Is the Brunelleschi Pass in Florence Worth Buying?

This architectural marvel was completed between 1420-1436 stands to a plan by Filippo Brunelleschi. The dome solved the long-standing problem of how to cover the massive crossing of Santa Maria del Fiore. 

Without internal scaffolding, Brunelleschi crafted  innovative techniques and machinery, inspired by Roman architecture, to construct this double-shelled dome. 

It truly is a wonder that something like this could be achieved hundreds of years ago.

For us, this was the main highlight of the Brunelleschi Pass. Climbing the dome, while a bit daunting, provided stunning views of the paintings, as well as amazing views of Florence. 

It’s 463 steps up and requires a booked time slot. I highly, highly recommend booking the earliest time slot if possible (the earliest available is 8:15 am). It was still cool in the morning and wasn’t crowded. 

We spoke to a few others who have done this, and since it’s only one-way, if someone stops in front of you or is slow, you’ll be stuck waiting. 

Be prepared to stop at the top of the cupola for photos. Guides tell you not to stop but honestly everyone does so take advantage of the opportunity to get an up-close view of the incredible paintings of Brunelleschi’s Dome.

The climb isn’t as bad as one would think. There are a series of stairs to climb with some platforms and hallways to walk through, so it’s pretty broken up. Don’t be afraid to do it – it’s just not recommended for those who have heart conditions, claustrophobia, or are pregnant.

Brunelleschi’s Dome is the only monument you need to book a time for. You can expect to spend 45-60 minutes here.

Giotto’s Bell Tower

Designed by Giotto di Bondone, construction began in 1334, though Giotto himself died before it was completed. Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti continued the work, modifying the original design. 

The tower’s intricate Gothic architecture, adorned with sculptures and colourful marble, reflects the artistic styles of the 14th century. It was designed to house the cathedral’s bells.

We intended to climb Giotto’s Bell tower in the afternoon, but it was still quiet once we left Brunelleschi’s Dome so we made the decision to climb another 414 steps right after. 

Yes, it was slightly more exhausting but I would NOT have wanted to do this climb the later in the day it got. The stairs are only one way up and down, and some parts of the staircase are quite narrow and windy, so you’ll be waiting a while. 

There are plenty of rest platforms along the way, and the views of Florence and the dome were my favourite from here, so if you’re only going to pick one monument to climb, make it Giotto’s Bell Tower!

Baptistery

The Baptistery is one of Florence’s oldest and most historically rich sites, dating all the way back to the 11th century. Its unique octagonal shape makes it stand out, but the real magic is inside – and it is truly captivating.

Walk through its doors and look up; you’ll be greeted by a jaw-dropping mosaic ceiling, crafted during the 13th and 14th centuries. These mosaics are vibrant, detailed depictions of biblical stories, showcasing the incredible artistry of the Middle Ages.

You could easily spend 30 minutes staring at the ceiling (you may get dizzy!) but the mosaics are fascinating and tell the stories of the bible. It’s more beautiful than what I was expecting it to be and would recommend visiting to anyone (even if you aren’t religious).

Opera del Duomo Museum

Spread across three floors, the Opera del Duomo museum houses original designs, relics, and fascinating insights into the construction of Brunelleschi’s Dome – the first of its kind!

You’ll also find original sculptures, architectural models, and tools used in the construction of the Duomo, like the original Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti, and sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo.

The museum preserves the context for the cathedral’s creation, showcasing the evolution of artistic and architectural styles from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance that built Santa Maria del Fiore. 

We spent an hour here taking it all in – there is a LOT to see, but also very interesting to learn how the cathedral and dome were constructed. You could very easily spend much longer perusing the 28 rooms if time allows!

Don’t miss the chance to get an up-close view of the Dome itself from the very top floor of the museum.

Santa Reparata

This was the longest wait of all 5 monuments as a part of our Brunelleschi Pass. Santa Reparata is the original remains of the first church below Santa Maria del Fiore, which dates back to the 5th century! You’ll be able to see mosaics, columns, and fragments of the ancient church.

