Palazzo Vecchio Tours and Activities
15 Reviews
The 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio has been the symbol of this Renaissance capital’s political power for more than seven centuries. With its imposing crenellated roofline and defensive tower, it dominates Piazza della Signoria and is home to the luxurious chambers of the Medici family. Visiting Palazzo Vecchio for a peek into Renaissance Florence is a rite of passage for visitors.
The Basics
The “Old Palace” was built in the early 1300s and sumptuously redecorated by the ruling Medici family in the 16th century when Grand Duke Cosimo I transferred his official seat here from Palazzo Medici. The courtyards, official halls, and private apartments feature elaborately decorated ceilings and statues by such luminaries as Donatello and Michelangelo, giving a sense of the wealth of Florence’s most powerful family during the height of the Renaissance. The most important rooms are the vast Salone dei Cinquecento, decorated by the celebrated Renaissance painter Giorgio Vasari and used as seat of the 500-member Grand Council; the secret Studiolo di Francesco I, also decorated by Vasari; and the Map Room.
Because of the palazzo's wealth of art and history, its museum is best visited with a tour guide, especially during the crowded months between May and October, when the wait to enter can be long and skip-the-line tickets are a must. Visitors can also tour the archaeological excavations under the building's foundations to see the uncovered remains of the Roman theater of Florentia.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The palazzo's soaring Arnolfo Tower offers stupendous views of Florence and the surrounding hills of Tuscany; children under 6 are not allowed to climb the tower.
- Most of Palazzo Medici is dedicated to the museum where visitors can take in important Renaissance art and architecture, but the building is also still the seat of local government and home to the mayor's office and city council.
- Backpacks and bags are not allowed inside Palazzo Vecchio; lockers available for a charge at the entrance.
- Most of the palazzo is accessible to wheelchairs, with exception of the tower and mezzanine level.
How to Get There
Palazzo Vecchio is in the southern corner of Piazza della Signoria, a short stroll from the Uffizi Gallery. By bus, take the C1 to Galleria Delgi Uffizi, then walk one block west or take the C2 to Porta Rossa and walk three blocks east.
When to Get There
The museums are open daily but close on Thursday afternoons. The palazzo can be very crowded at midday, so consider joining a tour in the early morning before most visitors arrive or at sunset to avoid the busiest time and enjoy the view from the tower.
The Vasari Corridor
This secret passage that runs between Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti was commissioned by the Grand Duke Cosimo I in 1565 and designed by Giorgio Vasari. Once a secret route used by the Medici family to travel through the city, the corridor is now an art gallery and can be visited in small groups as part of a private tour.
Address: Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Tuscany 50123, Italy
Hours: Open daily 9am - 7pm. Closed on Easter, Dec 25 and Aug 15
Admission: Varies
Admission Tickets (4)
Skip the Line: Palazzo Vecchio Museum Ticket with Tower & Battlement Access
4
You can have the best view of Florence City from the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio. Please note that when there are bad weather conditions Access to Tower will be prohibited.
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From
$25.41
From
$25.41
154 Tours and Activities to Experience Palazzo Vecchio
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Skip the Line: Palazzo Vecchio Museum Ticket with Tower & Battlement Access
4
You can have the best view of Florence City from the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio. Please note that when there are bad weather conditions Access to Tower will be prohibited.
…More
From
$25.41
From
$25.41
Florence Palazzo Vecchio Museum Ticket
Discover Palazzo Vecchio, a symbol of civic power in the city of Florence for over seven centuries. Explore this stunning monument and learn about the different functions of the town hall throughout history.
Your ticket includes access to the museum, where you can admire the famous Salone del Cinquecento. See the collection of art now housed within the palace.
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$26.62
From
$26.62
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
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Palazzo Vecchio - Skip the Line Priority Ticket
14
The ticket will allow you to visit Palazzo Vecchio without long waiting lines.
For this attraction it is possible to choose between the following options:
- Skip-the-line entrance ticket to the Palazzo Vecchio Museum
- priority entrance ticket for the Arnolfo Tower
- Combined priority entrance ticket, Museum + Arnolfo Tower.
Inside you can visit the Government Rooms of the Republic and the private rooms of the Granducale family, renovated and embellished by the architect and chronicler Giorgio Vasari, who was liked by the Grand Duke.
The main attraction of the Palace is the Salone dei 500, entirely frescoed by Giorgio Vasari, as well as the rooms and apartments of the Grand Duchess Eleonora of Toledo. Enjoy one of the best views of the city on the terrace located at the rear of the Palace and end your visit in the rooms where the ancient Florentine Republic met (Sala dei Gigli, Sala delle Maps Geographical, Hall of the last Chancellor of the Republic).
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$30.25
From
$30.25
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Florence Palazzo Vecchio: Museum Ticket and Audioguide
18
Explore Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s imposing town hall, on a 1.5-hour evening tour. As the sun goes down over the city, walk around the one-time fortress with a guide to hear tales of its past when it was the focal point of Florentine power. Admire the Hall of the Five Hundred among other rooms adorned with artwork, and soak up city views from the battlements and Arnolfo Tower. Enhance the experience with an ‘aperitivo’ or dinner, and gaze out over Piazza della Signoria as you eat. Numbers are limited to 25 people.
