English
English
Language
Currency
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Palazzo Vecchio Courtyard
- History
- Inside
- Collections
- Secret Passages
- Palazzo Vecchio Tower
- Hall of the 500
Explore the enigmatic secret passages of Palazzo Vecchio
Unravel Medici mysteries in corridors and rooms hidden from the public, on an exclusive tour!
- Follow an expert guide up the narrow passages of Duke Gualtieri’s medieval stairway, and through a door concealed by a painting.
- Enter an intriguing private study, and view the coffered ceiling of the ‘Hall of the 500’ from a unique perspective.
- With your skip-the-line tickets, freely walk through the rest of Palazzo Vecchio.
Unravel Medici mysteries in corridors and rooms hidden from the public, on an exclusive tour!
- Follow an expert guide up the narrow passages of Duke Gualtieri’s medieval stairway, and through a door concealed by a painting.
- Enter an intriguing private study, and view the coffered ceiling of the ‘Hall of the 500’ from a unique perspective.
- With your skip-the-line tickets, freely walk through the rest of Palazzo Vecchio.
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line entry to Palazzo Vecchio
- English guided tour of the secret passages
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair/stroller, and is not recommended for guests with mobility issues.
- Visitors must leave all umbrellas, backpacks, and large bags in the cloakroom.
- Please present a valid photo ID along with your ticket at the info point of Palazzo Vecchio.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.1
12 ratings
8
1
1
0
2
Guests from United States, Canada, Netherlands and over 6 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Ljudmila
Jun 2025Verified booking
The tour was excellent and it stared on time, and we didn't wait on the line. Everything was well explained and it was worth it cheking out the secret passages!
YULIA
Jun 2025Verified booking
The guide, Julia, was amazing, very knowledgeable and fun. The tour itself is interesting. If proper instructions on how to find the guide and where to meet are there, then I would definetely give a higher score.
Alexis
May 2025Verified booking
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
May 2025Verified booking
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.
Petrus
Jun 2025Verified booking
Nice to see the secret hallways and stairs . Also the story of the past is interesting
Cherie
Mar 2025Verified booking
Tour guide was wonderful and knowledgeable. Tickets were easy and convenient
Sergii
May 2025Verified booking
Andreea
May 2025Verified booking
Myka
Apr 2025Verified booking
Duane
May 2025Verified booking
Giovanni
Feb 2025Verified booking
Very good, clear and knowledgeable guide
View original review in Italian
Wai
Feb 2025Verified booking
The tour with Daisy was EXCELLENT! She was knowledgeable, engaging and very helpful!
Jump past ticket queues to Florence's grand townhall, and upgrade for an audio guide.
- Gain direct entry to elaborately furnished courtyards, halls filled with Renaissance masterpieces, and lavish apartments once occupied by the Medici family.
- With an optional audio guide, get a complete understanding as you explore all three floors of this legendary museum and seat of the Florence city council.
- See Donatello’s famed bronze sculpture of Judith assassinating the Assyrian general Holofernes, and Michelangelo’s Genius of Victory statue.
- Add on a tour of Palazzo Vecchio's mysterious secret passages and enter a door hidden behind a painting!
Jump past ticket queues to Florence's grand townhall, and upgrade for an audio guide.
- Gain direct entry to elaborately furnished courtyards, halls filled with Renaissance masterpieces, and lavish apartments once occupied by the Medici family.
- With an optional audio guide, get a complete understanding as you explore all three floors of this legendary museum and seat of the Florence city council.
- See Donatello’s famed bronze sculpture of Judith assassinating the Assyrian general Holofernes, and Michelangelo’s Genius of Victory statue.
- Add on a tour of Palazzo Vecchio's mysterious secret passages and enter a door hidden behind a painting!
