Florence, steeped in centuries of art, faith, and political drama, unveils its essence to those who truly listen. Its tapestry is woven with historically significant monuments and movements, showcasing a city that nurtures legacies.
Amongst the plethora of narratives, Palazzo Vecchio emerges as a stalwart symbol of Renaissance opulence and power struggles.
This Romanesque and Gothic marvel, now the city’s town hall, has seamlessly transitioned through the ages, serving as both the seat of governance and the residence of the influential Medici family.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets to the Palazzo Vecchio.
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What to expect at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence
The Palazzo Vecchio, constructed between 1299 and 1314, was initially conceived as Florence’s governmental hub, envisioned by Arnolfo di Cambio, renowned for creating another Florentine marvel, the Cathedral Of Santa Maria Del Fiore.
Step into this bastion of Florence’s civil authority and delve deep into its rich history with a knowledgeable guide.
Over time, Palazzo Vecchio transformed, serving diverse roles—from a government seat to the residence of the influential Medici dynasty, stewards of Florence for generations.
Marvel at the blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, accentuated by a soaring tower and adorned exterior featuring statues and emblems that honor the city’s legacy.
Encounter Michelangelo’s David replica at the entrance’s “Piazza della Signoria de Firenze,” a spot where the original statue stood for centuries.
Inside, the grand Hall of the Five Hundred awaits, adorned with Giorgio Vasari’s frescoes chronicling Florence’s pivotal moments.
Explore the Medici family’s opulent quarters and Francesco I de’ Medici’s exquisite study, a trove of rare treasures.
Ascend the Arnolfo Tower for panoramic views, overlooking Florence and the picturesque Tuscan landscape.
Uncover the clandestine passages and tunnels concealing a history rife with political intrigue and espionage within Palazzo Vecchio.
Additionally, the palace doubles as a museum housing an array of historical artifacts, sculptures, paintings, and decorative pieces, offering deeper insights into Florence’s rich heritage.
| Ticket | Ticket cost |
|---|---|
| Florence Palazzo Vecchio Entrance Ticket & Videoguide | €22 |
| Palazzo Vecchio Guided Tour | €53 |
| Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Entry and Secret Passage Tour | €25 |
Where to book tickets
Palazzo Vecchio Tickets are available online and at the venue.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.
How do online tickets work
Go to Palazzo Vecchio ticket booking page, select a date for your visit and the number of tickets and book.
Once you complete the bookings, the tickets will be emailed to you.
You don’t need to carry printouts.
On the day of your visit, you can show the e-ticket on your smartphone and begin the tour of the Palazzo Vechio.
Bring your official IDs.
Palazzo Vecchio ticket price
For the Florence Palazzo Vecchio Guided Tour, adult tickets for ages 13 and above are priced at €53.
Children aged four to 12 can access the tour for €34. Please note, infants under three are not permitted on this tour.
For the Florence Palazzo Vecchio Entrance Ticket & Videoguide, adults aged 26 and above can obtain tickets for €22.
Youths under 18 and those aged 18 to 25 can access for €20.
Children between seven and 17 can gain access at €10.
Infants under seven are charged €3 for entry.
For the Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Entry and Secret Passage Tour, adults aged 26 and above can access this tour for €25.
Youths under 18 and those aged 18 to 25 can obtain tickets for €21.
Children between seven and 17 can gain access at €9.
Infants under seven are charged €3 for entry.
Moreover, students holding valid ID and aged 18 or above can avail themselves of discounted entry at €21 for specific tours.
Palazzo Vecchio tickets
The Palazzo Vecchio tickets offer a range of itineraries for you to pick from according to your interests and your budget:
Palazzo Vecchio: Private Guided Museum Tour & Tower Tickets
This tour offers the most extensive exploration of Palazzo Vecchio.
You can join a group tour led by an English-speaking guide or choose a private tour tailored to Palazzo Vecchio.
Access both the Palazzo Vecchio attractions and the Palazzo Vecchio Museum during your visit.
For an additional small fee, you can include a visit to the Arnolfo Tower in your itinerary.
Ticket Prices
Guided Shared Tour
Adult Ticket (18+ years): €53
Child Ticket (7 to 17 years): €34
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Private Tour: €79
Palazzo Vecchio: Skip-the-Line Entry and Secret Passage Tour
Embark on a guided journey delving into the captivating intrigue surrounding the Medici Family, exploring the labyrinthine secret passages and hidden chambers within Palazzo Vecchio.
