Alone in the Duomo: VIP After-Hours Tour with Dome Climb & Private Terrace Access

See a side of the Florence Cathedral most visitors won’t on an after-hours tour fit for VIPs.

Florence’s Duomo is one of the most in-demand attractions in Italy, drawing millions of visitors every year. While most of those millions must wait in long lines to get in—wasting precious time that could otherwise be spent exploring—you won’t have to worry about any of that on this extraordinary after-hours Florence Cathedral tour. You’ll get away from the crowds and into the heart of Florence’s most recognizable site with a knowledgeable guide to accompany you every step of the way.

Soak in the best views of Florence from the dome—and see the dome itself up close with a private terrace visit.

Your Duomo tour begins in the evening, as the final public guests of the day are still queuing up in the busy piazza outside the church, waiting their turn to climb the dome. Together with your guide and group, you’ll be ushered straight inside to begin your guided climb up the 463 steps to the top of the dome, the largest of its kind ever built. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the incredible artwork inside the dome up close—not to mention the breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside that await you from the top. You’ll also hear fascinating stories from your guide that will take your dome experience to the next level: from why Brunelleschi, now a household name in Florence, wasn’t an obvious choice to lead the project, to the inventive way he designed the dome that cemented its status as one of the Renaissance’s greatest engineering feats (one that continues to puzzle experts to this day!).

After checking out the views from the top of the dome, you’ll start making your way back to ground level. First, though, the cathedral’s rarely visited terraces will be opened just for our group. Take advantage of this precious opportunity to appreciate the dome’s beauty up close—and see two unique perspectives of Florence from both the north and the south terraces—without anybody else around.

Meet the cathedral’s Key Master and explore the sacred space alone on an after-hours tour.

Last but certainly not least, the crown jewel of your Florence Cathedral tour comes as you step back into the main sanctuary of the church. While it was still crowded and buzzing with other guests when we first arrived, the space will have closed to the public during our time above ground, offering a peaceful and serene atmosphere that’s hard to come by most of the time. Your guide will show you some of the most stunning details inside the church, including the real story behind the strange clock above the door and the frescoes that will take your breath away.

To cap off your experience, you’ll witness a simple yet powerful moment only available to a privileged few. The Key Master will switch off the cathedral lights before leading your group outside, where he’ll lock the doors to the church for the day.

Have the most intimate experience possible at a Florentine icon.

In the company of a friendly expert guide and a group of just 19 guests maximum, you’ll explore Florence’s cathedral like never before on this VIP after-hours tour. From top to bottom, you’ll get a 360-degree view of one of Italy’s most incredible churches and experience it in a way that nobody else can claim.

Please note that this description is an example and your experience may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have an excellent experience.