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Visit Palazzo Vecchio with this essential guide
Palazzo VecchioInformation at a glance
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Palazzo Vecchio Courtyard
- History
- Inside
- Collections
- Palazzo Vecchio Tower
- Secret Passages
- Hall of the 500
- Uffizi Gallery
- Duomo Florence
- Accademia Gallery Tickets
- Florence To Chianti Tours
- Florence To Cinque Terre Tours
- Bargello National Museum
- Medici Chapel
- Florence To Pisa Tours
- Florence To Siena Tours
- Florence To Tuscany Tours
- Boboli Gardens
- Hzero - The Miniature Railway
- San Marco Museum
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Brancacci Chapel
Contents
Visitor information at a glance
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance: Via dei Gondi
Accessible sections: Ground, first, and second floors of the Museum
Inaccessible sections: Tower, Secret Passages, Mezzanine
Types of access
- Museum: a regular entry ticket gives you access to the three floors of Palazzo Vecchio.
- Tower: buy separate tickets for access to the top of Arnolfo Tower.
- Secret passages: an exclusive tour through hidden corridors can be added to your tickets.
Duration of visit
In order to fully explore the Palazzo Vecchio Museum and Arnolfo Tower, give yourself at least 2 to 3 hours of time.
Types of guided tours
- Regular: skip the lines and join a group of up to 25 other people and an expert guide.
- Small-group: choose the guided tour option with just 14 other people to enjoy an intimate and dedicated exploration.
- Secret passages: this tour with limited availability takes you through narrow stairways and concealed private studies as you observe the palace from a new perspective.
How do I plan my visit
Ways to experience
Things to consider
Pro tips
With kids
✅Don't miss: The Hall of Geographical Maps, a fascinating room full of old-world maps and a giant globe on the second floor.
✅Book on-site: Family-friendly tours with storytelling and medieval costume activities.
⚠️Stroller accessibility is limited in some areas with steep stairs.
⚠️Keep an eye on kids in rooms with fragile artifacts.
📌Bring snacks & water, as the workshops and activities can be long.
With teenagers
✅Don't miss: The Arnolfo Tower climb, to see defensive military features and a view of Florence from 95 meters up.
✅Book in advance: A secret passages tour, for a thrilling exploration of hidden doors and staircases.
⚠️The tower climb is physically demanding (over 200 steps!)—ensure they’re up for it before buying tickets.
📌Teens might lose interest in long guided tours—self-paced visits or digital guides might work better.
As a senior citizen
✅Don't miss: The Apartments of Eleonora on the second floor. Quiet, beautifully frescoed rooms with comfortable seating spots.
✅Enter for free: The courtyards, ground floor, and loggia have no stairs and peaceful areas to admire architecture.
⚠️Lots of stairs: Some areas, including the tower and secret passages, are challenging.
⚠️Limited seating: Bring a foldable cane chair if needed.
⚠️Elevators available but only to certain floors.
📌 Consider a nighttime visit—Palazzo Vecchio offers evening tours, which are less crowded and more atmospheric.
As a wheelchair user
✅First Courtyard & Ground Floor: Easily navigable.
✅First & Second Floors: Accessible via elevators.
✅Don't miss: The visually breathtaking Salone dei Cinquecento, which is fully wheelchair-accessible with ramps.
⚠️The Tower and Secret Passages are NOT wheelchair-friendly (narrow stairs, no elevators).
⚠️Cobblestones at entrance might require assistance.
📌Call ahead for special accommodations and to confirm which areas are accessible.
As a solo traveler
✅Don't miss: The Terrace of Juno, a gorgeous tiny room that once opened onto a loggia with columns.
✅Book in advance: Enter the Studiolo of Francesco I, secretive room filled with scientific themes. Accessible through the secret passages.
⚠️Visit early or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
📌Try out fresco painting in the atelier to learn something new alongside fellow art enthusiasts.
Book Palazzo Vecchio tickets & tours
Know before you go to Palazzo Vecchio
📜 Rules & regulations
🚻 Facilities
💡 Tips for a great visit
🏛️ Things to do nearby
- Bag & security check: All visitors must go through a security check; large bags and backpacks are not allowed.
