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Porta del Paradiso

Porta del Paradiso: Our most recommended tours and activities

Florence: Baptistery, Duomo Museum, Cathedral, & Belltower

1. Florence: Baptistery, Duomo Museum, Cathedral, & Belltower

Visit Florence's religious center on a guided tour inside the Baptistery, Cathedral (Duomo), and the Opera del Duomo Museum. Enjoy a comprehensive guided visit to the interior of Florence Cathedral, one of the largest and most important churches in the world. Construction began in 1296 and ended only in 1436, with the creation of the magnificent dome by Filippo Brunelleschi.  See the Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in Florence, built in the Florentine Romanesque style. Then visit the Opera del Duomo Museum, a site that collects original masterpieces from the Duomo Complex. Among the most important works on display are the original Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti, and Michelangelo's Pietà Bandini. The museum also houses one of the largest collections of Donatello's work in the world. Finally, climb the three-storied Giotto's Belltower and admire the city skyline dominated by Brunelleschi's immense dome.

Florence: Early Access Michelangelo's David and Duomo Climb

2. Florence: Early Access Michelangelo's David and Duomo Climb

Skip-the-line access to two of Florence’s most iconic sites. With an expert local guide, see some of the greatest art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance and get a deeper context that will help you more fully appreciate each aspect. Visit Michelangelo’s David before the crowds show up, enjoy exclusive access to the famed Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral's terraces, and climb that incomparable dome, all without waiting in line. Begin close to the Accademia Gallery in central Florence, where you’ll meet your guide. Breezing past the long line, you’ll head straight inside. Marvel at Michelangelo’s statue of David as well as his unfinished “Slaves” sculptures, each of which grants you incredible insight into the mind of a master. After leaving the museum, stop at Piazza del Duomo outside the Baptistery and check out the incredible bronze-cast doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti, coined the "Gates of Paradise" by Michelangelo. Continue on to the jewel of Florence, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with a special skip-the-line entrance. Once inside, your guide will unveil some of the secrets behind the architecture before leading you up to the terraces, an exclusive space rarely visited by the general public. Finally, once the guided tour concludes on the terrace level, you’re welcome to continue your journey up to the top of Florence by climbing to the top of the dome. Starting from this level gives you a head start past the long lines down below, so you’ll be soaking up spectacular views of the city.

Florence: Accademia, Brunelleschi's Dome, and Cathedral Tour

3. Florence: Accademia, Brunelleschi's Dome, and Cathedral Tour

Enjoy your day in Florence discovering the Accademia Gallery and the Duomo, and choose to climb Brunelleschi's dome. Join a group tour or select the private tour option to tailor the tour to your needs. Take advantage of the Brunelleschi Pass, valid for 72 hours, and visit the Museum and the baptistery of the Duomo after your tour has ended. Enjoy speedy entry to the Accademia Gallery with pre-reserved tickets. Hear the story of Michaelangelo's David and its creator. Learn about the legacy of the ruling Medici family and how this collection was gifted to the people of Florence. Next, head to the famous Duomo. Discover priceless works of Gothic and Renaissance art and admire the building for its size and intricate marble decorations. See the Baptistry, famous for its Gates of Paradise. Enjoy pre-reserved and exclusive entry to Brunelleschi's Dome at the end of the tour (if that option is chosen). Climb the dome or Giotto's Tower on your own time and admire scenic views of Florence and surrounding Tuscany.

Florence: Dan Brown's Inferno 2-Hour Walking Tour

4. Florence: Dan Brown's Inferno 2-Hour Walking Tour

On this 2-hour guided walking tour you’ll follow in the footsteps of Robert Langdon, the main protagonist in Inferno, Dan Brown’s latest best-selling novel. Set on the streets and in the districts of Florence, this is an authentic and original program that takes you to locations that are intimately associated with the book. Your guide will reveal the secrets of the Inferno by telling you about the mysteries of Dante, the Florence Cathedral, the Gates of Paradise, the undiscovered sites of Pallazzo della Signoria and other monuments on the route through Florence. The story will unfold as your guide takes you to the medieval squares and along the streets of this atmospheric Renaissance city.