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line entry to Palazzo Vecchio
- Audio guide in English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Dutch & Portuguese (as per option selected)
- Multimedia tablet (as per option selected)
- English guided tour of the secret passages (as per option selected)
Exclusions
- Headsets & mobile device
- Tip: Until March 6, 2025, your Palazzo Vecchio tickets include entry to the "La sala grande. Giorgio Vasari per Cosimo I de’ Medici exhibition"—don’t miss it!
- The two main floors of the museum are wheelchair accessible, but architectural barriers prevent access to the mezzanine floor and the Secret Passages.
- Guests with disabilities can enter the museum for free. Visitors with mobility issues can access the building via the side entrance in Via dei Gondi.
- The lift, situated on the ground floor in the Cortile della Dogana, is for visitors with reduced mobility only.
- Visitors must leave umbrellas, backpacks, and large bags in the cloakroom. Wheelchairs and strollers may be borrowed here free of charge.
- Please present a valid photo ID along with your ticket at the info point of Palazzo Vecchio.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.1
3,154 ratings
1.5K
1.1K
168
148
276
Guests from France, United States, Spain and over 56 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Ana
May 2025Verified booking
Everything! Tour with Simonna was very interesting and informative. We were dazzled with the paintings, history, size of the rooms, etc
Kovács
May 2025Verified booking
Our entry to the museum was very good and quick.
This review is translated. Show original review.
Jeff
May 2025Verified booking
I had an early entry . Highly recommended
View original review in Dutch
Christine
May 2025Verified booking
Really great museum and great historical vibe, not stressy or overcrowded, time to take it all in
Holger
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great building with history. A must see.
View original review in German
Luísa
Apr 2025Verified booking
The exhibition is impressive. I didn't have a guide, so we explored at our own pace.
View original review in Portuguese
Luciana
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was beautiful! No queues and everything worked!
View original review in Portuguese
ROUINSSARD
Jun 2025Verified booking
Hello, we had no wait although there was a queue at the counter. Someone was waiting for us outside. It was perfect. We had taken the audio-guide option, and the person waiting for us downloaded the tour on our phones. It was very practical, but unlike audio-guides with a number at the entrance to each room, the text was at the end and it was up to us to pause it as we moved around and before arriving in the next room to take advantage of the explanation at the right moment. We managed with just one laptop. Thank you for your help.
View original review in French
Stephen
Jun 2025Verified booking
The venue was not overcrowded and the displays had good, informative descriptions posted. The audio guide was not very useful since we didn't bring ear buds and found that using the guide without them was disturbing others.
Nina
Jun 2025Verified booking
Problem-free handover of the tickets. The audio guide is a bit emotionless, you almost fall asleep while listening to it... but all in all, everything was great.
View original review in German
Galland
May 2025Verified booking
What I liked most about this experience was the guide's welcome and her efficient help in orienting us and advising us on the tour. The messages and reminders before the date were also reassuring.
View original review in French
John
May 2025Verified booking
Palazzo Vecchio is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours or more. Such a beautiful building, full of history and art. Our tour host, Laila, got us off to a great start showing us how to access the audio guide (which was invaluable) and where to begin our tour.
Lianne
May 2025Verified booking
Marta, our guide for the tour was fantastic. She was very knowledgable and her excitement/interest in the Medici's and the Palazzo were palpable. Directions on where to meet could be more clear, the map makes it look like you meet between the Ufizi and the Palazzo
Jørgen
May 2025Verified booking
The ticketing was according to my -positive- expectations. And we were services by a very helpful representative of Headout. Mille grazie!
DANIJEL
May 2025Verified booking
"The room od 500" is simply amazing work of art, an experience worth of visit. The palace is an enormous display od Medici wealth.
TILEMACHOS
May 2025Verified booking
The Palace is extraordinary. The architecture is amazing, and the feeling was very special. Our guide, Laila, helped us a lot with the directions and the instructions she gave us. I will definitely visit Palazzo Vecchio on my next trip to Firenze! Thanks Laila, The Greek friends!