- No flash photography: Photography is permitted, but flash and tripods are prohibited inside.
- No touching artifacts: Many walls contain original frescoes and sculptures—avoid touching surfaces.
- Quiet in certain areas: The palace still functions as Florence’s City Hall; some rooms may require silence.
- No food or drink: Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the museum.
- Children supervision: Kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Restrooms: Located on the ground floor.
- Cloakroom: Free cloakroom service for small bags and coats. Wheelchairs can also be rented here.
- Elevator: Available for accessibility needs but limited to certain areas.
- Gift shop: Sells books, souvenirs, and reproductions related to the palace’s history.
- Café: No café inside, but several options nearby in Piazza della Signoria.
- Audio guides & tours: Available in multiple languages for an additional fee.
- WiFi: Limited or unavailable—download guides/maps in advance.
- Book tickets in advance: Avoid long lines by pre-booking online, especially in peak season.
- The ground floor courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio, and the Loggia dei Lanzi of Piazza del Signoria are free to visit.
- Climb the Arnolfo Tower: For stunning views of Florence, but be ready for a steep climb.
- Take a Secret Passages tour: Enter a hidden set of stairways, corridors, and rooms.
- Check for events: As an active government building, some rooms may be closed for official events.
- Bring a guidebook/app: Many frescoes and symbols have hidden meanings—having an explanation enhances the experience. Upgrade for an audio guide or a guided tour.
- Piazza della Signoria (1 min walk) – Admire the copy of Michelangelo’s David and other famous statues.
- Uffizi Gallery (2 min walk) – Home to masterpieces by Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Raphael.
- Ponte Vecchio (5 min walk) – The historic double-layered bridge lined with jewelry shops.
- Santa Croce Basilica (7 min walk) – The final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
- Duomo & Giotto’s Bell Tower (10 min walk) – Admire Brunelleschi's Dome up close at Florence’s iconic cathedral, and scale its panoramic tower.
- Bargello Museum (10 min walk) – A former prison turned museum with Donatello’s David.
- Palazzo Pitti (10 min walk) – Grand Renaissance palace with stunning architecture, vast art collections, and the beautiful Boboli Gardens.
- Mercato del Porcellino (5 min walk) – A famous market where you can rub the boar’s nose for luck.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Palazzo Vecchio
Can I buy tickets at the entrance, or should I book in advance?
Tickets are available at the entrance, but booking online is recommended, especially for summer months or visits of the secret passages and tower, which have limited slots.
Can you climb the Arnolfo Tower, and is it worth it?
Yes! The Torre d’Arnolfo is open to visitors, offering panoramic views of Florence. It’s 418 steps with no elevator, but the view of the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Tuscan hills makes the climb worthwhile.
Is there an elevator for accessibility?
Yes, but access is limited. Most of the main rooms are reachable, but Arnolfo Tower and some hidden areas require climbing stairs. Check with staff for assistance.
Is Palazzo Vecchio still used as Florence’s City Hall?
Yes, it’s both a museum and the seat of the Mayor of Florence. Some rooms are still used for official functions, so parts of the palace may be temporarily closed.
Is Palazzo Vecchio kid-friendly?
Yes! There are interactive exhibits, treasure hunts, and family-friendly tours, including a special route where children dress as medieval figures.
Can I visit at night?
Yes, sometimes. Palazzo Vecchio seasonally offers night tours, usually between 7pm and 11pm. These provide a mystical atmosphere with fewer crowds.
Are there any secret passages in Palazzo Vecchio?
Yes! There are hidden staircases and secret rooms, including Duke Gualtieri’s escape route, the Studiolo of Francesco I, and passages behind the massive frescoes in the Hall of the Five Hundred. Some can be explored on special guided tours.
What is the Little Angel with Dolphin fountain?
A bronze fountain by Verrocchio (1476), featuring a playful putto holding a twisting dolphin, originally made for a Medici villa and later placed in Palazzo Vecchio’s First Courtyard.