The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella was founded by Dominican monks in the 13th century and is widely regarded as the first great Basilica in the city. It serves as the principal Dominican church.
The church, along with the adjoining cloister and chapter house, houses numerous art treasures and funerary monuments.
Although Santa Maria Novella is a religious site, it has adapted to the times and now seeks to harmonize both the religious and cultural dimensions.
It has become a significant artistic site in Italy and is particularly renowned for its frescoes by Gothic and early Renaissance masters.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Santa Maria Novella.
Top Santa Maria Novella Tickets
# Santa Maria Novella tickets
# Museo di San Marco + Santa Maria Novella combo ticket
# Florence Pass
Table of contents
- What to expect at Santa Maria Novella
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Santa Maria Novella ticket price
- How to reach Santa Maria Novella
- Opening hours of Santa Maria Novella
- How long does the tour take
- Best time to visit Santa Maria Novella
- FAQs about the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
What to expect at Santa Maria Novella
The Santa Maria Novella church tour is an extraordinary experience that immerses you in the magnificence of the Florentine Renaissance.
The complex is one of the three most important in Florence, along with the Duomo and Santa Croce, and is renowned for its spiritual significance and artistic value.
Explore the fascinating history of Santa Maria Novella and discover its breathtaking splendor.
The tour allows you to appreciate absolute masterpieces of Italian art, including the stunning façade, one of the most elegant creations of the Florentine Renaissance.
Admire the high walls of the main chapel, beautifully frescoed by Domenico Ghirlandaio with the stories of Mary and St. John the Baptist.
See the fantastic preserved paintings by Paolo Uccello, which depict the mysterious and intriguing frescoes of the Genesis Stories.
Visit the large, frescoed cloister featuring stories of San Domenico and other Dominicans before exploring the disorienting dormitory.
The tour of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella offers a mesmerizing display of art juxtaposed against the bustling backdrop of city life.
Where to book tickets
Tickets for the Florence Santa Maria Novella tour are available to be purchased at the attraction or online in advance.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
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 the Santa Maria Novella booking page, select your preferred date and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.
You don’t need to carry printouts.
Show the e-tickets on your smartphone at the gate on the day of your visit and walk into the church.
Santa Maria Novella ticket price
Adult tickets for Florence Santa Maria Novella Entry & Audio Guide tour are available for €16 for visitors aged over 18 years.
Youth tickets for the tour are available at a reduced price of €13 for visitors between 11 to 17 years of age.
Child tickets for the tour are available for €6 for children between seven to 10 years of age.
Tickets for infants up to six years of age can be purchased for €3.
Santa Maria Novella tickets
Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring Gothic and Renaissance architecture of Florence Santa Maria Novella, a place that Michelangelo himself likened to his “bide”.
Skip the long lines and enhance your experience with a multimedia guide that’ll take you through the complex’s fascinating history and art.
Founded by Dominican friars in Florence in the 13th century, the Santa Maria Novella has expanded over time and become increasingly important.
Maximize your one-hour visit to the Basilica and cloisters by taking advantage of a 7-inch tablet as your multimedia guide, complete with audio-video narration, HD images, and stunning 3D recreations.
Discover the works of some of the most influential artists of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including Giotto, Masaccio, Filippo Brunelleschi, Paolo Uccello, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Filippino Lippi.
Gain insight into a significant part of Florence’s history and make sure not to miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore a true gem of Florence.
The tour is available in Spanish, English, German, Italian and French.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (18+ years): €16
Youth Ticket (11 to 17 years): €13
Child Ticket (7 to 10 years): €6
Infant Ticket (up to 6 years): €3
Museo di San Marco + Santa Maria Novella combo ticket
When planning a trip to the Santa Maria Novella, make sure to book a combo ticket that lets you also visit the Museo di San Marco to have a dreamy and comprehensive experience.
Skip the line and immerse yourself in the art of ancient Florence at the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella.
