Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit to The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Planning your visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella will help you enjoy one of Florence’s most captivating historical and artistic landmarks with ease. Below you will find essential information to optimize your experience and make informed choices when purchasing tickets.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – Ticket Information
Purchase Options: Tickets for the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella can be acquired in advance online or directly at the entrance. Buying tickets online is advised to guarantee entry, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Types of Tickets: A ticket granting skip-the-line admission to the venue along with an audio guide is available on this site.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – Location & Hours
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Florence, Italy.
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday and Civil Holidays: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday and Days before Religious Holidays: 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday and Religious Holidays: 1 PM – 5 PM
Last Admission: Entry to the Santa Maria Novella Complex, including the Basilica, Museum, and Cloisters, is permitted until one hour before the scheduled closing time.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – Accessibility
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella has made significant efforts to ensure that the monumental complex is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
The primary entrance to the church from the piazza features ramped access, allowing wheelchair users to enter the nave without encountering steps.
Once inside, the majority of the basilica’s floor plan is level, providing an unobstructed view of the main altar, the Masaccio fresco, and the various side chapels.
Access to the monastic cloisters and the museum areas is facilitated by a series of internal ramps and a lift system.
Specifically, the Green Cloister and the Great Cloister are largely accessible, though some original stone paving may be slightly uneven due to the age of the materials.
Visitors requiring the use of the elevator to reach upper levels or specific museum rooms are advised to speak with the staff at the ticket desk, who can provide assistance and guidance on the best routes to take.
For visitors with sensory impairments, the complex offers specific resources. There are tactile maps and relief models of the facade and certain artworks available to assist those with visual impairments in understanding the proportions and decorations of the site.
Service dogs are permitted within the complex, provided they are properly harnessed and have the necessary documentation. It is important to note that while the majority of the site is accessible, some narrow passages in the oldest parts of the monastery may remain difficult to navigate with wider electric wheelchairs.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Admission tickets include access to the entire monumental complex, including the Basilica, the Cloisters, and the Museum.
Visitors must dress appropriately for a place of worship, ensuring that shoulders and knees are covered before entering.
Large bags, hiking backpacks, and bulky luggage are not permitted inside and must be stored in the designated cloakroom.
The ticket office stops issuing entries 60 minutes before the site’s scheduled closing time.
Flash photography and the use of tripods or professional filming equipment are strictly prohibited to protect the frescoes and artworks.
While the complex is open to the public, tourist visits are suspended during the celebration of Mass and other religious services.
It is advisable to book tickets in advance online to secure a specific entry time and avoid long queues at the physical ticket window.
Mobile phones must be switched to silent mode, and visitors are expected to maintain a quiet demeanor throughout the sanctuary.
The historic stone flooring can be uneven in certain sections of the cloisters, so wearing sturdy walking shoes is highly recommended.
Guided tours and audio guides are available at the entrance for those who want a detailed historical context of the Dominican influence on the site.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – Additional Information
- Facilities
- Souvenir Store
- Dining
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella provides essential amenities to ensure a comfortable visit.
Public restrooms are located within the museum complex and are maintained regularly; however, visitors should note that facilities may be limited during peak hours.
A designated cloakroom or storage area for large bags and umbrellas is available, as bulky items and large backpacks are not permitted inside the sanctuary or the cloisters for security and conservation reasons.
Information points are situated near the entrance where visitors can obtain site maps or rent multilingual audio guides.
These guides provide in-depth commentary on the architectural history and the specific artworks within the chapels.
While the complex is centrally located, it is primarily an open-air and historical stone structure, so visitors are encouraged to carry water and wear comfortable walking shoes.
The official bookshop is located near the exit of the museum circuit.
It offers a curated selection of high-quality merchandise, ranging from detailed academic monographs and art history books to more accessible guidebooks available in several languages. Many of the publications focus specifically on the Dominican Order’s influence on Florentine art and the scientific achievements associated with the basilica.
In addition to literature, the store features items inspired by the artworks found within the complex, such as prints, postcards, and stationery. Visitors can also find traditional Florentine crafts and products, including scents and herbal remedies that nod to the historical pharmaceutical tradition of the neighboring Dominican friars.
The shop adheres to the same opening hours as the museum and accepts both cash and major credit cards.
While there is no cafeteria or restaurant located directly inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, the surrounding piazza and the neighborhood of the train station offer an extensive variety of dining options.
Immediately outside the gates, visitors will find traditional Italian cafes and trattorias serving local Tuscan fare, as well as quicker options for sandwiches or gelato.
For a more historic experience, the world-famous Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is located on the nearby Via della Scala and features a tea room within its historic halls.
Because the basilica is a religious site, consuming food or drink is strictly prohibited inside the church, the cloisters, and the museum galleries.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the many establishments in the square to enjoy a meal with a view of Alberti’s famous facade.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – Visitor Guidelines
Dress Code: Entry is permitted only to those wearing appropriate attire; shoulders and knees must be covered, and hats should be removed upon entering the basilica.
Silence and Decorum: Visitors are required to maintain a low volume and respect the silence of the church, especially near the chapels reserved for private prayer.
Photography: Non-professional photography without flash is permitted for personal use, but the use of tripods, selfie sticks, or professional equipment is strictly prohibited.
Prohibited Items: Large suitcases, hiking backpacks, and bulky bags are not allowed inside; visitors must utilize the cloakroom facilities for these items.
Baggage Screening: All visitors may be subject to security checks and metal detector screening at the entrance for the safety of the site and its occupants.
Food and Drink: Consuming food or beverages is strictly forbidden throughout the entire complex, including the cloisters and the museum galleries.
Mobile Devices: All mobile phones and electronic devices must be switched to silent mode before entering the monumental area.
Supervision of Minors: Children must be accompanied at all times and supervised to ensure they do not touch the historic walls, frescoes, or sculptures.
Religious Services: During the celebration of Mass, sightseeing is restricted to ensure that liturgical proceedings are not interrupted by tourist activity.
Smoking: Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices, is prohibited in all indoor and outdoor areas of the complex.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – Nearby Attractions
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella: One of the world’s oldest pharmacies, located a short walk away on Via della Scala, featuring historic frescoed rooms and traditional herbal products.
Museo Novecento: Situated directly across the piazza from the basilica, this museum is dedicated to Italian art of the 20th century.
Cappelle Medicee: The final resting place of the Medici family, featuring Michelangelo’s New Sacristy, located less than 10 minutes away on foot.
Mercato Centrale: A vibrant historic food market offering traditional Tuscan ingredients and a modern upstairs food hall for local dining.
Basilica of San Lorenzo: One of the largest churches in Florence and the former parish church of the Medici, known for its unfinished facade and Brunelleschi architecture.
Palazzo Strozzi: A premier exhibition space and landmark of Renaissance civil architecture, hosting rotating international art installations.
Santa Maria Novella + Video Guide
Highlights
Avoid queues and enter Santa Maria Novella directly.
Explore the basilica’s remarkable art and architecture from the Middle Ages and Renaissance eras.
Listen to an audio guide available in English and four other languages.
Marvel at notable frescoes, cloisters, and Gothic design within the basilica.
Discover historical decorations related to the 1348 plague.
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