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Experience the best of Basilica of Santa Croce

Experience the majesty of Florence's Basilica of Santa Croce. Marvel at its Gothic architecture and the tombs of legends like Michelangelo and Galileo. Breeze pass queues with skip-the-line tickets or opt for an audio guided tour for an engaging visit.
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Slide 1 of 9, Santa Croce Basilica altar with stained glass windows and ornate architecture in Florence, Italy.
Santa Croce Basilica altar with stained glass windows and ornate architecture in Florence, Italy.

Skip-the-Line Tickets to Santa Croce Basilica Complex

Explore at your pace

  • Skip the ticket queue and walk straight into the world's largest Franciscan basilica. The full complex is yours to explore at your own pace.

  • Stand before Giotto's 14th-century frescoes in the Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels, among the finest surviving examples of pre-Renaissance painting in Italy.

  • Pay your respects at the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli: three of history's greatest minds, all buried within the same nave.

  • Wander through Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel, the cloisters, the crypt, and the Opera Museum. One ticket covers it all, with nothing extra to pay inside.

  • While admiring these masterpieces, do not forget to witness Pio Fedi’s Freedom of Poetry, a marble statue symbolizing freedom of expression. It is believed that Freedom of Poetry inspired the Statue of Liberty of New York!

More details

  • Skip the ticket queue and walk straight into the world's largest Franciscan basilica. The full complex is yours to explore at your own pace.

  • Stand before Giotto's 14th-century frescoes in the Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels, among the finest surviving examples of pre-Renaissance painting in Italy.

  • Pay your respects at the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli: three of history's greatest minds, all buried within the same nave.

  • Wander through Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel, the cloisters, the crypt, and the Opera Museum. One ticket covers it all, with nothing extra to pay inside.

  • While admiring these masterpieces, do not forget to witness Pio Fedi’s Freedom of Poetry, a marble statue symbolizing freedom of expression. It is believed that Freedom of Poetry inspired the Statue of Liberty of New York!

from
€15
Slide 1 of 10, Santa Croce Basilica facade in Florence, Italy, with tourists exploring the square.
Santa Croce Basilica facade in Florence, Italy, with tourists exploring the square.

Basilica of Santa Croce Guided Tour

1 hr 30 mins

  • Skip lines with timed entry and tour alongside a certified guide for a focused, well-paced visit to this landmark basilica in Florence.

  • Discover Franciscan heritage and Gothic design while your guide unpacks symbols, stories, and artistic choices woven into the church.

  • View Giotto’s frescoes up close and learn how the Bardi, Medici, and Pazzi Chapels shaped Florence’s religious and civic identity.

  • Pay respects at the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli, contextualized within Renaissance culture and civic pride.

  • Headsets are offered if the participant group exceeds 7 members to keep narration clear during the 1.5-hour experience.

More details

  • Skip lines with timed entry and tour alongside a certified guide for a focused, well-paced visit to this landmark basilica in Florence.

  • Discover Franciscan heritage and Gothic design while your guide unpacks symbols, stories, and artistic choices woven into the church.

  • View Giotto’s frescoes up close and learn how the Bardi, Medici, and Pazzi Chapels shaped Florence’s religious and civic identity.

  • Pay respects at the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli, contextualized within Renaissance culture and civic pride.

  • Headsets are offered if the participant group exceeds 7 members to keep narration clear during the 1.5-hour experience.

from
€49.90

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Book online in advance, especially during peak tourist season, to guarantee your preferred time slot and avoid long queues.

Visitors must cover their shoulders and knees to respect the sacred space, and carry a valid ID to enter the Basilica.

Consider using the audio guide for deeper insights into the basilica’s art and history, available in multiple languages.

The Hop-On Hop-Off bus combo saves time and money while offering access to multiple city landmarks along with the Basilica.

Similar things to do in Florence

About Basilica of Santa Croce

Santa Croce is a must-see for anyone exploring Florence’s rich tapestry of art and history. As part of the city’s essential cultural collection, it offers a unique journey through Renaissance masterpieces, monumental tombs, and the vibrant legacy of Florence’s most celebrated figures.

AddressPiazza di Santa Croce, 16, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Also known asTemple of the Italian Glories
Year opened1442
Founded byArnolfo di Cambio
Expected wait time - Standard30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Did you know?

