How long are the queues at the Palazzo Vecchio entrance?

Palazzo Vecchio is one of Florence's most iconic landmarks, welcoming thousands of visitors daily. All visitors enter through either the main entrance at Piazza della Signoria or the side gate on Via dei Gondi. If you already have your skip-the-line tickets, just show your tickets and head into the reserved line.

During peak season (April to October), ticket queues can take 60–90 minutes and security checks add another 10–20 minutes.
In the off-peak months (November to March), expect 15–40 minutes for ticketing and 5–10 minutes at security.

Types of queues at Palazzo Vecchio

Ticket redemption queue

Location: Front courtyard
Skip-the-line? ✅ Yes
Avg wait time: 60–90 mins (peak season), 15-40 mins (off-peak)
Who it’s for: All visitors with timed-entry tickets

Security check

Location: Main entrance
Skip-the-line? ❌ No
Avg wait time: 10–20 mins (typical)
Who it’s for: All visitors, regardless of ticket type

Group entrance

Location: Left side of main courtyard
Skip-the-line? ✅ Yes
Avg wait time: 5–15 mins
Who it’s for: Guided tour groups

Tower entry

Location: Arnolfo Tower staircase
Skip-the-line? ✅ Yes
Avg wait time: Varies by time slot
Who it’s for: Visitors with tower access tickets

All your options to skip the queues at Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio draws huge crowds, but you don’t have to wait with everyone else. Even with skip-the-line access, timing your visit helps.

1. Book in advance

Pre-booking guarantees timed entry and lets you bypass the general ticket counter. These slots often sell out during peak weekends and holidays.

Book Palazzo Vecchio tickets

2. Choose a guided tour for faster entry

Tours use the separate group entrance, which has shorter wait times and includes expert commentary.

Book Palazzo Vecchio tours

3. Visit during quieter hours

Arrive before 10am or after 4pm for smaller crowds. Early afternoon is often busier.

Best time to visit

4. Avoid free entry days

Avoid weekends, holidays, and free-entry days, as crowds surge and wait times, especially at security lines, can increase significantly, even for skip-the-line ticket holders.

Book Palazzo Vecchio skip-the-line tickets

Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Tickets

Book now, pay later

Flexible duration

Audio guide

Guided tour

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Arnolfo Tower Skip-the-Line Tickets

Flexible duration

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Combo (Save 5%): Palazzo Vecchio + Arnolfo Tower Skip-the-Line Tickets

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Combo (Save 5%): Palazzo Vecchio + Uffizi Gallery Skip-the-Line Tickets

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Combo (Save 5%): Medici Chapels + Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Tickets

Audio guide

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Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Free cancellation

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1 hr. 15 min.

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Combo (Save 5%): Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Tickets + Accademia Gallery Hosted Entry Tickets

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What are our guests saying?

Loved by 35 million+

Micaela

United States

Jun 2025

5/5

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

United States

May 2025

5/5

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

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

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

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

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!

Frequently asked questions about Palazzo Vecchio skip-the-line tickets

Why book skip-the-line tickets?

They help you avoid the 60–90 minute wait at the ticket counter, let you plan your day better, and make for a smoother, stress-free entry experience.

What happens if you don’t book skip-the-line tickets?

You might wait up to 90 minutes in the sun, miss your preferred visiting slot, and rush through the museum to recover lost time.

Do I still need to go through security check?

Yes, all visitors, regardless of ticket type, must pass through a mandatory security screening.

Can I buy skip-the-line tickets at the gate?

Not always. These tickets often sell out online 2–3 days in advance, especially during busy travel periods.

Do skip-the-line tickets include access to the Arnolfo Tower?

Some skip-the-line tickets include the Tower, but you must select this option when booking. Entry is timed and may be limited in poor weather.

Are audio guides included with my Palazzo Vecchio skip-the-line tickets?

The basic skip-the-line tickets do not include an audio guide. However, you can upgrade your skip-the-line tickets to include a multilingual audio guide.

Is a guided tour better than a basic skip-the-line ticket?

If you enjoy storytelling and historical insights, yes. Guided tours offer deeper context and typically use the quicker group entrance.

Is skip-the-line access available on free entry days?

It depends. You may still skip the ticket counter, but security lines are longer and the palace is more crowded.

Are skip-the-line tickets wheelchair accessible?

Yes, though some areas (like the Tower or secret passages) may have limited access. The main palace is accessible via ramps and lifts.

Can I re-enter the Palazzo after exiting?

No. All Palazzo Vecchio tickets, including skip-the-line ones, are single-entry only.