Climbing Giotto's Bell Tower in Florence: 414 Steps, Our Honest Tips
The short answer
Yes, if you're comfortable with stairs and tight spaces: the view from the top of Giotto's bell tower, with Brunelleschi's dome right in front of you, is magnificent. But it's 414 steps with no lift, up narrow stairwells you share with other climbers. We'd never do it in summer or if you're very claustrophobic. Book the first slot of the morning and take breaks.
Let's be honest from the start: the view from the top of Giotto's bell tower is one of the most magnificent things we've seen in Italy. Brunelleschi's dome so close you could almost touch it, and a sea of terracotta rooftops rolling all the way out to the hills. But the stairs? The stairs were no joke.
Giotto's bell tower, the Campanile di Giotto, stands right beside Florence Cathedral on Piazza del Duomo. It rises 84.7 metres (278 feet), and there's no lift: you reach the top terraces on foot, up a stairway of 414 steps. Here's what the climb was really like for us, who we think should do it, and how to plan it so you enjoy the view instead of just surviving the stairs.
The climb: magnificent, and not for everyone
I'll admit it: I don't love sharing tight spaces. The stairwells inside the tower are narrow stone passages, and you share them with everyone else on the climb, squeezing to one side whenever someone needs to pass. Partway up, I had to stop, sit down and get some air more than once. There's no shame in it, and you won't be the only one catching your breath.
The good news is that the climb isn't one endless spiral. The stairway passes through three loggias stacked one above the other, each with tall arched windows, so every level gives you a breather, a little more light and a taste of the view to come. Along the way you pass the tower's largest bell, the Apostolic, cast in 1401, and that's a lovely excuse to pause.
And then you step out at the top, and it's all worth it. Truly.
Who we'd tell to skip it
- Anyone visiting in summer. We would never do this climb in the summer. It's hard enough work on a mild day, and in the heat, in narrow stone stairwells full of people, it would be miserable. If your trip falls in July or August, see the tower from the piazza (or from a rooftop terrace) and save the climb for a cooler trip.
- Anyone who is very claustrophobic. If tight, crowded spaces really get to you, take that seriously. The official Opera del Duomo guidance says the climb is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, vertigo, heart or respiratory conditions, or during pregnancy.
- Anyone who'd rather not do stairs. There's no lift and no shortcut. It's 414 steps up, and the same way down.
If none of those apply to you, go. Just take your time, take breaks whenever you need them, and don't let anyone behind you rush you.
The rewardWhat you see from the top
This is the reason we'd tell any couple to climb the bell tower rather than (or as well as) the Dome: from up here, the Dome is part of your view. Brunelleschi's terracotta dome fills the frame, so close you can see the white marble ribs and the lantern on top. Below you, the cathedral's roof and Piazza del Duomo, with people the size of ants. Turn around and it's terracotta rooftops, church towers and the green hills around Florence in every direction.
One note: the Opera del Duomo says the bell tower is currently undergoing major restoration. The top terrace stays open throughout, but views may be partly reduced while the work goes on, so check the official site before you book.
Afterwards, we loved seeing the tower from the other side: from the rooftop terrace at La Terrazza sul Duomo, our stay right on the piazza, with a glass of wine as the marble turned gold. Looking up at the top and knowing you climbed it is a very good feeling.
Practical tipsTickets and passes
There's no single ticket for the bell tower. You buy one of the combined passes from the official Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore ticket office, online at tickets.duomo.firenze.it. Each pass is valid for three calendar days.
- Giotto Pass (€20 per adult). The bell tower, the Baptistery, the Opera del Duomo Museum and Santa Reparata. You book a time slot for the bell tower, you enter at the start of your slot, and the reservation can't be changed. The other sites don't need a time slot.
- Brunelleschi Pass (€30 per adult). Everything above, plus the climb up Brunelleschi's Dome. You book a time slot for the Dome, and the bell tower can then be climbed any time within the pass's three days, without a slot. If you want to do both climbs, this is the one.
- The cathedral itself is free to enter, with no ticket needed. It's closed to visitors on Sundays and during religious celebrations.
Prices are from the official ticket site at the time of writing; always check there before you go.
Before you go
- Leave the big bag behind. Suitcases, backpacks and medium or large bags aren't allowed on the climb and have to go into the official luggage storage at Piazza Duomo 38/r first. Bring a small crossbody and nothing else.
- Plan about 45 minutes for the visit, which is the official recommendation. Add more if, like me, you take your breaks.
- Wear proper shoes. Worn stone steps and sandals are not friends.
- Bring water, and drink some before you start.
- Covered shoulders and knees if you're also visiting the Baptistery or the cathedral on the same pass. The Baptistery doesn't allow bare legs and shoulders.
The best time of day
We'd book the first slot of the morning. The stairwells are cooler, there are fewer people squeezing past on the stairs, and you're back down in time for a long, slow lunch. The bell tower is open every day from 8:15am, with the last slot at 6:45pm. A late-afternoon slot is the other good option, when the light turns golden over the rooftops. Midday is the slot we'd avoid: it's the warmest and the busiest.
The Dome or the bell tower?
| Giotto's bell tower | Brunelleschi's Dome | |
|---|---|---|
| Steps | 414, no lift | 463, no lift |
| The view | Includes the Dome itself, up close | The whole city, but you're standing on the Dome |
| Booking | Giotto Pass (timed slot) or Brunelleschi Pass | Brunelleschi Pass only, timed slot, photo ID required |
| Our pick | Yes, for the view of the Dome | If you want to do both climbs |
If you only have the energy (or the nerve) for one climb, we'd choose the bell tower. It's slightly fewer steps, the loggias break it up, and you get the one thing the Dome climb can't give you: a view of the Dome.
Our verdict
Magnificent, and worth it, with a few honest caveats. Go outside of summer, book the first slot of the morning, take as many breaks as you need, and skip it if tight, crowded spaces truly aren't for you. If you do go up, give yourselves time at the top. After 414 steps, you've earned the view.
Quick questions
How many steps are there in Giotto's bell tower?
414 steps, with no lift. The tower is 84.7 metres (278 feet) tall, and the stairway passes through three loggias on the way to the top terrace.
Is Giotto's bell tower or the Dome better to climb?
We'd pick the bell tower: it's 414 steps against the Dome's 463, and from the top the Dome itself is part of your view. If you want to do both, the Brunelleschi Pass covers both climbs.
Is climbing Giotto's bell tower claustrophobic?
It can be. The stairwells are narrow and shared with other visitors, and the official guidance says the climb isn't recommended for people with claustrophobia, vertigo or heart or respiratory conditions.
Ready when you are
Plan your own escape for two
Our step-by-step guide, from choosing the place to the last dinner, with a printable checklist.
Plan your escape