We are a family of four who will not be staying in Florence but will be sightseeing there for one possibly two days. I plan to make reservations ahead of time for the Ufizzi and Accademia but should I buy the Firenze card just so I have access to climb the Duomo? I wasn't planning on spending the money on the Firenze card because we do not have much time in Florence. Also, I was wondering if climbing Giotto's Bell Tower will give us the same view/vantage point?
Posted by
381 posts
We were in Florence for a week last September and every time we walked past the line to climb the Duomo was at least an hour wait. You may want to consider if you want to spend your time in Florence waiting in line. The wait for the Bell Tower was considerable shorter.
Posted by
1856 posts
Do not buy Firenze card in your situation. You will not get the full value out of it. It's great for longer stays. I have done both Duomo and Bell Tower. The views of Florence are equally great. There is also Palazzo Vecchio tower. There was never a line for us at Giotto's bell tower. We went after 3 pm both times we were there. The staircases are steeper at the bell tower. I felt more "winded" than when we did Duomo. Duomo - you can see dome artwork up close (scary - "going to hell" type paintings) and Brunelleschi's brick work. You are better off getting a combo. pass at the Duomo biglietteria, just north across the walkway of the baptistery. You can use it to access duomo museum, duomo climb, bell tower climb, baptistery, and cathedral "basement" which is an archaeological site.