Access exclusive passages inaccessible to the general public during this immersive experience.
Led by an English-speaking guide, this tour offers skip-the-line entry, ensuring swift access.
Enjoy an intimate small-group setting with a maximum of four participants.
Please note, the ticket cost does not cover a visit to the Arnolfo Tower.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (26+ years): €24
Youth Ticket (18 to 25 years): €21
Child Ticket (7 to 17 years): €9
Infants (up to 6 years): €3
Florence: Palazzo Vecchio Entrance Ticket & Videoguide
This tour offers the most affordable and widely chosen option for exploring Palazzo Vecchio.
Your skip-the-line admission grants access to all palace attractions, notably the Salone dei Cinquecento, where you can admire Vasari’s remarkable artworks.
While there won’t be a live tour guide, you’ll receive a multimedia tablet video guide. Choose from Spanish, English, French, German, Russian, Italian, Chinese, or Portuguese languages for your tour.
Additionally, you have the option to add a visit to the Arnolfo Tower to your experience.
Ticket Prices
Without Arnolfo Tower
Adult Ticket (26+ years): €22
Youth Ticket (18 to 25 years): €20
Child Ticket (7 to 17 years): €10
Infant Ticket (up to 6 years): €3
With Arnolfo Tower
Adult Ticket (26+ years): €35
Youth Ticket (18 to 25 years): €30
Child Ticket (7 to 17 years): €10
Infant Ticket (up to 6 years): €3
Combo Tickets
Florence boasts an array of iconic attractions, many within a 30-minute drive from Civitas Metropolitano.
Maximize your exploration with combo tickets, granting access to multiple sites at a significantly discounted rate!
Combine your Palazzo Vecchio Tickets with entries to the Palatine Gallery, Brunelleschi’s Dome, and Boboli Gardens Florence.
These combo tickets provide substantial discounts, offering exceptional value for your visit to these renowned sites.
Palazzo Pitti & Palatine Gallery + Palazzo Vecchio
Distance: 6.8 km (4.2 miles)
Time Taken: 34 minutes by car
Explore European art history by pairing your Palazzo Vecchio visit with a discounted entry to the renowned Pitti Palace.
Both Pitti Palace and Palazzo Vecchio share a unique link: both served as residences for the Medici family at different periods.
Connecting these palaces is the Vasari Corridor, stretching one kilometer (0.62 miles) through buildings, above streets, and across the Arno River—a safe passage constructed for the Medicis.
At the Pitti Palace’s Palatine Gallery, immerse yourself in a vast Renaissance art collection featuring masterpieces by Raphael and other renowned artists.
With this combo ticket, gain guided, expedited access to Palazzo Vecchio and priority entry to the Palatine Gallery, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.
Ticket Cost: €57
Buy This TicketPalazzo Vecchio + Brunelleschi’s Dome
Distance: 450 m (0.27 miles)
Time Taken: 2 minutes by car
Enhance your Palazzo Vecchio experience in Florence by pairing it with a visit to Brunelleschi’s Dome at an exceptional discount!
Brunelleschi’s Dome stands as a paramount historical and architectural wonder, nestled within the Santa Maria Del Fiore Church Complex, conveniently close to Palazzo Vecchio.
Both Santa Maria Del Fiore and Palazzo Vecchio share a common originator in Arnolfo Cambio!
The combo tickets grant exclusive access to Brunelleschi’s Dome Entrance, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Opera del Duomo Museum, Santa Reparata (valid for 72 hours), the Baptistry, and free entry to the Florence Cathedral.
Combined with Palazzo Vecchio, this comprehensive combo ticket offers a profound immersion into Florence’s intertwined history of faith, art, and political intrigue.
Ticket Cost: €79
Buy This TicketBoboli Gardens + Palazzo Vecchio
Distance: 6.8 km (4.2 miles)
Time Taken: 34 minutes by car
Indulge in a captivating journey by pairing your exploration of Palazzo Vecchio with a visit to the renowned Boboli Gardens at the Pitti Palace, among the world’s most celebrated Italian-style Gardens.
