Palazzo Vecchio
Step inside Florence’s town hall and uncover political power, Medici history, and Renaissance art in one grand building.
26.3K+ travellers love this
See what they have to say
Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info

-
Bypass ticket queues to enter the townhall-turned-museum at your chosen time slot.
-
Leisurely explore the epicenter of Florentine republic at the Hall of the Five Hundred and the Medici apartments on the upper floors.
-
Upgrade your experience to add a multilingual audio guide and get historically-rich commentaries on the museum’s exhibits in your preferred language.
-
You can also opt for an English guided tour and get an expert’s deeper insights into the palace’s frescoed chambers and gilded courtyards.
More details
-
Bypass ticket queues to enter the townhall-turned-museum at your chosen time slot.
-
Leisurely explore the epicenter of Florentine republic at the Hall of the Five Hundred and the Medici apartments on the upper floors.
-
Upgrade your experience to add a multilingual audio guide and get historically-rich commentaries on the museum’s exhibits in your preferred language.
-
You can also opt for an English guided tour and get an expert’s deeper insights into the palace’s frescoed chambers and gilded courtyards.
-
Bypass the ticket queues to both Medici fortress and the famous watchtower in one booking
-
At Palazzo Vecchio explore the gilded columns in the courtyards and Vasari frescoes in the Hall of the Five Hundred at your own pace.
-
Then reach the Hall of Lilies in the palace to ascend the Arnoflo Tower where you get sweeping views of Florence, from the Duomo to Giotto Bell Tower.
More details
-
Bypass the ticket queues to both Medici fortress and the famous watchtower in one booking
-
At Palazzo Vecchio explore the gilded columns in the courtyards and Vasari frescoes in the Hall of the Five Hundred at your own pace.
-
Then reach the Hall of Lilies in the palace to ascend the Arnoflo Tower where you get sweeping views of Florence, from the Duomo to Giotto Bell Tower.
5% off
-
Gain fast-track entry by skipping ticket queues and explore the museum with a licensed guide in a group of up to 20 guests.
-
Your local expert reveals Savonarola’s rise in the Hall of Five Hundred and the Florentine liberty symbol at Donatello’s Judith.
-
Upgrade to a small group tour of up to 14 guests and make your visit more personalized and less crowded.
-
You can also opt for a secret passage guided tour through Duke Gualtieri’s hidden stairway, discovering secret cabinets and artifacts.
More details
-
Gain fast-track entry by skipping ticket queues and explore the museum with a licensed guide in a group of up to 20 guests.
-
Your local expert reveals Savonarola’s rise in the Hall of Five Hundred and the Florentine liberty symbol at Donatello’s Judith.
-
Upgrade to a small group tour of up to 14 guests and make your visit more personalized and less crowded.
-
You can also opt for a secret passage guided tour through Duke Gualtieri’s hidden stairway, discovering secret cabinets and artifacts.
-
Skip ticket queues at both sites saving up to 3 hours of exploration time and enter at your chosen time slot.
-
At Palazzo Vecchio, discover the intricate Putto with Dolphin fountain, Donatella’s Judith, and Medici chambers on the upper floors.
-
At Accademia, get assisted entry by a host to stand before the famous Michelangelo’s David, step into the Hall of Prisoners and see Botticelli’s masterpieces at your own pace.
More details
-
Skip ticket queues at both sites saving up to 3 hours of exploration time and enter at your chosen time slot.
-
At Palazzo Vecchio, discover the intricate Putto with Dolphin fountain, Donatella’s Judith, and Medici chambers on the upper floors.
-
At Accademia, get assisted entry by a host to stand before the famous Michelangelo’s David, step into the Hall of Prisoners and see Botticelli’s masterpieces at your own pace.
5% off
-
Bypass ticket queues to the two hubs of artistic masterpieces and explore them at your own pace on the same day or separate days.
-
At Palazzo Vecchio see gilded art in the Hall of Lilies and admire over 50 hand-painted world maps from the 16th century in the Hall of Maps.
-
At Uffizi Gallery, discover Botticelli’s genius in his famous Birth of Venus and Michelangelo’s rare panel paintings.
More details
-
Bypass ticket queues to the two hubs of artistic masterpieces and explore them at your own pace on the same day or separate days.
-
At Palazzo Vecchio see gilded art in the Hall of Lilies and admire over 50 hand-painted world maps from the 16th century in the Hall of Maps.
-
At Uffizi Gallery, discover Botticelli’s genius in his famous Birth of Venus and Michelangelo’s rare panel paintings.
5% off
-
Step inside two of Florence’s most historically significant sites—Palazzo Vecchio, the heart of Medici power, and the Medici Chapels, their final resting place.
-
Enhance your visit with a free audio guide app, offering deep insights into the Medici’s influence on Florence’s art and politics
-
Marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpieces inside the New Sacristy, then step into the lavish Cappella dei Principi, where Florence’s most powerful rulers rest.