Santa Croce is known as the 'Temple of the Italian Glories' because it houses the tombs of Italy’s most illustrious artists, scientists, and thinkers.

The basilica’s construction began in 1294 under the direction of Arnolfo di Cambio and continued for over a century.

Cimabue’s 13th-century crucifix, displayed in the refectory, survived the devastating 1966 Florence flood and remains a symbol of resilience.

The Pazzi Chapel, designed by Brunelleschi, is considered one of the finest examples of Renaissance architectural harmony outside the Duomo.

The Leather School (Scuola del Cuoio) was founded after World War II to train orphans in traditional Florentine leathercraft, a tradition still alive today.

Why visit Basilica of Santa Croce?

Resting Place of Italian Legends

Pay tribute to Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini, whose monumental tombs line the basilica’s aisles, making Santa Croce a true pantheon of Italian genius.

Renaissance Art Masterpieces

Marvel at Giotto’s early 14th-century frescoes, Cimabue’s iconic crucifix, and sculptures by Donatello and Rossellino, all within a single awe-inspiring space.

Stunning Gothic Architecture

Admire the soaring nave, intricate stained-glass windows, and harmonious chapels that exemplify Italian Gothic style at its finest.

Florentine Leathercraft Tradition

Visit the on-site Scuola del Cuoio, where artisans continue Florence’s centuries-old leatherworking heritage in the peaceful cloisters.

Peaceful Piazza and Cloisters

Relax in the tranquil Piazza Santa Croce and explore the serene cloisters, offering a quiet escape from the city’s bustle and a glimpse into monastic life.

Plan your visit

Largo Bargellini Entrance (Main Visitor Entrance)

This is the official entrance for all ticketed visitors, located on the north flank of the basilica at Largo Bargellini. Look for the Opera di Santa Croce ticket office and entry gate. Please note: access is via several steps, and there are no elevators or ramps, so wheelchair access is unfortunately limited. Staff are available to assist with entry and ticket checks. This entrance is also used for guided tours and audio guide rentals.

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What our guests say

Fritz E

Couple
Last week

+1 more

Very impressive evolution of this memorial to the prominent scholars and artists, especially Michelangelo.

Skip-the-Line Tickets to Santa Croce Basilica Complex

Roberto S

Family
Sep 2026

+1 more

It was really a huge help to be able to buy tickets with Headout!! On a very hot day in Florence, with a huge line in front of the Basilica of Santa Croce, being able to enter in just a few moments thanks to the skip-the-line access made the visit more pleasant and, above all, safe for my child as well. Fantastic experience! I won't do without it again.

Skip-the-Line Tickets to Santa Croce Basilica Complex

Douglas S

Brazil
Couple
2 weeks ago

+3 more

Visiting the Uffizi Gallery is an extraordinary experience and without a doubt one of the highlights of a trip to Florence. Standing in front of works that shaped art history, especially those by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo, is hard to put into words. The richness of the collection is impressive, but what charms you most is seeing how art and history meet in every single room. Buying tickets through Headout was simple and convenient, and the scheduled entry time made planning the visit so much easier. An unforgettable experience that I recommend to anyone coming to Florence. It's impossible to leave the Uffizi without seeing the city through different eyes.

Combo: Uffizi Gallery + Basilica Santa Croce Skip-the-Line Tickets

Odile B

France
Couple
Sep 2026

+1 more

The entrance is well signposted, and the lines for online tickets and the ticket office are clearly separated. The museum is very large, spread across two wings opposite the Palazzo Vecchio, but there is a set visitor route and it is relatively easy not to miss anything. Special mention, of course, to the works of Botticelli, the Birth of Venus and his Madonnas, as well as the sculptures of Leonardo da Vinci.

Combo: Uffizi Gallery + Basilica Santa Croce Skip-the-Line Tickets

Joanne B

Couple
Last week
Hop on hop off bus was great but the highlight was the guided tour of the catherdral so much knowledge it was definitely worth it

Combo: Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Santa Croce Basilica Complex Tickets

Maria G

Argentina
Group
3 weeks ago
Being able to get tickets without much advance notice and, most importantly, not having any wait time at the entrance makes the experience much more enjoyable.

Combo: Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Santa Croce Basilica Complex Tickets

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