Florence
Top Florence landmarks

Exclusive: Early Access to Florence Duomo, Cathedral & Baptistery

Florence, Italy
Viator Exclusive Early entrance to Cathedral Baptistery and Dome
  • 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Full of locals, worshippers, and tourists, Piazza del Duomo is Florence’s busiest public square. On this exclusive early-access tour, visit the square’s iconic attractions—the Duomo, Cathedral, and Baptistery—before they’re open to the general public, steps ahead of the inevitable crowds. Follow the official key-bearer, called the “chiavigero,” during the early morning as they prepare the Cathedral and Baptistery for opening. Finish by climbing the Cupola del Brunelleschi in time to see the square below come to life for another day.
  • An early-access tour of Florence’s Duomo, Cathedral, and Baptistery
  • Explore with the official key-bearer preparing each attraction for opening
  • See iconic attractions during the early morning—before the crowds arrive
  • Join locals at a neighborhood cafe for breakfast with coffee and brioche

What's Included

  • Exclusive access: VIP small group tour of the Cathedral, Baptistery and Brunelleschi's Dome
  • Be the one to open the doors, at daybreak, be the only one inside!
  • Private English-speaking guide
  • Climb on top of Brunelleschi’s dome (skip the line)
  • Breakfast
  • Hotel Pick up
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
    Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

    Meet Florencetown tour leader in front of the main entrance of Florence Cathedral

Start time

06:45 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Duomo - Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Battistero di San Giovanni

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Cupola del Brunelleschi

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • We regret to inform that this tour is not suitable for guests with wheelchairs or with impaired mobility.
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
  • Comfortable shoes suggested.
  • Please note the number of steps to reach the top of each monument: Terraces: 153 Terraces + Brunelleschi's Dome: 153 + 310
  • Due to the security checks, please be informed that for the entrance to the Dome and Terraces, bulky backpacks and bags are not allowed to climb.
  • We are sorry to inform you that pets are not permitted on our tours
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

3.5
6 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-2 of 6 reviews
A horrible experience by Florencetown/Tours of Italy, booked through Viator. Viator stepped up.
Barbara_R, Aug 2023
I booked this trip with Viator and they only had availability for one person when I called. They told me to book the one spot and gave me the name of the operator to contact directly. I was told they only take 10 people which was a lie. They had booked 16 people on this tour. I was told they had an opening for a 2nd person a couple of days before my tour and Viator confirmed it. A day before the tour I received a notice that they had canceled the trip. I immediately called Viator and they looked into it. Ultimately they said that the Florencetown/Towns of Italy had confirmed it again for two people. I got up at 5:00 am to be at the church at 6:30 am only to be told they only had one ticket and my niece could not go on the tour. I was livid. This was my last day in Florence and I was not able to do the terraces and or climb the dome. Viator did the right thing and credited me back since we were not able to go on the tour. I would absolutely recommend NOT to use Florencetown tours. It is inexcusable how they treated my niece and myself. They ruined my last day in Florence.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Dear Madam, Thank you for taking time to share your feedback. It will my pleasure to copy paste the full conversation we already had with you and Viator Customer Care, to show that your version of facts is not exactly objective: ----------------- Tours FlorenceTown 24 lug 2023, 14:56 a Viator Dear Partner, Greetings from Florencetown - Towns of Italy. Regarding your request we want to inform you that on 17 July, our colleague S**** had previously reported to the client that, on 24th July, we had no longer availability for one more person. For this reason, we were not able to add another person. However, we have received a request of amendment by you on July 17 that we have mistakenly confirmed thinking that it had automatically entered via API. Nevertheless, during our checks, as soon as we became aware of the miscommunication we alerted the client (on July 23rd). We are sorry for this happened, but we tried several times to communicate to the client that we could not add a person on the reservation. For this reason, we can provide a  partial refund of 50% for the current reservation (confirmed reservation for 1 person). We remain at your complete disposal for any further information or assistance you may need. Warm regards, D***** ------------- So you had actually been advised that one ticket only was available for you, and it was the US not Viator to proceed to the refund for the mistake made. Please consider that VIATOR should not book our tours by sending emails, but they should go through our system, so we couldn't know they were amending something which was not actual, nor available, on the system. Our mistake was not to properly check what had come through system connections (which was a booking for 1 person only) and immediately figure that it was not corresponding to the email, but I wouldn't say that anybody stepped up for you, except Florencetown - Towns of Italy. We do understand this might have been frustrating  to you and your niece, still you were advised about the lack of availability and you've insisted with Viator. Viator on its side forced an amendment without real availability. We feel your review might be a bit one-sided and not completely honest. In any case, we appreciate your feedback and hope that you will give us another opportunity to provide you with an exceptional experience. Best regards, Florencetown - Towns of Italy Customer Care Team
Witness the cathedral come to life
Cory_S, Apr 2023
Laura is an excellent guide. We were spoiled today and got to experience the beauty of Florence as it wakes up and starts to get ready - it is an early start but navigating the city at 0630 is easy. Me and my partner were the only two in this tour. We followed behind the key holder has this beautiful cathedral was opened. The only other people there were the four or five people employed at the church who quickly disappeared to get the building ready for the inevitable swarm of tourists. And then it was just the guide, my partner, and myself witnessing the space before and after the lights come on. Same story with the baptistry. And being the first guests to climb the Duomo as others began filtering into the building felt great. We were given a cappucino and a pastry from a nearby shop. The ticket we have is good for three days and we used it after the tour to access the nearby museum. It will also get us into the bell tower as well as the crypt. Definitely one of the most special tours we have been on - thank you for the wonderful experience!

From $179.84

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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