Landmark · Florence
Basilica of Santa Croce: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Santa Croce website. Official links are under Sources.
Santa Croce is next free on Sunday, 8 November 2026 (in 2 weeks).
- Free entrance to the basilica on selected feast days (afternoon).
- Also free: entry to pray or attend Mass (worship area and services); children aged 0-11; residents of the Municipality of Florence; Under-18s free with a paying parent (family ticket); and more below.
- Otherwise: full price (individual visitors) — €10.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forFree entry to pray or attend Mass (worship area and services) | worshippers | Use the side door on Largo Bargellini (always open during visiting hours) to reach the Niccolini chapel prayer area; Mass at 6pm daily and 11am on Sundays/holidays (north aisle door). This is not a sightseeing visit of the monumental complex. | No |
| Free dayFree entrance to the basilica on selected feast days (afternoon) · 14:00–17:30 | everyone | Full list: 1 Jan, second Sunday of February, Easter, 13 Jun, 15 Aug, 14 Sep, European Heritage Days, 4 Oct, second Sunday of November, Sunday before Christmas, 26 Dec. Hours 2-5:30pm, last admission 4:30pm. Dates computed from that list. | No |
| Free forFree for children aged 0-11 | children under 12 | Collect the free ticket at the ticket office with ID. | No |
| Free forFree for residents of the Municipality of Florence | Florence residents | Comune di Firenze residents only (listed under 'Free'); show ID at the ticket office. | No |
| Free forUnder-18s free with a paying parent (family ticket) | under-18s | Parents pay full price (€10 each). | No |
| Free forFree (with priority) for people with disabilities and their carers | visitors with disabilities (+1 companion) | No booking needed. | No |
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- To pray only, use the Largo Bargellini side door - it's free; the paid route covers the tombs, chapels and Pazzi Chapel.
- Keep your ticket: it gives reduced entry at Casa Buonarroti, Casa Vasari, Museo Horne and Museo Galileo.
- Firenze Card holders also enter free.
- Buy at the ticket office to avoid the €1 online fee.
Calendar
Free days at Santa Croce
- SUN8NOVSunday, 8 November 2026 · in 2 weeks · 14:00–17:30
- SUN20DECSunday, 20 December 2026 · in 8 weeks · 14:00–17:30
- SAT26DECSaturday, 26 December 2026 · in 2 months · 14:00–17:30
- FRI1JANFriday, 1 January 2027 · in 2 months · 14:00–17:30
- SUN14FEBSunday, 14 February 2027 · in 4 months · 14:00–17:30
- SUN28MARSunday, 28 March 2027 · in 5 months · 14:00–17:30
10 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Santa Croce
Skip-the-line ticketSkip-the-Line Tickets to Santa Croce Basilica Complex★★★★★ 4.6 · 516 reviewsfrom €15
Guided tourFlorence: 1.5-hour Santa Croce Guided Experience★★★★★ 4.8 · 401 reviews1.5 hoursfrom €32.44
Guided tourFlorence: Santa Croce Church Tour with Entry Ticket★★★★★ 4.6 · 222 reviews1 hourfrom €48
Guided tourSanta Croce Basilica Guided Tour★★★★★ 4.9 · 33 reviews1.5 hoursfrom €79.20
Guided tourBasilica of Santa Croce: Entry Ticket + Guided Tour★★★★★ 4.6 · 18 reviews1.5 hoursfrom €49.90
Guided tourBasilica of Santa Croce Guided Tour★★★★★ 4.8 · 11 reviewsfrom €49.90
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Official prices
Santa Croce ticket prices
| Full price (individual visitors) — €1 booking fee per ticket online (none at the ticket office). Reduced €6 for ages 12-17, university students and groups - not free. Family ticket: €10 per paying parent, under-18 children free. | €10 |
| Audio-guide (on-site rental) — €4 if rented online. | €6 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 09:30–17:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:30–17:30 |
| Wed | 09:30–17:30 |
| Thu | 09:30–17:30 |
| Fri | 09:30–17:30 |
| Sat | 09:30–17:30 |
| Sun | 14:00–17:30 |
Monday-Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm; Sundays and religious holidays (6 Jan, 1 Nov, 8 Dec) 2pm-5:30pm. Last admission 5pm; the basilica closes at 5:20pm. Closed 25 December.
Piazza Santa Croce 16, 50122 Florence, Italy (visitor entrance Largo Bargellini, north side)
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Santa Croce: common questions
Is Santa Croce free?
Santa Croce is free for everyone entrance to the basilica on selected feast days (afternoon). Also free: entry to pray or attend Mass (worship area and services); children aged 0-11; residents of the Municipality of Florence; Under-18s free with a paying parent (family ticket); and more below. Otherwise the official ticket costs €10.
Who gets free entry to Santa Croce?
Worshippers — use the side door on Largo Bargellini (always open during visiting hours) to reach the Niccolini chapel prayer area; Mass at 6pm daily and 11am on Sundays/holidays (north aisle door). This is not a sightseeing visit of the monumental complex.. Children under 12 — collect the free ticket at the ticket office with ID.. Florence residents — comune di Firenze residents only (listed under 'Free'); show ID at the ticket office.. Under-18s — parents pay full price (€10 each).. Visitors with disabilities (+1 companion) — no booking needed..
How much is a ticket to Santa Croce?
Full price (individual visitors) costs €10 on the official site.
Is Santa Croce free on Sundays?
Yes, on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Santa Croce
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Sources
Where this comes from
- santacroceopera.it/en/liturgy/ · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- santacroceopera.it/en/organise-your-visit/ · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- santacroceopera.it/en/news-events/notices/
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.