From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
micaela lopez
US

Micaela

United States
Jun 2025
5/5
review-image
laila was a great host! it felt easy and smooth with her help. we enjoyed all the art palazzo Vecchio had to offer. Suprised to find out you needed separate admission to climb the tower which was disheartening. Thank you for the easy access to tickets!
James McFadden
US

James

United States
May 2025
5/5
review-image
review-image
Our tour guide Martha, was very passionette and friendly. The history/background she provided was very informative. I don't think you get as much out of a tour doing it on your own.
Erik Suykens

Erik

Jul 2025
5/5
We had a lovely time visiting the palazzo Vecchiano. Our guide Laura did an amazing job. She was very knowledgable, told about the general history as well as some great anecdotes, and at a very agreable pace. Thank you for the amazing experience.
Alexis Young
CA

Alexis

Canada
May 2025
5/5
Note: Great tour, poor meeting instructions from Headout. The tour was really special! If you enjoy seeing secret rooms, learning about the people who lived in these buildings, and learning more about the craftsmanship, then this is the tour for you! By far my favorite visit in Florence. After the tour, we were then able to visit the rest of Palazzo Vecchio, so overall a great experince. HOWEVER, please do not follow the instructions on the Headout app or email. GO TO THE TICKET OFFICE to get your tickets, THEN they will tell you where to meet your guide. The app told us to wait where we were, and we almost missed our tour.
Helen Schleiger

Helen

May 2025
5/5
The tour itself was fabulous. Christina was knowledgable, very informative and engaging, and she had many great insights about the Medici family. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the secret, hidden away places in the Palazzo Vecchio and would recommend it for anyone coming to Florence. However, the instructions on our confirmation email were misleading. I was instructed to stand just inside the door of the Palazzo and wait for the guide (pic of email attached). But I really needed to go to the pre-bookings ticket office first, then wait for the guide at the lion in the courtyard. Because of this, we missed our scheduled tour - fortunately, there was availability on the next one so we didn't miss out. The women at the ticket office were very helpful.
evelyn lannak
US

Evelyn

United States
Jun 2025
5/5
Used the audio! To listen to each part of the museum. It was clean and well preserved! Tower steps had handrails and windows kept it very cool!

Top things to do in Florence

Why visit Palazzo Vecchio’s secret passages?

Unravel the mystery
Artistic and scientific treasures
Exclusive experience
1/3

Unravel the mystery

Explore hidden corridors to piece the puzzles of Florence’s intriguing history, and the symbolic power and governance of Palazzo Vecchio through the centuries.

Artistic and scientific treasures

Encounter Renaissance artworks, architecture, and cosmological collectibles within the hidden rooms and staircases.

Exclusive experience

Access a lesser-known part of the palace and see its magnificent halls from a fresh point of view on this unique visit.

Things to know before booking a Palazzo Vecchio secret passages tour

  • In order to explore the secret passages of Palazzo Vecchio, you need to book a special guided tour along with your skip-the-line tickets
  • The tour is conducted in English and lasts around one and a half hours, ending with either a hearty Tuscan lunch or a frozen artisanal treat of gelato tasting at the end.
  • Since it involves climbing a set of constricted staircases and navigating relatively small areas, the tour is not accessible by wheelchair or stroller.

Your journey through the secret passages of Palazzo Vecchio

Historic stone passageway in ancient city, with arches and cobblestone path, showcasing architectural heritage.

Gualtieri's stone staircase

Your adventure begins as you ascend the narrow spiral staircase of Duke Gualtieri to a set of hidden chambers and corridors. Behind a painting of a dinner party featuring the likes of Cleopatra and Mark Antony lies a small room. Another door unveils a second staircase, also leading back to the object-filled room.

Studiolo of Francesco I in Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy.

Private study and treasury

Enter the Studiolo of Francesco I de' Medici, which has soaring frescoes across four walls, each dedicated to a natural element. A niche accessible from within this room, Cosimo I’s Tessoretto are secret cabinets that contain rare objects, a collection of Medici art, and his writing desk.

Salone dei Cinquecento interior, Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy.

Hall of the 500

Francesco I's tiny private study is right next to the Salone dei Cinquecento, where the Grand Duke used to spy on assemblies in his youth. Observe the great hall’s architectural details from a completely unique perspective.

Florence Cathedral dome view from Palazzo Vecchio Tower, Italy.

Elevated passages

The staircase extends upward, guiding you to the grand Hall of Geographical Maps. Concealed within is a hidden passage that discreetly connects to Bianca Cappello’s dressing room—once the mistress of Francesco and later his second wife.

Map Room in Palazzo Vecchio featuring historic maps and ornate ceiling, Florence, Italy.

Explore Palazzo Vecchio

With skip-the-line tickets included, you can freely discover the rest of the palace – from the grand courtyard to the Medici apartments, at your own pace after the tour.

History & purpose of Palazzo Vecchio’s secret passages

Palazzo Vecchio

Built in the 14th century, Palazzo Vecchio served as the seat of power for the influential Medici family. Concealed within its walls are hidden corridors built for clandestine movement and confidential conversations. Designed primarily by Giorgio Vasari, these rooms and passages played a pivotal role in political intrigues, allowing the Medici family to strategize and shape the destiny of Florence behind closed doors.

But Palazzo Vecchio secret passages hold more than political history. Within these concealed chambers lie artistic treasures crafted by legendary masters like Michelangelo, as well as uncommon artifacts. These hidden gems add an enchanting dimension to your journey, as you marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Renaissance.

After centuries of secrecy, the passages were rediscovered and opened to the public. Today, this extraordinary experience offers a rare glimpse into the hidden corners of Florence's past. Follow an expert guide on this adventure that will leave you both informed and spellbound.

Palazzo Vecchio history

Frequently asked questions about the Palazzo Vecchio secret passages

Why are there secret passages in Palazzo Vecchio?

Numerous hidden corridors were carved into the palace in order to give its residents the space to store their precious artifacts and important documents, and to have private meetings.

Does the secret passages tour in Palazzo Vecchio connect to the Vasari Corridor?

No, this tour only includes the hidden passages of the palace. A tour of the Vasari Corridor is only possible from Uffizi Gallery. There is a door in Duchess Eleonora’s Green Room that connects to the corridor, but it is sealed and inaccessible.

Are the secret passages recommended for young children?

Although older children and teenagers may enjoy the experience, children under the age of 6 years are not allowed on the tour.

Are the secret passages of Palazzo Vecchio accessible for guests with limited mobility?

The Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages tour is not recommended for guests with mobility issues or claustrophobia since there are narrow stairs and passageways.

How to access the Palazzo Vecchio secret passages?

You can enter from a secret location within Palazzo Vecchio, accessible only with a guide.

More reads

Statues

Book Now
Palazzo Vecchio Tickets
Scan code
Download the Headout app

Get Help 24/7

We Accept
VISA
MASTERCARD
AMEX
PAYPAL
MAESTROCARD
APPLEPAY
GPAY
DISCOVER
DINERS
IDEAL
FPX
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.