With this skip-the-line combo ticket, enjoy access to Palazzo Vecchio, the Arnolfo Tower, Boboli Gardens, Bardini Gardens, and Porcelain Gardens—all conveniently covered in one voucher!
Ticket Cost: €51
Buy This TicketPalazzo Vecchio + Accademia Gallery
Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile)
Time Taken: 6 minutes by car
For three centuries, Michelangelo’s magnificent David graced Piazza Della Signoria, standing proudly outside Palazzo Vecchio before being relocated for preservation in the 19th century.
Now, a replica adorns the space in front of Palazzo Vecchio, while the authentic David finds its home in the Accademia Gallery museum, just a mile away.
Palazzo Vecchio and Accademia Gallery share a spiritual connection through the magic of David, making it ideal to combine your Palazzo Vecchio trip with a visit to the Accademia gallery, a short 6-minute drive away.
This ticket not only provides access to Palazzo Vecchio but also grants entry to the Accademia gallery, offering exploration of both the museum’s temporary and permanent exhibitions.
Buy This TicketBargello Museum + Palazzo Vecchio
Distance: 200 meters (0.12 mile)
Time taken: 1 minute on foot
A journey to Palazzo Vecchio isn’t fulfilled without exploring the nearby Bargello Museum, just a brief stroll away.
The Bargello Museum boasts an extraordinary array of Renaissance sculptures, decorative arts, and historical artifacts, showcasing treasures like Donatello’s bronze David, Michelangelo’s Bacchus, and a vast collection of Renaissance ceramics, textiles, enamels, and furniture.
Maximize your experience by combining visits to both these attractions and gain access with skip-the-line tickets at an exceptional discount.
Buy This TicketSave time and money! Buy the Florence Pass, the key to exploring the city’s top attractions. Visit the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery and get skip-the-line access to Brunelleschi’s Dome. The pass also includes a downloadable audio guide app.
How to reach Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio is situated in the heart of Florence, at the Piazza Della Signoria.
Address: P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy. Get Directions
Palazzo Vecchio is well-connected to all forms of public transportation.
By Bus
The Firenze Autostazione bus station is a 2-minute walk away from the Palazzo Vecchio.
The Scala Orti Oricellari bus station, Stazione Scalette bus station, and the Firenze Stazione S.M.N. are a 3-minute walk away.
The Beslan T1 Fortezza is a 4-minute walk away.
By Train
The Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence Railway Station) is a 2-minute walk away from the Palazzo Vecchio.
The Alamanni-Stazione Smn light rail station is also a 2-minute walk away.
By Car
Put your starting point here to navigate to the Palazzo Vecchio.
Several parking spots can be found in the vicinity.
Palazzo Vecchio timings
Palazzo Vecchio welcomes visitors from Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday between 9 am and 7 pm.
On Thursdays, the palace is open between 9 am to 2 pm.
How long does the tour take
The Palazzo Vecchio Tour takes around two hours to finish.
Since the monument has a captivating, storied history, it is best to take a guided tour for the best experience.
Best time to visit Palazzo Vecchio
The best time to explore Palazzo Vecchio is during the early morning or evening when the crowds thin, allowing for a deeper immersion in the monument’s history and grandeur.
These quieter times offer a more intimate and enriching experience amidst its splendor.
FAQs about the Palazzo Vecchio
Here are a few frequently asked questions about Palazzo Vecchio:
What functions has the Palazzo Vecchio served over the years?
The Palazzo Vecchio has served as the town hall, government building, and residence of the Medici family. It has also been a symbol of Florence’s political power.
Where can I book tickets to the Palazzo Vecchio?
You can book tickets to the Palazzo Vecchio on the attraction’s ticket booking page.
Is Palazzo Vecchio disability-friendly?
Palazzo Vecchio has made provisions for accessibility, offering amenities like ramps and lifts to facilitate access to various areas for guests with impairments. However, due to the historic nature of certain areas, accessibility might still be limited despite these accommodations.
Can visitors access the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio?
Yes, visitors can access the Arnolfo Tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, which provides panoramic views of Florence.
Is photography allowed inside the Palazzo Vecchio?
In general, photography is permitted within the museum; however, there might be specific areas or instances where restrictions apply, especially concerning the use of flash, aimed at preserving the artifacts and surroundings.