Apoorva
May 2025Verified booking
Everything was amazing, starting from the guide, Laila, who was very sweet and helped us with the overview! We listened to the recording shared, throughout the artwork, wonderful experience over all :)
Purva
May 2025Verified booking
Laila was amazing, we had an issue with our car and couldn't find parking but she waited patiently for us to ensure we don't miss on this experience, would personally love to thank her ☺️
Justin
May 2025Verified booking
Our ticket host was the best. She was super courteous, kind, and happy to share her suggestions and experiences. We were late and she stayed well past her time to ensure we got our tickets. We can't thank her enough. You have a very good employee.
Thomas
Apr 2025Verified booking
Very friendly and helpful reception, great building with an exciting history.... Only the audio guide was unusable.
View original review in German
Daniela
Apr 2025Verified booking
The ticket purchase online was super easy, all we had to do to get into the museum was ti show the toon our phones. The museum is beautiful and we enjoyed looking at the paintings especially by Georgio Vasari.
Jasmina
Apr 2025Verified booking
I don’t have any issues with the Palazzo itself, but I do take issue with the organization and the unnecessary requirement to meet a host—especially one who wouldn’t even accompany us during the visit. The instructions were quite strict and even threatening: if we weren’t at the meeting point 15 minutes before our scheduled entry, it would be assumed we weren’t showing up, and our tickets would be invalid. To be safe, we arrived 20 minutes early. We even confirmed the meeting location with a police officer. In the crowd, we asked several guides if they were our host, but none were. Eight minutes before our entry time (11:00 AM), our group of three split up—I went to the ticket office while the others stayed at the meeting point, as we were genuinely worried we wouldn’t get in. At the ticket office, I was told that our tickets were with “our host,” and we wouldn’t be able to enter without meeting them. In a panic, I returned to the meeting point, only to find that my companions had already spoken with three different people, none of whom were our host. I tried contact customer service, but it was difficult to reach them due to the amount of information I had to input manually—even though I was using the app, which should have automatically filled in basic details like the reservation number. At 11:01 AM, we finally met another couple also struggling to find the same host. One of them managed to get through to the host by phone, and after rushing through the required steps (like the lockers and scanning the app for the audio guide), we managed to enter about five minutes late. I have no complaints about the host personally—they were kind and polite—but I fail to understand the point of using the app when someone else is physically holding our tickets. We were left completely dependent on someone else's punctuality, and despite all the strict warnings not to be late, it was actually *your* service that caused the delay. It was an incredibly stressful and frustrating experience—unlike anything I’ve encountered using other ticketing apps. I truly hope I won’t have to rely on your app again in the future.
Olivier
Apr 2025Verified booking
Meeting point not precise enough. "Behind the statue..." But behind the statue there's also the entrance. whereas you should have read outside. Fortunately, it wasn't raining. Audioguide: if you have the misfortune of closing the audioguide, you no longer have access to the commentary, as you scanned a QRCode that you no longer have.
View original review in French
Deray
Mar 2025Verified booking
Excellent contact with the very competent guide Why not offer the same service in French for those who don't understand Italian?
View original review in French
GRANDPRE
May 2025Verified booking
Tour with audio-guide, not too many visitors, and a guide who waited for us because we were 45 minutes late!!!!
View original review in French
Palazzo VecchioSecret Passages
Make the most of Florence
Why visit Palazzo Vecchio’s secret passages?
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.
Your journey through the secret passages of Palazzo Vecchio
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 historyFrequently 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.
From the happy customers
James
United StatesMay, 2025
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.
Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Nina
AustriaJun, 2025
Problem-free handover of the tickets. The audio guide is a bit emotionless, you almost fall asleep while listening to it... but all in all, everything was great.
View original review in German
Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Tickets
Jørgen
DenmarkMay, 2025
The ticketing was according to my -positive- expectations. And we were services by a very helpful representative of Headout. Mille grazie!
Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Tickets
Alexis
CanadaMay, 2025
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.
Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Helen
May, 2025
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.
Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets