Tickets for Palazzo Vecchio: the symbol of the power in Florence
Palazzo Vecchio is one of the symbolic monuments of Florence. A place of centuries-old history among the best known in the world. Discover the tours you can book to best enjoy your visit to this truly fascinating site, now also the official seat of the Florence City Council.
Palazzo Vecchio: the tickets most chosen by travelers
Palazzo Vecchio: symbol of Florence
Palazzo Vecchio, one of the most iconic symbols of Florence, stands in Piazza della Signoria and bears witness to the city's political and artistic history. Its construction began in 1299 under the architect Arnolfo di Cambio, commissioned by the Florentine Republic, which wanted a building to symbolise its power. Originally, it was called Palazzo dei Priori, as it was intended to house the Priors of the Arts, representatives of the city's guilds. Later, it was known as Palazzo della Signoria, the Florentine government.
During the Renaissance,the palace became the residence of the Medici family, marking a new artistic and decorative phase under Cosimo I. Between 1540 and 1565, Cosimo I de' Medici moved the seat of government to Palazzo Pitti, but kept Palazzo Vecchio as the administrative and representative centre. It was Vasari, commissioned by Cosimo, who designed and decorated new rooms, transforming the building into a treasure trove of works of art.
In the 19th century, with Florence as the capital of Italy, Palazzo Vecchio was the seat of the Italian Parliament and the provisional government. Today it is the seat of the Municipality of Florence and houses an extraordinary museum open to the public
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Info, accessibility, tips and times for visiting Palazzo Vecchio
The opening hours are for the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio: from October to March, every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
April to September: daily from 9am to 11pm.
It is closed on Thursday afternoons (during the low season) and on 25 December.
While for the Arnolfo Tower:
October to March: daily from 10am to 5pm.
April to September: daily from 9am to 9pm.
Access to the tower may be restricted in the event of bad weather or for safety reasons.
Palazzo Vecchio is accessible to people with disabilities in the main rooms thanks to the presence of lifts and ramps. Access to the Tower is unfortunately limited for people with reduced mobility due to the numerous stairs.
Palazzo Vecchio: tips for your visit
Frequently asked questions about Palazzo Vecchio
What is there to see inside Palazzo Vecchio?
Palazzo Vecchio is a treasure trove of art, history and architecture. Here's what not to miss:
Salone dei Cinquecento: One of the largest and most impressive rooms in Italy, decorated with frescoes by Giorgio Vasari and his team. Michelangelo's ‘Genius of Victory’ is also located here.
Medici Rooms: Such as the Chapel of Eleonora di Toledo, with frescoes by Bronzino, and the Studiolo di Francesco I, a richly decorated private space for meditation.
Monumental Quarters: The representative rooms of the Florentine government, decorated with works celebrating the history of Florence.
Torre di Arnolfo: From which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.
Archaeological excavations: Underground you can visit the remains of the ancient Roman theatre of Florentia.
Secret routes: Special tours allow you to explore hidden passages and private rooms.
Who lived in Palazzo Vecchio Florence?
Palazzo Vecchio was founded as the seat of government of the Florentine Republic in 1299. In the 16th century it became the residence of the Medici family, in particular Cosimo I and his wife Eleonora of Toledo, before they moved to the Pitti Palace. After the Medici, the palace returned to house government functions and is now the seat of the Municipality of Florence.
How much does one pay to enter the Palazzo Vecchio?
Prices may vary, but generally they are:
Full price ticket: Around 12-15 euros for the museum.
Reduced price ticket: Approx. 10-12 euros (children, students and other categories).
Access to the Torre di Arnolfo: Approx. 4-5 euro surcharge. There are also combination tickets and guided tours for the secret routes. I recommend you check the official website for updates on prices
Who gets into Palazzo Vecchio for free?
The ticket is free for under 18s, groups of students and their teachers, of all nationalities; tour guides and interpreters with groups; journalists; disabled people and their helpers; members of ICOM, ICOMOS and ICCROM; Firenze Card holders.
How long does it take to visit Palazzo Vecchio?
A complete visit to the Palazzo Vecchio can take from two hours to half a day.
How do I get up the Tower of Arnolfo?
Access to the Tower of Arnolfo is via an internal staircase. It is necessary to purchase a ticket in addition to the museum entrance. The climb is challenging but safe, with narrower sections as you ascend. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes.
How many steps does the tower of Palazzo Vecchio have?
The Tower of Arnolfo has 223 steps. Climbing them is a unique experience, especially for the panoramic view that awaits you at the top, with spectacular glimpses of Florence and the surrounding hills.
