What makes it 85% Couple-Friendly: The glittering mosaics and legendary bronze doors create a memorable shared moment, and the 1-hour visit fits romantic itineraries, though the cramped nave offers little seating or privacy.
Why 1-2 hours visit duration is ideal for couple trip: Couples can admire the façade, explore the interior mosaics, and join a short tour without rushing.
Admire the exterior façade:
Walk around Piazza San Giovanni and study the white-and-green marble pattern and bronze "Gates of Paradise" doors.
Tip: Photograph the doors at a slight angle in the morning to avoid harsh shadows.
Explore the interior mosaics:
Enter to see the golden cupola mosaics, zodiac floor designs, and scenes on the inner walls.
Tip: Spend a few minutes beneath the dome center to capture the full mosaic pattern above.
Join a small-group guided tour:
Learn detailed art and architectural stories in a 2-hour skip-the-line tour.
Tip: Book the Saturday 3 PM tour online in advance to secure two adjacent seats.
Take the restoration-site tour:
Climb scaffolding to stand close to the cupola mosaics in a limited 10-person visit.
Tip: Reserve the Friday 11 AM English tour at least two weeks before your travel date.

Cory Miller
Beautiful chapel to St. John located right across the street from the Duomo in Florence. Part of our guided tour, I enjoyed the rich history of this building pointed out by the guide, including the Roman burial area underneath the floor
Seokjin Ham
The baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, John the Baptist. While its exact origins remain uncertain, some scholars believe it may have been built atop a Roman structure dating back to the 4th century. The current building was consecrated in 1059 by Pope Nicholas II and officially became Florence’s baptistery in 1128. The structure is a master...
Tomi Valny
Baptistery of St. John standing in front of the Cathedral of Florence and its famous for its ceiling mosaics. These are now in restauration process so cannot be seen, but anyway, if you buy a Brunelleschi pass, you can visit the Baptistery of St. John too, together with Dome and Campanille. One can only admire the only restored part of the mosaics above the altar, which is quite impressive. All to...
Martin Vanta
Florence’s Baptistery of Saint John, located directly across from the Cathedral, is one of the city’s oldest buildings, with roots going back to the 4th or 5th century. It is perhaps best known for its stunning bronze doors—especially the “Gates of Paradise” by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Although the interior was under partial renovation during my visit, the space remains deeply atmospheric and visually ca...
Keith
The Battistero di San Giovanni is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. It is an architectural wonder which apparently took its inspiration from the Pantheon. Even though there is currently restoration work underway, it is well worth visiting. Beautiful mosaics and bronze doors including the stunning Gates of Paradise.
Arrive at opening in summer to beat the midday heat; in winter, combine your visit with the nearby Cathedral to stay warm indoors.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Standard admission (2 adults) | EUR 30 |
| Small-group guided tour (2 adults) | EUR 50 |
| Coffee nearby (2 espressos) | EUR 6 |
| Total Estimated | EUR 86 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: Piazza San Giovanni, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
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