-
Enter Palazzo Vecchio’s grand Salone dei Cinquecento, where history unfolds in paintings by Michelangelo and Da Vinci, alongside Donatello’s famed Judith and Holofernes.
More details
-
Step inside two of Florence’s most historically significant sites—Palazzo Vecchio, the heart of Medici power, and the Medici Chapels, their final resting place.
-
Enhance your visit with a free audio guide app, offering deep insights into the Medici’s influence on Florence’s art and politics
-
Marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpieces inside the New Sacristy, then step into the lavish Cappella dei Principi, where Florence’s most powerful rulers rest.
-
Enter Palazzo Vecchio’s grand Salone dei Cinquecento, where history unfolds in paintings by Michelangelo and Da Vinci, alongside Donatello’s famed Judith and Holofernes.
5% off
-
Climb Duke Gualtieri’s medieval stairway, navigate narrow passages, and enter a hidden door disguised by a painting.
-
Admire the Medicean Palace and glimpse the stunning coffered ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento from a rare vantage point.
-
At your own pace, discover the Hall of Lilies and its sculptures – Judith and Holofernes by Donatello and the Genius of Victory by Michelangelo.
-
Fun fact: Palazzo Vecchio stands over the remains of the grand theatre of the Roman city "Florentia", built in the 1st century BC.
More details
-
Climb Duke Gualtieri’s medieval stairway, navigate narrow passages, and enter a hidden door disguised by a painting.
-
Admire the Medicean Palace and glimpse the stunning coffered ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento from a rare vantage point.
-
At your own pace, discover the Hall of Lilies and its sculptures – Judith and Holofernes by Donatello and the Genius of Victory by Michelangelo.
-
Fun fact: Palazzo Vecchio stands over the remains of the grand theatre of the Roman city "Florentia", built in the 1st century BC.
-
Get fast-track entry to the medieval watchtower once used for defense by Florentine guardsmen.
-
Along the way, you will encounter cells once imprisoned Cosimo Medici and Savonarola.
-
Climb 233 wide steps for a comfortable ascend to the top and enjoy views of Tuscan hills, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the famous Ponte Vecchio.
More details
-
Get fast-track entry to the medieval watchtower once used for defense by Florentine guardsmen.
-
Along the way, you will encounter cells once imprisoned Cosimo Medici and Savonarola.
-
Climb 233 wide steps for a comfortable ascend to the top and enjoy views of Tuscan hills, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the famous Ponte Vecchio.
- Enjoy priority access to the Palazzo Vecchio Museum and glimpse into the classical learning, science, and art period of Renaissance Florence.
- Admire Salone dei Cinquecento, the Grand Council chamber of the Palazzo, painted by Michelangelo and Da Vinci.
- View the evolution of Renaissance sculpture, from Donatello's bronzes to Della Robbia's glazed terracottas, and Verrocchio's dramatic figures.
- Step into 15th-century Florence through the museum's coin, textile, and armor displays.
- Fun fact: Over 50 hand-painted Renaissance maps decorate the Room of Maps at the Palazzo Vecchio.
More details
- Enjoy priority access to the Palazzo Vecchio Museum and glimpse into the classical learning, science, and art period of Renaissance Florence.
- Admire Salone dei Cinquecento, the Grand Council chamber of the Palazzo, painted by Michelangelo and Da Vinci.
- View the evolution of Renaissance sculpture, from Donatello's bronzes to Della Robbia's glazed terracottas, and Verrocchio's dramatic figures.
- Step into 15th-century Florence through the museum's coin, textile, and armor displays.
- Fun fact: Over 50 hand-painted Renaissance maps decorate the Room of Maps at the Palazzo Vecchio.
Pro tips to help you make a pick
Similar things to do in Florence
About Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio is a monumental palace and the city's town hall. Originally built in the 14th century as a seat of power for the Florentine Republic, it later served as the residence of the Medici family, including Cosimo I de' Medici. The palace's imposing facade and distinctive Arnolfo's Tower make it a landmark of Florentine architecture. Today, it functions as both a museum and a working municipal building, showcasing centuries of Florentine history and art.
The palace's name, "Palazzo Vecchio," means "Old Palace." It received this name only after the Medici family moved to the new Palazzo Pitti.
The Hall of the Five Hundred has a secret. An inscription on a Giorgio Vasari fresco reads "Cerca Trova" ("Seek and You Shall Find"), a clue believed by some to hint at a lost Leonardo da Vinci fresco.
A network of secret passages and staircases exists within the walls. They were built for the Medici family to move around discreetly and to escape danger.
Why visit Palazzo Vecchio?
Plan your visit
Porta della Tramontana (North Wind Gate)
Porta della Dogana (Customs Gate)
Porticciola (Small Gate)
Travel guides and tips
Millions love heading out with us
Nearby cities to explore