Florence: Walking Tour with Accademia & Uffizi Galleries

5. Florence: Walking Tour with Accademia & Uffizi Galleries

Begin your tour with a guided visit to the Accademia Gallery. Explore this historic institution, one of Europe's oldest art and drawing academies, and home to an impressive collection of art and sculptures. Admire some of Michelangelo's most beloved masterpieces including the famous 'David' and other important works such as 'I prigioni,' 'San Matteo,' and the 'Palestrina Pietà'. After visiting the Accademia, your guide will lead you first to discover the amazing complex of monuments that characterize Florence's religious center: Florence Cathedral with its incredible Brunelleschi Dome, the Baptistery of San Giovanni with the Porta del Paradiso (Gates of Paradise), and the elegant Giotto Bell Tower, the loveliest in all of Italy. The walk continues along lively Via Calzaioli in the heart of the city, where you can admire the imposing and singular Orsanmichele Church, a masterpiece of Florentine Gothic art. Continuing on, delight in the romantic, picturesque Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, with its renowned jewelry shops. Finally, arrive in Piazza Signoria, one of the most beautiful squares in the world and the political center of the city. In this true “outdoor museum”, be amazed by the beautiful Fountain of Neptune and then, looking around, the sculptural masterpieces of the Loggia dei Lanzi. Dominating all this is the majestic Palazzo Vecchio with its crenelated Arnolfo tower, one of the most famous symbols of Florence that you will be able to enjoy in all its magnificence. The wonderful perspective of the open gallery of Palazzo degli Uffizi opens onto the square. Finally, you simply can't leave Florence without visiting one of the most important art collections in the world, the Uffizi Gallery. Explore this famous art gallery housed in a historic building, and marvel at incredible works of art by great Renaissance masters such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, and many others. See two of the world’s most famous paintings, Botticelli’s 'Primavera' and 'Birth of Venus,' along with countless other magnificent paintings, sculptures and other works of art. The guided tour ends at the Uffizi Terrace where you can enjoy an amazing and exclusive view of the city’s most important monuments. Once the guided tour is over, it is possible to stay in the museum. Please note that the order of the visits may change. After the walking tour, you can enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch in a historic restaurant in the old city (if option selected).

Florence: Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Accademia Gallery

6. Florence: Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Accademia Gallery

Discover Florence’s historic center on a walking tour including the imposing Duomo, elegant Uffizi Square, the renowned leather market, and the Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s David. Stroll along the streets lined with the architecture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, admire the city in its continued glory, and discover its hidden gems. Begin with a walking tour and learn about the fascinating history of Florence as you visit the heart of the Renaissance Civic and Political Center, famous for its ancient statues and glorious fountains. With your guide leading the way, visit all of Florence's top sights, including the iconic sculptures at Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Courtyard. Walk towards the astounding Florence Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, from where Brunelleschi’s dome dominates the skyline of Florence and never ceases to impress. Gaze at the Baptistry Doors by Ghiberti, coined the “Gates of Paradise” by Michelangelo, and get an up-close view of the Duomo, where your guide will tell you interesting facts about the building. Benefit from skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery where you will have the unique opportunity to see Michelangelo’s statue of the Slaves and his magnificent 17-foot marble masterpiece, the David.