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From
$37.51
From
$37.51
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Skip-the-Line to Uffizi & Accademia with Michelangelo's David - Small Group Tour
1737
Make the most of your time in Florence with this combination tour covering all of the city’s iconic sights in one half day. Skip the line at the Accademia Gallery to marvel at Michelangelo’s 'David'; gaze up in wonder at the great red dome of Florence's Duomo from the outside; and explore the streets of the historic city center with insights from an expert guide. Then, skip another line to end the day with a visit of the immense Uffizi Gallery.
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From
$95.59
Price varies by group size
From
$95.59
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Skip-the-Line Florence Highlights and David Walking Tour
141
Check off the best bits of Italy’s Renaissance capital on this comprehensive walking tour of Florence. Stroll around the historic monuments of Piazza della Republica and Piazza della Signoria, cross the landmark Ponte Vecchio bridge, then admire the opulent Pitti Palace and the legendary Duomo. After browsing the designer boutiques of Via Tornabuoni and the artist’s workshops of lively Oltrarno, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the Accademia museum to view Michelangelo's world-famous David sculpture. This small-group tour is limited to 15 people, ensuring a personalized experience.
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$60.50
Price varies by group size
From
$60.50
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Group or Private Florence Skip the Line David & Accademia with Optional Duomo
364
Experience the Tuscan capital's top attractions on a small-group walking tour through Florence. Begin with skip-the-line access to view Michelangelo's 'David' in the Accademia Gallery, and learn how the House of Medici shaped Florence into a helm of arts and humanities. Then see the lovely exterior of the Duomo, the city's iconic, Gothic-style cathedral, as well as the Baptistery to hear the fascinating origins of the Gates of Paradise. Afterward stroll the local streets, taking in landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
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From
$71.39
From
$71.39
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Livorno Shore Excursion: Pisa and Florence Private Day Trip
159
Spend a day exploring the Italian cities of Florence and Pisa while in port in Livorno. With private pickup from your cruise, see the iconic Florence Duomo and the Leaning Tower of Pisa before returning to your ship at the end of the day. Upgrade your ticket to include a 3-hour tour in Florence with a private guide and skip-the-line entry to the Accademia and Uffizi galleries.
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From
$399.71
Price varies by group size
From
$399.71
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Florence City Tour, Skip-the-line David & Uffizi Gallery - Private Tour
6
Florence is home to some of the world’s most important monuments and museums, but the entry queues can be long. Ideal for visitors short on time, this combo tour includes admission fees plus skip-the-line entry to Florence Cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery. Follow your guide on a walking tour, discover medieval artworks and priceless statues including David by Michelangelo, and see the best of Florence in one day.
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From
$216.76
Price varies by group size
From
$216.76
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Private Skip-the-Line Florence Highlights and David Walking Tour
50
With so much to see in Florence, it can be hard to know where to begin. On this private tour, take a break from your guidebook and make sure you hit all the most important Renaissance monuments, from Medici palaces and the famous Duomo to artsy Oltrarno across the river and high-fashion avenues. Plus, fit in a visit to one of the most famous sculptures of all-time with skip-the-line access to the popular Accademia Gallery, home of Michelangelo’s ‘David.’
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From
$242.01
per group
From
$242.01
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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La Spezia Shore Excursion: Private Day Trip to Florence and Pisa
24
See Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa while in port in La Spezia on this full-day, independent excursion. Head first to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, with a private driver and explore the Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace or other top attractions at your leisure. Afterward, travel to Pisa to see the Piazza dei Miracoli and snap some pictures with the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Upgrade your ticket to include guided tours in both cities, as well as skip-the-line tickets to the Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia in Florence.
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From
$483.85
Price varies by group size
From
$483.85
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Skip-the-line Florence City Tour with Accademia & David - Private Tour
9
Visit the most popular museum in Florence without waiting in line for a ticket. This 2.5-hour private walking tour includes admission to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David statue and other works of art. Then stroll the city with your guide and learn more about its Italian Renaissance history. You’ll visit public squares and view landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio and Duomo.
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From
$121.85
Price varies by group size
From
$121.85
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Florence Private Tour With Uffizi Gallery
Discover the best of Florence during this 4-hour private walking tour. See the city’s famous landmarks such as the Duomo Cathedral, the Holy Cross Church, Ponte Vecchio and more as you listen to informative commentary from your guide about the history of the city. Then skip the long lines of the Uffizi Gallery for a guided tour of the museum and see masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Giotto, and more.
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From
$312.78
Price varies by group size
From
$312.78
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
Small-Group Guided Uffizi and Accademia Walking Tour
83
Spend a morning in Florence visiting two of the world’s most important museums on a great-value combo tour of the Ufizzi and Accademia galleries. See iconic Renaissance masterpieces from Italy and beyond, including the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. Learn about collection highlights from an art historian guide, and enjoy leisure time to explore the museums on your own.