Witness incredible frescoes by Niccolò di Tommaso, Nardo di Cione, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Filippino Lippi, among others.
With a high-tech video guide, you can learn about the history of the Dominican Order and the Basilica’s architecture and artworks.
Visit the cloisters, where you can see 13th-century tombstones and the 15th-century frescoes.
The Cloister of the Dead, or the Chiostro dei Morti, is particularly impressive, showcasing Italian Gothic architecture.
Note the 14th-century decorative schemes dating from the Plague in 1348.
Explore the 15th-century religious complex of Chiesa di San Marco and its adjoining Dominican monastery to see the art and frescoes by Fra Angelico, one of the Early Renaissance’s most revered painters.
At the top of the stairs on the first floor, there are 44 monastic cells showcasing hauntingly beautiful architecture.
The Museo di San Marco exhibits a variety of Fra Angelico’s paintings, including the famous Deposition of Christ, which realistically depicts nature.
View beautiful frescoes, including Fra Angelico’s famous Annunciation, as well as Giovanni Antonio Sogliani’s The Miraculous Supper of St Dominic and Crucifixion and Saints in the former chapter house.
The cells contain more religious reliefs and devotional frescoes that contrast the plain rooms where Savonarola lived from 1489 until he was hanged in the square.
View items once owned by Savonarola, including a marble monument built in 1873 by his admirers.
Ticket Price: €30
Save 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 Santa Maria Novella
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is situated opposite the city’s main railway station on the edge of the historic center in Piazza di Santa Maria Novella.
Address: P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy. Get Directions
You can reach the Santa Maria Novella by public transport or car.
By Bus
Get down at the Stazione Scalette stop to reach Basilica di Santa Maria Novella.
Take buses 6, 11, 12, 17, C2 among others.
By Tram
The closest tram station to the attraction is Unità, which is serviceable by the T2 tram.
By Car
If you want to drive to the attraction, turn on Google Maps and get started!
Choose between parking options around the attraction.
Opening hours of Santa Maria Novella
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is open for tours every day of the week between 9 am and 5.30 pm, except on Fridays and Sundays.
On Fridays, the tours start at 11 am and are open till 5.30 pm.
If you’re planning to visit on Sundays or religious holidays, the timings may vary according to the season.
From July to September, the Sunday hours are from 12 pm to 5.30 pm, while at all other times, the timings are from 1 pm to 5.30 pm.
How long does the tour take
The tour of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella takes around 2 hours to complete.
This provides visitors with ample time to explore the lesser-known marvels of this historical site as they embark on a fascinating journey.
Best time to visit Santa Maria Novella
We suggest booking your tour on a weekday when the attraction is less busy for a more enjoyable visit.
Mornings and late evenings have fewer visitors, providing a more peaceful and tranquil environment for your visit.
Weekends and public holidays are the most crowded at the attraction.
FAQs about the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting the Santa Maria Novella Florence:
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy, showcases stunning Gothic-style architecture and houses remarkable artworks and distinctive features.
These include frescoes by Masaccio and Filippino Lippi, the Giotto crucifix, and the marble pulpit by Benedetto da Maiano.
The Basilica is located at Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.
Yes, guided tours are available for the Basilica, which can be booked in advance online or on-site.
The tours are available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.
Some notable artworks and features inside the Basilica include the frescoes by Masaccio and Filippino Lippi, the Giotto crucifix, and the marble pulpit by Benedetto da Maiano.
The Florence Santa Maria Novella is accessible with the exception of the Tornabuoni Chapel and the two chapels of the transept.
No, visitors are not allowed to bring food or drinks inside the Basilica.
There is a café located outside the Basilica where visitors can purchase refreshments.
Yes, visitors are allowed to take photographs inside the Basilica without flash.
Yes, visitors are required to dress modestly and cover their shoulders and knees while visiting the cloister and museum.
Shorts, tank tops, and skirts above the knee are not allowed.
Yes, it is best that visitors purchase tickets in advance online to avoid waiting in line.
Popular attractions in Florence