Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)

Giotto’s bell tower is part of Florence's Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore complex, which includes the cathedral, baptistery, dome, and crypt. Designed by Giotto in 1334, the Gothic tower is decorated in the same white, green, and pink marble that covers the adjacent Duomo. It’s divided into five distinct tiers decorated with arched windows, sculptural works from statues to bas-reliefs by della Robbia and Pisano, and geometric patterns of different colored stone.

Giotto’s bell tower is one of the most popular attractions in Florence, and booking a Duomo Complex tour that includes skip-the-line entrance to the tower, cathedral, and baptistery is essential to avoid long lines to enter. Many Florence sightseeing walking tours and shore excursions also visit highlights like the Uffizi, Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia), and Piazzale Michelangelo.

• Giotto’s bell tower is a must for first-time visitors to Florence. Kids especially love the exhilarating climb and vertiginous view from the top of the tower.

• There is a single skip-the-line ticket to enter all five parts of the Duomo complex—church, crypt, dome, bell tower, and baptistery—and the Museo dell'Opera. The ticket is good for 72 hours after the first use.

• There is a lot of ground to cover in the Duomo complex, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes if taking a guided tour.

• If you are also planning on visiting the church, choose clothing that covers your shoulders and legs.

• There is no elevator to the top of the bell tower, so the climb is not recommended for those with heart problems, vertigo, or limited mobility.

Giotto’s bell tower is in the Piazza del Duomo, just a 5-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station in the historic center of Florence.

The Duomo complex in Tuscany’s capital city of Florence is one of the most visited attractions in Italy and can be very crowded during the summer months. The best time to tour the bell tower and complex is from November to March, when the city sights are less overrun with tourists.

Florence’s Duomo complex offers two sweeping views over Florence: one from the top of Giotto’s bell tower and the second from Brunelleschi’s dome, which sits atop the Duomo itself. An important feat of engineering and architecture, the dome was completed in 1436 and is one of the most recognized symbols of the city today.

Yes, Giotto’s Bell Tower offers one of the best views of Florence’s cathedral plus the historic center from above. Though most visitors climb the cathedral dome, you can’t admire the church from that vantage point; the bell tower sits just opposite the cathedral, so affords unique views of the church itself.

There are more than 400 steps to the viewing platform inside Giotto’s Bell Tower, so consider at least 10-15 minutes just to climb to the top. Plan to spend at least another 10-15 minutes taking in the view, then about 5-10 minutes to climb down to the exit.

Designed by Giotto in the 14th century, the bell tower is one of Florence’s premier examples of Gothic architecture. Visitors are drawn more to the sweeping vistas that the tower offers from its sky-high perch than its stately architecture, however, and the tower is most famous for its spectacular views.

Yes, you need to purchase tickets to climb the bell tower. Timed admission to Giotto’s Bell Tower is included in two of the three Duomo complex passes (the Brunelleschi Pass and the Giotto Pass), which bundle entry to the baptistery, museum, and other elements of the cathedral complex into a single ticket.

That depends on the height and view you prefer. The observation deck on Brunelleschi’s dome is higher than that of the bell tower and includes up-close glimpses of the dome’s interior frescoes. The bell tower is lower but faces the dome, so you get a bird’s-eye view of Brunelleschi’s masterpiece along with the surrounding rooftops.

You cannot purchase tickets exclusively for Giotto’s Bell Tower. Admission to the bell tower is bundled into the Brunelleschi Pass and the Giotto Pass along with other elements of the cathedral complex. The Brunelleschi Pass (including the dome climb) costs €30 and the Giotto Pass costs €20 per adult.