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From
$164.56
From
$164.56
Renaissance Full Access: Museums, Duomo & Palaces Private Tour
15
Enjoy personalized attention and a flexible itinerary on this private tour in Florence. With a guide in the lead, you'll have priority access and be able to skip the line at the local museums, which saves valuable vacation time. You can focus on the sights that interest you and your guide will tailor their commentary to your preferences. This tour includes access to a reserved spot at the top of the Duomo for panoramic views of Florence.
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From
$169.40
Price varies by group size
From
$169.40
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
Medici Palaces Private Tour
The Medici Family, rulers of Tuscany for three centuries, changed history and shaped the city of Florence as we see it today. Following their footsteps with your licensed guide, decipher the legacy that this powerful family left to the city and visit the major residences of the Medici. From the modest Palazzo Medici-Richardi to the lavish Palazzo Pitti, unveil the rise and fall of this famous family. And inside the Pitti palace, experience the richest art collection of the Medici Family showing their role as the greatest patrons of the Renaissance.
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From
$188.07
Price varies by group size
From
$188.07
Price varies by group size
Private All-inclusive Heart of Florence Walking Tour with Accademia and Uffizi
1
Dive deep into the historical highlights of Florence on a 4.5-hour private sightseeing tour. Expedited skip-the-line entrance to the Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Gallery allows you to spend less time waiting around and more time with Michelangelo's "David" and Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus". Ask questions and listen to live commentary as your tour continues in the city center, with pauses at the Duomo Complex, Piazza della Signoria, and more.
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From
$289.20
Price varies by group size
From
$289.20
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Palazzo Vecchio Guided Tour in Florence
19
Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most significant historic buildings in all of Florence. For decades, the palace served as a glamorous backdrop to the daily lives of the most powerful Florentine family, the Medici. Booking Palazzo Vecchio guided tour takes you on a journey through the artistic, political and personal aspects of their lives.
Having arrived at the designated meeting point, you will check in with the agency representative and meet your expert guide. You guide will then take you to Palazzo Vecchio which you can enter without delay, only passing a standard security check.
Within one hour, you will get to see the most significant halls inside the Palazzo. For instance, the grand hall filled with paintings and sculptures bearing secret messages and hidden information as well as the lavish and gilded rooms of the Medici Apartment. You will even get to peek at the entrance to the secret Vasari corridor and see the legendary Mask of Dante.
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From
$43.56
From
$43.56
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Discover Florence: Uffizi and Accademia Gallery with skip the line
9
Discover the Renaissance treasures of Florence on this combo walking tour of the medieval city’s most important museums and monuments. Begin with a guided visit to the acclaimed Accademia Gallery, where you can admire artistic icons like Michelangelo’s ‘David’ sculpture. Learn about the history of Florence and its most legendary structures and former citizens on a 1.5-hour city walking tour, before enjoying an up-close view of more artistic masterpieces at the world-famous Ufizzi Gallery, and after time for lunch.
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From
$112.53
From
$112.53
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Florence City Tour, Skip-the-line David & Uffizi Gallery - Semi-Private 8ppl Max
3
See the best of Florence’s art and architecture in one day on this combo tour that includes tickets to both of the city’s top museums. See Michelangelo’s famous ‘David' statue and other masterworks at the Accademia Gallery, and skip the long lines to admire paintings by Botticelli, Titian, and others at the world-renowned Uffizi. You’ll also learn the remarkable history of landmarks like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio bridge, all in a semi-private group limited to just seven people.
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From
$216.76
Price varies by group size
From
$216.76
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Florence Night Segway Tour
55
Glide around the beautiful streets of Florence on an evening tour by Segway. See the iconic Florence Duomo, the bustle of Piazza della Signoria, and the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial site of famous Italians such as Galileo and Michelangelo. Enjoy a stop before returning to your original departure point. Numbers are limited to eight on this tour to ensure an intimate experience.
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From
$83.49
From
$83.49
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Palazzo Vecchio guided experience with entrance ticket
8
Unveil all the secrets hidden inside the ancient Medici's palace.
During this 90 minutes experience every corner, every masterpiece and every legend is coming to life. This is the palace where the Renaissance started in Florence.
Palazzo Vecchio was the ancient home of Medici Family, as well as the ancient - and actual- palace for the Government.
Visit the palace in 90 minutes with a guide means discover the secrets, the legends and the masterpieces hidden inside the palace.
From Eleonora’s apartment to “Salone dei Cinquecento” this tour leads through the entire palace.
An experience that is not easy to forget: also Dan Brown fell in love with Palazzo Vecchio and wrote about it in his book “Inferno”.
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From
$56.87
Price varies by group size
From
$56.87
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
Private tour Dan Brown Inferno Tour of Florence
Engross yourself in all things Dan Brown and Dante in this guided Inferno-themed tour of Florence. Follow the tracks of Dan Brown's famous protagonist, Robert Langton, to the secret passages and the Salone dei Cinquecento, where you'll marvel at masterpieces by Michelangelo, among others. Visit the apartments of Cosimo, see Dante Alighieri's death mask, step inside the Palazzo Vecchio, get a look at Dante's former home, and more.
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From
$266.21
per group
From
$266.21
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More