Florence
3.5 hours
Varies
Max 18

Highlights

  • Skip the line and enter the Accademia first thing in the morning or in the afternoon for a more peaceful visit. Beat the crowds to Michelangelo’s David, with ample space to appreciate this Renaissance masterpiece.
  • Get special access to the cathedral's rooftop terraces, rarely visited by the public, on a skip-the-line Florence Duomo tour fit for VIPs.
  • Climb the dome of Florence's cathedral without the hours-long wait for awe-inspiring views over the city.
  • Spend time with a local guide who will bring Florence’s art and architecture to life, illuminating the minds of the masters who created some of the most significant works in the city.

Tour description

Relish the best experience possible at Florence's top attractions, David and the Duomo, in one unforgettable tour.

Florence is a true treasure trove of artistic and architectural marvels, but two attractions stand head and shoulders above the rest: the cathedral (or Duomo) and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David. With so much demand, these sites can become crowded, particularly in the summer months.

Luckily, on our most exclusive Florence tour, you won't have to deal with any of that. Combining careful timing, skip-the-line entry, and special access, you'll cross velvet ropes to get up close and personal with the two giants of Florence: David and the Duomo.

Beat the crowds with an early morning or late afternoon tour at the Accademia Gallery.

Your David and Duomo tour is strategically timed to avoid the crowds, starting early with a reservation for the first entrance of the day at the Accademia Gallery or in the afternoon after the masses have departed. This way, you’ll have a little more space to explore not just Michelangelo’s David, but also his unfinished Slaves statues and several other priceless works often overlooked by visitors. With a small group of just 18 people or fewer and headsets for every guest, your Accademia tour will be intimate and your guide easy to interact with.

After the Accademia, you'll head through the Piazza del Duomo where you'll gaze upon the beautiful copper-plated doors of the Florence Baptistery. Soak up the atmosphere and familiarize yourself with the awe-inspiring sights surrounding the piazza before making your way to the ultimate highlight of this VIP experience.

Our Florence Duomo tour gets you to the front of the line—and the top of the dome—without the wait.

The final leg of your visit will be a skip-the-line Duomo tour, where special access will give you more space than the average visitor. The floor of the Duomo has recently been roped off, and while normal visitors circulate on paths around the perimeter of the cathedral, you’ll be ushered through the velvet ropes to wander the space as you wish, getting closer to the details.

Please note: only the morning tour will include a brief visit to the Florence cathedral, while the afternoon tour will enjoy a spectacular view of the cathedral's interior from above as you climb the famous dome.

The cherry on top comes as you ascend to the Duomo’s rooftop terrace for incredible views and an up-close view of Brunelleschi’s enormous dome—the largest brick dome in the world. Due to the incredibly exclusive level of access to this hidden space (very few visitors even know the terrace exists!), you'll have it practically to yourself, with a maximum of just two small tour groups visiting at the same time. Your Florence Duomo tour officially ends here, but from this level of the building, you’ll also have access to a special door from which you can climb to the top of the dome (if you wish) without waiting in line for hours down below.

The views from the terrace are fantastic for examining the Dome itself up close, but from the top of the dome, you’ll see not just Florence, but far beyond into Tuscany. Give yourself some time to soak up the red roofs and rolling hills; it will be a long time before you see another view quite like this.

When you depart, you will have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of Florence's two most iconic attractions, and how each of them fits into the city's centuries of history.

Please note: The order of the itinerary may vary to avoid the crowds and enhance your experience.

Sites visited

  • Accademia Gallery (Statue of David)
  • Florence Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) (entrance morning tour only)
  • Baptistery Doors (Gates of Paradise)
  • Dome Terraces
  • Dome Climb

Included

Verified guest reviews

4.9 / 5
883 Customer Reviews
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Mary

Mar 14, 2024

Very best way to see high points in Florence.

Zoe

Mar 09, 2024

100% recommend for the views and history! Our tour guide was sweet and accommodating, plus very informative about the art history of Italy.

Kim

Dec 19, 2023

Our tour guide was excellent. She had lived in Florence for over 20 years and studied art history there. She was extremely informative and entertaining. A small group tour is definitely the way to go.

James

Nov 30, 2023

Great for both solo travelers and groups

Tracy

Nov 20, 2023

We loved our VIP David and Duomo tour! The meeting location was easy to find and our tour guide Antionio shared a wealth of interesting information about the sculptures and various artworks we saw on our tour. The tour length was perfect and the value was excellent.

Know before you book

Make it a perfect day

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See Florence’s top attractions and its hidden gems with a guided tour of the Accademia Gallery and the Duomo followed by an off-the-beaten path foodie adventure in the Oltrarno neighborhood.

From $137
Free Cancellation