Giotto's bell tower at a glance
The Campanile di Giotto stands beside the cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo. It is 84.7 m high, often rounded to 85 m. The climb has 414 steps, passes intermediate loggias and ends on an upper terrace. There is no lift. Allow 45 to 50 minutes.
The bell tower is included in the Giotto pass (€20 for adults in 2026, with a fixed tower slot) and in the Brunelleschi pass (€30), which needs no extra tower slot within its three days. The Ghiberti pass does not include it.
Our picks: Giotto's bell tower
Our take: the cathedral ticket includes the tower and the crypt. The guided version explains the complex, and the tower ticket with two more sites is the simple option.
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.
Bell tower and cathedral sites entry
- Bell tower climb
- Crypt, Baptistery and museum
The bell tower climb with the other sites, but without the dome.
Check availability →
Giotto's bell tower with Baptistery and museum
- Bell tower climb
- Baptistery and museum
A simple ticket for the tower climb plus two more sites.
Check availability →
Giotto's bell tower and cathedral with a guide
- Licensed guide
- Bell tower climb
- Crypt, Baptistery and museum
A licensed guide explains the complex, and you climb the bell tower instead of the dome.
Check availability →Bell tower tickets and Duomo passes
Passes that include the bell tower, plus guided visits of the Duomo complex, with live prices and availability. Check that the listing includes the tower slot.
The view during restoration
The tower is being restored, which can affect what you see.
The climb stays open
The bell tower remains open during its restoration. The top terrace is generally accessible.
Opening hours →The view may be limited
Restoration work can obstruct parts of the view. Do not count on an all-round panorama on every visit.
Closed 9 to 13 November 2026
The bell tower is closed for maintenance from 9 to 13 November 2026. The dome is closed from 16 to 20 November 2026.
Dome climb →Health and age
The operator advises against the climb with heart conditions, dizziness, claustrophobia or pregnancy. Minors may not climb unaccompanied.
Who built the bell tower
Work began in 1334 under Giotto. After his death Andrea Pisano continued it, and Francesco Talenti finished the tower in 1359. Giotto did not build the whole tower, even though his name stays attached to it. The facing uses white, red and green marble, the same three colors as the cathedral.
The statues in the niches of the tower are the details to look for from the ground, before or after your climb. The cathedral and the tower are best seen together from the square. For other viewpoints in the city, see the Piazzale Michelangelo guide.
Bell tower opening hours
The last slot is the last start time. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Day | Open | Last slot |
|---|---|---|
| Every day | 08:15–19:30 | 18:45 |
| 9 to 13 November 2026 | Closed | – |
| 1 January, Easter Sunday, 25 December | Closed | – |
Bring only small bags. Medium and large bags, backpacks and suitcases go to the luggage depot at Piazza del Duomo 38/r, which is open daily from 07:30 to 20:15.
Bell tower or dome?
The bell tower has 414 steps against 463 for the dome, and the Giotto pass that includes it costs €20. The dome needs the €30 Brunelleschi pass, which also includes the tower. The two climbs give different views. From the tower the dome is part of the picture, while on the dome climb you walk between its two shells.
For most visitors who want one climb and the dome in the picture, the Giotto pass is the better value. For most who want the dome's interior and a second climb, the Brunelleschi pass includes both. Compare them on the tickets page, and read the dome climb page for the rules there.
Planning your bell tower climb
Book the slot first and then build the rest of the day around it. The tower sits on the same square as the Baptistery and the museum, so a pass lets you combine them within its three calendar days. The reserved tower slot falls on the first day of validity, and the other included places can be visited before it that day.
Allow up to 50 minutes for the climb itself. There is no lift, so the tower is not an option for visitors who cannot manage the stairs. The museum and the cathedral are the easier parts of the complex. Photographs of the tower are best taken from the square before or after your slot. If the weather is poor or restoration limits the view, the dome climb or the cathedral interior can be the better use of a pass.
Giotto's bell tower: frequently asked questions
How many steps does the bell tower have?
414 steps, with intermediate loggias and an upper terrace. There is no lift, and you should allow 45 to 50 minutes.
How much is a bell tower ticket?
The Giotto pass costs €20 for adults in 2026 and €7 for children aged 7 to 14. The Brunelleschi pass at €30 also includes the tower. A regular pass is valid for 3 calendar days.
Do I need to book a time slot?
With the Giotto pass, yes: the tower has a fixed slot. With the Brunelleschi pass you need a dome slot, and the tower needs no extra one within the pass period.
Is the bell tower open during restoration?
Yes, the climb stays open and the top terrace is generally accessible. The view can be partly blocked by restoration work.
When is the bell tower closed?
From 9 to 13 November 2026 for maintenance, and on 1 January, Easter Sunday and 25 December.
Is this the official bell tower website?
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.