Why is the Palazzo Vecchio called this?
Under the rule of the Medici it became the official seat of the Signoria, it was the Ducal Palace until 1565, when Cosimo I decided to move to the ‘new’ Pitti Palace and from then on it took the name ‘old’.
How high is the Tower of Arnolfo?
The Tower of Arnolfo is 95 metres high.
How to get to Palazzo Vecchio
Getting to Palazzo Vecchio is easy thanks to its central location in Piazza della Signoria, right in the heart of Florence. If you stay in Florence, you have several options.
Onfoot: Palazzo Vecchio is easily accessible on foot from many central areas of the city. If you stay close to the historical centre, such as in the Duomo area or near Santa Maria Novella station, you can reach Piazza della Signoria with a walk of about 10-15 minutes.
By bus: If you are in other areas of Florence, such as Oltrarno or Campo di Marte, there are several ATAF buses that stop in central areas close to Palazzo Vecchio. The main lines include the C1 and C2, which stop within minutes of Piazza della Signoria.
If, however, your itinerary starts from outside the city, you can consider other means of transport, which are comfortable and fast.
By train: Santa Maria Novella station is Florence's main railway junction, connected to cities such as Rome, Milan, and Venice. From the station, it is a short 15-minute walk through the centre to Palazzo Vecchio.
By car: Florence has a Restricted Traffic Zone (ZTL), so parking outside the historical centre is recommended. Car parks near the Santa Maria Novella railway station, such as the Parcheggio Santa Maria Novella and the Parcheggio Parterre in Piazza della Libertà, are good starting points. From there, it is easy to continue on foot or by public transport to Palazzo Vecchio.
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Best attractions around Palazzo Vecchio
Historic Centre of Florence, Unesco World Heritage Site since 1982
The Historic Centre of Florence, with its narrow alleys, cobbled streets and medieval and Renaissance buildings, has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1982.
Vedi ❯Visiting Palazzo Vecchio through its main tours
Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most iconic symbols of Florence and represents over seven centuries of history, art and politics. Built from 1299 onwards to a design by Arnolfo di Cambio, it was created as the seat of the priory of the arts and the government of the Florentine Republic. Its strategic position, in Piazza della Signoria, made it the political heart of the city right from the start.
In the 16th century, with the rise of the Medici family, Cosimo I turned the palace into his official residence, entrusting its decoration to artists such as Giorgio Vasari. It was here that grand ducal power took shape, before the family moved to Palazzo Pitti.
Today Palazzo Vecchio is a museum and the seat of the Municipality of Florence, as well as a place where medieval, Renaissance and archaeological testimonies intertwine, recounting Florence's central role in Italian and European history.
Tours of the Palazzo Vecchio
For the best experience, various tours are available to discover the stories and secrets of the building. Here are some options you can consider. Remember that if you book online, at authorised retailers, you can skip the line once you arrive at the Palace.
Skip the line with ticket and audio guide: This tour allows you to enter without waiting and offers an audio guide in Italian and other languages to independently explore the main rooms, such as the Salone dei Cinquecento and the ducal flats. It costs around 25-30 euro and has a flexible duration that allows you to move around freely.
Guided historical tours: For those seeking a deeper immersion, tours with art historians explore in detail the Renaissance era and the links with illustrious figures such as Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci. These tours typically last 2-3 hours and cost between 45 and 60 euros. They include special sections, such as Cosimo I's private rooms and secret passages, often requiring advance booking.
Children and interactive tours: Families with children can opt for interactive tours that include games and activities to help them discover the Palazzo Vecchio in a fun way. Many of these tours include areas such as the ‘secret passages’, a feature popular with young children.
Access to the Tower of Arnolfo: The ascent to the Tower of Arnolfo offers a breathtaking view of Florence. The ticket for the tower can often be purchased together with the entrance to the palace, but can also be added separately. The cost for access to the tower is approximately 10 euros in addition to the standard ticket.
Useful tips for your visit
As Palazzo Vecchio is located in a pedestrian zone, be prepared for a short walk even if you arrive by car or public transport. To avoid crowds, plan your visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and consider booking a skip-the-line ticket, especially during peak season.
What to see around Palazzo Vecchio
Useful tips for your visit
As Palazzo Vecchio is located in a pedestrian zone, be prepared for a short walk even if you arrive by car or public transport. To avoid crowds, plan your visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and consider booking a skip-the-line ticket, especially during peak season.