While it’s not very large (it can be done in about 30 minutes) but it’s awesome to see the crypt as you wander around and definitely worth seeing as part of your pass. Plus, you’re free to walk around the church afterwards and get a neat perspective of the dome itself and beautiful paintings.

What to Remember about the Brunelleschi Pass

• The Brunelleschi Pass costs 30 euros.
• It grants access to all five main monuments at Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral: Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Santa Reparata, and the Opera del Duomo Museum.
• The pass is valid for 3 full days.
• Brunelleschi’s Dome requires a pre-booked time slot.
• The pass is needed to climb both Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower.
• Alternative passes exist: Giotto Pass (20 euros) and Ghiberti Pass (15 euros).

Pros of the Brunelleschi Pass:

• Allows you to see all the main attractions of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral.
• Value for Money (if seeing everything): If you plan to visit all five sites, it’s the most cost-effective option! You really can’t beat 30 euros for visiting (and climbing) all these iconic sites.
• Flexibility: The 3-day pass lets you explore at a leisurely pace and spread out the climbs (unless if you’re like us, haha)
• Essential for Climbing: It’s required to climb both the Dome and the Bell Tower.
• Avoids Multiple Tickets: Purchasing one pass is more convenient than buying individual tickets!

Cons of the Brunelleschi Pass:

• Cost: 30 euros might be expensive if you only want to see a couple of sites (in which case, check out the Giotti Pass or Ghiberti Pass which offers some of these attractions at a lesser rate).
• It can be tiring: Seeing all five sites in 3 days can be tiring, especially with the climbs. BUT! We did everything on this pass in a day, so it really is doable!
• Time Slot Requirement: You must book a specific time for Brunelleschi’s Dome, which requires planning (and I mean well in advance as some time slots can sell out months in advance!)

Notes on Climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome vs Giotto’s Bell Tower

If you only want to climb one monument, I prefer the views from Giotto’s Bell Tower much more than Brunelleschi’s Dome (although the cupola at the Dome is absolutely stunning). There are also more resting platforms in the Bell Tower, but keep in mind it’s one way up and one way down, unlike Brunelleschi’s Dome. 

Not interested in climbing up Brunelleschi’s Dome? You can purchase the Giotto Pass for 20 euros or which will give you access to Giotto’s Bell Tower, Santa Reparata, the Baptistery, and Opera Del Duomo. 

If you plan to climb the Bell Tower, do it first thing in the morning (it opens at 8:15) before it gets busy. We climbed Giotto’s Bell Tower right after Brunelleschi’s Dome and walked right inside without waiting. 

Just be sure to visit Santa Reparata after if you aren’t climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome to view the stunning cupola painting. You don’t have to wait in line for the free church entrance for this (which can be ridiculously long).

If climbing isn’t for you (it’s not recommended for those who are claustrophobic, pregnant, or have heart conditions), the Ghiberti Pass is available for 15 euros to view the Baptistery, Opera Del Duomo, or Santa Reparata.

While Brunelleschi’s Dome is the only monument you need to book a time for, you don’t need to do it first. With the barcode on your phone (or printed copy), you can access any of the other monuments from the start date of your purchase simply by scanning the barcode upon entry. 

You will also have to go through a security checkpoint prior to entering any of the 5 monuments.

Is the Brunelleschi Pass Worth It?

If you plan to see all of the main spots at Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, it’s worth purchasing the Brunelleschi Pass for 30 euros.

You can only climb the Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower with the pass, so you may as well purchase it! 

The Brunelleschi Pass will also grant you access to the Baptistery which was more beautiful than I expected, Santa Reparata (the crypt below the church with the remains of the original church), and the Opera del Duomo – the museum with the original doors and sculptures from the cathedral.

If you’re spending more than a day in Florence, the Bruneschelli Pass is valid for 3 full days, so you can take your time and not feel rushed passing through these attractions. This can be especially handy for climbing up Bruneschelli’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower.