a long and illustrious history, making it one of Italy's most popular and revered landmarks. Looking for Duomo Florence skip the line tickets? You’re at the right place.
Wait Times - What to Expect at Florence Duomo?
The Florence Duomo is amongst the most popular tourist landmarks in the world and, as you can probably imagine, the queues outside are excruciatingly long. On an average, it’ll take you anywhere between 1 to 2 hours to walk into the Florence Duomo if you’re planning to purchase your tickets on-site. This time can vary according to the time of your visit, the day, and even the month. To add to the waiting time, only 80 guests are allowed inside every 2 hours. To avoid wasting your precious time, opt for a skip-the-line Florence Duomo ticket that allows you to bypass the queue at the entrance.
5 Sure Shot Ways To Skip The Lines at Duomo Florence
Buy skip the line Duomo Florence tickets in advance online
The simplest way to skip the lines at Duomo Florence is to buy skip the line Duomo Florence tickets online. When you opt for skip the line tickets to the dome of Florence’s most revered landmark, you get priority access that allows you to save your precious time in line and explore the landmark in peace. Getting your skip the line Duomo Florence tickets online also ensures you get your reservation beforehand and don’t end up facing disappointment at the ticket counter.
Sign up for a guided tour of Duomo Florence
The second most popular way to skip the lines at Duomo Florence is to get a guided tour of the attraction. Groups part of a guided tour get priority access to Duomo Florence and skip the long waiting lines at the entrance. You can choose from different types of guided tours depending on the type of experience you’re looking for. A basic guided tour lasts for around 45 minutes but you can also go for longer tours that explore the Duomo more extensively.
Grab tickets to the Cupola + Duomo
Another popular option is to buy combo tickets that allow you to visit the Duomo and climb the Cupola too. It’s slightly expensive, but the experience is worthwhile. This tour proceeds to the Museum of the Cathedral Works, which houses several of the Duomo's most noteworthy works. Visitors can climb Giotto's Bell Tower and make their way up the Cupola (dome) for one of the best aerial views of Florence.
Get multi-attraction combo tickets - Duomo + Uffizi + Accademia
Another easy and fun way to skip the lines at the Duomo Florence is by getting combo tickets that cover multiple landmarks in the city. Some of the options at your disposal include Florence Half-Day Tour with Uffizi & Accademia Galleries with Florence Cathedral, Accademia & David Tour + Duomo Tour, and many others. Since these tours are guided, you get skip the line access to most attractions in the itinerary including the Duomo. Multi-attraction guided tours are also great for when you don’t have a lot of time and want to explore all the good parts of Florence in a day or half.
Use the Firenze Card
Another alternative is to see the Duomo Florence with the Firenze Card. However, you must make reservations in advance or expect to wait in enormous queues to climb the Cupola. The Firenze Card can be purchased at any of the city's sales outlets. This option is great if you want to explore the landmarks of Florence without having a guide accompany you every step of the way.
Recommended Skip The Line Duomo Florence Tickets
Skip The Line Florence Duomo: Tickets vs Guided Tours - What to choose?
Skip the line tickets and guided tours are the two best ways you can explore the Duomo Florence without waiting in line for hours at end. A basic skip the line ticket gives you priority access to the landmark, allowing you to explore the Florence Duomo at your own pace.
With guided tours, you get to experience the Duomo as part of a group with a guide leading the way. This option makes for a more insightful experience since you get to learn a lot more about the landmark you’re visiting as compared to when you visit it by yourself. A skip the line guided tour works out to be the best of both worlds since you get to skip the line at the entrance while being led by a knowledgeable guide for an enlightening experience.
Skip The Line Florence Duomo Deconstructed
With a regular ticket, your experience will begin outside the Duomo Florence ticket counter where you’ll have to wait in line for your turn. But with skip the line Duomo Florence tickets, you'll be able to skip the ticket line and get direct access to the Duomo. This crimson dome, built by Filippo Brunelleschi, was the world's largest at the time and quickly became a landmark of Florence. You will be able to see the entire city of Florence from your unique vantage point at the Cupola.
A 463-step journey to the top of the Duomo is included in your skip the line Duomo Florence tickets. On your way up, you'll be able to admire the spectacular interiors of the Duomo, including a close-up view of Vasari's Last Judgment.
The Cathedral may easily be seen from inside the Cupola or from the access entrance. Outside the cathedral, a statue of each of the architects, Arnolfo di Cambio and Filippo Brunelleschi, is erected in honor of their achievement. If you opt for skip the line guided tour tickets, this same experience will be led by an expert guide who’ll share fascinating facts about every little element of the landmark.
Skip The Line Ticket Florence Duomo Reviews
Walking to the Duomo was a challenging activity, but so worth it once you arrive at the top. The view from the Duomo is unparalleled. Instructions were clear and easy to follow, no issues with anything. Thanks so much!
- Patrick, Headout, March 2023
Great tour! Francesca was so knowledgeable and sweet. It was a perfect amount of time for us to see the baptistry and Duomo, and still have plenty of time for the rest of the day. The view at the top was amazing. The company even fit us in to another tour at the academia later in the day. They were so helpful.
- Sarah, Headout, April 2022
Insider Tips
- If you’re choosing to wait and buy your tickets at the entrance, do it as early as possible in the morning to avoid waiting in line. Alternatively, you can pre-book your Florence Duomo tickets online and avoid the hassle of offline ticket purchase.
- Visitors going to the Florence Duomo are required to cover their shoulders and knees. Shorts, short skirts, tank tops, and other similar attire are not allowed.
- The cupola, the massive dome at the pinnacle of the church, will have the longest line during your Duomo visit. Visitors have to walk in a single-file about halfway up the cupola, making the journey up and down the dome take an eternity. Start with the cupola because it has the longest line and you won't feel like you're wasting your day standing in line.
- If you’re short on time, go for a multi-attraction guided tour of Florence. These combo tours cover most of the landmarks in the city and offer skip the line access ensuring you don’t waste any time waiting in line.
Essential Information
How to get to Duomo
By Bus: Bus lines 2, 22, 6, C2 stop near the Piazza del Duomo. By Train: The Piazza del Duomo is around a kilometre from the Florence train station. It would take roughly 10 minutes to walk from here to the Duomo. By Car: Because the Duomo is in the centre of Florence, there are numerous paid parking services and garages nearby. The Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station has the closest parking lot.
Florence Duomo Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 10:15 AM to 4:45 PM
Duomo Florence is closed on Sunday
Best Time to Visit Florence Duomo
The best time to visit Florence's Duomo is when it first opens in the morning or just before it closes in the afternoon. The best time to visit Florence is from April to June and September to October.
Rules and Regulations
- Visitors are expected to keep their shoulders, knees covered and guests wearing shorts, short skirts, tank tops, and similar clothing will not be permitted in.
- Photography is allowed inside the Cathedral, Dome and Crypt.
- Food and drinks are not allowed inside the Duomo.