Experience Florence by Foot - Guided Tour

7. Experience Florence by Foot - Guided Tour

Florence is a city of delights, and walking its streets is the best way to get a sense of its pleasures. Of course our guides will take you to the most important sites around town, but they'll also share with you the intrigue, gossip and historical anectodes this city has lurking under its surface! Florentines have a long history of greatness. From Michelangelo to Da Vinci, these streets have played home to some of the most influential thinkers and creators of the modern world. We will explore the historical and architectural evolutions from Roman times through the medieval centuries and into the Renaissance, when Florence really blossomed into what it is today. People often consider this the very birthplace of the Renaissance, and we feel that you'll soon understand why. The romance and intrigue of its streets are enough to make any person jump up and grab a paint brush! As we walk through the center of this UNESCO Heritage Cities, we will stop for a surprise "tasting" to learn about the culinary and wine aspects of Florence's rich culinary traditions. We will also see the Piazza della Signoria, with the town hall Palazzo Vecchio, with its massive, Romanesque, crenellated fortress-palace. It is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany! We stop by the famed Duomo, the Baptistry and "Gates of Paradise", as well as the picture postcard perfect Pontevecchio. This icon of our city will amaze you with its grandeur and beauty! Make sure to stop and have a gelato at one of the incredible shops lining the streets! There are plenty of other treasures to explore along our way, and our guides will make sure to point out each one and explain its importance and history to you. Finally, we will arrive at the famous shopping streets of the Oltrarno, which is a part of the historic center of Florence, and is known for its exquisite hand-made crafts. We depart ways here, and hope that you've discovered what makes our city something really special. Ciao!

Florence: Bell Tower, Baptistery & Duomo Museum Tour

8. Florence: Bell Tower, Baptistery & Duomo Museum Tour

Discover stunning views of Florence with a guided tour of Giotto’s Bell Tower. See where many famous figures were baptized at the The Baptistery of St. John, and admire artwork by Renaissance masters at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. This tour begins at Giotto’s amazing Bell Tower, which is almost as tall as the Dome itself. At the top of the Campanile, your tour guide will tell you about the Opera del Duomo complex. Admire the unbelievable view from the top. Next, descend the tower and explore the Cathedral's beautiful exterior. Make a stop at the Baptistery to see its famous golden vault doors and hear the story behind them. This is where Dante Alighieri, one of the most famous Renaissance poets, and many more Renaissance men were baptized. Then head to the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo to see the original masterpieces that once stood in the cathedral. Inside the museum are Michelangelo's Pietà Bandini, the Cantories of Donatello, Luca della Robbia, and the so-called "Facciatone", which is Arnolfo’s 14th-century life-size facade. See the original Ghiberti's Paradise Gate, Donatello's Magdalene, and the original decorations of Giotto's. 

Florence: Guided Walking Tour

9. Florence: Guided Walking Tour

Learn why Florence gave birth to the Italian Renaissance on an introductory walking tour through 2,000 years of history in the city center. Hear about the city’s Roman origins and visit landmark attractions, such as a 15th century palace, the covered bridge of the Ponte Vecchio and the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s stunning Dome at the cathedral and see the Baptistery’s golden “Gates of Paradise.” Get a better understanding and appreciation of the background and context of the Renaissance from an expert guide. 

Florence Walking Tour & Uffizi Gallery Tour

10. Florence Walking Tour & Uffizi Gallery Tour

This tour of Florence, the center of the Italian Renaissance, begins in the early afternoon in the city center of Florence. During the 3.3 hours, you’ll learn many of the facts and some of the secrets of 2,000 years of Florentine history, from the city’s Roman origins to its 15th-century palaces. Take a stroll from the Ponte Vecchio through the famous Uffizi courtyard to Brunelleschi’s Dome, the architectural wonder that overlooks the Baptistery's golden Gates of Paradise. After the walking tour, you’ll visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s top art museums. Your knowledgeable guide will tell you about works of the greatest artists from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance: Cimabue, Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, and many more. You’ll have the opportunity to admire world-famous paintings close-up. In addition, you’ll learn about the craft, techniques, and tools of the artists. As you take in the incredible collection of the Uffizi you’ll come to understand why Florence is called the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

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What people are saying about Porta del Paradiso

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,409 reviews

Our guide was wonderful! He was knowledgeable and generous with his explanations of what we were seeing and the historical significance. So well done!

Roberta was a fantastic guide and was very knowledgeable about Florence, the Academia and Cathedral.

We did this Tour, to get an idea, what we are looking at and what is the history behind it...

Great way to see the sights of Florence and learn about the rich history of the city.

This was a good tour but be prepared to wait in some long lines.