The dome climb at a glance
Brunelleschi's dome is climbed on a staircase that runs between its two shells. The entrance is the Porta della Mandorla on the north side of the cathedral. The climb has 463 steps and no lift, and you should allow about 45 minutes. You cannot turn up on the day without a slot, because the dome needs a booked time.
You book the dome through the Brunelleschi pass (€30 for adults in 2026) or on a guided dome visit (€50 for adults). No other pass leads up the dome. The Giotto and Ghiberti passes do not include it, and there is no regular dome-only ticket.
Our picks: Brunelleschi dome climbs
Our take: the small-group visit adds a guided look inside before the climb. The terrace option goes further up the cathedral, and the reserved ticket with audio app is the plain climb.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided cathedral visit and dome climb
- Dome access
- Guided cathedral visit
- 72 hours for the other sites
A guided look inside the cathedral in a group of up to 15, then the climb.
Check availability →
Duomo tour with the dome, terraces or museum
- Guide and dome climb
- 72-hour pass for selected sites
- Headsets if needed
A guided visit with the dome climb; the cathedral terraces come only with the matching option.
Check availability →Reserved dome ticket with an audio app
- Reserved dome ticket
- Bell tower, museum and crypt
- Host and audio app
A reserved dome slot and a host at the meeting point, with the audio app for the rest.
Check availability →Dome climb tickets and guided dome visits
Brunelleschi pass options and guided dome visits, with live prices and availability. Check that the listing includes the dome slot.
Rules for the dome climb
What to expect at the Porta della Mandorla.
Bring an ID
The ticket is personalized. The name on it must match the visitor, and since 1 March 2025 you show an ID at the entrance together with the ticket.
Passes and prices →Be on time
The pass terms allow at most 5 minutes early or late for your slot. Plan to be at the entrance about 10 minutes ahead to clear the entrance check, but not much earlier.
Opening hours →Think about your health
The operator advises against the climb with heart conditions, dizziness, claustrophobia or pregnancy. Minors need an adult with them. A reduced child price is not a safety clearance.
Leave large bags
Medium and large bags, backpacks and suitcases go to the luggage depot at Piazza del Duomo 38/r, open daily from 07:30 to 20:15. The depot is included with the pass.
What the dome is and how it is built
The dome is an octagonal double shell, built between 1420 and 1436 to Filippo Brunelleschi's plan. Its inner diameter is 45.5 m and its outer diameter 55 m. The bricks are laid in a herringbone pattern, and the outside is covered with terracotta. The stairs you climb run in the space between the two shells. From the cathedral floor to the base of the lantern, it is 90 m. That is a reference point for the building, not the height of the platform you reach.
The interior of the dome is painted with the Last Judgment by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. You see it from the cathedral floor on any visit; the interior page covers it. If you want the dome seen from outside, the bell tower faces it. See the bell tower page, and for a distant view of the whole skyline, the Florence photo spots.
Dome opening hours
Last slot is the last start time. The climb itself runs until closing. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Day | Open | Last slot |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 08:15–19:30 | 18:45 |
| Saturday | 08:15–17:15 | 16:30 |
| Sunday and holidays | 12:45–17:15 | 16:30 |
The dome is closed for maintenance from 16 to 20 November 2026. The whole complex is closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday and 25 December. On Sundays and holidays, services can change the times.
Dome or bell tower: which climb?
| Dome | Bell tower | |
|---|---|---|
| Steps | 463 | 414 |
| Time as a guide | About 45 minutes | 45 to 50 minutes |
| Pass | Brunelleschi only | Brunelleschi or Giotto |
| Setting | Between the two shells | Loggias and an upper terrace |
For most visitors who can manage one climb, the dome is the more distinctive one, and the Brunelleschi pass lets you do the tower too. If you want a view that includes the dome itself, choose the tower.
The terraces of the cathedral are a separate guided route on request and are not part of the pass. See the tours page.
Dome climb: frequently asked questions
How many steps is the dome climb?
463 steps, with no lift. Allow about 45 minutes, depending on your pace.
Do I need to book the dome in advance?
Yes. The dome needs a booked slot, and the pass is tied to it. Book the date before you travel, because you cannot change a pass once it is issued.
Do I need my passport?
You need an ID that matches the name on the ticket. Since 1 March 2025 the ID is checked at the dome entrance together with the personalized ticket.
Is the dome suitable for children?
Minors climb with an adult, and the climb is not advised with certain health conditions. The climb has 463 steps and no lift, so judge it for your child.
When is the dome closed?
From 16 to 20 November 2026 for maintenance, and on 1 January, Easter Sunday and 25 December. On Sundays and holidays, services can change the hours.
Is this the official dome booking site?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore. It explains the climb and links to bookable tickets.